When two of the world’s biggest selling artists announce that they have created an album together, it’s only right that one of the world’s top directors is drafted in to create the video. ‘Otis’ is the first single from Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration album, ‘Watch The Throne’, and legendary filmmaker Spike Jonze has directed the video.
A world away from the low-budget look of Jonze’s famed work on the Fatboy Slim’s ‘Praise You’ video, ‘Otis’ oozes money. The track, which heavily samples Otis Redding’s ‘Try A Little Tenderness’, is playing over the opening long shot of a pristine Maybach. Jay Z and Kanye approach the car carrying heavy-duty tools and a team begins to pull the Maybach apart as Jay Z and Kanye West rap against the backdrop of a huge American flag. Once the Maybach is sufficiently destroyed, Jay Z and Kanye jump in for a ride, accompanied by four beautiful women and lashings of bling.
Spike Jonze’s slick camera work captures the thrill of riding around in a Maybach with no doors and his ability to get up-close and personal with the rap stars makes for thoroughly entertaining viewing. The video for ‘Otis’ is the ultimate in the American Dream and the red, white and blue color scheme runs through everything from the clear sky to the laces in Jay Z’s sneakers.
The message is simple here: the American Dream is attainable and it’s nothing but girls, money and fun, but until you get there enjoy watching us having a ball.
Proving that it’s important to give back when you’re raking in the dollars, Jay Z and Kanye West are putting the destroyed Maybach from the video up for auction to raise money for the East African Drought Disaster. Check out the video here.
Harry Potter star Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the movie series, has well and truly graduated from Hogwarts. The British actor, who starred in all eightof the Harry Potter movies, is trying his hand at music after signing a deal with independent label Six Strings Production last year. Tom Felton has spoken of his desire to enter the UK grime scene, but debut single Hawaii is a world away from the gritty world of London rap.
Hawaii features Tom singing in an undeniably British accent in a way that sounds unnatural and forced. The song’s main focus is Felton’s distinct vocal, which is supported by an acoustic guitar and piano. The lyrics speak of the dismal weather outside and how Tom wishes he could be relaxing in sunnier climes – namely Hawaii. The simple verse and easy melody suggest that Felton’s first foray into music was probably a result of the jamming sessions that he is said to enjoy with his band and not the result of a burning desire to channel his creative juices.
If Hawaii is an indicator of what is to come musically from Tom Felton than I think it’s safe to say his fans will prefer him on the big screen. Tom Felton is next up in movie blockbuster Rise of the Planet Of The Apes alongside James Franco and Frieda Pinto, and hopefully the movie theatre is where he will remain.
What do AC/DC, KISS, The Rolling Stones and Iron Maiden all have in common? Not just millions in record and ticket sales, but also their very own wine range.
AC/DC are joining a surprisingly substantial list of rock royalty and have teamed up with Australian winemaker Warburn Estate to create a selection of wines. Any discerning AC/DC fan will be grappling to get their hands on the range of four wines, which share their name with some of the band’s biggest hits. There is Back in Black Shiraz, Hells Bells Sauvignon Blanc, Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon and You Shook Me All Night Long Muscat. The range will be stocked in Woolworths stores across Australia. The store said, “We wanted to make sure AC/DC’s home fan base could have easy access to their rock icons’ wines. It was a no-brainer to make it available nationally, no one misses out.”
AC/DC are credited with pioneering heavy metal and despite suffering numerous line-up changes, 2013 will see the band celebrate their 40th year in business. Fronted by Australian brothers Angus and Malcolm Young, they have remained lynch pins of the rock scene ever since. However, the move into the alcohol market may well be seen as a controversial one considering the group’s original singer, Bon Scott, died in 1980 following a night of heavy drinking.
Not many bands make it to their tenth studio album so, when they do it’s often a cause for celebration. Red Hot Chili Peppers are marking the release of ‘I’m With You’, their first album in five years, with a two-year world tour and a live gig that will be broadcast in high-definition to movie theaters worldwide.
On August 30, the day the album is released in North America, the Chili Peppers will be performing in Cologne, Germany. This special ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers LIVE: I’m With You’ gig will be beamed via satellite to movie theaters globally. Over 450 theaters in the US will see singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer perform the album from beginning to end, plus a number of their greatest hits.
The Chili Peppers, who formed in 1983, are responsible for some of the most recognisable rock songs of recent times. Combine the band’s extensive discography with their masterful stage presence and you have a recipe for greatness.
Tickets are on sale now with screenings starting on Tuesday 30 August. For a list of all the participating movie theaters and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.rhcplivehd.com/
Ibiza is an island know for many things but rap music isn’t one of them. However, all that looks set to change this summer after MTV’s invasion of the notorious party isle for ten weeks. ‘I Want My MTV Ibiza’ is a series of ten events, each taking place in Amnesia, a converted finca that is one of Ibiza’s most iconic nightclubs.
For the opening party in July, ‘I Want My MTV’ kicked off proceedings with the surprise choice of Gangsta Rap superstar, Snoop Dogg. After going down a storm with the 5,000-strong crowd, owing to hits including ‘Snoop Doggy Dogg’ and ‘Regulate’, I Want My MTV have drafted in another US rapper to replace Duran Duran, who pulled out after lead singer Simon Le Bon was diagnosed with a throat condition.
50 Cent is hitting Ibiza on Friday August 12 to perform a selection of his musical catalogue, which is sure to include chart smashes, ‘In Da Club’, ‘P.I.M.P’, ’21 Questions’ and ‘Candy Shop’. The American rapper, who was mentored in his early days by Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, could cement rap’s place on the dance-music-orientated island if Fiddy’s performance goes down as well as the Doggfather’s.
Catch 50 Cent on the Amnesia Terrace this Friday with support from Canadian producer, Tiga and a DJ set from Mark Ronson. For those unconvinced about rap music’s place in Ibiza, James Holden, Layo & Bushwacka, Mar-T and Toni Varga, all playing in the Main Room, will be steering clear of Hip Hop.
There was a time when you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing an R Kelly hit, be it one of his solo records or a track that the R&B don had written for one of the world’s biggest stars. The ‘Bump N’ Grind’ singer’s hit rate may not be as high as it was few years ago, but his remix of Britney Spears’ ‘Till The World Ends’ sees him launch himself into the chart topping style of electro-pop with gusto. The Spears single has already been reworked by Nicki Minaj and Ke$ha, the latter of which originally wrote the song, but R Kelly still manages to add something by offering his sultry male vocals to proceedings.
Opting to leave the track, produced by Dr Luke, pretty much as it is in the original, R Kelly’s remix is more about the vocals and slick use of Auto Tune. R Kelly introduces a second verse with some of his own lyrics, “Slide up in this club. This beat’s got me in love.” His computer manipulated voice continues for the remainder of the track, entwined with Britney’s original vocals, in what is a triumphant reworking. ‘Till The World Ends’ was already a club smash but after R Kelly’s input, it’ll be sticking around in the clubs for a long time yet.
It’s not often that a television programme captures the hearts of adults and children alike but American hit show, Glee, has achieved just that. With two TV series behind them and a third already commissioned, a staggering number of singles and albums sold and Glee world tours, it’s nigh impossible to avoid Glee-mania so we have put together this concise guide to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about the world of Glee.
Glee is set in Ohio, USA and centres around the members of the William McKinley High School glee club and their star Rachel Berry, played by Lea Michele. Teacher Will Scheuster, played by Matthew Morrison, is the glee club’s director and spends almost every episode trying to prevent cheerleading coach, Sue Sylvester, who is competing for funding, from sabotaging the glee club’s plans.
Glee fans are affectionately referred to as Gleeks, due to their dedication to the show and everything connected with it. There are novels, games, clothing, accessories and now even a film is in production. The show airs on Fox in the States and originally on E4 in the UK, where it was the channel’s biggest viewing hit. Since E4 refused to pay the inflated asking price for season 3, Glee will now be shown on Sky 1 HD in the UK. Read more…
Christina Aguilera has made no secret of her Ecuadorian heritage. Her Grammy nominated album, ‘Mi Reflejo’, was sung entirely in Spanish and Aguilera has continually dabbled with Latin B sides and collaborations. She goes Español once again on her latest track, ‘La Casa’, rumored to be featuring on the soundtrack of Will Ferrell’s forthcoming film ‘Casa De Mi Padre’.
Unmistakably Aguilera from the outset, her distinctive voice is belted out flawlessly in a way that’s not been showcased since her early power-pop hits such as ‘Stronger’ and ‘Beautiful’. The entire flavour of the song oozes Spanish charm, in most part thanks to the use of a Latin horn, which receives a solo interlude mid-way through the track and the shaking of a few maracas.
It’s been a while since Christina Aguilera has been at the top of her musical game but hopefully with the release of ‘La Casa’ will help her forget about her poorly received acting debut alongside Cher in ‘Burlesque’. ‘La Casa’ is just shy of Christina Aguilera pop at its finest, but at least she’s heading in the right direction.
