Fashion - Kate Moss Honoured In Paris Exhibition

An image of Kate by Mary McCartney

The career of renowned British supermodel Kate Moss will be honoured in a gallery exhibition at the La Galeri de L'instant in Paris. A collection of 25 images of Moss, shot by Bettina Rheims, Corinne Day, Paola Roversi and Mary McCartney will be displayed from Friday 13th May to 14th September.

The Galeri de L'instant in Paris said of the exhibition, "Despite a lack of interviews and a few scandals, [Kate Moss'] career has been a success and has set an example. She has inspired the biggest photographers of every generation as well as contemporary artists including Lucian Freud, Marc Quinn, Sam Taylor Wood. It is therefore only fair that we dedicate an exhibition to her, as her work with photographers has been so rich and varied."

So, it looks like a Eurostar trip over to Paris to indulge in some retail therapy is a must this summer and to catch a glimpse of the Kate Moss exhibition too of course!

A portrait of Kate taken by Bert Stren

Capturing Kate's natural Beauty by Paolo Roversi



Kate at Cafe Lipp shot by Arthur Elgort for Italian Vogue in 1993



Music- Remembering The Legend Bob Marley

In tribute of the legend Nester Robert 'Bob' Marley who died on the 11th May 1981, it is only right that I post some of my favourite songs from Jamaica's most successful reggae artist. 'One Love' & Enjoy!

The Encore Sound - Lime Magazine

Encore - Mark, Pierre and Cairo

Can I get an Encore do you want more?  You will be roaring for more of Island Records new boy group Encore comprising of three handsome, talented singers and songwriters from London. Rapper Pierre Joseph, 23, Cairo Woodwood, 22, and noted songwriter 21 year-old Mark Asari, who has already penned songs Snap for Tinie Tempah and Sergeant Smash for Talay Riley. The  release of their debut single Wind Up on Valentine’s Day is sure to unwind  the hearts of girls aplenty and with a debut album set for release later this year – in the words of Jay-Z, ‘what the hell are you waiting for?’  Get ready to give Encore a standing ovation!

(Interview with Cairo)

1.      How did Encore come together and why did you choose the name ‘Encore’?

We kept bumping into each other at industry parties and became friends. Then we had a session together at my place and the tracks came out pretty good so we went to Richard Castillo the manager of N-Dubz, played him the track and it went from there. As for the name of the group, I was listening to Jay-Z’s album and the ‘Encore’ track came on and I thought it was the perfect name.

2.      What do you believe differentiates you from other boy groups?

We’re more edgy, we’re rough and we write our own songs, unlike other boy groups. We don’t classify ourselves as a boy band; we are a male group of individual artists that came together.

3.      What do you plan to bring to the music scene that is new and how would you describe your sound?

A new fresh sound that’s different as we are not so polished and clean cut like everyone else. We want to bring that roughness; we cover all kinds of areas and different concepts. We don’t really have a specific name for our sound. We would say we have an Encore sound so you can put us on a Dubstep beat, an R n B or Hip-Hop beat and the formula we put on those beats is the Encore flavour. So right now we just call it Encore sound because we are versatile.

4.      Have you written or co-wrote the songs for your new album?

Yes, we write most of our songs, we are all song writers so we all have an input.

5.      What producers and artists have you collaborated with on your debut album?

We’ve worked with so many like Red One, Davinche, Marcus Jay he’s done stuff with Jessie J, Parker & James and Jerome Williams who did our first single Wind Up.

6.      Your debut single Wind Up was released on Valentine’s Day. What is the song about and why did you decide to release it on that date?

The track is about being in a relationship with a girl that can’t make up her mind if she wants you there or not, so it’s just a ‘wind up, you need to make your mind up’. Obviously on Valentine’s Day people have arguments like ‘what you mean you only bought me 12 roses, I wanted 24’ things like that.

7.      You have toured with N-Dubz and Chipmunk and Talay Riley what was that like?

That was amazing! The first time was at a festival in Nottingham, it was mad the crowd was amazing such a big crowd and a big vibe. We are looking forward to the N-Dubz tour that’s coming up too.

8.      What artists would you like to collaborate with?

We have always been inspired by different individual artists, but as a group I would say Jessie J as she’s up and coming and is mad talented.

9.      What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about the music industry so far?

To be persistent, keep it original - consistent persistence.

Music: Music Stars Pressured to Donate Gaddafi Concert Payments To Charity

Stars Under Pressure:  Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Usher and Nelly Furtado

Following the recent uprising in Libya and the worldwide condemnation of leader Colonel Moammar Gadaffi. A number of famous singers such as Beyonce, Usher, Mariah Carey, Nelly Furtado and rapper 50 Cent have recently come under fire from music peers and the media for pocketing millions received from concert performances for the Libyan dictator and his family. Singer Nelly Futardo was first to announce on Twitter on the 1st March that she recieved $1 million for a private performance for Gaddafi's family in Italy in 2007 and will now be donating the money to charity, although she has yet to specify which charity.

The following day, Beyonce's rep issued a statement claiming that although Beyonce performed at Gaddafi's family New Years Eve party in 2009 all payment in the region of $2 million was donated to help the eathquake relief in Haiti at the time. Although, at the time, this was never made public and Beyonce has never commented on the star-studded celebrations before, which included hubby Jay-Z, Usher and Lindsay Lohan. Beyonce's rep Yvette Noel-Shure spoke to the Associated Press stating, "Once it became known that the third party promoter was linked to the (Gaddafi) family, the decision was made to put that payment to a good cause."

Reports also suggest that the US State Department has confirmed that Mariah Carey, 50 Cent and Timberland received payments for private concerts organised by Gadaffi's son, Mutassim Gaddafi. As yet there have been no comments or confirmation form these artists to suggest that payments from the Libyan dictators private concerts have been donated in full to charitable causes. It is also worth mentioning that just because a singer or their publicist states that monies were donated to charity, unless a receipt is provided, in my opinion, that is all it is, a statement, not a fact.

I also find it hard to believe that none of these artists knew the history surrounding Libya and the dictatorship of Colonel Gadaffi prior to signing the dotted lines for the millions they would receive in  payments. I gather that whether they knew or not the million dollar payments were enough to convince them to turn a blind eye and boost their bank balances. I also find it bewildering that neither Beyonce or Nelly Furtado considered donating their payments back to the citizens of Libya or a likewise charity, since presumably it is these people that were robbed initially to pay their concert payments in the first place.

Music: Jennifer Hudson Premiers New Video for 'Where You At'

Jennifer Hudson I Remember Me Album Cover

Vocal powerhouse Jennifer Hudson recently premiered the new video for her new single Where You At as well as her sexy, svelte new figure. The song is the first single from her second album I Remember Me set for UK release on the 25th April 2011. The video, directed by Anthony Mandler sees the songstress returning to her hometown of Chicago, where in recent years she has suffered much personal tragedy, but also drew inspiration from for the album title. The single, co-produced and written by R.Kelly flaunts Hudson's soaring vocal range over a soulful chord driven instrumental.

The singer showed her excitement about the release of her new album at  the recent Annual Essence magazine Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon in Beverly Hills, California when she said , "I'm excited about this album because it's almost like a renewal for me, reflected through the chapters of my life. I've called it I Remember Me because of the journey I've been on. I've learned that life constantly surprises you, no matter your plans. My fans have been so loyal, I feel like they have been on this journey with me and I can't wait for them to hear the new album."

Check out the video below:

Music: Floetry's Marsha Ambrosius drops debut album

 
 

Marsha Ambrosius debut solo album Late Nights & Early Mornings

We all fell in love with the soulful voice of Marsha Ambrosius as the singing half of the Floetry duo back in 2000 when their debut album Floetic debuted to great critical acclaim. With classics such as Say Yes and Getting Late, the album secured four Grammy nominations. The second album Flo'Ology soon followed in 2005 and with creative and personal differences flowing between them, the duo soon parted ways to pursue solo careers.

 

The former Brit School student, Marsha's debut album Late Nights & Early Mornings is destined to become a classic, set for release on the 28th February in the UK, the album will certainly propel her into the legions of the best mainstream female artists the UK has to offer like fellow Brit attendees, Adele and Jessie J. Artists and producers  featuring on the debut album include, Alicia Keys, a reunion with Dre and Vidal (producers of Say Yes), Just Blaze and Focus.

 

Since departing from Floetry, Marsha has continued to garner a name for herself not only as a singer with an incredible vocal range and ability, but as a very talented songwriter and producer, penning Butterflies for the late Micheal Jackson among other hits for artists such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx, Justin Timberlake and Nas to mention a few.

Marsha cites icons such as Stevie Wonder, Prince and of course Michael Jackson as inspirations for her songwriting stating that, "My pen and my point of view has a certain aggression to it because I've listened to a lot of male influenced music, which I think makes me one of the most outspoken writers out here. Sometimes as a woman you don't wanna say what's on your mind for fear of being judged. But why wouldn't I say it like that if that's how I felt?" I couldn't agree more, and this mentality has certainly worked for her as she has earned an astonishing six Grammy nominations and has also been honored by BMI as their Songwriter of the Year.

I have already pre-ordered a copy of the album which I am sure will be taking me through Late Nights & Early Mornings aplenty.

Pre-order yours now with free delivery for only £8.93 at Amazon via the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nights-Early-Mornings-Marsha-Ambrosius/dp/B0044HLA7W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298514146&sr=1-1-spell

Fashion: Italian Vogue's All Black Everything

Italian Vogue recently showcased a revolutionary spread featuring all black models in haute couture garments from a multitude of the finest designers for the February 2011 issue of the magazine entitled Black Allure. The shoot was directed by Vogue Italia's esteemed Editor-in-Chief, Franca Sozzani, who said the shoot was, "in admiration with the richness and fullness of black female beauty."

Photographed by Emma Summerton and styled by Edward Enningful the shoot pays homage to the 1920's Harlem renaissance era with finger waves, and the models draped in fringing and opulent furs. Featuring top black models such as Ajak Deng, Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, Kinee Diouf, Melodie Monrose,Mia Aminata Niaria, Alenis Sosa Pena, Rose Cordero and Sesilee Lopez. Summerton commented that, "To some people of the opposite race and maybe not fashion related, they sometime think and say, 'what is all the fuss? Why are we still talking about race?'’ They sometime say, 'enough is enough..won't we leave it alone.' Some even think it is reverse racism to care to have an all black model story or runway show. That of course is laughable."

Sozzani has continually set a presidence with black models in the magazine by previously featuring the legendary July 2008 Black Issue and July 2009 special supplement Black Barbie Issue. An all black sub-website for Vougue Italia soon followed called Vogue Black which features black beauty in all of the arts. Hopefully other mainstream magazines from the dominant countries of the world will take note and follow suit in showcasing black beauty with such great reverence. As this is by far the most beautiful fashion spread I have ever seen!

To view Vogue Black visit: http://www.vogue.it/en/vogue-black