The Gift Of Rock


She's at it again. Beyonce performed at the Brit Awards at Earls Court wearing a white Roberto Cavalli dress and $475,000 worth of diamonds. She also walked a way with a Best International Female Solo Artist. She had this to say to her British fans "I think of this as my second home." Has she even lived in any parts of the UK for more than a week?

Justin Timberlake had two (International Male Solo Artist & International Album). International Breakthrough Artist went to 50 Cent and Outstanding Contribution To Music went to Duran Duran. There is still love for the Darkness who won three awards (British Rock Act, MasterCard British Album & British Group). Justin Hawkins had this to say: "This is a real privilege, a tremendous honor and a great achievement ... and I have to say, we probably are the best British group, We should thank our collective parents for bestowing on us the gift of rock."


Erykah Badu is preggers and she hates being called 'neo soul'. "Neo-soul is just another label," she told the Denver Post in Sunday's editions. "We don't make up those labels. Who knows where they come from? Probably from somebody who can make money by boxing it and selling it." She continues to say: " Hip-hop is not something we do, it's something we live," she said. "It's the way we dress, the way we talk ... everybody bobbing to the same beat. It's a culture, and you have to find your own place in that culture. Top 10 or Top 40 can't dictate that. They can only dictate what's marketable."


One of our favorite Swedish acts, The Cardigans, is set to release a new album called Long Gone Before Daylight. The album will feature a bonus DVD with videos for the singles "For What It's Worth" and "You're the Storm" and three live clips from last year's Roskilde Festival outside Copenhagen. The CD will also include a bonus cut exclusive to the North American version. (link Billboard)


Polaroid is warning users not to "Shake it like a Polaroid Picture" as Andre3000 sings in 'Hey Ya' - "Almost everybody does it, thinking that shaking accelerates the development process but if you shake it too vigorously you could distort the image. A casual shake typically doesn't affect it," (link NME)


The Comcast/Disney merger went bust (for now) but the Cingular/AT&T Wireless merger is a go. This merger will consolidate it's six wireless industry competitors to five - Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile USA and Cingular/AT&T Wireless (or whatever new name they come up with). We foresee a Wireless monopoly in the future but if it means we can have a four day weekend plan and no roaming charges - show us the dotted line. Eck, this also mean AT&T Wireless will most likely have a logo change and more rebranding work for us. Boo hiss!


On Monday Night, Bryan and Aeki Tuesday went to see Cat Power. Neither of us had seen her live before. It turned out to be a good show besides the packed crowd and heat. It was surprising that Cat Power did not do the following:

• Cry


• Stop in the middle of every song to talk about some nonsensical thing


• Cry


• Curse


• Cry


• Throw a tantrum


• Scratch her arse

But she did sit on the floor in the middle of the room whilst singing. She got up heading for the stage but hightailed it out the back door. We thought she went for a quick drink because her band was still playing but after about a minute there were no signs of her returning. We conclude Cat Power is still the temperamental rocker.


Thanks to everyone who sent us info on the Grey Album especially Ed, from Sandbox Automatic & Truthflies, who has appointed himself our Hip-Hop connect (aka pimp) for life.


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