Yo people! DK here hitting you up with my latest interview with none other than the craziest magician you could ever hope to see, often described as David Blaine with a smile - The Bradford born magic maestro has sparked the worlds imagination and shocked millions across the world - I met up with him at a Cafe in Tottenham Court Road and here’s what we chatted about:

TDKB: Bloody Hell, to tell you the truth this is the last thing I expected I would be doing today, how’s it going man?

DYNAMO: Yeah man it’s going pretty good - pretty tired but feeling good.

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TDKB: Don’t you magicians have something to take all the tiredness away?

DYNAMO: (Laughs) well that would be pretty abusive of the gift I suppose, I grew up normal so I like to keep my life as normal as I can for the moment 

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TDKB: Understandable! Congratulations on your success in your latest series: Magician Impossible- are you glad it’s finally done and dusted?

DYNAMO: Thanks a lot man - Yeah it didn’t do too bad. I guess you could say it’s a bit of relief and a bit of sadness, once your in front of cameras all day and working day and night it feels abnormal when it all suddenly stops - I went to Bradford the minute the last trick was shot, in fact the last show actually shows me going home - It’s the only place I can go and truly relax, with my nan and her food.

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TDKB: Well it’s good to see the fame hasn’t hit you with Celeb Syndrome - or has it? 

DYNAMO: To be honest, I know I get recognized, like you recognized me! But I still feel I’m the same guy who grew up trying card tricks in front of my family - I wear the same clothes - I don’t think all that designer and the flash cars make you a better person - I’m cool with my Ford Fiesta even if I make a million. 

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TDKB: When was the first time you thought to yourself : “Magic? Not bad.” 

DYNAMO: All my inspiration actually comes from my grandfather - I grew up watching him do all sorts of tricks - The first one that really got me was his ‘Flaming Wallet’ - He would blow the wallet and it would light up on fire, he’d blow again and it’d be gone! Since then I was always going to be doing magic - famous or not. 

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TDKB: You have Crohns disease - explain how it was as a child living with such a harsh illness. 

DYNAMO: I grew up feeling weak most of the time, there were good days and bad - but when it got bad, It would be a real struggle, I can appreciate what I was going through now because I know more about it but back then I wondered why I was feeling like that. I kept strong though and always had a smile on my face - I used it to my strengths and used it as a motivation to make me stronger

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TDKB:  It’s interested how you flipped a negative in life and used it for a positive cause - speaking of positive causes, do you physically have the power(s) to mind control famous political leaders with the second name of Obama? 

DYNAMO: (Laughs) I try and stay detached from politics because I realise what a beautiful world this is and how some decisions ruin that - I also think it’s my duty to maintain of balance of things - If I ever attempted something as crazy as that who knows? it could spark even more havoc, I believe magic can inspire people as well as entertain so I would rather put it towards that. 

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TDKB:  We’re going to sp ontaneously enter a quick fire round so I give you two options - you pick one, for example if I said Bradford or Catford you would say…

DYNAMO: Bradford…

TDKB: Good! So let’s get started - Chicago Bulls or Orlando Magic

DYNAMO: Not really a Basketball fan but have to go with Orlando Magic. 

TDKB: Chicken Curry or Pizza?

DYNAMO: Chicken Curry! 

TDKB: Girl with a nice ass or girl with a nice face?

DYNAMO: Face face face

TDKB: Haha! On that note let’s conclude this interview - thanks so much for taking the time out to talk to me, it was truly an honour and I wish you the best of luck in your future - before you go…do you play quiditich? 

DYNAMO: My pleasure man, thanks for wanting to interview me - and best of luck to you as well - and I used to play but an injury kept me out for years! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MUTmHut-Ow - Magician Impossible part 1

yablondon:

[Photo: YABLDN. Antonio Lulic plays on stage at The World’s End in Finsbury Park}

Antonio Lulic is one cool guy. I discovered his music at The World’s End pub in Finsbury Park in the W.E. Love Sundays night. Organised by Irish musician Kal Lavelle, W.E Love Sundays aims to…

Yo people! Check out my short interview with Mikil Pane - who opened for Mac Miller at the Sheperd’s Bush Empire earlier this month! Excuse the etchy sound and dodgey camera not to mention the mentioning of sbtv! haha

If there ever was a genre of Anti - rap then Mikill would certainly take the mayor’s title…he hates hip hop, and is the type of lyricist that goes against everything a typical money make would want to be - Give him a listen and from Dubstep - Electro - Folk Pop - or straight rap …There’s something for everything in the ridiculously crazy world of Mikill Pane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fU1f-vPGSY - Interview 

http://ufotown.bigcartel.com/ - clothing line 

http://mikillpane.com/ - Website with EVERYTHING you need to know and more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEEj_0w0me4 - Little Lady w/ Ed Sheeran 

albotas:

Custom Sonic the Hedgehog “Light Speed” Nike Dunks by Michael Eberra who says “If not for Sonic, my skill level as an artist today would not be.” Check out meberracustomz.com for more.

Since early 2003 the birth of UK rap from the hood has evolved in to a gritty take on life around London (and now a days the UK) to create a genre which is well described by it’s name: Grime. From the history books, Wiley, Dizzee Rascal, Newham Generals, Jammer and Kano have taken the more well known Garage, Dancehall and Hip hop and transformed it in to something raw, fresh and quite frankly…Fucking Ard. 

Although Bow is still known as the birthplace of the UK’s biggest music revolution for decades, it has always been the platform for young artists to go off on to bigger and better things, namely - Mainstream music. Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal, Tinie Tempah and more have been accused of “Selling out” but perhaps wrongly so - An ageing population in the UK will always out market the youth. 

Here we are though, In Hayes, West London - a place not associated with Grime, ever. In recent years North London and South london have been flagged as the torch carriers for Grime. But it could be that, it is all about to change. Meet Ashleyi. One striking difference from other artists is that Ashleyi has never been a proclaimed “Grime” artist, he has taken his influences from the likes of Pac and Eazy E - mixed them with the vibes of Dizzee Rascal and Kano and ultimately based his career on pure, simple, UK Rap. Not grime. Ironically he has started his career with a genre most artists end up with after making a name in Grime, but not Ashley - since his first noticeable video “Throw your hands up” it is clear that although many others around Ashley are doing music, it is likely he will lead the way for Hayes. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZxTPaj1CZ0 - Ashley I - Throw your hands up

Since then he has gone through the customary faze of working on a mixtape to hopefully build a reputation if not build a name for himsef in the early stages of his career - “Da introduction” Mixtape defines what young talent and clever production and result in. 

http://www.endz2endz.com/profiles/blogs/mctv-ashley-i-da-introduction - Da introduction Mixtape trailer

The first thing you will notice about this Mixtape is that the cover is not your average mixtape cover, there are no cheesy edits on the cover and no flash effects to draw your attention as it if were some lollipop magazine for 10 year olds, it’s Ashleyi on the cover, Ashleyi on the tracks - it is what it is and I think that’s the most powerful thing about it, you get Ashleyi on the outside, and Ashleyi on the inside, no gimmicks - just music, Oh and “Parental Advisory” in the bottom corner, Nice touch Ash. 

With the aid of old school freind “Lil Beatz”, The dude who makes the beats (who would have thought it?) and upcoming rapper and friend E-mak he has come up with a library of songs that give you the feel of an album - Every song has a story and whether you’re in love, you’re feeling sentimental, you’re repping LDN or just wanna kick back to some music - there’s definitely something in here for everyone - I’ll hit you up with a review of the one’s I feel are the best and share the videos with you, Hit em up! Like em (if you like em) and definitely drop a comment - All the support is much appreciated, all the hate is very motivating.  

1. Grind Hard (Ft. Soffa) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t4Z-UBbM3I

There’s a lot to say about this song and even better, about the video. Too often we see great songs by young artists ruined by the generic “reppin the endz” with bandanas and gang signs running up the place! It’s great to see the studio where it all goes down and it also gives you a feel of a day in the life of Ashley and co. as they keep it simple and effective, teaching you that “You gotta grind HARD.” 

You’ll notice a general trend in Ashley’s tracks in that they always come with a powerful and memorable chorus, something that brings the production full circle and that is always the sign of a great song. 

The introduction of Soffa who compliments Ashley very well on this track makes a nice change and shows the work going in, how this mixtape represents a movement and not a kid tryna get rich. (Although, ofcourse - Money is ALWAYS a motive.) There’s something refreshing about this song, it’s not about how poverty in the hood makes life hard, it’s about how it motivates you to move on to bigger and better things as Ashley tells us: “Yeah I had a shit job, Yeah my salary’s wack, but I don’t wanna move weight, no calorie crap.” 

2. Big Ol’ LDN 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYOIW8xfvx4

Perfect for kicking back and vibing to! even if you’re not from London town. Since in beginning of UK rap/grime there have been enough shout outs to London and they usually involve dirty bass and brash lyrics, here though Ashley switches it up to give you a flavour of London on the bright side, with a laid back track, shots of famous land marks and the team chilling together. But and even more interesting factor is how motivational the tune is, yes London can be a tough place to live - but with effort and dedication it can be a place where “You can get your cake up, and everyday will be like your birthday”  even if there are “Too many lost souls where I’m living.

3. Moment 4 life freestyle (Niki Minaj cover)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE3hpaay4W8&feature=related

“Ash. If you’re not massive by 2012, something’s gone seriously wrong with the UK. - THIS GUY IS GOING TO BE HUGE!” 

Well it may be a huge statement from a Youtube follower but with the level of production - Video structure, sound quality and lyrical content, it’s hard to argue when a young artist on little funds is making such big movements without funding from any labels, it’s a team investment of his own time, his own money and his own talent. Here we have Ashley’s take on the meaning being “Moment for life” Niki see’s it as a fairytale world to recreate the fantasies she’s always dreamed of, and Ashley sees it as ceasing the opportunities that come so few and far between. The song is sort of like a documentary- an insight in to the world of Music from Ashley’s eyes: “The game’s about who you know, not what you know.”  However another unique twist on the music, a view on life as a whole, from friends and relationships to hate from those around you.  It’s got almost 10,000 views on youtube and for a small artist from West London barely at the beggining of his career, that speaks volumes about his potential

Other tracks including “Endz Chick” (A story about a girl who’s a cut above the rest, with an  modern Arabian hook)   and “No more drama” (Simplicity - A piano, A great vocalist and Ashley’s bars)  summarise just how versatile Ashley really is. You may read this and think I am bias because yes I do come from Hayes - but whether you like one song, hate two songs, or love/hate all of them! There’s no denying there is something relative to all of us, and something that appeals to audiences not just of the “Youth” category - What ever the future holds, is not for us to know, but to find out. And if predictions are anything to go by, Ashley Izunwa, of Hayes - West London will be “100% reason to remember the name”

To find out what Ashley’s up to next and to get a FREE download of his mixtape “Da introduction” log on to -

http://ashleyi.wordpress.com/

This year, the Champions League final was hosted in “The home of football” Featuring the rightful claimers of Wembley as their “Second home” Manchester United, and a team that has had a brief love affair with the ground after a 1992 Champions League triumph. Despite home advantage, Manchester United were officially the away team - and ironically, Barcelona felt right at home. The emphatic 3 - 1 victory over United humbled the English champions.

The 28th of May 2011 was quite a lesson for the world of football. It learnt that home advantage meant little against a side that boasts not only skilful players, but more impressive then that, undeniable togetherness.  It learnt that no matter how organised and experienced a manager becomes, the art of “Tikka Takka” is simply an experience in itself. Most importantly however, it learnt that if anyone is to combat Pep’s Catalan giants, then there needs to be change. 

Sir Alex raises an interesting point about the state of football in this country…

“We are only allowed to coach youngsters for an hour-and-a-half but they (Barcelona) can coach every hour of the day if they want to.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3608973/Alex-Ferguson-wants-more-time-to-guide-Manchester-Uniteds-kids.html#ixzz1OzL0Vocf

and it’s not only the physical side of football that draws the team together. The irreplaceable factor of spending large amounts of time with each other, learning of each other’s habits, instinctively knowing which player will be where without even looking - these are all traits that can not be accomplished in 90 minutes of training. It seems the English football system portrays the academy as a work place - as if the player is contracted to interact with team mates like an office man and his colleagues and then be allowed to totally disassociate himself with the team after the final whistle blows.  Just as Barcelona’s amazing relationship echoes in to the National team ( with Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Carlos Puyol, Sergio Busquettes,  David Villa and Pedro making up the 1st XI squad regularly )

English football’s Lack lustre relationship echoes in to the national team, with England having an abysmal campaign in South Africa and Spain reaching the summit of world football 2 years after conquering Europe. That my friends, spells it out all too clearly. 

It’s not all doom and gloom though, as in recent years English football has unveiled some rough Diamonds in Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) Josh Mcacheran (Chelsea) Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)  Martin Kelly (Liverpool) Alex Chamberlin (Southamption)  who have all shown real encouraging signs that English football will not completely whither away -but they alone are not enough to create a legacy of British talent

As in my previous article: “Sensible Spending Thrown out the (transfer) window” I’ll give my view on what I think needs to be done, or what could be a solution - If you agree: Great! If you don’t, it’ll get you thinking of a way that can -Win win situation I feel (: 

“If you can’t beat them…Join them” (I’m going with the whole “Use a cool quote theme” in my blogs.) I think that short statement sums it all up, If Barcelona are rarely beatable (If not unbeatable) - then what better way to conquer them than giving them a dose of their glorious medicine? 

 I feel there should be a football academy similar to that of the Barcelona camp which is governed by the FA - and brings together all the youth affiliated with the National football academy in to a “National School of Excellence” and trains them up to an age of 18 (with education and according holidays)- Which will create a new generation of English stars who have  lived together, laughed together, cried together, succeeded together, failed together and critically, played hours of football together - so even if club football takes the young stars their separate ways, they will always have the resources internally and physically to bring back the glory of that famous July afternoon in Wembley, all those years back in 1966.

Since the days of Silvio Berlusconi’s money bathed tenure at AC Milan, it became apparent that the glorious game of football was about to be introduced to another kind of world. Big Money.

Yes, it’s obvious that football clubs have always been a business but money was not necessarily the motive. Now a days it seems that any tom, dick (and yes, even harry) seem interested in splashing the cash on to a football club in need of financial rejuvenation, just ask Sean “Diddy Dirty Money” Combs - A legend in the American Hip-Hop industry who felt the urge to attempt a cross over the pond and take over Crystal Palace FC. A venture in a world that could not be further from his own (Even if it is also called “Football”) and although this did not materialise, the fact that someone so detached from football even contemplated  buying in to a club well, says it all quite frankly.  Oh and “He like the name as well”. It seems these days football is the last thing these millionaire moguls have their sights set on, but how does that effect the club? 3 simple words. Money, money, money. 

January 2011 saw the record books smashed with a staggering £225 Million spent on players. Some transfer prices were not surprising with a world class Fernando Torres priced at around £50 Million (but even that’s debatable) however, there were some price tags that just did not match the player. Take 21 year old Any Carroll for example. A début year in the regular 1st XI for Newcastle United 2 seasons ago, which ended with 19 goals in all competitions. Pretty good. His goals gained them promotion to the Premier League, where he got off to a decent start. However, 18 months of “decent” football does not justify a player at the very beginning of his career becoming “The most expensive British player of all time”

It seems that teams with big pockets behind them have left the days of professional comradrey and negotiation and replaced it with a simple of game of “who can outspend who” and that can only be negative for a game which has prided itself on being the people’s game, founded by ability as opposed to affluence. 

Roman Ibramovic is perhaps the most recognizable money pump in English Football. The amount of money he  spent in this year’s Transfer Window was large enough to buy Notts County FC ten times (With a few million to spare). However, more recently- Manchester City have become a Billionaire boy’s club, and are arguably the modern day catalyst which has triggered responses such as one from Nav (A personal friend of mine,  football enthusiast and Liverpool fan…hey, no one’s perfect): “It’s going to come to a point where buying a player for £40 million is a bargain!” 

Initially, just as a kid with a box full of sweets would attempt to scoff ‘em all in one sitting, City tried to sign Ricardo Kaka back in 2009 for a staggering £100 Million. Yes, you read that correctly, and as I’ve said before, although they failed, the problem is that they still attempted to pull off a spending spree that would have Donald Trump readjusting his tie. But it’s not only the Blue side of Manchester with issues. England’s baby boy, Wayne Rooney shocked the world when he wanted to leave Manchester United for “lack of desire, in terms of title winning pursuits” Ironic that Rooney should say that seeing as Manchester United had won 3 League titles, One European Title (including another final in Rome)  and 2 League cups in the last 5 years. Not to mention another Premier League crown and another European Final earlier this term. The truth is, the amount of money player’s have potential access to have given them underlying powers to make or break a club, had he left, then we may have seen a very different conclusion to this season. But the price was right, and the player remained. 

So what does the price tag do to the player? Of course there are always some exceptions e.g. Christiano Ronaldo who wouldn’t feel under pressure even if he’d been suffering from chronic constipation, seemed to bask in the glory of his £80 million switch to Los Blancos in 2009. However for most players, the 8 figure salary tag attached to their shirts is as much weight as the money handed to them all at once in cold hard cash. £50 million on Fernando Torres made a return of one, wet, poachers goal for his huge salary and he’s got about 24 goals more to cover before we start talking about him as a deserved owner of this ridiculous sum of money. More recently, Jordan Henderson…a player who is nationally known as a player from “One of the mid table clubs right?” or as “Sunderland’s young midfielder”  and a player, who most would not recognize if he was out in his football kit. Yet some how his services are just £15 million short of the most expensive player in British history. 

Ridiculous sums of money are becoming some what of an unwanted entity amongst the footballing world. The more money being spent by the club, the more it has to generate…Just Ask a Manchester City fan, who would need around £78.00 to enjoy a day out at the Eastlands, a staggering difference to a Wigan fan who could enjoy top flight premier league action for around £12.00.

 What does the future hold? Well it’s quite simple…More and more money will be put in to place for players who just aren’t worth it, the huge price tag will add huge amounts of pressure to live up to the worth, and as Rooney showed, the players will gain more power. The only way football can slowly restore itself to a hint of former glory is by imposing serious spending caps not only on the larger clubs but across the leagues. UEFA has recently implemented this across the Champions League and it looks to make a refreshing change. Not only will this enhance the “fair play” scheme we so often hear about, but it will give players more stability and ensure they’re not shifted to the depths of the reserves team after being bought in to the club just a few months earlier….”Money is the root of all evil” whoever came up with that, surely was a football fan. 

Hope you enjoyed the read. 

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