BEYONCE + THE VISUAL ALBUM - Boohema Boohene (27/12/2013)

Beyonce, Mrs Carter, Sasha Fierce, Queen B is by far one of

 the most phenomenal and inspiring women in the music industry of this generation, dominating the charts for over twenty years. Coming from the girl group Destiny’s Child to being a worldwide platinum selling solo artist she has gone from strength to strength. 

Taking on the managerial role for her career in 2011, many were unsure if Queen B would be able to deliver the quality level of music that she had been admired for over the years, as it was a difficult task. However she has surprised everyone that doubted her and topped the charts consistently.

 In 2011 she stunned everyone with her fourth album 4

 which sold 310,000 copies in the first week and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 charts giving Bey her fourth consecutive number one album in the US. As the album was received well, Beyonce also released a short documentary to accompany it, about her personal life, becoming a mother and her inner thoughts. We as an audience also got to understand how much work she puts in for her fans not just in terms of the music but also the creativity behind her performances and music videos. It was nice to see Beyonce in her natural state and everyday settings, this definitely attracted her fans to look at her in a different light.

Since then we hadn't’ heard much from ‘Mrs Carter’ as she now refers to herself since getting married to rapper Jay-Z. Then this December 2013 she released her fifth solo album ‘The visual album’ just when you think she couldn't’ possibly come with anything more creative '4'. It was a big surprise and shock to all as there was no warning or information on this project. Alongside the album she released 30 second teasers for each song,some of which featured her husband Jay-Z, daughter Blue-Ivy her mother Tina Knowles and ex-band-mates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

 The album consists of a variety of genres, tempo’s and melodies. There are upbeat party songs such as ‘Blow’ and then ballads such as ‘Rocket’ which sounds very much like the Beyonce we know. ‘Drunk in love’ featuring Jay-Z has been a big hit. A fan tweeted “it is almost like a sequel to their hit ‘Crazy in love’ released in 2003 now we understand the depth of their relationship in 2013”.

At the release party for ‘The visual album’ in New York three days ago she spoke on how making the album was a challenge. "This was a project I didn't think was possible actually, and I’ve never done anything so brave in my life I took all my insecurities, all my doubts, and all my fears, and everything I have learned I applied it to this project”. Although challenging she managed to pull it off with the album receiving a whopping 80,000 downloads in the first three hours of being on sale. Now which other artist can really compete with that?

 An amazing aspect of Beyonce's music is that , despite the fact she is classified as an R&B artist, many different audiences are able to relate to her music as she makes it mainstream for everyone to enjoy. No wonder why her concerts now get sold out in seconds and fans are willing to pay over £100 just to see her live,knowing they are in for a breath-taking show.

It seems Beyonce’s 2014 is kicking off with a great start with

 a worldwide tour which many are excited for. Who knows what more she has in store for us next year, we all just have to sit back relax and enjoy the ride.

                  YEEZUS ? - Kelly Whybrow (20/12/13)

Kanye West has been keeping the media busy with his controversial and outlandish comments so the last thing that the world needs is false quotes which are designed to manufacture outrage.

It seems that someone’s downfall seems to be more entertaining than someone’s progression; negatives become more believable than the positives. There has been a lot of controversy around Kanye West as people seem to cling onto every last word the media releases about him. He’s caused a lot of stigma this year; releasing his new album ‘Yeezus’, proposing to his woman Kim Kardashian and the birth of his little girl North and a number of interview appearances.

 There have also been a flood of articles released about Kanye that have been of interviews that never took place. Does this reflect the manipulation of media today?

 Kanye was under fire for claiming that he will soon be a bigger cultural rights icon than late Nelson Mandela. The false quotes consisted of “Nelson did a lot of work don’t get me wrong but I think I’m on the track to do something even bigger. I liberate minds with music, that’s more important than liberating a few people from apartheid or whatever.” Many took offence and it caused major uproar on the twitter-sphere so Kanye took the opportunity to address his 10million followers tweeting:

“Respect to Mandela and his family, despite recent media reports, I’ve never said anything to dishonour or trivialise the life or transition of one of the most inspiring leaders.

He continues; “Thank you Mandela, for your life’s work and may it serve as a guiding light to illuminate our future.”

Another set of fake quotes attributed to an interview that also never happened with WGCI radio in Chicago where he was accused of saying “I am going to make Kim Kardashian a bigger performer than Beyonce. Kim and I will soon be the first couple of Hip-hop.” He addresses this saying his true belief is that her talent lies in her being a shrewd business woman.    

In his Zane Lowe interview he talks about the codes to self-esteem that “if you are a Kanye fan you are not a fan of me you are a fan of yourself, you believe in yourself.” Many insult Kanye for trying but his beliefs are in seeing an opportunity and going for it as we’re all going to die one day. Russell Simmons talks on Kanye saying: “What’s often misunderstood about Kanye is that people believe he wants this all for himself, in fact quite opposite, he wants all this for the rest of us.” Kanye addresses that a lot believe his motivation to be self-orientated when he just wants to help.

Although very strong minded he says he’s going to grow from each interview and says he’s not flawless. One of his most recent interviews on the Breakfast Club Power 105.1 with DJ Envy he confesses his inability to always get his point across the right way.  “When I get loud it’s too loud. When I’m talking sometimes I feel I’m just blowing somebodies ears out, my technique is too harsh, I’m beating it up too harsh. I be talking to people the wrong way sometimes and rubbing them the wrong way.” He continues to express Jay-Z’s talent in talking to people and says: “Maybe when I get to Jay-Z’s age I will have achieved more of my dreams and I can reach that Zen, you don’t understand I’m so frustrated.”

Kanye describes his new album Yeezus which had mixed reviews as “this is what frustration sounds like” and built to make cracks in the pavement. It was album where he was able to speak his mind and not have to write with the textures of the time. Kanye has received a lot of backlash for his new album and specifically the new music video ‘bound 2’ being parodied on South Park. On the breakfast show he reveals that he wanted it to be as phoney as possible and isn’t afraid to look stupid. He’s exposing white supremacy, the only difference is there is a black guy in the middle.

You may not agree with all of Kanye's views, but they evolve from ambition and determination. Some believe that he is mad and others believe he is genius. Russell Simmons says “It’s a different kind of mad, a mad that keeps you up at night, knowing that if you fall asleep, you’re wasting your time. It is a mad that makes you go into the lab and work seven days with no sleep, cause you want to perfect your craft.” Whether you love him or hate him West is one of the most powerful influential black male artists of this generation. We can all learn something. It’s his tenacity, creativity, relentlessness and madness, that will allow us all one day have the ability to ‘touch the sky’. 

African football heads to Brazil: Team Review- Ola Adetoye (10/12/2013)

Ghana are one the best and most successful African powerhouses in football, blessed with technically gifted players some of whom ply their trade in Europe for some of the top football clubs. Additionally they have a number of players that are going to be important to them if they are to progress further than the group stage next year. Players such as Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus), Kevin Prince-Boateng (Schalke), Michael Essien (Chelsea) and the Ayew brothers (Marseille) to name but a few. Those players are all great in their own right but the spearhead of their attack and their Captain Asamoah Gyan (below) will yet again be their most important player.

 With 39 goals in 77 appearances for Ghana his goals will be central

to the team's success at the World Cup. Looking at the group he and his team-mates have been drawn in reaching the quarter finals as they did in 2010 will be demanding. Germany, Portugal, and the

 USA shall be scrapping with the West Africans for a place in the Round of 16.  You would think that Ghana have to get a result against Jurgen Klinsmann's USA team at the very least to have a chance and then give 100% to overcome either one of the favourites to escape the group Germany and Portugal. But after their 2010 run anything is possible especially when u take in the humidity in Brazil and the potential match-winners they possess.

Nigeria enter the tournament as the reigning kings of Africa having

 won their first AFCON trophy since 1994, after beating 

Burkina Faso. The old faces have vanished and been replaced by new personnel who work for each other and play a strong attacking game captaining the side is of course Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who for Nigeria plays the number ten role rather than then defensive one he's asked to play for Jose Mourinho.

Nigeria have a fairly young team now with their oldest players 

being Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United) and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (Lille), who are both 31 and 32 respectively. In addition the Under-17 squad recently won their own World Cup so there is plenty more talent yet to wear the green and white at senior level. But that aside it was between Emenike and John Obi Mikel (below) for who to put as Nigeria's key player.

Both will be central to any success the 'Super Eagles' are to achieve

 in South America. But Mikel just edges as he acts as the pivot for the team.

But ignore the rest of the team at your peril as players like Victor

 Moses (Liverpool) and Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow) have the pace to get at any defence in the tournament.

Nigeria were drawn into Group F with Bosnia and Herzegovina Iran

 and Argentina. They have been drawn with the latter in two of the last three World Cups (2002 & 2010). As AFCON champions they would be expected to beat Iran fairly easily, consequently they could be fighting Bosnia for 2nd place. But Argentina for all their attacking prowess have defensive frailties that can be exposed. It remains to be seen whether this Nigeria team can expose them, but thy definitely look a better team than their 2010 compatriots.