The World's Best Hip Hop Cover Band says Hello

Some of you may be familiar with this really cool Hip Hop Cover Band called Karmin, they take all the popular hip hop hits and add their own style to the cover, with Nick Noonan on keyboards and Amy Heidemann on lead vocals they create unique blend of hip hop swag with smooth harmony. Interesting factoid the name of the band derives from the Latin word carmen, which means "song", with a slightly altered spelling to "hint at 'karma'" and btw the couple are engaged.


To see them in action check out their version of "Look at me now" with Chris Brown and Busta Rhymes, it is their most popular video and showcases their incredible maaad talents.

Well fast forward to current times and now they are stepping out with their own original material "Crash the party"over a really cool loop from Black Sheep's "The Choice is yours" or if we go back to the original sample from Sweet Linda Divine's "I will say it again". 

Check out Amy's rapping at the 2:41 mark, not bad, she obviously got maaaad skills. The song is obviously very pop but has a easy and catchy charm to it that could easily make it a radio hit. 

 

And if you ever had any doubt as to their main stream talent here is there latest song "Hello" the song is the second official single from their debut EP of the same name and is currently #1 on the US Hot Dance Club  Songs (Billboard) Charts

Although from Nashville, Tennessee you can see the hip pop talent especially on the rapping side.

 Maaaahd

The Best World Cup Football song ever?

The World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the world, broadcasted in over 70 countries, to a cumulative audience of 26 billion people, an average of approximately 400 million viewers per match. Over 700 million viewers alone watched  the World Cup finals between Spain and the Netherlands, viva Espana.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa was memorable on many levels, first ever World Cup on the continent of Africa and secondly it featured what could be the best World Cup song ever.

We  loved every minute of it and nothing captures the spirit and the energy of football more than the music.


Here is the first contender, the official song authorized  by FIFA, "Waka Waka- This one is for Africa" by Shakira, a catchy pop song with African styling, the song was as a hit worldwide and  even in Jamaica the song got some good rotation. Speaking about rotation how does Shakira do those things with her hips ....wow waka waka.

There is something about this song that kids love, its like sugar coated super candy to them, they can't get enough of it, so Shakira sure got something right

Yet in Jamaica  and many other countries the song every one remembers from the World Cup is the Waving flag song by Somali Rapper/Singer Knaan, it still plays at most parties and gets crazy forwards as well as has endless remixes from dance to soca which still gets people moving. Strange thing is is that it wasn't even an official song. the song is actually a commissioned remix of the Knaan original song Waving flag which was modified to suit the World Cup campaign by Coca Cola. Boy did it work, all the elements come together from the tribal drums to the infectious sing a long chorus.


The video even features a cameo with our own Junior Gong (at the 1:40 ) mark, Gong being a close collaborator with Knann over the years so the African/Jamaican musical roots go deep.

And here is the Coca Cola version full of the commercial product shots,still catchy as hell

A good sign of any hit song is after hearing it once it sticks in your mind. I remember the  first  time I heard this song when they had a concert in South Africa before the World Cup and I saw how the people were responding to the song. I was like  that song sure is popular. It was sign from then that it was destined for mad crazy dizzying heights. At the risk of overkill here is it live.

Anyhow you take this song it is timeless, inspiring, great song writing and feel good music at its best.....maaaaaaaaaaaad.

Our vote for Best World Cup song is fully for Wavin Flag but an honourable mention must go to Shakira's dancing skills in Waka Waka.



Which World cup song is your favourite?

The Best Ninja DJ in the world

Considered the best Ninja Dj in the world  let us introduce you to the great Jaguar Skills. Jag is a British DJ who has gained notoriety since 2002 for his eclectic mixtapes. Jaguar Skills has released a number of mixtapes through various outlets, including BBC Radio 1 and now has a weekly 10 minute mix on The Trevor Nelson Show.


His mixes are legendary or as we would say maaaad. Apart from the great music mix, Jaguar Skills is known for his comic interludes and inserts that add to a really maaad mix experience.

He appears in a full ninja outfit when he spins.

Here is one of his better mixes, all number 1 songs is England  over the years, no visuals,  just turn up your volume and enjoy this 10 minutes mix it is classic maaad.


If you like music you will love this one.....guaranteed.....maaad

That looks like a good Cover Drive (and we ain't talking cricket)

Our eyes and ears have been opened to a new and potent young group on the scene, having only launched their first single in August 2011 we can truly say they are truly young and new to the music scene but oh what potential they have.


Hailing from the lovely island of Barbados, there seems to be something in the water there that creates pop stars, starting with Rhianna and then Shantell and now the quarter "Cover Drive" , named after the familiar cricket shot, this group has a fusion sound called " Cari pop" which is fresh and cool and definitely maaad.


It seems that at least the UK has taken notice, their latest single " Twilight" just entered at #1 on the charts in the United Kingdom for the week ending February 4, 2012. The band has confirmed that their debut album will be called "Bajan Style" and they described it as "a beach party in Barbados" and will be released sometime in 2012


Comprising of  Amanda Reifer, T-Ray Armstrong, Barry 'Bar-Man' Hill and Jamar Harding we found this group obviously has good looks, talent and a Caribbean pop sound going for them, Their videos, infectious energy and easy island style must win them favour with legions of fans.


They have a BIG potential ahead of them as long as they can stay together and keep the vibe going


We LOVE  them and we are sure will do tooo....truly....... mader than mad

This is the video from their Fedora Sessions series that gave them the big break and an audience with music giant Sony Music.