After releasing an enigmatic video teaser into his new project last week, superstar producer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams unveiled i am OTHER this week. As the name suggests, i am OTHER is attempting to create a social movement showcasing the creative spirits who don’t conform to what’s ‘normal’ – “if there was ever gonna be a box that you ever fit in, in your life, it’s the ‘OTHER’ box!” Pharrell says. Led by it’s youtube channel, it’s a creative centre point for the icon’s latest music proteges and projects, video content and a bunch of other bespoke projects. The main feature of the i am OTHER movement is collaboration, with the team releasing news that both the second season of the hugely popular (and one of my favourite) web-series The Mis-Adventures of The Awkward Black Girl will air on the i am OTHER channel, and hilarious interviewer Nardwuar The Human Serviette will be a main contributor.
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On 29th April Tara, Derek and I headed to the graffiti-covered Old Vic Tunnels in Waterloo, central London, to party with Converse and much of the grime scene’s finest for a Y&Y day out. Alongside a music line-up boasting Wiley, Skepta and P-Money were a gang of talented skateboarders and graffiti artists. The night’s best bits were all captured through Derek’s lens, with words from myself and Tara (Tara’s words are in italic).
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Directed by Sebastian Thiel for Upshot TV, and featuring familiar names such as Sway and Shystie amongst a cast of talented new faces, Illegal Activity is a beautifully shot and thought-provoking short. Set in a housing estate in London, audiences see how the ‘Illegal Activity’ on the block effects the lives of many in the area.
Following a sold-out US tour, last week Drake kicked off the European leg of his Club Paradise tour in London and Y&Y were in the audience for the second of his London nights (March 27th) at the o2 Arena.
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After grinding on the mixtape scene for a few years, YMCMB recording artist Tyga is emerging from underdog status this year. From strip-club joint Rack City becoming a huge breakthrough hit for the rapper, to him being part of the reason why millions believe YOLO is The Motto, Tyga makes it clear he won’t allow Young Money comrades Drake, Nicki Minaj and (label-boss) Lil Wayne hog all the limelight.
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The infectious chorus on Wretch 32’s breakout single, ‘Traktor’ was most people’s first introduction to singer/songwriter, L Marshall. L’s autobiographical lyrics, “I missed school and I haven’t got a job yet/ my girl’s pissed and my daughter’s on the way…“ flowed melodically over the Yogi-produced cut. L kept busy after the release of ‘Traktor’, penning Loick Essien’s UK number 2 charting record ‘How We Roll’, and songwriting for JLS and Kelis amongst others. Now L is ready to make waves as an artist in his own right.
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I thought I’d sneak in and steal this week’s one while the boys (DJB, the current champion of Throwback Thursdays, and Yin) weren’t looking. This week the internet has been abuzz with footage and glowing reviews from soul icon D’Angelo‘s European tour, taking place after the crooner took a 12 year hiatus. Personally, rather than being excited at news of his return, I was skeptical; many a super-talented icon has ‘returned’ to the stage to lacklustre effect (Lauryn Hill, anyone?) so I didn’t rush to get tickets for his London dates (happening this upcoming weekend February 3rd/4th). This time though, my skepticism led to me missing out on what’s set to be an electric show, so while I kick myself, you kick back and reminisce to this classic cut from his album Brown Sugar.
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