Lucas Strikes Back

Thursday 13th February 2008

Star Wars is back, but this time in CG.

George Lucas, creator of the Star Wars franchise, has completed a new, stylized, computer-animated feature film, concentrating on the intergalactic adventures of the characters that we all know and love.

Lucas said in a statement – “I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell. I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and at the same time push the art of animation forward,” (from The Los Angeles Times).

Stemming from the popularity of the 2-D animated Clone Wars series running from 2003 to 2005, the new film, along with a brand new TV series, are set after the events of Revenge of the Clones and directly preceding the events of Revenge of the Sith.

Originally set to be released as a TV series alone, a last minute marketing decision opted to merge the first few episodes of the series together and release it as Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie in a bid to raise publicity.

The animated movie is set to open August 15th, and sets up for the animated TV series due to premiere this fall on TNT and the Cartoon Network.


PUBLISHED IN THE CELEBRITY CAFE

Joe Budden ‘Padded Room’ Album Playback

Wednesday 11th February 2009

On Wednesday February 11th hip-hop lyricist Joe Budden’s album playback was held for his second-coming official record, entitled ‘Padded Room’. With already much anticipation for the delayed album, which was originally due to be released last October but was held back by Amalgam Digital due to “complications with the physical product”, industry-heads seemed eager to hear how Jersey Joe’s next instalment would compare to his critically acclaimed line-up to date.

Held in the basement of trendy bar Market Place in Central London the event, which was organised by RGS Entertainment and sponsored by Hip Hop Connection, drew a surprisingly mere handful of industry specialists, with Jump Off TV’s Ara, MTV Japan’s ex-VJ Ia, and Face4Music’s Charmaine Hayden present among the very few guests.

In a more networking-soiree fashion than an album-listening event, the afternoon progressed with guests milling about the room, sporadically perching at each table to chat and exchange business cards with fellow hip-hop experts, all the while with Budden’s vocals playing in the background.

However, amongst the schmoozing and chitchat, what could be heard of ‘Padded Room’ seems like a natural progression for the Harlem wordsmith, who used various unknown up-and-coming producers to make the record. The sophomore’s debut single ‘The Future’ featuring The Game, and ‘Now I Lay’ are two of the few up-tempo beats that grace the 13-track record. Powerful lyricism can be heard in songs such as ‘Exxxes’ and ‘In My Sleep’, two of Budden’s personal favourites, and are heavily contrasted by grittier beats like ‘Blood On The Wall’. All in all, amid his increased street notoriety over the past 5 years with underground releases due to continuing setbacks, this latest album has enough commercialism and edge to welcome him back into the world of the mainstream.

‘Padded Room’ is set to be released in stores on February 23rd.

PUBLISHED IN ORIGINS MEDIA

Buzzword

Friday 17th October 2008


Bite of the Week
Cypress Hill are being sued for apparently biting another artist's beats. Soul singer Syl Johnson, is suing the Hip hop group for an astounding $29 million for allegedly using his beat in their song 'Lock Down' from album Black Sunday – released 15 years ago! Johnson claims the beat was stolen from his 1969 song 'Is It Because I'm Black', but waited almost two decades to speak up about it!


Creep of the Week
Rumours are flying about an alleged affair between singing sensation Rihanna and producer-turned-rapper Kanye West. Apparently, the two were spotted cuddling backstage at a T.I. concert in Hollywood, with the Barbadian sitting on West's lap as she sang along to the music, before they were caught in a full on lip lock! According to a source, onlookers were so shocked that they caused Rihanna to make a speedy exit back to her dressing room, escorted by her security guard.


Collab' of the Week
Jay-Z and Coldplay have teamed up once again to record a remix of the band's song 'Lost', now entitled 'Lost +'. The remix was debuted on Los Angeles KISS-FM radio show a few days ago, and is set be released on special album Prospekt's March, which features songs that didn't make it on Coldplay's Viva La Vida album. It seems since front-man Chris Martin's feature on Jay-Z's 'Beach Chair' in 2006, the two just can't get enough of each-other!


Party of the Week
To promote his forth coming album, 808 & Heartbreak, Kanye West threw a party in Los Angeles with an extra special twist – 40 naked models! West hired artist Vanessa Beecroft to set up the 'display' for his listening party, claiming the idea came as an attempt to break the rules, “I liked the idea of nudity, because in society they tell us to wear clothes at a certain point.” Whatever you say, Kanye!


Shame of the Week
Leona Lewis was the talk of the night at Wednesday's MOBO's, for causing the crowd to erupt in a fury of boos. The 23-year-old won two awards for Best Album and Best Video but was not present to receive them. Instead, she accepted the awards via a pre-recorded video message. The booing was so bad that host Mel B tried to calm the crowd by sticking up for the UK singing sensation, insisting, “It's not her fault that she can’t be here.” Tut-tut!

PUBLISHED IN NEW NATION NEWSPAPER