Quick Review - Kanye West Graduation

Wow, looking back its hard to believe Late Registration dropped in September 2005 as it still sounds fresh. Even harder on the frontal lobe is the fact that The College Dropout was released in April a year prior. It seems Graduation is the Back to the Future Part III of the series. On the LPs opening, Good Morning, Yeezy smartly speaks of being the fly Malcolm X ("by any jeans necessary") and from the off he rhymes of jumping in his Delorean and progressing unlike others who are afraid to experiment, be outspoken and go against the norm.

My favourite track, Champion, soon follows. It’s that uplifting high tempo (yet very short) number to give the LP an early boost. Again in boast mode West informs, "I don't see why I need a stylist when I shop so much I can speak Italian," this short lived instant track to check is soon followed by the perfect lead single. Stronger is kinda massive. He might be known as the Louis Vuitton Don but this is the best example of him as The Sampling Don using Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger to create an instant classic. Definitely worth the 79p I paid for it on iTunes.

Here is a clip of Stronger at the Vodafone TBA gig...


Next up was a track I first heard at the previously mentioned TBA gig, I Wonder. It’s very layered and very deep. The orchestra are all up on this track and you'll be singing the hook for days. This is another example of Ye's humorous lyrical content and the ability to rhyme almost any two words, "How many ladies in the house? How many ladies in the house without a spouse? Cos there's something in your blouse that has got me feeling so AROoooUSED!!!" Quality. The next track, Good Life is 100% yeast extract… love it or hate it. Although, I'm actually in the middle. I love the lyrics ("Welcome to the good life where we like the girls who AIN'T on TV, cos they got more ass than the models," and the drinking champagne while getting brains on a plane line) but I hate T-Pain. Oh, I hate T-Pain boy. So Good Life often gets skipped cos I can't take that overused electronic vocoder shit. Why is he the go to guy at the minute? With Chris Brown being the latest to be hooked up with Tallahassee's finest worst.

After forward is pressed though you’ll reach the quality Can't Tell Me Nothing "Laaaa La La Laa Laaaa, wait till I get my money right," this track is sprinkled with quality lines. Him talking about buying more jewellery and Louie V and not even his mother can stop him and that George Bush incident, “I’m on TV talking like it’s just you and me” not stopping there we’re soon met with one of the deepest lines/ rhymes on Graduation; "You know I already Graduated, you can live through anything if Magic made it." Deep. “Magic” I assume being Earvin Effay Johnson, Jr. aka Magic Johnson who tested positive for HIV in the early 90s.

[As this is being written on the bus I’m slowly running out of time]

Barry Bonds... Not feeling. Even with Lil Wayne – who Kanye and half the world love – is spitting all over it.

Drunken Hot Girls... Kinda feeling it, although no one else is. I don’t know what it is, it’s just catchy. Love the lines, “Stop talking about your boyfriend cos he isn’t me,” and “I don’t want your friends, I just want you.” How true.

Flashing Lights, s’alright. Your mum might like it.

Everything I Am… big. Very conscious content. Not sure about the whiny sample/ singing woven throughout but the piano and scratching are live. “I never rocked a mink coat in the winter time like Killa Cam or rocked some mink boots in the summer like Will.I.Am…” This track feels like a polite fingers-up to the anti-Kanye Patrol and those who have hated on the rapper/ producer, it comes across well. This is another lyrical gem, “People talk so much shit about me in barber shops they forget to get their hair cut.” Nice, just before we hear, “They’re trying to give me the N***er Please award but I’d rather take the I Got a Lotta Cheese award.”

The Glory… waste. Someone please tell me what this track is like as I swear I haven’t heard it the whole way though yet.

Homecoming, is a grower. Didn’t like it at first as Chris Martin sounded like a homeless person… which is quite ironic as he grumpily slurs, “I’m coming home again…” However with each play it gets better and Coldplay’s Fair Trade supporting frontman sounds less afflicted and more soulful. Another well produced track.

Big Brother, complete Jay-Z suckage. Wow, you can taste the suckage on this one. Catchy hook but I guess I’m not really into it that much. I listen to it still. Nice beat/ hook/ vocals but Kanye sounds slightly muffled on it though… I assume he is actually rapping out of Jigga’s behind. I respect the fact that he pays homage to the man who upped his profile, listened to his beats and brought him into the game but… come on…

Good Night, it’s a very good hidden track/ outro and the lyrical content rings true. Listen to it a few times and you’ll find something to relate to.

A very good album with amazing artwork (the best I have seen in a while) but will it beat 50 Cent in the States? And will it stand the test of time? Who knows. Graduation is a strong 4 out of 5 though!!!

[Gotta go, tis my stop!!!]

Quick Review: Superbad

Next Friday, (September 14) sees the release of a film that has taken America by storm. As you may have guessed by the informative title that motion picture is, Columbia Tristar’s Superbad (Cert 15). Following in the comedic footsteps of 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up - sharing the same writers and director - this is the movie that saved our summer. Yeah there’s been quite a few films out in the last few months (we’re not forgetting the likes of Transfomers and such, no way) but a few other so-called “blockbusters”, merely came off like an elongated version of their usual 30 minute outing. So it took three misfit teens to lead the way.

Seth, Evan and Fogell...

This boob punching, obsessive c*ck drawing, time telling, menstrual cycle staining, fake id buying, gun shooting, green beer drinking, VAAASHHGGG pursuing, cop mocking laugh convoy is so funny, you’re laughing half way through the next scene and beyond. A must!!! McLovin for President!!!
5/5

Check the clips…

Kelly Osborne in London

Kelly Osborne in London
Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

Ok so I'm driving in London and guess who I pull up next to? I've given you a small clue in the title...

More Star Wars...

More Star Wars...
Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

I hope this images shows up... Star Wars chess you know!!!

And I'm a Geek (I think not)

And I'm a Geek (I think not)
Originally uploaded by Danny Walker 1.

I'm not gonna name names but this picture EXPOSES someone who claims that they're not a geek. I witnessed (with me own eyes), the BIGGEST box of Star Wars crap ever collected. It ranged from lifesized Star Wars cut outs to miniature Boba Fett dolls... Wow!!!

So you think you’re H-ar-D? (Review of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 HD-DVD player)

Have a gander at our dummies guide to quick and relatively cheap High Definition… words by Danny Walker (Your favourite dummy's favourite dummy)



So everyone's talking about HD and you still don't have a clue, thinking it’s just someone's initials or something. First of all, HD stands for High Definition as opposed to the lesser Standard Definition and it can be applied to gaming, video, television, radio and shopping (believe me, when women shop there is nothing standard about that).

Before you think about buying the add-on for your beloved Xbox 360 (please tell me you have a 360 as the HD-DVD player won’t work on its own), you need to have a TV in the words of Fonejacker “Ready for the Hurd”. This means your visual equipment needs to be able to except the signal sent from the 360. If it doesn’t have a little white sticker on it, you need to get yourself down to Argos (or online as there are quite a few bargains to be had nowadays).

Those currently content with loaning your mum’s 14 inch black and white portable this article isn’t really for you. I suggest you stay in the past and forget about the future… it’s just too big a step for you right now. But those willing to upgrade the easiest way to obtain the next level of luxury is to get yourself a television with a decent output. This means your HD-ready TV needs to have the best contrast, brightness and be the biggest size you can afford.

Once you have a decent TV – try not to go below 17 inches, you could go smaller but you might as well be watching the footage on your phone – you need to hook it up to your 360 and then the HD-DVD player to that.

Thankfully, the HD-DVD add-on works straight out of the box. There is a setup disc that gets your Elite, Premium or Core box ready to play High Definition movies. This adds software or something to the unit as well as an interesting icon where the “play game” symbol is – splitting it into Play HD-DVD or Play Game. After the software is installed there is a simple USB wire that hooks up to the back (or the front) of the unit and you’re ready to go.

In short, the picture quality is three notches above superb - King Kong being my only frame of reference. The sound is pretty strong too. It makes it seem as though the oversized PG Tips Primate is in your living room. The image is never blurry or rushed like some standard DVDs and action sequences are a joy to watch. You can use the (supplied) remote to navigate just like a normal DVD too, which allows just anyone to be the master of their own front room.

The only downside though is, A – it’s not integrated and B – Not all film company’s are supporting the format, choosing to go with Sony’s Blu-ray. Those who are onboard are really going for it though, re-releasing some very popular titles (did I hear someone say Top Gun). Some films also come on a combo disc, which is pure genius. On one side will be HD content and the other a regular DVD – which can be played in all standard players. Genius right?

HD-DVD will be around for sometime yet (despite what the Sony fanboys are spouting) and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and its increasingly popular add-on player is the cheapest place to get both HD gaming and video.

A great choice for 360 owners, film geeks and/ or lovers of home entertainment.

Mitchell Brothers, Calvin Harris and Michael Jackson

After the lukewarm reception of their last underground single Solemate - which uncovered their undying love for trainers – the new single, Michael Jackson is packing a touch more heat. The same track that went down well at Get Loaded in the Park.

The Mitchell Brother’s make their coveted return alongside Calvin Harris of “I love all the girls, I love aaaall the girls” fame. It sees the cousins spout, “I wish I could dance like,” the King of Pop over a typically infectious Calvin Harris 80s inspired refix.

Check the impressive, Michael Jackson, video…


Moving on from their debut LP, Breath of Fresh Attire, Tony and Teddy (signed to Mike Skinner’s The Beats) have their second album ready to drop. Titled Dressed for the Occasion, The Mitchell’s are back with a smartly dressed bang.

Quick Review: Get Loaded In the Park

Another Bank Holiday in August, another quality weekend to add to the list of many. With most still rubbing their sore heads trying their best to recover from Sunday's Metro Weekender and the Notting Hill and Leeds Carnivals other, more professional amongst us are busy reporting what went down.

Embarking on sunny Clapham Common for Get Loaded in the Park on Sunday was a touch taxing. Sweaty tube systems, mislocated tickets and dehydration were high on the list of things one had to overcome. Nevertheless these minor challenges were defeated, shades were donned and SW4 was infiltrated.

Ascending on the park thousands of likeminded revellers brushed shoulders and carefully trudged over the swamp-like rubberised mud-based surface. Via the bar (and the ice cream van), we opened the map/ schedule and evaluated exactly how we were gonna see everyone we wanted... With highlights including M.I.A., The Beats stage, The Go! Team and of course Mike Skinner and The Streets it was a lot to get through.

Starting the afternoon with must-see M.I.A. – who failed to disappoint – performing previous hits from 2005’s Arular and the latest from her second LP Kala. An upbeat Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam let loose on the XFM stage and seemed to relish her moment in front of the packed following. As did The Go! Team on the main stage before The Dirty Pretty Things took over and rocked the afternoon away.

Even though there was a lastminute.com addition of Babyshambles, Pete “Jail Dodging” Doherty failed to turn up (apparently in rehab), the massive crowd didn’t seem bothered, they continued to drink the Carlsberg, cider and whatever was in those plastic “wine” glasses.

Meanwhile a moderately full Beats tent was entertained by a stylish Mitchell Brothers, a smartly dressed Professor Green, a yellow cardigan wearing Example and a That’s not a skirt it’s a belt-clad Neon take to the stage. Briefly joined by Mike Skinner and Ted Mayhem on the decks – who were told to turn it down ‘because of the 40k sound system’ at one point but definitely refused – they had the crowd up and down. Pro Green’s Clapham Common freestyle, Example’s light-hearted rendition of Britney Spears’ Toxic and The Mitchell’s latest track Michael Jackson being the highlights.

At 7.40 precisely (ON TIME, PLEASE NOTE HE WAS ON TIME) Mike Skinner kicked off his headlining set with Original Pirate Material’s opener Turn the Page. The reaction was as if everyone in the crowd had just one the Euromillions Jackpot or something and Skinner lapped it up. As cocky as ever, the frontman joked with the thousands of karaoke-like crowd in-between album hits. Naturally during the set we were made to Go Low (where everyone in the audience… goes low) and anthems like Let’s Push Things Forward and Has It Come To This soon followed. As the sun went down, Skinner kept dropping track after track as the oversized Metro balls (you have to see ‘em to believe ‘em) were crowd surfing and plastic bottles flew from end-to-end. Whilst we were dodging unidentified flying objects, Example lazily made his way onto the stage to play ‘Tim’ in The Irony of It All and briefly left before other big tracks continued The Streets leg of the gig, including Fit But You Know It, Never Went To Church and many more. The standard encore followed (some people actually left at this point… stuuupidly thinking it was over with 20 minutes left) as we were treated to a rendition of The Twang’s recent hit Either Way. Ladies were then “treated” to Skinner taking his top off, and the males in attendance had their eyes on a poor attempt from a young lady to respond to Skinner’s cries of “Let’s all get naked!!!”



A very well performed, thought out headlining set capped off a very impressive Get Loaded line up. Metro Weekender, we’ll see you next year.

Superbad

Saw this film the other week and it’s honestly the funniest film I’ve seen in a while. Maybe since Anchorman. It follows in the comedic footsteps of 40 Year Old Virgin and the new flick Knocked Up - which I also wanna see. Check the clip...



The trailer does it no justice as this is about 1% of the jokes you get to witness. Go see it the day it comes out… If I’m gonna vouch for ONE film this year it is Superbad!!!

Issue 69 - Out Last Week!!!

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Issue 69 - Out Last Week!!!



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- The Record Breakers Issue -

- Gracing out cover: N-Dubz -

Seven months ago we told you they were About To Blow; now N-Dubz take our cover spot and head for the top when they release on a major record label next month. Get ready as Dappy, Faze and Tulisa get ready to break records of their own. All together now, ‘Na-na-nahhh.’...

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- About To Blow in association with MTV Base -

***T2***

It’s been bubbling on the underground for a couple of years, and thanks to the monster track Heartbroken, it looks like bassline is finally about to blow. We talk to the track’s maker T2, and vocalist, Jodie...

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One 2 Watch: Tay Zonday

One 2 Watch: Jonathan Rae

Head 2 Head: Unkle Jam vs Ava Leigh

Durrty Goodz

Eve

Last Word: Cheryl Baker

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For more info, pick up a copy at your local stockists, subscribe via text or visit http://www.rwdmag.com/

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Make sure you SUBSCRIBE to RWD Magazine and you'll never miss and issue!!! Simply text us to get RWD sent to your door every month. Just text 'RWD' and your name and full address to 81330. Eg. RWD Sarah Smith 12 Neckle Street London E3 5HQ.

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Quick Review: Kanye does Vodafone TBA

Here’s my footage of Stronger from KanYe West’s Vodafone gig (catch it quick befoe it gets removed)…



I don’t actually know how people got tickets to this – I guess it was via texting some overpriced number – however they were queuing around the block. After waiting 59 minutes for Mr George Bush Does Not Care About Black People, we were treated to a half decent gig. As my colleague stated it was more an audience with KanYe but nonetheless I thought it was alright, still. After DJ A-TRAK setup the Powerbook and joined West’s luminous orchestra, the Louis Vuitton Don ran out and went straight into I Wonder (I think). Which he later had to do again.

As well as a few old hits like All Falls Down and Touch the Sky, he went through new tracks from forthcoming Graduation - including the previously mentioned opener, colossal Stronger, impressively catchy Can’t Tell Me Nothing and the ultimate Jay-Z breddage that is Big Brother. Asking the band to “keep playing” whilst he spoke cos it made what he was saying sound “more powerful”, ‘Ye spoke before and after each song and made a few jokes. He played the piano very well too. In short it was better than staying in and watching Eastenders.

In related news… Kanye West on Entourage??? [With Good Life audio]



Why does he have to hook up with Vocoder Man!!!! Nooooo

Orlando's Power 95.3

Just thinking about music (as you do at the end of a Bank Holiday Monday in August) and when in the States, we were constantly listening to Orlando’s Power 95.3. If you don’t know about this station it’s one of the biggest hip hop stations in the area (and the only one you can pick up). Their selective playlist includes a variety of “hits” including T-Pain’s Bartender, Plies Shawty Ft. T-Pain, T-Pain’s classic Buy U A Drank and another other vocoder reliant nonsense. They play Florida’s very own T-Pain shamelessly as well. After every three tracks you’re guaranteed to hear a T-Pain track. If it’s not by Tallahassee’s vocally challenged Rappa Turnt Sanga it’s featuring him... or Sean "can't get THAT song out of your head once it's in there" Kingston. Every so often though, you are treated to…

Hurricane Chris – A Bay Bay


Despite this being slightly late/ old, I remember we went out one night and this track was dropped (by the T-Pain tribute band/ DJ) and every one went mad like it was Pow! (three years ago) or something. Ahhhhh memories.

Soulja Boy – Crank Dat Soulja Boy


How can you resist these lyrics, “Superman dat hoe” and, “I’m joccin on ya. I’m joccin on ya”… It’s not about getting jocced on!!!

Baby Bo da Prince – Way I Live


Uploaded 27 December 2006, talk about late!!! My lateness game is tight right now I know, but then again US hip hop has never been at the top of my priorities list. This track kinda grew on me, it’s average but when you hear it after to T-Pain it sounds better. “sssDissszzzsss-issssss-da-wayzzz-I-live,” is it me or has he got a lisp or is that the grillllllzzzz-talkingsszz.

Other good radio tracks included Fabolous’ Make Me Better, Lil Wayne’s Go DJ, Smitty Died in your Arms and some other shit just can’t remember.

In conclusion the station is either owned by Akon, T-Pain’s mother or the man himself. Just imagine in 5 years time if Boy Better Know PLC bought up BBC’s Radio One and every third track was from JME’s latest mixtape (who knows he might even have an LP out by then), Skepta’s Greatest Hits Part 5 or Wiley’s Tunnel Vision Vol. 37. Wouldn’t that be mad??? Hmmmm.

Quick Review - Heroes Season 1

Don't worry the following words of heroic wisdom do not contain any spoilers. As a fan of both 24 and Lost, in order of preference, I just couldn't do that you. If the only “Heroes” you know about, closely trail the words “Gym Class” you need to read on cos there’s a new visual Chokehold in town.

I first got into Heroes when I was surfing on the ol' Sky earlier this year. You know when it's about 11pm and you’re just flicking through the channels - almost making your own show of clips - desperately looking for anything other than ancient episodes of Cribs and Pimp My Ride. I think the first episode I watched was like #5 or something, so I never got into it as I hadn't seen it from the start. Then I think I watched another show on another occasion and people were flying and shit so I thought... This could be kinda good.

The next event in my Heroes timeline happened when my brother called me up saying he had just watched the whole series online raving how BIG it was - The same brother who had got me into the legendary show that is Seinfeld some 10 odd years earlier. At that point I calmly scrolled to my online sources and watched the first episode and from that moment… I was hooked.

The first episode (In His Own Image) - at this point I assume you've viewed – it’s only a tip of the Heroberg and merely introduces you to a few of the characters you'll be loving, hating or shouting at over a total of 23 shows. The likes of Peter, Nathan and Mrs Petrelli, Dr. Mohinder Suresh, Niki and Micah Sanders, Claire, Mr and Mrs Bennet, Ando, Hiro ‘I Did It’ Nakamura and the future painting ‘Mr Isaac’. It’s not the most dramatic of series openings (compared to Lost’s plane crash and Jack Bauer cutting off someone’s head in one of the six series) but it’s a good introduction. You see a glimpse of what’s in store and more importantly what people can do… especially Claire. Remember… ‘Save the cheerleader, save the World.’

Even though Peter Petrelli is a straight up G!!! My favourite Hero just happens to be of the same name… Hiro Nakamura.

You see… ^^^, as well as being funny, charismatic and having a more than useful ability – the gift of being able to BEND/ STOP TIME!!! - Tokyo’s finest is a Sword Wielding Bad-a-man!!!

In short, the first series of Heroes is big, a little better than Lost (as we STILL don’t know what the uncle fudge is going on) and better than the last series of 24… fact. I await your comments…

I’m back and I’m back in a big way and I’m back with my strap!!!

I’m back from my holiday man (see 20 pics here). I must say TWO weeks (I know it seemed like longer) in America was actually great. It was all about chilling in the villa, theme parks (Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens, Sea World and them way dere) and INTENSE shopping sprees. The much desevred break only had two downsides really, and they were as follows… The first infuriating event was the FIVE hour wait at Gatwick as our plane was delayed on the way out. The second was the icing on the “Are They Taking The Piss” cake, on the return journey they (they, being DIRKHEAD Airlines) LOST my baggage.

I can’t describe the feeling that resides in the bottom of your airplane food-full-stomach when all 500 passengers’ suitcases, golf clubs and buggies come out of baggage claim and yours is nowhere to be seen. I had to fill out these bullcrap forms as a sweaty joke-of-a-man simply slumped in his chair and made the odd noise from his snout, “Don’t worry this happens all the time,” like I wanna hear that shit buddy. To top it off it tried to palm me off with, “We find MOST of the luggage and return it within 48 hours,” damn them.

LUCKILY it was returned to me some THREE days later but still, it wasn’t good. To be honest everything in my suitcase (six pairs of trainers, T.Magic tees, Arsenal kits, Evisu, Ralph, Levis Red, Akademiks, Guess, Nike, Puma and so on) was totally replaceable but it’s not the point. I got mugged off for over 72 hours.

In my absence a lot has happened, I missed Arsenal’s opening game of the season and one of my mates got the pleasure of my season ticket. I wasn’t there when these very pages of nonsense were mentioned in GUARDIAN'S THE GUIDE. And I was on the plane for Kanye West’s Graduation playback. Luckily Rajveer has let me and the rest of the world know what the LP is saying.

So what’s been happening? [Craaaaig David] Fill Me In… [/Craaaaig David]

My Image-based Auto Response...