BPM

My First Film.

2012-02-09T15:55:00.001Z

Madonna receives mixed reviews.

2012-02-06T04:20:00.001Z

Judging by the instant internet response to Madona's half time show at this years super bowl opinion is split down the middle on just how great her half time offering was with the main bone of contention being her decision to pre-record the whole performance and mime on the day.

This is actually a common practice at big televised outdoor events where quality of sound can be an issue, but when a music performer doesn't perform musically then it's understandable that the purists out there will be a little disappointed.

Visually there was more than enough going on to keep an audience entertained with numerous dancers and cameos from Ceelo, LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. the latter pair both filling the vacant Britney/Christina positions minus the kisses.

The performance wasn't without controversy with watchdog groups rushing to complain about M.I.A.'s middle finger making an impromptu appearance, M.I.A. has never been one to shy away from controversy and this is the first anti-establishment stance she's taken during her career, with her spokespeople blaming the slip on performance related nerves only M.I.A. herself may know the real intention behind this symbolic moment.

Apart from that momentary slip the performance as a whole was pretty smooth sailing, with the risk of doing the whole thing live side-stepped completely, maybe at the end of the day entertainment rather than artistic integrity is the whole point of the half time show, but then next year maybe they should book Cirque du soleil or the Chinese state circus.

Check out the video..... it may not remain online for long.

Shakkapella

2012-02-04T12:18:00.004Z

My Girl Mym switched me unto Shakka a few months back and then today a friend on facebook posted this Video of the dude himself re-creating the current smash '212' from Azalea Banks. There's definitely a London wave happening right now and from where I'm sitting (somewhere on the beach sipping a virgin mojito and shotting Wray 'n' Nephew) Shakka is going to be one of a number of artists riding that wave this coming year.

D'Angelo.... get excited

2012-02-01T01:14:00.000Z

D'Angelo is in Europe playing shows for the first time in a long time. Who's excited? mostly the people who bought their tickets well in advance.
If you're a fan you're going to want to listen to the soundcloud player I've embeded.
With audio taken from the opening night of the tour in Stockholm. I've had some of the best nights of my life in Stocktown so it totally makes sense to me that that would be the place where D'Angelo decided to re-surface.

D'Angelo Live by okayplayer

>>>Download<<<

Tracklist:

1. Fantastic Intro
2. Brown Sugar
3. Devil’s Pie
4. Crisco
5. Left & Right
6. Chicken Grease
7. Lady
8. Left & Right (Reprise)
9. Feel Like Making Love
10. Can’t Hide Love
11. Things You Do (Fall in Love)
12. One Mo’ Gin
13. Me and Those Dreaming Eyes of Mine
14. S.D.M.
15. Untitled (How Does It Feel)

Tattooing your face isn't ever a good look.

2012-01-30T17:51:00.001Z

So Amber Rose always adept at keeping her name on blogs globally has hit the headlines again with a lightning bolt tattoo on her face.
Yes that's right on her face, she joins a growing list of celebrities, others on that illustrious list include Gucci Mane and Mike Tyson and let us not forget the girl who had Drakes name tattooed on her forehead, Stella work Ms. Rose.

Nicki Minaj gets Hyped

2012-01-21T01:53:00.000Z

The latest Nicki Minaj video 'Stupid Hoe' hit youtube today, and has instantly divided listeners with a 65/35 split of likes to dislikes within it's first 24 hours online.

In my opinion, what's to really dislike? there's plenty of Nicki's ass on display accompanied by flashing lights and fast cuts supplied by Hype Williams, lyrically errrm..... I'll leave that there, obviously I've approached this whole thing from a totally sarcastic standpoint. In reality it's not meant to challenge me mentally, mainstream music doesn't often do that in the same way that hip hop videos mostly don't tell much of a story outside of brightly coloured symbolism featuring luxury cars and goods placing products for the masses to consume.
For most people this is totally fine, the 808 is banging and the repetitive hook ever so slightly infectious. Give it time and this track will grow on many.
This is pretty much where music and hip hop is at in 2012!

THE BULLITTS - SUPERCOOL starring ROSARIO DAWSON

2012-01-19T10:34:00.002Z

I'm so jealous of Jeymes Samuel right now, he got to live out one of my dreams! I'm going to harass him on twitter (@JeymesSamuel) till he tells me the secret to getting Rosario Dawson to shake a tail feather with him.
At one point we see him channelling Ezel from the movie friday as he strikes a karate kid like pose while trying to avoid being filmed, I'm quite sure his stylist was going for the 'Ezel' look but with cleaner pants.
However you have got to love the concept of this video guaranteed to go viral!
I must one-up this by shooting a video with both Rosario and Eva Mendes right after which I may well spontaneously combust dying a happy man!
Most admirably though and in total contrast to all misogynistic hip hop videos it's nice to see this handsome woman featured in a way that focuses primarily on her sense of humour rather than her body, Rosario is such a good sport.

Paging Alysha Brillinger

2012-01-17T05:09:00.003Z

If I keep finding talents like these and sharing them on this blog I'm quite sure I will develop a reputation for bringing the vanguard of talent to the masses, that's if I keep it up and the masses read my blog!
Alysha Brillinger instantly gained a fan the moment I happened across her video 10 minutes ago and now I need to know what I must to do to have her and me collaborate on a track???

If Alysha or anyone who knows her sees this please get in touch via the links above, of tweet @ me :)

Michael Kiwanuka - Whole Lotta Love in session

2012-01-11T22:57:00.001Z

I instantly like what Michael adds to the current wave of new music exploding out of the UK. I'm rarely one to go comparing new artists to established or legendary ones to create a dumbed down point of reference but in the same way that Prince and Jimi are great musicians Michael is too.

I knew him for being a guitarist long before I realised he was a serious threat as a front man and artist too. On meeting him at Ritz studios in Putney Bridge I remember instantly getting on with him, I can be quite reserved when meeting new people but if there's any kind of connection and a genuine character without ego that reservedness goes straight out of the window and conversation flows. Michael 100% put me at ease as we walked around the corner to a cafe for a quick breakfast, we had maybe an hour to chill before the other musicians showed up and he began to tell me about the music he was working on and his organic approach to making music which was as much about the location and vibe as the music itself.

Well that was perhaps two years ago and looking at him now I can see the wisdom in his approach, I sometimes wonder which of todays artist would cut it in the landscape of the 60's recording on tape with no autotune or computerised sequencers to polish a turd.....

I believe Michael Kiwanuka would have felt right at home in the 60's.....

Robert Glasper keeps it moving

2012-01-10T17:26:00.002Z

The Line-up on Robert Glaspers next record is nothing short of spectacular with artist including Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Lalah Hathaway, Bilal, Stokley Williams, Lupe Fiasco, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi, Musiq Soulchild and the list goes on.
I love the way Glasper scheduled the sessions so that he had 3 or 4 of these incredible artists in and around the studio at any given moment making for what I can only imagine to be periods of total vibes.

I'm really looking forward to this album dropping and if he gets anywhere near the complete lineup of featured artist for a live show somewhere in the world then you know I'll have no option but to book two flights and buy two tickets because you're going to want someone with you to experience something that 'once in a lifetime'.

The album entitled 'Black Radio' is released worldwide on the 28th of February.

Azi Aishling - Cruisin

2012-01-02T14:01:00.002Z

Check out the latest video from my good friend Azi Aishling who left Ireland via London and is currently taking Miami by storm.
I have so much love for this girl, she is nothing short of an inspiration as she works relentlessly in pursuit of her dreams. She recorded her vocal on a beat I sent her a little while ago and with the Jan 1st, 2012 release of the video this is the first bit of music made by myself hitting the web in 2012, it's great to be collaborating with such a lovely girl and I have to say I'm a big fan of the summery maxi dress Azi is rocking ever so sexily in this video, I'm sure you'll agree she's looking rather hot and she has me looking forward eagerly to April and the oncoming spring which will coincidentally mark the underground release of my vol.1 beat tape.

Do you twitter?

2012-01-02T13:46:00.003Z

I'd just like to thank the people who come to www.bexperimental.com each day to read our posts and check out what's new in our world. If you're a user of twitter then please follow @officialbpm.
When you follow please tweet us and we'll follow you back :-)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:33:00.001Z

Hope you're having a nice one! Great time to be at Passing Clouds for the first time! I'll be back to Jam in 2012! I hope.....

Rap Round Up 39- Harry Shotta THE REVIEW OF 2011

2011-12-24T15:46:00.000Z

Of course it feels as if this year went really quickly until you realise that all these events happened in the last 12 months.....
When you consider that it feels like we've crammed at least 3 years of headlines into 2011. RIP Nate Dogg, Gil Scott-Heron, Amy Winehouse, DJ Mehdi, Steve Jobs, Joe Frazier, Heavy D.

Guy travels the world and shoots one second of footage in each location.

2011-12-24T09:54:00.000Z

Travelling the world is a luxury that not everyone can afford, even though most of us have a pair of feet and the ability to communicate with others, thumbing a lift isn't for everyone.

I'm so fortunate to have travelled to the following major cities so far....

Paris
Milan
Berlin
Moscow
St Petersburg
New York
Washington
Amsterdam
Bratislava
Tel Aviv
Jerusalem
Stockholm
Geneva
Luxembourg

And a host of other cities and towns across the UK and Europe, travel is one of the things I'm most grateful for. It's great living in the 21st century. Next on the agenda for me has to be Johannesburg, Kingston, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Rio......

Tawiah - Little Drummer Boy (Exclusive)

2011-12-16T15:10:00.000Z

'Little Drummer Boy' is a classic festive record that's been reworked numerous times in the last sixty years. Tawiah puts a beat to the marching skin, as we join in the spirit at her Battersea flat front-room with piano accompaniment for this updated live version. It's a grand yet cosy spectacle as she builds up majestically.

Additional central heating: Free download of Tawiah's Run EP here as (finally) released on Monday: http://pinboardblog.com/2011/12/freep-tawiah-run/

Ski Beatz in the studio with Maschine 1.6

2011-12-06T21:21:00.000Z

I've been researching Native Instruments Maschine for a few days now deciding whether or not I needed to add it to my studio set-up. Youtube is a great tool for checking out gear in action and this clip of Ski Beatz has all but convinced me to fork over some hard earned money in pursuit of awesome music, hopefully someone at NI might feel like blessing this London based producer with the unit and software in exchange for my singing of it's praises......

For over 20 years Ski Beatz has been producing forward-thinking beats for the likes of Jay-Z and Camp Lo. In this video, the one time MPC devotee discusses how Maschine 1.6 brings a greater range of creative options to the table.

BMW i8 Concept

2011-12-05T17:12:00.000Z

BMW please hurry and make this car, I want one!

BMW i8 Concept -- emotional, dynamic and efficient.

The BMW i8 Concept and the fascinating approach that underpins it embodies the vision of a sustainable contemporary sports car brought to life. Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified electric drive system from the BMW i3 Concept -- fitted over its front axle -- with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear. Working in tandem, they allow the two drive systems to display their respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.
Acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds combined with fuel consumption in the European cycle of under three litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 94 mpg imp) are figures currently beyond the capability of any vehicle powered by a combustion engine of comparable performance. Thanks to its large lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a domestic power supply, the BMW i8 Concept can travel up to 35 kilometres (approx. 20 miles) on electric power alone. Added to which, the 2+2-seater offers enough space for four people, giving it a high level of everyday practicality.
The LifeDrive architecture of the BMW i8 Concept has been carefully adapted to enhance the vehicle's sports car character, and therefore to deliver unbeatable performance and excellent driving dynamics. The motor in the front axle module and combustion engine at the rear are connected by an "energy tunnel", which houses the high-voltage battery. This gives the car a low centre of gravity -- and the dynamic benefits that come with it. The positioning of the electric motor and engine over their respective axles and the space-saving and well-balanced packaging of all components result in an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.
The emotional design of the BMW i8 Concept ensures its qualities are clear for all to see. Its dynamic proportions give the BMW i8 Concept the appearance of surging forward before it even turns a wheel and lend visual form to its extraordinary performance.
The sporting character continues into the interior. Boasting a driver-focused environment unmatched by any BMW Group vehicle before it, the BMW i8 Concept immerses the driver fully in the unique driving experience. The BMW i8 Concept is the sports car for a new generation -- pure, emotional and sustainable.
BMW i thinks beyond the vehicle.
An additional range of mobility services -- which can also be used independently of the cars -- will be an integral component of BMW i alongside the vehicles themselves. A totally new development in this area will be vehicle-independent mobility services. Here the focus is on solutions which will improve usage of existing parking spaces, as well as intelligent navigation systems with local information, intermodal route planning and premium car-sharing. In addition to service packages developed in-house, the BMW Group
is pursuing cooperations with partner companies as well as strategic capital investments with providers of mobility services. BMW i Ventures was established with this purpose in mind. The company aims to expand the product portfolio of BMW i over the long term with stakes in highly innovative service providers, such as MyCityWay and ParkatmyHouse.

The Electric - Overloaded video

2011-12-05T11:47:00.000Z

The Electric's new video is action packed adventure around the globe Directed and Edited by Pugs Atomz. DJ Vadim kicks things off with heavy Electro synths followed by Scratcha DVA's uptempo remix
While Pugs takes you into the sights and sounds of The Electric Life. Sabira Jade brings it home with a killer hook. It has been quite a day (2 years to be exact).

Ludacris - Bada Boom (Official Video)

2011-12-05T10:00:00.000Z

So it looks like Dat Piff teamed up with Luda to bring us an official visual to the diss track Bada Boom just when we thought Big Sean had conceded and this whole thing was over....
I just want to know who the girl in the video is.

Ty and Afrikan Boy at The Shrine

2011-12-03T17:22:00.000Z

Photo taken by Stefano Venturi

So I rushed all the way to Rich Mix where TY and Afrikan boy were set to perform direct from my rehearsal across town, arrrrgh! Arrived so late that I actually missed most of the set I came here to see.
I did however manage to catch the very end of TY's show and I am only sorry I didn't see it from the start, the bit I caught although it was the standard high octane finale of the show was better than great and from what I hear reflects the energy and inclusiveness of his whole show, I was told the banter between TY and his Dj Big Ted was in itself entertaining and I could clearly see that the assembled audience were very much into what TY was giving them from the stage. Fortunately my boys Paz and Stefano got some great pictures and my girl Mym was here to give me the Lowdown (I will be adding the rest of the pictures to this post the moment I get them.)

I will be at his next show although after talking to TY at the end of the night I still didn't manage to establish when his next London show is.....
I can totally understand and identify with what I personally perceived as a reluctance on his part to perform in this town, London audiences despite how necessary they are to an artists career in this country aren't always the best experience for the person on stage who inevitably has a large chunk of themselves invested in their music, given their apparent need by the big city crowd to often chat incessantly through a performance and act all nonchalant, I guess it's just down to the fact that we live in a huge city where good music is readily available and we don't see each other all that often so feel the need to catch up during someones performance? Fortunately from what I witnessed the crowd were totally into TY's set which is testament to his natural comfort on stage and ability to connect with his audience.

Photo taken by Stefano Venturi

So after a brief moment outside cooling off after a frantic run from Liverpool street (ok a brisk walk) my friend and I were called in for the Afrikan Boy set, we walked in midway through the first song! (I won't be late for my own funeral but somehow tonight I seemed intent on being late for everything)

A slimmed down, buffed up A-boogie took to the stage supported by his energetic hype man and backed up by DJ Big Ted who I assume was roped in to DJ a second set. Afrikan boy proceeded to perform an energetic and varied set to the gathered audience of the Shrine which included Estelle who happened to be in town for a few days and out to support her boy TY.
Afrikan Boy put on a decent enough show with a couple bangers mixed in towards the end that got the most reluctant of dancers to move their feet. The end of his set saw TY and several of A boys entourage take to the stage dancing.

So that was that, the master of ceremonies invited us to the next event and we all shuffled towards the door, cue the awkward picture opportunity with Miss Estelle who I haven't seen for a number of years since we toured europe together, preceded by an even more awkward moment (at least from my point of view) where I asked Ty if he had a band only to realise part way through my question that he actually has a shit hot group of musicians/friends that often appear onstage alongside him, but hey if you don't ask you'll never know (I'm always looking for that ideal gig!)

Photo taken by Stefano Venturi

I had a very cool night out in Shoreditch which almost turned into an adventure, the great thing about Shoreditch is that absolutely anything can happen there, do I regret not following the couple whos Landrover I was sat in the back off staying warm waiting for my bus as they sought directions to Fabric where they were clearly about to get down to some rich folk partying on a different level? Perhaps but then if I'd have done that I wouldn't have been sat on the 43 bus with a incredibly beautiful girl from Tipperary.

So in conclusion, I had several interesting conversations with a bunch of strangers who's names I can't remember on my way home, shared my flask of Jamaican rum with anyone who fancied a drink and slowly wondered towards my bed, the moral of this particular episode being you only live once and we all come from the same place so why not spend five minutes in conversation trying to figure out what this whole thing we call life is really all about.

Signing out, about to enter a deep sleep till tomorrow.......

O'Fish.

Water, that cool refreshing drink

2011-12-03T11:57:00.000Z

This Weekend....

2011-12-02T10:29:00.001Z

Tonight I'm heading East to my favourite area to hangout, Shoreditch to meet up with my boy Paz the Photographer, we'll be checking out performances from TY and Afrikan Boy as well as taking in the general vibe at the Shrine....

And then on Sunday night you can catch me on the Keys at the First Word All-Stars Jam also in Shoreditch.

So I have a few plans for this weekend, which mainly involve a bottle or two of Wray and Nephew, EC1-EC2 the post codes where absolutely anything is possible and finally a whole bunch of great music.
On Friday night TY and Afrikan Boy take to the stage at The Shrine (Rich Mix) which should be a great event. Then on Sunday I take to the stage alongside a line of some great musicians including Jack Baker (Alice Russell/Bonobo) on drums and Kenny Higgins (Corrine Bailey Rae) on Bass, these two are both monsters so I can only imagine the mayhem that is likely to occur!

Make sure you're there!

Over and out!

Jeremy Ellis performing on Maschine

2011-12-01T21:18:00.000Z

Jeremy Ellis, an acclaimed master on the 16 pads, delivers a stellar Maschine performance from the rooftops of LA.
Ok this video kind of makes me want to invest in Maschine from Native Instruments, right now a lot of my time is being spent on finessing my sound as I head into a personal album project, the beats and bang are really important to what I'm trying to do and I've always been a fan of Akai's seminal MPC range. Maschine seems to take the genre defining qualities of the old MPC and firmly propel them towards the future.

Thabo interviews Eric Roberson

2011-11-22T22:57:00.001Z

Check out this great interview with Eric Roberson from my good friend Thabo.
He and his band the Real Deal supported Eric recently after getting their own fans at one of their shows to tell Eric and his people via video how much they needed Thabo in that support slot. I really respect my boys hustle and his excellent timing in grabbing a great interview with a globally respected artist.