M-FLO NEW ALBUM SQUARE ONE

m-flo are one of the world's leading musical talents, working from the far east in Japan. The duo of rapper VERBAL and DJ Taku Takahashi have been around for a long time, contributing so much to today's uprising Asian music industry, and this year they return with their long-awaited 6th original studio album. The build-up is well on its way with more and more fans across the globe spreading the word, myself included, and just today this teaser movie was dropped along with the album artwork.

The clip claims that m-flo have been foreseeing 2012 since making their debut in 1999, and that's not wrong, with their material always being a game changer, always looking to shape their industry and lead. The concept of this album is that they are back, back to square one. And while their production is inspirationally good, their collaboration vocalists are also big hype too. They've worked with pretty much everyone out there, varying from Japanese artists, stars from across Asia and massive western names too. Despite the full tracklist being unveiled, the artists have been kept hidden and I presume will stay hidden until much nearer the album release date, which is March 14th. I cannot wait.

PALLADIUM PRESENTS TOKYO RISING

Directed by Thalia Mavros, Palladium Boots has hooked up with Pharrell to present a film focusing on Tokyo post March 11. I think the "Tokyo Rising" project was unveiled in September but I've just stumbled across it today and it's definitely worth a watch. They've split it into five parts but I've got the full length film embedded below. Some of the things that are said, by various artists and designers including VERBAL, really reflect upon the effects of the disaster well, and the film as a whole showcases the Japanese people's strength and desire to stay united and to progress forward. It also looks in depth at the way in which our nation's culture has been and is being shaped to become something so originally 'Japanese', and how it will develop following the disastrous series of events. This is a wonderful piece that I think captures the essence of Japan's budding creatives, our movement and our nature.

JAPAN RELIEF : ENTRY TWENTY-SEVEN

MTV's VMA Japan this year became Video Music Aid Japan, inviting guests from Japan and the rest of the world to perform and give messages in support of the country's recent devastations. Artists including MONKEY MAJIK, Tokio Hotel and Lady Gaga were on stage singing for Japan, while speakers included VERBAL who presented the first performance of the packed event.

The event was an opportunity for the country to become one in their hope and support through the art of music. Still a long journey to go for things to be as they were but Japan must stay strong. Nice one MTV.

JAPAN RELIEF : ENTRY TWENTY-FOUR

Fine words by VERBAL for Hypebeast. A huge platform for awareness taken advantage of, lots of kudos to the guys there. Nice shout out to MONKEY MAJIK too.

In this interview, VERBAL highlights a lot of points that I can relate to, probably as with everyone else who feels connected to Japan in one way or another. I've been trying to do what I can as a young Japanese student living in London, and I certainly had a struggle in trying to balance the scale and gravity of the situation, the willingness to help, and the enjoyment of meeting amazing new people, arranging fun creative events.

But Japan will be better off sooner. It's ok to move, to be active. It's not inappropriate at all - in fact it's quite the opposite, there is no better time to. The situation in the Tohoku region is still pretty tough with the survivors living in difficult conditions. Within that, however, communities are helping one another, volunteers have come to assist and the country is slowly rebuilding. There's still so much to do, it's all in the present. "Do your thing."

Perseverance and Change.

JAPAN RELIEF : ENTRY TWENTY

Been up for almost a month now but I only just found this. Amazing. Kudos to Kylie and Verbal.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to all who have been affect ed by the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, and we truly hope for the recovery as soon as possible. Let's all help rebuild the country together!! This col laboration single "We Are One" was especially written deep from our hearts thinking about everyone in the Tohoku regions. We'd strongly like to continue supporting for the future of Japan."