Azealia Banks: 1991

Azealia Banks continues to tread the ever so thin line between confidence and douchbaggery. But while she tip toes the tightrope, she has managed to create an brilliant new videos. As she fully channels 90s pop videos, plays around with magnifying glasses and weird chairs, there's no doubt that Azealia does what she does best, struts, pouts and spits.

The Playlist: Slum Village / Kendrick Lamar / Man Like Me / Azealia Banks / Flight Facilities

Slum Village – God Sent / Hunger



Kendrick Lamar ft Dr Dre - The Recipe



Man Like Me - Squeeze



Azealia Banks - Jumanji



Flight Facilities - With You feat. Grovesnor

The Playlist: Summer Heart / Theophilus London / Azealia Banks / Bon Iver

Summer Heart - I Wanna Go



Theophilus London - Big Spender Ft Asap Rocky



Azealia Banks - Hood Bitch



Bon Iver - Holocene (BA$SY Remix)

BBC Sound of 2011 Review.

Each year the holy BBC puts together a list of their music predictions for the upcoming year. This list is based on a range of musical knowing people from critics, broadcasters, reviewers and other people with ears. Past results have suggested that the predictions are pretty spot on as Adele, Ellie Goulding and Keane are all previous winners (even if Jessie J did win it last year).

This year I can say that I am thoroughly impressed and pleased with the top three results this year; Azealia Banks, Frank Ocean and winner Michael Kiwanuka.

3. Azealia Banks



Azealia Banks blew up and she blew up with one song, 212. As soon as I heard the song I loved it and everything about. Rhyming obscenities whilst wearing a Mickey Mouse jumper is quite a way to get attention. Team that up with a great beat (that she stole from Lady Jay - Lady Jay was not happy about this), some chicken dancing and a whole lot of attitude and you've got a hell of a tune. With other songs, such as Liquorice and team up with the Scissor Sisters, she's proving that she is definitely not a one hit wonder. If she stays true to her roots, there could be one hell of an album here.


2. Frank Ocean



Now people have big first years, and then people have a year like Frank Ocean. His group, Odd Future, exploded onto the scene in a big old ball of hype and some individuals of the group, most notably Tyler The Creator and Frank Ocean showed the world their solo work. Not only did Frank have one of the most critically acclaimed albums, Nostalgia Ultra, of the year that he gave away for free, he featured on possibly one of the biggest albums of the year, Watch The Throne. You know, the one with Kanye West and Jay-Z. Yeah, that one. Imagine getting that call.

Despite this year, he still comes across as humble and intelligent, and this is reflected in his song writing. He, along with The Weeknd, made me like R&B. Yep. The guy not only writes great lyrics, but also produces great beats and puts together some amazing videos, namely in the form of Novacane and Swim Good. A serious, serious talent.

Michael Kiwanuka



The first time I heard Michael Kiwanuka was on Jools Holland and was instantly taken by his voice. Admittedly, I've listen to his less than the others but I still love his voice. It's smooth, soulful and he clearly knows his way around a guitar. Like Ocean, he comes across as humble and hardworking, and also like Ocean, he has received a phone call from Jay-Z. It looks like Hov still knows his talent. Not only from his say-so, but also from Michael's music you can tell that there is a variety of influences in, which makes it all the more interesting to listen to that a standard singer-songwriter. It should make the album a interesting and complete listen, can't wait.

The Playlist: The XX / The Weeknd / The Maccabees / Scissor Sisters

The XX - Open Eyes



The Weeknd - D.D



The Maccabees - Feel To Follow



Scissor Sisters ft Azealia Banks - Shady Love

Music Monday 68.

Azealia Banks - 212
I'm obsessed with this track. I don't know whether it's the beat, the flithy lyrics, Azealia's attitude, the dancing or just the combination of all that with a Micky Mouse jumper. It's probably the latter. This girl could be some talent, get obsessed.
Alex Clare - Trending Water
I think I've already labeled Alex Clare as the male Katy B. The man's got a great sounding voice, some solid writing skills and then the ability to wrap all that around a dance beat. Despite being a real talent, he's got that sound that will reach the masses, again you need to pay this guy some attention.
Wu Lyf - We Bros
Wu Lyf are certainly something a bit different, I'd even go as far to say a little odd, but by no means is that a bad thing. Something different in the music industry is a rare, rare thing these days. But saying that, this is the most 'pop' sounding song I've heard from the band.
Kele - What Did I Do? (ft Lucy Taylor)
Kele Okereke is continuing his path from Bloc Party to great success. The guy is clearly some talent, producing sounds on his own accord that is arguably as strong as some of BP's songs. While the song does take a step towards some of those generic dub-step beats that are heard all too often these days, the song really does hold it's own. By the way, does Kele look ever so slightly like Omar from The Wire now?
Childish Gambino - Bonfire
Speaking of a man with some talent in his back pocket, it's blogger's favourite actor turned rapper, Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino. His latest song Bonfire (apologies for the poor quality video) contains a solid beat as ever and is clogged filled of disses, rhythms and word-play that rivals most rappers and gives the crowd PLENTY to scream about.