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When Killer Mike took the stage last week at the Bonnaroo music festival, he spotted amid the crowd a white woman rapping along to his lyrics, shaking her body and contorting her face to the beat. The Atlanta rapper has his share of white, female fans, but he quickly realized this woman was different: Holly Maniatty wasn’t, in fact, a fan, but a sign language interpreter. Intrigued by her work, the rapper jumped down from the stage to the raised platform Maniatty shared with a colleague and started dancing with them. Curious just how far he could push his interpreter, he rapped every dirty word he could think of on the spot, picking up the speed of his flow to see if Maniatty could keep pace.

“You know—and everyone in the world knows—that's what you want to see,” Killer Mike told me over the phone. “You know when you're watching church on Sunday morning [on television] and that little lady is in the left corner of the screen signing? And you really wish you could just say something to get her to be like, ‘Woah, there is a sign for “motherfucker” ’?”

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Song of the Week - June 9, 2013

As with the previous post, one of Sneaky Zebra's recent MCM Expo London ComicCon videos featuring a song by the same artist brought my attention to this.  A great funky up-tempo song, LA-based Can't Stop Won't Stop's latest single Scrape the Sky comes off their newest album Wildebeest which can be downloaded from itunes or your other favourite online music portal (Spotify, Amazon).

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wildebeest/id657781543

This single can also be downloaded for free, if you tweet the video or post it to your facebook wall via the website: paywithatweet.com.

https://www.paywithatweet.com/pay/?id=ab27fa91909fca758deb641d2e8a67d2

Check out this great up and coming group!

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Exhausted from being in the streets since Friday. 

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Song of the week - May 28, 2013

So I was at the MCM Expo Comic Con in London on the sunny bank holiday weekend.  I've never been to one of these events, and was amazed at the cosplay costumes people were wearing there.  Anyways, to follow this theme, check out the song by the LA based duo, Can't Stop Won't Stop and their song Up & Away (Featuring June) and its use in this London super comic-con music video created by SneakyZebra (youtube.com/user/sneakyzebra).

The Joker popping? definitely a winner there.

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Song of the Week - May 21, 2013

On their new album released this week, Daft punk has a song named after Giorgio Moroder ( a great song by the way ).  The accomplished 73 year old producer/performer from Italy not only collaborates with other musicians, but has now scored a track for one of Google's experimental projects.  Named Racer (http://www.chrome.com/racer), the web based racing game can be played across various phone or tablet platforms.  As you play, Giorgio's Racer track, changes. 

As the website says "Racer's music is dynamic. You'll hear new layers as new players join the game.  And the soundtrack adjusts as you accelerate, crash, collide, slide off the track."

Check out the track Giorgio produced for the Google project below.

I don't know about the game itself, but the music is great.  Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" and the single "Giorgio by Moroder" is amazing as well.

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The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (沖縄美ら海水族館) aquarium is among the many attractions at Ocean Expo Park.  Highlights of the aquarium include its own coral reef bed habitat, and its amazing sea tanks. 

The main tank called the "Kuroshio Sea" holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world's second largest acrylic glass panel. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank.

Video credits: jonrawlinson.com

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Song of the week - May 12, 2013

Haven't added anything in a while, but this song has been on my playlist for a while.  I don't even remember how I found this song, probably something recommended on either Spotify or Music Unlimited (I use both, but more of the latter because I have a subscription).  The song has that 80's type syntho-pop feel that many artists are going back to and at times fail, but this works.

Single was available to download in the fall of 2012, but only officially released in the UK on Apr 14, 2013.  There are many publications that have praised this single, in fact naming it one of the best in 2012, so I'm somewhat surprised it hasn't gained as much attention it deserves.

There doesn't seem like there are any plans for Sky to play in the UK anytime soon, but can totally see her playing at some London festival soon.  Keep an eye out for her.

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In 2005, author David Foster Wallace was asked to give the commencement address to the 2005 graduating class of Kenyon College. However, the resulting speech didn't become widely known until 3 years later, after his tragic death. It is, without a doubt, some of the best life advice we've ever come across, and perhaps the most simple and elegant explanation of the real value of education. We made this video, built around an abridged version of the original audio recording, with the hopes that the core message of the speech could reach a wider audience who might not have otherwise been interested. However, we encourage everyone to seek out the full speech (because, in this case, the book is definitely better than the movie). -The Glossary Listen to the full speech here: http://www.brainpickings.org/index.ph...

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Ingeniously Thought Print Campaign Using Airport IATA Codes

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QUIDDITCH?!....We talkn bout Quidditch?

Yes, the game that JK Rowling invented for her gazillion dollar book franchise, is being played all around the world though it seems the game is most prominent on American college grounds, where the "muggle"-version of the game was first created (According to the documentary below, it was started by Middlebury College in Vermont).

Now before I continue, I've heard rumblings of this game being played before in newspaper snippets, but had thought that it was some short lived fad, played by Harry Potter fanatics on a sunny weekend.  You know like california kick ball and fixie polo (though I've been told both are still going strong).  How entertaining can a game be, based on a childrens fantasy novel where players fly on brooms and catch a flying golden ball.

Well after watching the documentary below, plenty it seems.  Not only is Quidditch well organized, its a physical contact sport that requires football like strategy and tactics, no joke!

Two highlights for me that jump out from this documentary:

-The human Snitch.

The human snitich is like the third team in the match, escaping capture.  I find it really great that they themselves are a team, one that trains and strategize tactics together.  The fact they are expected to be arrogant, play to the crowd and trash talk is great as well (seriously the snitch cycling on the pitch, classic).  Its also interesting to note the snitch never wins, when the snitch is captured the game ends.

-Team America's Finest and Revenge of the Nerds.

The filmmaker(s) portrayed American's finest as bumbling jocks on a team created to crush bookworms, and it proved to be a great comedic storyline, giving way to the point that pure physical dominance and over agression will not win you championships in Quidditch. 

Nice MLB-inspired logo.

The documentary above was filmed in 2010, since then, the IQA (the parent organization that organized the tournament) has hosted a international world cup held in Oxford England.   A world cup has been held every year since 2007. 

So next time you're walking around your neighbourhood park, don't be surprised to see random adults riding around on brooms calling out plays more reserved for a game like american football.  I'm hoping to see one among the ultimate frisbee, football and cricket games that occur every weekend in my local park. 

In the meantime anyone want to play California Kick Ball?

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Song of the Week - Apr 16, 2013

If you like indie folk or want something to relax over a book check out Sam Beam of Iron and Wine's new album Ghost on Ghost released this week.

He will also play in London over at the amazing Barbican Centre for two nights in May. 

Unfortunately one of the nights already sold out, so if you want to check out a great act, pick up a ticket soon.

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=14672

May 28 & 31.  19:30 Tickets £18-23.

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An undated classroom photo of Martin Richard, the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombings, shows him holding up a handwritten sign that reads “No more hurting people.  Peace.”  The photo was posted to Facebook by a friend of Martin’s teacher.  He did not survive; his mother and sister were injured in the blasts.  (Via Twitter.com/jaketapper)

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Song of the Week - Apr 9, 2013

I've discovered these guys while attending the Rhythm of the World Festival in Hitchin in 2012, and for sure was one of the highlights.  You may recognize the lead singer, yes she was in the Harry Potter movies, and yes she's in Game of Thrones.  Self-described as "Gyp-Step", the fun, fast-paced music is infectious and perfect for summer gatherings.

Molotov Jukebox are a six-piece, genre dodging, leviathan of an experience, poised to take the world by storm. Incorporating trumpet, accordion, violin and the sultry tones of lead singer Natalia Tena over the most concrete and inventive rhythm section since Buddy Rich and James Brown had an illicit love child, this is a band born out of love; love of each other, love of music and a love of making whole roomfulls of people dance til they fall over (or fall in love). Causing a riot from the UK festivals all the way to Brazil (their most recent tour destination), here is a band with almost universal appeal. Innovatively blending such diverse style's as gypsy, samba, ska, dubstep, swing and anything else you care to mention, all in their own inimitable style, the unique sound of this band has been christened "Gyp-Step" and is guaranteed to make everybody dance.

-via molotov-jukebox.co.uk

Check out this chat-roulette infused music video. 

They will be playing a one-off show in London, before heading out to the festival circuit in the UK and Europe.

May 22nd Madame Jojo's 8-10 Brewer St, London, W1F 0SE

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Song of the Week - Apr 1, 2013

The sisters new album is much more 80's sounding than their previous work.  The track below is a great track and will probably be one of the singles released in the near future.

Had the opportunity to go to one of their shows about a month ago here in Cambridge, playing in a smaller venue.  The highlight of their shows is the random banter that occurs throughout the show in between songs and at times during.

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Song of the Week - Mar 26, 2013

By now you've probably heard of BΔSTILLE, primarily their much played single Pompeii.  Personally I think their other single bad blood, of the same name as their Album is more enjoyable.

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Song of the Week - March 19, 2013

Jessie Ware is like the older more soulful sister of Jessie J.  More known for her other singles "Wildest Moments" and "Running", I like this little gem.

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[Pain is Temporary]. Eric Thomas - The Hip Hop Preacher will be in the UK in April

Man this guy motivates!  Eric Thomas aka "the hiphop preacher" aka "E.T."  has been gaining steam and a strong following after posting many of his talks on youtube (he continues on a weekly basis).  One of those underdog stories that many love to hear, a high school dropout, homeless, realized he's wasting his potential and works his butt off to succeed.

He was invited by the American Air Force to inspire and motivate.  Many American professional and college sports teams have asked for his services.  His style is different, and may appeals to a younger generation, but his overall message is the same.  Below is a short clip of a speech he gave to some university students.  The full speech follows this.

  "TGIM" - Thank Gawd its Moonnnnday!!! is his catch phrase.  A play on the TGIF tagline, the idea is that you should be looking forward to Monday as its the start of the week where you can begin to strive towards you goal.  A little bit more about the guy...

Renowned speaker, educator, author, activist and minister, Eric Thomas is rising to National prominence by delivering high energy messages that encourage people to live up to their full potential by breaking the cycles of crime, hopelessness and despair that many face daily. Known for his engagingly personal approach, his messages are both dynamic and inspiring. Formerly a high school dropout, he obtained his Masters degree in 2005 and is presently pursuing his PhD in Education Administration at Michigan State University. While consulting at Michigan State, he developed The Advantage Program, an undergraduate retention program targeting academically high-risk students of color. Eric’s representation of the merits of higher education, coupled with his knowledge of the pains of life, inspires people of all walks to break bad habits and reach for new levels of personal achievement.

via etinspires.com/about

Here's the beginning to end of the speech from above.

All men are created equal, some work harder in preseason - Emmitt Smith

Eric Thomas will be in the UK for 2 shows on April 27th, 2013 (evening is sold out it appears).  Location is at a secret venue in London.

http://www.incipioacademy.com/events/

Check him out if you have a chance.  Or watch some of his video...TGIM!!!