skin deep?
June 29th, 2010
You know when you see an image and it just stays with you. The subject could be anything, and the reason impossible to put your finger on. This happens to me more than your average, and the latest muse was Brazil-born life long model Isabeli Fontana – as shot by Terry Tsiolis. Digging deeper [to view the rest of the set and learn more about the inspiration behind the shoot] I found myself knee deep in an archive of erotic art. Now I’m all for the stuff – call it what you will – but when the particular website you find yourself on has a degenerative header of PHOTOGRAPHY/SEX/EROTIC/PORN and you’re flicking through in a spare 5 minutes at work, it can potentially do you more harm that good. Which sounds hugely overdramatic for a form of art. Nonetheless art it is, and over the centuries art has frequently courted controversy. So between the passing gaze of the creative director I did enjoy more than a fleeting glance at what the website had to offer, and whilst some of it was too long on the erotic [and short on the art] to post here, other images were every bit as captivating as black and white Isabeli Fontana on a desserted beach. The highlight of which is below…
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won’t get none of your CDs back
June 22nd, 2010With a new post long overdue, the weather over here hotting up, and Uk music positively scorching right now, the stage is set. The subject of today’s return to the stage has been inspiring madness and disturbing the peace from Bow to Belgravia for a minute already, but it’s never to late to recognise talent. Tempa T’s Next Hype is undoubtedly one of the biggest Uk tracks to stay below the mainstream radar over the last 6 months, and is by the same right acknowledged by the industry as being game changing. I can say I’ve heard it in some guise or other at least 40 times this month already and it still sounds every bit as good as it did the first time.
*I wasn’t going to post the original video – in favour of the two alternatives – but then I watched it again, and couldn’t help laughing at Westwood being mugged off. Again. So switched my decision. Plus Tempz is sporting the Pars “R” Us tshirt and a flat top? Need I say more.*
The other two videos [below] seem to capture the breadth of Next Hype’s influence, through musical diversity. The second combines comedy and raw talent [including Tempz and JME], and serves to educate the less open minded amongst us as to the character and validity of the grime scene. Arguably more importantly though, could it help dispel the the misconceived perception that all grime artists are bipolar maniacs with a lust for vice and disorder? The first, by contrast, is no less inspired [and undisputedly original], and errs towards a more melodic and soulful interpretation of Tempz’s original hype. Whichever side of the fence you sit on, both in terms of grime as a genre, or the musical melting pot that is Ned and the Slow Jams, you’d be hard pushed to deny the ever-growing infuence and appreciation of a genre that is younger than most of us…
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my mother asked me: is this bragging really necessary
April 29th, 2010
Donnis first came to my attention via a freestyle I heard of him over Rhi-Rhi’s Rudeboy. Next I heard Gone – the most critically claimed track off 25 year old former US Air Force member’s Diary of an Atlanta Brave mixtape. First I liked it, then I loved it, and then I saw a couple of bottles of Belvedere INTENSE in his video. The rest is history. Download the mixtape from 10Deep here
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the street where originality lives
April 9th, 2010
Whilst on the topic of continuing a theme, I can’t ignore this year’s The Street Where Originality Lives advert. I’d like to say it’s every bit as good as the house party original, but being the second in a series it is by nature slightly less impactful. It is however every bit as alluring and captivating, and it does make you wish that was your life every bit as much as the first did. To give credit where it’s due, like it’s predecessor this clip is expertly shot and art directed – finding the fine balance between hazy hedonism and sharp attention to detail – and the cast is magnificent [including Snoop Dogg, Oasis, Agyness Deyn, Jeremy Scott, David Beckham, Ciara, and Mr Hudson. Oh and not forgetting Dappy from N-Dubz]. Sign me up for the next one please.
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LAGERfeld and lime
April 9th, 2010
Continuing our recognition and documentation of Diet Coke’s continuing collaborations with figureheads of the fashion world, here is their latest partnership with Karl ‘Chanel’ Lagerfeld. Mr Lagerfeld is, by his own admission, an avid drinker of the stuff – once claiming to have lost 90lbs thanks to a diet of merely steamed vegetables and Diet Coke, and as a king of his game who better to pair up with the brand. The aluminium bottle [above] costs €3.5, and the limited edition gift box with matching keyring/bottle opener [below] will set you back €60 – both from Colette in Paris…
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splurging, dom p, rosé
March 1st, 2010
This special edition carry case created by Australian designer Mark Newson for the iconic champagne house Dom Pérignon has successfully maintained the iconic equities of the brand (bottle shape and label) and combined them with modern colours, packaging formats, and substrates to create an eye catching and fully functional addition to their portfolio. The outcome finely balances the exclusive, heritage-heavy perceptions of a category king, with a more accessible and practical format.
This is Newson’s fourth collaboration with Dom Pérignon, in a time when – as the house of Dom Pérignon themselves put it - designer collaborations with luxury houses tend to be one-shot events. It is however every bit as creative, striking, and practical as any collaboration I’ve seen for a long, long time…
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they say hello they say hola and they say bonjour
February 25th, 2010
I stand by my statement last week that the US music industry is strides ahead of ours over here – but UK music is experiencing a rebirth, and growing from strength to strength. These are beautiful times for us, and tracks like this can hold it against the best. Pass Out is masterfully produced and Tinie Tempah’s lyrics are pertinent and true. Like him, I used to listen to You Don’t Want to Bring Arms House, and I’m pissed I never got to fly on a Concorde…
download here
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all black everything
February 17th, 2010
Jay Z is king. Musically he is unequivocally superior. In business he has proven to be up there with the best. And his 14 year career is marked with too many achievements to list. Success was a word coined to describe people like him. But…
Empire State of Mind Part II, the solo version from Alicia “Augello Cook” Keys is perfect, even without the king of rap’s midas touch. Her vocals are so silky smooth that they sum up everything that is alluring about New York: the city lights, the cultural diversity, the American Dream. I can’t argue that she is an astoundingly talented musician, but apart from in a couple of exceptional cases, I am not amazed, or touched by her. With this song however, she has achieved something amazing: whilst reaffirming that the US music scene is way beyond that over here (can you imagine Beverley Knight coming up with a track of this stature about London?), she has made me wish I was American. Ok New Yorkers are a different breed from most Americans, but the principle is there. What’s more her voice is so seductive I’d give up everything I’ve got and up sticks in a flash to share that life with her.
This is already, and surely will always be a classic of our times…
Download here
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go lower than the grades on your report card
February 5th, 2010
How Low has got more than a touch of You’re a Jerk about it – but typically from Luda it’s balanced with a dirty south twang. Add Ciara’s silky vocals [don't watch her lyrics] and Pitbull’s trademark Miami-Latin flow and this official remix is as close as it comes to the complete package. Listen/download here, or catch it in your local hip hop spot…
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i got to testify, she come up in the spot looking extra fly
February 3rd, 2010
I found this image on the world wide web – and yes that does make me a plagiarising thief, illegally in possession of somebody else’s masterpiece. So if PC Mac got hold of me he could probably send me down for theft, handling stolen goods, taking without consent, as well as all types of IP violations. Which would mean he’d probably shut down Capicú and in some countries chop off my fingers. This may seem a high risk to take just to post a photo of a hot girl eating a donner kebab. But there is something strangely alluring about this shot – a credit to whoever took it. Albeit obviously staged, the juxtaposition of fine female form with the faveleiro of fast food is beautiful. I could continue to try to explain the reasons why, but it doesn’t seem necessary. The photograph speaks for itself…
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