Forgiveness is takes from the Black And White album. The single is produced by Labrinth and features the first signee to his label Odd Child Recordings. Forgiveness is released on December 11th 2011.
November 8, 2011
The life and times of Lisa Maffia
From becoming famous as the only female member of the So Solid Crew, to modeling, a solo career, appearances on TV shows, and more recently launching her own online fashion store and blog, Lisa Maffia is proving to be a versatile success and a pioneering businesswoman. Despite huge success and acclaim, recent events within her family have changed her perspective on life.
Lisa is taking part in Race For Life on 30th July 2011 on Clapham Common. Her mum was diagnosed with cervical cancer in April, which has now spread to other parts of her body. As I talk to her I realise how strong she is. She does not for one moment sound like she is letting it take over her life, she is concentrating on staying positive and focusing on the race, and by doing this, raising money for Cancer Research UK. ‘It really takes over so much of your life, how many people it affects and the money it costs for the treatment. Chemo is really expensive it cost hundreds of thousands per patient, and there’s so many people that need it. Just seeing it with my own eyes really woke me up to see the input this charity has with cancer.’ I don’t think anyone really takes notice of certain charities to do with disabilities or illness until it happens to someone in your family or friends. As they say ignorance is bliss, but you can’t ignore it when it’s affecting someone so close to you.
Cancer Research UK carries out vital work and constantly needs new equipment in the journey to fight cancer for each individual person. ‘Your type of chemo is custom made to your blood type, your weight and lifestyle. There is so much that is put into each persons treatment.’ Race For Life is so fundamental in raising money and awareness,’ Lisa tells me, ‘you can support by taking part in the race it’s £14 to sign up per person for Race for Life. You can raise money personally yourself or donate to any team you want; there are hundreds of thousands of teams. You can also volunteer to work with the charity on the more admin sides of things.’
To read the rest of the feature click here
November 8, 2011
Introducing you to Fantine
Fantine is set to be one of the most interesting artists to come out of Down Under. A singer of quality and highly memorable, she is more than just a beautiful voice, her talent extending to songwriting as well. With a musical style that is very hard to categorise but has sometimes tentatively been described as ‘indie electro soul’, last year saw her touring with Space Invadas featuring as a guest vocalist and co-writing too, in addition to support slots with Lupe Fiasco.
Born in Moscow to a Russian dad and a Dominican mum, Fantine has lived the life of a globetrotter, moving home regularly, and she now calls three countries her home; Russia, Dominican Republic and Australia. Her background and lifestyle have shaped her into the person she is today; quirky and vibrant. An artist with a highly individual and unique sense of style that has caught the eye of publications such as ‘InStyle’ Australia, and ‘No’ from New Zealand, she is about to feature in a shoot for ‘Vogue’ Australia.
Having studied law and accounting at university, she decided to put these qualifications to the side and focus on her true passion, music. The single ‘Rubberoom,’ is set for release in the UK In August. Fantine is currently in the UK to work alongside Gorillaz producer Jason Cox on the 3rd single for the EP, which will be out in November, also featuring her 2nd single ‘Eleven,’ which is currently out in Australia.
What would you say your three strongest characteristics are, and how do they affect you as a person?
I’m quite socially and environmentally aware, I’m vegetarian. I like to get involved with a lot of charities, and I’m quite proactive in the way that I try to reduce my carbon footprint. I suppose I’m quite nerdy, I’m very bookish and I like reading. I do a lot of Sudoku puzzles and puzzles in general as well. I have a fascination with words, and sometimes when people use strange words in their vocabulary, I pick it up straight away. I think that helps to write lyrics.
Read the rest of the interview here
November 8, 2011
Khalia touches down…
You may recognize the name Khalia from the female reply she wrote to Wiz Khalifa’s, ‘Roll Up,’ which in the space of just a month received over 100,000 hits on YouTube.
Not bad for a seventeen year old who entered a management/production state with DMP at the tender age of fifteen. She may be one of the youngest urban female artists in the UK right now, but she does not compete with anyone else, only perfection. Her first single ‘Candy Rain,’ an ingenious cover of the Soul For Real hit, confirmed her talent and potential to the listening world, and this initial success was further cemented by ‘Climb’, the first single on her album, ‘Touch Down’.
Having already worked with some talented writers on her album such as Curtis Richardson (Rhianna/J-Lo) and Karl Gordon (Jessie J/Sugababes), Khalia has done a lot. ‘I’ve done three videos in the space of a year, and they’ve all been quite successful, they have been on Channel AKA.’ Khalia describes her sound as, ‘urban but quite catchy, it also has a commercial edge to it.’
The mixtape ‘Touch Down,’ co-written by Khalia and Darren Martyn, shows her progression and confidence as a writer. ‘When we were writing the mixtape that was the song that created the title and the concept. It’s basically about touching down onto the music scene, saying you know this is me, here I am.’ Khalia uses her life experiences to write some songs, ‘I think they do make the best songs. An example would be ‘Love Story,’ it’s on the mixtape as well. It’s about me meeting a boy in Jamaica on holiday and falling in love with him and having to go back home, because it was just a holiday. It’s reality; it’s a true story. We were writing on a bashment vibe and I thought that would be the best beat or vibe to tell that story.’ This is also one of her favourite songs, because it makes her feel good and reminisce.
Read the rest of the feature here http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/khalia-touches-down/
November 8, 2011
My first interview for Flavour Magazine – Bigz: Bigger and better than ever
Flavour talks to Bigz who has come back with a bang, following his recently released mixtape “Quantum Leap.’ Lyrically one of the best rappers in the scene and one of the most respected. His single ‘I Just Want The Paper,’ has been receiving massive air play, and has been included in Radio 1Xtra DJ Twin B’s, ‘Best Of British.’ Flavour’s Shireen Fenner sits down with the big man to talk
How would you describe your personality?
Bigz is Bigz, God fearing, try to be wise, practical joker. I like laughing. I care about my family. I’d like to think of myself as a really honest and genuine person. I play the big brother figure to a lot of people.
You’ve been in the scene for a long time putting in work. Whilst you have always had a fan base, why do you think you’re starting to get a lot more recognition now?
It’s got a lot to do with consistency; I’ve put in a lot of work. I’ve got better people involved now as well, better management and generally a better situation. I’m feeling good; I’m feeling the music I’m making. I’m feeling like everything is working in my favour because everything is good right now, and it will continue to get better.
You’re no stranger to tragedy. How have events in your life shaped you into the artist you are today?
It makes you mature very quickly. It makes you think about your situation and life. It made me think about what I wanted to do in life, music has always been my first love and my passion, and so I’ve channeled it from a negative into a positive. You never get over these things, people say do you ever get over it, no you don’t, you just learn to get on with it. It’s made me a better person and a better artist as well. You have to live in order to be able to talk about your experiences. An artist has to be an entertainer, but there has to be a message and a story, I think a lot of people are interested in my actual story, because there is a lot to it.
In your home country of Nigeria, there have been problems based on religion and ethnic boundaries. Do you believe music can be a positive force for change? And do you intend on using your music to bring about change?
A lot of people say that religion is a problem, but a lot of it has to do with money as well. It’s like what Lauryn Hill said, ‘It could all be so simple, but you choose to make it hard.’ I do want to use my music to make a change. I feel like I do try to put an overall positive message in my music. Whatever religion you are it doesn’t matter, we all believe in God. Ok some don’t, but everyone has to love one another. Love and respect for other human beings only brings you back good, what you put out you get back.
To read the rest of the interview click here
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