MUSIC: Pink ft Lily Allen - True Love (Video)

Due to be released next week, Pink's latest video has leaked online! Taken from The Truth About Love, True Love is the fourth single from Alecia Moore's sixth album. 

The video features the beautiful Carey Hart as well as baby Willow (ADORABLE!) and a quick piece from Lily! 

EVENTS: London Pride

Happy Pride!

Today is London LGBT Community Pride! With various events happening all around the capital  enjoy yourself, stay safe and most importantly STAY PROUD.

Love x

MUSIC: Loreen - My Heart Is Refusing Me

LoQueen's just released this exceptionally moody video for (my personal favourite from Heal), My Heart Is Refusing Me. 

She obviously looks incredible and sounds incredible and is just all round incredible. Hi5 for Queen Loreen.

(I'll be needing a UK tour date before the Autumn though)

LGBT: YouTube Support LGBT Pride

As Pride celebrations commence around the world over the next couple of months, YouTube have created this moving video to commemorate. #ProudToLove

The video follows the monumental overturning of DOMA in the United States this week! Well done Supreme Court! (Defence of Marriage Act).

Stay proud. 

MUSIC: M.I.A - Bring The Noize

New M.I.A! Bring The Noize is the first single to be taken from Matangi, due out this autumn. I'm feeling real Die Antwoord vibes from her on this one - which is good!

MUSIC: RÜFÜS - Desert Night

YES. 

In just two years, RÜFÜS have made a name for themselves on the Australian dance music scene. With remixes and original tracks for Kitsuné to a headlining tour, they've started off with a bang. 

They release their debut album ATLAS in August, and Desert Night is the second single. The track is A-MAZING and so is the video. Those dance moves have got to be replicated sometime soon. Sadly the track is only available in Australia at the moment - and it looks like their second focus is the US, so for people in Europe/UK, we just gotta deal with the Soundcloud streams for now (below).

Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter

Click more to watch another amazing video (100% worth watching) for their first single from ATLAS, Take Me:

MUSIC: Poisonous Relationship - Men's Feelings (The Black Madonna Mixed Feelings Remix)

Happy Saturday! Give this new Poisonous Relationship remix by Chicago's The Black Madonna a try. It pumps up the pace of the already stellar original track and teeters on the edge of huge arena-style house but just manages to keep it in check - it's incredible.

Watch Men's Feeling video here. 

Buy Garden of Problems Remixes here, out June 18th.

MUSIC: Lulu James - Step By Step

This is special. Prepare to hear this all summer long - and I'm expecting some killer remixes. Tagged as '21st Century Soul', this is a perfect follow up to Lulu's debut single Closer from earlier this year. It builds into a wonderfully icy house track in the last two minutes. Give it a listen above!

You can see Lulu James at Lovebox Festival this July!

MUSIC: Robyn - U Should Know Better (Video)

YEY! It's Robyn's newest single featuring Snoop Lion Dogg! The video features a young boy version of Robyn and an apparent female Snoop Dogg, and pays homage to a lot of her older videos and dance moves. I'll be honest, I don't really know what's going on in there. But be careful you don't blink, or you'll miss Robyn's appearance at 2:20 serving some 80s realness. 

Note that the song is taken from Body Talk Part 2 that was actually released in 2010 (!!!!). The fact that she had Snoop feature in such a large way just proves how ahead she is. AND it still sounds FRESH.

MUSIC: Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

Here it is! After teasing it for weeks, Miley's new video has been released. It's exceptionally try-hard, featuring every current type of 'don't care, won't care' attitude stereotype. It's basically a Saturday night after party on film - minus the drugs...

But I strangely love it. Plus she looks incredible throughout. Go to VEVO to watch!

EVENTS: Kate Boy @ Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

Wednesday 19th June 

Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

Doors: 8pm

Event

MUSIC: Ciara - Overdose / Livin' It Up / Read My Lips

It's as if Ciara's management are purposely out to ruin her career. Her upcoming self-titled album due for release July 7th, has partially leaked - due to some tracks being made available on her own website! I love Ciara, her past two albums may not have impacted any sort of charts, but they slayed me! I am certainly looking forward to hearing the full album!

Click more to listen to tracks!

FASHION: LCM - Richard Nicoll

Personal highlight so far from London Collections: Men - Richard Nicoll

See more HERE.

MUSIC: Garçon Garçon - Instant Attraction

New Garçon Garçon! The Australian duo have just released new track Instant Attraction following on from their debut EP release in 2012. The single was released on iTunes today!

I've followed these guys since before their first release, and was lucky enough to design the t-shirt that is currently sold on their website. Go and show the boys some love!

Single cover design by DG (x) DESIGN

FASHION: ASOS Black x Puma - Out Now

Head over to ASOS now to get pieces from the 2nd collab between ASOS Black and Puma.

ASOS

MUSIC: Robyn ft Snoop Dogg - U Should Know Better

When we all thought the #BodyTalk era was over, Robyn pulls this one out of the bag. From what seems like out of nowhere, she's been tweeting with the hashtag #UShouldKnowBetter, and quoting various lines from the song from Body Talk. Now it seems there's a video being teased for the 'single'. 

Who the fuck knows! Follow Robyn on Twitter and Vine to be a part of it!

*This doesn't excuse a huge delay for the next album

MEDIA: Miley Cyrus for Billboard

Miley looking incredible for Billboard. 

After We Can't Stop, I'm excited to see what her new album sounds like. 

MUSIC: Bright Light Bright Light - Moves / This Is Me Without You

New video from babe Rod Thomas aka Bright Light Bright Light. Moves is the final single taken from the album Make Me Believe In Hope and the video is very beautifully shot, directed by Paul Frankl.  

www.brightlightx2.com

Click more to listen to This Is Me Without You, a brand new track featured on the Moves EP:

MUSIC: Le1f - Spa Day

I'm really late to the game on this one, but check out Le1f's new video for his track Spa Day taken from the Fly Zone mixtape.

Listen below:

LGBT/ART: The Fortune Teller, 50 Yrs of Faggotry in 5 Mins [By Leo Herrera]

This powerful video by gay artist and activist Leo Herrera is a powerful five minutes, looking at various aspects in the history of queer culture spanning more than 50 years. Using footage and imagery of iconic milestones, Herrera has created something amazing, including celebration of modern queer culture, pain and suffering, and the stigma that still plagues the LGBT community. 

It's definitely one to watch, and I think regardless of your age, being LGBT is incredibly important, and you should know your history.

The artist's statement:

“This film was created through that prism with the hopes that every gay man can find something to identify with. The Fortune Teller does not attempt to be an all-encompassing history; the clips in the Fortune Teller were curated based on icons and moments that personally defined me as a gay man. Mexican singer Juan Gabriel was the first gay person I identified with as a child, I’ve sat many nights laughing at Kid Fury’s preacher-like passion and razor wit, I still remember the first time I saw the androgynous Karis perform in the Scissor Sister’s Filthy/Gorgeous video and thought “I can be that?!” or the moment Hedwig sang Wicked Little Town and reminded me of the unrequited love of high school. My work in HIV Criminalization has made me see how deeply ingrained the stigma of HIV is within our community and my wild nights in San Francisco’s nightlife has shown me that a party can be a cathartic communal experience..”

You can get a breakdown of all the footage used in the video here. And more about Leo here.

MUSIC: Kanye West - Yeezus

Yeezus has arrived. The album leaked online earlier today - and I have to say, it's a killer. A quick tumblr search can give you pretty much a full listen. Be quick, Kanye's team will have that shit removed before you can say Kim Kardashian's a wh...

MEN: Pavel Petel - CHANEL

CHANEL. PAVEL PETEL. CHANEL.

Happy Friday

MUSIC: AB SOTO - Huntress Video

GIRL, SHE HAS LANDED. 

AB SOTO dropped his new video for my FAVE song from Fag Out Vol 2 today - Huntress. The video is as fierce and fabulous as you would expect, so press play and get it down.

There is also European dates to be announced soon - I'll keep you posted!

Click for more AB

FILM: Diana

Check the first official teaser trailer for upcoming film Diana. Naomi Watts will play the role of Diana Princess of Wales - and has recently described the role as her hardest yet. 

The film is directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, and will be released late 2013.

MUSIC: Simian Mobile Disco ft Bicep - Sacrifice

I'm a couple of weeks late posting this one, but it still needs doing. Collaboration track Sacrifice between Simian Mobile Disco and Bicep is incredible. The visual to go with it is also equally incredible as is true with every SMD video.

Visuals by Hans Lo: www.hanslo.com

You can catch Bicep playing at Lovebox next month.

TECH: iOS7

Apple unveiled iOS7 today at the WWDC in San Francisco. FUCK.

There has been an entire overhaul of the system, a simplified 'flattened' look, and also layers. Basically, it's incredible and exactly what Apple needed to bring themselves back on top. 

Read more here. iOS7 will be available in the Autumn. 

As for the OS updates, the next generation will be named OS X Mavericks. Also available in the autumn. Read more here.

And let's not forget an honourable mention for Jony Ive - the beaut that has designed these (hardware and software)

MUSIC: Stereogamous - 'Mix for JOHNs + Their Admirers'

major homosexualists
music lovers
serial huggers
great listeners
super gay djs

GIRL. It's Saturday, get on it. This mix is HOT. Get it on LOUD. (tagged MANTHEM)

JOHN is a dance cult for folk who worship men. We are your homo jock residents. Expect penetrative bottom end and a lactose & trance free serving of future. Sounds to get you in the mood for a back-room encounter.

FASHION/LGBT: Nike #BeTrue Free Run 5.0

Nike will be releasing two new colourways into their increasingly popular Free Run 5.0 range - emblazoned with colours of the rainbow, a homage to the LGBT Freedom Flag. As part of the new #BeTrue range, there will also be tshirts, vests and phone covers. 

All profits from the #BeTrue range will go to the LGBT Sports Coalition, which has set the goal to end anti-LGBT discrimination in sports by 2016. 

Read more here.  (Sadly these are only available in the US at the minute)

LGBT: ALL OUT

All Out is an independent movement that relies on support from its members and supporters to grow and thrive.

All Out are an amazing organisation who fight for equal rights for LGBT people all around the world. They highlight severely important issues, both in the UK and US, to countries worldwide where the human rights and health & safety of members of the community are at risk. 

ADDING PEOPLE POWER TO THE HISTORIC FIGHT FOR LGBT EQUALITY

It literally is as simple as signing a petition to get an App removed from App/Android Store, or donating just £5 for some causes. FIVE pounds - that's less than you will spend on your lunch from Pret or Leon or Nandos this week. 

It is such an incredible organisation, and it can only continue if we all help. Sign up, share with your friends, family and colleagues, and help to make a change.

Be a part of the 1.6+ million people who have taken action.

Stop Nigeria's 'Jail the gays' bill

Apple & Google: No Apps for Gay cures

France: Marriage Equality in Danger

And they keep on coming.

BE  A  PART

MUSIC: Stromae - Papaoutai Video

Video for Stromae's Papaoutai. Once again, he absolutely smashes it. You can read the English translation for the track here. In English the track is called Where Are You Dad - which makes the video that little bit harder hitting and artistically brilliant.

EVENTS: Lovebox Announcement - KELIS

Just announced! Kelis and Lianne La Havas will play on the Sunday of Lovebox, 21st July!

I saw Kelis on the Sunday last year, and although she was 30 mins late, she was fucking incredible - and debuted Distance. I'm hoping we'll have another single out in time following on from Jerk Ribs (a whole album is 1 wish too far).

FILM/MEDIA: Only God Forgives Poster

New poster for upcoming Nicolas Winding Refn - Only God Forgives. I am SO excited to see this, and if it's anything like Drive, it's bound to incredible. 

The above poster features Kristin Scott Thomas, who has been hailed as the winning performance in the film (above Ryan Gosling). Out July 19th. 

HUMOUR: Dancing Queen

Press play for the weirdest 3 minutes of your life. I don't know whether to laugh or cry or clap.

EVENTS/MUSIC: The xx - Fiction (Maya Jane Coles Remix)

Check out this remix of Fiction, by the incredible Maya Jane Coles. Released in the run up to the The xx - Night + Day event, happening 22nd June. 

FUN: Quick'N'Subtle Makeup Tutorial

Girls, just a quick'n'subtle makeup tutorial, perfect for the office, a day out, or even a picnic on a nice day.

I am dying.

MUSIC: House of Wallenberg - Real Woman (ft Neneh Cherry & Ari Up)

New video from House of Wallenberg! Real Woman is the next single to be released from Legends, and is the follow up to the incredible Be Somebody. 

The video is too much fun! There's so much colour, 90s vibes, dancehall beats (also adidas Originals by Jeremy  Scott) with features from a range of 'real women' from Wallenberg's hometown of Stockholm. This is the first time the legendary Neneh Cherry and late Ari Up have appeared on a record together, after being best friends and working together in the 80's.

Neneh Cherry and Petter Wallenberg

Listen to Legends on Spotify / iTunes

MUSIC: Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

FRESH from being premiered with Ryan Seacrest, here is Miley's new single, We Can't Stop.

A much slower 'jam' than a of people were expecting - but it's got a similar sound to Rihanna's Cheers (Drink To That). After a few listens, it's bound to be a grower.

MEN: Marlon, Anthony & David for FHM Collections China

Click for more:

MUSIC: Pet Shop Boys - Vocal

YES! This is perfect! Six minutes of wonderful electronic bliss! 

Anything I want to be said out loud will be sung

It's in the music

It's in the song

Everyone I hoped would be around, has come along

For the music

Following up from the first single Axis from new album Electric, Vocal is a HUGE track and has the possibility to be a big commercial success for them. The album is released July 15th.

Buy it now | Pre-Order Electric 

MUSIC: Icona Pop - Girlfriend

New from Icona Pop! Girlfriend is loud, upbeat and just pure fun. The track samples Tupac's Me & My Girlfriend, and if it catches on in the UK, could potentially be a massive summer hit!

Contact hotOctopus!

You can now contact hotOctopus through the contact portal at the bottom of the blog!

MUSIC: Beyonce - Standing On The Sun Live

After what seems like a lifetime since the H&M advert featuring less than one minute of this song was released, B has finally performed Standing On The Sun as part of the Mrs Carter World Tour. It's not the highest quality, but it'll have to do for now as it seems Team B are still keeping quiet about pretty much everything from the new album. 

There were rumours this week that the follow up to 4 will be released in November.

Beyoncé was back in the UK today to perform at the Chime for Change concert in London - featuring Madonna, Ellie Goulding, Florence + The Machine and more.

Click below to watch her perform Grown Woman: