Wednesday 31 March 2010

The Justin Bieber plan...

Even though I am absolutely terrified by the tsunami that is the Justin Bieber craze, if I was a 14-year old with no one to draw hearts around but some of the latest starlets to be spat out at me from the generic Disney/Twilight machines....I would probably fall for [or be tricked by] Bieber's cocky [illuminati] charm coz this video on YouTube's homepage ACTUALLY made me laugh a lil.... [that's what 'they' want...'they' want me to laugh...then buy...then laugh...then cry...then scream...then pull my hair out...cry some more...then chase his car after his concerts...then get knocked down 'accidentally'....they're out to get us!!!!!]

Tuesday 30 March 2010

Candy paint on them nails, Yo!

I did my nails the other day. Then my mum wanted me to cook. I was cool with that. What I wasn't cool with was GRATING ginger into my chicken stew when there was a pack of ground ginger powder in our house. Long story short I ended up grating some of the nail polish off....so I guess I gotta redo 'em!! I took a photo of the neater nails [which somehow always grow quicker than my other hand's nails????] so I could post this up as the last time I did this pattern my nails were really bad haha!!

New Music: TC 'Phone Shop'


Last year, Channel 4 showed a pilot episode of a new comedy, 'Phone Shop', that was so funny I literally forced my workmates to watch it - and they loved it too! The show is funny because it is so much like the phone shops in 'endz'. EVERYONE knows how a phone shop operates and we've all dealt with the stereotypical 'mandem dressed as lamb' sales assistants.
Back to the point.....

On the pilot episode, they used 'Where's My Money (Caspa Remix)' by Drum & Bass DJ/producer TC and as a thank you, TC made 'Phone Shop' using the best and most talked about part of the show.....where Jerwayne raps to a customer!!!

This song is actually the best thing I've heard in ages, you can just imagine some old skool MC saying: "...man needs a piece to check da gyaldem wid.." LOOOOOLLLLL!!!

Friday 26 March 2010

LA Gears better step up their Choo game...

Jimmy Choo's Zap light up heels are definitely the grown up version of the LA Gear trainers we all loved as kids. When you walk and dance [if you can manage to do the last feat] the neon perspex heels light up! The price of these made-for-music-video heels are about $2,500 or £1,680....I'm sure your face lit up at the sound of those numbers ;)...

jimmychoo
Talking bout Jimmy...you remember this poor excuse to name a song after Jimmy Choo by Shyne & Ashanti....just cos you start your song with, "I see you ma...your thousand dollar weave, masterpiece diamond face on ya sleeve....waist petite, alright, Jimmy Choo's shoes on ya feet, you right", that should warrant this pooooooor song's the title. Shyne looks mad bored rapping from his cell too....it looks like Ashanti is the money grabbing wifey who is more concerened with feelin' on her booty than going to visit her man....


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Its RICK...I mean ERYKAH..huh...IT's RICK BADU ..I'm confused!??!


Wasted: Taio Cruz not putting black women in his videos!?!??!

This story about Taio Cruz is very old but I saw it recently and I think more people should hear about it.
I'm sure you have all seen Taio Cruz's videos before and noticed the absence of black women. However, this is what he said about the constant criticism he gets about the issue:
“I like to put girls in my video that I think are hot....[if] a really hot
black girl came to a casting, she’d be in my video...I think that people even
focusing on the race issue in my videos is a problem. And I would almost react
by NEVER putting black girls in my video, because I’m that type of person –
rebellious. I’d be like, ‘If that’s how you’re gonna be, I’m never gonna put
black girls in my videos."
LOL he is actually a fool...what black girl has ever been in his video for him to say he will NEVER put a black girl in his video??? So he has never seen ONE good looking black girl at his casting....AHAHAHAHA!! I remember he had a video with black girls called 'Moving On' but they were hip hop dancers so I guess most of the white hip hop dancers weren't hot that day then Taio?? Or were white girls shunned so the black girls could be an accessory for the hip hop themed video?? So the white girls weren't hip hop enough that day!?!?! Or am I talking crazy??

The reason why people are questioning his videos is not out of 'hate', it's cos it looks strange. If he was white and ALL the girls in ALL of his video were black you would be like 'What's his game?? Why is he trying so hard to appeal to the urban audience?? [Or you'd think he likes a hot chocolate instead of tea lol]!! It looks like a scam right?

To be honset, I think it could be a marketing scheme - the less black people, the less 'urban' Taio's videos look so he can appeal to a broader audience. Either way, he's not real at all. I saw his 'Break Your Heart' remix video with Ludacris today (which is basically a mix between the old and new scenes they filmed especially for the remix) and while watching it, I noticed something very very interesting. As Ludacris' verse drew nearer, all of a sudden I saw black girls!?!?!
Was this because:

A) Luda usually picks ethnic girls for his videos?
B) The only hot girls that turned up to audition for the remix video were black?
C) Someone noticed Taio Cruz's phobia of black girls and thought it would be funny to watch him squirm?
D) Taio Cruz wants to appeal to Ludacris' black audience?
All these options may sound a little far-fetched but I urge you to remember what his previous videos look like.......then go and watch both versions of the 'Break Your Heart' video and tell me what you think....




I'm not saying it's wrong to have a type- we all have types of guys/girls that we tend to go for but Taio gave some BOGUS reason for favouring milky bars over snickers. Me personally, I don't discriminate, I appreciate!! If you're cute, YOU'RE CUTE...white, black, green, purple, checked etc lol!!


REMEMBER KIDS....LIKE MIKE SAID, "It don't matter if you're black our white.....duurr nurr nurr nuuuurr nurrrrr OWWW!"

Shazam can do a lot but it can't solve this one...

Can somebody PLEASE watch the video below and tell me what song Will Smith is dancing to when he cuts in between Geoffery and Naomi Campbell - I have to have it!!![The scene is near the end of the video and the song appears when Bell Biv Devoe's 'Poison' fades out.]

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

Thursday 25 March 2010

Exclusive: Kelis 'Acapella' Teaser Video

Oh Kelis! How my screen has missed you! Today, she released a lil teaser of her upcoming music video, 'Acapella (produced by David Guetta) and speaking to Rap-Up about the clip she said:

"It has a really strong, universal, tribal vibe to it. When I say that,
I mean it's no particular tribe; it's a little bit of everything...it's like if
the world were to end and there was one woman standing, what would it be
like?"


"It's not fashion-oriented at all. Actually, it's the complete
opposite...I think everything is over-fashioned up that it just becomes
uninteresting, and when every artist has access to every designer and vice
versa, it's no longer exciting or fun."

Even though it's a short clip it looks like it will be quite arty [although she said things are over-fashioned...whatever Kelis!?!?! This is coming from a woman who dressed like a pink lizard recently...] and cinematography is definitely a good look so...WORK IT GIRRRL...



Her new album 'Flesh Tones' is scheduled to be released in June but there have already been supposed leaks scattered around the web but so far I only like this song, '4th of July'...

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Victory Meals ROCK!!!I don't rock all black, heart shaped EVERYTHING!!!

WOOOOOOOO *dizzy spinning*!!! Yesterday, I found out that I got a placement at a magazine!!! It made my day at work go quicker [just about lol] and my mum put together a quick little meal for me to come home to....

I had a roast with stuffing [STUFFING!!! I love stuffing but I hardly ever have it outside of Christmas because it's as exciting as the presents....cringe but I really love stuffing!!] and she baked a beauty of a cake! Although I had a apple & sultana muffin....then a carrot cake for lunch...I proceeded to seek and destroooyyyy this heart-shaped [slightly picked at :O] coconut cake with a hint of lemon.....


If you can't imagine what a coconut cake with a hint of lemon taste like.....DAHWELL!!! LOL! I kinda went crazy as I threw some jelly and custard on to my slice for a makeshift trifle to enjoy my victory dessert to the absolute calorie indulging max!! WOOOO!!!
I also came home to tear the packaging off these vintage heart-shaped Moschino earrings....what I love about these is that the gold peace logo will NEVER EVER go bronze :D another bargain!!*VICTORY DANCE*


Heart shaped cakes and heart shaped earrings make me a smiley shaped gyal...

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

No Invitations!?!?

Whenever I see this advert, I wonder what I was doing the day this was filmed cos it looks like fun and it looks a lil like London....I was probably stuck watching some guy's armpit on the tube....




Ryan Leslie YouTube's favourite beatvlogger didn't get the invite to the party...but they gave him his own advert and they let him 'write the theme tune and sing the theme tune'...love that skit!

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

Monday 22 March 2010

Exclusive: Street Talk NYC Edition Ep 4

Street Talk's latest installments see Kevin Lanre letting the 'Street' speak about the recession phenom as he interviews GoodWood creator/jewellery designer, Kerri O'Connell.

FACT: Last summer, I bought these GoodWood earrings, below, and a chain from her at a Sneaker Pimps concert in . Prior to this, me and my friends were already fans of her range and when we told her we were from the UK the cool Miss Kerri O'KindHeart [ ;) ]chopped a few dollars off the price for us! NICE!!!!


WATCH KEVIN LANRE x STREET TALK NOW!!!!



Street Talk NY EP4 Recession PT 2 from Street Talk on Vimeo.


www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

Ring, Ring....Ring Ring.......Fierce Fierce!!!

WOW! Miss Dancer At A Desk sent me this video the other day and it is simply A-M-A-Z-I-NG!!! Some of the infamous dancers and choreographers from the UK show us their version of Lady Gaga's 'Telephone' video and I can honestly say......the dancing SMASHES the dancing in the actual video!! It's not that the choreography was bad, it's just that the 'fierce' element is definitely at a higher level in this video...


Speaking of Gaga, I saw this video and thought how ironic....she appeared on MTV's Boiling Points [before she was famous], lost her cool and lost the prize money. Fastforward to 2010, MTV don't eat without her music videos....



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Friday 19 March 2010

EXCLUSIVE: Fatima 'Soul Glo' Music Video



My crazy talented fellow basement gyal FATIMA releases her debut music video 'Soul Glo' to the masses!!! I will do a neater post on this but I am working tomorrow...hopefully with her...lol...all three of us video-gyals work together [yes, I am the girl on the left and miss Stylist Stylissimo is on tha right AHAHAHA!!!]. This girl is gonna be big.... TRUST ME!!!! More of her music below with Shafiq Husayn....she doesn't appear in this video but random American chicks, Erykah Badu and some other familiar faces mime in her place lol!!



Thursday 18 March 2010

Break It Down: Ep 2...coming soon lol!

IMG_0016

IMG_0066

Miss HoodandProper x Miss SugarWild and more messin' around! We love doin' it and hope you like it! Casstte Playa liked it.....she even gave us the t-shirts for this episode :)

V magazine GhettoBlastin' with Liya Kebede and Lily Donaldson

THIS is what I mean by Hood and Proper!! I Love the 'Push It Real Good' shoot in this month's V magazine! The platforms go on for DAYS as do their legs. Judging by Liya's homage to school girls all over London, I'm guessing the hair grease finished after an HOUR, if that haha....

Liya Kebede Lily Donaldson V magazine


Liya Kebede Lily Donaldson V magazine




Liya Kebede Lily Donaldson V magazine




Liya Kebede Lily Donaldson V magazine


Smarty Boots

Today, I dressed smart. However, I still kept parts of my 'style' using checks, tweeds, black lace, bits of fake snakeskin and gold. Oh and but I had my neon Marc Jacobs bag too lol....! It was different but fun! I didn't know this outfit was hiding in my suitcase of 'give-aways' to my younger friends. Looks like I'm not giving this away after all haha!




The boots I'm wearing [and trying my hardest to get in the shot :S] have a crazy story behind them - long story short, I had Rachie-Pie and her sister stalking these Kurt Geiger boots for me while I was at work on the day they went on sale lol! And with their team effort, I was able to get them....gold chains intact [one KG store tried to sell pair of boots WITHOUT the set of chains!?!?].


LOL someone got a horse at their Sweet Sixteen and one of the party-goers said, 'She needs to throw some D's on'a pony!' HAHA!!

Tuesday 16 March 2010

NEW MUSIC: P-Money ft. David Dallas and Aaradhna 'Say Yeah!'

Now the sun has decided to show it's beautiful face, I have started forming various summer playlists to compliment my shiny-happy mood! Luckily, award-winning New Zealand DJ/Producer [and friend!] P-Money sent me a song a while ago that he thought I would 'like'....and I LOVED IT!! 'Say Yeah' has a dance/house vibe, sweet vocals from Aaradhna and rapper David Dallas gives it the rap edge perfect for my 'rollerskating around the park' playlist lol.....[WOOOOOoooooo*CRASH*ooooooooOOOOOWW....ouch!]

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

*Chinese in Central LDN here I come...*

Monday 15 March 2010

Wishlist: Jean-Charles De Castelbajac Jewelled Beauties...


I L-O-V-E Beyonce's whole 'Telephone' look, pictured above, from Jean-Charles De Castelbajac's Spring/Summer 2010 collection. I think I would love it even more in my closet...

jean-charles-de-castelbajac-spring-2010-heels-gallery

jean-charles-de-castelbajac-spring-2010-jacket-gallery

All these multi-coloured jewels have reminded me of something.....maybe I should go and see if H&M are still selling these...

*www.twitter.com/hoodandproper* Fox's mints are cool but Fox's fruit sweets are CHOONG!!


TRIBAL POLKA FUN courtesy of Jeremy Scott x Adidas!!

The new Jeremy Scott x Adidas collaboration landed smack bang in my lap last week and as I had to sort out the delivery of his new [upsettingly expensive] collection at work I remembered something. I STILL hadn't bought my Jeremy Scott Kente Nizza Hi's to commemorate Ghana's 53rd Independence day last week [whooops :S]!!
Since I went crazy and bought way too many kicks in New York last July, I have only bought...two since then!! Good isn't it? [Obviously, I bought a few shoes but that's not another story...I HAD TO FEED MY ADDICTION TO SUEDE lol!]
So, back at work, I excitedly asked a friend to give me some of her discount [cos mine is LONG GONE :( !!] and I got things on and cracking!!
What was £94.99...I got for £30!! WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! Bargain!! The traditional Kente used matches an authentic purse and crazy pyramid bag I acquired when I visited my family in the yummy sun of Ghana. [I said all of this to please my mother the fact that I'm adding another big ass box to sit on top of all the other boxes but she was VERY happy to see how Adidas was repping Ghana anyways haha! RESULT].I shall take pics of those things and add them so you can see!!
P.S. My friend actually worked with Jeremy Scott HIMSELF for three months in LA and when she tore herself away from LA life she would send us pics of his works in progress!! She said he was really cool...so much so, he even bought her a vintage shirt for her B Day that had her style written all over it! How thoughtful and nice!!
Oh and coincidentally, the day I bought the Nizza Hi's, I had a Jeremy Scott type look going so I upped the ante by dusting off my Minnie Ears and took some self-indulging pics....


jeremy scott adidas tribal close up

jeremyscotttribal

Jeremy Scott Adidas Tribal

Jeremy Scott Adidas Kente Nizza Hi

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper * can't wait 'til Jersey Shore is on the UK screens!! Snooki is my style icon lol!

Friday 12 March 2010

VIDEO PREMIERE: Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce 'Telephone'

FINALLYYYY!!!They really did have us hanging on the telephone with this one. How long has everyone been waiting to see this video??...Well considering we were told they would be doing two videos together about SIX months ago...I'd say...AGES!!!

I don't like moaning all the time but I have to say the video is not as good as I thought it would be. I DO like the video but I think they over-hyped it up to be her best video to date and I think the 'Paparazzi' video was better. I've watched it once and made my decision. Irrational, you say? I think not. I think you may agree with the points I shall make [even though my eyes are rolling back cos I'm THAT tired]...

PROS

  • The visuals, editing and cinematography.

  • The kitsch, Thelma & Louise/Prison Break theme. It's an all round fun video!

  • Gaga's sandwich making scene had cute sound FX.
  • Crazy ass LaurieAnn Gibson's choreography
  • Gaga's ex boyfriend, Matthew Williams did a nice job also as he was the Art Director

  • Lady Gaga's catwalk/prison walk opening scene and the outfit.
  • Gaga's cigarette shades + Beer can rollers + the blue telephone headress + the yellow telephone weave = The HOTNESS
  • The fact that they put Beyonce in a bee keeper's outfit to emphasise the Honey Bey character...sweet.
  • Gaga's victory Gene Kelly-esque two-step when she is let out...too funny
  • Beyonce's bedroom outfit....the jacket and the shoes were the right side of bedazzled [please see any Ed Hardy product for a good example of the bad side].
  • Beyonce's American flag nails are HOT! The Americana scene was my favourite
  • The MARIAH CAREY lookin' Chola at 2.38mins - fierce...I think I saw SNOOKI in the background too LOL
  • The prison fight was choreographed well

  • Lady Gaga GOT BEYONCE BACK for the 'VideoPhone' debaucle. This video was a MILLION times more entertaining in content although Beyonce is a million times FIERCER in 'VideoPhone'

CONS

  • The prison scene was a lil too long.
  • The script between Bey and Gaga - crrringe. Oh and Bey's wooden acting....she is literally stiff when she is speaking!?!? What's up with that...you and Gaga are supposed to be homies fo' life in this video

  • The use of Tyrese = unnecessary. His scene teamed with Beyonce's outift was the BIGGEST rip off of the 'Paparazzi' video lol...couldn't the director think of anything else besides killing everyone!?!?

  • Beyonce's lack of dramatic makeup when she picks Gaga up. I know it was an emergency call out but damn Bey!! Where was the 'Single Ladies' make up artist at?? You coulda done with a lil more eyeliner or sumthin...Gaga managed to look FIERCE...and she's been in tha PEN!
  • It looks like Bey is READING HER SCRIPT at 5.15mins...LOOOL oh my gosh this is so whack....no one drives looking at their lap???!?!?!?


WORST PARTS

  • Virgin Mobile.....are you serious??
  • The lack of chemistry :( that upset me cos I like them together but the only time they were cute together was when they ate the sandwich and killed tyrese....everytime they picked up that POOR script, I couldn't help but cringe at how awkward it sounded.

  • The fierceness was not really there when they were together. Certain scenes would have been better without Bey. Gaga is ususally a quiet ball of FIERCE but in the getaway car she seemed muted. Or tired from the walk to the car.
  • I think Bey's attempt at being badass came across REALLY wooden..

  • Gaga's speaking parts - it was almost like she was on general anaesthetic. I think the problem was that when she spoke her tough jailbird character was contradicted by the softly spoken Stefani. Hearing her voice also reminded me of how distant and awkward she is in interviews.

TO END...


The director, Jonas Akerlund, should have remembered that it's quality...not quantity. Too many things happening along with the editing made this video look over done. The editing should have been enough to create the crazy frustrated emotion of the 'why-a-bug-a-boo-sweating-a-diva' anthem. Akerlund did an amazing job capturing the art and fashion of crazy-diva-ness in 'Paparazzi' with the comic theme, lavish locations, neat choreography amongst all the fabulous flapping fabrics surrounding a femme fatale the audience is rooting for.

In 'Telephone' Beyonce tries desperately to take on the same role and instead of looking like she stood up for herself, it looks kinda mean. We only see Tyrese for a hot minute and nit seems as if Akerlund tries to squeeze in traits of a bad boyfriend within those few seconds. It is not enough for me to want him to be killed so when he is poisoned [TWICE] I thought to myself 'a fierce backhanded pimp slap would have done the trick'. In addition, Gaga standing menacingly over the two of them like some ghost waitress, looks really creepy...like she forced Beyonce to turn evil.


The cafe extras were very lucky they were killed before having to witness Beyonce in the dance finale. Bey should have sat that one out but I guess that was Gaga getting her back for being upstaged in 'VideoPhone'. Touche, Gaga. Touche.

WAIT A SEC!! I just watched it again, the version I saw yesterday was really tiny....I missed something....Beyonce is literally in the middle of the screen at the end???? Gaga should have been where Bey was beacuse a dancer that is in front of Gaga keeps covering her during the dance scene!!! BAD CALL AKERLUND!!! This is Gaga's video....and you allowed Bey to be centred in the finale....


[ARGHH my screen just froze then shut down - essay time over...it's time for bed....I'm going to stop because you are probably sick of my nonsense....but I think I did type some sensible nonsense... I gotta read over what I wrote when I'm more awake lol].

GO WATCH THE VIDEO AND COMMENT IF U WANNA!!



Ok, now seriously, I want Beyonce's jacket...oh I want it soooo bad :(

www.twitter.com/hoodandproper

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Street Talk NY Edition: Ep 3

If you have never watched Street Talk, you are late and you have been missing out. Seriously. The show sees my dear friend, media mogul and owner of The Whorington site, Kevin Lanre, around NYC talking about a range of issues and interviewing new faces. His interviews not only showcase his talents but those of the people he meets....watch on people, watch on...

Street Talk NY EP3 Jim Gaylord from Street Talk on Vimeo.




Street Talk NY EP3 Recession from Street Talk on Vimeo.

Friday 5 March 2010

Before They Were Famous: Chris Brown 'Whose Girl Is That'!?!?

Chris Brown has really come a long way from this video. And gone a few hundred steps back via a certain situation.

This video is sooooooooo 90's but I couldn't help but laugh at his long-ass arms, hand me down clothes and his dancing....just watch the video...
  • The worst scripted intro ever
  • Lot 29
  • A basketball court
  • Cinema
  • The "breakdown" to showcase dance skills
  • Shots of hired 'fans' tryna get an autograph
  • The chicken dance
  • Horrible shots of the whole neighbourhood watching the video being filmed


You can find this from my yet to be released "101 Recipes For A 90's R'n'B Video"


New Video: SAS 'Nandos'

WoW! I've been all over the place this week and kinda fell behind my blogging schedule more than I thought I had so I'm a bit shocked....so yeah...unfortunately, I'm back guys ;)

I'm gonna do this quick cos I'm eating fish'n'chips LOL! Talking 'bout food.....here's 'Nandos' by SAS [one of my friends, melle mel, will remember that any tune they had wayyyyy back..."Eu-ro-gang"...the video was *ahem*]. I LOVED this beat the first time I heard Cam'ron and co. so, naturally, I don't really like this freestyle. However, the whole 'you should call me uncle' thing makes me shudder everytime I hear it [if you live in London and 'freshies' that look like possible uncles beg for your number.... you will understand].
Back to EuroGang.....the lyrics are typical of the Dipset associates but who cares....EVERYBODY LOVES NANDOS!!

For those who don't know, Nandos is a Portuguese-themed chain of restaurants that serves good quality chicken and chips on a plate [instead of in a box], salsa rhythms on blast, millions of black people on dates, a mix of ethnicities behind the counter [as oppose to the Asians asking you for "special sauce, boss?" even though you're a girl] and a loyalty card system [high class food stamps]. VIVA LA NANDOS!!!