Videos and More - My March 2012 so far

Hey, hey!!! there's lots going on this month, so much so I'm finding it hard to keep up with my blog. March so far has been full of exciting and brand new tunes, video's, collaborations and lots of artists coming to my attention for the first time as well as MOVE IT 2012 (a dance exhibition). It must be something to do with the year 2012 and the Olympics taking place this summer because I am definitely feeling the love and  general air of proud to be British right now. Instead of knocking ourselves back in that typical British self depriciation way we are now self-promoting and believing in ourselves.  This brand new attitude seems to be paying off in relation to UK music as it seems that talent is boiling over the edge right now. Of course, UrbanVoice UK is always dedicated to supporting UK talent and so I'm liking this brand new attitude!

Happy New Year & New Years Resolutions

Hey, hey! How's your 2012 going so far?  I hope you had a lovely break for Christmas and New Year.  I saw in the New Year at Anaya Night Club in London for a Willy Wonka themed night and the DJ's were crazy!!! Peeps were dancing ALL night! There is no better way to start the new year other than with good friends and GOOD MUSIC!! 

We see the start of a New Year as a time for new resolutions, new hobbies, new friends, new job, new YOU.  We also see lots of new music starting the New Year off with a bang.  A few years ago I stopped making resolutions that I can't keep (like not eating chocolate for a whole year) as it just wasn't realistic.  I now only set achievable and realistic goals for myself that focus on things that i need to do before the year end.  I managed to meet all of my 5 goals that I set last year and it feels good, like you're actually accomplishing something.

One of my goals for 2012 is to get more involved with the urban music scene and to develop the UrbanVoice UK Blog.  With so much music from so many great artists rolling out all the time it's sometimes hard to keep up but I promise to do my best.  On that note, what will you see from UrbanVoice UK this year?

• More Videos
• More Reviews
• More Tweeting (follow me on twitter @urbanvoiceuk)
• NEW: Reporting from live shows and events
• NEW: More Interaction with Artists

I will continue to only Blog about UK urban artists (the rest of the world gets enough attention anyway) showcasing our talent to the world as well as support, support and support our UK urban artists!!

Happy Reading and Happy New Year, I hope you can keep those New Years resolutions better than I can and that 2012 is kind to you.

Please spread the word to your friends, family, local shop keeper, mum's cousin's friends aunty about UrbanVoice UK uvuk.blogspot.com

Tevec xxx
UrbanVoice UK
Supporting UK Urban Talent
uvuk.blogspot.com

Top Tunes of 2011

Unfortunately my internet has been down over the past week and I haven't been able to post as much as I would have liked.  In the spirit of 'better late than never 'I present to you my favourite and most memorable songs of last year 2011.  Here we go!!

Lethal Bizzle feat Various Artists - Pow 2011

Flux Pavillion - Bass Canon

Cleo Sol - High (Artful Dub)

Wretch 32 feat Example - Unorthodox

Sneakbo - Wavy

Labrinth - Earthquake

Mz Bratt feat Dot Rotten - Speeding By

Donea'o - Check My Swagga Out

Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You

Naila Boss feat Melo and Keyz- Garden

 

 

Giggs - Monsta Man

 

Wiley feat Ed Sheeran - If I Could

Ghetts - Who's On The Panel

I could go on all day but I have to stop there - hope you've enjoyed some of my favourite TUNES from last year.

UrbanVoice UK Celebrates 6 Months

I am proud to say that UrbanVoice UK has been up and running for 6 months now and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have taken the time to view the blog.  The blog is growing each and everyday and I really look forward to writing more and promoting new and existing exciting artists.  The past 6 months have been busy as lots of stuff is happening within the UK urban music scene.  2011 has really started with a bang and reflecting this Tinie Tempah and Wretch 32 have been among the most popular posts so far.

Here's a bit of statisical info for you about the top views sorted by country - the UK viewers have come up top but in second place is the USA with the most views per country and in third place Portugal.  It would be great to know what other countries think of UK music and who your favourite artists are at the moment.

Thank you to the viewers and artists for making this blog a success!!!

NEW FEATURE: UVUK Playlist

UrbanVoice UK is always looking for ways to improve the blog and make it more appealing to the UK music fan.  My priority is to promote the urban UK artist and to do this in the simplest yet most effective way possible.

And so, UrbanVoice UK has created a new tab called the UVUK Playlist.  The point of tab is to improve the useability for the viewers.  I will continue to post all new posts including videos directly on the UVUK Playlist UrbanVoice UK Home page.  For any video's that I think are especially hot will be posted on the UVUK Playlist as well as the Home page.  I hope this makes the blog better for you, the viewer.

An Urban Voice Opinion on the London Riots

Over the past few days we have seen a peaceful protest go from exactly that to nationwide rioting and looting.  Tottenham in North London was the first place to be struck and on Saturday 6th August we saw the high street vandalised, shop fronts smashed in and buildings set on fire.  This then spread to overnight to Wood Green, not far from Tottenham, which also faced attacks and looting in several shops.  From there on shoppers and employees in Enfield Town, also in North London, were evacuated during the day on Sunday to avoid the pre-empted clashes with members of the public and police that occurred later.  Since then the violence had escalated and move across to Brixton, Peckham, Croydon, Streatham, Lewisham, Hackney and many other areas of London.  Riots have followed across the country affecting other major cities such as Birmingham, Nottingham, Liverpool and Manchester to name but a few.

As a North Londoner, who has relatives who live on the Ferry Lane Estate in Tottenham where Mark Duggan was shot, the riots have been a surreal reality to me.  I have seen these riots escalate and threaten my family in Tottenham, Enfield and Croydon.  Over the past few days I have been gripped to the television and twitter in disbelief at the situation in London.  London is my home, it's where I eat, where I go out, where I drink, where I have made memories, and to see places I recognise on television being attacked felt like I was watching an action movie on DVD.  None of it seems real.

Londoners have felt and seen all kinds of emotions over the past few days, we have felt anger, shock, fear, sadness, protectiveness, defensive, bravery, fearless, rebellion, aggression, determination and defiance.  We have also seen positivity from Londoners uniting, cleaning the streets together and wanting to make a change.  Overall, we have realised that there are deep underlying issues that have not been addressed effectively over the past 15 years or so and that we can not continue to ignore these underlying issues.

There are many opinions and reasons why people think the riots have occurred.  Some say that it is a lack of discipline, it starts with the parents, kids are out of control, the kids are evil.  Some say it's ineffective policing and lack of clear leadership with the government so out of touch with reality that they don't know what going down on the streets  Others blame the lack of opportunities, lack of resources to help young people and poorer people with financial cuts, unemployment at its highest since the 1930's and the economic crisis to blame.

Personally, it is a combination of all of the above, we as a society all have to take responsibility for our actions and everybody has a part to play.  We can all see that the current system, what

ever it is, isn't working and it is failing the younger generation.  My Dad has always told me that we need to look after and nurture our children as they are our future.  This is very true and in my world we should all think like this.  I truely don't believe that babies are born evil, babies start learning from a very young age and we eventually become a product of our environment.  Everyone is individual and life effects people differently so we must not tar everyone with the same brush or stereotype.  There are many teenagers who did not get involved with the riots and we must not punish the 'youths' for the recent riots.

Maybe, we need to engage with children from a young age, teach them respect and teach them boundries with firm consistent punishments, for when they do something wrong.  This starts from a young age.  Also, we need to invest time and effort into the younger generation.  Create positive projects that they can be involved in and communities in which they can feel a part of.  My parents don't have much but my mum, who looked after my dad and worked as a seamtress, saved every single spare penny she ever earned and every single child benefit allowance, so that she could educate all four of her children because she wanted us to have a good start in life.  It was her selflessness, positivity, strength to get us out of tough financial situations and determination which achieved four graduate offspring.  Is this what is needed?  I know that there is a lot of temptation and pressure out there (I wasn't exactly an angel when I was younger) and we can't solve the problems of the world over night but with positivity and a sense of belonging we as a community can improve the quality of life for kids of the future.  After all, there is a reason for disruptive behaviour and that is primarily down to attention and to gain a sense of acceptance.  We have some great community leaders and people doing some amazing work for young people and in return a lot of young people who are willing and determined to succeed and create a better life.  However, it is clear that many people do not have respect for the police and especially the government.  Personally, I don't blame them, I for one can't relate to people like David Cameron.

At the end of the day what we don't want to happen is a repeat of the past few days.  Peoples businesses, livelihoods, local trade and homes have been destroyed.  This hasn't affected the rich or government and those who can afford to pay for the damage instead it has affected the poorer neighbourhoods who will struggle to now find funding and investment from the government.  Tottenham high street is unrecognisable, residents can't shop in the area due to the high street being taped off, buildings in other areas have burned to the ground, peoples cars have been set on fire, ordinary members of the public have been humiliated, jacked (robbed), and stripped naked.

Everyone has an opinion and everyone seems to have the answer on how to proceed.  Whatever we do, we can't afford to ignore the recent events because as Martin Luther King once said

"A riot is the language of the unheard" and I leave it at that.

Stay safe and I wish you and your loved ones positivity through these saddening events.  

Peace and Love from a proud North Londoner xxx

UrbanVoice UK Gets a Face Lift Again!

You might have noticed that Urban Voice UK has a new background again. I'm all up for change as long as it is positive. Let me know what you think - it is better than the old format? Or do you prefer the old one? Feel free to comment and hit the like or dislike button below.

Your comments will be apppreciated. Thank you in advance!