Marvin Sparks

These songs ago tun up fi di summer (for this summer here). I've been replaying both these on this riddim, so I'm happy they did a medley vid. Could have been better, but hey, such is life. Tun up this one loud on your speakers and digest some spiritual music that they say dancehall doesn't have anymore. Yeah, that's if you believe in pricks!

In the post below, I updated with a bunch of new dancehall videos (and some Protoje feat Ky-Mani Marley "Rasta Love" This has been floating since last year, but I didn't feel it at first, and since then I haven't blogged that much. But yes, good old song this. Don Corleon's protege, Protoje teams up with one of Bob's sons, Ky-mani Marley. If my memory serves me correctly, Kymani appeared in cult-classic Jamaican movie Shotta's. The first line of the chorus outlines the topic "She didn't know how to tell him she was in love with a rasta man". Etana "People Talk" Another big tune out right now courtesy of the strong one, Etana. Empowerment is what Etana does best and this is another example. "People Talk" talks fighting against gossipers and back-biters. Richie Spice "Black Woman" This has to be one of my favourite songs for the whole of 2011. In fact, the first line is arguably the best line of any love song for t...

Christopher Martin - Paper Loving This tune is big! Tearing down Caribbean and Kenya on next levels. One of the underrated singers in Jamaica. Good to see he lives outside. Shaggy featuring Mavado - Girlz Dem Luv We Shaggy's back with another video. He's going in this year. "Your Eyes Only" with Alaine , now this. Mavado's going hard with the visuals as well; Star Bwoy, this, Category 5 riddim medley, and the one I'll post after this one. Check for the cameo of UK rapper/MC/pop star Chipmunk at 3:23 Chipmunk featuring Mavado - "Every Gyal" Posted the audio before, said I didn't think it was great. Has grown on me, but I still don't think it's anything special. Still big up Chipmunk for doing this though. Don for that. Gaza Slim - "One Man/Moving On" Finally, we have a video for "One Man". Has been killing dancefloors for almost a year now. She is much better looking than Sheba. Kartel, work with her more. Thanks. Beyon...

So, the long-awaited video for Stay Boy by Mavado has finally dropped. It's alright. Woulda liked more shots of Jamaica than America to be fair. More club vibes too, 'cos there really isn't a party like a Jamaican party, but it's good. Showing his star appeal. And you already know the tune mad already. Over at Soul Culture I blogged the track by Chipmunk that Mavado features on Every Gyal . Every Gyal To quote oneself: Final thoughts? Sounds like an overproduced version of Mavado’s 2010 club-smash “Gal A Mad Ova“ . Ultimate respect to Chipmunk for reaching out to and working with Mavado. I’m sure his label wouldn’t have advised it. Hope the song does well .

So finally, the long-awaited video finally dropped. Chris Brown featuring UK MC/rapper Chipmunk (I think they made a typo on the title, I'm sure it's Chris Brown's song) 'Champion' Chris Brown delivered an emotive verse there, really held the camera well, and Chipmunk held it down well. Haven't really heard him do too many feature verses in the past apart from Ironik's Elton John song 'Tiny Dancer' and remixes (Tinchy's Take Me Back and couple others). I take it this from Chris Brown's new album? The one with that Yeah 3x (remember that tune? I nearly forgot myself). But onna real, well done to Chipmunk getting Chris Brown on a track. Tune's a grower still, powerful but I know Chipmunk's delivery could have been better. Sounds lacklustre next to Chris Brown's. The video is stunning visually... I'm sure there's room in the video for a story but it doesn't matter too much. Oh and remember I blogged that I tweeted Chipmun...

Remember when I told you about UK reggae artist Gappy Ranks' Pass Out freestyle back in March (click for proof) ? Well they've made a video for it. Check it out Alll di while! Best use of the riddim apart from the original. Check di interview on MTV.co.uk/TheWrapUp courtesy of moi here

You may remember this former "What's That Smell?" special. Here's the video Still fully on the What's That Smell playlist

I've seen the name about on Twitter but I don't know who the hell they are so I'll quote the video description "Ruff Diamondz are London-based trio -- vocalists Troy (20), Martika (18) and MC Chronz (19) -- who are bringing some much-needed flavour to the urban scene. Following on from their street-heater 'Allrite Stillll' which dropped earlier this year, the girls are now back with a scorcher of a track called 'Do It Like Me' out November." Moving on, their new video premiered exclusively on "Yeah yeah/ yeah yeah/ ess bee/ tee vee-ee-ee" (sidenote: if you haven't greeted Jamal with that, you haven't lived) Currently on 301 views First thought: "What the hell are they doing using Dead Prez's classic 'Hip Hop' beat? Who do they think they are? Don't they know they're going against the meaning of the track?" Second thought: "Hmmm... this isn't bad you know. I'm feeling the video, girls have...

Untitled from Mo ALi on Vimeo . This is 'ard! Big up Mo Ali, he has come a long way since Lethal Bizzle's 'Pow' and Jammer's 'Murkle Man'

Probably seen this on every blog before this and oh guess what? You're gonna see it here too. If this doesn't hit number 1 I'll... be very surprised. Its one of those records that stay in your head after you hear it. I can't even read the words Let The Sunshine without humming it. I'm doing it right now. Labrinth's A64 Disappointed I'm afraid. Ed Sheeran's cover (sorry Lab, he murdered you on your own isht) Thought I'd take the time out to write something I wanted to write from before but never got around to it. There are three "urban" (I mean black boys) r&b singers releasing right now; Loick Essien's Labrinth produced 'Love Drunk' , Labrinth himself, and Talay Riley 'Humanoid' . I personally doubt all three can have success. Apart from Labrinth (who has all the right qualities and support both media and label) and carved his own lane (sound of single, producer and songwriter of smash-hits), either Talay Riley and L...

Feeling this song on some next levels. 'Old tight (DJ) Yasmin on the vocals. Kills it on the hook. She's a gorgeous lass i'nt sheh? Even her normal talking voice is seductive. Hope this goes number 1. Not sure if it will, but his album should sell well regardless. Credible song with an interesting concept. As a bonus, Devlin's F(IYAH)64 I interviewed him a while back, will be in the next issue of Flavour magazine. Not sure when that's released but I'll post the link when it touches road.

If you haven't heard this song before, boy, prepare to get tired of it GREAT pop record! Co-written by man of the moment Bruno Mars, Goodie Mobb member/ former Gnarls Barkley frontman Cee-lo has a smash hit on his hands. Radio version "Forget You" just sounds weird and loses the edge but hey. Cool video too. I try to stick to videos you may not come across on the bigger channels or to pass my opinion on one but I'm posting this because it is such a great record. #ThatIsAll You can tell this will be on TV, especially them end of year programs with funny clips. Don't kill me but is it me or does he sound pretty similar to Stevie Wonder when he sings "I see you walking round town with the girl I love and I'm like"

Gyptian follows up the surprise summer smash single of 2010 with Nah Let Go Better follow up than I anticipated. Heard this back in about May, and think it sounds like them songs that go down well in west African clubs like Goldcoast in Brixton. Video is much better than Hold You. Ras Kassa and Jay Will do a lot (bun out the Yanks). I have never seen one of those cars in my 11 trips to Jamaica. So will it live up to or eclipse Hold You? Not a chance in hell. Should keep him going booking wise though. Good luck to him, proving there is still a lovers side to dancehall. I would have preferred a re-release/proper release of Beautiful Lady though Funny how it's always the hardcore fans least expect that get the most success. Who saw Sean Paul, Damian Marley, Serani or Gyptian as the ones to represent dancehall commercially? Or even Wayne Wonder and Cham? After all that time in the biz, he was probably at his lowest in those times. Even going back to Chaka Demus & Pliers. Only Shabb...

A reader of my blog sent me this tune in relation to this post in attempt to convince me UK funky isn't dead. I was supposed to blog it last week, but been rushed off my feet with these deadlines maaan. Anyway, low and behold DJ B tweeted the video today. Hasn't this happened before? Oh yeah, the previous post This tune BANGS!!! Had it on repeat that day. Shout out to James Simon. As I said in my reply email, "Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez this tune 'It's What You Do' is doing a LOT for my system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness! Wow. Both are quality but that one in particular is a skankers." The other tune I'm referring to is Rian Peters featuring Wiley Yeah, I'd never heard it before. I shall be looking out for more from them. See readers, if you disagree, email me or comment. I'll see it, may not be able to get back to right away, but I will, and I'll post it if I like it. Thanks again James. On the uk funky vs. dubstep debate, I wrote this to Jame...

Yeah, so I was away in the homeland, JamRock! Had a great time as per usual. A whole host of highlights of my life that I will remember forever. Think I may give a quick rundown soonish. Anyway, while I was away I kept reading about this Shardinay chick. Now not only is that a blonde girls name, it's a rubbish name. Moving on, the song Nothing to say about the quality of the song that hasn't been said before. Check out an interview she did if you haven't heard it So bet you're wondering the point of this post is? I mean it's an eom after interest in the story has dwindled. Well I thought I'd ask "if this was a UK Funky song, would the vocals have been under such scrutiny?" I mean, it isn't too far from what we've heard on hit funky tunes. And speaking of funky, how is the Are U Gonna Bang refix Dash Down by Mr M so big? People "claimed" to hate Funky Dee's tune, yet like this one? Ok

Naomi's back. Tune's hard and all that yeah, but I want to know whether this was arranged and recorded before Mz Bratt's Selecta (which when you type "Selecta Mz Bratt" into Google, that is the top result :) ) , because if it was done after, I guess we can tell where the inspiration came from. Not like Bratt wasn't kinda flowing like others, but she did what she did on Selecta. Jammer tweeted Dynamite that he had this beat for his album, but Ms. Dynamite paid 50 bags (£50,000 for the un-street urchins). First of all, producers still make that sort of money off one beat? Secondly, where my cracked version of Fruity Loops go...

Yes, you read correctly, "new Funky Dee" in a sentence. I know you probably thought/think "What? He has a new tune?" If that is your question, I can confirm you assumptions are in fact incorrect. Funky Dee has recorded and released a video for the year-old club islands banger Are You Gonna Bang Doe Why did he think... Who funded... what possessed him to do this?! I thought Migraine Skank got released late, but this takes the pee (no "... Wee Herman". I promise to stop that soon). Why would he want to? Made a mish-mash dead, no vibes video to a song that I feel no way in saying I liked, yeah likeD . Talk of him being a one-hit wonder will continue for a while longer. He remixed this for the uni students ( Are You Gonna Pass ), even threatened to sue Lady P for the pro-veg anthem Are You Gonna Yam . I wonder if Apple decided to break bread for Mr Dee to use the hijacked instrumental Chantes/Chants (delete as you see fit) Good luck to him though. It'll be...

I'm late on posting this but please believe I heard and rated it from while ago Will this be 2010's Welcome To Jamrock or Ghetto Story? Remains to be seen. I personally don't think it's as strong, but I hope for the best. Hold tight Salaam Remi on the buttons. Big man in the game worked with Amy Winehouse on Back To Black, Ms Dynamite on Mercury music prize winning album A Little Deeper (he did 'Dy-Na-Mi-Tee'), Ini Kamoze 'Here Come's The Hotstepper' (the original, not the one in the charts), Toni Braxton 'You're Making Me High' and Nas 'Made You Look' (Street's Disciple was SH*T!, but he produced Theif's Theme and Suicide Bounce) plus many many more big tracks. Good to see Spragga back on the ting! Never knew there was a video for Tiny Tot! Tune gets numerous wheels wen I'm 'ere. Sounds like my (fantasy) biography

Vybz Kartel teams up with producer-now-apparantly-artist Russian to create what he hopes is a fashionista follow-up to the successful Clarks trilogy (more the 2nd) I now like this song. Didn't have much of an effect on me first time round, but it catchy nuh fk. Big tune That isn't the only reason I posted this; it annoys me to see the infiltration of American culture by Jamaican artists/Jamaican. Remember when Jamaica used to set the trends? Why decide to follow? Have some originality. And what's good with the face? Whilst on the subject of Kartel, this video's jokes. Mad Collab will probably be riddim of the year

Feeling this tune. The girl from that "emo"-pop group Paramore (Hayley Williams) sounds good on this. Always thought she could sing. Really feeling B.o.B. This should be another number 1 for him unless he's unlucky with a release of an Elvis re-release or Dizzee Rascal Commercial Hip-hop seems to be returning to some sanity following the many years of Laffy Taffy, Soulja Boi, Flo-Rida nonsense. Drake and BoB seem to be redressing the balance of rappers that aren't from the same cloth as TI, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Jeezy who either are gangsta or portray gangsta (portray? I meant lie Lil' Wayne and Rick Ross), but make quality music.