The idea that Hip Hop is a culture in itself, as well as a significant influence on modern culture in general is a concept that would go over a lot of people’s heads . Many are blind to the fact that this fascinating, electrifying culture planted its roots in 1960’s soul music, and now has branches in our 21^st century’s music, fashion, philosophy, literature and lifestyle. “Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey” embodies this in a deluxe, 420 page leather bound coffee-table style encyclopaedia.

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Frank Ocean, the gravelly-toned, veracious singer songwriter who has managed to achieve the unachievable (be equally as popular with both men AND women?!) has today released his latest ‘song for women’, “Thinking About You”. I peeped this on Soul Culture this morning and have had it on repeat ever since. Just like all of Frank Ocean‘s material, “Thinking About You” is incredibly easy to listen to; it’s that “sunny Sunday afternoon, chilling in bed with your lover” kind of music. The Odd Future singer really impressed me with his improved vocal range on this track, in particular the falsetto. What Frank Ocean never fails to achieve is write songs which we can relate to.

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With Yang remembering Amy Winehouse in this weeks Throwback Thursday I began thinking of a way I could show my respects in the form of a post. Honestly I didn’t want to write a long post about her life and music because i’m sure we all know about this by now so instead I opted to showcase her talent. This in the form of a previously unreleased song called ‘Roun’ Midnite’. The song was uploaded by her long time producer and friend SaLaAM ReMi via his Tumblr. The song is classic Amy and solidifies the reason why she will be regarded as a huge loss to the music industry.

Click Here To Listen

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We thought it would  be fitting for this week’s Throwback Thursday to be thrown at the now late Amy Winehouse. Only a week since she was found dead in her Camden Town flat, though her early death wasn’t surprising due to her issues it’s still really sad to see someone die at the hands of such a harsh addiction. Ironically an addiction that produced some of her best music. Her album ‘Back to Black’ is a timeless record, I featured it on Throwback Thursday sometime last year and was looking forward her her comeback. After the cut, listen to ‘Back to Black‘ my favourite song from her album.

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Who knows about LivingSocial? Everyone with UberSocial on their Blackberrys certainly do. It’s a popular Deal-of-the-day website, they seem to be the new thing everyone is using these days. LivingSocial have taken it one step further and introduced a special LivingSocial taxi that takes its customers on a surprising and delightful journey. Not just your average taxi ride as it lets you pick out your choice of destinations through a set of choices. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can click ‘roll the die’ and go for a fun and random experience like…’Chess Boxing’. Yes, that was my reaction too. What’s next? Hop on after the cut for the video.

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In this new era Chris Brown has been releasing music left right and centre. We’ve had three mixtapes In My Zone, Fan of A Fan and In My Zone 2 with another to be released in the next few weeks. On top of this we have seen the release of his fourth studio album F.A.M.E which has gone on to be a huge success. With him offering up so much free music to us in the past its a shame that a new song that was intended for his next album Fortune has leaked her im not gonna lie i’m kinda glad it did. The song shows a more grown up mature side to Brown. It’s a song for the ladies but not his regular sex driven ballad but a more emotional appeal to a woman’s heart. Here the song on the flipside.

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Just one year to go until the 2012 games begin. Stratford or should I say Stratford City, has been undergoing transformation in preparation for 2012 and we’ve now hit the ‘one year to go’ mark. Quite frankly I’m looking forward to the days when the Jubilee line isn’t suspended every week! To celebrate the one year pre-anniversary if you like, there will be a celebration TONIGHT in Trafalgar Square hosted by Chief Lord Sebastian Coe and the Mayor Boris Johnson. The event will feature a series of events including British diver Tom Daley making the first dive at the aquatics centre and the unveiling of the various Olympic venues. But don’t worry if you can’t make it as the celebration will be covered Live on television and radio!

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Photographer Süha Derbent has travelled around 40 different countries witness breathtaking scenes like above which he specialises in capturing. This set of photographs gives us a closer look at the beautiful blood orange sunsets that he has witnessed around the world, imagine what this looks like in person. I don’t think he has edited them much apart from maybe a tinkering of contrast. Hop on after the cut to peep the rest. Guess what this reminds me of? LION KING. I was half expecting a monkey to pick up a baby lion cub in one of the photographs. #TeamSimba

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Take a look at the new Simon Nessman modelled Emporio Armani 2011 Autumn/Winter campaign shot by Mario Sorrenti. This is how lookbook should look. The colours, lighting and composition of the shots make for great photographs. I personally think that they have a sort of arcade aura to them, as if they were stills from a game (the Grand Theft Auto game comes to mind). Have a look at the rest on the reverse.

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Well it looks like Summer is officially here? I hope the sun decides to stick around, at least till Saturday because it’s my BIRTHDAY. The temperature rise means it’s almost impossible not to bath in sweat on a packed central line train. Put away those sweatshirts, blazers, jackets and so on. It’s time to get the vests, tees, half sleeves and shorts out. When in Rome (had to use that corny line), I rocked a vest and thin cotton cardigan for most of the trip. Needed to get enough air circulating around my body to keep me cool haha. ASOS have teamed up with cult magazine It’s Nice That to bring to light a new set of talented young artists to create 5 limited edition graphic print vests. Each vest comes with a complimentary pack of stickers and you’ll also be entered into a competition where you get to win a custom made-to-measure designed by the artist from cycling aficionados Foffa. More on the reverse.

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