Marley Review 2012

The first official documentary featuring members of the Marley family, who reflect on the life of Bob Marley. A prophet to some and a lyrical icon who left the earth leaving a significant mark in musical history.

Marley is a beautifully crafted piece of work based on the late Jamaican star. The film is aimed at his biggest fans as well as those with little knowledge of his life. (ME)

Raised in the slum's of Kingston, Jamaica, Bob Marley lived life an only child with his mother fending for food and water. Bob's life shows an affect for disaster with little knowledge of his father and any appeareance being nothing short of a myth. Just like Bob, friends and numerous characters from the Kingston area are introduced in the film, expressing their upbringing in poverty stricken Jamaica.

We learn of the belief in "Rhasta Fari". A god worshipped by certain Jamaicans. Bob Marley describes him as the equivalent to Jesus. "White people have Jesus, we have Rhasta Fari". A belief which entitles them to smoke a ridiculous amount of weed each day.

The concept of the documentary tells a tale of comedy, happiness and depression as ones life is told through those who grew up with, and loved him most.

His struggle for success is told through friends and numerous members of The Wailers. How reggae was founded through a single chord? how Bob Marley eventually left Jamaica for America to expand his ideas in music. A story of ambition and tragedy, relating to the shooting of Bob Marley and certain members of The Wailers. How Bob Marley was begged to revive Jamaica's government torn gang war, bringing a country together through his music.

Vital members of the Marley family are heard for the first time in this cinematic masterpiece. Son of Bob, Ziggy Marley tells of his remembrance, as were are shown a shocking resemblance to the late singer. Rita Marley, his first and last love tells the story of how she stayed with Bob, despite his sexual antics.

A revealing documentary of the Jamaican superstar, seen through the eyes of  members of the music industry as well as a brilliant cast of Kingston locals who simply never left the scene of Bob Marley's growing up.

Marley reveals a variety of live performances, showing Bob Marley at his best and a typically beautiful soundtrack, which mingles with every scene. Fans and people today know of the ending that awaited Bob Marley. This documentary is a terrific celebration towards a musical genius, who just like many icons, changed parts of the world, politically and musically.

Overall, Marley is terrifically original, telling a story of a man with a history guaranteed to make you laugh and cry. A film for fans of all ages to enjoy.

The Original Rudeboys set to Launch "Stars in my eyes" single this Friday

Support The Movement - The Original Rudeboys will Launch their first CD single "Stars in my eyes"

THIS FRIDAY, 25TH, TOWER RECORDS OFF GRAFTON ST AT 4PM

The 3 ladz Neddy, Robert and Walshy will be signing copies from 4pm onwards.

L.A rapper Game and City Lads, The Original Rudeboys tear up the Olympia theatre

The Game returned to Dublin City's Olympia theatre last night along with rising stars,The Original Rudeboys.

It was 3 years since L.A rapper and former G.unit member The Game was last seen on Irish soil. In 2008 he played the Olympia theatre in front of a sold out crowd. Unfortunately, me being a big Game fan,I missed that one. I did catch him a year or two prior at the Ambassador theatre, once again at the heart of Dublin City and I can honestly say it was, at the time, one of the best rap gigs I have ever attended.

I was fortunate to attend the gig at the Olympia theatre with a cracking box seat ticket (ringside I suppose). Dublin City lads Sean Arkins, Robert Burch and Sean Walsh led the way, supporting The Game as the up and coming accoustic/hiphop group, The Original Rudeboys. The band, which brings a mixture of Irish rap from Sean Arkins, acoustic guitar and vocals supplied by Robert Burch as well as Sean Walsh, who gives off a nice touch with his precious ukulele. The local group from the heart of town aren't shy of crowds at this stage, after playing numerous venues and festivals such as Reading in England and supporting G.unit at the Waterford festival. Songs such as "Live your Life", "Crazy" which is their own unique version to Cee lo Green's Crazy, and "Stars in my Eyes",their first release and a Youtube sensation, all went down well with, what looked like a sold out Gig!

The three townies looked more comfortable than ever on stage filling which what could only be described as big boots as the Main act, The Game was yet to follow. It was clear people from all over turned up to lend support to Ireland's next generation of superstars with The Original Rudeboys having none other than a bright future ahead of them.

The Game appeared on stage around 9.20 pm after an eager wait from the crowd. I must admit I could see myself as well as others were starting to lose patience! He eventually arrived...late, as these rappers tend to do but in the end it was all worth it. "The City" was the Introduction song which is the first on his most recent album, "Red". He was dressed in what I can only describe as "on the way to the Gym clothes", but someone of his swagger pulled it off, easily. The Red album is his fourth studio release so he played through songs such as "Goblins vs Martians" which features Lil Wayne and Tyler the creator, and "Ricky", a hardcore rap song which features a well put together mix from the classic movie "Boyz in the hood".

He went on to keep it old school as he played some of his most successful songs like "Dreams", "No more fun and games" and "Higher", all taken from his first album The Documentary. I can't help but get into the events surrounding his performance. At one stage he called up all the people in the crowd wearing Red and let them all bounce around the stage with him. Another dude in the crowd got specifically called upon after The Game had noticed the amount of tattoos the young guy had, leaving him and Game on stage comparing tattoos as well as getting the chance to rap with Game on one of his songs which looked quiet an experience for the teenage fan. His Entourage clearly loves Irish women as every so often they would just randomly call girls up to dance on stage.

The Game mixed it up with songs from his previous albums "The Doctors Advocate" and "LAX".

"My Life", also featuring Lil Wayne, and the banging "One Blood" almost blew the roof off the Olympia!

He threw in the occasional I love Ireland and it's the best place he ever performed at jazz. The thing about the Game it seems he really is a genuine guy and does show genuine love to the crowd and really knows how to put on a show. Since The Game started performing in Ireland over the success of his career, never has he been judged badly on performance. He brought nothing less than a fantastic performance as well as the entourage he had on stage with him who cared to join in on the chaos! The Game had this little apprentice with him the name avoids me now but at one stage near the end he climbed his way up to the first balcony before leaving the crowd anticipating weather he is going to jump or not. The security in the Olympia theatre did try and prevent him until the Game demanded they let him jump! He shouted "Let him go, I don't think ya'l know who run shit here. If you don't let him jump nobody here is going home" he eventually jumped feet first (with Air Jordans might I add).

"Pot of Gold" featuring Chris Brown was the last song he played. He dedicated it to anyone who is searching for that dream and to not give up until you have found it. The crowd did demand one more song and so Game played "Pot of Gold" again!

The night was full of entertainment and I really enjoyed the gig as I am sure most did.. The Game and The Original Rudeboys put on the performance expected of them.

Show your support this Friday 25th as The Original Rude Boys launch their first single "Stars in my Eyes"on physical CD. They will be in Tower Records off Grafton Street meeting fans and signing copies of the single. The CD will contain three versions of the song.

All Eyez On Him: An Inspiring Reflection

All Eyez on me:  was the double platinum album released by Tupac Shakur in 1996. This album would be his most successful. This album would also be his last before his murder. This album was, what I believe, the Death of Tupac Amaru Shakur.

When Tupac shot to fame way back in 1991 with his first official album, 2pacalypse now, I was three years old. Unfortunately I didn’t understand Hip hop at that age, in fact music in general did not seem to excite my ears! I never really had a song growing up that really had an effect on my life, but I do remember my mother playing Simply Red and Bon Jovi in the mornings. So I suppose the effect they might have had on me is to share an opinion on them as artists, and to me, now, I think Jon Bon Jovi and Simply Red are Magnificent!

When the boy band era came around some years later, the likes of Backstreet boys and five?  for me, they shared music to my ears. I liked them two bands in particular. As for Love of music, I was not there yet.  Around the year 2000/01 was when I first appreciated an artist before his music.

 Tupac Shakur had been dead almost 5 years by then.  I had a lot of catching up to do, as I was one of those people who knew the famous song “Changes”, so any knowledge of Tupac after that was out the window!

From 1992 onwards, Tupac Shakur released 4 successful albums.  2pacalypse now - Strictly for my Niggaz – Me against the world – All eyez on me (2 disc).

The album was released in 1996. It was inspired by hatred, love and betrayal. Tupac Shakur was serving a two year jail sentence for false accusations involving a female fan in a hotel room. This was a rape charge he strongly denied in the year before his death.

A deal was agreed with Death Row records owner Suge Knight to bail out Tupac Shakur on the condition he signs a contract with them, the agreement was to record three records, the first being  All eyes on me. The contract, signed upon his release was according to some, “A deal with the devil”, the devil being Suge Knight of Death Row Records.

This was the album I came upon some years later. It introduced me to Tupac and what he was about. It also introduced me to real rap music, the meaning of it and the path Tupac took to success, as well as numerous artists in the rap game at that stage.

The first song on the album, “Ambition as a rider”, was an instant classic which was later moved to the two disc greatest hits album released in 1997. The song still sends shivers down my spine as Tupac shakur describes his reputation, reincarnation and his wish to have things his way.  “My murderous lyrics woke up the spirits of the thugs before me stay off the block evading cops cause I know they coming for me”  The song is a great intro to an album that clearly affected his views on society after his stint in prison.

“Skandalous “ featuring recently deceased rapper Nate Dogg, touches on untrustworthy women, asking you to reconsider who you trust because fame and money can get you into a hell of a lot of trouble, hence the charge Tupac was convicted previous.

The album was the next generation of rap music. Its originality was genius and no one dared talk about the stuff Tupac did in his two disc masterpiece.

Tupac’s signing to Death Row records unfortunately showed his greed, and greed definitely played a part in the album. He knew all eyes were on him, and he would let no one bring him down again, even though he himself knew that this might be his last album. His paranoia was blowing up as well as his head.  “My own mama say im thugged out, my shit be poppin out the record store as if it was a drug house”  (You Can’t see me) .

A personal favourite of mine, is one that I can’t relate to in any way, but one that hit me. “Trading war Stories”  is a song featuring his group, the Outlawz. This song defines Tupac and what he is about. He describes his fight with society, jealousy,  gang members and the hard knock life of growing up. It’s not meant to be a sad heartfelt song, but when I listen to it, I get emotional.

Like a lot of his songs I just think, its a brutal world when someone who found so much success from growing up in poverty can be just taken away in the blink of an eye. “Now can your mind picture, a thug nigga drinking hard liquor, this ghetto life has got me catching up to god quicker, who thought all I need was a hair trigger semi automatic mack eleven just to scare niggas!”

Tupac Shakur always had a sensitive side to his lyrics, and that is how a lot of his classics were formed. He expressed his passion for women and children on the album and a fair society for all cultures. He learned from the great Malcom X and Martin Luther King. His knowledge is heard through his music and read through his poetry.  “Wonder why they call you bitch” is a beautiful song aimed at lower class black women, who get treated badly for all the wrong reasons, but sometimes bring it on themselves. In this song Tupac pleads with the women to hear him out and listen to the reason, that most of them are indeed labelled by most rap artists as Bitches.

“See he said you were sleazy? Even easy sleeping around for what you need, see its your thing and you can shake it how you wanna, give up free or making money on the corner, don’t be bad play the game, get mad at change then you wonder why these mothafuckers call you names, I can see ya looking for a way out? It’s okay I can see you in a stray there’s a way out.”

Another Example of Tupac’s sensitive side, an iconic song, “I ain’t mad at ya” is based on the appreciation Tupac shows towards a friend or someone who has moved on and left the ghetto to pursue better things, and someone who lives the life, money, drugs and women don’t live the perfect life and does all come to an end eventually,  giving Tupac inspiration to consider a better life, away from gang life and petty ghettos.  “It seems my homey is a changed man, hit the pen and no sinning is the game plan, when I talk about money all you see is the struggle when I tell you im living large you tell me it’s trouble, congratulations on the wedding, I hope your wife know, she got a player for life and that’s no bull shitting!”

Rather than Tupac’s vision on gang life and poverty, this album, like many, also gives the time to reflect on Love and every day affairs. Example of his love towards certain characters is “Dear Mama”(Greatest Hits), which is a personal favourite for most who appreciate their mother,” Neva call you Bitch again” (Better Dayz)  an amazing song directed as an apology to women who were taken advantage of.

“Mamas Just a little girl “(Better Dayz) is a beautiful story describing his own mother and the struggle she went through.  Then there is “Changes”, a popular one even to people unfamiliar with tupac’s work, this song goes down a treat. The concept of this song is brilliant as Tupac pleads for a change in American society.

The All eyez on me album started it all for me. It inspired me to learn more about Tupac. I went on to read his poetry, biographies and movies.  He was a great writer and actor. His acting and writing has inspired a tremendous amount of rappers to follow in his path to success. Fans will always argue over Tupac’s best album. This one was most successful in gross and the charts. But to compare it to everything Tupac has done is a tough one.

The release of the album in 1996 certainly made Tupac, but also killed him. His paranoia showed in the album as well in interviews leading up to his death.  There is no doubt in my mind that Tupac wanted out of Death Row records after the album release, he just didn’t know how. He had several unreleased songs tied in with Suge Knight at Death Row records. Tupac had ambitions to set up his own Record label and take all his unreleased songs with him.  Unfortunately Suge Knight knew of Tupac’s desire to leave the label. I believe, like many, that Suge would in no way have let Tupac leave after the money the album brought to his record label.

When Tupac shakur was gunned down on the Las Vegas strip in 1996, Death row got all the rights to tupac’s songs. They got just what they wanted.  Thankfully in the end, Tupac’s mother Afeni Shakur fought and won the rights back for most of Tupac’s songs and has went on to release a further 6 albums containing all new Material by the man himself.

Tupac Shakur believed in his paranoia and saw his death coming. The guy was a genius in preparing a legacy before his time had come. He wanted to live on through his music, and that, to this day what is happening. That contract he signed with the devil back in 1996 proved to be a fatal move....but like Bob Marley, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, Tupac Shakur will remain forever.