As you all know I prefer to do requests than choose a video off the top of my head, because I know someone wants my opinion. Here's another request, someone commented on the Suggestions page, and I'm so glad they did.
Bb is a rapper from Birmingham, UK, the same place I am from, and he is definitely making a name for himself. He has supported quite a few big star artists on their tours in the UK, and his music videos can be found on music channels. As you may know I'm not into rap or hip-hop as there isn't many blog posts of this genre, however I kind of like this song, and I especially like the constant repeat of "Be Like Me".
This music video is a typical, low-budget rap/hip-hop music video, however there are editing techniques that makes this much more intriguing along with certain scenes that I don't expect.
I have to admit, the start is a little boring, and I was waiting for something to happen. Only when watching it a second time things do happen and the scene changes to 4 dancers, but they're in the dark, so hidden well. The 4 dancers are only young but wow they are pretty good.
I like the editing of the people, it kind of draws me in. Being able to see the lyrics of some of the words Bb raps to, definitely makes this video that little bit better. My favourite bit is when they connect all the scenes together, Bb catches an imaginary something, I presume it's a ball, then he throws it, and in a different scene a dancer catches it, then he throws it and the 4 dancers catch it. It's great to watch and makes this stand out a lot more.
However I feel not a lot is going on, it's very one-on-one and it seems a bit on the detached side. There's a few subtle links with the song but there's only a few, however I do like seeing the TV where we see a music channel playing his music video to "I Want You Back".
Overall a song that took it's time to grow on me, but that is what it has done. It's accompanying music video is missing quite a bit, but it is also entertaining to watch and a bit different to your usual rap/hip-hop music video therefore making it stand out from the crowd. I am torn between two different ratings, which do I choose... Okay I'm going with this one, I hope you all agree with the rating.
So an unofficial request came through twitter the other day. BH (producer) sent me a new collaboration called "Fade Into Darkness" that was by DixonBeats & BH. They wanted my thoughts on the song and I loved it lots. Unfortunately there is no music video, and according to a tweet from DixonBeats, it doesn't look like there is going to be one either. However DixonBeats sent me another of his songs that actually has a music video, and now I'm ready to review it.
DixonBeats, real name Aaron Dixon, is from Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. The same city as where I am from (and quite a few celebrities), and it looks like DixonBeats is going to become the next big thing in the next few years, so keep an eye out for him. This song is a collaboration with Dante, I can't find much about Dante only a few songs and a facebook profile that hasn't been used in the last few months. This song took it's time to grow on me, however, even though it is almost 5 minutes long, it seems to take 15 minutes to get through it, which gives me plenty of time for me to change my mind and now it sticks in my head too easily.
This music video is similar to others I have seen. The one that stands out the most to me is Swedish House Mafia Featuring Laidback Luke and Deborah Cox "Leave The World Behind". however unlike that music video "Afraid" has a much better vibe and manages to draw me in so much that I believe I'm there dancing with everyone else.
That is what you need in a video like this, to draw the audience in, much like a book does, so that the people watching feel like they're seeing through their own eyes and not through a camera. Usually this is extremely hard to pull off, but these have made it look easy.
They have even kept to the song and when it goes gentle in the middle, they show people swimming in the water, something so peaceful and so opposite to clubbing, but somehow they are the same thing, as they are connected through having fun.
Overall a catchy song that grows on you really quickly, and a music video that just blasts the similar ones into the water, as this music video is definitely the way to do this type. The only thing I don't like about it is that I feel some of the scenes are too quick or too slow, and the camera isn't always in the best position. However everything else is perfect.
Well as you may know, there are quite a few new releases this week, but I narrowed it down to two, it was between Inna and Little Mix's "DNA", the only reason I chose Inna was because it is currently doing not that well on the iTunes top 1000, and I hope to help a little bit with this review, whereas Little Mix is climbing up that chart quickly.
Inna, real name Elena Apostoleanu, is one of these artists who have had quite a few chart hits, and then a few that didn't make the chart, but was worthy of it. She has yet to promote any songs or albums in the UK, relying on fans and music channels, hence why this one might not get on to the UK chart, although it definitely deserves it. The collaboration comes from Flo Rida, real name Tramar Dillard. He has become extremely popular, and you would think that this collaboration would help this song climb higher and higher, but there's just zilch, nothing.
"Club Rocker" was written by Sebastian Barac, Radu Bolfea and Marcel Botezan. Once again, the same names are popping up, and clearly they are writing amazing songs, it's just the lack of promotion that is unfortunately making this song fail, amongst the others. I hope it will climb up the chart as it's extremely catchy and Inna deserves it.
This music video... What do I even say about it... Once again we see the flirtatious Inna found in her previous music videos, however what makes this video different is the similarities to other artist's music video. There is many music videos that link, but let's just name a few, there's Taio Cruz's "Dynamite", Rihanna's "Shut Up And Drive", Basshunter's "Angel In The Night", Kylie Minogue's "All The Lovers" and Lady GaGa's "Born This Way", there are others so if you can come up with some comment below and I'll be more than happy to add them.
However this isn't just a basic mash-up of music videos, there is a storyline and that is what makes this a lot more complete as to other mash-up videos. I like the start using Twitter to ask to compete in a race. I like the race overall and of course Inna has to win. I definitely like the lift, but what do you expect?
Flo Rida doesn't make an appearance, however his vocals can be heard at the start and I think they should've had a scene with him in.
Overall, a very catchy song that was made for the UK, but unfortunately not enough people know about the song, and therefore it won't catch on. As for the accompanying music video, it's fun to watch, it's a mash-up of other videos we have seen, but they have made it complete and interesting.
Esmée Denters, yes you heard that name correctly, she is BACK! She is well known for her song "Outta Here" and her collaborations with Chipmunk on "Until You Were Gone" and Justin Timberlake on "Love Dealer". She was labelled as an R&B artist, but I don't think the UK took to her, and soon enough other countries world-wide started to become disinterested. She disappeared for two years, and now she is back, with a complete new direction in music. Is this right? I think so, and I think she thinks so too. Could this be her way of staying in the limelight. We'll just have to wait and see.
"It's Summer Because We Say So" is definitely not the sort of song I would've expected Esmée Denters to sing, but here she is, and here I am, reviewing something worthy enough to be a Cascada song. It was released last week, but I don't think many people realised she had released a new song, again lack of promotion, furthermore I found it difficult to find as it is under her first name only of Esmée, is this the name we are supposed to go by now? And if so, how come she hasn't changed her facebook and twitter profiles?
This music video is clearly low budget. It's missing a hell of a lot. I can't imagine the music channels picking this video up and showing it, it's just not commercial enough, it doesn't exude what you really want and need from a video like this, and although, for some people, Esmée is enough, for others it just isn't.
I don't even know where to comment on this video, there's just not enough there. I like the photo booth, but it's a common item found in previous low-budgeted music videos.
I really haven't got much else to say. The song should've been a massive summer hit, but it came out too late and wasn't promoted enough (3 Beat Records really need to step up their game). The music video had so much promise, but doesn't work and doesn't stand out. I have to go with my brain on this rating, and I really don't like dipping this low for ratings, but guess I have no choice. however the song is definitely much better than the video, her voice is fantastic, and I hope she gets her big break soon!
Rita Ora has been mentioned quite a few times on this blog, and here is another fantastic song. She has so far had 3 consecutive number ones in the UK, plus a number one album. Will this song make it a fourth? Well it seems doubtful, with extreme competition with many other well-known artists. But guess we'll find out on Sunday, and sure enough she is promoting a lot, she performed the song yesterday on The X Factor, and apparently there are various other performances lined up.
"Shine Ya Light" was written by Chris Loco, Fraser T Smith and Laura Pergolizzi (L.P.). Personally I don't think this song is as great as her previous singles "R.I.P." and "How We Do (Party)", however more radio and music channel play will definitely get this song running over and over in my head as it's such a catchy little song. Is it number one worthy? Probably not, but Rita Ora is always number one worthy, so with the help of the radio, I can see this song getting there, but it's going to be quite the battle.
This music video takes Rita Ora back to her roots of Kosovo. It reminds me a lot of Nicki Minaj's "Pound The Alarm" because she did the exact same thing, and even though the videos are different, the idea behind it isn't too different.
I like the natural narrative, it just shows Rita being in Kosovo, and also shows the UK what it is like over there. However I feel that it doesn't link in with the song, which is usually a must with this sort of song.
I do like the performance bit, it shows how confident she is and ready for what comes her way, especially when she is on the "Newborn" sign.
There are various scenes that are interesting too, the motorbikes stand out the most to me reminding me of Shakira featuring Dizzee Rascal's "Loca". However I also think there is a small scene that reminds me of another video, and that is when she has her hair wet and combed back. It reminds me a lot of Pixie Lott's "All About Tonight".
Overall a great song that becomes pretty catchy after a few listens. As for the music video, it's very different to when we first saw her feature in DJ Fresh's "Hot Right Now", but it also shows how versatile she is, and how much she believes in her roots, which always gets a thumbs up from me. The only thing missing is the link with the song, and this song is so story-like, that you don't expect this sort of video. However it does link as she is shining her light and showing that no matter who you are, you can get somewhere. But I don't see that link strongly enough.
