Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday Review

Surely Nicki Minaj is just a feature artist? She can only jump on people’s tracks. An album of her own? Surely not? Ladies and Gentleman, she has. The long awaited album of Nicki Minaj has arrived for all to grab a copy with a full recommendation from me. The same fire and New York attitude she brings onto other people’s tracks can be seen throughout her album.

The album begins with my favourite track I’m The Best. Pacey and almost like a declaration of what is in store for the rest of the album. Minaj raps about a range of topics which is, to be honest, a relief. Hip hop songs are becoming awfully monotonous these days particularly those on a debut album. Fortunately she has not conformed – another tick for Minaj.

Certain tracks on Pink Friday really reveal to the audience just what kind of rapper we are dealing with – one of quality and creativity. No two tracks are the same. Blazin’ particularly shows off her deliverance, timing and articulation. In terms of gender, it goes without saying that currently she is the best in her field. She is the new Lil’ Kim. Whether Kim herself wants to accept it or not – it’s a fact.

We’ve heard Nicki sing on Your Love with the help of autotune – most rappers do this. In Pink Friday we hear more of her autotuned singing. Normally, autotune is frowned upon, however, in this instance it is not overused or used in places where it is not needed. It always adds to the substance of the track. However, Here I Am appears to feature her singing voice with very little effect and still sounds just as good.

I feel the songs chosen as singles were the right ones. There is a neat division between the singles songs and album songs. In the backing track for the singles all have one thing in common – they are not so “Nicki-concentrate”. They appeal to a much wider audience because they are not so hard-hitting like Roman’s Revenge and Did It On ‘Em. A good example of this is Your Love with is sample coming from Annie Lennox’s 1994 hit ‘No More “I Love You’s”’.

This album is smart. It really is a reflection of what we have seen so far from Nicki. But I would go as far to say that it’s an upgrade. Her collaborations with artists prior to the album’s release were little drops of tantalisers to tease her audience. In this album we are finally allowed to drench ourselves with what she has to offer with guilt-free indulgence. The artists that feature in Pink Friday are a current selection of the ruling class in the music world. The likes of Rihanna and Will.I.Am are what you call the cherries on top of an album that already has a sweet taste. It maybe a disappointment to those who expecting a hardcore and straight-up rap album. But the rest of us who like a more.... "approachable" version of hip hop this really hits the spot.

This album surely crowns Nicki Minaj the new reigning Queen of Hip Hop. Long live the Queen.

4/5 stars.

Black People Need to Buy Music

I was actually going to name this post: "Black people need to buy MORE music". Then I said to myself hang on... actually... Black people need to buy music full stop.

This afternoon I was having a conversation with my friend about the socio-economics of Black people. He asked the rhetorical question: "Why are black people so tight with their money?" I said to him - to be honest - I'm not sure but the only thing I can be sure about is that there cant be a straightforward answer to that question. However, this is my theory. In the western world majority of Black people are not as well established as their white counterparts for numerous reasons - Slavery and Colonialism is just to mention a few. If we look at Britain as an example: Mass immigration of Black people only started during the 20th century. Caribbeans in the 40s, 50s and 60s and Africans in 80s onwards. As new immigrants we don't have "old money" as already established inhabitants do that have been passed down generations. I.e. No houses, no assets, no cash that has been passed down - because we're new here. Therefore, any money or assets we do have, naturally, we would strive to keep.

Enough of the ranting - is this linked to buying music? In my eyes of course it is! When I was younger, I used to be one of many black people who used to download download download till my hard drive could take no more. Then I used to wonder why music wasn't getting any better - if anything- worse. If we as people don't invest in the music that we like how will the music grow and get better or become more popular?! - In short - it won't! This is why you see artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah and Tinchy Stryder switching up their style and their image when going mainstream. Don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with switching up your style if it's going to bring more money - afterall this is a Music..BUSINESS.


There's a quote from the movie Dreamgirls that is apt for this blog post. When Effie gets demoted to a backup singer within the group, her brother explains to her that the groups needs a "lighter sound to crossover to the pop charts". I.e. If the sound is to raw/"urban" - it won't sell. How about we change that mentality? But we won't if we keep downloading.

The Final Nail.... "A Baby"

I find it very interesting and paradoxical that - for me - the death of a potential relationship is at the announcement of a new life. Let me give you a hypothetical situation: If I am seeing a guy and he tells me that he has a baby/child/grown up child whatever - at an instant all feelings I have towards that guy would dissolve. Ok, so it's not hypothetical - i'm talking from experience.

This sprung to my attention this evening after I realised my first boyfriend now has a baby. The child is adorable - even looks like him (in a good way). However, what I also saw in the child's face was the last nail in the coffin in our already dead relationship (I haven't spoken to him in over 8 months and our relationship ended years ago - but heck, you can't help but hope with your first love).

Let me give you the reasons why I feel this way about such a situation.

First of all, call me old-fashioned but i would much prefer two things: 1. To have a good relationship with my husband and 2. To have a child within wedlock. Therefore, if any situation arises that may threaten these two statements I will back out without hesitation.

Let's break it down:

I like to call this situation the "Baby Mama" situation. There are at least four people involved.

1. The Girlfriend

2. The Boyfriend/Father

3. The Baby Mama

4. The Child

This is more than a triangular relationship. This is triangular with a vortex in the middle. Vortex being the child. Whether there is drama or good times it centers all around the innocent child.

If you are in the "Girlfriend" position and your man is not a wasteman - There is nothing you can do but accept that as the child is his child you are most likely to be second to this child. Particularly if it is his first born. He may not do it on purpose and he may even deny that he is doing it at all. However, I believe that in most cases he won't even know he is doing it - it just happens by default.

If you are in the "Boyfriend/Father" position - wow - it is a difficult decision to say the least. You love your child to peices - you'd die for him or her. However, at the same time the one person who you would die for their mother happens to be a pain in the backside by just her general presence. On top of that you have a girlfriend who you love also and don't want to displease. On the other hand, if you are single, you would just like to move on with your life (post-ex).

If you're the baby mum, be honest, it can't always be easy to see your ex move on no matter how much stress he causes you. Aside from that, he is the father of your child. Everytime you look at the child's face you see him. He's not that easy to forget.

Most of all the child in question must suffer all the bickering and backbiting between the adults - not good.

All in all it's a very sticky situation. Don't get me wrong - here I am giving a worst case scenario. Not all "Baby mum" relationships are like this. However, this worst case scenario is worth thinking about. I'm talking to the ladies here who are potentially the girlfriend that I talk about before- do you really see yourself taking on your man's child and bringing them up as your own? No jealousy? No rivalry? Nada? To me it seems that it takes a special kind of woman to venture on such a voyage and reach their destination successfully despite the rough waves. However, if you're like me and already know that the high winds and strong currents of such a turbulent situation could take you out - then get out! Before it takes you out! Is it selfish? Maybe.. but at least you're being honest and you're saving double the heartache that may be produced later if you were to get out at a later stage.

As I said before, personally, I wouldn't take things further with someone who already has a child. The potential stress and drama - *sighs* I just couldn't deal with it. Personally, I can't deal with someone with so much baggage. I want a clean slate. If there is anything on that slate I want to be the one to put something on it!!

If you've got this far and are still reading i'm sure you're wondering "how can I be so quick to judge such a situation?". Well, it's because my mum and I currently are "The Baby Mama and Child". Trust me the situation has been tense for the past 22 years! NOT WORTH IT!!

Fum Fum Where have you beeeen????

I know, I know, it's been a hot minute since i've updated my blog! I KNOW! And yes I've got good excuses! So much has happened in the last few months - I graduated! Yay! With a 2.1! Yay! I'm so happy. All the work that I've been doing since Reception all those years ago till now has accumulated and has been building up to this point! So, i'm pleased to say that.. I MADE IT! Woohoo!

Enough of the excitement. With a crash back to reality - I realise that my high status of "Redbrick University Graduate" automatically comes with the awful sting of... UNEMPLOYMENT (booo!). Well... for the summer that is. .

Or should I really "boo!" at my new status? Afterall, like I said, it is only for the summer. I think that anyone would be quite happy to watch Jeremy Kyle and Maury all day whilst eating ice cream. But wait. I need money.. damn you Capitalism!

Well forget that. I've been doing some voluntary work with a Social Entrepreneur in Birmingham called Shivani Mair. She's the Managing Director of The Careers Surgery. I've been doing loads of social enterprise workshops with her and young people in the Midlands. (Wolverhampton and Dudley to be precise).

I got my NCTJ textbooks on Saturday.......... O....M.....G (oh my gosh). AM I DOING LAW OR JOURNALISM!? HELLO!? The text books are madddddddd. We're learning all this stuff about Parliament, Local councils and the Monarchy! It's like I'm training to be a Barrister and not a Journalist lol.

Keep you posted!

ACS KINGS & QUEENS 2010

An event called ACS Kings and Queens is taking place on Sunday 20th June. Founded by six male students in the academic year of 2008/2009, the annual event seeks to crown one male and one female King and Queen of all the university African & Caribbean Societies in the country.

There are 16 hopefuls in total – 8 Kings and 8 Queens representing eight universities. Each hopeful will have their fashion and beauty sense put to the test by five distinctive rounds: Evening wear, Fashion Designer, Public vote, Interaction and Traditional wear. Each round is a chance for each nominee to show why they should come top of the inter-University Beauty and Fashion show.

This year the founders have moved the competition up a level from the founding year.
There are several prizes up for grabs including a holiday, top fashion vouchers, cosmetics, Flight to New York, priceless fashion industry experience, spa treatments and much more. However, the ultimate prize will be the crowning of the ACS King and Queen for the academic year 2009/2010 as well as winning a cash prize for the winners’ university.

Every year the organisers align themselves with one charity that is close to the African and Caribbean community’s heart. Last year it was the African Caribbean Lukaemia Trust. This year the chosen charity is the Sickle Cell Society. The event will aim to raise awareness about the disorder and its effects within the African and Caribbean Community.

Amongst the nominated finalists the following universities are being represented: University of Bedfordshire, University College Birmingham, Brunel University, University of Hertfordshire, University of Kent, University of Kingston, University of Roehampton and London Southbank University.

The event starts at doors open at 6.30pm. The show starts at 7.30pm – prompt at Oceans Music Arena, 270 Mare Street, E8