Ms. Dynamite | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Ms. Dynamite (aka Niomi McLean-Daley) grew up in North London, listening to reggae and turning to hip-hop at the age of 12. Even when she wanted to become either a primary school teacher or a social worker, her passion for music was stronger. After starting out in a pirate radio station called RAW FM, Ms. Dynamite met Richard Forbes (aka Sticky) in a West End club. The two began working on her debut single, "Boo!," licensed from DJ Jason Kayes Social Circles label to London Records. Punch, Salaam Remi, Tony Kelly, and Dave Kelly produced her first full-length record in Miami, New York, and Jamaica. A Little Deeper featured the hit singles "Dy-Na-Mi-Tee" and "It Takes More." In September 2002, Ms. Dynamite became the first black female artist achieving a Mercury Music Prize, beating favorites the Streets, the Coral, and even music legend David Bowie. Three years later, she released her second album, Judgement Days. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 3 Title: A Little Deeper Released: 2002-06-10 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:08:35 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Natural High (interlude) (00:56) 2 Dy-na-mi-tee (03:39) 3 Anyway U Want It (03:42) 4 Put Him Out (03:58) 5 Brother (03:34) 6 It Takes More (Bloodshy main mix) (04:39) 7 Sick n Tired (03:34) 8 Afraid 2 Fly (04:48) 9 Watch Over Them (01:16) 10 Seed Will Grow (03:23) 11 Krazy Krush (03:44) 12 Now You Want My Love (04:51) 13 Gotta Let U Know (04:09) 14 All I Ever (04:31) 15 A Little Deeper (04:33) 16 Danger (03:14) 17 Ramp (09:57) |
| A Little Deeper : Allmusic album Review : She didnt get much respect as a member of the chart-running, violence-generating So Solid Crew, but that all changed when Ms. Dynamite released her solo debut, A Little Deeper. And with nary a 2-step beat in sight, it would appear Ms. Dynamite has made a clean break from her garage past to embrace a form of British ragga/R&B that makes her one of the few evoking references to Roots Manuva and Lauryn Hill. She has as much personality and strength of delivery as either of them (high praise, that), and carries the album as much as the tight production. Another name to think of is Craig David; like the only 2-step figure to make any impression on American R&B fans, A Little Deeper has a few concessions to commercial radio (i.e., the musically unadventurous). The Santana guitar lines on "Put Him Out" and the single "It Takes More" would fit perfectly on radio. Sure, the albums a bit more edgy than any of her American contemporaries ("Krazy Krush" is a great head-twisting track), but its still not too far from Hill and other neo-soul figures. That may make her more palatable to a worldwide audience, but it also makes for a more diluted sound that doesnt impress quite like it could have. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 3 Title: Judgement Days Released: 2005-10-03 Tracks: 13 Duration: 54:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Judgement Day (04:24) 2 Father (03:57) 3 Put Your Gun Away (04:11) 4 Back Then (03:47) 5 Fall in Love Again (03:33) 6 Not Today (03:32) 7 You Dont Have to Cry (04:47) 8 Unbreakable (03:31) 9 Pain (04:23) 10 Shavaar (04:09) 11 Gotta Let It Go (04:13) 12 She Dont Live Here Anymore (05:00) 13 Mr. Prime Minister (04:44) |
| Judgement Days : Allmusic album Review : After winning the 2002 Mercury Music Prize Award and a host of Brits the following year for her ground-breaking debut album A Little Deeper, U.K. MC/vocalist Ms. Dynamites career crashed almost as rapidly as her rise from the underground, thanks to a series of rather unfortunate events which contradicted her previous vocal social conscience. Arrested for a brawl outside a London nightclub, she was then convicted of assaulting a police officer while in custody, a far cry from the refreshing anti-crime message that set her apart from her U.S. "gangsta" contemporaries. It was a stance she continued to promote just six months prior on her long-awaited sophomore album, Judgement Days, with songs tackling firearms ("Put Your Gun Away"), racial violence ("Self Destruct") and child abuse ("Father"). But even before her hypocritical brushes with the law, Judgement Days dominating themes of political and social injustice feel as though Dynamite is trying a little too hard to put the world to rights. Of course, its admirable when hip-hop artists provide a welcome antidote to the meaningless bling-obsessed lyrics that define the genre. But whereas A Little Deeper showed some restraint and even flashes of humor in her unique dissection of British life, the pure anger and constant preaching on Judgement Days makes you feel like youre being repeatedly battered over the head at a highly fraught protest march, particularly on the Tony Blair-baiting "Mr. Prime Minister." The constant diatribes may be a little easier to swallow if they were accompanied by the kind of inventive hook-laden, ragga-infused hip-pop she displayed early in her career. But despite the presence of esteemed pop producers Christian Karlsson (Britney Spears) and Reza Safinia (Kylie Minogue), the majority of its 13 tracks serve up a meandering and aimless supply of watered down nu-soul, insipid acoustic R&B;, and phoned-in guest appearances from the likes of Lil Wayne, Chink Santana, and U.K. rapper Sincere. The authentic lovers rock reggae of the toe-tapping, Ken Boothe-sampling "Fall in Love Again," the uplifting summery vibes of "Shavaar," a heartfelt ode to her newborn son, and the gorgeous, twinkling production of the Mary J.Blige-esque "Back Then" provide a much-needed gentler and more soulful edge to the proceedings, revealing Dynamites ability to produce light and breezy melodies hasnt totally deserted her. But overall, Judgement Days is a disappointing follow-up to its predecessor, which managed to address difficult issues without descending into self-indulgence and self-righteousness. The carefree party sound of her two-step garage beginnings seems a long, long time ago. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 3 Title: A Little Darker Released: 2006-09-18 Tracks: 36 Duration: 1:54:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Kick You Out (03:01) 2 Knowbody (03:34) 3 More Than Ever (05:43) 4 Way Back When (03:41) 5 16 (04:25) 6 On (02:34) 7 Back Em Down (04:45) 8 So Much Flows (04:00) 9 Game Freestyle (01:39) 10 Dont Do It (04:09) 11 Still Breathin (03:24) 12 Miss (02:11) 13 Juelz Freestyle (02:08) 14 IC3 (03:54) 15 Gonna Make It Through (03:43) 16 Against All Odds (01:32) 17 Kick You Out (remix) (03:20) 1 Same Old Shit (03:43) 2 Skitz (02:59) 3 Dont Stop (03:19) 4 When Im Ere Freestyle (01:09) 5 London State of Mind (03:52) 6 Your Eyes (03:18) 7 My Style (01:52) 8 Tourettes (02:11) 9 Bad Girls (03:00) 10 Dat Boy Akala (02:55) 11 Murder (03:32) 12 N.A.S.T.Y (03:18) 13 What You Doin (01:31) 14 Out of Town (03:13) 15 Bounce (05:12) 16 JJ Freestyle (00:49) 17 Time to Get Free (03:06) 18 Our Life (03:37) 19 So Seductive (03:52) |