±«Óătv

Every week on my show, I choose one record that isn't just hot, it's JAM HOT and I play it every day. This week the honour goes to a big drum and bass record that I'm loving at the moment: Jonny L's "Oh Yeah"

Jonny L has been making music for over 15 years and was initially part of the early 90’s rave scene, producing the anthem “Hurt You So”. He changed direction in 1995 and started making drum and bass records most notably “Piper” in 1997. He deviated into the world of UK Garage as part of the True Steppers who had a hit with “Out Of Your Mind” with Dane Bowers and Victoria Beckham (but don't hold that against him!)

“Oh Yeah” is reminiscent of old skool Jungle classics with delicate synths, a big bassline and of course a big DIVA vocal. Oh Yeah is released 14th April on Jonny’s own Mr L records and you can hear it every day this week on my show, 7-10pm on 1Xtra.

You've heard Jay-Z' and Mavado in a combination on 'On The Rock' right?

Well, imagine if instead of Jigga we had the UK's own Chipmunk spitting bars hotter that Jay-Z's.

Imagine no more. Click here and scroll through until around 2 hours 15 minutes.

HUGE!!!

Chris Brown's performance wasn't my only highlight of 1Xtra Live. When Wiley and Skepta took the stage and showed us all the Rolex Sweep - the dance that Soulja Boy wished he had invented, I went nuts.

THIS IS THE DANCE YOU NEED TO BE BUSSING WHEN YOU HEAR 'WEARING MY ROLEX':

And here it is in context:

"C C C Count with me..." Will this be bigger than the (now in hindsight) eeediat Soulja Boy dance in the UK?

**UPDATE - If I get enough comments, I will film myself bussing the Rolex Sweep. If you want to see that, you know what you need to do...**

Finally the rest of the UK has caught on to what we knew YEARS ago and that her old record label failed to see - that Estelle is a star and with the right record, she'd go FAR. Well, she is the official UK Chart number one this week with the anthem that is 'American Boy'. For those who are new to Estelle and want to go back - can I recommend the record below as a starting point:

Then move on to this:

Then of course this:

And yes, that is Vis and me in the video!

And all that brings us to American Boy and Shine the album which hits stores on 31st March. Let's support the album the way we've supported the single! GO ESTELLE!!

There's no 2 ways about it, 1Xtra Live completely smashed it. We proved that whatever you feel comfortable calling it, Black or Urban music is 100% alive in the UK and the fans of it aren't all hooligans.

On behalf of the 1Xtra staff, DJ's and artists thank you for making the show as big as it was, whether you were one of the 5000 people inside the Ricoh arena or you were one of the millions listening/watching at home. Now, here comes the gloating bit. I had to take my position to introduce Kelly Rowland 20 minutes before hand, just to make sure all ran smoothly. This was when I discovered where the best spot in the house was to watch the show and it also became clear why the BIG bosses of 1Xtra were standing there:

My big bro Seani B had to get in on the action too:

Sorry! To make up for it, make sure you check out the 1Xtra live coverage here and if you want to see my unofficial behind the scenes photos, click either of the pictures above and check em out on Flickr.

Back home this week, back on the show, back in the hotseat and it means that the JAM HOT is back!

For those that haven't heard the show (or have forgotten cos I've been gone so long) every week we choose one record that isn't just hot, it's JAM HOT and we play it every day on the show. This week the honour goes to a record that has kept me bouncing while filming:Aaron LaCrate & Debonair Samir vs Young MC – Know How Theme

First dropped on the show by Aaron LaCrate himself as a world exclusive when we were in NY before Christmas, Know How Theme is an update of Young MC’s HipHop classic Know How mashed with Aaron & Debonair’s Baltimore anthem The Theme. It will be featured on an album of updated versions of HipHop classics released on the Delicious Vinyl record label. Check the video for some 90’s flat-top and running man action:

It's out in the UK on 31st March. Heat rock right?

Today is the last weekday we're filming Trexx and Flipside and we completely wrap up all filming tomorrow. I've had a great time over the past 5 weeks in Manchester. It's been some really hard work at times but I really hope the amount of fun we've had comes across on screen. Only time will tell - I'll keep you updated on when it's going to be on t'telly! I've put more pictures onto and - check 'em out! Click the picture below:

...and just in case I don't get a chance to blog again until then - you'll be able to hear me back on the airwaves and back home on 1Xtra from Monday at 7pm. I'm looking forward to getting back to being me...!!

Next week is a week of monumental status at 1Xtra. Not only will I be returning home to the airwaves after the 5 week hiatus I took while filming the forthcoming ±«Óătv Three sitcom I keep telling you about (Trexx and Flipside - ack like ya know!) but also after nearly 6 years of ruling the nation as the UK's only national black music radio station, we are hitting you with the extravaganza that is 1Xtra Live.

In case you have been living under a rock, Saturday 22nd March sees us take over the Ricoh Arena in Coventry and put on what's being called the "best black music line up of 2008". With Akon, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Lupe Fiasco, Jay Sean, Tami Chynn, Estelle, Craig David, Movado and Taio Cruz all on the bill, you know that it's major league. If you haven't managed to get yourself some tickets (and don't buy any fake ones you see online...) make sure you check it out on air, on your TV and online on 22nd March. I'm going to be co-hosting the live show from 10pm with Westwood on 1Xtra and Radio 1 and doing a little hosting on the stage. I.LOVE.MY.JOB!!!

I was thinking about 1Xtra Live and for me, it's something very groundbreaking. If you're a rock or indie or dance fan, you're more than catered for in the UK with major events. From our sister station Radio 1's Big Weekend to Glastonbury and beyond, events that feature a load of your favourite artists performing together under one roof then you're really spoilt for choice. Fans of black music usually have to make do with club nights (if they're not shut down because of the actions of a mindless minority) or one off, one artist tours. An event like this starts to redress the balance - and let's be honest, only 1Xtra can do it! Long Live 1Xtra Live!

Today marks the 11th anniversary of Christopher 'Notorious B.I.G' Wallace's death and his legacy is still being felt in HipHop and popular culture. Last year, I narrated a documentary on Biggie's life for 1Xtra - you can listen again to it here and if you're anything like me, you'll be bumping some BIG today in his honour.

R.I.P

Cast your mind back to the late 90's - there was one group from Baltimore that came on the scene and completely killed it with their ballad 'Tell Me' that had all the fellas jumping to slow jams in clubs (or youth centres on a sunday afternoon if you were me). A good few hits later, the group disbanded and Sisqo went solo - and we all know how that went (thong, tha thong thong thong!). Well, Dru Hill have reformed for 2008 but not for long... Check the video here:

Wow. If only the Spice Girls had done this rather than their poor touring effort!

This just had me laughing out loud and I mean in a laughing out loud way, not an LOL way! Taken from the Peter Serafinowicz show and starring my new friend (and Miss Olsen in Trexx and Flipside) Catherine Shepherd as Ada, ladies and gents, Darth Vader in Love:

Funny right?