Keisha Buchanan, the last remaining original member from the hit girl group The Sugababes, has announced today that she has left the group.

It had been speculated that Amelle Berrabah was going to leave the group and that Jade Ewen was going to replace her.

But never in a million years did we see this coming!

Official Statement:

"The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded.

Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records.

Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist."

Amelle, Heidi, Jade – It’s a wrap!

LDZ (also known as LONDONZOO) are back at it again, this time they return with their first instalment of a slew of EPs before they drop their debut album next year. The first named ‘THE PUPPA MURC EP’, after MC Dabbla’s alter ego.

This four track banger is definitely one for the clubs, as the flows, tempo and dutty bass lines are made for the more serious sound systems, as well as the cheapo building site radios. This EP has it all.

THE PUPPA MURC EP is out now

Check the MySpace on how to get yours!

words: R

Eight years to the day after the tragic passing of Aaliyah Dana Haughton, the original princess of R&B, ten of today’s progressively soulful artists have recorded interpretations of their favourite Aaliyah songs for Aaliyah Revisited - a 2009 tribute EP internationally curated by urban-music-and-culture online magazine SoulCulture.

Available immediately as a free download package, Aaliyah Revisited contains eight songs featuring indie soul artist and occasional Brand New Heavies vocalist Sy Smith (currently providing backing vocals for American Idol), Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Marsha Ambrosius, rising London soul talents Tawiah and Baby Sol, NYC-based beauty creator Jesse Boykins III, Danish R&B/Soul sensation Jonas, saccharine Basement Jaxx vocalist Vula, London-based producer Black Einstein, plus international future starlet Nikko Gray with California’s ‘cosmic conductor’ AFTA-1.

DIRECT DOWNLOAD: http://www.soulculture.co.uk/aaliyahrevisited

INFORMATION: http://soulculture.co.uk/articles/2009/08/25/aaliyah-revisited-25-aug-2009-download-now/

www.myspace.com/aaliyah

The first ever Black Tie Comedy Awards organised in celebration of some of the UK’s top black comedians was supposed to be held at the IndigO2 on Sun Aug 23rd but the Metropolitan Police apparently stepped in and shut it down.
 
The event has now be rescheduled for November 29th at IndigO2.
 
For refunds and/or media enquiries please contact david.frossman@aeglive.co.uk
 
www.myspace.com/eddieismyname

posted by: R

So you know how The Hook Up gets around right?..I mean ALL around town.
Well, basketball fans in the UK have a wonderful treat coming up in the coming weeks. A secret insider source at the NBA headquarters in the US let us know that they are opening a new store here in the UK in the first week of Sept.

...and none other than Lebron James will be in attendence.

Stay with The Hook Up for more info as it arrives...

words: R

This Thursday 27th Aug @ The King Apparel pop up store in Covent Garden London [Earlham Street] see Virus Syndicate, Plastician, El B & J Da Flex for what looks like being a serious treat of a night!

The event kicks off at 6pm and finished at 8pm. As there is no guest list I’d suggest getting there early if possible to save missing any of the action. Its free entry and friends are also welcome.

On the night we’ll also have beautiful free Rum and Tequila punch provided by Aretta plus soft drinks from Vitamin and Rockstar for those of you who want to take it easy!

www.myspace.com/chrisbrown

posted: R

Yes, the show that plucked VW Brown from an ocean of talent - leading to her record deal and imminent release of her snappy third single 'Shark in the Water’ - is back with a boom as for one night only Jeff Leach hosts this search for the 'next big thing in music, dance, burlesque & comedy.’
 

 
I think it’s unlikely that there will be many overweight, hairy and socially challenged types hogging the stage, belting out hackneyed 'classics’, but there will be a burgeoning feast of acts tipped for stardom by the likes of BBC6 Music, Dazed & Confused, Tuborg Comedy Awards and even Jay Z.
 
The judging panel will feature faces from:
 
MTV Talent & Music
The London Paper
The Nokia Green Room
iTunes Festival
Sony
Comedy Central
ITV
and many more…
 
When: Wednesday, 22 July 19:30
 
Where: Punk, 14 Soho Street, Soho, London W1D 3DN
 
Artist to watch: Kadija Kamara

posted by: R