U.K. Singer Estelle Offers BV's 'American Boy' London's Best

By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com

I was recently invited to visit London to do my twice-weekly broadcast on the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show.'

The wonderful people at VisitBritain.com and VisitLondon.com hosted me and put together an itinerary that was simply fantastic.

And while I loved the activities and tourist destinations they offered me, I felt compelled to ask America's hottest import, singer/rapper Estelle to suggest a few places that may interest me as well.

Despite recently moving from the U.K. to Brooklyn because of her success here in the United States, Estelle still has her finger on the pulse of pop culture in her homeland.

To eat: "Mr. Jerk is the only West Indian place in the city to go to eat if you want food real quick. A lot of the other restaurants, you have to sit and wait for 20 years. A lot of people that grew up with West Indian backgrounds eat the food because it's the closest to real food that you can get. We're not going to McDonalds or sitting down in a big production at a restaurant. The culture isn't that we eat so much Chinese or Italian or that we go out to eat like that. We go home and cook. So Mr. Jerk is perfect for that. It feels like home."

To party: "When anyone comes to town you go to Cabaret in Golden Square. It's like a standard and they play all different kinds of music. It's just good vibes down there. You find a big mixture of folks. Its loads of different people. It's kind of exciting and you get good folks in there at the same time. People will go there and spend a ton of money. It's kind of like what Lotus was in New York ."

Good listening: "Terri Walker, NoLay and The Ting Tings are all insane."

Estelle's American debut, 'Shine,' is a critically acclaimed CD earning her comparisons to Lauryn Hill and topping the charts all over the globe.

The single, 'American Boy,' which featured Kanye West, reached number two on the iTunes Store's 'Top R&B/Soul Songs' chart, as well as a top 25 success on the overall 'Top Songs' ranking.

At radio, the song reached number one on the airplay charts in the U.K, France, Italy, Belgium and Ireland.

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Here are more of London's best offerings that I experienced firsthand:

The Athenaeum Hotel: This opulent hotel and grand apartments captures the tradition of London. It's elegant, spacious and offers the best customer service a guest could ever expect. Knowledgeable, friendly and eager to assist, the staff alone makes your stay feel like home away from home. The apartments at The Athenaeum are perfect for families traveling, giving guests a complete home away from home set-up. The Athenaeum sits on London's Piccadilly and overlooks Green Park . The property is conveniently located and is a short walk from many splendid restaurants and shops. Or stay in and dine at Damask, where after a fine meal you can have the best homemade desert you'll ever taste. This destination is a favorite of Celine Dion. Its one of the very few family-owned 5 Star luxury hotels in London's West End. For more details, visit www.athenaeumhotel.com.

National Portrait Gallery: While this gallery as a whole was amazing, I was captivated and completely enthralled by the 'Want To See More of Me?' exhibit. That particular exhibition showcased Black British actors in photographs shot by Donald MacLellan and explored how like in American, often time Black actors are overlooked. Actors like Naomi Harris, Marsha Thomason, Colin Salmon, Adrian Lester, Ashley Walters, Mona Hammond, Sophie Okonedo, Chiwetel Ejiofor and others are all showcased in this inspiring display. More impressive is that the exhibit was funded by the UK Film Council. It runs through early September. To learn more, go to: www.npg.org.uk/live/woseemoreblack.asp.

London Eye: One ride around this attraction and you can see all of London in nearly 20 minutes. This tourist icon was constructed to mark the millennium and is the world's tallest observation wheel. Its spacious and space age and really offers a bird's eye view of the beauty London has to offer. It was one of my favorite attractions and even me, who is afraid of heights, was comfortable onboard. For additional info, visit: www.londoneye.com/

Camden Market: You name a cultural community in the U.S. and Camden Market has something to remind you of it. Camden Lock Market, by the canal, was the original craft market, established in 1974, but now offers a wide variety of goods and items to purchase. Both this and the ever popular Camden Stables Market - centre of the alternative fashion scene, Camden (Buck Street) Market and Inverness Street Market - which thrived on local trade long before tourists discovered Camden, are all open, at least in parts, every day, making the area well worth a mid-week visit. And if you are not into the bohemian and alternative rocker scene, then visit Camden Market for a chance Amy Winehouse spotting since she's a regular there. See more about it here: www.camdenlock.net/camden.html.

The Cumberland Hotel: A lively art deco hotel located at the top of Park Lane and overlooking the Marble Arch and Hyde Park. Its contemporary design and state of the art amenities makes this Guoman-owned hotel one of London 's best offerings. Its conveniently situated at the beginning of the Oxford Street shops and is just a stone's throw away from Selfridges, the largest department store on Oxford Street. Dining options include Rhodes W1, Rhodes Brassiere, Rhodes Brassiere Bar and The Market. For a cocktail, visit Kua Bar and dance off the pounds at the Carbon Bar. For details, visit www.guoman.com/the-cumberland.

Pearl Bar: Pearl Bar is a great place for a libation while in London. Be sure to check out the establishment headed up by Gustavo Bertolucci for a glamorous, lively and vibrant night at one of the 's most prestigious cocktail bars. Check it out at: www.pearl-restaurant.com/.

Flying Fish Tour: Looking for a little unconventional fun while still seeing picturesque London? Then take the Flying Fish Tour down the Thames for an exhilaratingly fun and adventuress experience. You'll want to hold on tight and wrap up good as this military power boat speeds down the Thames showing off the waterside view of London while occasionally getting you wet along the way. For additional information, visit www.flyingfishtours.co.uk.

Kensington Palace: There are several great exhibits on display at this great museum inside of the mansion that monarchs like William III, Mary II, Queen Anne, Queen Victoria and others once stayed. During my visit, the 'Diana, Fashion and Style' exhibit was on display and featured clothes worn by the late Princess of Wales. There was also the 'Last Debutantes' exhibition that showcased a British tradition and the many aspects of it. It was all quite intriguing. For details, go to: www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonPalace/.

While you are touring museums, also check out Museum in Docklands (www.museumindocklands.org.uk/English/) which is set in an old warehouse charts the history of the River Thames from the Roman port to the recent regeneration of London's former docks. Museum in Docklands is returning to the scene of London's most infamous crimes in Jack the Ripper and the East End, the first exhibition to explore the Jack the Ripper murders and their enduring legacy.

There's also Hampton Court Palace (www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/). This magnificent Tudor palace and onetime home of King Henry VIII is set in 60 acres of parkland, plus the original gardens. You can see the Tudor kitchens, the gardens and exhibits on both young and old Henry VIII.

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So whether you are trying to have a London experience like David and Victoria Beckham or you choose to take the tourist approach as I did, there are so many great things London has to offer from both a historic and an entertainment perspective.

For more information, be sure to visit www.VisitBritain.com and www.VisitLondon.com.