R&B/soul/hip-hop/everything queen Mary J Blige will be visiting Australia next April to perform at Byron Bay’s massive Bluesfest, and has now announced a one off performance at the Sydney Opera House in April 2017. It marks the very first time that she will perform at the iconic venue.
From classic hip-hop and R&B to electro-tinged releases in more recent years, Mary J Blige is one of the most important, influential female voices in the music industry. With nine Grammys (and 23 nominations), more than 50 million albums sold, and most recently the presenter of a talk show Blige has managed to maintain relevance and reverence for nearly three decades. She will undoubtedly deliver a breathtaking performance at one of Australia’s most cherished venues, which has also seen the likes of contemporaries including Ms Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and D’Angelo.
Blige will be performing in support of her 13th album Strength of a Woman, which is due out before the end of the year. She is currently on the King + Queen of Hearts Tour with Maxwell, and has just dropped the video for new single Thick Of It, which she described as “so personal it’s almost painful to let it out. I don’t hold back though, it’s not who I am and there’s no way I am going to start changing now.” If this is anything to go by, we are in for one incredible new album, which is also set to feature Kendrick Lamar on a cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s American Skin.
Head of Contemporary Music for the Opera House, Ben Marshall, said that “few voices on Earth can wring out emotion like Mary J. Blige’s. Powerful & fluid, passionate & intimate – this commanding, stylish, gifted titan of R&B finally brings her enormous natural talent to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage for her Australian headline debut. Mary J. Blige is a an absolute superstar of soul and a genuinely mighty live force – get ready for an unforgettable night out.”
The performance will take place on April 10, 2017. Tickets go on sale next Friday December 2 at 9 am and start at $109 + BF. Click here for tickets and more information.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KcdZZnBfRA
Image: Supplied
It’s that time of the week again where we your humble servants save you countless hours and compile only the best videos which have surfaced to the interwebs. Enjoy this week’s video roundup!
ScHoolboy Q – Dope Dealer ft. E-40
Matching the other seven next-level visuals from his Blank Face LP, this latest masterpiece is an incredible POV filmed clip which as you assume, follows the life of dope dealer, but with an interesting twist in perspective. From the plant’s growth, all the way to ScHoolboy’s studio, this video is perfectly tailored to the gritty soundtrack lying beneath. From the banging beat by Metro Boomin’, the nostalgic verse from Cali king E-40 and simply on point verses from Q, it’s hard to not pay attention to this tune.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OdDmC1-p4E
Mura Masa – Love$ick ft. A$AP Rocky
UK producer Mura Masa has been making waves lately with the remix of his 2015 instrumental, featuring none other than A$AP Rocky. Following the hugely successful Love$ick, the pair have now dropped the video, a harshly realistic portrayal of British teen life. Mura’s clips always have a brilliant aesthetic, and this is no different, following a group of friends as they hangout and party, it’s impossible not to get some good vibes from this video and track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJM4AQSbZDk
Lance Skiiiwalker – The Toaster ft. ScHoolboy Q
One of the more obscure tracks from his debut album now has an even stranger video. TDE’s latest signee has enlisted label-mate ScHoolboy Q for a smokers anthem, accompanied by an extremely strange and surreal animated video. The pair exchange slick and sultry croons over an addictive synth-heavy funk beat, all in all a catchy as hell combination. While we’ve certainly seen a lot of Lance recently, he definitely isn’t outstaying his welcome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-dAGiQyUo
bLAck pARty – Best View
Emerging from Childish Gambino’s ROYALTY collective, the mysterious bLAck pARty has dropped this incredibly smooth track Best View, a glance into his debut EP. Showcasing entirely wondrous vocals gliding over a wavy, laid back instrumental, there’s no doubt this will be a name to watch in the coming years. Thanks Gambino!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXtSHrEpvdQ
Yeo – Frost
Melbourne’s ethereal singer and producer Yeo has dropped an amazing video for his tune Frost, turning down the conventional music video styles for a more creative and down to earth video. Featuring footage of his travels through Japan and Korea on his latest tour, the clip gives you an amazing perspective into the artist’s life. Combine this with a moving love inspired message, along with sultry hooks, funky riffs and jaw-dropping synths, it’s well worth the listen!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh6vMMhKvcM&feature=youtu.be
Aanysa & Snakehips – Burn Break Crash
UK production duo Snakehips have quickly branded themselves as one of the most powerful electronic teams around, and setting out to propel this even further is their new collaboration with singer Aanysa. A perfect blend of pop with Snakehips’ trap and dance influenced sound, along with a captivating choreographed clip, the result is a banger that, although very different from what many may have expected, is nevertheless as much an earworm as any.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-AqEJzEXYQ
Billy Davis – No Longer Lovers
Branded as Australia’s answer to the incredible Anderson .Paak, the bar has already been set high for Melbourne group Billy Davis. The 11-piece are funking their way to greatness with their latest single No Longer Lovers, with boppy instrumentation, insatiable rhythms and even sharp rap verse which accompanies, it’s clear that these lads and lasses are on their way to greatness. As if the track couldn’t get any better, the clip fulfils one of our greatest dreams, to roller-skate through the supermarket, creating a work that is feel good and good vibes entirely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0p-QbuLdzI
Mary J. Blige – Thick Of It
This bold new single sees legendary New York singer Mary J. Blige returning with an even sharper new sound. With her sultry vocals soaring over a wonderfully soulful and fresh booming beat, Blige calls out her partner for wronging her over the years. With a flashy and bold clip to accompany, it’s exciting to see Mary J. Blige still dropping hits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KcdZZnBfRA
AJ Tracey – Buster Cannon
London’s finest newcomer, AJ Tracey is back at it again, this time invading Japanese shores with his bold, adrenaline packed sound. Bodying another new wave grime instrumental, AJ’s verses are sharper than ever, not to mention the catchy hook, which is sure to get the raves going wild. Visually he really excelled on this one too, traversing through the concrete jungle, the opening branded it a “motion picture”, and it really is nothing short. Next level cinematography, next level bars, what more could you ask for – oh, an EP? Well, he’s got that coming too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9-9GWFuS5w
Danny Brown – Really Doe ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Earl Sweatshirt
Following the release of his latest studio album, Danny’s back, and he’s better than ever. Now with the release of a lyric video for his cypher like single Really Doe, the chosen visuals are ironic to say the least. Sure while the concept of a lyric video is to, well, read lyrics, it seems like that was something that was quickly ignored in favour of aesthetics. Despite this it still comes in hard, reflecting Danny Brown’s psychedelic madness brilliantly with a mix of live footage and videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR_yo8wAgJ4
Clipping – Shooter
Experimental LA trio Clipping returned this year with the heavy Wriggle EP, but luckily for us we have yet another visual from the project. Clipping have always been praised for their unique music videos, and this certainly fits that category. Brilliantly simplistic, yet so entrancing to watch, Shooter is a wonderfully choreographed dance and rhythm-orientated video, which builds upon those themes of violence mentioned within the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm65PCbUMZI
Kid Cudi – Surfin’ ft. Pharell Williams
One of his best collaborations in a minute, Kid Cudi’s Surfin, with the prestigious Pharrell William, is a seriously catchy dance-floor banger, with nods to African and Latin grooves throughout; it’s easy to see how Travi$ Scott looks up to Kid Cudi with this rather similar sound. The video, meanwhile, is just as entrancing, showcasing one big party. With A-class cameos from A$AP Rocky and Jaden Smith, it looks like one hell of a party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5KgsubkMCA
Vic Mensa – 16 Shots
After the release of his incredible EP earlier this year, Vic Mensa has absolutely risen to become one of the strongest voices within the hip-hop community. Now, he’s reinforced this with a video for his powerful single 16 Shots. Vic’s visual accompaniment to the bold track includes some truly incredible cinematography and imagery, which sees him go one on one against the police. Ending with a shocking statement regarding police brutality, the clip closes with real world footage of Laquan McDonald, murdered in the streets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPWXOAYlgOc
Anderson .Paak – Come Down
It’s hard to talk about 2016’s music and not mention Paak, from his endless stream of collaborations, to releasing two albums, one solo and one group (NxWorries with producer Knxwledge), the man is definitely a workaholic. And as if he couldn’t stop there, the man himself has gone and laid down the visuals for one of Malibu’s standouts Come Down. Good vibes and grooves are definitely on offer, with the clip showcasing Paak performing in a smokey club coincidentally referencing Marvin Gaye’s classic I Want You album artwork.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OqrcUvrbRY
Gabriella Cohen – Downtown
After releasing her incredible debut album Full Closure No Details, the similarly marvellous Gabriella Cohen has returned with the visuals one of her standout tracks Downtown. A beautifully melancholic, tangy, guitar driven track, Cohen is one of the most talented Australian artists around right now. The music clip works as a great counterpart to Gabriella’s touching wails, providing a romantic yet sorrowful storyline for the track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR_SF2wiGMY
Desiigner – Zombie Walk ft. King Savage
Just in time for the Halloween celebrations, G.O.O.D. music signee Desiigner is keeping his name in circulation with the video release of his EP track Zombie Walk. It’s almost like a short film, where we follow the dabbing king into a zombie apocalypse like scenario. Shifting back and forth between real footage, and anime inspired animation, the track features King Savage, friend and fellow rapper who the track is actually dedicated too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLeMssD0R3Y
Polish Club – Beat Up
Self-directed and full of fuzzed out, low-fi after effects to match, the video for Sydney two-piece Polish Club’s Beat Up is the result of slapping around your mate in front of a green screen and then slapping some effects over the top. Highly textured, the clip embraces technical difficulties and terrible internet connections and is -much like the song- a lot of fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHhysr6q1Qo&feature=youtu.be
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Magneto
An excerpt from Andrew Dominik’s (Chopper, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)’s One More Time With Feeling , the clip for Magneto is haunting and immersive. Shot entirely in stark black and white, the flickering lights project the 3D elements to new heights and create a mesmeric, enveloping sensation as the song unfolds across the five minute insight into the documentary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4aF-MDumFg&feature=youtu.be
Illy – Catch 22
The follow up to Illy’s hit single Papercut, Catch 22 is such an upbeat track that there was no doubt the video for it needed to be just as vibrant. Enter: a Los Angeles warehouse location, a bunch of old arcade games, some break dancing and a DeLorean. Anne-Marie features both on the track and in the clip as the pair battle it out with friends in the arcade before driving off – presumably into the Downtown L.A nightlife.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8laCbHBOrw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmPdWiSpiJw&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueTUboa56V0&feature=youtu.be
Wishes – Settle
This week, Sydney indie-dance artist Wishes brings us the video for his sophomore single, the bright, colourful Settle. The video is Auslan inspired and combines quirky dance choreography with Australian Sign Language as dancers perform in various creative spaces. Conceptualised and filmed in Melbourne, the video much like the song, is a joy to behold.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTOD4HNvv64&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do98dd12NKM&feature=youtu.be
Image: Polish Club / Supplied
Byron Bay’s Bluesfest has once again outdone itself, consistently presenting Australia with an amazingly extensive, thoroughly impressive lineup of artists from all across the musical globe. Although the event has traditionally focused on blues, roots, folk and rock, recent years has seen t extend itself toward R&B and even hip-hop, with the great Kendrick Lamar headlining the 2016 event.
The second huge lineup announcement has now been released, and leading the charge is the one and only R&B queen Mary J Blige. Joining her will be Michael Kiwanuka, who was recently in town for Splendour in the Grass, along with Corinne Bailey Rae, Nahko And Medicine For The People, Gallant and The Suffers.
These are the latest in an already-fantastic lineup for Bluesfest 2017, which already announced an enormous bill including Patti Smith (performing Horses), The Lumineers, Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples, Jethro Tull, Andrew Bird and more.
Mary J Blige’s last planned visit to Australia was for the now-defunct Soulfest in late 2015. Unfortunately the event was cancelled just days before it was meant to kick off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znlFu_lemsU
Typically there’s six or seven Bluesfest lineup announcements, so this is just the beginning. And that’s pretty damn awesome.
Bluesfest takes place on the Tygarah Tea Tree Farm from April 13 to 17, 2017. Tickets and more details can be found at the official website.
Bluesfest 2017 second lineup:
Mary J Blige
Michael Kiwanuka
Corinne Bailey Rae
Nahko and Medicine for the People
Gallant
The Suffers
Joining:
Zac Brown Band
Patti Smith and Her Band Perform Horses
The Lumineers
Buddy Guy (only Aus show)
Bonnie Raitt
Mavis Staples (only Aus show)
Billy Bragg
Jethro Tull
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Gregory Porter
Snarky Puppy
St. Paul & The Broken Bones
Beth Hart (only Aus show)
Laura Mvula
Roy Ayers
Booker T Presents The Stax Records Revue
Andrew Bird
Rickie Lee Jones
Joan Osborne
Turin Brakes
The Strumbellas
Jake Shimabukuro
Dumpstaphunk
Nikki Hill
Irish Mythen
Image: steveharvey