UK Celebrity News, Fashion Tips, Gossip and Pictures

We’re huge fans of Black Cab Sessions – the unique lo-fi recording sessions that are gaining a huge following online. They’re a hit on both YouTube and on their own site, and for good reason – as well as giving viewers a unique look at some of the music world’s biggest (and soon-to-be biggest) stars, they add a human element to performance that’s much less visible once they step up on stage.

The now-famous sessions apparently stemmed from a desire to see private performances of some of today’s hottest new bands. Instead of going the traditional route – booking interviews, buying costly sound equipment, and spending days on the phone – the creators got directly in touch with some of their favourite artists and merely asked for a few minutes of their time. Who could say no?

We’ve picked out our ten favourite Black Cab Sessions and arranged them below, each with a little information on the artists in question. Don’t see any of your favourite artists listed? Check out the Black Cab Sessions website and you’ll no doubt find something of interest – there are close to 150 sessions now available, each offering a personal performance from some of the best artists around.

10. Roots Manuva

Roots Manuva from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Roots Manuva knew he wanted to be a rapper before he even knew the genre’s name. Born in South London and exposed to bass-heavy beats at an early age, his Pentecostal upbringing and passion for inner-city grime have become personal trademarks. After some semi-successful early releases and a series of cult collaborations, Roots hit it big with his influential debut Brand New Second Hand.

It’s been up-and-up since then. The album scored a MOBO Award and became a must-hear for those interested in London’s hip-hop scene. Roots Manuva’s latest release – Slime & Reason – hit stores in September 2008 and has since gained unanimously positive coverage from the music press. After an epic headline performance at the Lounge on the Farm festival, he stepped into the cab.

9. Fionn Regan

Fionn Regan from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Fionn Regan‘s first album hit a nerve in the Irish folk scene. Nominated for the 2007 Mercury prize and named as the Irish Independent‘s Best Irish Album of 2006, The End of History has taken a spot alongside classics from Neil Young and Van Morrison as one of the best folk albums around. Regan released his second album – The Shadow of an Empire – in early 2010 to further critical acclaim.

Few sounds fit as well in the cab setting as Regan’s set, which is equal parts softened acoustic works and more upbeat electric numbers. Despite his new-found high profile (Regan first played to crowds at Glastonbury in 2007 and has since played at numerous other large festivals) he’s apparently a nice guy too – after recording the session, he returned with a case of beers for the audio/video crew.

8. Final Fantasy (now Owen Pallett)

Final Fantasy from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Owen Pallett is quickly becoming one of the music world’s most in-demand composer. The violinist has contributed to Arcade Fire’s first two albums, arranged Alex Turner’s new side project, and even provided backing music for Richard Kelly’s new film, The Box. He’s also well known online for his game-inspired arrangements and remixes – a passion that earned him the name of ‘Final Fantasy.’

While Pallett’s since shed his SquareEnix-inspired title, he hasn’t slowed down in his laundry list of musical contributions and solo projects. Between releasing his latest EP and recording Arcade Fire’s new album, he found time to step into the cab and record with the Black Cab Sessions team. Check out his performance above – an impeccable cover of Buffy Saint-Marie’s ‘Dream Tree’.

7. Mr Lif feat. Metro

Mr Lif from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Boston-based rapper Mr. Lif ran into the Black Cab Sessions team at Austin’s South by Southwest music and technology festival. Known for his politically charged verses and rapid lyric delivery, he’s spent the last fifteen years capturing the attention of the nation’s large indie rap scene. Once signed to New York record label Definitive Jux, he’s now releasing new music independently online.

Of course, being independent certainly doesn’t mean that Mr Lif is missing out on his fair share of fame. For his Black Cab Sessions recording, the cult rapper teamed up with indie media mogul and now-and-again producer METRO to deliver a sweet new freestyle. Check it out and see why there’s a huge crowd anticipating his next release. Record labels? Who needs em’?

6. Erland and The Carnival

Erland and The Carnival from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Take former The Verve guitarist Simon Tong, session god and The Cult drummer David Nock, and emerging folk singer Erland Cooper. You’ve got Erland and the Carnival – one of Britain’s newest major folk rock presences. The band released their debut album in February after putting out some innovative takes on Scotland’s traditional folk classics, including a slightly more modern version of ‘Come All Ye Tramps and Hawkers’.

Erland and the Carnival joined the Black Cab Sessions crew in August 2010, squeezing four people into the cab’s back seat and delivering a truly awesome acoustic performance. Keep their name on file somewhere, preferably in your playlist, as their current output suggests they could become one of the UK’s top folk acts.

5. Lissie

Lissie from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

American folk rocker Lissie‘s debut album hit UK stores just two months ago, and has already seen its share of ultra-positive reviews and media coverage. Entitled Catching a Tiger and published by the legendary Columbia Records, it’s due for release in the United States later this week. The first single – In Sleep – has already scored a spot at the top of the iTunes sales charts, assuring that it’ll likely be a major release for the singer-songwriter.

Lissie stepped into the Black Cab Sessions taxi after three days of constant touring, acting as if she had never missed a single moment of sleep and bursting with soul. The team picked a unique cover of Lionel Ritchie’s Hello as their second performance, which was featured in their video. Check it out above, and be sure to look for her new album in stores or online later this month.

4. Steve Mason

Cult hero Steve Mason‘s latest album is a certified hit. Named Boys Outside and packed with songs that aren’t easily forgotten, it’s a great standalone album and an even better companion to his Beta Band output. Mason collaborated on the album with ultra-selective record producer Richard X, and the results are pretty unbelievable – it really is an album you can listen to from beginning to end.

There was no folk-electro-rock when Mason stepped into the Black Cab Sessions cab, just a smooth acoustic number and a sampling of what’s available on the album. The Beta Band frontman is just as confident in the back seat of a cab as he is in the group’s trademark spacesuits, delivering a beautiful performance of his new single ‘All Come Down.’

3. Summer Camp

Summer Camp from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Finding any real information on Summer Camp is a fairly difficult task. Some say they’re a Swedish collaborative group, bridging musical boundaries though secrecy. Others believe they’re a duo based in Chicago, who have cleverly fooled the world into thinking that they’re from the UK. For the sake of reliability, we’re going to go with The Guardian, which suggested that they’re just a boy-girl duo from London with a love of all things mysterious and secretive.

Whoever they are, they’re good – damn good. Their Black Cab Sessions video is one of our the best out there, if only for the ultra-anonymous pair of sunglasses the duo sports. The duo has an album to work on and a series of singles to release through Moshi Moshi Records, so we suspect that this vid might be all you see of them for a while. Given that it’s this or polaroids, we say sit back and enjoy.

2. Eliza Doolittle

Eliza Doolittle from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

It’s been a whirlwind twelve months for Eliza Doolittle. The twenty-two-year-old singer-songwriter has released both her first EP and her first album, gaining a large collection of positive reviews and fighting her way into the UK Singles Chart. Her first album – the self-titled Eliza Doolittle – is now a certified silver release, largely due to the success of her number-five single ‘Pack Up’.

Eliza stepped into the cab around four weeks ago, just as Pack Up was making its way onto the UK Singles Chart and just days before it cracked the top five. She performed her biggest hit without any of the backing expected for a mainstream pop artist, cutting out the sampled vocals and going at the song solo. The results are certainly impressive – check out this summer’s biggest song in the video above.

Picking great jewellery isn’t that difficult. With charm bracelets, designer necklaces, and personalized rings all available at relatively affordable prices, the cost of giving a special someone jewellery has gotten significantly lower over the years, not just financially but in terms of selection and difficulty.

But there is one area where a Pandora bracelet just won’t do: engagements. Most men fear engagement rings with a passion, worried and concerned about making a faulty decision or choosing something that isn’t appreciated. With thousands of different designs, a confusing range of jewellery options, and a truly shocking price tag attached, this is one decision that’s worth thinking over.

So why not take direction from our culture’s driving force – celebrities? These eight celebrity engagement rings, wedding bands, and exotic jewellery pieces combine the expensive and the elegant, the obsessive and the truly beautiful. If you’re struggling to pick a great engagement ring, let these eight celebrity examples serve as some pretty, albeit expensive, inspiration.

1.    Scarlett Johansson’s $30,000 Engagement Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/2vrjoaj

Hollywood beauty Scarlett Johansson has always benefited from slightly reserved tastes; the acclaimed actress has rarely been featured on best or worst dressed lists, preferring to disappear into crowds than get caught up in red carpet drama. Her engagement ring – a $30,000 piece from then fiancé Ryan Reynolds – fits her style perfectly, looking elegant yet reserved when compared to other famous engagement rings.

Priced at $30,000, the engagement ring is significantly less pricey than other pieces of celebrity bling, and we can’t help but feel it’s money well spent. Far from the kitsch jewellery we often see celebrities showing off, this stylish engagement ring wouldn’t look out of place on anyone else.

2.    Beyonce’s £2.5 Million Diamond Wedding Band

Source: http://tinyurl.com/33j5ao4

Beyonce’s £2.5 million wedding ring certainly broke tradition; the piece was distinctly different from the public’s expectations, housing several diamonds rather than the standard gold wedding band arrangement. Purchased by husband Jay-Z at a cost of almost $5 million (valued at over £2.5 million at the time), the ring became one of the most famous of all time, grabbing media attention wherever it was seen.

For less financially successful bling fans, similar wedding bands are available at a significantly lower cost. Imitation models have been spotted for as little as $2,500 – the perfect choice for would-be rappers lacking Jay-Z’s $150 million bankroll.

3.    Melania Knauss’ $1.5 Million Engagement Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/394fthn

When Donald Trump proposed to Slovenian model Melania Knauss, he knew he needed to make a serious impression. The real estate billionaire certainly disappoint, offering his third wife-to-be a $1.5 million diamond engagement ring, purported by some news outlets to be the most expensive engagement ring of all time.

Other wedding expenses included a $200,000 dress, along with a $1.6 million ceremony. Jewellers are uncertain about the ring’s exact value, although most estimates fit somewhere between $1.5 and $2 million, depending on personal engraving and the piece’s condition.

4.    Katie Holmes’ 5-Carat Diamond Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/36nr432

There was little about Tom and Katie’s romance that didn’t attract the tabloids. Their proposal was heard around the globe, the ceremony surveyed by world class paparazzi, and their engagement rings the subject of much scrutiny from jewellery experts and media personalities.

Surprisingly, Katie Holmes’ engagement ring is quite reserved and standard. Detractors made fun of its art deco appearance, glossing over the fact that it is noticeably less shocking than other celebrity rings. With a five-carat oval diamond and platinum setting, this piece of bling may not look quite as ridiculous as its purported price tag.

5.    Jennifer Aniston’s $500,000 Custom Diamond Spiral

Source: http://tinyurl.com/37lnhn6

Before ‘Brangelina’ was the hottest celebrity romance, Brad Pitt’s 1999 engagement to Jennifer Aniston was a media favourite. The couple announced their engagement at a Sting concert, getting married a year later and sporting matching diamond engagement bands.

Jennifer’s ring was the most visibly lavish, sporting a diamond spiral and giant central diamond. Designed by Brad Pitt and Silvia Damiani, the ring cost an estimated $500,000 – one of the most expensive Hollywood engagement rings of the time.

6.    Catherine Zeta-Jones’ 10-Carat Marquise Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/3abte4t

Catherine Zeta-Jones’ engagement was a media field day. Engaged to Michael Douglas – a man almost twice her own age – and sporting a restored 1920s engagement ring, reporters let ‘antique’ puns slip constantly and treated the couple as a foreign object amongst other Hollywood romances.

But despite age differences, this celebrity coupling has stood the test of time. Catherine’s stunning restored 1920s Fred Leighton ring was reportedly purchased for over $1,000,000. While it’s a figure most people will never even consider spending on a ring, it seems strangely appropriate here; she is, after all, marrying Gordon Gekko.

7.    Jennifer Lopez’s $1.2 Million Engagement Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/323abcr

Talk about a whirlwind romance. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s early 2000s romance was one of the most archetypal in the celebrity world, complete with an expensive ring and a very public break-up. While most can remember Jennifer ditching Ben in favour of Marc Anthony, few people recall an important issue – just what happened to the $1.2 million engagement ring?

Apparently, Affleck was returned the ring after their romance went south, giving it back to jeweller Harry Winston in time for a Valentine’s Day sale. We’re not sure how much the piece was sold for, but you’d hope it was close to its previous value; with $1.2 million invested in the ring and an at-the-time failing acting career, we’re fairly certain this was one sale that Ben wanted to complete as quickly as he could.

8.    Salma Hayek’s £200,000 Oval Diamond Ring

Source: http://tinyurl.com/36mqe5o

When you’re engaged to a French high-end goods billionaire, no ring is too expensive or indulgent. Despite a noticeable lack of media attention, Salma Hayek’s engagement to French tycoon François Henri Pinault caused a stir in the jewellery world. The billionaire offered her a £200,000 platinum wedding ring alongside his proposal, promising to take care of the Mexican actress for the rest of her life.

Besides a brief breakup during their engagement, it seems as if Pinault has kept his promise. The couple have been happily married for over a year, romancing throughout Europe for the majority of 2009 and early 2010.

We are on probation guys! The fateful British Summer time is appearing on the horizon and if we hold our breath and behave real nice then we might get away with 6 weeks of dazzling sunshine and the odd rain soaked BBQ!

Problem is, after those long, cold nights and dark, dreary days we are bumbling around, bleary eyed into the sunlight (both metaphorically and actually) looking a little worse for wear!`

Its time to invest a little wedge of your hard earned in some dapper summer apparel and thats where Monkey Clothing can help. We have been out with some of our top fashionista agents to spot whats hot and whats not on the streets of cool Britannia.

We have spotted a host of celebrity fashion conscious fellas and they seem to be all saying the same thing!

Luke 1977 is the snapshot of contemporary brit style. A wide spectrum of famous faces hold Luke clothing in high esteem, from footballers like Anton Ferdinand, international DJs like Graeme Lloyd and DJ Target to actors and TV chefs such as Dean Edwards, John Torode and Jamie Lomas.

Even urban music acts such as Roll Deep and Fundamental cant seem to get enough of this Brit style icon, constantly being snapped head to toe in the designer label.

So, if you are looking for inspiration on what to dress yourself in this summer look no further than Monkey clothing with our great range of Luke 1977 clothing!

Russell Brand has threatened to expose sexy photos of Katy Perry.

The British comedian is seeking revenge on his fiancee after she dubbed him ‘Bridezilla’ over his enthusiasm for their marriage plans. Katy even posted a picture of him on twitter wearing a wedding dress.

He joked, “Katy, that little cow, keeps calling me a bridezilla. Travis Cocker wrote, ‘Just Say Yes,’ the single we’re releasing from the film, and for that, one of the costumes I wore was a wedding dress. I sent Katy a picture and she put it on the internet and goes, ‘Oh look at him he’s obsessed with this wedding.

“I am trying to think of a way to get revenge. Let me tell you there are photos of her on my phone that could go nuclear!”

However, Russell is cautious of revealing the sexy snaps because he is scared of the repercussions.

He told MTV News, “A man has to be respectful. I am so tempted but I feel I am going to need my testicles in the near future.

Claims the pair have already planned their outrageous outfits have already circled the media, with talks of Katy wearing a midriff-baring wedding gown. Although Russell does not want to upstage his bride, he has promised that his attire for the big day will be no less shocking.

He said, “I think it would be unfair to say this day is all about me.

“I am going to wear a tuxedo and a top hat with no pants and I am going to paint my penis with lipstick. This is her day. It is not about those mental images.”

They say nothing divides opinion quite like Marmite, but tribute bands certainly give our yeast-based paste a run for its money. For years, mimics with a mic have had crowds going crazy by merely belting out household names and wearing similar attire to their heroes of yesteryear.

From The Clone Roses to Peat Loaf (pictured right) there are faux popstars dedicating their lives to impersonating bands from all eras. 70s tribute bands based on the likes of Abba, Bee Gees, The Beach Boys and The Kinks are often the most in-demand acts along with 80s tribute bands consisting of phoney Wham, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Cher and Queen performers.

Love them or hate them, these tribute bands aren’t going anywhere soon. In fact, they seem to be becoming even more widespread thanks to console games such as Guitar Hero and karaoke machines that continually provide tone-deaf punters with a platform to make others wince.

In the US, tribute bands are earning more money than ever, drawing huge respect and performing in front of large crowds – at a time when a pair of tickets to a concert by the biggest rock bands can run in the hundreds of dollars.

Back in the day, a few free pints of beer would be enough to fund a tribute band’s roadshow; they did it for the sheer thrill that derived from trying to replicate their heroes and would try their very best to be as rock ‘n’ roll off the stage as they were on it. Most paid homage to classic rock acts of the 60s and 70s – the Rolling Stones, the Beatles – and heavy metal bands like Judas Priest. But the sheer number and variety of tribute bands has exploded, branching out to modern-era acts such as Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, and even Sheffield boys Arctic Monkeys. And they’re not playing for ale anymore. Today’s tribute bands are playing major nightclubs, concert halls, and in some cases arenas – earning thousands of dollars per gig.

Financial woes are not restricted to the “average Joes.”  Many celebrity Brits have also dealt with their share of money troubles. It appears that keeping up with appearances becomes significantly more expensive when doing so on the rich and famous level. If you are wondering how to pay your own bills, check out these famous Brits who have floundered through similar challenges on a much broader scale.

Kerry Katona

This former Atomic Kitten star has already seen more than her allotment of financial problems. Katona has dealt with many ups and downs in her personal life, including two failed marriages and the births of four children. Her professional life has also taken a hit; after quitting the Atomic Kittens, Katona moved through a host of reality shows, trying to find another niche in the entertainment industry. Without many true successes to guide her career, Katona found herself bankrupt in 2008, and she lost her £1.5 million home at the end of last year.

Shane Ritchie

Shane Ritchie may be best known for his role as Alfie Moon on the soap opera EastEnders. This British celebrity has been involved in entertainment on stage and in front of a camera. Unfortunately, Ritchie’s booming acting and singing career is overshadowed by a host of money troubles that included the sale of his dream home when he couldn’t keep up the £8,000 monthly payments. He managed to avoid bankruptcy through friends who covered debts for him when money got tight.

Mike Read

Disc jockey Mike Read is another well known Brit who has fallen into more debt than he can handle. Read declared bankruptcy not once but twice, with the last settlement occurring just last year. The second bankruptcy forced Read to sell his beloved collection of music memorabilia to keep bill collectors happy, although initial sales only covered a portion of his debts. Sales continue in hopes of eventually paying Read’s debts in full.

Joe Swash

Another soap opera star who found himself in dire straits is Joe Swash. This former EastEnders star was also the winner of the British hit, “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” Unfortunately, Swash was not a good manager of his generous television salary, and at the end of last year, he was declared bankrupt by London’s High Court for failure to pay a £20,000 tax bill and debt cosilidation loans

Matt Goss

Better known as one of the Goss brothers in the British pop sensation Bros, Goss learned early in life that fame does not come cheap. Bros achieved fame and fortune while the Goss brothers were still teenagers, and despite the money made, the brothers came close to declaring bankruptcy by the time the Bros era was coming to an end. Today, Matt Goss lives in the United States, headlining at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. He has learned financial management from the school of hard knocks, and he is much more careful with how he handles his assets today.

Even the rich and famous can run into financial difficulty if they do not exercise money savvy as their income grows. The same rules that apply to the rest of us also keep celebrities in the black and out of trouble.

Sandra Bullock‘s husband speaks out about his wife’s decision to file for a divorce.

The Oscar-winning actress and Jess James, 41, split after reports revealed he had cheated on her with several women.

The couple, just weeks before the split, had adopted three-month-old baby Louis Bardo, who Sandra, 45, plans to raise on her own.

In a recent statement, Jesse said, “My whole life has been full of hard decisions.

“The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest.

“The love I have for Louis cannot be put into words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart.

“Sandy is the love of my life, but considering the pain and devastation I have caused her, it woul be selfish to not let her go.”

Jesse checked into rehab shortly after the split.

“Right now it is time for me to beat this addiction that has taken two of the things I love the most in life,” he adds.

-Not so Graceful-

Lady Gaga is a self-confessed fan of the cult icon Grace Jones but it seems Grace won’t be rushing to answer Gaga’s famous telephone in the near future after some scathing remarks about the current Queen of Pop.

The Jamaican-born singer / model / actress was approached by the Pokerface star for a collaboration, but Grace rejected her offer hands down.

Asked about whether Gaga contacted her for a joint venture, Grace replied in no uncertain terms: “Yes, she did, but I said no. I’d just prefer to work with someone who is more original and someone who is not copying me, actually.

“I’ve seen some things she’s worn that I’ve worn, and that does kind of p*ss me off… I wouldn’t go to see her.”

She added: “I really don’t think of her at all. I go about my business. I just don’t play with other acts as a rule.”

Lady Gaga has previously admitted that she is a fan of Jones and described the star as her “Jesus”. MIA and exre-Moloko frontwoman Roisin Murphy have both previously suggested that Gaga mimics their past style – whilst Gaga herself hails the likes of Prince, David Bowie, Madonna, Freddie Mercury and Labelle as her inspiration.

Gaga is on the road with her Monster Ball tour at present which stretches across the calendar year, and you can purchase Lady Gaga tickets from viagogo.

At a time when Google Wave invades private inboxes, curtailed civil liberties bring privacy into question almost everywhere, and data leaks hit the airwaves with alarming frequency, the last thing the technology world needed was another lineup of celebrity sex scandals to demonstrate how far from secure our high-tech world has become.

From Tiger Woods seemingly endless lineup of hidden romances to Sandra Bullock’s recent relationship hurdles, some of the world’s most apparently stable celebrity romances have come undone in a matter of minutes. Despite the media’s endless attempts to piece together stories and assemble timelines, there’s one sure-fire source of data that’s been behind nearly every cheating celebrity’s downfall: their mobile phone.

Tiger Woods’ wife Elin Nordegren reportedly found out about her husband’s affairs from his cellphone. Tiger, a billionaire sports star who likely picks up a sponsor-provided free mobile phone weekly, had text messages leak into the mainstream media, many of which detailed his efforts to have contacts, messages, and information selectively removed from his phone.

Similarly, Sandra Bullock’s husband Jesse James has found his dirty laundry aired in public as a result of poor text message management. The West Coast Choppers CEO found that his flashy iPhone offers little protection from snoopy spouses or investigative reporters – after several women went forward with details of affairs, the well-known TV personality entered a rehabilitation program to ‘save’ his marriage.

So before you begin to think that iPhone deals offer protection from relationship hiccups, it might be worth looking at the whole situation. With text messages, saucy mobile photos, and unknown contacts the cause behind a growing number of celebrity affairs, it’s only a matter of time before technology’s tendency to expose our dirty laundry trickles down to the general public.