2012 Spotlight: Naughty Boy (Producer)

One of my tips for 2012 is super-producer Naughty Boy. Obvs he's already know for crafting smashes for Emeli Sande, Chipmunk and album tracks for Subo and Chezza Cole, but in 2012 he will be releasing his own album, Hotel Cabana.

Featuring a virtual who's who of the UK Urban scene (Sande, Pro Green, Ed Sheeran), he also promises some unexpected surprises in the form of big British pop singers. A somewhat secretive guy, the man born Shahid Khan enlightened this very blog with a few words regarding his forthcoming album.

 "I want it to be an album for our time; it has a concept to it, so it’s more like a film in some respects,” he said. “I view it like I’m not just a producer – I’m a director too. I don’t say anything and I don’t dance, so I have to compensate for that by being a visionary. I want to keep it weird." Check a sneak peak of what to expect.

Sampling Jefferson Airplane and featuring rhymer mic Righteous and upcoming singer/ songwriter Maiday, this new track taken from Cabana (Someone To Love) is a dark tale of foreboding, underscored by NB's epic orchestration.

 

2012: Predictions [Liam Tootill]

SBTV's MD and former RWD mag staffer Liam Tootill always has his eyes wide open for new music, cultures and movements. 

Here's Toot's Top 3 for 2012.

1) "Labrinth's label Oddchild to blow and Raf Riley (sickkkk!! producer) and Etta Bond to be proof of this (Video below).

2) "I'm predicting big things for Mic Righteous. Think he'll continue progressing and releasing strong music. 

3) "Still expecting a lot from The Bullitts too. They're really interesting and I hope they continue to develop their crazy musical ideas."

2012: Predictions [Sian Anderson]

Sian Anderson, Rinse FM DJ, editor of Urban Development, PR to the stars and all-round girl-in-the-know took her predictions very, very seriously. Listen closely to her tips, and take heed!

Catch Sian on Rinse every Tuesday from 1pm to 3pm and follow her on Twitter because she's very funny.

1) Support Sincere (lolz) 

"Sincere has been in the game for so long and is about to unleash two more fantastic singles and an album, 'Yours Sincerely'. If you're a fan of UK rap and UK pop music you should be following and supporting this guy's journey. And no, I'm not saying this because I'm his PR, I'm saying this because I AM A FAN!!! Ain't Nobody Like You *BBM COOL SHADES*"

2) Keep leggings and Ugg boots alive

"Please. It gets really cold and they're both the most comfortable things ever. I knowww it's uncool to wear leggings and uggs now, in-fact it probably never was cool but if we could just keep them on trend for a couple more winters that would make me a very happy lady and stop me having to find a new comfort zone. Lazy dresser, soz." 

3) Accept cheese

"Deep down we all love cheesy music, cheesy TV and cheesy Wotsits. I wish the world would stop fighting TOWIE, X-Factor, JLS and Walkers and just admit that it's entertaining and a bit of a laugh. Basically can everyone just let their hair down a little bit in 2012 and stop trying to prove how cool they are by not endorsing cheesy objects. Run with your guilty pleasures. What's the worst that can happen?"

2012: Predictions [Georgia Lewis Anderson]

Introducing SBTV's Georgia, the first expert we reached out to find out who and what they are predicting will be super-hot in 2012. 

Here's Georgia's Top 3 Tips for 2012. Catch Georgia sprinkling her interview magic dust all over on SBTV and on Twitter.

1) "First I'm gonna go for a guy called Shakka that I caught at the last ILuvLive not long ago and just blew me away. I feel like you really have to see him live to appreciate his charisma, stage presence and vocals but he made this 'Shakkapella' video using all his own vocals which is pretty cool (below) . He's funny too which always helps!"

2)" Jeymes Samuel's creation The Bullitts have undoubtedly got some exciting bits up their sleeves for 2012. I had a lot of fun getting involved in a bit of acting with them for some SB vids this year and I can't wait to hear their concept action-adventure album in full. Telling the stories of many a murder, narrated by Lucy Liu..."

3) "I'm majorly crushing on female rapper Iggy Azelia, a white Australian. Could she be the unexpected underdog like Candian ex-soap actor Drake once was?! Who knows but her swag is on point, I can't wait to see more."

2012 Spotlight: Film [Prometheus]

There's a slew of films to be excited about this year, The Hobbit and Spiderman among them. One we're really excited about seeing is Ridley 'Alien' Scott's return to space with the CGI laden Prometheus. Starring the amazing Idris Elba, Charlize Theron and Michael Fassbender, this is being touted as a prequel of the Sigourney Weaver starrer. Yes please!

MOBO Tour: Clement & Leshurr

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Lady Leshurr joins Clement Marfo on the Mobo Unsung tour 2012, which sees the Birmingham MC and London urban-punk collective gig in eight major cities across the UK for FREE! Also during the tour is the MOBO Unsung competition AND attend seminars around the country also for FREE!


MOBO, Urban Development and PRS for Music Foundation are bringing a free tour to eight cities across the UK, offering audiences the opportunity to see some of 2012’s freshest, new, emerging talent on stage and attend industry workshops and seminars (via Industry Takeover @ MOBO Academy). It’s also a chance for undiscovered talent right across the country to get involved in the MOBO Unsung competition. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and PRS for Music Foundation all of this will be provided for FREE.

Kicking off on February 22 in Birmingham, the tour will travel across the country and bring together the best of the UK’s new Urban talent. The first names to be announced are breakthrough MC Lady Leshurr and Clement Marfo & The Frontline - a further five names will be confirmed in the New Year.

In addition to bringing the pick of 2012’s most hotly tipped talent to a city near you, The MOBO Tour is also creating the opportunity for brand new, undiscovered talent to win the chance to perform on stage through MOBO Unsung. This nationwide competition is open to enter NOW and all would-be performers need to do to get started is upload a video of themselves performing to YouTube and email the link, embed code and details of which region they live in, to MoboUnsung.

 Entries will be hosted on MoboTour for the public to view and a judging panel of industry experts will then select a winner from each UK region, who will take the stage as part of the tour in their local area.

CATCH THE TOUR, SEMINARS, AND WORKSHOPS ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Feb 22 Library HMV Institute  INDUSTRY TAKEOVER at MAC Birmingham
Feb 23 Manchester Academy 3
Feb 24 Academy 2 Venue INDUSTRY TAKEOVER - TBC Liverpool
Feb 25 The Garage  INDUSTRY TAKEOVER - The Mitchell Library Glasgow
Feb 27 Academy 2 INDUSTRY TAKEOVER-  The Sage Newcastle
Feb 28 Academy 2 INDUSTRY TAKEOVER-  Watershed Bristol
Feb 29 Academy 2 INDUSTRY TAKEOVER-  Red Bull Studios Islington
March 1 Waterfront

G-Shock Sessions

Asher D took it back to the old-school with a killer set!

D Double E Ft. Smurfie Syco: Be Like Me

The Dirtee Stank signees (Dizzee's label) team up on a track from the legendary DEE's EP, Bluku Bluku. Directed by Dego Visionz, D Double talks about the legions of lyricists who have tried to follow in his footsteps.

Produced by True Tiger, this tune is a monster!


 

Rock Of Ages [Trailer]

IDoes this look amazing or totally terrible? Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones star in the big-screen adaptation of the Broadway/ West End musical.

Tom Cruise?! Really!?

Looks like Jones is bringing the most lolz.

   

DJ Fresh Ft. Rita Ora: Hot Right Now

DJ Fresh returns with another huge bangerathon. Teaming up with the Jay-Z singed Rita Ora, this looks to be the track to put the London singer on the map ahead of her debut release next year. Expect big things from the incredibly cool Ora in 2012.

 

The Dictator [Trailer]

Oh gosh, we can imagine Sasha Baron Cohen will get himself into deep doodoo with his latest film, which is due 18 May. Co-starring John C Reilly and Megan Fox, can 'Ali G' bring the lolz once again?


 

Wiley: Cheer Up It's Christmas

Genius.

Just genius.

Click on the link to download. Simples.



Wiley - Cheer Up, It's Christmas by Big Dada Sound

Sande Wins BRITS Critic Choice Award

Congratulations to Scottish singer and songwriter Emeli Sande who has just been announced as the BRITs Critics Choice for 2012.

Made up of industry experts, Sande beat out Maverick Sabre and Michael Kiwanuku, and joins past winners like Jessie J, Adele (who is a fan of Sande) and Florence + The Machine.

 “I feel really excited about it,” she told us. “When you work so hard behind the scenes and no one knows or cares who you are, when you get that recognition and you work really hard for it, it just feels great. I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and I’m not going to change the way I approach anything. So I feel excited and I feel great to get that acknowledgment.”

Emeli, who has written for Chipmunk, Wiley, Cheryl Cole and Subo, will perform at the Nominations party in January before accepting the award live on stage at the Brits, February 2012.

Check Emeli performing her next single on Jools.

    

Bluey In Blue G-Shock

The rather handsome and supremly talented Bluey Robinson recently chose himself a new watch - in blue naturally. Bluey, sporting the GA-110HC watch from the new Hypercomplex range, is set for greatness in 2012! Having toured with Justin Beiber and Tinie, we cath up with Bluey to find what's new.

Jay Norton V Ghetts: On A Level

Mr. Norton vocalises Ghetts' current smash, On A Level.

We likey! A LOT!

G-Shock Sessions: Friday

This Friday, get yourself down to G-Shock EAST on Dray Walk (just off Brick Lane, E1) for a live extravaganza of epic proportions. Performing on the night is No.2 chart topper Loick Essien, Asher 'Top Boy' D,  Blacks, Lady Chann, No Lay, DVS, Artful, Dimples, Saskilla, Piff Gang, Its Nate, A.L and Chunks. If that wasn't enough, DJ sets are in effect from Mark 'Artful Dodger' Hill, Swerve and Marco Del Horno.

Be there from 6pm* or be very, very stupid!

Also available on the night will be Dee & Ricky's amazing new collabo watch.

*Be aware the G-Shock Sessions are always rammo, so early arrival is advised!

Cher Lloyd: Dub On The Track

Featuring Mic Righteous, Ghetts and Dot Rotten, word is this is Skream's track of 2011 (or, perhaps, not).

Grimy Cher. Very grimy!

VEEP (Teaser)

Yes, yes, YES! Julia Louise Dreyfuss of Seinfeld fame stars in this new political satire from Armando 'The Day Today' Iannucci's airing on one of the US' greatest stations (HBO Obvs) next year. This looks - ok, it's 27 seconds long so hard to really tell - but it looks ACES!

VEEP will air on Sky Atlantic next Autumn, which gives all of us stupid enough not to have Sky+ plenty of time to sort it out.


 

L Marshall: The Wait

Another hot tip for 2012, you already know L Marshall from his hard working hook magic on Wretch's Top 5 smash, Traktor, while the west London born, Brazil and Lagos raised singer and writer was also behind Loick Essien's No.2 How We Roll. Having just dropped his mixtape, , the 24 year-old Manga and martial arts fan is readying his own album for release in 2012. "I've been in with Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis (T.I., Mary J, Justin Bieber), Supa Dups (Drake, Eminem,) and Novel (Gaga, Jason Derulo)," he says of his A-list line-up. “I had meetings with a couple of other labels and they all saw me as ‘the next Bruno Mars’. That’s not me at all,” laughs L of signing a deal. “Mercury saw that I’m ready to expand as an artist; I’ve got the raw sound for my mixtape, a gritty soul feel on my EP and then I want my album proper to be straight-up global pop. Nothing less than that.” 


Look forward to hearing more from L next year.

Stephen King: You Can't Kill [Trailer]

Stephen King does spoof? Who'd a thunk it!

Ghetts Ft. Scorcher, Kano, Wretch, Jay Norton: On A Level (Remix)

Some of the UK's hottest team up with Ghetts on a remix of epic proportions, with a video directed by Carly Cussens.

Will I Am: Take note.

What's your favourite verse? I think Kano might be mine.

 

Will I Am Ft. JLo & Mick Jagger: T.H.E

Mick Jagger. Will.i.am. J-Lo. Who'd a thunk it?

"This shit is a shit. Faeces..."

Hmm. Well THAT'S nice Will. It's also not the most questionable lyric on there. Oh Will. OH WILL!


 

Coldplay: X Factor

Chris Martin and his merry band of Coldplayer's wowed TV audiences last night with their X Factor performance.

And what's that? Why, Chris, what a LOVELY watch you're wearing!

Justin Wears G-Shock

Oh Justin, G-Shock loves you too.

Krept & Konan Ft. Lewis Watson: Let Go

21 year-old Krept and 23 year-old Konan from South London team up with Lewis Watson (18 and from Oxfordshire) to make a track about Konan's recent loss in his family. A lovely song.

XO Man: Follow Fashion

The supremely tall rhymer XO Man recently called on some friends to drop an acoustic reix of his new single, Follow Fashion. Sincere, Master Shortie, Mikill Pane and Ed Sheeran popped along to some kind of unused car park type place and made this very lovely tune. Tight bars and some lovely strumming. Well done everybody!


 

In The Land Of Honey [Trailer]

They're all at it now aren't they; Madonna, Plan B and now Angelina Jolie is making her directorial debut with this stark portrayal of the Bosnian War. Using unknown Bosnian actors, this tells the story of a Serbian soldier and his Bosnian captive, who knew each other before the war, and the dark turn that their relationship takes as the conflict takes hold.

"I didn't have to teach these people what it was like to live through war," Jolie told Female First. "They had to teach me... I couldn't be more passionate about these people and I just followed their lead."

Miike Snow: Devil's Work

The producers-turnt-singers return with another ethereal oddity. Liiking the brass work after the first chorus. No, really.

Kanye: VOYR Interview

When Kanye talks, we listen. And this is filmed quite brilliantly so it also makes nice viewing.

Blast From The Past

In celebration of the ghetto blaster, New York photographer, filmmaker and beatbox collector, Lyle Owerko, has collated an array of fine art portraits, which are being displayed in the UK for the first time. Available to buy in a beautiful hardback book (intro by Spike Lee, natch), those of you feeling flush can also buy prints that would look basically amazing on any wall.

If you just want to look and enjoy, then head to the Whisper Gallery, London, W1W, between 9 Dec to 14 Jan.

Amy Winehouse x Fred Perry Collection

The same week that her posthumous album leaps to No.1, Fred Perry have also released their new Amy Winehouse line. Designed by the singer before her untimely death earlier this year, this is the last collection that Amy worked on with the brand.

A la Amy's own style, there's lots of soft pinks, short shorts and 50's prints, available from Fred Perry.

War Of Words: Panic

New duo War of Words are working with Ben from La Roux and are inspired, so they say, by '90s pop music. Liking this song verymuchalot.

Dreams Of A Life: Trailer

This film looks like it might be amazing. I love this kind of dark, odd, intriguing movie that us Brits make so well. It's also based on a true story; how could a popular, attractive young woman die and no one notice for three years? This film sets to find out what might have happened to the real life Joyce Vincent who was found dead in her bedsit in 2003, at the age of 38. The TV was still on and there was a small pile of unopened Christmas presents.

Starring Zawe Ashton (Fresh Meat), Dreams Of A Life is out next week.



 

Joe Black: Life Outside Music

Another rapper who's hot for 2012 is Joe Black. But when he's not rapping Joe takes time out to coach kids football. Just another reason to rate the King of the Underground, firmly heading to the overground!

RoxXxann: Thunder Bay Freestyle

The Brummie MC hits hard on this freestyle; just one of the few female rappers coming through for 2012, the Backpack Gang MC also has great taste in watches!


 

Marger Ft. Josh Osho: This Year

Already clocking up killer hits online, the pairing of Marger and Josh is somewhat epic in nature. Love the video too.

Mike Skinner: New Project

Though The Streets may be no more (RIP/ Pour A Lil Liqour), Mike Skinner is not done with the world of music just yet. Now working with Rob Harvey (The Music), Skinner is the producer and Harvey is the singer and together they are The D.O.T.

Red Bull popped down to the studio to find out more about the project and listen to Mike's musings on being a music maker what is now behind the scenes a little more. The D.O.T.'s sound is very different from the likes of Original Pirate Material, and it would appear that Skinner also likes to wear a suit now.

We approve.

Delilah: Love You Do

Love this girl, love this video, love this song.

Delilah gon be tearing up 2012...