RIP To Our Fallen Soldiers

In 2017, there was 116 homicides (excluding the deaths during the three 'terrorist' attacks). 2017 was the year which saw the "highest number of teenagers murdered in London since 2008."

Now forward twelve months and 2018 has now become the deadliest year since 2008, especially for the black community. There have been 132 deaths, with thirty-two being, black males under 30 and two teenage females aged, just 17 years old.

I want to be able to see in another twelve months that at least some improvements have been made. This vicious cycle we've become accustom to seeing - which seems never ending, needs to subside. I do not want these young people's deaths being in vain. I'm tired of seeing a three minute news reports or a couple of articles in the UK's bias newspapers. These victims are being forgotten and are only being referred to as numbers in stats, rather than actual people, who have names and families.

In order to see change, one of the things that needs to be done is facing the reality of loss, because nobody wins at the end of the day. Families are being broken apart and it's becoming a norm.

"It's either you end up dead, get locked up or have to watch your back because you've got the police and or your enemy after you; if you're unlucky you might end up getting all three."

The victims keep getting younger too. Fifteen year old's getting stabbed by 17 year old's who barely know how to slice Hardobread, but are quick to carry a knife and use it, over a look, a glance, a "postcode violation".

No matter what, nobody wants to die or have their freedom taken away from them at such a young age.

Just remember;

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Quote - Anon

RIP to the young souls lost in 2018 - 🙏🏾 

Victims mentioned below are under 30 years old.

#KVPlaylist: Russ - Gun Lean

"Remember I told yah!!!" South London Drill Rapper, Russ is going to be the next big thing in UK rap. He has a decent on-screen persona and is very engaging.

He's new track, 'Gun Lean' is a hit.

The song which entered the iTunes Chart at number 51, incorporates a dance also titled the 'Gun Lean'; "Which best believe I have on lock, Left, Right.". The feel of the video is entertaining, the dance reminds me of an old school Jamaican dance called, 'Willy Bounce'.

Russ is definitely adding something which is missing from The UK Drill scene..."Fun!!!"

Russ - Gun Lean (Still from Video)

'Gun Lean' has only been out for a few days and it's already got Twitter buzzing after Man United Midfielder, Jesse Linguard, done the dance whilst celebrating scoring a penalty.

The first time I heard about Russ was when I first saw his song, 'Link Up (London x Dublin)' which saw the collaboration of Russ and Irish Drill rappers, AV9 Chuks and J.B2.

After seeing Russ' Lightwork Freestyle 2, I started thinking about who I could see him collaborating with, and out of everyone in the scene, I definitely see him and Giggs making a banger. 

"Remember I told Yah"

Gun Lean is available to download from Spotify and iTunes.

KV Playlist: Stylo G - 'Touch Down' Remix

UK based Dancehall artist, Stylo G, secured two of the biggest artists in Hip Hop and Dancehall to feature on the remix version of his track, 'Touch Down'.

Stylo G x Nicki Minaj x Vybz Kartel

The self-proclaimed Queen of rap, Nicki Minaj and the King of Dancehall, Vybz Kartel, have joined Stylo G on the reggae/Hip Hop influenced song and with the talent that they each possess, this collaboration is one of the best I've heard in a long time.


The track produced by London based production and song writing team, The FaNaTiX, who have worked with the likes of  Popcaan, Giggs and Chip, has a catchy hook and gives you a touch of both Dancehall and Hip Hop in one song..."It's a Hybrid of the both genres."

Official Stylo G

The FaNaTiX

Check out Nicki spitting her verse from 'Touch Down'.

Go download 'Touch Down' via all reputable streaming websites and apps.

iTunes
Spotify
Amazon

ASOS VS Black Twitter

Online retailer ASOS have been called out for the branding they've used on socks available to buy from their website.

The socks have been title 'Roadman' and have slang phrases which are blatantly associated with the black community.

Picture originally from:@kelechnekoff (Twiiter)

Many black people took to Twitter to express their disgust and how offended they were by this range.

The socks which are embossed with slang like, "Don't Look Shook.", "Jokes" and "Mandem", are sold under the range called 'Roadman' as this is what ASOS and many of these clothing brands think is the highlight of the black community.

How Real Are The UK Charts?

UK rap is very much evolving and definitely making an impact on the charts lately. After seeing Dave and Fredo go to number one with the song, 'Funky Friday' and then seeing South London rapper, DigDat's track, 'AirForce' the Remix version featuring Krept & Konan and K-Trap, peaking at number 20 on the charts, it's something to be proud of and proud Krept definitely was.

DigDat's Air Force Remix

Krept took to Instagram to upload a picture congratulating "the scene"on a Drill song being top 20 (in the charts).

This did not sit well with UK Rapper, Giggs. He left a very straight to the point comment under the picture which was quickly deleted - by Krept or someone in the camp - but not before it was screen grabbed and circulated on social media though.

Giggs calls out Krept & Konan

Giggs called out Krept & Konan, pointing out their "Goal Hanging ways" and called their glory hunting, "Pathetic".

Shaunie Investigates: Is Stop and Search Really The Best Route?

Knife crime amongst young people has been a huge topic this year. Many discussions have been had by many people trying to solve this issue.

In November 2018, Piers Morgan and the Good Morning Britain programme finally invited a real panel of people on to the programme to discuss the rise in knife crime.

The panel consisted of people that were either directly or indirectly connected to knife crime.

(l-r) Alison Cope, Rico Finlayson, Justin Finlayson, Pastor Lorraine Jones, Piers Morgan, Susanna Reid, Omar Shariff, Leroy Logan MBE & Duncan Bew. 
Picture courtesy of Justin Finlayson (United Borders)

Pastor Lorraine Jones, who lost her son, Dwayne Simpson, 20, in 2014, when he was stabbed during an altercation.

Dwayne Simpson, 20,
died after being stabbed three times in 2013

Pastor Lorraine Jones
lost her son in 2014 to knife crime

Shaunie Investigates: London Police To Be Armed With Guns?

The Metropolitan Police have said that they will be going forward with plans for police officers in London to be armed with guns, in order to deal with the increase in knife crime and gang violence.

We already have armed police in the UK, but they are usually called when a person is suspected of having a weapon and are not a part of the general uniform for an officer 'on the beat'.
What does this mean for the youth that are already being targeted with daily stop and search routines by the police? Are we going to become America, where innocent black men are being killed by men and women in uniform?

A few incidents I have seen recently involving the public and police does not give me a comforting feeling when I think, "what if the officer had a gun?"
The police are already making huge errors in my eyes when it comes to stop and search, so how does officer's having guns change this?

Will they be given clear, precise rules on when and how the gun's should be used, or are we going to see a rise in black youth dying at the hands of police and their guns like we do in America?

Is Stormzy Getting Too Big For His Boots?

Stormzy has followed in the foot steps of some very reputable artists and collaborated with the sports brand, Adidas.

Adidas x Stormzy brings you, Adidas Originals SPRT.

Adidas Originals x Stormzy

The range features the Adidas Three Stripes along with a reflective design and Stormzy's 'Merky' stamp, it also comes in three colourways, with one being exclusive to JD Sports (Night Cargo). 

The range will officially launch, November 30th, however you can get some pieces now on the JD Sports website.

JD Sports

The prices for the pieces are not necessarily pocket-friendly...£400 for a tracksuit, and I don't care how reflective it is or that it's available early.

Can Stormzy's fans afford this, furthermore, should they be expected to spend this amount of money?

Shaunie Investigates: Police Altercation In Hackney McDonald's

The topic of Stop and Search and Section 60 is one that is being spoken about by many especially recently with their being so many deaths related to stabbings and shootings.

The pros and the cons have both been argued about and I can see both sides but when you have police officers not doing there job correctly and forgetting, or should I say, "choosing to dismiss the fundamental training they have been given"  it leads me to think that, in order for stop and search to work, the number one thing there needs to be is a common respect between each party.

Each party needs to feel that a job is being done for a purpose and not just based on the colour of someone's skin, the clothes that they are wearing or the number of people they are walking with.

Daily Mail headline using the words "attack" and "terrified". 

The process of stopping someone the police believe is a suspect of a crime (in the area), should be done correctly and not with the body language of 'A Bull In A Suit'. However this isn't always the case. I have seen a few incidents recently where the police have approached a black man in a defensive manner which only led to a bigger issue ensuing.

In August of this year, a video went viral on social media showing two police officers being attacked in an East London McDonald's.  

Several media publications ran with the visuals of this video and described it as an 'Attack On Police' or 'Police Beaten Whilst Doing Their Job'.

Rapman Signs To Roc Nation

When I talk about don't get signed, I mean it, BUT if the signage is this....."then hey, who am I to stop you?"

Andrew 'Rapman' Onwubolu, the genius behind Shiro's Story, has been signed by Jay Z's label, Roc Nation.

A lot of these artist are getting signed by labels that want to use them and have them working forever. A publishing deal here, a 360 deal there - it's all for the label.

Jay is about growth. He wants to see his people grow and with this type of deal all Andrew can do is grow, evolve. He'll have the opportunity to do something none of these labels have offered anyone in the scene.

This deal is one of the best I've seen a UK artist get, the deal covers management, film and TV.

"That's a good Look and he deserves it."

So does this mean that Shiro's Story could be extended and taken to the big screen?

Shiro's Story Part 1

Shiro's Story Part 2

Congratulation's Andrew...It can only get better!!!!

CBB Contestant Uses The "N-Word" And Receives A Warning 👀

I cannot believe that in this day and age the term "Nigger Boy"can be said on a show like Big Brother and the contestant not get kicked out of the house or the programme not receive any backlash.

The new series of Celebrity Big Brother UK has only been on for two days and already someone has felt comfortable enough to show their true oppressive attitude and rather than being thrown of the show, the housemate is given a warning.

CBBUK Housemate, Rodrigo Alves

Rodrigo Alves, mostly known for being the "Human Ken Doll", was discussing his "type" with four other housemates, and said that a certain housemate was "not his type as he likes 'nigger boys' and that the certain housemate was too white for him".

"After he said the word twice, you could tell that Dan, who was one of the present housemates looking shocked and one of the girl's covered her face."

Giggs vs YouTube Presenter Zeze Millz

YouTube presenter, Zeze Millz, spoke recently about black artists not supporting black female presenters and instead choosing to go on a YouTube series called, Chicken Shop Date, created by a white woman.

YouTube presenter, Zeze Millz

In the YouTube series, 'Chicken Shop Date', you see creator Amelia Dimoldenberg go on spoof dates with 'guests' at local chicken and chip shops and interview them in a more non-formal way than we've become used to seeing.

A recent interview Amelia had with UK artist, Headie One, is what seems to have been the last straw for Zeze.

KV Video: Why Is London Violence On The Rise?

"The rise in gun and knife crime in the K has led to the police putting restrictions on the music they say is partly to blame for this increase. Video's containing violent threats and messages from one gang to another...."

Check out the video to hear what I have to say on this topic.

J Hus Given Bail

J Hus has been released on £100,000 bail after re-appearing in court this week.

Under the terms of his bail he is not allowed to enter certain areas, including, Hackney, Barking and Dagenham and Tower Hamlet.

His appearance at Wireless has been cancelled, and saw him and UK Rapper Loski, who is also not attending, replaced with five other artists, including Chipmunk and rapper duo, Krept N Konan.

Wireless released a statement on Twitter confirming J Hus' absence from the festival.

J Hus took to Twitter to apologise to his fans and family.

Twitter: @Jhus

J Hus is due to appear in court again on 20th July. He has plead not guilty so this will be a pre-trial hearing.

Hopefully this will give J Hus food for thought.

"If you don't feel safe in an area, there's two things you can do. One, don't go to that area, or two, walk with security."

KV Video: J Hus Held On Remand - Denied Bail.

UK artist, J Hus was recently charged with carrying a knife/bladed item in a public place after being stopped in a vehicle near Stratford's Westfields Shopping mall.

Momodou Jallow, (22), who goes by the stage name, J Hus, was denied bail after appearing in Thames Magistrate Court.

J Hus will be held on remand until he is due to re-appear in a court on, Friday, 20th July, 2018.

Check out my new video:

J Hus  has pleaded not guilty so a trial is inevitable.

So I'll be keeping an eye on this story so look out for more videos.

Could The Government Do More?

Katie Hopkins is known by many to be an antagonistic, racist, bitter...woman. She has been known to target the Muslim community and has even been associated with far-right groups.

Controversial Katie Hopkins

With the reports of violence increasing in the capital, it was only a matter of time before Katie Hopkins would have something to say.

She recently took to Twitter to throw shots "no pun intended" at London Mayor, Sadiq Khan and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick.

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Cressida Dick

She has accused them of not wanting to "talk about" the problem with black gangs in London and I agree.

Shaunie Investigates: Is The Violence In London Increasing?

This week has seen the record increase of media reports about violence taking place in London.

Now of course we can see that gang culture is taking over and the police have lost control but I don't believe there has been this sudden spike in violent crimes recently.

All these deaths suddenly making the news or the front pages...what's the motive?

With the increased reports of deaths caused by stabbings or shootings in London as of April 2018. London has been recorded as being more deadlier than New York.

Statistics show that within the first quarter of 2018, violent-related crimes have been
higher in London than New York City.

I'm pissed that all I've seen recently are reports of children being shot or stabbed. These are young kids who haven't even finished school getting killed or hurt by other young kids who also haven't finished school.

18 Year old Israel Ogunsola, was stabbed in Hackney on April, 4th, 2018.

Save The McDonald's Sticky 'N' Sweet BBQ Chicken Burger.

McDonald's recently released their "Sticky 'N' Sweet BBQ Chicken Burger", but for a limited time only....20th March 2018.

Picture courtesy of McDonald's

"So look what I've gone and done."

I've only gone and started a petition asking McDonald's to make it a permanent addition to their menu (or at least extend the time it's available to purchase).

McDonald's kept the 'Chicken Legend on their menu after it was also available for a limited time, so hopefully they can do the same thing with the 'Sticky 'N' Sweet BBQ Chicken Burger'.

The "chicken Burger", which it feels like a crime to call it, because it's not just any old chicken burger, it's perfect. All of the components of the burger totally go together.

Students Recorded Chanting Racist Slurs At Nottingham University.

A black female student at Nottingham University (Trent Campus), recently uploaded a video to her Twitter account, which shows her being racially insulted by other students, who mostly seemed to be bitch ass guys, while she was forced to stay in her dorm room to avoid escalating the situation.

They sang songs referencing derogatory terms towards black people including,  "fu*k the blacks","We hate blacks" and chanted "Get Blacks Out."

You can also hear a woman I'm unsure as to the race of this lady in the background trying to stop the guys shouting their racist comments, in probably not the best way, by also chanting reverse racist statements and also quoting Martin Luther King's, "I Have A Dream." 👀

Skepta & Naomi Campbell On The Cover Of GQ Magazine

UK Grime Artist, Skepta, is embracing his sexy side whilst gracing the cover of April's British GQ Magazine with the age defying British Supermodel, Naomi Campbell.

Picture courtesy of @BritishGQ

This photoshoot was to promote Skepta's new underwear range, MAINS. Which I see is still in progress, seen as there are only two items on their website.

MAINS website

Picture courtesy of @BritishGQ

Skepta looks very relaxed whilst modeling topless with Naomi.

Congratulations Stormzy!!!

It's never too late to celebrate the magic of black excellence.

Today I dedicate today's #TBT to Stormzy, who I sometimes refer to as "Mikey".

Stormzy killed it at this year's BRIT Awards. He took home two awards. British Male Solo Artist and, the biggest award of the night, Mastercard British Album Of The Year.

He won both of these awards by keeping it real and not diluting or conforming to what "THEY" wanted him to be.