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Kanye Brings Bassey To A New Generation Jul 2005

A new take on Shirley Bassey's famous Bond Theme Diamonds Are Forever is set to become one of this summer's biggest hits. 'Diamonds From Sierra Leone' is the latest single from Grammy Award winning American rap artist Kanye West and has taken the radio airwaves by storm.

Officially released in the UK on July 4th, it is the first single from West's eagerly awaited forthcoming album 'Late Registration.' Two singles are available; the first one contains the main track plus an instrumental version and the second one contains the main tracks plus new remixes of two of West's earlier album tracks.

The accompanying video was filmed on location in Prague. It features disturbing images depicting the civil war and destruction caused by diamond trading in Sierra Leone, as blood gushes from the hand of a woman who dares to adorn diamonds.

The political message highlights the darker side of the so called 'bling culture' that has been popularised by artists such as West, though the song is not without its critics. The diamond industry vehemently claim it misrepresents the issues and others question the appropriateness of West's self-glorifying lyrics.
 

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Further Information

	Why Diamonds Are Forever Is Forever From Western Mail Kanye West's Diamonds From Sierra Leone rips our Shirl's classic chorus out of its familiar setting and introduces rhymes about bling and him being...
	Selected Quotes From Various Sources The single boasts one of the most compelling samples in music history, the legendary ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ by Shirley Bassey.. but with a twist...
	Watch The Music Video Streaming Media File Watch the full music video in windows media player format. Please note that the video contains chilling scenes which some readers may find disturbing.
	Interview with Kanye West From BBC Radio 1Xtra Kanye West discusses Dame Shirley Bassey and Diamonds Are Forever in a candid interview on BBC Radio. Hear the full interview in real player format.
	Kanye West Official Website Features the latest news, photos, audio and video files, discography and a message board. Contains material which some readers may find offensive.
	Review Of The Music Video From Purpology The hallmarks of a grandiose production... doesn’t have all the answers but he’s trying to make those who view this video ask some serious questions...
	Hip-Hop Artist Debuts Video On Blood Diamonds From Professional Jeweler Hip-hop recording artist and music producer Kanye West's new music video, features images of children working in diamond mines, with a voice-over...

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