Ed Sheeran- One for the little guy

I remember about three years ago I was having dinner with a good friend of mine who is the biggest music fan and he kept going on about some bloke called Ed Sheeran. I got a good 30 minute ear battering about how talented Ed was and how he was the next big thing (whilst I was trying to eat a beautifully cooked piece of black cod- grrrr). Curious (and believing it was all just hype), I later took to Youtube and google to find out more about him. The first track I heard was You Need Me I Don't Need You. And that was all it took- I was hooked, his music was as addictive as crystal meth(stay away from drugs kids). Listening to one track led to another and another. This guy played the guitar, beat boxed, sang with a crazy amount of soul, wrote his own lyrics and it was impossible to place him in one genre- Ed had soul, indie, hip hop, funk, folk and even reggae influences. He was like some kinda music superhero! Plus he had red hair(I'm a sucker for a ginger fella) and was only a diddy 16 yr old who had moved from his home county of North Yorkshire to London on his lonesome to hone his craft (awww).

Now 19, Ed's paid his dues and made a name for himself. He'd put out a few EP's and albums already(the first in '05), gigged extensively (including a tour with Example), built up a stellar underground following and was ready to put out another EP and make some serious moolah. But labels were not happy to fund the project so he went off and did it himself. And boy has the gamble paid cos the EP called No 5 Collaborations which was released this Monday is already No2 in the iTunes chart-surpassed only by Rihanna (who has Jay Z, the whole world and a super tight 360 record deal behind her).
Ahhhh, I love a happy ending. The little guy refuted the big corporations advice and won- beautiful stuff.

Check out my fav Ed track above The City, its a stunning track! Then log on to http://www.edsheeran.com/ and cop his hot album! It only costs 5 squids and No 5 Collaborations features 10 of the hottest UK mc's

Skepta - Mike Lowery

I've got high quality passion for Skepta's Mike Lowery tune. First of all the fact that Skepta had the effrontery to call this track Mike Lowery makes my heart rate increase (Martin Lawrence's character from Bad Boys- geddit?) Second of all I love the fact that he is taking the piss out of faceless sheeple who swallow gallons of haterade and diss his success. Lastly the video with its twisted Saw-esque imagery is compulsively captivating.

Generally I have an affection for Skepta (obvs).

Dans the MAN!!

So as a journo I often decamp to gigs, premiere's and award shows to interview singers, rappers, actors and celebs. And it never fazes me. I sat across from Trey Songz whilst he's been biting his lip, The Wanted called me sexy, I've been the judge for a male modelling comp, holed up in a small room with them whilst they paraded about in their boxers and six packs. I won't go on but you get my drift, whenever man candy is around me I am absolutely unfazed. But I must confess meeting Danny O'Donoghue from The Script last night rocked my world. I was covering the Capital FM Jingle Bell Ball and had just finished chatting to Cee Lo (who is super cool) when the boys from the hottest Irish band du jour walked out. I felt like a deer in the headlights/ a moth to the flame/ rooted to the spot and a million other contradictory corny old sayings when I saw him. I can't remember what I said to him or his answers but I do remember his eye's piercing through me and burning his name across my soul. Hubba hubba, Danny is ridiculously hot and he's got that special type of sexitude that you can't put your finger on. I am crushing on him to the nth degree. Enough said.

Mallie- Unsigned HYPE

Ahhh, I do love a new bit of talent in my boudoir. Enter MALLiE a fab artist I stumbled across on Myspace. She has an incredibly raw, passionate vocal style- liken her to an Adele if you please. This little women with a big voice ain't no poptart by numbers. She's a sassy 21yr old with South African roots, a deliciously leftfield fashion sense, "I don't care" blonde hair and an edge that makes Ke$ha look wholesome! MALLiE's style is soulful rock/reggae with a sweet twist of pop. Her vocals trip like magic over strong beats, ballads and twinkly piano solo's (she plays the ivories herself). The UK music scene is wide open at the moment so its any one's game, the Boudoir hearts MALLiE a lot and fingers crossed she'll become a major player in 2011!

Check out MALLiE's song The Game on her myspace page
http://www.myspace.com/mallieofficial

Kanye West ft. Jay-Z & La Roux - That's My Bitch - Single - NEW!

Check out this stylish collabo between Kanye West, Jay Z and our very own Brit Miss going in for the kill Elly Jackson (of La Roux fame). Hmmmm, lesbians, bitches, n****'s and dicks worth money are a few of the subject matters. Disrespectful or some clever word play- you decide! Personally I can't stop nodding my head to the beat produced by the genius Q Tip from A Tribe Called Quest

Jessie J - Do It Like A Dude

Jessie J is officially the baddest chick repping girl power on the music scene. Hold onto your crotches boys...this lady is gonna kick you where it hurts!

Willow Smith- Whip My Hair ( Official New Music)

'Where my ladies at' 9 yr old Willow Smith cries on her first single..erm, waiting at the school gates to take you home little madam. Her voice sounds far beyond her tweener years and the subject matter is rather all grow'd up for someone who should be watching cartoons and playing video games.

With a voice this slick is Willow a child prodigy or acolyte of the autotune? On first listen I was leaning towards the latter but whatever your opinion her debut track Whip My Hair is catchy and she's fast establishing herself as the mini Fresh Princess. Jay Z has already snapped her up with a record deal and her style is as punchy as Rihanna's. Little Miss Smiths 'tude is just to cool for school!

Give The Stylist a Medal!

Check out the latest single from the UK mc Skepta. The songs catchy and you may recognise the female on the vocals as Sayeed's long suffering missus from Eastenders but the thing that caught the my eye was the styling in the video.

From Skepta's slick suits and Preeya in all of her lace gloved, strapless dress, armlet glory to the video models writhing around in the cutest mac I've seen in ages this video is a visual festival of fashion. FIN


Cross My Heart will be out on the 17th October

The Wanted- The Return of the Boyband

Oh its a hard life us journalists lead...I had the sweet pleasure of hanging out with the prettiest boys in pop, The Wanted recently. Not only did I discover that, yes they are so yummy looking, that observing them for too long makes your teeth ache-they are also very, very naughty.
Its safe to say that besides JLS the UK has been lacking on the bonefide fresh boyband front (I love Take That but they're less boy more man). Now that The Wanted are on the scene that hole has been filled, tweeners- and ladies whom are old enough to know better *ahem*- can scream with wild abandon at a bunch of cute boys with vocal ability once more!

I met the boys whilst they were filming a show with Katy Brand and never before have I heard the words, threesomes, semi and the phrase "what are you doing after this" within the first 60 seconds of meeting a group of fella's.
I quizzed the boys on their late night antics. Their frequent visits to London hotspots like Movida and Mahiki rival fellow boyband liggers JLS! "Yeah we party a lot" confessed Max (the sexy one with the shaved head) "But all we've wanted to do since our number one is celebrate, and we don't intend on stopping just yet!" So rest assured these boys will be partying hard for some time to come.

Riding high on the success of their single All Time Low the boys aim to storm the charts again with the track Heart Vacancy(check out the vids below). Having heard the guys sing (yes they sang to me accapella and I briefly passed out from the effects of the eargasm) they deserve to hit the top of the charts and ride 'em with longevity! Long live The Wanted- long live the return of the boyband!

Tinie Tempah - Written In The Stars (Official HD) - Ft. Eric Turner

Check out Tinie's next single due for release on the 27th of September. There is nothing more satisfying than watching an exciting young artist break through to the mainstream and manage to make the transition from catchy phenomenon to musician with longevity and Tinie Tempah has done it. The stylish maestro of the UK urban scene is sounding all grown up in this slick, deviation from his standard club banger style. Eric Turner tinkles the ivories and pours passion all over the heart felt hook that ties together Tinie's brilliantly penned verses. Written In The Stars is a certified future chart success.

CASPA & MR HUDSON - Love Never Dies (Back For The First Time) OFFICIAL V...

Check out this dub beauty produced by Caspa. The beat definitely puts you in a romantic summer state and the ever emotive vocalist Mr Hudson knows how to ride a rhythm- so the minute the beat drops and he starts to sing the song gets you...right... here **tear drops, gesticulates towards heart**

Check out the acoustics on these lot!

Loving all the young, fresh UK music talent at the moment. Check out these snippets of raw musical genius as put together for SBTV.....eargasmic!


Chasing Pluto- A super epic duo. They sing, write, produce. This isn't a standard pop by numbers band ... love 'em!


Frixion- beautiful r&b harmonies from this unsigned trio- girls hold on to you're hankies and your panties...these fella's are just to smooth



Labrinth- genius young producer behind Tinie Tempah's hits Frisky and Pass Out...not only can he create a banging beat in the studio he sings too! This tune has a folksy storyteller vibe- unexpected from someone who create's club hits but very, very welcome

The Big Chill!

Caught a little thrill at The Big chill over this weekend..first (and last time) in a tent (cold, wet, spider riddled…) It was freezing, but good music and good company are the only things you need at a festival to keep warm!

Highlights had to be Thom Yorke who played possible upcoming tracks from Radiohead's new album and a preggers Lily Allen announced this performance would be her last ever gig (sob)…Alright, choke back those tears- somehow I don’t think this is the last time that the voice of young London will be showing off her vocal range. She’s one of those artists who wants to shun the spotlight but cannot help trying to get it back on her if she thinks she’s been forgotten.

Kelis showcased her new euphoric musical leaning's at the Hertfordshire festival, wowing the crowd with her show stopping outfits but the most memorable performance had to be M.I.A. The Bucky Done Gone singer had to be ushered off the stage when fans rushed her performance.

Oooh and FBC artiste du jour Tinie Tempah did his thing as ever…the FBC heart him long time [Insert Frisky/ Pass Out jokes here]

Yetunde Johnson: A brand spanking new favourite thing!

The beautiful new soul diva to watch is 24 yr old Yetunde Johnson. I’ve listened to her debut album and I’m blown away. It’s soulful, edgy and fresh. Every track is soaked in swagger; Ms Johnson is an artist who pushes music to an exciting new plane. With the provocative titles of her debut single I’m What You Want and album Favourite Things, she’s clearly a girl who knows who she is .I talked to Yetunde to find out what it’s like for her as a new artist. She’s very passionate and animated when she talks about her work. And she laughs, a lot! A very husky, naughty laugh. She’s one of those people you see and you just want to know who she is. When we meet up to chat about her sound she makes a little confession “I was having a bit of a boogie to my album this morning…

I love that!
To be honest I love doing that having a little dance everyday, being thankful for my life.

Well life is good, your album is amazing. Your single I’m What You Want is out now. How are you feeling? Everything’s about to go global!
[Laughs]Yeah its all massively exciting. I feel kinda calm, and then the total opposite. Apprehensive! Its been coming for about two years so to finally be here is exciting. I’m nervous, but happy that all of my hard work has come full circle.

And was it easy- the journey to this point? Getting signed, recording the album…
It’s funny because I never expected my life to be like this. I was meant to go to uni, get a degree a good job. Singing has always been my passion, I sang in church all the time in the choir but my family is academic and I thought I would go down that road....

What changed things?
My mum passed away and that made me realise how short life is and how important it is to be happy and reach for your passions in life.
I did enrol at university but while I was there I started doing a lot of studio work and performing more and more. I went to auditions. But when I hit 21, 22 I got a bit fed up because I would get offered deals and things but they would turn out to have all this conditions tied to them or they would be a bit dodgy. I was about to give up when I got a call just before my 23rd birthday. Real Music and Management had heard a demo of mine. We met up, they liked my sound, my look and they wanted to sign me- everything just took off from there!

Was it important to have representatives who got what you were about?
Definitely, we had a great rapport and we all just clicked. I wasn’t so hungry for a deal and money that I would sign with just anyone, it was important that I fit with the management and the label. I still wanted to have creative control over my music.

I understand you recorded here and in the States?
Yeah. There was a lot happening in the UK with new artists at the time. So we thought taking the sound to another time zone and working on it there might add a fresh perspective! I wanted to keep it different! I worked with some really amazing people including Anita Mcloud in Philadelphia. She’s worked with Usher, she’s amazing. And I listened to a lot of music while I was recording, I have a lot of influences and I wanted that to be reflected in my work. Then I came back to England worked on some more tracks, I also recorded with my brothers who produce music. And we put it all together and that became the album, Favourite Things!

How did you come up with the title? It’s a bit of a homage The Sound of Music!
[Laughs] You know what I love that movie! And there’s a track on the album called Favourite Things. It sounds like a man hating track but its not. It talks about me being a genuine woman, being a catch and not being attracted to a man because of gloss and bling!

A lot of the songs [on the album] show female power and strength. And it’s got a really strong jazz/ soul influence production wise- how would you describe your sound?
I guess it’s rooted in gospel because that’s my background,. But I love soul, jazz, classical and rock. So I’d like to think my sound is all about my emotion. That goes for my lyrical content to because I have written or co written every track on the album!

And who do you aspire to be like on the music scene?
I love Mary J Blige- she’s so powerful but vulnerable and real. She’s a talent. And N.E.R.D because they are just crazy and different! I love things that are unexpected

Yetunde Johnsons single I’m What You Want is out now, her album will be available later on this year.

For more on Yetunde visit http://myspace.com/yetundejohnsonmusic

A Minute With Macy!

I hung out with Macy Gray this afternoon at the Sanderson hotel ahead of her gig in Londons Leicester Sq. We talked about her new album The Sellout, her mad DJ skills and how she loves to get naked!
Snuggled up on a white sofa in her hotel room, rocking some shades poor Macy was a bit tired "I was DJing at Mahiki last night after my first Leicester Sq performance. I love DJing my ex [husband] taught me how and I've always dabbled with the decks." But ever the trooper this amazing and truly unique soul diva animatedly talked about her latest studio effort "I called the album The Sellout cos I was predicting how well it was gonna do!" Macy quipped her voice squeaking excitedly (Macy has the sweetest speaking voice.) "Seriously though I loved writing this album because I found the song writing process cathartic. I get out emotions that I never knew I had in me- its a bit like how you act after smoking a joint!" Er, Macy I hope you didn't inhale!

Macy is known for being amazingly out there, unafraid of who she is, at ease with her style and the way she was thrust to stardom with her breakout worldwide smash I Try. Known for being sassy and upfront I had to ask whats the wildest thing she's ever done? "Ooh wow there's a lot" she laughed " I guess one of the craziest things had to be my naked phase." Naked phase?! "I loved getting on stage and just stripping. It was just me and my music!" Was there some underwear going on? Or at least a strategically placed guitar to protect her modesty? "Nah it was just me au naturale!"

Catch Macy at Leicester Sq tonight where she'll be performing and at the nightclub Maddox where she will be spinning tunage galore on the decks alongside model/ DJ Tolula Adeyemi



Macy will be headlining at GAY on Saturday 17th July and her Album The Sellout is out in stores now!

Festival Essential with Fearne, Pixie and Ke$ha!

We're smack bang in the middle of festival season- revellers have hit Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Wireless... T in the Park is happening right now and there are still loads more to come like the epic V Festival and Bestival. So how do fashionista's, beauty-ista's and all round girlie girls survive without stacked vanity cases, hot water and outlets for hair straighteners?

Fear not diva's cos Bella has had a little word with Fearne Cotton, Ke$ha and Pixie Lott to find out how they keep it sexy when they hit the festival circuit.

Fearne Cotton
"I love festivals because it's a chance to become an amped up version of yourself. I would definitely say go for some glitter and waterproof mascara is a must, especially if its hot- you don't want sweaty mascara streaks running down your cheeks! I always use Mark Hills dry shampoo on my hair to keep my locks looking good oh and just make sure you get creative with your make up kit. You can use lippie as eyeshadow and blusher. Your getting three things out of one little tube!"

Get the look

Benefit Posie Tint £23.20
This lip and cheek stain will make you the prettiest posie in the bunch! Personally I can't live without it!












Mark Hill Holiday Hair Dry Shampoo £5.99
This will leave you with summer sexy tresses. Very handy if some unruly reveller dares to spill strongbow on your crowning glory











Ke$ha "Its all about glitter, eyeliner and fanny packs. As long as I have glitter at a festival I'm good to go. I sleep in it and just pile loads more on. And you can keep all of your stuff in a fanny pack so you've got your hands free and it pretty hard for anyone to steal your stuff if its wrapped around your waist! And black eyeliner looks hot even if you sleep in it."


Get the look

Collection 2000 Glam Crystals for only £2.99 bargainista! Slap it on and then slap on some more!



Rimmel Kohl Pencil in black £2.99 slick it on, smudge it, sleep in it and repeat!


Fanny Packs: Who said you had to look like a 90s tourist with a nylon dayglo fanny pack! Get fanny fabulous with this leather tassle detail bootylicious bumbag by Asos £22





















Pixie Lott

"Always carry baby wipes with you. Its like a little shower in a bag, you can remove your make up with it, have a freshen up during the day. If you're drinking alcohol make sure you line your stomach with chips or something like that. And never ever use the loo's, they're always disgusting! Oh and get one of my dresses they're girlie, festival perfect and available from lipsy!"

Get the look

Johnson's Baby Wipes £2.39 for a 64 pack
Smell as sweet as a new born babe, whilst all those around you are getting a bit whiffy!

Visit http://www.lipsy.co.uk/pixielott for the full range


White gypsy dress by Pixie Lott for Lipsy £48 available from ASOS











Need a wee? Head for the nicest bush you can find, squat, aim and fire!**Disclaimer: Pixie Lott does not endorse the squat aim fire routine**

A bit of a flirt with Fleurtini

The band Sweet Tooth recently gave the Bella a mind blowing eargasm! Their song Everybody Wants To Be In Love is a gorgeous ode to romance and has a jazz influence of days gone by. I got up close and personal with Fleurtini, the groups lead singer to find out more about the band and their sound, whether she really is a flirt and what makes this honey voiced singer tick!



Who is Sweet Tooth?
Sweet Tooth is producer/songwriter Gavin Hammond and myself (chanteuse
Fleurtini) - together we write and record our music in Gavin’s studio. We formed a
few years ago – originally I was the backing vocalist for Gavin’s more acoustic solo
venture, but then we started to work songs around my voice and style and the end result was Sweet Tooth! I’m originally from Melbourne, and he’s from Cambridge, but we both consider ourselves Londoners now.

How would you describe your sound?
Cinematic pop music, shaken (not stirred), with a splash of jazz and electronica.

What’s the best thing about being in a band?
For me, it’s the escapism. Both in my own life (without music I wouldn’t get to be
so openly expressive, nor play dress-ups!), but also the fact that we seem to offer
our listeners a chance to lose themselves too. Someone once said that Sweet Tooth is “the soundtrack to the life you wish you had” – which I find just wonderful!

Fleurtini, you have an awesome bluesy/ jazzy tone to your voice- are you
classically trained?
Why thank you! I was raised in a musical family, and apparently I sang harmonies
along to the radio before I was even really speaking! But I’ve never had lessons
except for a few when I was a teenager (which I soon gave up as they were very ‘musical theatre’ focused and that wasn’t really my thing).

Who are your musical influences?
For me, vocally, it’s the classics singers like Peggy Lee, Julie London and Ella
Fitzgerald - I’ve learned more by singing along to their records than I ever did
having lessons. But Gavin and I, between us, also listen to a lot of different styles,from ‘pure’ pop and mellow electronica through to dub-step! It all colours the way we write and produce, even in the most subtle ways…

What’s your biggest motivation behind making music?
I feel there’s an element of ‘soul’ involved in singing and making music. Not to sound too hippy-dippy, but expressing emotions (good and bad) with my voice has always been a crucial part of my well-being. And I hope that this carries over to our listeners, lifting spirits, or soothing troubled minds.

Do you have any upcoming gigs? Are you playing at any festivals this summer?
We’re currently working on getting our new live set together, as until now all of
our efforts have been writing and recording our album. But we most definitely plan to get back out under the spot-lights very soon – keep in touch via our website(www.sweettoothmusic.co.uk) for the latest news.

What’s the sweetest thing about Sweet Tooth!?
I have to admit to a soppy obsession with all creatures cute and cuddly – I can’t pass a pup or kitty in the street without stopping for a pat, and one of my favourite websites is Cuteoverload.com (need I say more?). I’m definitely the ‘Sweet’ of the band(Gavin’s the ‘Tooth’!).

We LOVE the track ‘everybody wants to be in love, what inspired you guys to
write the song? Its got such a kooky mix of different types of romance
The lyrics of this song came from people and things that Gavin and I had seen around
London – each scene described came from something one or both of us witnessed.
The sentiment is obvious, but a lot of the lyrics are quite bitter-sweet, as we’re all searching for love, but not always successful (nor is it always love in a conventional sense, either).

The video is ace! How did you come up with the concept?
Thanks! I have to credit Gavin with the treatment for the video – a lot of the scenes in it are literal illustrations of the lyrics, but he came up with the concept of the futuristic city, where love is banned by the government but still prevails, with the help of my character covertly giving out hearts. I did get a kick out of being depicted as a comic-book heroine, I must admit.

When will your album be out?
Later on this year, all being well. We’re just putting the finishing touches on it now!

Fleurtini- are you a flirt or more of a wall flower?
Neither really – I’m more of a ‘social-butterfly!’ Then again, if I have my heart set on something (or someone), I most definitely go for it

Tell us a secret about you!
I’m good at keeping secrets!

Loving your coquettish look- how would you describe your style? Since I was a child, I’ve always loved vintage clothing (my mum used to dress me
in little pinafores and frilly bloomers that she’d bought at the closing down of an
old department store!). Now I like to combine current, new designers with special
vintage pieces from the 30s, 40s and 50s – with the end result (I hope!) being a sort of modern-day Vargas Girl.

Finish these sentences ‘If I wasn’t a singer I would be……..’A shoe designer (an ambition I still hope to fulfil one day).
‘Something about me that would surprise people is……’I can’t ride a bicycle – I never got passed the training wheel stage as a child, and I
was too much of a book-worm to care. Though I don’t know if it’s that surprising ,
considering I’m usually decked out in a frock or playsuit and heels (not the most
practical for pedalling!)

Visit www.sweettoothmusic.co.uk to hear more music and news about the band

Everybody Wants To Be In Love - Sweet Tooth from SweetToothMusic on Vimeo.

Katy Perry is Kitsch Lolita Pin-up Gawjus

How amazing does Miss Perry, soon to be Brand, look in her promo for California Gurls? The pop up colours and candy-tastic coloured wigs are things that only she can get away with. A bit like Gaga with her exaggerated shoes and telephone hair. But from her squirty cream can boobs to the iced bun bra, Katy is the light hearted Gaga antidote. She's different and kitsch without the dark cum scary underworld tip that Gaga's got.

Apart from her sweet as styling in the vid (which pays homage to the board game Candyland- if you're an early 80s baby you'll remember it), the track is pretty catchy. With Snoop on the bridge, Katy's infectious chorus and a eurotrash-tastic dance beat its got the summer track of 2010 written all over it.

Ooh and check out her cover for Esquire below. FOX! She's the FBC's latest girl crush!!

Chasing Pluto

I Won't Settle For This - clip by Chasing Pluto

Absolutely love this band they have a real atmospheric electro/ dub/ Nu wave kinda vibe- check out the sound clip for the track I Won't Settle For This. Chasing Pluto are made up of Jamal Hadaway and Corrine Shields- she has the most beautifully haunting voice and he can pull out a mean falsetto (and Jamal produced the track- dirtiest dub beat I've heard in 2010)! Chasing are playing their first gig Saturday 18 June at 93 Feet East in London's Brick Lane. Can't wait!

Trey Songz - Already Taken [Step Up 3D]

The sexiest man in R&B's latest track. And he's telling us what we don't want to hear but in the sweetest harmony possible (so you can't help but listen).

I met Trey after he performed at his sell out gig in London last week. Yuuupp...ladies we can confirm he is as hot in the flesh as he looks in the videos. He revealed that girls were throwing their knickers and bra's, crying, screaming and trying to rugby tackle him whilst he serenaded the crowd on stage- all in a days work for Mr Songz.