I have fallen behind on my blog once again, so it's time for me to catch up and get back into the swing of things. My problem with this Saturday was that I went to see a bunch of rising talent at the Elite Showcase, which I reviewed for CelebMix. I thought one of their songs would stand out and I'd be reviewing the original to one of their covers, but that didn't happen. iTunes practically chose this song for me on this exact day as I listened to my music on shuffle. It's nice when great songs come back into your life, and this was one of them until I saw this weird as, music video; like seriously? It makes sense but I'm not keen on the performance piece at all. Watch Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah perform in the middle of lots of twerking women, while we watch the devil raise havoc without anyone batting an eye in this music video for "Drinking From The Bottle".
Calvin Harris, real name Adam Wiles, is one of the biggest DJ's in the world. He continues to bring out hits and recently released a new album that featured a lot of collaborations and charted well internationally. This song in itself was a hit but only charted moderately well around the world. It did so much better in the clubs. It features Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, who also is an international star and who also dropped a new album this year. Both stars continue to prove that British artists are just as good as many US artists. This song charted in the UK at number five. The song was written by Calvin Harris, Patrick Okogwu, James F. Reynolds, and Mark Knight.
Directed by Vince Haycock, this music video has both a narrative and a performance piece; although, the latter is over the top for the female dancers who all just twerk. I feel like this doesn't allow Calvin Harris or Tinie Tempah to shine at all, and they kind of get lost.
The narrative is mildly okay as it does relate to the song somewhat. I love the initial story and it's quite weird that the devil is out exploring and no one really realises. I love that both the performance piece and the narrative collide when the devil is Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah's taxi man.
Yet, it gets worse and the narrative turns into something I'm not into seeing, although many other people might be. I just feel that they tried to make some sort of statement that most people just aren't getting. There are much better ways of making such a statement. Regardless, the visual does relate to the song somewhat, and I do take an interest in what the devil is going to do next, even if it's something I don't approve of and find disgusting or repulsed by. Not interested in seeing this again, but I appreciate what they are trying to do. The devil is played by Brad Dourif and his friend Patrick is played by Pat-Ric Nasty (frontman of Vader Vader).
Mike Posner is still at number one with "I Took A Pill In Ibiza", so I'm excited to choose a song in the top ten, and I'm so happy that this is in the top ten this week! Finally it has a video, although we're all completely disappointed Zara Larsson is not in it whatsoever, why tease it so much if it was apparently shot last minute? They could've included her one way or another, regardless of how busy she might've been. This totally ruined any chance of me enjoying this video, which totally makes it difficult to review. Full of grinding, twerking and confidence, this video relates to the song, but whereas the song is amazingly catchy, more thanks to Zara Larsson than Tinie Tempah, this video falls dead to the water.
Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, has made quite the name for himself, all of his solo songs have been hits, so it's undeniable that he will forever be in our charts. He has seven number ones under his belt, and I reckon he will be getting a lot more in the future. Featuring is new star Zara Larsson, who definitely won't be disappearing any time soon, although saying that... Not appearing in a music video with Tinie Tempah might not do her any favours. "Lush Life" is one of my favourite songs, and she has a killer voice on "Never Forget You". She shocks everyone with this, because it suits her perfectly, and yet... No sign of her in the video. The song is a hit, but maybe it would've performed better if the video had Zara Larsson in.
The video was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Filmed whilst Tinie Tempah took a long stay over there. Clearly Zara Larsson didn't have time to fly over there and film it. It's saddening to think that she wasn't featured in the music video, especially since she makes this song, although Tinie Tempah's rapping is on point.
Tinie Tempah hosts a street party, and it's all fun and games. He performs well in this, although he doesn't do much, he looks relaxed, like he's at home in Cape Town.
The dancers can dance, that's undeniable, and yet they aren't given much choreography, just a few booty shakes, a bit of twerking and grinding. These dancers can do so much more, yet there there to look sexy.
Zara Larsson's verse is done quite cheap and nastily, although I love the idea behind the bathroom scene, as girls' chatter in bathrooms; the scene isn't shown as how I would imagine. It paints a bad picture both generally and culturally. And although they have someone who looks similar to Zara Larsson in the background, I feel that this not only erases her from the song and video entirely, but having other women lip-sync to her lyrics kills her off. This reminds me a lot of Ms. D in Wiley's "Heatwave", who never appeared in that video. Difference is Zara Larsson is a chart success with her own songs, you don't just not include her and expect people, to not only not notice, but also not want answers. Where is she?
Overall, Tinie Tempah does he's best to perform, but without Zara Larsson it was never going to work. The video relates well, although could've been so much more. With all the hype created about this video, it should've been a stunner, since the song is amazing. The song would get five stars from me, but since I'm purely basing the rating on the video, I have no choice but to give it this rating.
Since Adele is still at number one with "Hello". It gives me the chance to review any music video in the top ten. I chose this one due to it has previously been at number one. A simple music video set, with four contrasting rooms, bringing back stripes, polka-dots and all things 00's, Katy B shines out as Tinie Tempah fades into the background. Reminds me of will.i.am's "Scream & Shout" as Britney Spears outshines him just like Katy B is outshining Tinie Tempah.
KDA is an English house DJ and producer, his identity is still unknown, but the song was first known as "Rumble" before Tinie Tempah and Katy B's vocals were added to the song. Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu, is on a UK domination, he has had seven UK number ones including this one, and I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps getting to the top spot. As for Katy B, real name Kathleen Brien, this is her first number one. The closest she has ever came to topping the charts was a collaboration with Ms. Dynamite called "Lights On". This has been her recent direction and it's really worked for her, can't wait to see what she releases next.
Reminding me of La Roux's "Bulletproof" mixed with both Kids In Glass Houses' "Gimme What I Want" and Liberty X's "Jumpin'", an '00s idea mixed with a current cast, crew and styling. All directed by Carly Cussen.
Not much to say about this, definitely a performance piece and the camera is on a dolly with a track, hence four different rooms, The choreography is all on point and yet not complicated at all, the three dancers only have one costume, which is slightly disappointing, I think different costume for each set would've been better.
Katy B is wearing something quite revealing and pulls it off amazingly, although I'm not too fond of her blonde wig. Disappointingly contrasts too much with Tinie Tempah's winter clothes, which so does not work on this set whatsoever.
Overall an easy concept; a much done but yet much loved dolly on a track camera movement, seen through films, tv shows, tv adverts and music videos alike; and amazing current stars looking contrastingly stylish.
Rita Ora is definitely one of my favourite new artists, she sings so clearly and effectively I don't understand how some people don't like her. She was born in Yugoslavia (now known as Kosovo) but was brought up in Britain. She got to number one already in the UK on DJ Fresh's track "Hot Right Now", and this is her first single and it looks like it could go straight to number one. But with competition from Tulisa's "Young" (could be number one this Sunday) and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe", Rita Ora has a fight on her hands. To help boost sales, this song also features Tinie Tempah, real name Patrick Okogwu. He is someone I'm not too fond of, but I do like some of his songs. This is the first time he has appeared on my blog, but I'm sure it will not be his last.
"R.I.P." was written by a load of people which is extremely surprising, so get ready for all the songwriters... Aubrey Graham (Drake), Farhad Samadzada, Mikkel Eriksen & Tor Hermansen (Stargate production team), Nneka Egbuna, Renee Wisdom and Saul Milton & Will Kennard (Chase & Status). So a very big collaborative effort. Drake made the song initially for Rihanna, but she didn't take to the song, but Rita Ora took an interest to it, and that's how Rita Ora got it. Not only that but it may also be the reason why Rita Ora is being compared to Rihanna a lot lately. The song is about being better than your boyfriend's ex. It's definitely the sort of song you expect Rita Ora to sing.
This music video is only a performance piece, but this is what makes it so strong, you can imagine the camera as Rita's boyfriend, and it's like she's singing right at you. As for Tinie Tempah, I love his rap it fits perfectly with the song and it's like the other side of the storyline.
There isn't a lot to comment on, there's a car that looks like it's crashed into the ground, suggesting that car is over like his ex... I also like how she is dancing above the car and it's quite an open space as well.
Some of the things she is wearing though is quite surprising, to be honest I don't think you'll see anyone wearing some of those things on the high street, but for the music video, it kind of fits in.
Overall a great song that could be going straight to number one. But the video is lacking something, I think the fact that there isn't a lot going on and that there is no narrative, it just leaves you feeling disappointed, as if you expected a little more. However this is definitely worth this rating.
