SHAKIRA WILL SPEAK ABOUT UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION

International superstar Shakira will speak about Universal access to education today at Oxford University at 4pm.

Shakira’s foundation, ‘Barefoot’s work increases access to quality education and removes barriers to learning that keep many poor and disadvantaged children from achieving their true potential. Education is the key to fighting poverty and violence, but learning does not occur in a vacuum. The ‘Barefoot’ model is committed to responding to local needs and unique because it opens schools to the community, addressing obstacles to learning. ‘Barefoot’ schools become centers of their communities and catalysts for social change.

The Oxford Union is a debating, educational, and social society, membership of which is open to all matriculated members of Oxford University (and many other notable educational establishments). Over the years countless actors, writers, film stars, musicians, celebrities and politicians. These past guests of The Oxford Union include, the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Mother Teresa, Presidents Nixon, Carter and Reagan, Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, Michael Jackson, Jon Bon Jovi and Albert Einstein to name just a few.

As well as speaking at Oxford, Shakira will be promoting her brand new single ‘Did It Again’ and performing on Capital’s ‘Jingle Bell Ball’. Shakira performed ‘Did It Again’ on X factor last week and it will be released physically on December 14th, it follows in the footsteps of her massive hit ‘She Wolf’, which remained in the U.K. top 5 for 5 weeks. The album, also titled ‘She Wolf’, entered the album chart at number 4 making it Shakira’s fastest selling album to date in the U.K. The video for Did It Again was directed by Jake Nava. Needless to say, it is just as hot, innovative and mind-blowing as the much talked about video for She Wolf.

NEW ALBUM - 29th March 2010

The Clipse are rap’s reigning poet laureates, the mercurial pair are unorthodox, and so too is their story. Their enviable legion of fans constantly works itself into an online froth, anointing the Clipse the greatest duo ever to touch microphones. However, the casual listener may only recall the now-faint reverberations of 2002 anthem “Grindin” when the brothers, arm-in-arm with fellow Virginians-The Neptunes, signalled a new day in rap. Indeed, the Clipse have shown not only innovation, but tenacity. With their third label release Til The Casket Drops released on March 29th, the Clipse stand as the proverbial oasis on rap’s arid landscape.

After “Grindin” catapulted the Clipse and their debut album Lord Willin’ into the Top Ten on both the R&B/Hip-Hop and Billboard 200 charts, the duo’s destiny seemed assured. High-profile collaborations such as Justin Timberlake’s chart topper “Like I Love You,” only quickened their pace. Easily shifting from grizzled street sages to pop savants, the duo found its twin calling cards. Never has rap seen a group so beloved by its endemic audience but also so ripe for mass consumption. In truth, the Clipse are equal parts icon and iconoclast.

The common thread between albums, Lord Willin’ and the darker and angrier Hell Hath No Fury, is that the creativity has never been compromised. The quality of the music has never faltered. And that consistency comes with working with one or a handful of producers. The first two albums were totally in sync because production was courtesy of the Neptunes; as with their latest offering.

Malice & Pusha T break it down: The (new) album is light-hearted in some aspects, and then we take you to the gutter on other tracks. The synergy and optimism materialise on “I’m Good” featuring Pharrell, the first official single off Til the Casket Drops. Buzz track “Kinda Like a Big Deal” is produced by DJ Khalil and features kingpin and linchpin Kanye West. For the hip hop purists you have ‘Popular Demand’ a collaboration with Cam’ron. “We are all fierce artists coming off hiatus. You have classic Cam’ron—witty and unorthodox. He’s carved and created his own lane in rap. He’s a standout. On our side, it’s that quotable type lyricism”. ‘Never Will it Stop’ is a song for the mixtape fan, it carries that sort of rebelliousness. It was produced by Sean C & LV, who also did the intro. They brought that gritty, undeniable boom-bap to the album. Then there are records of inspiration like ‘Champion.’ Sonically it has that bigness. ‘All Eyes on Me’ with Keri Hilson is uptempo; Malice envisions Hollywood, in the spotlight or going out to the club. “There we venture out with a different kind of flow”. ‘Doorman’ gives you the deep, dark, and dirty: it’s the celebration for the street guy. It embodies that swagger—everything he wants you to know when he puts on his chain and pulls out his car. “You want people to want to relate to music so much that they actually feel a part of it.”

Til The Casket Drops is much more than merely an ambitious mouthful; it’s a problem. A problem for any rap act thinking of releasing an album in 2010 and beyond. Malice’s description cuts right to the bone: “It’s expanding and experimental but at the same time it can’t be faulted. It’s risky but it ain’t because we mastered it. Everything has been a learning experience and what kept us around is the art and the passion for it. Most people in our position would’ve let the forces that ‘be’ ruin them. People ask how we stay around so long. Because it’s easy!” Sounds like he’s good. So too, so two, are the Clipse!

Tracklisting

1. Freedom

2. Popular Demand (Popeyes) (featuring Cam’ron and Pharrell)

3. Kinda Like A Big Deal (featuring Kanye West)

4. Showing Out (featuring Yo Gotti)

5. I’m Good (featuring Pharrell)

6. There Was A Murder

7. Door Man

8. Never Will It Stop (featuring Ab Liva)

9. All Eyes On Me (featuring Keri Hilson)

10. Counseling (featuring Nicole Hurst)

11. Champion

12. Footsteps

13. Life Change