NEW MUSIC: Laura Mvula- Green Garden/She [Videos]

Laura Mvula is a fantastic new singer from Birmingham. She's signed to RCA and I'm priveliged enough to have heard a preview of her album, Sing To The Moon, which is awesome and out on March 4th 2013. There's hints of Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse in her voice and she's got that elegantly understated cool edge to just about everything she does. Look out for an album review coming your way very soon. But for now check out these videos- the first is the infectious 'Green Garden'...

The second video is for the stunning song, 'She'...

WEB STUFF: StereoTypes- Class Vs Race [London]

Presenter Ryan Hall is in London as part of a two part special, garnering opinions towards class and race, with some quite surprising results. He speaks to some people who don't encounter or witness any racism while others believe racial discrimination is not obvious but the prejudice which fuels it still exists. The film shows some who believe that America has more evolved racial attitudes than Europe and some who believe class is England's main obstacle. What do you think? Check it out and leave a comment in the c-section.

WEB STUFF- ABG Does The Harlem Shake

My favourite awkward black girl, Issa Rae jumps on the viral dance craze bandwagon with some familiar faces from the show...

LIVE GEMS: Adele- Someone Like You

I know we've probably all seen it numerous times but that doesn't make this performance any less great! This 2011 BRITS performance of the mesmerising, heartbreaking 'Someone Like You' was seminal. It was so simple and honest, at that moment Adele captivated the hearts of the nation and then, the world. And I don't think there has been a moment like this at an award ceremony since.

Her record breaking album, 21 has gone on to become the best selling album of our time- surpassing Michael Jackson's Thriller in some territories. I cant help but think this beautiful, emotional, performance had a lot to do with that.

GOOD MUSIC: Louis Lester Band- Dead of Night Express

'Dead of Night Express' is a song taken from Stephen Poliakoff's BBC 2 drama Dancing on the Edge about a black jazz band striving for success in 1930s London. It stars John Goodman, Matthew Goode, and Chiwetel Ejiofor- as Louis Lester- the band leader. 'The Dead of Night Express' is the song that catapults the band to new heights and has them mixing with the British aristocracy. It's a brilliant big band jazz number that has been released on Decca records. The band is made up of real musicians and as well as the vocal talents of the actresses Angela Coulby and Wunmi Mosaku. I'd love the band to actually do a set somewhere like Ronnie Scots- it would be totally great! Check out the video.

NEW VIDEO: Josh Osho- Even In War

South London Singer, Josh Osho released the new video for his track, 'Even in War'. The song is one of the stand-out tracks from The John Doe EP; his impressive collection of seven songs covering themes of identity, love, loss and legacy.

The former MOBO Tour artist recruited a small team of creative individuals to produce the striking video. It is an inspired fusion of animation and 3D motion graphics that provides a stirring visual accompaniment to the poignant song.  

source: SoulCulture

NEW VIDEO:Drake- Started From The Bottom

Fresh from his win for Best Rap Album at last night's Grammy Awards, Drake released the video for his forthcoming single, Started From The Bottom. The visual  is a tongue-in-cheek take on the typical zero to hero story. Directed by  Director X and C. Papi , the video shows a more fun side of Drake that was mostly missing from 2011's Take Care. The scenes in the supermarket are hilarious, almost channelling oddball comedies like SuperBad. Nice to see a rapper who has the guts to poke fun at himself. Drake also announced over the weekend that his third studio album due out later this year, will be called Nothing Was The Same. Looking forward to that, but until then, here's Started From The Bottom- enjoy! 

NEW TALENT: Julie Iwetha

UK songstress Julie Iwehta hails from London. She is well known on London's urban event scene and has performed at The Jazz Cafe.  There's something that screams British Soul about her powerful yet warm vocals. Her mixtape, And So It Begins was released late last year. It comprises R&B and Soulful house music with honest heart felt lyrics, it also features a rap from fellow new talent, Lioness on the track, Say My Name. Have a listen here!