UK STAND UP!

When it comes to urban music, I have to admit I was always biased to the US. The UK just didn’t for me. I felt that UK artists were just copying the US style and the videos to be frank, were under par.
However, in the last 5 years there has been an emergence of UK artists who are storming the charts with some good music. We have middle class England trying be ‘down with the urban kids’ to try and get that cool creditability and even our neighbours across the pond are beginning paying attention
The flag bearers in my view are the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Kano, Tinchy Stryder and (my personal favourite) Tinie Tempah, have managed to create good music with authenticity that is so often lacking in urban music. What makes me particularly proud of these artists is their ability to create the music without the drama. No ‘beefs’, no overhype about their ‘hood’ or the need to create the typical street persona in order to sell records, but just good music. Artists such as Taio Cruz have created distinct UK sounds that have managed to conquer the good old U.S without the need to compromise in order to be favoured in the U.S. They have now opened the door for other artists to shine and are finally genuine contenders to the US counter parts.
So to end, sit back enjoy a lil bit of the Tinie Tempah

Peace

Are the Right actually right?

There has been a bit of a furore in America surrounding Michelle Obama’s holiday in Spain at the moment. The chief perpetrators to the drama are none other than the right wing publications. But let’s forget for a minute that Rupert Murdoch – a staunch conservative Republican who abhors anything remotely liberal, owns most of America’s media and the right wing politicians when criticizing the Obama administration are being malicious and sometimes racist may actually have a valid point to their argument?

Now Michelle and her youngest daughter Sasha may not be ‘living it up’ in a lavish hotel suite in Dubai, but given the dire economic state of the country at the moment, the 10% unemployment and not to mention the catastrophe of the oil spill along the Mexican Gulf, one could have been a little more prudent.
Depending on how you much you believe when reading the American newspapers, some are saying that Michelle is on holiday with a posse of 40 deep (that’s not including security), enjoyed the luxury of using the Air Force 4 (costing several thousands of dollars) and she is snapped hobnobbing with Spanish royalty. In any other circumstances this may not have really made headlines (using tax payers money, or not), but in a time when there is a global recession, it is bound to make a stir.
The key thing to consider are the ‘optics’ .i.e. how things are perceived by others. By reading some of the comments left by readers from various newspapers, the general consensus from those who criticize Michelle, is ‘Why couldn’t you holiday in America?’ Or even yet, ‘Why go on holiday now??’ A lot of western leaders who are indeed conscious of the optics have planned a holidays close to home, even the outlandish leader of France, Sarkozy is keeping it low key
Until the right get their way, they will always be petty and look for real or unreal faults of the current government, but questioning the validity of spending thousands to go on holiday during a tough period in America now, may actually be...right?

Nice To Meet You...

I liken the first post of my blog to going on my first date with a guy. We first of all meet and he gauges whether I am the kind of girl he wants to get to know. As time goes on with the relationship, he will see my flaws, but I should have done a good enough job on the first date to ensure he will ask me out again!

If you guys stick it out with me, you will find my blogs to have a witty view on life and hopefully leave you with some food for thought (I did say hopefully!)
During the course of our relationship (thinking ahead here), you will find that I have ambitions to take over the world – well at least get an online magazine started. I am a person of faith, who is very keen on the media, in particular how it depicts people of colour. I am fanatical about music and one who is curious about the urban scene in Europe, in particular Spain.

I too would like to think that I will get to know my readers well, so do feel free to comment about the posts or submit any articles for discussions to notqty@gmail.com and I’ll surely get them posted.

That’s all from me at the moment, so until our next date...


Remi