Review: Little Simz

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Reviews: Review: Little Simz, O2 Academy

Ngaio Anyia, February 18, 2016

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Little Simz has been one to watch for a while, but she doesn't shout about it.

At this stage if you know about her, you know - but if you don't there's a chance you won't find out until she's dominating the charts. That's how the Bristol leg of her tour felt. This artist has just come off a world tour where a majority of the shows were sold out - the Americans love her - and yet I was surprised to hear that Little Simz was performing in the top room.

She'd obviously been put on in a smaller space to accommodate the number of people who had brought tickets. There are some artists who would let this affect their performance - not Simz. 

A fearless flow is the only constant in her tunes, with almost every beat switching up after each 16. The constant changes leave you expectant, excited, never sure which genre is coming next. There were a couple of times I thought the bass drowned her out which was a shame because her words are fierce. When she dropped Devour (click for link) I was so surprised by the dirty drop that I audibly laughed in delight. Hearing Jackwob production on serious speakers is always madness.

It's easy to forget that Little Simz is 21 years old. She's touring the world with her friends, doing what she loves on her own terms and she's still a young ‘un. When she said "follow your dreams, you can do anything" you kind of had to believe her, considering all she’s accomplished.

Her words capture the world she has come from and the music takes you on a journey with her. London seeps out through strong messages of unapologetic pride in her achievements and ironclad confidence; in her ideas, talent and style. Gratitude from her touring album A Curious Tale of Trials + Personseencapsulates what I like about Little Simz. Starting off with afrobeat-style percussion and chanting, before dropping into vocals and guitar, she talks to us of her past, present & future:

"I came to show there's more, I'm expanding
Still on my lonesome
Give a fuck, I'm chosen
Bit of luck and a wish, maybe we'll get there
But for now, I'm zoning
Somewhere in the air, I'm floating
They will not control us
This the type of shit that ain't never gonna sell
Man, you shouldn't have told us that."

Nearing the end of her set I was concerned she wouldn't perform my favourite track (it’s not as grimy as the rest) but as soon as I heard the familiar strings loop I knew it was time. Marilyn Monroe is the song that solidified my Simz fandom. Effortlessly classic, the black and white video shows Little Simz in a shop with her people. She brought that same vibe to the O2 when Remus came out for his verse. 

Little Simz is an artist who isn’t afraid to be different and who has, somewhat seamlessly, risen to the forefront of a new sound wave. Join her. 

Published on Bristol 24/7

Bristol 24/7 Review: Rodigan's Ramjam, Motion

I am now writing reviews for Bristol 24/7 but totally forgot to post them up here too!

Will upload the rest next week when works calmed down.... Ramjam was SHELLINGS!!!

Clubs: Review: Rodigan's Ramjam, Motion

Ngaio Anyia, February 1, 2016

January isn't renowned as a party month. Everyone's spent their money on Christmas, New Years, travelling to be with family. I got into a taxi at 11pm expecting to arrive at an empty club, but how wrong I was. Motion was sold out. 

The main room was packed, raving out to the selections of Fireman Sam who warmed up the crowd with a range of genres. Grime, dancehall, bashment and UK hip-hop had the crowd moving in unison from the get-go.

Post Fireman and pre Rodigan I thought there would be ample time for a natural break so I went for a wander and was met with the most devastating toilets queue I've ever seen at Motion. It was so bad that three bouncers had been put on crowd control (this is just for the ladies). I made a swift u-turn into the Cave where Conducta was shelling out some serious garage. 

Little Man drew me to the dancefloor and I was lost to nostalgia. As someone who has spent many a night at Motion, I know how hard The Cave can be to fill: it's generally seen as a walk-through or slightly quicker bar but this wasn't the case tonight. Conducta read the crowd to perfection, switching up garage with grime and dropping a couple of old school hip-hop tunes in there for high demand wheel-ups. It took a lot of persuasion to move me from that dance floor.

When Rodigan bounced onto to the stage I couldn't see the floor for people. It is a true testament to the DJ that he could engage a whole raving crowd with reggae. Everyone was there to see this veteran do what he does best and he didn't disappoint. Reggae, dancehall: feelgood music flew out seamlessly and the audience was one of the happiest I've seen. 

The feel-good atmosphere ran straight through to Stormzy who catapulted the energy in a way only grime can. The main room got to one-in-one-out status as the balcony filled to bursting point and sweat started raining from the ceiling. Stormzy delivered - his energy was infectious and reciprocated to moshpit levels.

Truth be told, The Blast teamed with Rodigan's Ramjam had Motion busier than I've seen it in a while. If you were there, you know what I'm saying. If you weren't - you missed out.

VLOGGING

Have I mentioned that I work in the media now?

Yeah so like I'm really into documenting everything to such dire lengths that I'm now recording conversations that I have with my friend Vanessa Kisuule because we find ourselves SO obnoxiously funny that we thought we'd grace the world with our hilarity.

So please feel free to enjoy us being fools and loving ourselves, I sincerely hope by the end you love yourselves a bit more too.

Here's our first video!

We are opening the series with:
Is It Just Me Or....Am I The Shit? 

This video came about because....Vanessa and I rate ourselves.

We think we're the shit. 

....................

Apparently that coming out of the mouth of anyone other than Kanye is just not acceptable (and even then, people have beef with it) Why is that?

We appreciate that in this life the journey to self acceptance can be a hard one. But we feel like as a British society we have accepted that self deprecation is an inevitable and even welcomed part of our rhetoric, particularly as young women. 

A female being happy with herself and saying so is seen as strange and even a bit obnoxious. Here we are chatting about that with our legs open. (But with our clothes on. Obvs. You absolute pervert.)

Let us know what you think and feel free to like our  Facebook page if you wish to view more of our ramblings.

Big love y'all xxx

Akua Naru - My Heart Is Broken

Akua Naru was at The Lantern last month - a spoken word artist that has been on my radar for only a year or so after a friend compared one of my songs to hers (massive compliment) but who I thought I'd never actually get to see live. Originally from Connecticut, US she now lives in Germany - after seeing her show I'm inclined to think it was an escape...

I wasn't sure what to expect of a live music show because I'd only heard her as a spoken word artist. I knew she played with a band but what would it be, instrumentals in-between poems? A slow, soulful, hip-hop vibe? Well, you never know until you get there.

On a pure performance vibe it was intense from the beginning. The set was put together mindfully, opening up with easily accessible hip-hop before moving on to her most popular song in the middle of the set 'How Does It Feel' - always a brave move. There's a danger as a performer that once you play your crowd pleaser, the crowd starts to peter out - but it didn't.

In fact when she played that song, the crowd changed. We evolved from shuffling, bum shaking, good timers to alertly thoughtful listeners. When she played this song such a huge wave of emotion went over me that before I knew it tears were streaming down my face.

That's how music affects me - it's so deeply connected with my emotions that sometimes I don't know I need to cry until something starts and I break. I recorded the whole thing even though I knew it was gonna be a long one (excuse the shaky hand - arm workout!) because I wanted to capture that moment.

That song changed the tone of the night - everyone was ready to listen a little harder, feel a little deeper.

Akua Naru started to explain the reasons for certain songs that she played from her new album The Miners Canary (click to buy her album off bandcamp - it's worth it) is political, musical and thoughtful. (Black &) Blues People is the song she sang straight after dropping some truth and spreading the word that America's problems are not new and they are not confined to America. Technology has forced the world to wake up and now blatant disrespect for life can no longer be ignored - things have to start to change.

Here's what she had to say:



I thought she might do a half hearted 45 minute show, I'd heard it had been a long tour, but Akua Naru stayed on that stage for a whole 2 hours and not once did her energy dwindle.

Initially I took the effort she put into connecting with audience as an 'Americanism' but by the end of the show it all made sense. She needed to open up that level of communication with the audience so that they trusted her. Trusted that she wasn't there to make anyone feel guilty but that equally what she was telling them was the truth, a truth that is too dangerous to ignore.

At the end of the set she said she would be outside with vinyls and merchandise (I always feel bad for artists when they say this because people generally tend to smile as they head straight towards the exit) and no sooner had the band finished playing, almost everyone was outside waiting to thank her for the experience she had brought to them.

I overheard a girl in front of me who was almost at the point of emotional explosion because she said it was the first time she had been made to fully understand the issue. It was a discussion she had always felt she couldn't be a part of and it made her turn a blind eye. Akua told her that the first step is to listen, listen to the stories to understand the experience and then form your opinion - but that she had already taken her first step by going to that concert and staying until the end.

I left that concert feeling like my heart had been torn and mended all in a two hour period - I laughed and cried, shared her pain but also glimpsed some hope. Because if you look past all the A List celebrities who are more interested in money than morals, you sometimes get to see those who are left. Using their gift to try and change the world - music never sounded so bittersweet.

Cat Lady at 25 - Say Nuttin

May I begin this post by saying - I am sure there are lots of lovely, respectful, wonderful men out there and this is not aimed at you normal people.

Now that's out the way I'd just like to ask a question - wtf is up with the males that I come into contact with?

It's really hard to not become jaded when the men who find me are either sex-crazed or terrified. Either way both teams start out the same...

"You're so beautiful and intelligent and funny and confident, I love that! Blah blah blah"

I'm not actually great at receiving compliments so this bit is always pretty awkward for me. I normally say thank you, then ask them questions about themselves so we're not stuck in this whirlpool of ego-stroking.

After that I'll excuse myself if I'm not interested or if they actually ask for my number I'll give it to them. I'm not that fussy about my number to be honest. It's been the same for about ten years and is on every business card/email I've sent out in that time so no nose skin sacrificed.

What they do with the number... This is the moment I find out whether the guy is:

a) A potential rapist
b) Terrified
c) Not interested

I have experienced many versions of the above.

Most recently:

Option A) Potential Rapist

Picture me minding my own business, listening to Chaka Khan whilst walking to work, trying to shake off a hangover when a car pulls up and a guy starts chatting to me.

I take out my headphones thinking he's looking for directions but am sadly mistaken. As I try to excuse myself he begins kerb crawling alongside me to the point where I begin worrying people will start to think I know him. In a moment of desperation (and boredom) I gave him my number. He called it immediately and I saved him as 'Reggie Road Man'.

Reggie Road Man then proceeded to harass me with dead chat texts for a month, refusing to take any hints (before you wonder why I didn't block him, I didn't know you could block whatsapp people..low me) before sending me a picture of his penis.

Now to ME that seems odd. Firstly it was was not of a bragging size so that's...brave. Secondly if someone hasn't reciprocated any of your dead chat, why would they want to see that? Thirdly WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU SENDING ME A PICTURE OF YOUR DICK???!!!

Men, please. Do not send girls pictures of yourself unless they ask for them. NO-ONE is as into your dick as you are and surpriiiiiise it's not a turn on AT ALL to wake up to some strangers appendage at 8am in the morning. EURGH. Your mother has a lot to answer for.

A paraphrased version of the above is what I replied to him. I received 'Suck it', and thus my faith in the male species slipped a little further.

(at the bottom of this post you will find a chart outlining when it is OK to send a dickpic..it is rare)

Option B) The Terrified.

Don't get me wrong I think guys have a tough time when it comes to dating because it's expected that the guy has to be the one to walk over, make conversation, ask for the number, risk the rejection etc and that must be difficult if you're not confident.

And I am not exactly a wallflower - so if someone's come up to me I already think, kudos man, that can't have been easy. So it's not that people can be shy that annoys me, it's that when I'm actively trying to make you feel less afraid by having a conversation with you, and you ask me for my number which I then give to you to show that I'm a normal person and not some mythical being and you're still too terrified to use it... That annoys me.

Option C) The Not Interested.

I think these are the most common and you know what, not everyone is going to like you. We all have different preferences and there are characteristics that are attractive to some and not to others - not a problem.

Obviously there's the issue of the media brainwashing people into thinking what is or isn't attractive - but that's a different blog post.

However, what is particularly frustrating about the option c) people is that you don't realise until it's too late because they tell you the exact opposite. What are we, mind-readers?!

You can chat a bit maybe have a drink or five... Get a bit drunk, a little bit flirty, a little bit handsy... And in the midst of this excitement, they begin to declare all these futuristic statements "I'm so glad I've met you", "What an amazing night", "I can't wait to see you again" and so on and so forth and then...

CASPER BITCH!!!

Oh what, you thought that was real? Noooooo no no, just figured it was what you wanted to hear but actually I'm just not that into it so... Soweeeee

The confusion!! Suddenly it's like wait but...
I didn't want a relationship..?

You were the one saying you wanted to see me again.... I was just smiling and sipping my Long Island Iced Tea....

Why do I now feel like I've been shafted when I hadn't decided if I liked you....?

What's happening???!!

And we're back to square one. 

So in light of this I have got a kitten (pics to come) and am embracing my cat lady future xx

Time for a quickie?!

People sometimes ask me if I need glasses...
Of course I do #specshade lol

This is gonna be a super short post because I need to sort my life out instead of faffing around on melodylab...even though the latter is far more fun.

I just wanted to say a quick HOORAY!!! This has been a good week, hope your week has been equally fab. Why you ask? Well....

I got my mock results back for the exams I've been frying my brains with and I got a B in Court Reporting and an A in Essential Media Law which was a mahoooosive shock but a very happy one and it's definitely given me confidence to go into the exams in November.

I've started revising again already - no rest for the wicked!

I'm like so deep - look into those
thoughtful eyes...

On Friday I went round to me buddy Chris Munky's yig to get started on my EP which I'm aiming to have finished by next year. It's gonna be political, I can tell you that much - but that doesn't mean it's going to be dire. This year has really been an awakening for me regarding safety, institutionalised racism, how drastically different people's lives are depending on their background and the humility it takes to wake up to the fact that you may have been part of the problem...by not fully realising the problem.

I am SO excited for you guys to hear what I've been working on when it's finished... Here's a little snippet of the chorus to wet your whistle! 

If you like what you hear, pop over to my YouTube channel for me doing a minute of Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine, A Capella. I am totally addicted to melodylab. 

So much fun playing my selections :D

Lastly, on Saturday I was left to fly freeee on Ujima 98fm for The BodyShock Show. I normally produce it for Addison Groove (every Saturday 6-8pm just fyi...) with Titus12 but this week they wre both away so I was left to my own devices...mwaaahahahahaaa.

The first half hour was terrifying, then I started to get into it. If you fancy having a listen, follow the links:

Part 1: Ngaio Anyia presenting The Bodyshock Show Ujima98fm

Part 2: Ngaio Anyia presenting The Bodyshock Show Ujima98fm

So that's it from me! Told you I'd be quick. Also, as you may have noticed I've wandered over to the straight side for the week cause my next gig as an Afronaught isn't till the 19th (that's gonna be a wicked gig, will report on it when it comes round) and I needed to trim my hair. However the fro WILL be back and thicker than ever xxx

Life debrief

"So you wanna know what I've been up to?! Have a seat..."

You know when someone asks, "so what have you been up to?" I find myself having to judge that situation very quickly to avoid embarrassment because some people (normally close friends) genuinely want to know what I've been up to. It doesn't matter how long the list is or conversation because we are both engaged in the catch up.

Then there's people that used to be good friends but maybe you've drifted apart. Overall it's best not to go into the aches and pains because although they care, they aren't nearly as emotionally invested in you as you are (which actually I try to remember as a rule - only child syndrome).

These people want to hear the good bits with a slight mention of 'deeper stuff' so the conversation doesn't feel completely superficial (because you're better than that)
Ultimately: cliff-notes will suffice.

Then the acquaintances. These are hardest to judge due to the different levels of acquaintance but as a blanket term: they probably know what you're doing to a degree, but they just want to hear the highlights. No guts, all glory.

I outline these 'life people' because I think they might also apply to readers, so if you're an acquaintance reader - HELLO! Thanks for upping the click count, but I have no recipes or words of outrage for you today.

This is a purely self-indulgent post of my favourite style moments over the past couple of months and how they outline what I've been up to. If interested, please read on! If not, feel free to click away. I understand, no hard feelings.

Hair product: Beautiful Texures Curl Custard

This particularly good hair day happened in Birmingham where I had my last block of training for my journalism apprenticeship for BBC. Whilst there I passed my shorthand exam - writing 60wpm at 97% accuracy - YAY! I can now go and report from court...as long as they talk reeeaallllyyyy sloooowly.

And I did practice papers in Essential Media Law and Court Reporting Law to prep for mocks in September (still waiting to hear those results).

FYI: I have a new found, bursting love for boohoo.com

It's so frikkin cheap! The sizes are so random but I normally buy bigger and alter on the sewing machine. No big.

That red skirt cost £4 and is at the top of my most-loved list.

Also, super haps with body goals being reached after 3 months of doing Keaira LaShae workouts - click the link to get to her youtube page. Highly recommended for fun fitness.

Eva Lazarus in Kuccia, me in boohoo.com

And looky here - another boohoo purchase! The jumpsuit, not Eva.

This was taken at our FIRST festival performance - Shambala 2015!!!

It was SO much fun headlining at Mr Hungs Laundry backing singing for this absolute beauty. All original tracks by Eva Lazarus with me and Naomi - The Afronaughts -  backing her and Snareophobe on the decks.

Note to self: must not get over excited & start shocking out to every tune on stage.



And finally, the last festival of the year...
Tokyo World.

I can't lie, the whole thing went passed in a blur while I was running around getting interviews but the vibes were on point.

Spent most of my time down by main stage or the blast stage, tunes for days!

Even did my first piece to camera for Made In Bristol TV which was a thriller so big ups to everyone who took the time to chat to me.

Think this is my favourite outfit so far - jumpsuit from boohoo.com. The leather jacket I bought oversized from a vintage fair and altered - secret seamstress tiiiiing xxx