MUSIC: Cazwell ft Luciana - Guess What (Preview)

Cazwell has just dropped this very lively preview for his new tune with Luciana - Guess What? The song will be released on June 4th, followed by the video on June 10th. 

GAG.

MUSIC: Stromae - Formidable

This man honestly is incredible and his dedication to his work is undeniable. In the latest upload to his 'Leçon' (Leçon n 25) series on YouTube, Stromae has revealed new song Formidable. 

The video shows him in Brussels at 8.30am - mid rushhour. He appears to be drunk, and stumbles around the pavement shouting various lines to his beautifully written song. As you expect, people react in various ways, from completely avoiding him or asking him if he needs help - to taking pictures and filming him. At one point, the local Police actually stop and recognise him - "a bit tired? I'm a big fan of yours. Want us to take you home?".

Look at my previous Stromae posts to gain a bigger insight into his work - and lookout for the followup to his debut album Cheese. 

FUNNY/MUSIC: Lonely Island ft Robyn - Go Kindergarten

Amazing. The Lonely Island have just released this video from their new album, featuring Queen of Sweden Robyn. Go Kindergarten is obviously completely hilarious/a load of shit, but there's something serious about the state of the music industry at the minute in there.

What's funny looking at comments, is the amount of people saying things like:

'too much writing in the middle of the video, distracting. dont give a shit about links and hashtags'

'thelonelyisland sucks now these days I don't even laugh or have a smile just find it childish that's my opinion u can hate on me whatever PS: I used to find them hilarious.. not a hater'

The humour is obviously much higher than 'I'm On A Boat!'.....

FUN: PRANCERCISE

Want a last minute way to get that summer body girls and gays?! PRANCERCISE!

MUSIC: Elliphant - Music Is Life

New summer tune from Elliphant! Music Is Life is a slightly different direction for Sweden's Ellinor Olovsdotter with a light summery dancehall beat (horns included), perfect for when it finally reaches SUMMERTIME. There's a feature from Jamaica's Ras Fraser Jr. too.

Get in on LOUD.

MUSIC: Loreen - We Got The Power (Video)

Over the past few weeks, I have become obsessed with Loreen. Not only is she amazingly beautiful, and Swedish - her songwriting is incredible (she has credits on almost every song), and teamed with stellar production, her debut Heal is honestly a 10/10 album. 

If you also haven't paid proper attention to her, now's the time to start. Her new single We Got The Power has just been dropped along with the video above; directed by Loreen herself. 

"I always have a clear picture of what I want to convey in my artistry and feel a great responsibility for the things I release. Moving images, for me, creates an extra dimension to the music. In addition, we need more female directors in the industry. More women who dare to take place, just like the video for ‘We Got The Power’ is doing." - Loreen

Her debut is also being digitally rereleased at the end of this month, so you can feel not-to-late to the game. Out 31st May.

Click more for the Heal video:

CULTURE: DRAG NAMES!!!

For the past few weeks, this Facebook group has been KILLING me. Suitable named DRAG NAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it's basically a constant flow of gays adding HILARIOUS potential drag names. 

I take no credit for these:

Lidl Kim

Beyonce Castle

Patti O'Doors

Pam Au Chocolat

Deleeta Post (Facebook purge Queen)

Trish Fingers

JK Rowling-Tobacco 

Anna Nicole Spliff

Alexander Wank

Pre-Oprah Winfrey

It goes on....

MUSIC: Simian Mobile Disco for Boiler Room

These guys are possibly my favourite DJs. They bring pure quality each and every time. Broadcast last week, this Boiler Room x adidas Originals 35 minute set is no different.

Download through Soundcloud.

MUSIC: Dan Black ft Kelis - Hearts (+BONUS: Don Diablo ft Kelis)

I'll be honest- I've never heard of Dan Black. I stumbled across this video while looking for live performances from Kelis from this month. WHY doesn't she promote things on her twitter - this shit is GOOD! 

The video was filmed over the space of 24 hours, with 1 shot every 16 seconds to create a human timelapse! Amazing! What's even more amazing, is the beautiful backdrop that is Paris! 

Directed & Edited by: Chic-Artistic | Out 16.6.13

Click more to see another sneaky 'ft Kelis'. Don Diablo ft Alex Clare & Kelis, out July 29th:

MUSIC: BANKS - Warm Water Video

A while ago I posted new track from the beautiful BANKS, produced by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. The video has just been released, and although is kept simple throughout, it's strangely hypnotic. 

FASHION: ASOS Black x Puma SS13

ASOS Black and Puma are back for round two, after their highly successful collaboration last year. Each piece combines Puma's sport and ASOS's fashion aspects to create a great spring/summer collection. Whereas the primary colours last time were orange/navy, there is a variation with yellow/blue/grey here, with a focus on sharp contrasts and oversized polkadots. Each piece is still kept simple and fresh - with shirts, knitwear, outerwear and t-shirts. 

New collection will be available on ASOS in June.

You can still shop a few final pieces from their last collab in the ASOS sale here.

Click for more images from the SS13 lookbook:

MUSIC: The Limousines - Love Is A Dog From Hell

So the Soundcloud tag 'alternative' pissed me off with this one. It's not 'alt'. It's powerful 80s electro synth amazingness. Give it a listen!

Taken from the new album, Hush out 6.6.13

MUSIC: LuLu James

New Lulu James! This is beautiful-that twinkle in the background, agh! This girl is going to be BIG over the next couple of years. If you haven't already, click here to listen to Closer - an 80s synth/90s house track. 

FASHION THANKS: SILENCELDN

Just wanted to say a huge thanks to guys over at SilenceLDN for my t-shirt! If you missed my post about them the other day you can see it here! Get onboard! 

Don't forget you can now buy their SS13 range online! 

EVENTS: Bank Holiday Weekend!

What're you doing this weekend for Bank Holiday? 

SATURDAY:

Day
Field Day @ Victoria Park

Night
Field Day Afterparty @ Basing House
Handsome @ Dalston Superstore
Club Tin Tin @ Barcode Vauxhall
Gutterslut @ East Bloc


SUNDAY:

Day
As One In The Park @ Victoria Park

Night
The Bloc Party @ East Bloc
BLOCHEADS Pool Party @ Club Aquarium 

Lookout for more

MUSIC: Poisonous Relationship - Men's Feelings VIDEO

So, after posting about Poisonous Relationship only a few days ago, I have become obsessed with the album. It's such a cohesive piece of work, and I can definitely see it remaining high up in my summer playlist. Today, Jamie Crewe released his video for the album opener - Men's Feelings and it's superbly shot, featuring Crewe in various outfits. Werk it.

Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud

BONUS: Click more for Beyoncé & SSION remixes by PR:

MUSIC: Annie Mac's Sunshine Mix II

Annie Mac has just dropped her new Sunshine Mix Vol II. If you didn't listen to Vol I last year, do it here. It's over an hour of pure summer tunes, perfect for having a beer and BBQ to! It's also available for a free download via THIS.

Featuring tracks from Cyril Hahn, Duke Dumont, Rudimental, Disclosure, MNEK and more, she kills it again. Make sure you catch her at Lovebox this year, where she's hosting her own stage: AMP; Annie Mac Presents.

Click more for full tracklist:

FASHION: SilenceLDN

SilenceLDN is a new streetwear brand based out of South East London. (Yes, another streetwear brand...) What makes Silence stand out, is that they keep it exceptionally simple, and they have got it spot on with their social media presence. They've even had girl-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne wearing their shit.

 Initially, I discovered them when they followed me on twitter, and was drawn in simply by their logo and mysterious tweets. When they finally revealed their promo range I was highly impressed, and their SS13 range was no different. They're reasonably priced as well, with tshirts at £25. 

Support independent brands, and keep an eye out for SilenceLDN this festival season. 

"We think things are best kept simple, stylish and striking so we keep our garms that way."

SHOP ONLINE | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook

Click more for their SS13 promo vid and photos:

MUSIC: Banks - Warm Water

This is a beautiful start to your Monday! Produced by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. 

FASHION: Bodega X Saucony Elite G9

Available from SoulHeaven now.

MUSIC: Poisonous Relationship - Garden of Problems

Poisonous Relationship AKA Jamie Crewe, is a Sheffield-born boy who records music. His new LP is being streamed exclusively over at BUTT magazine (so no soundcloud embed just yet).

The LP is a post-breakup record according to Crewe, and was written after a nasty relationship with his ex-boyfriend. The positive of this? It's made one EXCELLENT record, with house beats and vocals that you're going to have on repeat all summer!

STREAM | Website

MUSIC: RuPaul ft Lady Bunny - Lick It Lollipop

Nu-Ru! 

Video features Miles David Moody who you'll remember from Drag Race in his underwear.

MUSIC: EUROVISION

CONGRATS NORWAY! 

No, Denmark won. Click to listen to the slightly above average winning track. 

To listen to something really good though, click the video above. #TeamNorway

Well done to the UK for coming 19th! Yey! (If she'd have sung I Need A Hero we'd be fine)

MUSIC: House of Wallenberg - Be Somebody (Kings of the Universe Fierce Mix)

A while ago I posted about the amazing Be Somebody by House of Wallenberg, featuring Octavia St Laurent from Paris Is Burning. The remix set has now been released on iTunes, but Wallenberg is giving them away for free until Monday!

You can listen to Wallenberg's debut album LEGENDS over on Spotify now, and buy on iTunes! 

Listen to the remix by Swedish house producers Kings of the Universe above, and click more to listen to another great remix by UK vogue-r CVNT TR4XXX:

FASHION: adidas Originals Tech Super

adidas Originals Tech Super, Size? UK exclusive: Available May 17th

Reissue taken from the 1992 archive, available in summer colourways, turquoise/orange & yellow/purple.

LGBT: The Riddle - UN Human Rights Office

"LGBT rights are human rights. Together we will build a world that is free and equal."

The UN human rights office have released this very simple, yet incredibly powerful video to expose people to the human rights violations that occur to LGBT citizens around the world every single day. 76 countries still criminalize consensual same-sex relationships - 7 countries still have the death penalty.

MUSIC: Zebra Katz - DRKLNG

Shiiiiit, we got a new Zebra Katz mixtape! It's classic ZK, and although fellow bad bitch Njena Reddd Foxxx doesn't make an appearance on this mix, it's still a killer! 

The highlight for me comes at 13 minutes, with new track Blk Wiccan [produced by Paul Devro]. It's tribal and dark, but perfect for a summer 'dutty whinee'. There's also a cover of 'I Think We're Alone Now' and a little Dancing On My Own sample!

"Love it when you dutty whine whine, get on top and grind grind."

Check out the European tour dates for Zebra Katz + Njena Reddd Foxxx this summer. If you haven't seen these two already, they BRING it, and their show is 100% worth every single penny.

Click more for tracklist:

FASHION: Urban Outfitters 2013

Urban Outfitters summer 2013 lookbook, shot by Rene Vaile

Click for more:

MUSIC: Kelly Rowand - Dirty Laundry

Shit! New from Kelly Rowland. 

The title couldn't be anymore fitting for this track. Dirty Laundry is as honest as she's going to get. Kelly dishes her feelings from after the DC breakup, Beyoncé, her career, domestic abuse and more. It's completely unexpected, completely heartbreaking, and completely excellent. We're looking at a hit right now, possibly Stole level shit.

"Post Survivor, she was on fire, who would want to hear my bullishit..."

"Started to call them people on him, I was battered..."

"He hitting the window like it was me, until it shattered..."

Kelly's new album Talk A Good Game is out this June.

MUSIC: Stromae - Papaoutai

(June 7th): You can now watch the official video HERE.

If you don't use Spotify, listen on YouTube.

New Stromae! Real name Paul Van Haver, Stromae is Belgian producer/singer/songwriter famous for his track, Alors On Danse. 

His debut album Cheese was one of my favourite albums of 2010, and is still perfectly listenable and fresh now as it was three years ago. His producer is stella, which is what initially drew me to listen to him. With French being his spoken language, I had no idea what the lyrics meant in all of his songs, I was just attracted to the music. On looking further into them though, you'll see that each song is highly personal and really quite emotional. Topics include domestic violence, relationships, his childhood home and the suffering in the world (so deep). 

Papaoutai is no different. Translated, it means "Where Are You Dad?" 

Click more for lyrics.

LGBT NEWS: Russia - Gay man dead after being raped with beer bottles and skull smashed

A 23 year old man was found dead on Friday after a horrific attack that left him with a smashed skull. The attack took place in Volgograd, Russia. ‘He was raped with beer bottles and had his skull smashed with a stone,’ Natalia Kunitskaya, a spokeswoman for the Volgograd region branch of the Investigative Committee reported.  

Both the attackers are in their 20s and have both been arrested. This only adds to the increasing level of homophobia in Russia at the moment, following the highly publicised 'Gay Propaganda' bill in Moscow and the Gay Pride organiser who was attacked earlier this year.

Read the full story here. This has to change.

MUSIC: Maya Jane Coles

New from Maya Jane Coles. Everything features Swedish Karin Park who brings her incredible vocals to this smooth house track. Maya has her debut album Comfort out soon, and it's bound to be amazing.

You can watch the video below. Incredible.

You can catch her play at Eastern Electrics festival this August.

MUSIC: Little Boots - Nocturnes

This is not going to be a review, but more of a recommendation. Her debut album was something that highly annoyed me - it felt really forced and 'made-for-the-minute' by her label. Nocturnes however, has completely changed my view of Little Boots. 

The lead single, Broken Record, is probably my least favourite track and even that's not actually bad. Start to finish the album is so strong and consistent. Each track could stand alone as a single, or make a highlight in a club mix. When I say 'single', I don't mean commercially successful. It's a very specific type of sound, and I highly doubt that commercially the album will do that well (it's current peak is 45). In the clubs, and 'underground' however, this is going to be spinning for a long while. There are two tracks that stand out for me, and I think that this may be in my top 3 albums of the year.

Standout tracks for me: Every Night I Say a Prayer and All For You

You can stream it on Spotify below, or click more for soundcloud links and download:

MEN: Pavel Pétel 'for H&M'

Pavel Pétel 'as Mr Naked in H&M'. Where's Beyoncé's wig? SNATCHED. Genius.

Follow Pavel on Tumblr (NSFW) / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter

Click for more:

MUSIC: Lovebox Jukebox - Hot Blood

It's that time of year again! With Lovebox festival just 9 weeks away, the Lovebox Jukebox mixtapes have started! The first of the year, #28 was uploaded two weeks ago, and is by Idjut Boys. 

The newest upload is by Lovebox residents HOT BLOOD. The countdown is ON.

Click for full Lovebox 2013 lineup (so far):

MUSIC: Avec - Dissappearer ft Jake Shears

New track from Avec featuring absolute BABE, Jake Shears. Since taking their 'indefinite hiatus' last October, the group have all been working on solo projects, and this is the first thing we've heard from Jake! It's an uplifting house track - nothing too mindblowing, but it's good to hear from Mr Shears again.

We've heard from Del Marquis, with his incredible Slow Knights album - I'm really looking forward to seeing what Ana has getting upto!

EVENTS: LIL KIM ANNOUNCED AT LOVEBOX

THE LIL' KIM has joined the Sunday lineup to this year's Lovebox festival! I cannot wait for this! I'm hoping she throws Azealia some shade who'll be headlining on the Saturday. Disco veterans Horse Meat Disco also join the lineup. I'm hoping they'll be playing in the NYC Downlow tent again!

ART: Two Chips

Man records his drunk wife telling a joke, and animates it. Just watch.

MUSIC: Rebecca + Fiona - Union

After their INCREDIBLE debut album, I Love You, Man back in 2011, the Swedish DJ duo are back with another single, Union following Taken Over in February.

The track is just as energetic as the rest of their offerings, but remains fresh. I adore everything about these two, you can really tell how hard they both work. The visuals behind their videos are always spot on, and complete the perfect package that they bring. They work it the fuck out, and sadly, like a lot of amazing artists remain relatively under appreciated outside of Sweden. 

You can watch the video for Taken Over below:

MEDIA: HONEY BOO BOO WEDDING!

It's official! Sugar Bear and Mama June are officially married! The pair said their vows on Sunday 5th May in their backyard, with June reportedly wearing a $70 dress! The invite said that this was a taped event, so expect a Here Comes Honey Boo Boo special sometime soon! I adore this whole family, it's amazing that money still hasn't changed them.

For people in the UK, keep a lookout on new channel TLC, where Here Comes Honey Boo Boo will begin officially airing soon!

MEN | FASHION: Thomas Sottong

Thomas Sottong, shot by Emmanuel Giraud and styled by Kang-Wei HU for 

April 2013 of Men's UNO China.

Click for more:

MUSIC: Miss Kittin - What To Wear

New track and video from Miss Kittin. It's hauntingly hypnotic, and the video only adds to the trance.

You can catch Miss Kittin at Lovebox this year!

MUSIC: Kate Boy - The Way We Are

Just released by the amazing Kate Boy! The Way We Are is more aggressive than anything else they've offered up so far, and it's epic! It's chopped synths and heavy drum beat drive the song forward, and vocalist Kate Akhurst owns every single line.

"Just like live wires, we all need plugging in."

You can catch Kate Boy playing in London at Hoxton Bar + Grill, 19th June.

More Kate Boy here + here.

MUSIC: Elizabeth Rose - Again

Something not Drag Race related! Elizabeth Rose is a 22 year old electronic-pop producer from Sydney. She released her debut track, Ready, in 2012 along with an EP. Again was produced with UK-based producer Sinden and you can watch the video above.

Click more to listen to the Crystallise EP:

MUSIC: Detox, Willam + Vicky Vox - Silicone

They're back. The threesome made of RuPaul Drag Race Queens Willam and Detox join Vicky Vox (Who's due to be on season 6 btw) have taken on ICONIC song Dancing On My Own by Robyn, and created a heartfelt ballad about being pumped up with silicone. Girls....

"This is not FDA Approved"

MUSIC: Two Dudes In Love: Schizophrenic ft. Jinkx Monsoon

Two Dudes In Love are Matt dos Santos and David Sternesky, a DJ, remix and production collaboration based in San Francisco. Their style is a combination of classic and deep house, techno and more. They have featured podcasts on Gays Hate Techno, and Electronic Music Bears to name a couple. For Schizophrenic they have collaborated with Drag Race finalist Jinkx Monsoon who adds a monologue to the track in the character of Little Edie, before they take us on a sexy techno journey.

"Jinkx delivers a spoken-word monologue in the character of Little Edie, whom Drag Race viewers will remember from the Snatch Game episode. But instead of campy humor, Jinkx’s performance in “Schizophrenic” highlights Edie’s fiery defence of her integrity, as well as her anguish at being misunderstood and ridiculed. 

This expressive monologue is set to Two Dudes in Love’s most ambitious musical effort to date. “Schizophrenic” beings with mournful chords and a sombre bassline before morphing into a raging, acidic techno banger, dramatically emphasizing the range of emotions in Jinkx’s performance."

Artwork by: transientomes.tumblr.com

More Jinkx Monsoon: Web / Twitter / Facebook

More Two Dudes In Love: Twitter / Facebook / Soundcloud

GAY: RuPaul Crowns a WINNER

Last night saw the final of Season 5 of RuPaul's Drag Race. Alaska, Jinkx Monsoon and Roxxxy Andrews were the final 3. GIRL the Reunion/Crowning episode was hilarious, and saw chats with all of this season's girls, as well as some added extras.

Click below to see who Ru crowned America's Next Drag Superstar!

LGBT: RuPaul talks LGBT Rights

Watch RuPaul discuss his views on LGBT rights with The New York Times. He mentions how the 'pendulum always swings' and that the positive momentum within the LGBT community in recent years could turn again - something which I disagree with. Besides that point, it's a great interview, and he comes across really thoughtful and well-spoken. 

MUSIC: MS MR - Hurricane (CHVRCHES Remix)

  

The amazing MS MR have handed over their hit Hurricane to CHVRCHES to remix - and the result is insane. SO pop, so 80s, SO summery. Get it ON! What's even better, is music Goddess Annie Mac has made the track a free download as part of her Free Music Mondays! GO FORTH!

You can catch MS MR on the Sunday of Lovebox festival this year!

MUSIC: Iggy Azalea - Bounce

New Iggy Azalea! Bitch is looking HOT in new video for Bounce. Filmed in India, it includes an elephant ride, fierce dancing and a nod to the Hindu Holi festival with paint fights!

FASHION - He Got Game

Some nice shots taken from the May 2013 issue of Attitude. 

Styling by Elauan Lee / Photography by Jeff Hahn

Click for more:

MUSIC: Emeli Sandé - Crazy In Love

I know I'm a few days late on posting this, but I'm going to do it anyway. 

The ever-in-the-shadows (!!!) Emeli Sandé has a recorded a really interesting cover of B's Crazy In Love for the upcoming film The Great Gatsby. By really interesting, I mean really quite amazing. Well done Em. 

It's looking like Gatsby is going to have one of the best film soundtracks in a long while (minus Beyonce's cover of Amy Winehouse's Back To Black). It will feature Florence + The Machine, The xx, Lana Del Rey, Sia, Emeli Sandé, Beyoncé, and more. Full tracklist below.

So, well done Jay Z (executive music producer)

MUSIC: Twigs - How's That

THIS is some intense shit right here. Not much is known about Twigs yet, except that she's London-based and releasing some crazy insane tracks and visuals. They're hauntingly beautiful, and capture you from the first few seconds. Think (Goddess) Bjork, and hints of Grimes... Take the time to watch the full videos too.

Tumblr | Bandcamp

Watch the four videos from her EP below:

ART: Happy Birthday Keith Haring!

The incredible Keith Haring would've been 55 today. Head over to Buzzfeed for 14 Times Keith Haring Was Cooler Than You'll Ever Be.

MUSIC: House of Shade - BANJEE BOY REALNESS

House of Shade have dropped this promomix over on their soundcloud in prep for Banjee Boy Realness, taking place at Dalston Superstore Friday 24th May. It was mixed in Berlin on May 1st using only vinyl. Click below for full tracklist.

HAPPY FRIDAY.

MEDIA: Miley Cyrus x Mario Testino for V Magazine

At first look, I really wasn't feeling these covers. This morning however and with a fresh look I absolutely love them. Miley is giving us a dark, sharp and a much more edgy look. Work it girl!

Click for more + a behind the scenes video. Some may be NSFW: