Dissecting Creativity: Pharrell Williams

I always believe that one of the hardest traits to keep a hold of is to remain relevant. Pharrell Williams is someone that manages to diversify himself and his work to such extremes but always uphold the highest level of integrity, creativity and yes, relevancy. Therefore he is always someone who's words should be listened to and has much to offer.



Blame HypeBeast TV for the awful audio.

How To Make It In America Music Video: Luis Guzman By Duck Sauce

This is BRILLIANT: Presented above is a witty revision of Duck Sauce’s hit track “Barbra Streisand” in anticipation of How To Make It In America’s second season this October. The music video is reworked and highlights Luis Guzman, the Puerto Rican actor who stars as Rene Calderon. Sharing the limelight with some infamous companions including Terry Richardson, Pharrell, Kid Cudi, Mark Wahlberg, Guzman takes us around the diverse and notorious neighborhood of New York’s Lower East Side. Hypebeast. How random is Asher Roth and Justin Bieber (probably the source of 75% of views) though?

Palladium Boots: Tokyo Rising W/ Pharrell Williams [Full]

You've seen the trailer, now it's time for the full documentary. Walk with Pharrell Williams as he talks to some of Toyko's most influential and innovative creatives as he discovers their reaction the earthquake that triggered the Fukushima Nuclear Powerplant disaster, 3-11 as they call it. Whether it be a protest, graffiti or just the general notion that this is an opportunity to start a fresh for the country, each creative has belief that Japanese people's resilience can over come this. This videos also approach the importance of Japanese creating their own culture, how it originated from copying Western society, but they got it wrong and when over the top, creating their own vision of society. It is an inspiring watch as people are keen to talk about the devistating effects 3-11 had on themselves, their community and their country, but they are more keen to speak about how they will overcome it and benefit. Watch:

Palladium Presents: Tokyo Rising W/ Pharrell Williams [Trailer]

Japan as a whole is a country that has always intrigued me. It is a country that is so rich in tradition and history, yet is on the very forefront of innovation. Japan is constantly saluted for it's steps forward in fashion, technology and art.

It's always interesting and often inspiring to see how a country reacts to a disaster. Japan and Toyko recently experienced their own disaster of literally nuclear proportions. Palladium, along with a certain Pharrell Williams, goes and investigates: While persistent challenges still lay ahead, the city’s creative class is hell-bent on making sure that their hometown thrives. Innovative and resilient, they are defining the future of Tokyo on their own terms. We put our boots on and went exploring.

Full documentary drops 1st September.

Icons At Work: Jay-Z & Kanye West.

I have long held the belief that the term 'icon' is quickly becoming retired. For me, at icon has to have an awe about them, a certainly Godliness that can't be touched. It's easy to reel off icons that had this, Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, I could go on. Those that become most iconic are often that those pass before their time, see the above list.

So with today's media intrusion, celebrity-obsessed culture and the likes of Twitter, are there still these untouchable icons?

It's difficult to think of any icons that are still with us. Nelson Mandela? Prince? David Beckham even? I think icons will now be made in their retirement, looking back on a life or body or work is the only real will to get an uninhibited view of the person. When the hype has died, the marketing teams have moved on, and you see what they did, how they changed the world, is when you can truly say you witnessed an icon.

Now to contradict myself and perhaps speak prematurely, I think that Jay Z and Kanye West will become icons, if they are not already. They have the talent, they have that certain Godly status about them (Kanye certainly believes he does anyways) and they have changed society and their industry, Jay-Z definitely so. So this collection of photos gives a rare insight into their world, into their process of creating their collaboration album, Watch The Throne. Who knows, it could be one of the most iconic albums of our time.

Music Monday 8.

In a week that has been filled with the last dregs of revision that I will ever have to do, it has been nice to be filled with A LOT of new and exciting music. New music has been creeping out of every side alley this week, therefore it's a HUGE update for you luck people this week.

Dallas Green - Nashville Skyline



Written solely for the finale of One Tree Hill, Dallas got together with friends Mark Schwahn, Matthew Ryan, Michael Grubbs and Courtney Jaye to produce this lovely track. Being his first new track since the release of Bring Me Love, it is unclear whether there is a new album on the horizon or if this track will feature on it. So instead of wondering, just have a listen and enjoy.

Caspa - Back For The First Time



After finding the DnB song of the summer in the shape of Medicin, the dubstep song of the summer has to be Caspa. This song does everything you want for a summer anthem. It's subtle rave beats work wonderful with the dub that is not too in your face but you have feel that it's there.

Kayne West - Power



Kayne is back. In a big way. I'm not saying that this is the best work that he's ever produced, yet this song is bound to be huge.


Uffie ft Pharrell Williams - Add Suv (Arman van Helden remix)



Another fantastic song for the summer. Pharrell and Uffie work so well together on this track and van Helden finishes it off just nicely. The tempo, beats and lyrics all fit in so nicely together that it simply becomes a huge tune, there is no other way of putting it.

Eminem - Not Afraid



Eminem is so hot and cold for me. When he produces tracks to the tune of Lose Yourself and Beautiful, you have to sit back and give him credit for incredible pieces of rap music. When you listen to Without Me you have to question his motives. Not Afraid is Marshall back to his best.


Arcade Fire - The Suburbs/Month Of May





After a long absence, Arcade Fire have treated us to a double bill of new tracks, The Suburbs and Month Of May. The Suburbs has to be my favourite of the two, but these guys are very much back and still producing some very special music.

Dan Black ft Kid Cudi



With a sample of Rihanna, this track combines the talent of these two men to great effect. Yet another colab for Cudi, stretching himself in every music direction to great success and admiration. When coupled with the video in the style of a film's opening credits, this is a great track.