Mobo

5 a Day...Today's Stories - 27/02/2009

1) CHRIS BROWN HEARING MY BE POSTPONED

Chris Brown’s court date for which he could face charges of serious felony may not happen on the 5th March as thought. E! News has spoken with an LA district attorney spokeswoman who stated that they are ‘still investigating’.

5 a Day...Today's Stories - 26/02/09

1) Fiddy to Take Back Seat

50 Cent will take a back seat to Eminem’s new project and will release his album after his boss’. Eminem’s “Relapse” will released first at which point 50 will then release his “Before I Self Destruct”.
"Right now I'm on a train, and the Em-choo-choo-car goes first. I think people forgot that I'm actually Eminem's artist because I've had so much success on my own and moved away from it," 50 Cent told the Associated Press. "…Because Dre is mixing Em's album, Em will be completed entirely before we get a chance to finish up the pieces that me and Dre did together”.
 

MOBO Exclusive: Lemar Interview

Now on his fourth album, Lemar remains one of the UK’s most successful pop-soul artists. Having achieved platinum sales, sold-out tours, critical acclaim and a whole host of awards, including a hand full of MOBO Awards, Lemar is now set to release his brilliant new single “Weight of the World” (March 2nd) off his new album “The Reason” (out now).

MOBO had some time to catch up with Lemar, where we spoke about his new projects, going on tour and what he does to relax…

MOBO: The new single is “Weight of the World” – what can you tell me about it?

Lemar: I always like to write songs that hopefully people can get into, relate to and understand. “Weight of the World” is song about the pain you feel when you loose someone and you cant get them back – whether they’ve moved, gone travelling or they’ve passed away – it’s for anyone who has ever loved and lost someone who they’ll never see again.

MOBO: Jim Jonsin has produced some massive hits, including Lil’ Wayne’s “Lollipop”, what was it like working with him?

Lemar: It was great man, he’s such a down to earth guy man. I worked with him and Sam Watters* and a guy called Louie Dertwelo* on it as well but no Jim, he’s a really, really cool, really down to early guy. We were outside chatting about his car for ages – he’s got a really nice Mustang! …He’s just like really unassuming. You wouldn’t ever think that he’s the kind of guy that does those kinds of beats. He looks a bit like…Kid Rock!

MOBO: Did “Weight of the World” come naturally? Did you guy’s vibe out and jam?

Lemar: Yea, I was originally in the studio with Sam Watters – we were doing some writing and the engineer there was the guy who works with Jim Jonsin – he was his engineer too and we were working in his studio and he came in – started chatting to Sam (coz they’re good friends) and he was like “boy, bring up some of my beats”! He makes so many beats its crazy…Just a stupid amount…So we were going through all of them and we were chatting about what he’s been up to etc all the ones that were playing in the back ground were amazing but his particular one got kinda stuck in my head so we got down to writing on that one and yea, we all put our own touches on it, mastered and that’s how “Weight of the World” came about!

MOBO: …And the video? That definitely wasn’t shot in London (laugh)

Lemar: Nah, it wasn’t [in London] – I went out to Los Angeles and I went to a place called Stony Point which has massive mountains and boulders and is kinda like desert but with mountains.

MOBO: It looked real nice…

Lemar: Yea, it was but it was pretty scary! That was truly a test of my love for the art because I am not a lover of heights. Standing on the edge, wind blowing – it was not fun! …Luckily it was only a day and a half long shoot!

MOBO: Tell us about the concept of the video

Lemar: The video is just about my lady, she’s gone and I’m never going to see her again and I’ve gone on top of this mountain with her ashes to give them back to the Earth. It’s a simply, but beautiful video.

MOBO: So, your album “The Reason” is out now, tell me how this one differs from your previous?

Lemar: I wanted to do something different, it’s the fourth album – I wanted to push my boundaries, I wanted to push myself as a writer, which I’ve done but also musically. I wanted to venture out and work with different people, different producers and writers and see who I naturally bonded with.

So, where as my last album “The Truth about Love” was very old school – this album is very new school, it’s very current with the beats, but it does nod its head to the old school kind of flavour at times. I did a song with Jack Splash called “Not What You Say” and that’s got a very old school kind of vibe, it’s got that Ray Charles-fun vibe. But then you got the pop/R&B songs on there too. I think there’s something on “The Reason” for everyone and I do think it’s a step forward in my sound.

Click MORE to read the rest of this exclusive interview w/Lemar

5 a Day...Today's Stories - 25/02/09

1) Rihanna Throws Birthday Party

Despite her recent troubles, Rihanna has gone ahead with celebrating her birthday. The party was put together by the “Umbrella” star and had a casino-theme and was attended by only close friends and family. “Her theme was Blackjack 21 and all the guests gambled” a source told the New York Daily News “…and although there was alcohol available, Rihanna wasn’t drinking”. In other related news, according to reports Chris Brown sent a slew of Birthday gifts to Rihanna including an iPod touch, diamond necklace and bracelet. Brown’s mother also sent a bouquet of flowers to the star.