Month: May 2011

JASMINE WITH WIZ KHALIFA

I remember a time when all the TV, print press and radio I worked for encouraged me to keep my content national or international so it was as big as possible and inclusive to allwhether based in London, up north, around Europe or internationally.
Now that wave has turned and with governments and local boroughs all talking in the latest buzz wordspeak which always includes the phrases ”Big Society” and ”local community” its a new day. If I’m totally honest (and aren’t always?), I’ve only ever championed and cared about the goings on in the city that I live in and love. As if my fairy godmother heard and acted upon my subconscious universal outgoing message, I find myself on the brink of a new regular 30 minute TV show that’s made by new, young reporters, solely focusing on London and championing the capital cities stories. Whether big or small, celeb focused or community focused, it’s all about unashamedly putting a microscope on London and highlighting news and events from a real Londoners point of view. Bliss. If you see the LONDON 360 camera crews out there show them some love!.

A night for decisions as I was invited to both the Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg shows on same evening. Decisions, decisions. One a legendary hip-hop icon that I’ve worked with numerous times over the past 2 decades- (in fact it was my CNN interview outside a Los Angeles courthouse after Snoop Doggy Dogs (as he was known then) murder case that helped promote me here in the UK). The other a new young champ to Europe’s shores that had the modern urban generation excited and had breathed new life into the game that I’d not had the opportunity to experience live yet?. Clearly I had to go and watch Khhalifa. Snoop-I decided- had hadenough of my time and attention over the years and I could probably list hiswhole list in order so many times have I watched his live show. I had been to meet Wiz Khalifa earlier in the day and his confident, friendly, articulate manner immediately struck me and I was intrigued to learn more about him and see if he could indeed holds a stage presence the way he could a 1-1 conversation. On entering his room escorted by his record label rep –the legendary Taponeswa Mavunga- I was immediately struck by both his extremely tall, lean height and the strongest ‘’aroma of the West Coast’’ juxtaposed by a haze of smoke. I wasn’t in the room very long but I still stunk of the green stuff when I returned to my Wood Lane desk! I was concerned for his label rep as she’d been in his company all day! He liked my military jacket and was highly Intelligent-considering how much west coast oxygen he was getting through! And so I found myself with my industryfamily down at Shepherds Bush Empire the same night. On arrival it was apparent that this show and artist had high expectations. The venue was packed. Sold out totally and full of a very fresh, hot, young crowd. Our very own superstar Wretch32 was opening up and as many had come to see his set as Khalifas. Wretch tore the house down which even early on was packed to the rafters. After Wretchs set RADIO1Xtra’s Semtex did a short set which had the crowd hyper and excited before the main mans moment. In the audience were loads of notable folks like rapper Sway, KissFMs DJ Manny Norte, female artist Baby Blue and Master Shortie. The main thing that was apparent once Wiz finally hit the stage is that he has immediate and electric stage presence.Able to get the crowd on side from the get go, he danced, bopped, bounced and skanked his way through an hour long set briefly stopped midway through a song to kiss his girl friend side of stage- (Kanyes left over-‘’model’’ Amber Rose). To my old skool ears his sound and stage vibe really reminded me of a beautiful mix of Bone, Thugs and Harmony, Andre 3000 and Kanye. 45 minutes into Khalifas set I heard that Snoop still hadn’t entered his forum stage and that the forum crowd were becoming restless and impatient-clearly I had made the right choice that night`! As Khalifa’s final song-his hit ‘’Black and yellow’’ was nearly done I suggested to my people that it was probably best we sneak out now before it got crowded and we were forced to chat to all and sundry. As we exited the venue to stroll back to our car the stage side door behind suddenly slammedopen and as if in a surreal dream we watched as 2 police, two 02 venue security, Wiz Khalifa and a gigantic security man carrying Amber Rose legged it out of the venue and were bundled into a waiting car ready to speed them off. The irony of the fact that security was protecting and escorting Amber moresafely than the main man was not lost on me. Amber in her tight dress and high stacked heels couldn’t have made the run. But whilst Wiz is connected to her he has ‘’brand Khlaifa’’ locked down on the things every big urban act nowadays needs. Great music. Check. Legions of fans. Check. Stage presence. Check. A celebrity controversial girl friend. Check!.

JASMINE WITH HER OLD COMPADRE-SNOOP DOGG

Across town at The Form I was told by my former assistant-now ITV girl Jennifer Adeeko- that Snoops opening act-Beanie Man was great but that the crowd weren’t happy that Snoop didn’t get onstage until 10.20pm-over an hour late and luckily for him all tardiness issues were forgotten as he was welcomed with nothing but deafening cheers. Sporting his signature 2 long plaits, blacked out sunglasses and dressed in all cream Snoop hit the stage with his 3-man crew including rapper Kurrupt, 3 dancers dressed in Addidas tracksuits and big rope chains reminiscent of Run DMC’s early days, 2 bodyguards either side of stage and what appeared to be a group of ….lets call them….’female fans’ , towards the side of the stage excitedly dancing to the music. Snoop started off with well known, familiar songs like ‘PIMP’ he then went on to ‘The Next Episode’ which had his dancers scantily dressed and provocatively dancing around him. The crowd was going crazy for the ‘Doggfather’. Poor Jennifer was shocked by the amount of swearing but admitted ‘’it felt right’’ LOL. Snoop went on to perform classics like ‘Gin & Juice’, ‘I wanna love you’, ‘Sexual Seduction’ and his most recent song with David Guetta ‘ Wet’ where there was certainly a lot of fist pumping going on in the air! The crowd were jumping in the air, waving their hands from side to side and this energy doubled when he performed House of Pains ‘Jump around’ and the monster of a hit that was ‘Drop it like it’s hot’. Snoop made full use of an onstage throne to chill in once in a while and when referring to why he hasn’t been allowed to come back in the UK in so long, stated ‘’f@@@ the police’’ in a light hearted aside.
In the middle of the concert you got to see a softer side to Snoop where he had a moment of silence for the late Nate Dogg, and also dedicating his time to recite Tupac and Biggie Smalls songs in remembrance. With the echoes of Snoop singing bad boy in true Diddy style, you would never think a couple of decades earlier there was the east coast west coast divide between BIG and Tupac’s crews. There was definitely a satisfaction there of knowing that rappers really can unite. Snoop ended the concert with the timeless classic that is ‘What’s my name’ and with finished the concert exactly an hour after it started, it definitely left you feeling like you wanted more. Some of Snoop’s last words were ‘Keep some weed in your life’ which had the whole building in hysterics. The beauty of the concert was that you can clearly see that Snoop still loves what he does, passionatelyreciting his lyrics and fully involving himself with the dance moves and interacting with the crowd saying how much he loves London, England. (Americans always say London followed by England for some reason). 2 nights later I was invited to watch him on Graham Norton where of course he charmed the socks of everyone. Hip-hops come a long way. It feels good to be mainstream.
Did anyone see the Graham Norton show where Gwyneth Paltrow recently rapped a whole 2 verses of NWA’s Straight Outta Compton? I became an immediate fan. She was good! On the same show Lady Gaga was treated like royalty as if she were bigger than Gwynnie. I could just imagine Gwyneth thinking ‘’my mate Madge is the original Gaga darling!’’.

 

JASMINE WITH GEORGE MICHAEL AND FRIENDS.

Another hectic week as my new staff team of reporters for the MEDIA TRUST’S new LONDON NEWS SHOW-LONDON 360 started work with us this week. White City and Wood Lane have never seen so much talent! As well as getting to know my new team I was honoured to be asked to join a photo shoot and interview for OHTV and Pride magazine showcasing ‘’successful women of colour in media’’. It was an wonderfully fun experience which I will tell you more about in coming weeks. Next I spoke at a creative advisory board where new, young media moguls brainstormed future project ideas. Of course I couldn’t miss the Wiz Khalifa show at Shepherds Bush empire the next day! A couple of nights later I was at the practically impossible to get into IVY CLUB for the ‘’Give us a clue’’ club event. Celeb teams were headed up by celebs but I cant say whom as i’m sworn to the ”Ivy code of confidentiality”.

When the biggest, top of the PR media mavens- Hollywood legend ms Connie Filippello invites you to an event you can rest assured it will be big. Renowned for only accepting the biggest most exclusive clients like Mariah and working regularly alongside legends like Donatella Versace, Meryl Streep, Ursula Andrews, Joan Collins, Jerry Hall and others, Connie is as legendary in the showbiz industry as her clients. She doesn’t put on events in any half measure so when told by her that her client George Michael was having a press conference to announce something it was no shocker that it was to be held in the uber opulent Crush Room at the Royal Opera House.
If there was ever a man that could sing and have an automatic hood pass for his soulful voice and attitude for living life to its realest ,it would be for the legendary Greek originated, British singer , global icon,George with his 30 year career (he doesn’t look old enough!).
On arrival an old fashioned huge pack of paps and hacks, DJ’s, TV reporters, bloggers were pitched up outside and legged it inside to grab the best spots. All the seats and media platforms were totally rammed up and astonishingly whilst the conference start time was stated as 1pm, by 12.45pm the room was full, hushed and eagerly awaiting and seconds later a sudden thunder of shouting and yelling infiltrated our eardrums as in the next room photographers shot off their flashbulbs snapping and clicking away at Georges arrival for a good 6 minutes non stop!.

George bopped in a slick, very well cut suit and tinted shades looking healthier than ever and proceeded to announce he’s going on a tour. Not just any tour. Its called Symphonica; The Orchestral Tour. Always one top push his own boundaries and career he is undertaking an orchestral tour which will see shows take place across the globe including the Royal Opera Houses in London and Paris for charity. On the Parisian date he’s working with Carla Bruni on the charity “Born with HIV”.At the London Opera house it will be in conjunction with his former friend  Elizabeth Taylor’s charity.
He also refreshingly mentioned that he loves that lady Gaga and Riri have brought house/dance back to the forefront and that he is going to be exploring more dance and house music areas as its ‘’always been the gay music of choice.’ About the new material he admitted he will collaborate with many “gay friendly” musicians.
George told the assembled crowd -which included 3AM girls, Capital Radio DJs, Sky News, BBC News and reporters from across the globe that had been globe flown in – that he’s not interested in repeating past successes. He wants to explore orchestral and dance genres. He said he would perform a lot of his own material as well as other fave artists of his that have influenced him. Regards his past duets he revealed that his Aretha Franklin duet was a dream come true for him whilst the Queen duet was amazing and tragic for him due to his personal life issues and what he was going through at the time.
Talking about his troublesome past 12 months with negative press documenting his drug taking and other personal issues he confessed that he hates that every time he let’s himself down, he feels he also let’s young gay men down everywhere. On a positive note though he did add that he’s surprised by how supportive his fans continue to be especially since he’s made so many strong enemies. Considering he’s sold over 100million albums he remains surprisingly humble. Post conference I met new Calvin Klein model Seth and chatted to George Michael’s boy friend-Kenny Goss for a bit…..lovely folks!

To end the week I woke early on Saturday morning to travel into town and to get my overworked bones back into feeling normal again I went to the celebs favourite lady with magic hands- Nuz Shugaa at her Kingly Court salon. I mostly enjoy her treatments not just due to how good they are, not just cos loads of celebs and power players go to her (and I like staring discreetly at them), but cos I try and prize lots of celeb gossip out of her mouth. Alas for my nosy gene she never gives up any info! This time she insisted she give me an Argan chocolate full body spa scrub. She began by making me strip and put on a pair of paper panties. I chortled much as I examined the underwear and settled myself onto the massage bed. She began by firstly applying coconut and walnut cleanser which was massaged thoroughly in upward strokes all over my body (front and back). She explained that she makes all the scrubs herself. Next strawberry and tropical fruits and seeds were rubbed all over me in circular movements-it was all I could do not to lick my own skin so tempting was the aroma. The next step saw Nuz apply salt glow (once again made bespoke by Nuz in her secret organic laboratory) with melting Organic chocolate ,Argan oil and Geranium full of anti oxidants scrubbed all over me. Finally hot cloths were used to remove all my dead skin by her and her assistant so 2 pairs of hands were all over me. Smile. I was pat dry and my body was infused with an Argan oil, African Potato and Green Tea mixture to bring my skin to life. Nuz finished up by massaging me well and buffing me off! I was treated to a champagne flute of organic pink lemonade straight afterwards. At my lunch my companion couldn’t stop commenting on how great my skin smelly-totally worth the early rise!
Now i’m off to pack my suitcase for a very fabulous moment! More juice next week!

JASMINE WITH HER OLD MATES- THE BEASTIE BOYS

Well we’re all finally over the Royal wedding. The Grace Kelly dress will hopefully encourage young ladies nationally to keep it classy. Sister of the bride Pippa was catapulted to instant sex symbol levels as her spray tan and booty fitting dress had males across the land frothing at the mouth. What a fake tan will do eh? Daily pre-wedding,Pippa was in the papers with Kate and no one batted an eyelid. As soon as she was painted brown wearing a dress cut for her body hearts stopped. Um fellas why not try the original brown gal. It doesn’t rub off on your white sheets. Similarly Harry suddenly reached heart throb states as every society chic and hood rat decided she would make a beeline for the only remaining bachelor in the Royal fam. Did anyone else notice he actually bopped up the aisle? Have you seen the pics on the internet of him partying with Puffy and Kanye in the past? My mates have laid a bet that Harry’s wifey will be mixed race or black. And wasn’t his black uniform a lot more dashing than Williams?  I had a sweep-stake on what colour the Queen would wear and I was right with my canary yellow prediction. How unfortunate that Fergie and Andrews daughters Eugenie and Beatrice turned up looking like the ugly sisters. Don’t they have mirrors up in their crib? Did anyone else note that The Mall had all the road bollards and crossing lights removed? Is that so the Royals can use The Mall as an emergency flight runway? Kate was so graceful throughout. How dignified and elegant she was. It was as if she was the Royal supporting William on the big day who looked at times nervous. The balcony kiss was a bit quick for my liking. I would’ve liked him to take her by the back of her head and lipse her up good and proper leaving her breathless a la Brett and Scarlet in Gone with the Wind. Good luck to them both. William’s finally brought the Royals some good PR by getting with what the tabloids keep referring to as a commoner.  By the way, how proud were we to be Brits that day? Hundreds of countries across the planet were airing the whole wedding on numerous channels. A little island like ours sure has a worldwide grip with our events. America may have Hollywood but we have Royalty. We win!.

Clearly there was too much love in the air for the universe that day as a mere 24 hours later the world was gripped as the unbelievable news that the worlds number 1 terrorist Osama Bin Laden had been killed. What can I say that hasn’t already been said? Pakistan really say they weren’t aware he was living there? America clearly had no trust in their ‘’ally’’ Pakistan as they weren’t alerting them to their strike. The navy seals buried him at sea? Really? It’s a conspiracy theorists dream! Whatever your thoughts are on the whole sorry saga, remember that our western media feeds us very different facts and viewpoints than the middle east and that we should always keep a balanced view, question everything and accept that we will never know the truth with so much going on behind secret closed doors.

The Olympics are fastly approaching and I for one can’t believe the f@@@ery of this government. How can Londoners be bank rolling the event yet we cant get first dibs or discounted tickets? Cheap, limited view back seats are £20, good seats are £2000. £2000!? Really? Really? How can you justify an event for the all the people of the country that is inclusive to all yet only the rich or corporate companies can afford to attend? What a farce!. Boris Johnson needs to step up and sort this-Londoners are not happy.

I was reunited with my old nemesis-one of the first white groups in rap history-in fact one of the first rap groups period- the Beastie Boys. With their early success they played a huge part in turning DEF JAM into a force to be reckoned with.  Years ago in 1994 whilst I was a presenter on Channel 4’s THE WORD they joined me live from their stadium show in Budapest where we stood on a snowy rooftop to do a live TV link back to the UK. Off air we were chatting away nicely. As soon as we went live, the boys started speaking to me in a non-intelligible gobbledegook. So embarrassing!. I didn’t forgive them for years. Even during my MTV days I repeatedly gave them hell as pay back. They were notorious even back then for giving the media a hard time with their naughty antics in interviews. Luckily they’re a little more chilled now that they’re grown with families and responsibilities. Now they’re back wit their latest album ‘’Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’’-their first hip hop album in 7 years!. Part 1 was supposed to be released in 2009 but never came to light as Beastie Boy Adam ‘’MCA’’ Yauch’s cancer battle intervened. The new music is good no doubt but my nostalgic side craves their old style of hilarious lyricism.  The beats are still dynamic and racy with hard delivered verbals and the music still sounds classic, vintage and relevant , this group has always quite rightly embraced their own sound, so another classic from a group that refuses to fade away-something their fans are happy with.

The Eddie Griffin comedy show , hosted by Harmony Productions at the 02 Brixton Academy was a total sell out with road blocks and endless queues at the venue pre show. Richard Blackwood hosted whilst regular London comic faces Kevin J and Eddie Kadi warmed up the crowd for the first part of the show. Eddie Griffin started off strongly as he was very current with jokes about the Royal Wedding and Osama but his set quickly grew tired as he relied too much on his use of expletives. Years ago a loud American comic screaming the N word and mother f@%&*@£ would have us in stitches cos we just weren’t used to it but now with everything on youtube and American culture being so dominant in our culture this just sounds desperate, old and tired. His material had potential but with his delivery being pretty slow and dragged out with him needing to smoke and drink constantly onstage it was draining. A few people in the audience actually nodded off!. Eddie was once a very talented live comic but like many of his U.S counterparts I think when they come to the UK they expect automatic reverential treatment maybe not realising that we have a very high standard nowadays. In fact I’d go as far as saying that I thought out British warm up acts were stronger in pleasing the crowd. Having said that, the night itself was well organised and a good evening out. The question is now that British audiences know we have a high standard of comedy in our own country can we have our own talent headline a venue the size of Brixton and expect it to sell out?

MOST IMPORTANT FACT; Like any music market-have a hit song with a strong hook,melody and chorus. If u want to make a living and have longevity forget “keeping it real”-Its not selling out. Its selling out arenas!!

A) Think outside of the box.
Chances are whatever you as an artist are doing ,has been done before-the real winners are those with dedication and application when it comes to doing something a little differently. What’s your USP? A unique voice? Lyrical dexterity?live? The hustle?

B) Talent brings talent
if you are a talented artist find others that are better than you creatively and make sure they are part of your “team” .That is video makers/writers/producers/graphic artists. Also don’t be afraid to spread the news that these people are PART of your success. An artist is as strong as the weakest person in his team.

C) Persevere
Many of the UK’s leading artists have been dropped or it hasn’t gone right 1st go.This is now a proud badge-persevere.

D) Be fit
If you are going to be doing this – on the road – etc- eat right and treat your body well-if you get into bad habits early on its hard to shake later on.Even though its hard -make this a priority-it will server u well in the long run. Touring,making videos,all night promo,live shows are taxing on the body and the mind leaving you useless if not staying on the healthy path.

E) Accept that if you are good and different -you will be hated.But don’t be an idiot and fan the flame of hatred.
If there’s hate you’re doing something right.

F) Get to know DJ’s personally.
If it means handwriting your promo CD’s to them do so. Build strong,supportive relationships in the industry.

G) Spot career DJ’s early-very important.
Hit young bloggers with cult followings in the UK like SBTV and Pinboardblog etc.
Familiarize yourself with the UK’s big brand taste-makers like radio1xtra,Choicefm ,Kissfm ,Galaxy,MTV Base ,RWD magazine ,Flava magazine. etc.

H) Be respectful of people-word travels quickly when you do wrong- actually 10 times quicker than when you do right

I) Do not bitch about other artists in petty conversation.
You will be heard- and twitter is a bitch. Stay far from “beef” or negativity -its not cool, its an urban music stereotype. Its a sure fire way of your music staying niche – mainstream support will disappear.- do your promo!

J) Get a f@*&%$£  good lawyer- you’ll  need them early on and throughout your career.

K) Don’t come and see a manager thinking he can fix your sh@*-if you’ve got it – he will come to you.You can however be persistent- that is good in an artist

L) When you tour-hand in your PRS forms and get a good accountant.

M) LISTEN!-Too many artist are great Transmitters and NOT good receivers so be sure to LISTEN!-

N) The UK responds well to artists they see and hear about regularly- be authentic to where you’re from. I.e don’t emulate US artists (accent/style). You’ll never out-American the Americans – do you and the local audience responds well to that because they recognize it.

O) Don’t label yourself R&B/rap – its quite limiting in small markets like Holland and the UK. Its something Dizzee Rascal recognized years ago. It opened him up to festivals and other opportunities to reach as broad an audience as possible.

P) Always treat the press and reporters with respect and help them help you by being helpful , fun and interesting in interviews. If you’re going to be miserable and unhelpful don’t do press. We will dread meeting you and not bother actively promoting you.

Q) Remember the small broadcasters and street teams that helped you on the way up. Don’t shun their interview requests once you’re big. Trust me you’ll be reaching out to them again on your way down.

R) Enjoy the ride! There’s nothing worse than seeing a negative act. Don’t get into showbiz if you don’t like the industry. People will criticize and blow hot and cold on you but if you can last the course and have genuine talent you will make it!

S) If you’re lucky enough to win an award or have a public platform to speak onstage to masses of people, have something engaging/ interesting to say. So many artists show their no-personality having side here which lets them down.

T) Don’t act like a diva with club promoters, doormen, managers and anyone else working with you unless you are Mariah, Whitney, Prince or any of their peers. They’re genuine bonifide superstars-you probably aren’t. A bad rep will not help you in the industry.

U) Respect how important the humble DJ is to your career. DJ’s are the beginning and end for you’re radio, street and airplay. Know how essential they are to the game and YOUR game.

V) If you have no natural style-get a great stylist. Think about your image and don’t be afraid to reinvent it if need be. There are too many industry insiders laughing at acts that are stuck in a time warp and heading to being back at the benefit office as they can’t move ahead. stay current with your image or stay unique.

W) At industry events and awards be aware of the tempting gifting suite. Yes you are allowed to be an over excited grabalious bunny the first few times, after that the insiders are sniggering at your cheapness and if you’re an ex-celeb they’re also laughing at the fact that you were once famous but now you’re milking it.

X) Don’t approach press and demand they promote you when you have no material. If you have a hit the press will run after you. Everyone is not a star. Know your limits. A hit song will get you 15 minutes of fame. Repetition of more hit songs will keep you relevant. Sales of numerous albums and sell out shows will catapult you to star status.

Y) Big name managers will try and scoop you up once you arrive at a high level. Only jump ship and betray your early managers if you still have great lawyers who will ensure you’re not signing your life away. Many an act has fallen here.

Z) Keep your mind alert to learning new things about your own industry and career. Once you stop enjoying get in another lane. Life’s too short not to wake up everyday doing something you love!

FINAL THOUGHT- Don’t get caught up romanticizing the life of a rock star to pump up your dreams. If you even recognized 1% of the pace of what would metaphorically be basic training in boot camp- the weaklings and posers will fall first and only the ones with true character and humility will even have the opportunity to try and fail at doing this insane business-its tough!.

GOOD LUCK , FATE, NETWORKING, MELODY MAKING, LYRIC WRITING AND TIMING!

JASMINE WITH LOICK ESSIEN

The Easter bank holiday fortnight was full of fun stuff like the ACLT celebrity football event at Brentford Football Club, a friends indian wedding in the biggest sikh temple in Southall, the Royal Wedding, girl friends birthday lunches, dinner parties and my guy telling me I couldn’t cook meat for a non fish eating friend on Good Friday or there would be World War 3 in our crib LOL

Before all that though it was fabulous business as usual. I’d been hearing the name of young 20 year old, former model, now male musician Loick Essien for a while now. His names french and pronounced ”low-eek”. A couple of years Bashy had told me about him.
Loick’s apparently someone who won’t let a chance encounter go to waste – so when a mutual friend introduced him to British rap star Bashy, the result was Loick appearing on the iconic track Black Boys. On the set for the Bashy video, he met Chipmunk, and the two made a track called Beast; and at the video shoot for that song, Loick met Dappy from N-Dubz, who appears on the second single from Identity, the Stargate-produced Stuttering. So the boys got talent, and game for hustling himself forwards through life. I’d heard him feature on a few different tracks for a variety of tracks by the teamuk stable so when I  was sent an invitation to see him perform at his own showcase at the lovely Cuckoo Club in Central london my curiosity led me there in good time even though it clashed with Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s performance just up the road. Luckily it seems that their respective teams talked and Loick was due to be onstage at 6.30 whilst Jennifer agreed to come onstage at her event at 8pm. The Cuckoo Club was nice and full of a very non-urban industry crowd sipping wine and networking all in our summer dresses excited anticipating Loick’s set. Loick came onstage at 7pm , introduced himself looking very slick in boot brogues, skinny jeans, a grey t shirt ,black satin lined blazer and the biggest grin ever. He told us he would be performing 4 songs-some from his album ”Identity”, he did so and all were beautifully melodic and vocally very strong. The songs were mainstream commercial and very catchy- genuinely great for a Radio 1 Playlist. He had the confidence of a seasoned performer and the ease physically onstage that I haven’t seen from a relatively new performer for a long time. His media training team need to encourage him to stop saying ”so” after all his sentences-which is just a nerves habit that they can easily kick him out of. Also his 3rd track ”Now”was a very difficult vocally challenging track that had lyrical gymnastics all through it making me think he has definitely been influenced by great singers of our time like Mariah and Jodeci. There were moments I held my breath as it seemed his breathing control may give way but by the end he proved he definitely has what it takes to be big in the game. Funnily enough before introducing ” Now  ” he said the next song was to show that he could actually sing which confused us all because trust me, by the end of his first verse in his very first song that was already very apparent.
Whilst watching him sing I noticed his hands bear tattoos on his fingers: “RAGZ2” on his right hand, “RICHES” on his left. Loick said afterwards “I wanna remember where I come from, and where I want to be,those were the rags days.”   Those tattooed fingers are just the beginning – Loick reveals he plans to get “sleeves”, tattoos that will eventually cover both his arms, depicting “a poor man’s world and a rich man’s world.” His body may still be a work in progress; but his album Identity proves that as an artist, Loick Essien is the finished article. West London lad Loick spoke very articulately to me and to his audience and I have no doubt that he is one to watch on the next to blow from the new, young DIY teamuk crew.

JASMINE WITH KEISHA BUCHANAN AND 3AM MIRROR GIRL SARAH TETTAH

As soon as I planted my good bye kisses on various industry cheeks at the cuckoo club, my mate and I slipped out of our heels and into our flat ballet pumps to sprint across leicester square to the uber cool IVY CLUB where in the VIP rooftop loft area they had a bar full of heaving people all eager to see grammy songstress Jennnifer Hudson sing songs from her new album ”I remember me” . Silver platters of mini hors d’oeuvres -beef tartar and quail scotch eggs were going around, as were cucumber apple martinis and other delectable beverages. Once up in there it was clear that for the second time that night the invited crowd were not your average,expected urban industry set of people that I’d expect to see at these functions usually. The room was full of A Listers from a variety of fields, global companies, music labels, actors, TV hosts, models and more. Paloma faith was doing her usual British Dita Von Teese impression in big hat and floral frock. Noisettes lead female Shingai Shoniwa was dressed like an old skool church marm in a long purple skirt and twee hat. Ex Sugababe Keisha and mirror 3AM girl Sarah Tetteh stood alongside me looked as if we’d come as a girl band in our matching coral orange outfits-you could certainly tell that summer had arrived!. Tara palmer-tomkinson arrived with her nose still looking a slight bit dodgy after all the wear and tear its had. Lisa Snowdon had al the paparazzi snapping away and designer Julien MacDonald held court in the corner. Jennifer finally came onstage when the room was hot, heaving and happy from mingling and drinking. She was rocking a long silky straight weave and wearing a horizontal stripy blue and brown dress that showed off her legs to their full and showed how svelte she was after her healthy eating , fitness regime and no doubt also the tragedy that befell her family a couple of years ago. J Hud  was accompanied by a couple of backing vocalists and a pianist and sang her heart out showing she’s lost none of her belting , powerhouse vocals that first came to light in the Dreamgirls where she blew Beyonce out of the water. She sang song after song that had us all pretty mesmerised by her lyrical dexterity and emotion and had us all eating out of her hand such was the special vibe of this intimate moment. A truly amazing night full of great musicians and shows once again why whilst i’m always TEAMUK, I’m such a lover of our capital city- unashamed and proud-LONDON RULES!