Welcome to the blog that is everything Bryan Payton. I am a man of many interests. See the things I love, care about, and do. See my writings and about my daily occurrences.
Kanye West's long talked about 35-minute short-movie “Runaway” (below) premiered on MTV, MTV2, and BET Saturday night. In the movie a phoenix (played by model Selita Ebanks) falls to earth, crashing Kanye’s car. He, then, takes her to his home, falls in love with her, and tries to help her adapt to this world in hopes she’ll be accepted by humans, but she is not. It features nine songs off Kanye’s upcoming album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, to be released November 22. While the film was packed with creative, awe-inspiring scenes featuring lively colors, interesting shots, and amazing cinematography, the one thing you couldn’t take your eyes off of was model Ms. Ebanks. Basically naked with feathers covering her privates and wings on her back, Ebanks looks like a bird – a sexy bird. She doesn’t speak much but she doesn’t have to. She stole the movie just by standing there. According to my twitter feed, I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t take my eyes off her. In case you missed it, peep the photos of Ebanks and you’ll see what I mean. If all birds looked like this, I’d house an aviary.
I also posted this for Men's Health magazine blog "The Cache" here.
Kanye West made his triumphant return from exile by opening the BET Awards on June 27 with his new single, "Power". While he rocked his performance on top of a faux mountain rapping to everyone down below, I couldn't help but notice the huge chain hanging from his neck. All of us Kanye fans have grown accustomed to the Jesus piece he consistently wore. But this was no Jesus piece.
It was a "Horus" chain custom made for him by the often hip-hop name-dropped "Jacob the Jeweler". According to mythology, a Horus is the ancient Egyptian god of the sun, son or borther of Osiris and Isis, represented as having the head of a hawk. Horus means "the high-flying one."
According to multiple websites, the chain costs a reportedly $300,000. I'm wondering if Kanye will rock the chain elsewhere or if it was just for the performance. Either way, I'm elated to see him back. Word is, his album, titled Good Ass Job, drops September 14th.
Check more pics and the video Kanye's performance below.
I was browsing through the iTunes store last week sampling new music when I came across a unique sound of electro hip-hop/pop from an artist who I found to be sexy, but one I'd never heard of. Who was this artist? Her name is Uffie.
I listened to the 30-second snippet of all 17 tracks on her studio debut album Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans (released June 11) and was really impressed. She sounds like an artist who won't sell a hell of a lot, but she'll garner a strong niche audience. I'm also betting she probably puts on one hell of a concert.
Born in Miami, raised in Hong Kong, and living in Paris, Uffie is a sassy young thing who raps tough lyrics over auto-tuned, synthy beats. The media have already compared her sound to Ke$ha. Uffie was recently interviewed by Complex magazine where she addressed that issue along with tattoos, hickeys, and guns. It turns out she's a 22-year-old divorcee and just had a daughter. But, before you say "Yikes!", know that this sexy mama still loves to party and her music reflects it. I have yet to buy her album, but I will soon. So, count me in that special niche. And yes, I think she's better than Ke$ha.
Below is her video for her first single "Pop The Glock"
Jay-Z headlined the Isle of Wight Festival in the UK last weekend. During his set he brought out a special guest - Kanye West. West has slowly but surely been easing his way back into the spotlight. Two weeks ago he released his the first single titled, "Power" off of his upcoming album Good Ass Job due out in September. He's also performing at the BET Awards on June 27. Watch as Mr. West shocks the crowd and prove that the best way to be forgiven is to rock a show.
You're sure sportswriters everywhere just love to interview Kobe Bryant, right? Wrong. The best player in the NBA is also the worst interview in the NBA - in press conferences anyway. A journalism friend of mine sent me a link to this video full of Kobe's press conference highlights. The Lakers star has it down to a science. Simply, give a series of one-word answers, cliches, sarcastic laughs, and rub your face when annoyed and wallah! You've successfully mastered the worst press conference interview ever.
I know Kobe does speak more in some interviews, but his lack of printable answers in press conferences is ridiculous at times. My dad thinks he speaks less in pressers because he doesn't want to give any bulletin board material. That may be true, but I think Kobe's easily bothered by lots of questions. As a former athlete, I know the feeling (although nowhere near to the same extent). If the Lakers win Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics tomorrow night, I'm sure Kobe will have plenty more to say... I hope.
I bought my first Common CD last week, which is inexcusable. He is one of the best rappers to ever touch a mic and his political and societal-conscious lyrics are second to none. For some reason I never bought his CD's. My official intro into the Common world was serviced by his Finding Forever CD, released in July of 2007. I've been a fan of Common ever since he released his single "Retrospect For Life" featuring Lauryn Hill back in the early '90's. Now, I'm on a mission to get every CD he's released. His latest release was the techno-funk inspired Universal Mind Control released in December 2008. And word is he's currently working on his next one possibly due out later this year or early next.
The video below is "Drivin' Me Wild" featuring English pop star Lily Allen. It's a single off of Finding Forever and is one of my favorite Common tracks. Enjoy.
Music videos are one of my favorite art forms besides the music itself. I feel videos are in a really good place right now, especially with summer upon us. The storylines are unique and/or haven’t been seen in a while, particularly in hip-hop and R&B. Even the ones that aren’t so creative have elements of excitement in them. I’ve decided to feature six of my current favorites from Drake, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Diddy, and Ciara along with my thoughts afterwords. Listen to them, let them move you, or make you move… even if you can’t quite move like Ciara. And ladies, I know you’re going to go home and try. Enjoy.
Drake – “Find Your Love”
First of all, “Find Your Love” is quite a risk for Drake. Why? Well, it’s produced by Kanye West (not a risk), but it has more of a somber 808’s and Heartbreak feel more than raw hip-hop like his previous single “Over”. Nevertheless, Drake hits this one out the park, meaning the risk was worth it.
As for the video itself, I think the idea and storyline is great. I saw a very funny tweet on Twitter the other day about this video. It read, “Let Drake’s ‘Find Your Love’ be a lesson to you all. Don’t ever chase a girl to Jamaica and dutty wine with her in the club. She will kill you.”
Hilarious.
Alicia Keys - “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)”
Beautiful song. The video is emotional and touches on a subject that absurdly still bothers some today: Interracial love. I love how the settings switch back and forth between point of views times and the emotion of the actors feels real. Great song, even better video.
Mary J. Blige f/ Trey Songz – “We Got Hood Love”
The queen of R&B is sharper than ever. This song is classic Mary, yet the tune is so modern and new. I really like the plot of the video, it touches on the one thing that will make or break a relationship: trust. Waiting on their men to come home, wondering if he’s out doing dirt, is a feeling many women everywhere are all too familiar with. This video shows it well. If you’ve got that “hood love” you’ll withstand anything.
Usher f/ Will.i.am – “OMG”
Autotune is not dead (sorry Jigga) and neither are drop-crotch pants (I wish they were). Usher rocked this Will.i.am produced track and showed out in the video with his signature dance moves and smooth R&B look. I can’t say there’s much creativity in this video, but I like the song and I enjoy watching Usher dance… and peep the red pocket square with the white blazer. I will be stealing that look.
Diddy: Dirty Money f/ Rick Ross & T.I. – “Hello Good Morning”
Nothing creative or new about this video. Everything is done on a large scale just how Diddy likes, I can dig it. I like Dirty Money’s look and the song makes me wanna dance.
If you’re a Jay-Z fan you know of J. Cole. You heard his verse on “A Star is Born” off of Jay’s Blueprint 3. You even hit rewind to hear his verse again. Why? The young North Carolina native is a definite star in the making and he did more than enhance Jay’s track, he blessed it.
Writing rhymes since age 12, Cole isn’t your average rapper. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. When he wasn’t studying he was fine-tuning his sound as a rapper. He later released his mixtape The Warm Up, giving fans a taste of a conscious, insightful rap style that will surely make him a star. He spit fire, Common-like bars on “Lights Please” saying,
Ain’t it shameful how niggas blame hoes for givin’ birth to a baby that took two to make? Coward nigga, you a fake. How you gon’ look in your son’s face and turn your back? Then go start another family dog, what type of shit is that?
Cole goes on to put his own touch on a classic with Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents.” We should all take notice and believe in the youngster in 2010. After all, Cole told us, “Yeah, I’m focused man, I’ll let you muthafu**as soak it in.” Clap for ‘em.
I’m putting this group here for two reasons: They’re such Grammy-bate and they’re music is infectious and downright great. Why weren’t they higher on the list? They might go generally unheard of among the masses for most of the year and may not release a full album until next winter, if not 2011.
Nikki & Rich consist of singer/songwriter Nikki Leonti and producer Rich Skillz. Nikki is a former Christian Music singer. She released her first LP in 1998 titled, Shelter Me before releasing a self-titled album, and Postcards From Mixaco: A Dance Re-MIX Fiesta. She’s come a long way since those days.
Nikki & Rich’s sound is retro pop, doo wop, and R&B. Every bit of it is both soulful and satisfyingly wrenching. Judging from the few songs I’ve heard, you can’t help but smile, dance, or sing along. Nikki has garnered positive comparisons to Amy Winehouse and combines a strong, soulful voice with attractive looks.
Their music was featured on the last season of HBO’s Entourage and the new 90210. They’re beginning to create more buzz, as they held a private showcase for media and friends in New York City on February 9. After catching a glimpse of their live show and hearing a few of their tunes, there’s zero doubt in my mind that Nikki & Rich will be a promising new act in 2010.
I absolutely love this song. It was in my head all yesterday and last night. I even heard it in my dreams - seriously. It's off of his upcoming album Rebirth. The melody, lyrics, and the fact that Lil' Wayne showed off enough passion to learn to play the guitar and the balls to do something different when many told him he couldn't. I'd say Lil' Wayne is on fire...even if he is about to do a bid and cut off his hair.
I've always like ace of Base ever since I was a boy. I can remember being shocked to hear a couple white women being played on a hip-hop station in my hometown of Fort Wayne, IN. A friend of mine mentioned the group on Twitter and that brought back memories. Here's one of my favorite songs from them.
While celebrating the New Year last night at Calhoun Street Soups, Salads and Spirits I saw the debut of Jay-Z's video for "On to the Next One" featuring Swizz Beats. The video blew my mind and I couldn't even hear it! The visual aspects of the video were enough to amaze me. I dare another artist to make a better video than this one in 2010. Now, ain't that something? The year's best video probably will have been shown on the first day. That's why Jay-Z is the best. He continues to change the game of hip-hop.
The video, directed by Anthony Mandler, comes on the heels of Jay-Z's "Young Forever" video released on the web last week (also directed by Mandler). The video is futuristic, dark, edgy and chic all at the same time. It's quite avant garde for hip-hop and looks like something Lady Gaga would do - perfect for the New Year. I love this video...and I want the jacket Jay-Z has on in it.
So, it's about 5:07 am and I just got in from a wonderful night of partying to bring in the year right. As you can imagine, I'm super sleepy so I'm keeping this short. I welcome you to the "relaunch" of my blog. I promise it will be updated as often as I see fit, which will be more often that last year...Woops I actually just fell asleep for about 7 minutes in my computer chair. In this case, without further ado, take a look at the video that best describes my time tonight. It's "Pursuit of Happiness" by Kid Cudi.
On most mornings I like to have my own Wake ‘n Watch session by turning to music video channels on my TV. The other day there was this infectious electronica, dance beat thumping from my TV speakers that I couldn’t ignore. After running from my bathroom to leap in front of the TV I saw a pale, boyish, European-looking girl singing with a stoic look on her face. Though, there was nothing stoic about her voice.
This girl was Elly Jackson, on half of European electropop duo La Roux (the other is synth player/producer Ben Langmaid). The group hails from Brixton, England and lists the likes of Annie Lennox, David Bowie, Madonna and Prince as influences. Listening to the snippets of their self-titled debut album on iTunes reminded me of a high-sprung electro dance party (though, I’ve never been to one, but would love to go). I’m planning on buying it soon and finding out more about La Roux.
I'm the newest intern at Men's Health magazine and a working freelance writer. I recently interned at Indianapolis Monthly magazine. I graduated in December from Indiana University, where I majored in General Studies with concentrations in Journalism and Fashion Design. There, I was also a full scholarship football player. My interests are far and wide and this blog reflects it. Enjoy.
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