Ade Soundtrack of [2012]

2012 was an eventful and dramatic year. Lots of bullshit happened but this won't focus on that but the soundtrack that made it bearable. Songs that moved me, songs that impressed me. Songs that made my day with a smile.

I have to admit it was difficult playing these songs I love so much because my ipod was faulty. An 80gb ipod that could only contain about 1500 songs out of my library of 10,000. I had to play most songs a laptop...I don't fancy playing songs from phones. I'm one of those that believe each object had its use. Even if my phone had 80gb memory space I won't drop an ipod for it. A phone is a phone.

Back to business...

Most Impressive Pop Song: "All These and Heaven" by Florence + the Machine. A song that attempts to explain the complex nature of emotions by focusing on how complex the nature of emotions was.

Most Impressive Pop Album: "Some Nights" by fun. This was also my most impressive album of the year. I got the album after the single "We Are Young" peaked on itunes chart. I gave the album a listen and it's still on repeat. I like the fact it wasn't one of the usual sound. It sounded "full" and "rich" with lots of experiment.

I played it a whole lot on my way to work and was a great way to start my day.

Most Impressive Collaboration: "Beneath Your Beautiful" by Labrinth ft. Emeli Sande. From the day I watch the video on TV I knew this was a beautiful collaboration. I got Emeli's album "Our Version of Events" after. Another beautiful record.

Most Impressive Rock Album: "Ceremonials" by Florence + The Machine. The album had the same effect as her previous work, "Lungs", you appreciate it with subsequent listens. "Ceremonials" cut across different genres but what remains the same was that voice. For instance, I watched Florence on Youtube sing Drake's "Take Care" and Beyonce's "Halo", she delivered it in such a way that could only be classified as Florence.

Most Impressive Nigerian Song/ Artiste: "Dance for Me"/ Wiz Kid. This guy knows how to sing about what you've heard so many times in a way you've heard countless times, and still make it stand out. I have no idea how long his run would last but for now, Wiz Kid undoubtedly is the cream of the crop.

Artiste to Watch in 2013: EMINEM. I have no doubt 2013 would be the year of Marshall Matters. Eminem drops what will probably be his final LP and I have no doubt it's going to be the most successful album next year. This is Eminem and he does no wrong (maybe on "Relapse").

Last year I predicted Nicki Minaj would be the biggest act in 2012, I was wrong. But this time I'm more confident of my choice. The only thing that could stop Em is if he goes Dr. Dre and decide not to release an album.

Playlist of [2012]

"Stars" by fun.

"All These and Heaven" by Florence + the Machine

"No Regret" by Dappy

"Back Down South" by Kings of Leon

"Beneath Your Beautiful" by Labrinth ft. Emeli Sande

"No Light, No Light" by Florence + the Machine

"Lucky Ones" by Lana Del Rey

"Thinking About You" by Frank Ocean

"Taken for a Fool" by The Strokes

"The Worry List" by Blue October

"Sometime Around Midnight" by The Airborne Toxic Event

"The Funeral" by Band of Horses

"Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall" by Coldplay

"The Show" by Lenka

"I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz

Been Down/ Blue October

Awake listening to Blue October, I had to share this lyrics [poem]


I dreamt you seduced me
Just walked away
I dreamt you inspired
Then rewired what I say
I dreamt you spread your bottom wings
And pulled me to the bed
But then I woke up feeling nauseous
You danced around my head


Chorus:
Tell me
How long, how long have I been down?
How long, how long have I been down?
How long, how long have I been down?
Down, Down


I dreamt you burned my fingers
Yes, an automatic sting
I dreamt you called me beautiful
Then asked to hear me sing
I dreamt your singing invited me
To crawl within your space
But then I woke up feeling nauseous
Girl, you danced around my face


Chorus:
Tell me
How long, how long have you been down?
How long, how long have you been down?
How long, how long have you been down?
Down, Down
Why can't we work when we both try?
We try, we try, we try, we try
Why can't this work, when we both try?
Why can't it work when we both try
we try, we try, we try, how we try
And how we try
I meant to sympathize I want to be your friend
I know apologizing won't erase the end
But I learn that moving on, is where I must begin
Because when our colours mixed
We couldn't fix the way they wouldn't blend


Chorus:
So tell me
How long, how long have we been down?
How long, how long have we been down?
How long, how long have we been down?
Down, down, yeah
And I wish that only greatness follow you around
I hope to God, you find a way to keep from down
When you do I hope you share it all with me
Please try to understand, yeah to understand me
Just try to understand me, yeah understand me
How long, how long have we been down yeah.
Down, down, down, yeah

This is Me: Who Am I

I decided to share this song because it best describe the way I feel in relationships. I remember the first time I heard it in 2006, I loved it and played it on repeat. It is titled "Who Am I" and recorded by Will Young
This song pointed out that I should consider what I had to offer in a relationship before making any demands..
I regard the song as one of the most beautiful songs & a soundtrack to my life.


Sometimes you know you push me so hard I don't know how I feel
You almost make me doubt I feel at all

It's not as though I always listen but there's just so much I don't hear
Maybe I'll never be what you want
I know that all you're asking for is a little place in my heart
But I don't find it easy to give

Maybe I get a little selfish sometimes
Why shouldn't I?
I used to say I love you but would it make a difference this time?

(Chorus)
And who am I to tell you that I would never let you down?
That no-one else could love you half as much as I do now
And who am I to tell you I'll always catch you when you fall?
Well I, I wouldn't be myself at all
I wouldn't be myself at all, at all.

I always find a reason why I didn't put you first
It's not that complicated, I know
I really hate it when you shake your head like this ain't gonna work
Maybe you'll never reap what you sow

(Chorus)

I didn't want to do what everybody does
And hide the truth to find we never knew a thing about love
'Cos this is real life, real love
And knowing what it comes down to
It just might be enough

(Chorus x2)

A Song For Everyone

It's Valentine's day, a day dreaded by guys like me because they had to spend...if girls weren't so greedy it wouldn't be such a big deal to buy (any) gift. This was also compounded by the infedility of most guys. There were so many girls to consider on this day, both the ones that played regular matches and those on bench (with the hope of something happening). I've decided to give out something...a song for (everyone). I recorded few lines of selected songs, dedicating 'em to girls. Each girl got a song that represented how I could describe our relationship and what we could make out of it. These are few of 'em.
Nina: "Don't Let Go (Love)" by En Vogue
There are just some girls who pull you close just to push you away. You feel you are dating or could date but never 100 percent certain. Yet you had to consider giving them a Val gift, hoping maybe, just maybe that might make 'em commit. So...
"what's it gonna be cause i can't pretend, don't you wanna be more than friends, hold me tight and don't let go, don't let go, you have the right to lose control, don't let go"
Chi Chi: "Always On Time" by Ja Rule
There are some girls you consider buying a gift for Val's day, not because you had an exclusive relationship BUT a FWB type. This song was the one I dedicated to her...
"And when I play you play the same way you freak me baby I fuck you crazy, Then I'm gone...Baby, I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time. And I gave you my all, now baby be mine. I'm not always there when you call, but I'm always on time. And I gave you my all, now baby be mine"
Lola: "Cluck Cluck" by The Project G and B
To be honest here, P like this isn't needed but you do it because you can. Coupled by a banging body that makes you just want to bang the body. Some guys still consider girls like these for Val because, you just never know
"I don't want to cause you compications, I just want one night of satisfaction, After tomorrow we can act like nothing happened, Take this invitation, With the metro card at the train station..."
Kofo: "Hang With Me" by Robyn
I like this girl, I really do. But she was the type of babe you had to make sure she was into you before you could risk committing into the relationship. And I was damn sure if she said "I'm ready" we would have a relationship everyone would envy.
"And if you do me right, I'm gonna do right by you. And if you keep it tight, I'm gonna confide in you. I know what's on your mind there will be time for that too, If you hang with me...Just don't fall recklessly, headlessly in love with me 'Cause it's gonna be. All heartbreak, wistfully painful and insanity, If we agree, oh, ooh, woah, you can hang with me"
Eni: "With Every Heartbeat" by Robyn
There are some girls you might consider to get a Val gift despite knowing it was over between you two. You just want to do it, probably to show there was no more hard feelings.
"...Maybe we can make it alright, Maybe we can make it happen baby, We could keep trying but things will never change, So I don't look back, Still I'm dying with every step I take, But I don't look back...We could keep trying but things will never change, So I don't look back..."
D: "Untitled" by Me
So I wrote a song and it very much relates with this girl. Well, she was married and I wouldn't want to tear up what was joined in Holy Matrimony. Yet you feel you could val someone like this on a platonic level. The song doesn't have a title yet but it is done.
"Please pass me down to your son, tell him, someone loves him more than his Dad. And when you tell him about your past, please tell him that I loved you more than his dad...cause I'm not just anyone, and I could have been the one...cause the days you spent it with him but the nights you were creeping with me, so I'm not just anyone."

Toni Braxton: "Marry Me" by Train
A guy has the right to dream, right? Mehn if I could see Ms Braxton I would still do her and we would make wonderful records in the bedroom. Cause...
"Forever can never be long enough for me. To feel like I've had long enough with you. Forget the world now, we won't let them see, But there's one thing left to do, Now that the weight has lifted. Love has surely shifted my way. Marry me, Today and every day. Marry me, If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe, Say you will..."

To ALL MOTHERS: "Hey Mama" by Kanye West
A Val that should be on everyone's recurring list.
"...Since you brought me in this world, let me take you out. To a restaurant, upper echelon, Imma get you a Jag, whatever else you want. Just tell me what kind of S-Type Donda West like? Tell me the perfect color so I make it just right. It don't gotta be Mother's Day, or your birthday, For me to just call and say (Hey Mama), I wanna scream so loud for you, cuz I'm so proud of you, Let me tell you what I'm about to do, (Hey Mama), I know I act a fool but, I promise you I'm goin back to school, I appreciate what you allowed for me, I just want you to be proud of me (Hey Mama)"

RE: Grammy of the [year]

So the 54th Grammy Awards was on this weekend and obviously not all the artistes I would have prefered to win did. Like I said, it wasn't an attempt to predict the winners but these were my preferred winners. Because those artistes performed songs that had more influence in my experiences than the charts.
Record of the year - "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele
Guess it was Adele's year. "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons was my preferred record of the year.
Album of the year - "21" by Adele
There are some things the Grammys must agree with the masses.
Song of the Year - "Rolling in the Deep" by Adela.
Ok, I would have chosen "All of the Lights" by Kanye West though.
Best New Artist - Bon Iver.
Remember who won this category last year? Nope. Bon Iver might go the same way. I would have preferred Nicki Minaj
Best Pop Solo Performance - "Someone Like You" by Adele
It's hard to say "No" to this song winning it.
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - "Body and Soul" by Tony Bennette and Amy Winehouse.
I can't believe a song by an about to die and a dead artiste won a song filled with life, "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera would have don't it for me.
Best Pop Vocal Album - "21" by Adele.
I would have preferred "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. I know "21" was a great improvement from Adele's first album "19" BUT I got to be honest, What Gaga did with her voice on her album would make Adele have twice the surgery she had.
Best Dance/Electronica Album - "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" by Skrillet.
I would have preferred "Body Talk pt. 3" by Robyn. Why? A dance album with soul.
Best Rock Performance - "Walk" by Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters came as a shock for one reason, they have had better materials that didn't win this. Would have gone for "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons
Best Rock Song - "Walk" by Foo Fighters.
Me prefer "Everytear is a Waterfall" by Coldplay. A song people would remember before "Walk".
Best Rock Album - "Wasting Light" by Foo Fighters.
I think I had Foo Fighters album someone on my ipod but when I had "Come Around Sundown" by Kings of Leon, I had no reason to play it. I doubt their track "Rope" had one play count.
Best Alternative Music Album - "Bon Iver" by Bon Iver.
I wanted "Torches" by Foster the People to win. I played Bon Iver followed by "Torches". Never went back to Bon Iver.
Best Rap Performance - "Otis" by Jay-Z and Kanye.
Well...Jay was on it but I would have preferred "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "All of the Lights" by Kanye West.
"All of the Lights" doesn't do it for me at all. Yeah, I'm a Kanye fan but if you want to put all these talented artistes together, the song better be one that would be on par with "We Are the World". "I'm on One" by DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne was my preferred choice.
Best Rap Song - "All of the Lights" by Kanye West. I preferred him to win this and he won. For one simple reason, the other nominees didn't cut it.
Best Rap Album - "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" by Kanye West.
I wasn't surprised he won although I preferred "Pink Friday" by Nicki Minaj. In my first draft I wrote Kanye's album but had to change it to Nicki. This proved I wasn't interested in predicting who would win but who I preferred.
Best Country Duo/Group Performance - "Barton Hollows" The Civil Walls.
I preferred "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square
Best Country Song - "Mean" by Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift is one artiste I seriously don't know why she wins anything. I like her song, have all her albums, but you had to be stuck at age 16 in your life to keep believe she isn't overhyped. I preferred "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical - Paul Epworth
Out of 3 acts he produced, Adele, Cee-lo, and Foster the People, only Foster and the People won nothing. Still, I would have given it to Ryan Tedder
Best World Music Album - "Tassili" by Tinawiem.
I don't even know who that was, just wanted Africa for Africa" by Femi Kuti to win.

Grammy of the [year]

The 54th Grammy Awards is on this weekend and I've decided to present my own awards using the actual nominated artistes in their categories. This wasn't an attempt to predict the winners but these were my prefered winners. In my Awards, I don't see anyone carting away more than 3 awards. The biggest winners were Adele and Nicki. And a lot of first timers, Mumforn and Sons, Foster the People, Robyn, Femi Kuti...Rick Ross.


Record of the year - "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons

Album of the year - "21" by Adele

Song of the Year - "All of the Lights" by Kanye West

Best New Artist - Nicki Minaj

Best Pop Solo Performance - "Someone Like You" by Adele

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance - "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera

Best Pop Vocal Album - "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga

Best Dance/Electronica Album - "Body Talk pt. 3" by Robyn

Best Rock Performance - "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons

Best Rock Song - "Everytear is a Waterfall" by Coldplay

Best Rock Album - "Come Around Sundown" by Kings of Leon

Best Alternative Music Album - "Torches" by Foster the People

Best Rap Performance - "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration - "I'm on One" by DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross and Lil' Wayne

Best Rap Song - "All of the Lights" by Kanye West

Best Rap Album - "Pink Friday" by Nicki Minaj

Best Country Duo/Group Performance - "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square

Best Country Song - "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" by Thompson Square

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical - Ryan Tedder

Best World Music Album - "Africa for Africa" by Femi Kuti

All This and Heaven

  

For those who don't know, I'm a great lover of music. My ipod is my wife, five years, we are still waxing strong. Songs I hear have contributed to the way I interprete the experiences I've had. Lately, one track have been ringing in my head, "All This and Heaven" by Florence and The Machine from their album "Ceremonials". You just have to hear it if you haven't and I've included the lyrics below...what a poem about how "the heart is hard to translate".

Florence and The Machine/ "All This and Heaven"

And the heart is hard to translate
it has a language of its own
it talks in tongues and quiet sighs
and prayers and proclamations

in the grandest of great men
in the smallest of gestures
in short shallow gasps

but with all my education
I can't seem to command it
and the words are all escaping
coming back all damaged
and I would put them back in poetry if I only knew how
I can't seem to understand it

I would give all this and heaven too
I would give it all if only for a moment
that I could just understand
the meaning of the word you see
cause I've been scrawling it forever
but it never make sense to me at all

And it talks to me, it tiptoes
and it sings to me inside
it cries out in the darkest night
it breaks in the morning light

but with all my education
I can't seem to command it
and the words are all escaping
coming back all damaged
and I would put them back in poetry if I only knew how
I can't seem to understand it and

I would give all this and heaven too
I would give it all if only for a moment
that I could just understand
the meaning of the word you see
cause I've been scrawling it forever
but it never make sense to me at all

poor language it doesn't deserve such treatment
and all my stumbling phrases never amounted to anything worth this feeling
oh this heaven, never could describe such a feeling as I knew it

words were never so useful
so I was screaming out a language that I never knew existed before

Glory: Blue Ivy Carter

It is difficult living in a world where people have a strong opinion of you regardless if it was right or not. It hurts knowing those people aren't better off but only feel better pointing fingers at you. I've been in such situations that all I could say was "let me commit the sin, then cast the stone and not the other way round". But this post isn't about me but the joy of Jay-Z and Beyonce.
I'm a fan of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Lady Gaga...probably every entertainer that had been tagged "devil worshipper" or "illuminati" because they are talented. Not surprising these entertainers are at the top of their game. Behind the bright lights these entertainers are human but conspiracy theorist are out to make people think otherwise. I don't have to waste a second on people who are on that ship...all the sh!t you say about them is classified under the Huffington Post WIERD NEWS section so that should give you an idea how sensible scholars see it.
Jay-Z + Beyonce --- Blue Ivy Carter. To me is a wonderful name...beautiful in fact. But conspiracy theorists already have their meaning, already calling her "satan". I learnt from a rapper, if you have nothing good to say, say nothing.

I sign out by dropping the lyrics of Glory, Jay-Z's track about his daughter Blue Ivy Carter.
Jay-Z – Glory Lyrics
[Jay-Z]
The most amazing feeling I feel
Words can't describe the feeling for real
Baby I paint the sky blue
My greatest creation was you, you
Glory
Ooooh Glory
[Jay-Z - Verse 1]
False alarms and false starts (ugh)
All made better by the sound of your heart (yeah)
All the pain of the last time
I prayed so hard it was the last time
Your mamma said that you danced for her
Did you wiggle your hands for her?
Glory, Glory, Glory, Sorry
Everything that I prayed for
God's gift, I wish I would've prayed more
God makes no mistakes, I made a few
Rough sledding here and there, but I made it through
I wreak havoc on the world, get ready for part 2
A younger, smarter, faster me
So a pinch of Hov, a whole glass of Béy
[Hook]
Glory
The most amazing feeling I feel
Words can't describe what I'm feeling for real
Baby I paint the sky blue
My greatest creation was you
[Jay-Z - Verse 2]
Your grand pop died, a nigga fell yeh
Then he died of liver failure
Deep down he was a good man
God damn, I can't deliver failure
Bad ass Lil Hov
2 years old, shopping on Savile Row
Wicked ass lil B
Hard not to spoil you rotten looking like little me
The most beautifulest thing in this world
Daddy's little girl
You don't yet know what swag is
But you was made in Paris
And mama woke up the next day and shot her album package
Last time the miscarriage was so tragic
We was afraid you disappeared
But nah, baby you magic (voilà)
So there you have it, shit happens
Make sure the plane you on is bigger than your carry on baggage
Everybody goes through stuff
Life is a gift love, open it up
You're a child of destiny
You're the child of my destiny
You're my child with the child from Destiny's Child
That's a hell of a recipe
Glory, Glory, Glory, Sorry
[Hook]

Ade Soundtrack of 2011

It's that time of the year again...as a great lover of music it is only right to take time out and recognised the songs that not only impressed me, but I also regard as the soundtrack of my year. Just like last year, these songs weren't the "best" or released in 2011, but due to the period I was in my life those were the songs I played a lot.
Recap of last year...I predicted Lady Gaga would be the artiste to watch out for in 2011 and I had to admit she did had the momentum prior to her album release to have the highest album sales of 2011 BUT who saw Adele rolling in the deep. If I had predicted top 10 albums I doubt I would have mentioned her. I loved her songs from the first time I watched the video of "Chasing Pavements". The question asked in the chorus, "Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavements even if it leads no where?" Made a whole lot of sense to me. I'm glad a whole lot of people are now into the talent called Adele.
Let's begin with the Most Impressive Songs of the Year, the Sountrack of My 2011...
Most Impressive Pop Song: "Breathe Slow" by Alesha Dixon. Yea it was released 2008 but this song would remain evergreen to me. Counting 1 to 10 with eyes closed is a good therapy to regain composure. That was something I needed to do a lot in 2011.
Most Impressive Pop Album: "Lungs" by Florence + the Machine. Released in 2009 but the songs crept their way in my heart this year. Initially it was "Dog Days Are Over" I kept on repeat until "Between Two Lungs" and the rest of the tracks made sense.
Most Impressive Producer: Ryan Tedder. If you ask an average music lover to list greatest music producers I doubt Tedder would be included. I began to understand this artiste and I don't think he is getting enough credit. For one he penned two of the most played songs in the world, "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis & "Apologise" by his band One Republic. He also worked on "Halo" by Beyonce which I regard as one of the most haunting love songs. He contributed two songs to the highest selling album of 2011, "21" by Adele, "Rumour Has It" & "Turning Tables". I also love "Got 2 Love Ya" by Sean Paul ft. Alexis Jordan<---- I still have my eye on you.
Most Impressive R&B Song/Album: "Trust Issues"/ "Take Care" by Drake. Drake did what he could do best, sing/croon his way through songs but it wasn't his voice that did justice...it was pure lyrics with their subject matter. I hear some lines and I'm like, "wow! He goes through that as well?"...you hear lines like "you say it's only a couple of guys you've been with...I'll trust you, give you the benefit of the doubt"...but in my case I'll not trust the girl, I won't give any benefit of the doubt. I know a group of people might regard him as a rapper but I prefer to regard him as a singer who raps.
Most Impressive Hip-Hop Album: "Lasers" by Lupe Fiasco. It was a typical Lupe album except all he needed was to sing a little then it would have been a Pop album. "I Don't Wanna Care Right Now" did it for me though. The title was what I did most of the year.
Most Impressive Collaboration: "I'm On One" DJ Kaled/Drake/Rick Ross/Wayne. From the first time I heard the track I knew it was that track any hip-hop fiend could confidently jam in his car. It wasn't your typical rap collabo where you are out to listen to who rapped the best verse. It was three totally different styles on an instrumental that spoke for itself.
Most Annoying Song: BLACK EYED PEAS....EVERYTHING they worked on this year was annoying. It was the same monotonous sound. Anytime their songs comes on it was a sign for me to change the channel. That's why I don't know the name of any of their songs but I remember the first 2 seconds of the video.
Most Impressive Dance Song: "Hello" by Martin Solveig & Dragonette. Simple and sweet...this songs always kept me alert.
Most Impressive Nigeria Artiste: Wiz-Kid/Whiz-Kid/Wiz Kid/Whiz Kid/WizKid/WhizKid [however he decides to spell his name]. I never saw this coming, I saw him as a noise maker on tracks he featured on last year but I gotta to admit he did deliver. "I Love My Baby" was a track I found myself playing on repeat despite the lack of originality.
Most Impressive Rock/Alternative Album: "Sign No More" by Mumford and Sons. This is a must have by anyone who loves music. This is one album I find it difficult to mention the names of the tracks because they were all good and I had no need to shuffle to a favourite. I was ready to listen to whatever song played next. One of my fav lines was "Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, it will set you free. Be more like the man you were made to be."
Artiste to Watch Out for in 2012: Nicki Minaj, for some reasons I believe Nicki Minaj would have the highest selling album in 2012. For her to achieve it she definitely has to break records and she isn't new to that. A setback I see is that she suffers from poor selection of singles off her album. It was like she randomly select songs from a hat. The first supposed single from her first album was so wack it didn't make her album. Her must successful single "Super Bass" was a bonus track on the album. Even her first single off her next album "Roman in Moscow" is not a major force on the chart. Despite these I still believe she would have the highest selling album next year.
First of all...Hip-Hop/R&B had turned to one of the top money making genres. In the last eleven years, 2 r&b albums had made the top of the end of the year chart while 4 hip-hop albums had made the end of the year chart. Even Adele's "21" album was heavily influenced by music of black origin. Nicki sings/rap which puts her at an advantage. Also her label mate had topped the year end chart once and that makes me believe she has the management to make it happen. She also had the opportunity to feature Madonna after touring with Britney Spears which would definitely expose her to new listeners. So watch out for "Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded" on Valentine's Day 2012.
Anyway...although the year isn't over I'll still say bye to 2011 in music...see you in 2012.

Ade Wrote a Love Song

I was shuffling songs on my ipod until I skipped to a love song I wrote & recorded years ago. I wouldn't confidently label it a "Love song", it was one of those songs I wrote when I was bursting with talent back in school about a girl. Her name was [W] and I have to admit, she was the sh!t. But...I was young and not as____as I am now with girls so things didn't go as I wanted. The lyrics of 2nd and 3rd verse should be enough to give you an idea of what happened.

Verse 2:
It started as a joke
First time she said "No"
Her friend said I should chill
That she needed time to think
So I waited for a week
[W] didn't say a thing
What she said in the end
Was "We could still be friends"
I just don't understand
I just can't be that man
That always understands
I got my mind
And I know you think with your heart
And if I say we compromise
Then we just won't last (won't last)
'Cause the rain will fall
And your friends will talk
And so many other things can come
To f us up
And I know this for sure
At the end of the day
One of us will say
"Na you know the thing way you dey find"

Verse 3:
Going back
To what we would be
Or what we should [have] become
Looking back
On you and me
Or how I looked at you
It has faded...
With no memory left the memories left
When I stopped to care
And I'm feeling
That if I see you...
I'll probably say "F you"

[W] never had the chance to hear the song because she changed school and I don't even know what she is up to right now. Saw some one that looked like her few days ago, we were staring at each other. In my mind I was hoping she wasn't the one, not that I was having cold feet, but as much as they looked alike the [W] I knew was way beautiful. I walked away convincing myself I saw someone that looked like her. Maybe that's why I'm not motivated to find her because I fear I might not be impressed with what I see.

LL Cool J BET Hip Hop Awards "I Am Hip-Hop Icon" Acceptance Speech

LL's acceptance speech at the BET...awards is one of my favourite (Kanye West's "We'll Never Know" sits comfortably on top). LL's speech was poetic and inspiring.

My acceptance speech, what I won’t do is try preach
What I won’t do is assume I’m smarter than you and try to teach
What I will do is set an example, inspire you to reach for the stars beyond mars that space bars can’t delete
Because without a dream fulfilled your life’s incomplete
A hearst, a limousine without a backseat,
The worst, think Usain Bolt without feet
Real life ain't Hollywood, it’s Halloween
Every day is trick or treat
It ain't a red carpet it’s a sidewalk bloody from the wolves eating red meat
And these spotlights don’t come with money they come with police
Millionaires cry about raising taxes on the elite
They won’t feed us, as they’d rather defeat us, like an aborted fetus
But your greatest feat is to get back up on your feet
Did I mention, life aint a sprint it’s a marathon
Really stressful on your tendons and with the shape the economy is in today, you better run to the polls like skinny Kenyans
26 miles in two hours and three minutes
It wasn’t weeks or months, it took us over 400 years to raise the debt limit
So don’t lose faith, there’s a sweet life out there and one day you will taste
But just like any marathon, you must monitor your pace
And watch out for the haters pushing drinks up in your face
Maintain your focus through the ups and downs the arguments and debates
And when you win your award, make sure you put in a safe place
And be prepared for whatever...just in case.

Talent Dey Waste

If you've watched the audition stages of any talent show, you probably got amused by the kind of 'talents' most people had. Take Idols for example, you probably heard voices that could move you...to change the channel, but you rather laugh. What makes it more amazing was the level of seriousness these contestants portrayed as they sang off key or better yet on a "new key". I have friends who were music producers and I can assure you I have seen worse in their studios. What won't make you laugh freely in that situation was also the level of seriousness portrayed as they sang off key or better yet a "new key".

On these talent shows, you laugh at these individuals and most likely never remember their faces as they walked off the stage. In the studio you feel a rage of emotions, from frustration to sympathy for such singer. The singer pays for a session and all expenses, he/she was usually hyped and as they enter the vocal booth to voice the fun stops. A singer once took over an hour to take the first line of the song he penned and still it wasn't on key. He was better than a guy that got frustrated and stormed out of the studio screaming, "I am not singing again". Some don't care about how their singing was, like a guy that kept jumping off beat and key singing, "I am a celebrity, I am a celebrity, City People in the house, thank you, Photographers in the house, thank you, Shake your bum bum, bum bum..."

There are times it gets to me, when I see a guy cry because his voice wasn't coming out the way he thought from the speakers. Most times they cry not because of the money they had paid, but because they realised they had paid to realise they had no talent for their passion.

On the other side, there were individuals with wonderful voices and songs you would NEVER get to hear. The entertainment industry wasn't that welcoming. In America, you could use Youtube as a start to establish a fan base but in Nigeria, you had to PAY the radio djs and marketers to include your track on a bootleg compilation CD. And you had to do that till you got a break.

I feel I have to encourage everyone with a strong passion for music. In the right hands you would know where you fit. Just like football, not everyone can become a striker, you could play defence and that doesn't make you any less a footballer. Your passion might be actualised once you pick up a musical instrument if your singing voice wasn't on point. I just have to issue this warning, auto tune doesn't make you sound on key if you are not.

Congratulations

I had a dream my ex got married. It felt so real that I had no idea when I was awake. My heart felt heavy and I had to question why I was in that state. It was over, maybe, who knows? I had to rationalise and fast...I didn't want to have to sing 'Congratulations' if still had feelings for her and my dream was a premonition of what was about to happen soon. 'Congratulations' by Blue October was in my all time 'love' songs about a guy that finally expressed his feelings to a girl on her wedding day and gave her his 'heart' as a gift.

I asked myself if the relationship was indeed over by replaying in my head the reason for break-up but the disc of my memory was bad. I couldn't blame it, I remember I put in effort to bury her deep in my unconscious. I couldn't remember anything specific.

Another question was, shouldn't I be happy for her? After all she was getting married (if she was). I guess I'll find out sooner than latter. I however believe it was because it appeared in my dream that was making me give it that much attention. After all it was all a dream. Few days ago I told a girl to listen to the song 'Congratulations' to make her feel better. Now I have it on repeat. Decided to include the lyrics.

'Congratulations' by Blue October ft. Imogen Heap
Is that seat taken?

Congratulations
Would you like to take a walk with me?
My mind it kind of goes fast
I'll try to slow it down for you
I think I'd love to take a drive
I want to give you something
I've been wanting to give to you for years
My heart

My heart, my pain won't cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu
My heart can't take this cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu

I came to see the light in my best friend
You seemed as happy as you'd ever been
My chance of being open was broken
And now you're Mrs. Him.
My words they don't come out right
But I'll try to say I'm happy for you
I think I'm going to take that drive
I want to give you something
I've wanted to give to you for years
My heart

My heart, my pain won't cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu
My heart
My heart can't take this cover up
You left me.. hu hu hu hu
And I can't change this
I can never take it back
But now I can't change your mind
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
And I can't take this
I can never take this back
But now I can't change your mind
Can't change your mind
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
Can't change you mind
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
(You left me.. hu hu hu hu)
Just make it go away
Make it go away
Please.

Ade Soundtrack of [2010]

2010 wasn’t a spectacular year in music. For one most of the songs that made impact in my life or were soundtracks to my experiences were either released last year or by artistes that continued their run from the previous year. The songs listed below are not the best songs or albums I’ve heard but they made 2010 easier to be especially during my [Any] episode. No doubt 2010 was an emotionally charged year for me, loving and hating the same person. I hope my choices were also the soundtrack of your year at one point or the other and if you haven’t heard any of the songs then try to, and if you can’t get ‘em, contact me I’ll lace you up. The thing is there are lots of them so this is how it’s going to be, imagine you are at an awards show and I’m going to be presenting the most impressive song of each category.

Most Impressive Pop Song: ‘Whataya want from me’ by Adam Lambert. This song was written by P!nk and produced by Max Martin and Lambert nailed the vocals. This was one song that ‘played’ well during my break-up stage. I found myself asking her that question several times.

Most Impressive Producer: Dr. Luke. I’ve to put all sentiments aside on this one, I hated most of his work this year because the production sounded similar, and he became too monotonous. ‘California Gurls’, ‘Teenage Dream’, ‘Tik Tok’, ‘Dynamite’, ‘Your Love is my Drug’, became annoying if you play them back-to-back. He no doubt enjoyed this year and I’m expecting something original on Britney Spears next album.

Most Impressive Pop album: ‘La Roux’ by La Roux. ‘La Roux’ wasn’t released in 2010 but I appreciated it in 2010. Elle Jackson has the most emotional voice I’ve heard and the album has songs that dealt with different aspects of a relationship. From ‘Bulletproof’, ‘In for the Kill’, to ‘Cover my eyes’ these songs are on point and feel free to scream as you sing along.

Most impressive R&B album: ‘Element of Freedom’ by Alicia Keys is no doubt my favourite Keys album. One track that stood out for me was ‘Love is my Disease’ and it helped during those days. I was disappointed that out of her seven submissions for possible Grammy nominations for the 53rd edition, she had none.

Most Impressive Hip-Hop album: ‘The Adventures of Bobby Ray’ by B.o.B. Fact #1, B.o.B is in no way one of my 20 all time favourite rappers. Fact #2, Not one of all the artists featured would be included in my top 10 favourite anything. Fact #3, None of the songs would make my top 1000 songs. Still, the album was enough to be the most impressive hip-hop album I heard in 2010. I will select ‘Kids’ as one track that stood out.

Most Impressive collaboration: ‘Deuces’ by Chris Brown, Kevin McCal, and Tyga. Definitely the most matured song from Chris Brown and you don’t have to like him or hate him for transforming Rihanna. One of the few songs that had rappers sticking to the title of the song instead of bragging. “And all that attitude I don’t care about it but all the shit I do for her, you gonna hear about it”.

Most Impressive Rock album: ‘Approaching Normal’ by Blue October. Since I got this album last year I’ve never stopped playing it. There is a track for every situation you are in life and every emotion you can ever feel. This is no doubt one of my all-time favourite albums and it has helped me a lot to focus on a better tomorrow. I can’t even count how many of my write-ups that have lyrics from Blue October. Can’t wait for what they have next.

Most Impressive British song: ‘Pass Out’ by Tinie Temper. One spectacular aspect of this song is the instrumental, it had a bit of every genre and a beautiful reggae to rock climax. When you’ve got wonderful earphones you might actually put this track on repeat and keep acting up till you pass out.

Most Impressive Nigerian song: ‘Oleku’ by Ice Prince. What’s so special about the song? The rap was not that spectacular, the production was 100 percent digital, and the chorus- most people don’t know the meaning. Yet it defined Nigerian music in 2010. Expecting another ‘Oleku’ from Ice Prince, Brymo, or Jesse Jagz is long thing.

Most disappointing comeback: Toni Braxton ‘Pulse’. I was expecting her 2010 release to be the comeback in a genre where it has become so dependent on hip-hop. Once upon a time Toni Braxton was untouchable. The most disappointing aspect for me was the alternate album sounded better that the original compilation. The fact is Braxton has had in difficult in her career from labels to critics. I won’t deny the fact I liked few of the songs on the album especially ‘Hands tied’

Most annoying Song: ‘DJ got us falling in Love’ by Usher. I like Usher and that’s why I hate the song. It sounded like a song he stole from Justin Beiber, childish. O.M.G was partly acceptable because he was desperate for a hit although the lyrics also sounded like Justin’s. A grown ass man jumping around just doesn’t work for me anymore.

Artiste to watch in 2011: Lady Gaga. “I’m beautiful in my way ‘cause God makes no mistakes. I’m on the right track, I was Born This Way”. ‘Born this Way’ would be the name of her 2011 release and I have no doubt that would be the album that would define next year. When out of you seven previous singles, none didn’t fail to reach number one in America. Mother Monster keep it coming.