EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT... PRO GREEN

Yes, no one knew about London rapper Professor Green last year, however with the re-surgance of British street music storming the UK market, he's the guy everyone's talking about.

He's already released two top-ten hits; 'I need you tonight' and the recent 'Just be good to Green' featuring none other than Lily Allen and now he's hitting us with a great new album: 'Alive til I'm Dead' which sees him callaborate with the likes of fellow man-of-the-moment Example and up-and-coming rap artist Maverick Sabre.

The album is quite a heavy listen with Pro delving into his past ways as a drug dealer and mentioning his late father's death, however, it is this that gives it the authenticity and the true emotion that makes it so powerful.

So far, 'Monster' (feat. Example) is proving to be the most popular with fans, however I'd have to say my favourite is 'Jungle' so far.

You can listen to the track below...



Buy Pro's album at HMV here.
Tour Dates.

JAY-Z SMASHES WIRELESS FESTIVAL

With Jay-Z as the headlining act, I knew I was in for a good day at the Wireless Festival in London's Hyde Park, however I didn't know just how much of a treat I was in for...

This festival is probably one of the most hip-hop around, which suited me perfectly! I've always been a bit more street than indie so was impressed with the line-up; featuring the likes of Lily Allen, Tinie Tempah, Wiley, Mr Hudson, Chiddy Bang and Pro Green.
It was great to go to a festival that featured lots of UK talent that are really showing the world what us Brits are made of at the moment.

First up was Mr Hudson. Although I think he's got a good voice and performed well, he always seems to never get much appreciation from the crowd, which I think is a bit harsh. However, he did get big applause for his best song, which was the anthemic 'Forever Young'.

Next up was Chipmunk, who really got the crowd going with his upbeat tunes. Higlights of the set were his first hit 'Chip-Diddy-Chip' and 'Look For Me' which saw Justin Timberlake's prodigy Esme Denters join him on stage.

Wiley and Roll Deep both got the crowd dancing with their best hit's including the catchy 'Wearing my Rolex' and Roll Deep's recent number one 'Good Times'.

Professor Green played an absolutely rammed second stage which saw hords of people trying to get in the small tent. He really should have been on the main stage!

The crowds also remained for Tine Tempah's set who was on the same stage (big mistake). I couldn't get in the tent for his set, but heard he was amazing- doing three different versions of his number 1 hit 'Pass Out' and also covering Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance'.

Over on the third stage, Chiddy Bang got the crowd cheering. He performed his biggest hit's including 'Opposite of Adults' and 'Truth' and also did some freestyling for the rowdy festival-goers.

I happened to catch a bit of Eliza Doolittle's set over on the bandstand and she sounded really good. I predict big things from this quirky artist!

Back to the main stage, and Friendly Fires brough a bit of indie to the festival as well as some crazy dance moves from frontman Ed Macfarlane. They also had some half-naked carnival dancers that got the crowd moving to some of their hits including the amazing 'Jump In The Pool' and the quirky 'Love Sick'.

Lily Allen came on next and drew big crowds to listen to her set. She performed well but drew a few boos from the crowd when she told them off for throwing bottles.

And finally... the big man- Jay-Z hit the stage...!

He was a little late, but man was he worth it!! He performed some of the songs off his great new album 'The Blueprint 3' as well as some old-skl clasics such as '99 Problems' 'Hard-Knock Life' and 'H.O.V.A'.

He was great on each song and really got the crowd going with each new tune, however I'd have to say my favourite was the amazing 'Big Pimpin' to which he told the crowd to "take off their shirts and wave them around like they're at a carnival".

It really got everyone going and having fun and was a great sight to see!

All in all, a great festival and an amazing day, well done Wireless peeps!

Crowd favourite... Tine Tempah

Cautioned crowd... Lily Allen

THE GIRLS TAKE OVER AT THE BRIT AWARDS

Yes, Monday night was the lauch party for the biggest British music awards; The BRITS... and the girls stormed it!

Home-grown talents Lily Allen, Florence Welch (Florence and the machine) and Pixie Lott took three nominations each, as well as Lady Gaga who is representing the USA.

It's great news that Lily Allen is leading the pack, as she's had a great year and has recently announced that she is retiring from the music scene for a while. She is up for Best British Female Solo Artist, Best British Single for The Fear and Best British Album for 'It’s Not Me, It’s You.'

But not to worry, young Pixie Lott seems to be filling her pop boots nicely, becomming the new pop princess in the last 12 months. She is nominated for Best British Female, Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Single for Mama Do. This tops off a great year for Pixie that has seen her reach the number one spot twice already!

Florence Welch, 23, will be up against the two starlets in the Best British Female category. She is also up for Best British Breakthrough Act and Best British Album- after her No.1 debut release, 'Lungs' has never left the charts since it appeared last summer.

Gaga has taken over the international nominees by being nominated for Best International Female Solo Artist, Best International Breakthrough Act and Best International Album, for what has been an amazing year for her.

However, there was one lady who did miss out... Susan Boyle! She was failed to be nominated, despite the biggest-selling album of the year! Poor SuBo!

However it was a good night for the JLS boys. They were thrilled to be nominated for three awards- Best British Breakthrough Act, Best British Group and Best British Single for their catchy Beat Again.

The night sets to be a great ceremony, with acts confirming to perform on the night including Kasabian, JLS, Dizzee Rascal (who will perform a duet with Florence and the Machine), Lady Gaga and Robbie Williams- who has being given the Outstanding Achievement Award.

All in all sounds like it'll be a good night! Can't wait!

Check out the full nominee list below...

British Male Solo Artist; Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal, Mika Island, Paolo Nutini,Robbie Williams

British Female Solo Artist; Bat for Lashes, Florence And The Machine, Leona Lewis,Lily Allen, Pixie Lott

British Breakthrough Act; Florence and the Machine, Friendly Fires, JLS,La Roux, Pixie Lott

British Group; Doves, Friendly Fires, JLS, Kasabian, Muse

MasterCard British Album; Dizzee Rascal - Tongue 'n’ Cheek, Florence and the Machine - Lungs, Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Lily Allen - It’s Not Me, It’s You, Paolo Nutini - Sunny Side Up

British Single; Alesha Dixon - Breathe, Alexandra Burke Ft Flo Rida - Bad Boys,Cheryl Cole - Fight For This Love, Joe McElderry - The Climb, JLS - Beat Again,La Roux - In For The Kill, Lily Allen - The Fear, Pixie Lott - Mama Do, Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart, Tinchy Stryder Ft N-Dubz - Number 1

International Male Solo Artist; Bruce Springsteen, Eminem, Jay-Z, Michael Bublé, Seasick Steve

International Female Solo Artist; Lady Gaga, Ladyhawke, Norah Jones,Rihanna, Shakira

International Breakthrough Act; Animal Collective, Daniel Merriweather,Empire of the Sun, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift

International Album; Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D., Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream, Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3,Lady Gaga - The Fame

Most Memorable Brits Performance of 30 Years; Bee Gees - Stayin’ Alive/How Deep is Your Love (1997), Bros - I Owe you Nothing (1989), Coldplay - Clocks (2003), Eurythmics & Stevie Wonder - Angel (1999), Girls Aloud - The Promise (2009), Kanye West - Gold Digger (2006), Kylie Minogue - Can’t Get You Out Of My Head (2002), Michael Jackson - Earth Song (1996), Paul McCartney - Live & Let Die (2008), Pet Shop Boys - Go West (1994), Robbie Williams & Tom Jones - The Full Monty Medley (1998), Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama (2005), Spice Girls - Wannabe/ Who Do You Think You Are (1997), Take That - Beatles Medley I Wanna Hold Your Hand/ Hard Day’s Night/ She Loves Me (1994), The Who - Who Are You (1988)