I Like this record! Get on board- it's a Woman's World by Selah feat Mz Bratt & Sadie Ama

Gingers get stalked in MIA's new Video for single 'Born Free'

M.I.A, Born Free from ROMAIN-GAVRAS on Vimeo.

directed by Romain Gavras

CIARA new Video for Basic Instinct (U Got Me)

I like this Video, Ciara looks great and its nice to see something almost real looking amongst a sea of Gaga- esque shoulder pads and fash-shaaan

Lust Have Item- The Asos Parrot Dress

I love a parrot, they are gorgeous creatures (but then again I pretty much like all animals, bees, squirrels, monkeys, cats, dogs, horses- get the gist?)
I have parrot clothing and jewellery which I adore. There is something totally bonkers about them, which is why I appreciate this dress.
cute parrot sundress from Asos for £30

DJ NIKKI Interview with SMILER :)

Smiler's making waves in UK Music with his record 'Clarity' being shown every 5 minutes on the music channels. He has also been a controversial figure in UK Hip Hop due to his Destroy and Rebuild record, in which he talks about older UK rappers not making the waves they should have- check it out below.

His new record is called 'Enza' and is hypnotically catchy.
I caught up with the charismatic SMILER to find out about the man behind the smiles..

NIKKI: How did you get the name SMILER or is it obvious :) ?
SMILER: Well the name Smiler's been with me from when I was like 12. One of my older friends gave it to me because, no matter what my situation or what I was going through at the time I always seemed to have a smile on my face.. And the name just happened to stick!


NIKKI: Tell me about your new single ENZA, what is it about?
SMILER: Enza is an aura, something atmospheric that cannot be described only experienced.. an x-factor. I decided to name my new single Enza because this was the feeling that ran through me when I first heard the instrumental.

The song is about a night out, from getting ready to interacting with females on an intense level.


NIKKI: Who did you listen to growing up? Were you always into Hip Hop, who are your other musical influences?
SMILER: I listened to a range of different artists growing up, from Lionel Richie and Otis Redding to Big Daddy Kane and Luke. I went through a faze between the ages of 12-16 where it was strictly tupac and biggie for me. From the age of 16 I was listening to and gaining influence from east coast rappers such as AZ, Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Noreaga, etc...

NIKKI: When & How did you make your first tune?
SMILER: I've always been into hip-hop but also always loved and appreciated other genres. I wrote my first track at the age of 15... (lol if u heard it) everybody's gotta start somewhere!

NIKKI: Give me 5 words to describe Smiler?
SMILER: Hardworking, loyal, ambitious, handsome & beautiful! You sure 5's enough, or you want more?! Haha

NIKKI: LMFAO! So SMILER, what's next for you in 2010?
SMILER: Well as you know, the 'clarity' lp and video are already out. My new single Enza is bullying its way through the clubs and the airwaves !!
I have 2 more video's from the lp already shot and in the archive... I'll be doing shows all over the country, got my next 2 singles lined-up already, clothing line launching, and other forms of merchandise.. Some High profile collabs...
Who knows, maybe later in the year I'll fly 2 the states and run for presidency!! Haha

Here is SMILER's New Video 'ENZA'




SMILER talking on Destroy and Rebuild on DJ 279's Radio Show, London- on his opinions about other UK Rappers. 279 makes some very valid points, it was allot harder 10 or 15 yrs ago for rappers. Pre- Video Channels, Blogs, You- Tube- if you wanted to get tracks out to people you had to press up records and hand them out and there were so many doors shut to Hip Hop artists- and Hip Hop Dj's too! But I also understand Smiler's opinions and I like his directness. I think the way forward now would be for all these guys to work together....


Here is the Destroy and Rebuild track...

Femi Kuti's Gig in the UK- in MAY!!!!

On Sunday May 2ndFemi Kuti the son of Fela Kuti, the originator of Afrobeat and former Public Enemy No1 in Nigeria is playing at the De La Warr Pavillion in Hastings, his only UK Venue date, aside from selected festivals.

Trumpeter and saxophonist Femi made his debut as bandleader at the Hollywood Bowl in 1985, while his father was facing fraud charges. A year later he had split to make his own music with The Positive Force.


His 17-piece unit released two African albums, No Cause For Alarm? and MYOB, before being signed by Motown’s world-music label, Tabu. The Positive Force play fast and as furious with music that digs deep into Nigerian traditions and fuses soul, funk and hip hop.

Femi’s songs became anthems, though the Nigerian government made sure he was never played on radio, arguing that the lyrics to one song, Beng Beng Beng, were so lewd he was a danger to public morality.

Femi Kuti and The Positive Force are a return to the glory days of Nigeria’s big bands, of wailing organs, frantic polyrhythms and behemoth horn sections playing against each other. Afrobeat both hard driving and hard hitting, is still the order of the day at The Shrine, the nightclub in Lagos where Femi and his band, The Positive Force, play three times a week.

This gig is going to be a real treat! The De La Warr Pavillion embraces and pushes musical & artistic talent from all genres, alongside many underground and up and coming artists. Let's support them & Femi and make this gig amazing!
Tickets (standing, with some seats available in the balcony) £18

Tel : 01424 229111

New Video- Digital Soundboy Redlight feat Roses Gabor 'Stupid'

Great Video featuring Roses Gabor- keep your eyes peeled for her EP coming soon...

Hip Hop Star Rodney P talks to me about his new records, life, hip hop & music...

Rodney P is a legend in Uk Hip Hop, since his days in the seminal UK Hip Hop group London Posse, Rodney P is widely regarded as the Godfather of British Hip Hop. He has inspired a generation of British emcees and producers by being the first to rap in his authentic London accent and produced a home-grown Hip Hop/Reggae vibe that is distinctly rooted in the UK.
Rodney is also a nice guy, with a great energy & British sense of humour.

Check out some of Rodney P's immense back catalogue & work on Rodney's Riddimkilla Myspace



NIKKI: Tell me about the new record & Video, what's it called, who produced it and who features on it?
RODNEY: The video is for the tracks “Struggla” and “Born Inna System” on Skitz’s new album ‘Sticks Man’ to be released in May. The full version of “Struggla” features me, Kardinal Official and Drum & Bass legend, Skib a dee.
“Born Inna System” is by a new artist called Buggsy from Bristol who is gonna be doing some big things this year.

Check the BRAND NEW VIDEO BELOW

Skitz ft. Rodney P & Buggsy from Studio JK:AK on Vimeo.

NIKKI: When did your love for hip hop start & who were your major musical influences?
RODNEY: My love started when I first heard the Sugar Hill Gang on Top of the Pops. It was all about breaking and body popping in the early days, then groups like RunDMC, Whodini and The Kold Krush Brother

NIKKI: When & how did you make your first record?
RODNEY: I was 16 when the first London Posse record came out in 86' and it was a lot harder and more expensive to get music made then.

NIKKI: What has your journey in British Music been like & what wisdom would you impair to younger artists :) ?
RODNEY: Ups and Downs but overall a fun ride. I’ve done a lot and seen a lot and I’m thankful I’ve been able to make a decent living doing what I would’ve been doing for free
For young acts I say be realistic, hustle HARD and enjoy it.

NIKKI: Give me 5 words to describe Rodney P?
RODNEY: BIG AND BLOODCLART HEAVY, SEEN!!!

NIKKI: LMFAO!! What's next for you in 2010?
RODNEY: BIGGER &Better!!!

I forgot to post this the other day..My mate Kelis' new Video for Acapella

I have known this lady for more years than I care to remember, since before she took the UK by storm shouting I Hate You So Much Right Now...here is her latest offering 'Acapella'. It's been on my Mixtapes & Podcasts for the past few months and finally there is a Video.
As usual there is great fashion and Knight, K's newest little addition is in the Vid at the end :) The Video has taken the tune up a notch from Guetta's stark production. Kelis' song writing as always, is a catchy as hell and K has already had a number 1 in the USA with Acapella and just smashed it at this years Miami WMC.
Shouts to Kelis & Liz Mendez - original ravin crew
DJ NIKKI xx

WMC RAW // Kelis from Arcade44.tv on Vimeo.

Marc Jacobs’s for Louis Vuitton's making of the SS 2010 Ad Campaign

EXCLUSIVE! DJ NIKKI Interview with one of the best voices in music...TERRI WALKER- she's back!

Terri Walker has one of the best voices to come out of the UK. Reminiscent of Aretha, but with the jazz greats thrown in the mix as well- this lady can sing. Terri was signed to Def Soul Records, part of Def Jam back in the noughties, was Mobo nominated and released 3 Albums. Now in 2010 Ms Walker is back, stronger than ever with a new energy & rejuvenated sound.
I sat down with Terri recently to talk tunes, shoes & new music...

NIKKI: Hey Luv, How are you?
TERRI WALKER: Whad up!!!! Big up to the biggest female DJ in the game! PERIOD!!!!

NIKKI: Ok, so you and I go back years to just before you got signed to Def Jam in the UK as 'Terry Walker', but you have had a name change right? Can you explain all :) ?
TERRI: Well yes I did have a feeling sorry for myself moment ,where I thought I just wanted to start all over .I was going to go back to my real name ,which is actually 'Chanelle'.Thankfully though I came to my senses and decided to come back as 'Terri Walker'.
There is too much history there and achievements that cant be ignored .So now 'Terri' is back on this B#%ch!Lol!

NIKKI: I agree luv! It would be kinda crazy to start over when you did so much great work...So have you been working on new music recently?
TERRI: Yeaaaahhhhh maaaaaayynnneee! I've been getting it in whilst I've been away from it all.I've been stateside mostly.Miami/LA and more recently NY!
I'm involved with two projects at the moment."The Champagne Flutes" which is produced by the legendary "Salaam Remi" (Amy Winehouse,Fugees,Nas etc..).That will be out to buy soon.
The other project is "Belle-Vue" which I'm doing with my partner "Krunkadelic".It's more on the club vibe.You've already played that out for me!Love you for that.The fIrst heat of that is the track "LAST CALL". (see video below)
I'm also in the process of recording my 4th Album which I'm crazy excited about! So watch this space!:-)



NIKKI: oh yes, I have been playing 'Last Call' out in every club set since you gave it to me a few weeks back. It's a great record.
Tell me- How has your style & sound progressed & has it changed over the years?
TERRI: Oooh I'm definitely in tune with my tone and delivery more now than ever.I really believe less is more now.Back in the day I thought the louder you sing the better you are,but boy was I wrong!! Hhahahhahaahah!NIKKI: Describe yourself in 5 words...?
TERRI: Fun,honest,vibey,hilarious and crazy!

NIKKI: Who are your biggest musical influences?
TERRI: I would say my mum.The reason I say that is because there was never a boundary of music in my house.If it was good it got played.So obviously we had 'Whitney,Marvin,Anita,Gladys' etc... but we also played the 'Simon and Garfunkels ,Carly Simons and Carol Kings of this world.Classical,Soft Rock you name it.
So basically I'm just inspired by music overall.If it touches me it touches me.
NIKKI: So lady, I'm guessing you love shopping as much as the next girl..Describe your style?
TERRI: I am a simple chick.I love clean lines and the classics.So like a simple black dress with a minor detail always gets me.I love that boho chic look too.Skinny jeans with a funky t-shirt and some chunky jewelry occasionally does it for me as well.

NIKKI: Who are your favourite designers?
TERRI: For shoes, I like Kurt Geiger,Louboutin & Gucci. TERRI: When it comes to clothes & bags, I love Chanel, Armani, Mulberry, Aigner & Versace.

NIKKI: So Terri, what are your favourite shops? Do you have any hidden gems for my readers?
TERRI: I heart Urban Outfitters! I always find something in there.Especially in the US stores. I love Zara too.TERRI'S Urban Outfitters Silence & Noise Insert Tulip Dress


NIKKI: Yeah Zara is killing it at the moment! What were your last 5 purchases?
TERRI:
1.Black suede Kurt Geiger platform closed toe with a sexy gold heel
2.Carvela Black silver studded open toe stilettos
3.Black feathered winter jacket from Zara
4.Lancomes Juicy tubes
5.Valentino's Rock chick

NIKKI: Thanks Terri!
TERRI: Speak soon missy!xxxx

Below is some of Terri's amazing work...
You can check her new project with CHAMPAGNE FLUTES HERE



Terri Walker on MUZU


Terri Walker on MUZU

New Tunage KCAT 'Boys Dont Cry'

KCAT (pronounced as "Cat") is back with solo material fresh from her chart exploits on previous UK dance material with Delinquent ("My Destiny" and "I Got U"). She looks cute in the Video, but I really want to remix this tune to give it an edgier sound I think it deserves...

Some Music Vids for you to enjoy on a Sunday...

Brand New Travis Porter Video- Go Shorty Go

Straight out of Atlanta, the new Travis Porter tune.
dj nikki x