Stooshe was the last but one artist to be announced for Birmingham Pride 2016 on 8th April, this will be their fourth year performing at Birmingham Pride. They released their most recent single in January called "Lock Down", which failed to chart. They have a new album in the works, which they will no doubt promote at Birmingham Pride. This song was the follow up to "Love Me". Stooshe focuses on the love relationship of one of their band members, Alexandra Buggs, in this video, who is being cheated on, all during a performance set.
Stooshe are a three piece pop group consisting of Alexandra Buggs, Karis Anderson and Courtney Rumbold. They recently had disagreements with their label over their debut album, which is not surprising since they haven't had an exact chart hit; no number ones and this one from 2012 is their biggest hit to date. Hopefully under their new label they'll be able to release the songs they want to release. Thing is with this group is, style wise, they look like three female solo singers collaborating on a track. They need to tighten their style, they need to look like a girl band to consistently get hit after hit. This song charted at number three, and was written by Jo Perry, Shaznay Lewis, Iyiola Babalola and Darren Lewis.
Directed by Matt Stawski, the video is inspired by old-skool girl band music videos, with the 60's style and a simple performance piece.
The narrative coincides with the 60's performance making Alexandra Buggs centre stage as we see her love life unfold right before our eyes and during the entire performance set.
It works well, it relates, and I love how the Alexandra Buggs' bandmates know that her love is a bad one, but she doesn't believe, she is lost in her love for him, until it is revealed right in front of her.
This reminds me of Destiny's Child "Girl", it's a similar music video in a totally different setting.
Overall, great video that relates to an extent, but the song can be interpreted as something much more stronger than the visual of the video shows. I like the idea behind the video, though, and it really proves that Stooshe's ballads are just as strong as their pop tracks.
This is one of those rare songs you find on a compilation album, and love at first listen. This happened in my case, and now it's on my phone and gets played now and again as I walk to work. Kelli Leigh has been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2016, hence why I chose this song, which I really hope she sings, although it's doubtful considering she is the vocalist for many more popular songs. Flashrider flashes up in scenes in this video, but is rarely noticeable as Kelli Leigh and Renald take centre stage in the performance side of the video. The narrative is slow going but interesting.
Flashrider released his first single in 2003, ten years later he followed up with this song, not much is known about him other than him doing some remixes for artists I've never heard of. Kelli Leigh, real name Kelli-Leigh Henry-Davila, has one of the most successful careers as a hidden vocalist. She has provided vocals for Secondcity's "I Wanna Feel", Duke Dumont's "I Got U" and Bingo Players' "Cry (Just A Little)". She has amazing vocals, she just needs the right promotion, and she might be getting there slowly, especially since she'll be on the main stage at Birmingham Pride. Renald is pretty unknown, he has featured on a couple of other tracks, but that is all the info I can find on the guy. He has strong vocals on this track, and I'm surprised he hasn't had a hit single so far. This song was written by Marc Lennard and Judge Flow.
There is a performance piece and a narrative piece to this music video. The narrative is slow going, as I have previously mentioned, it develops slowly and there isn't much going on.
The performance side of things is energetic. Kelli Leigh shines throughout, whether she is in casual clothes, or that beautiful purple dress, she is a vision of beauty. She can move, she can sing, and she looks good, what is she doing hiding amongst the credits of hit songs? Someone get her to centre stage please, because she deserves to be the next big thing. I am hoping she sings this song at Birmingham Pride, although I doubt she will.
Renald doesn't exactly fade into Kelli Leigh's shadow. He is the main vocalist on this track, with great rapping lyrics and a good lead-up to the chorus. His performance is fiery but falls short compared to Kelli Leigh. As for Flashrider, he appears very little and fails to make an impact in any of the short scenes he appears.
The narration links in with the song, it's a clear concept of love at first sight, but they could've had more desirable actors, Nevertheless, they make a cute couple, and it's interesting to watch how they meet. The ending falls flat, it's on the stupid side, and they don't pull it off that well.
Overall, a very catchy song that gets better with every listen, and an accompanying music video that relates, is energetic and is vibrant. The narrative could've expanded the story much more, it's way too basic. The performance is solid though.
This has to be one of the most underrated tracks of all time. It should've been a chart hit, to say the least. Great vocals, amazing track, and incredibly catchy. This girl would've been one to watch, if she could get the promotion she clearly deserves. She has a real shot, and performing on Birmingham Pride 2016's main stage might be the shot she needs. KStewart shows her life in this visual display video; quirky and fun, this girl would be an awesome friend.
KStewart, real name Kate Stewart, first shot to fame last year when she featured on Oliver Helden's "Last All Night (Koala)". Since then she has released a few singles, this one being her highest charting single to date at number 86. Totally the most underrated song I've ever heard, and I'm sure she has more to come. This should've been a hit, but without the right amount of promotion and without radio picking it up, stars like KStewart haven't got a chance. KStewart's career has just started, this is just a little thing she needs to overcome. A few more features, which become hits, and a perfect solo song will have KStewart's name on everyone's lips. She definitely has the voice for it.
Directed by Debbie Scanlan and edited by Liz Adams, this video is full of extremely visual clips and a performance piece at the end which is snapshot scenes at the Nightingale in Birmingham as well as a snapshot scene of the Hippodrome. The stage scene includes drag queen, Anna Lies, who is one of the best drag queens I've seen in Birmingham.
The videos concept is basic, probably low budget with an amazing filter and editing effects that bring KStewart into the limelight.
The video is too simple, on the other hand. It feels more like a promotional video, rather than an actual music video. There's no relation to the song whatsoever, and as a whole it feels completely messy.
Overall, stylish, cool and relaxed, this video is an insight into KStewart, she clearly likes her music, her fashion and performing on stage. She's obviously LGBT+ pro, performing at the Nightingale, as well as including, drag queen, Anna Lies in the music video. She just needs a better music video, a hit song, and radio and music channel play. As well as featuring on a few next big thing tracks.
Ms. Dynamite has been confirmed for Birmingham Pride 2016. I saw her live last year at Birmingham Pride and she has amazing energy on stage and I will definitely not be missing her this year. She hasn't released any new songs recently, focusing only on being featured on songs, but again, none recently. This is her highest solo charting position, however "Dibby Dibby Sound" has charted higher since. Ms. Dynamite looks super cool in this video, relaxed with performance perfection, she sure knows how to engage the audience, she can dance and look fantastic, what more can we want? She's Ms. Dy-Na-Mi-Tee!
Ms. Dynamite, real name Niomi McLean-Daley, has had a good career so far, she's taking a break from music, in theory she's made her money. All she needs to do is come back strong in the future. She's released some killer tracks, as well as developed a whole new sound for herself, which is definitely current. This is her biggest solo hit, with featured tracks "Lights On" and "Dibby Dibby Sound" outdoing this song on the UK charts. This song got to number five back in 2002. It was written by Leonard Hibbert, Niomi Daley and Salaam Gibbs.
Directed by Jake Nava, the video is a pure performance piece, there are three different scenes, where Ms. Dynamite shines throughout. She has perfect presence and energy that reflects into the audience easily.
The stage performance is full of life, yet it's relaxed and comfortable, she owns the stage and she was born to perform on it.
The denim outfit suits her the most, it has come back into fashion nowadays too. She's comfortable looking sexy and she really doesn't have to try at all.
As for the dance scene, the choreography is also relaxed, simple and easy to pull off, making it relate to the song well and to the beat; however Ms. Dynamite isn't that great of a dancer, and it comes off a little on the clunky side, yet it works and she's got away with it.
Overall, a well packaged music video, that works well with the song and relates. It doesn't have a lot going on, but that's all right. It's simple, nothing spectacular, but Ms. Dynamite performs effortlessly and does the video justice. Engaging on-stage presence and full of energetic vibes, which were well received at Birmingham Pride last year.
This song wasn't performed at Birmingham Pride last year, but I'm hoping she does this year. I remember watching her perform this on Top Of The Pops, I miss that show.
