Big Smoke Magazine Blog Site

Breakin’ Convention 2010 UK Tour

2010-09-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

The third UK tour of the critically acclaimed International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre
Friday 22 October – Saturday 20 November 2010

Sadler’s Wells’ renowned international festival of hip hop dance theatre Breakin' Convention, returns for a third extensive UK tour following another sold-out London festival earlier in May 2010. Curated and hosted by British hip hop pioneer and Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D the UK tour presents the finest crews from street corners around the globe between 22 October and 20 November 2010.
The line-up for Breakin’ Convention 2010 UK Tour includes Sébastien and Raphael (Perpignan and Berlin), whose imaginative take on hip hop dance, using projection and contemporary moves creates distinctive and haunting visual trickery in Seuls, Ensemble. Phase T (Paris) epitomise the energy, dynamism and raw skills frequently associated with the genre, and recently came 2nd in Korea’s global contest R16. They bring their quintessential B Boy battle style exuberance to the stage with a brand new show for the Breakin’ Convention 2010 tour. Breakin’ Convention also presents some of the freshest UK talent at each venue via a local crew in each city, to be announced in September following a Regional Selection Event at each venue.
“Sébastien and Raphael for Seuls Ensemble (Together Alone) for the most outstanding use of theatrical performance and video projection.” Too Much Flavour, May 2009
“French group Phase T were casually astonishing.” Zoe Anderson, The Independent, May 2010
Breakin’ Convention includes much more than just the performances on stage. The festival’s UK Tour also brings an international workshop programme, animating the tour venue foyer spaces with hip hop culture including graffiti writing, performances and DJs playing to packed freestyle circles where audiences are renowned for joining in.
Since its inception at Sadler’s Wells in 2004 Breakin’ Convention has become a major event in the hip hop dance calendar. Since 2004 the festival has been seen by almost 60,000 people in London and across the UK. The 2009 UK tour saw massive ticket demand at venues across the country with sell-out capacity crowds in major UK cities.

For full listings about the Breakin’ Convention 2010 UK Tour check the website: www.breakinconvention.com

‘8SIXTEEN32’ NATIONAL TOUR SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 28

2010-09-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

THE DECYPHER COLLECTIVE and their show 8SIXTEEN32, commissioned by Birmingham Repertory Theatre marks a first, both for the grime scene, that quintessentially British progeny of hip-hop, drum & bass and garage, and for theatre…
8SIXTEEN32 refers to typical bar lines used in grime: these rhythms permeate the show, which dramatises a ‘life of grime’ in a series of set pieces [Street, Yard, Club…] capturing the excitement, aspirations, creativity and disillusionment of the scene as its participants each seek to prove their skills and make their name. The show also examines the way that grime is co-opted by corporate interests which never quite ‘get’ it…In the show, the ‘N81632’ is a new state-of-the-art phone the crew all crave – Advertised appropriately using a grime soundtrack.
Birmingham MCs Evoke, LCB, Professor D and RTKal formed DECYPHER COLLECTIVE after 40 MCs originally auditioned for this ambitious project. Their distinctive skills, honed through many a late-night clash, won through and 8SIXTEEN32 began to develop, under the artistic direction of poet/musician/DJ Charlie Dark and Birmingham Repertory Theatre who have commissioned the 2010 national tour.
The young performers combine impressive musicality with a stage presence, comic timing and a general sense of theatre that wouldn’t disgrace more seasoned performers, so that the show is a lot more than just an extended sequence of rhymes, but nonetheless maintains the grittiness and essentially improvised feel of the scene…
Winning over audiences recently at LATITUDE, the show is based on the writing of hip-hop poet and spoken word luminary Polarbear. Music is provided throughout by critically acclaimed broken-beats jazzman Mark De Clive-Lowe.
Director Leo Kay has made his name with a series of well-received self penned shows (Most recently It's Like He's Knocking) and as a performer of everything from Greek tragedy to Dance Theatre and Capoeira. Leo creates and produces innovative theatre for his companies Madrugada and Unfinished Business, as writer/director/choreographer/performer but has a CV that also takes in commercial projects, notably as narrator of The Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra with LPO and The Golden Monkey in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials at the National Theatre.

OCTOBER TOUR DATES
30th Sept. -1st. Oct The Albany, Deptford www.thealbany.org.uk
4th-5th The Egg, Bath www.theatreroyal.org.uk/the-egg
7th-8th Contact Theatre, Manchester www.contact-theatre.org
12th Redbridge Drama Centre www.redbridgedramacentre.co.uk
14th-15th North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford www.thenorthwall.com
19th Peepul Centre, Leicester www.peepulcentre.com
20th Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton www.arena.wlv.ac.uk
21st & 23rd. The Drum, Birmingham www.the-drum.org.uk
25th Hull Truck Theatre www.hulltruck.co.uk
27th Harrow Arts Centre www.harrowarts.com
28th Broadway Theatre, Barking www.thebroadwaybarking.com

DEAD PREZ LIVE

2010-07-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

SUSPECT PACKAGES LIVE - JON PHONICS LIVE

2010-07-09T07:45:00.001-07:00

UK DMC 2010

2010-07-06T09:13:00.001-07:00

Skandal Ft Black The Ripper - Everyday (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

2010-06-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

TY launch @ Jazz Cafe

2010-05-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Jon Phonics 'Half Past Calm 2 Trailer

2010-05-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

Peep out the trailer for Jon Phonics 'Half Past Calm 2' featuring a whole host of special guests.

www.ynr-productions.co.uk

New SHAMELESS...

2010-04-21T05:16:00.000-07:00

New SHAMELESS... "DREAMER"

After taking time out to work on his new collaborative project "They Live"
Shameless is back with some exclusive solo freshness
Produced by Hip Hop pillar Excalibah.

Download high quality mp3 here;

R.I.P - The legend who is GURU

2010-04-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

GURU - R I P. Had a great email chat with Guru last year about life and lyrics...and we interviewed him for Big Smoke years ago in a hotel room in west london. His manager was giving us 10 mins but GURU put his foot down and we did 40mins...Crazy. He is reported that he died yesterday after battling cancer.

From HHG.com ( On February 28, 2010, Guru suffered a cardiac arrest, on March 2, he was reported to be recovering after surgery. Guru's latest projects included the fourth installment in the Jazzmatazz series produced by Solar. It was released in early June 2007. In 2008 Guru and Solar released Guru 8.0: Lost And Found. R.I.P. Keith Elam, this is a huge loss for the whole Hip-Hop culture.)

NINJA TUNE SIGN TODDLA T!!!

2010-04-19T09:21:00.000-07:00

Ninja Tune are pleased and proud to announce that last week they signed producer, DJ, Radio 1 face and large-haired youthful Sheffield legend, Toddla T. Toddla has, in the last two years, established himself as one of the key players on the cusp between urban and dance music, with none of the attitude or po-faced seriousness associated with either scene.
As well as 2009's critically acclaimed album on 1965/Sony, "Skanky Skanky," Toddla has recently produced for Tinchy Stryder, Bashy and Jammer. He has a regular slot on Radio 1's In DJs We Trust and DJs all over the world, as well as collaborating with the likes of Hervé, Ross Orton, Diplo and Switch.
Toddla himself says, "I'm so happy with signing with Ninja. Not only have they got a ridiculously good background but they're such good people and so enthused by me joining. I'm really looking foward to getting stuck into the next album with them as well as working on my Girls Music label alongside them. Dutty!"
Ninja's head man, Peter Quicke added, "We're delighted to have added Toddla to our roster. As we approach our twentieth anniversary it's great to find someone who was four when we started out and yet who shares our original ethos while updating it and making it new again." The label has signed Toddla for three albums and sister company Just Isn't Music takes control of his publishing. As Toddla himself makes clear, Ninja Tune will also assist with distribution, manufacture and marketing for his own Girl's Music imprint.

Skandal - Terrorvision

2010-04-18T15:27:00.001-07:00

Chima Anya Interview

2010-04-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

For people who don’t know please introduce yourself and where you are from originally?
Hello, my name is Chima Anya, I'm half Nigerian/ Romanian, lived in Scotland till 95 (hence the crazy accent) however became a person in Oxford so that's where I rep.
What's happening in oxford right now ? Let people know about the Hip-Hop scene in oxford? Which other artists are doing it at the moment, Rappers, nights, DJ's, Mixtapes & radio shows?
Truth be told, there aren't too many man from the region I can shout out... not cause there isn't any skills, man just aren't grinding like they should be. Big shout to DJ Kid Fury, holding it down Oxford ways on the mic, on the turntables, on the radio and putting on nights... and DJ Mark Devlin got a dope show on Oxford 107.9 FM but aside from that I'm just not sure. There is a night affiliated with Kid Fury called Wordplay - they were involved with the recent Jay Electronica show that happened in Oxford which was dope, they also had Gift of Gab down the other day. Ineffable is a heavy lyricist obviously Oxford ways but he's mad busy at the moment with his incite fitness/ bar breakers project. He gonna be the next Mr Motivator.
How has the industry changed you as a person, and what have you learnt most out of the game so far?
The biggest lessons I've learnt is...

1) music "professionals" aren't professionals. I am in a profession. I know what to be professional means. It means attention to detail, reliability, creative and intelligent thought processes. Allot of these so called "professionals" in established positions with influence are from it.

2) The music game is all a big blag. It's a lie, it's an illusion that you try to sell onto next man, make him believe you are big and he'll back it. Most people are sheep. One day you've been living the lie well enough for so long all of a sudden it's a reality! Real talk.

has it changed me? not really... it's too petty all of this shit to really affect me. I get frustrated no doubt... but I'm still putting out music and trying new shit all the time so it's all good.

Your new album 'New Day' tell us about the some of the main tracks and who has featured on there?
Really and truly... there are no MAIN tracks... no FILLER at all it's 100% merculation. That's the point. Taking it back to the dope album, dope artist days. I'm convinced everyone is entirely unsatisfied with this ipod shuffle play list era we live in where mans got one hot track and the rest is turd. I'm an artist more than a rapper or an MC. Saying that though I know how the industry works... so I guess if you could only listen to a couple of tracks I'd go for "It's the manner" ft. Jehst. He "illustrates the meaning of merculation". "New Day" features Soweto Kinch who possible is the most talented hip-hop musician in the WORLD. "Paid For" and "Death" are EMOTIONAL. Goose bump music... the amount of people that have told me that... when was the last time rap music gave you goose bumps? after all that I'm sure you'll wanna jam to the rest of the album.
Being a doctor does that give you a greater perspective of life and does that help you in writing raps?
Most definitely. When you deal with the most serious situations anyone in their life can face day in and day out you quickly learn to appreciate life and over look all the petty shit. Being healthy is the greatest gift anyone can have and once you realise that you focus on living your life in a way that is more rewarding. Check out "Paid for" on the album!! or "Death"
What's the most heroic thing you've done this year?
You know, they say medicine is the art of watching the patient as they get better by nature. So I can't give you any great stories. from this year so far... I don't work in ITU or A+E at the moment that kind of stuff is few and far between. I would however honestly say putting out this album in the midst of this euro pop venga boys auto tune urban phase we going through is pretty brave!

www.myspace.com/chimaanya

DONT SLEEP ON SKANDAL

2010-04-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

For people who don’t know please introduce yourself and what project you have out right now?
Skandal and I currently got a lil e.p out featuring Klashnekoff and P Money its called 'a quick snack' and is produced entirely by Beat Butcha... buy that now on Itunes!
Your having some good feedback and good reviews from the media for HUNGER PAINS, let us know a little about the project and your favourite track and verse and who else features on the beats and in the mic booth?
Yeh it done well but its on to the next one now ya know... umm its a 17 track mixtape mixed by Kiss FMs dj mk. we got little dee from roll deep on there, Ramson Badbonez from task force on there and brad strut who's a dope Australian mc. beat butcha produces the original beats on there and the rest are jacked beats.... ummm fave track? gotta be home economics... as for verse... hmm spaceship is pretty poetical... or the breakout verse... i like a few of them as they're quite personal to me
How has the industry changed you as a person, and what have you learnt most out of the game so far?
I'm starting to see that i have to be allot more business minded... i cant be myself 100% of the time in the sense i cant act a clown whenever i want to or i cant lose my temper and start shouting at people when things don't go my way or i don't agree with someone... yes i am like that in real life, we all have our faults but i gotta treat this more like a job cause you wouldn't go into the office of a Monday morning screaming obscenities at your colleague. Ive also quit drinking so that cant be a bad thing lol
Name 3 good positive things right now benefiting you and your career within the music industry?
Respect and love from other artists in the UK... that's def helping me allot... the fact they're willing to work with me or get behind me helps raise awareness about myself as an artist.

My work rate and my networking skills def goes along way into helping me get out there... plus the pr campaign has def helped gain exposure for me

and the shows I'm getting is def a plus... i get the chance to prove myself in front of a crowd and sell some Cd's afterwards. people like live shows so if i smash it I'm likely to get around via word of mouth - which is probably the best way of getting out there

What other things do you do when you’re not rapping ? Any
Hobbies/ interests outside of hip-hop?
I watch alot of films... a lot of Japanese anime too. I'm a geek for that. i used to read allot when i was younger and just started getting back into that... but to be honest I pretty much live and breath this music thing... most mornings i get up and sit on the laptop replying to emails and networking before Ive even eaten or had a shower.
What's the most heroic thing you've done this year?
Wow. heroic lol... I'm not sure Ive done anything heroic in my life... I've done some noble things i think.
Performing next at.... and next release to look out for?
Errm i got a show in Notts tomoz night... not sure where and after that I'm not sure... i usually find out like a week before the show. big up to Tom at 1step for handling all my bookings... if you wanna book me holla at him 1stepmusic@gmail.com

Look out for hunger pains 2 coming this summer
www.myspace.com/skumbagskandal

Big Smoke Catches up With Cappo

2010-04-08T04:09:00.000-07:00

Big Smoke catches up with Cappo on a Q&A, He has a new album called 'Genghis' now out on many many formats. Check the link at the bottom.

Let us know about your recent project Needle Drop on No Cure Records and working on tracks Hacksaw & Eagles with the guests like Scorzayzee, Lee Ramsay - Cyrus Malachi & Iron Braydz?
Needle drop is like music that is timeless, music that I listen to, I spent a long time crafting the flow structures
on all the tracks and Demic went in on the production. Lyrically I have a couple of solo tracks on there that I'm proud of cus they describe my view point at this moment in time from Nottingham city. I take rhyme writing extremely seriously and I believe thats why the Needle Drop turned out the way it did, cus both me and Endemic treat this music the same, meaning that we are at the top of our professions. Being able to work with some of the UK's most gifted artists on both 'Hacksaw' and 'Eagles' was a real privilege. I would carve my bars out then wait to hear the outcome of the track when the other artists had recorded, we recorded at least ten tracks towards the Needle drop and chose the greatest of them to represent on the vinyl. Having the e.p put out on vinyl was a giant achievement for me as well cus I'm from a school of thought were the music isn't truly released until its on vinyl, its the finishing touch when its pressed up. We felt we needed a Notts city track on there so thats how the collaboration with Scorz and Lee came about, and by the time the verses had been put down Cyrus and Braydz had recorded for 'Hacksaw' and also 'Eagles' too so we kept everything on there cus having five of the best MC's on one track was really the pinnacle of the e.p.
How’s life in Nottingham right now? The scene now and the new generation coming through and how’s has things changed from since you first started out?
As far as I'm concerned I am still doing the same as ever, I'm still writing everyday and producing. I think the world around us has changed considerably but I believe you shouldn't be afraid of change, you should embrace it and adapt it to your way of thinking. The younger generation now have been brought up on music we created so being a part of that process is a gift in itself. Being relevant in this current climate comes down to the simple and staunch believe that I have had instilled in me for a while now that you should stick to your strengths. Thats why since the end of last year I have stopped trying to spread myself to thin and dilute my skill and I have concentrated on what I do best, so I'm in the studio as much as possible creating new product that speaks for itself. I'm not trying to be a jack of all trades and master of none I'm trying to write the best most advanced verses I can and I'm trying to go in on every beat I produce. I definitely get a sense that Notts is on the rise again due to fact that my material is ready for release and I'm hoping that will spur on other artists to get their releases up too.
You have always been consistent and your music has been a well produced sound over the years, what is the one thing you still love in the whole musical process?
I am at my best when I have stocked up with at least a good arm full of old vinyl and I'm in the attic. the process of scouring vinyl is something I consider a privilege, finding a sample or loop that I know is ill is one of the best feelings, cus thats when my lyric mind starts ticking over and I can start to build the song. I consider the MC to be akin to an athlete so the practice and reputation is something that is both strenuous and enjoyable. The strength in knowledge that I am rhyme ready is important. To have bars in the stockade already memorized and to stretch my memory with more verses is a big challenge. Recently some of my best times musically have been at my mentor Dj Styly Cee's studio when we have just completed a track, when I put my verse down and Styly says its right I feel a weight off my shoulders and I am able to begin thinking about the next track or the next step of the process, plus when we finish a track we watch 'Tougher than leather' the movie or something similar and thats the pinnacle.
Name 3 good positive things right now benefiting you and your career within the music industry?
My strength of mind and upbringing is my best attribute, I am able to overcome any obstacle put in my way and I feel I have a contagious spirit that is unbroken. My will to win is something that keeps me moving forward and is a part of me that will not be defeated. I have a perfectionists nature and that instills me to drive my career and my skill further and further unrelentlessly.
My family is a strong unit and we have recently been through the hardest times and we are still strong and happy, I have relatives and close friends who are the rocks that I rely upon and who guide and teach me how to be the man I am today.
My label is well established and trustworthy which is almost unheard of in this day and age and I am very aware and grateful of this. My chance to release my new album the way I wanted it to be and to be able to have a strong input on how it is promoted is a massive benefit. The fact that I have had the luck and blessings to have completed my new album means so much its hard to put it into words.
Is it possible at all to balance your Hip-Hop live with your day-to-day life, or is the same thing?
I feel like there are two ways to look at it, Hip hop is my life and has been for a long time. You can either see life as a struggle and find music hard to balance with your life or you can in-compass the whole thing and build from it all. I choose to use the lessons I learn from my life outside of music and put it towards my verses. I choose to use the time I have spare in my life to build tracks that I will finish and that will see the light of day. I want to leave a legacy for when I pass on so I feel i have no time to lose. At the same time my life recently has taught to stop and enjoy the fruits of my labour, so I have two ways to look at it, to work hard but to live well is my main goal.
What’s next on the menu for yourself?
Next up is to keep the momentum rolling with the Needle Drop e.p, we have shows coming up throughout the UK and we are in the process of promoting it on radio. look out for May 4th show at rhythm factory London supporting Ill Bill. My new album is being released on April 6th and the lead single 'Loyalty' is available for download from march 15th. The Styly Cee/Cappo album is coming soon we have a good amount of tracks done and its sounding incredible.
Peace

PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE' FREE DOWNLOAD CLICK HERE

PREMIUM LIMITED EDITION DOUBLE VINYL LP
SMALL NUMBER OF COPIES STILL AVAILABLE FROM

www.sonrecords.com

Rhyme Asylum - The 'N Word'

2010-04-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

Taken from the new album "Solitary Confinement"
Featuring Ill Bill, Crooked I and many more!...

Dropping 23/04/2010

Pre-Order Now from:
www.rhymeasylum.com

Animation By: Psiklone
Photography By: RomanyWG

"EMOTIONS" NEW SINGLE BY TY OUT NOW + SOMETHING BIG! MIXTAPE

2010-04-08T03:52:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the official release of “Emotions” featuring Sarina Leah and Shaun Escoffery, the debut single from UK hip hop legend Ty's forthcoming album "Special Kind of Fool" on BBE, DJ Bounce has put together the "Something Big! Mixtape", featuring a diverse range of friends and collaborators from all over the world. "Emotions" is an uplifting bubbler featuring Ty’s trademark candor and inimitable flow, an infectious dance floor music track, with depth. Featuring remixes from heavyweight producers Daz-I-Kue, Waajeed, Dego (4Hero) and Akwasi, it's out on BBE now.

MIXTAPE download Here.

SKITZ - BORN INNA SYSTEM ft. BUGGSY

2010-04-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

Title: BORN INNA SYSTEM ft. BUGGSY
Label: DRAGON DROP
Release Date: MAY 3rd 2010

Grindstone is very proud to present the brand new single from homegrown pioneer and purveyor of the Original Fever - Skitz. The first track to be leaked from the astounding new album 'Sticksman', the song introduces Bristols finest new talent on the mic: Buggsy. Raised as a Rasta with the conscious lyrical delivery of a bullet, this is truly one of the UKs finest from the next generation of MCs. Backed with a trademark Skitz roots tinged double time banger this is truly a breath of fresh air for the spring and a fine taster of whats to come on 'Sticksman'.

Micall Parknsun "Everyday" (Feat. Tiffany Paige)

2010-04-08T03:07:00.000-07:00

The latest single to be taken from rapper Micall Parknsun's critically acclaimed album 'First Second Time Around', Everyday features sultry vocals from regular collaborator of Talib Kweli and DOOM. The M Phazes production is perfectly complimented by Parky's trademark stuttered slow-flow, smashing his powerful lyrics home. Producer extraordinaire LG provides a smashing remix, with a dominating bassline and dutty snares. The B-side, also taken from the album, Bang! features a classic verse from Jehst, and is dutifully refreshed with this remix from Chemo [Joe Budden / Kool G Rap].
Parknsun brings droves of passion in every word he speaks, but by no means is the album dark or introspective. Instead Parky has put a modern twist on the Golden Era rap format, drawing parallels with Detroits new breed of post-Dilla exports. This is unashamedly beat-driven, neck snap, boom bap party Hip Hop! While low-grade rappers jump from Grime to House, Parknsun keeps it real, resulting in exactly the type of classic Hip Hop album that for years people have been afraid to create. Parkys triumphant sophomore album bangs in the club, booms in the car and bumps in your headphones - and it blows all the trend-following flimsy urban music out of the water!

Back in the Game - Q&A with Scorzayzee

2010-04-08T02:18:00.001-07:00

Named as 'One to Watch' for 2010 by BBC 1Xtra, Scorzayzee has actually been making music for over 15 years. Once voted seventh best rapper in the world, the 29-year-old MC tells us what it's like returning to the UK rap game after five years away, as well as sharing some top tips.

You've returned after a substantial break from the scene. What were some of the challenges you faced coming back?
While I was gone music changed so much; all these new artists had come through, grime music had come out and the spitters were spitting really hard. As well as letting my original fans know I was back, I also had to start thinking about appealing to a younger generation who didn't know me from back in the day. It was weird being back in the booth as well, my timing was a bit off at first and I was as nervous as when I first started rapping!
Is it frowned upon in the industry to have a break?
In music I think everybody likes a comeback. But the trick is you have to come back strong, you have to reinvent yourself.
Do you have any advice to artists getting their music out there?
With (former group) Out Da Ville, we'd go round all the venues in Nottingham and ask if we could do a gig for free. We'd also go down to local radio stations. For a young artist starting out I think it's best to approach local radio first, get the feel of doing freestyles and interviews on air, and just go to open mics.
Is it harder for artists who don't live in London?
To make it professionally as an artist, you have to make a few trips to London with all the media that's based there. Also London is the biggest city in England, so if you don't get your name known there, then you won't be known elsewhere in the world. We used to come down every couple of weeks.
What's the scene like in Nottingham?
There are MCs on every corner now, the scene is really flourishing. Everybody wants to get involved in music and it's good to see. It's a positive thing, spending your time doing something that's going to help you progress rather than doing negative stuff.
What's it like as a solo artist as apposed to being in a group?
You have a lot more freedom as a solo artist as it's all your own ideas and you do what you want. I did like being in a group as there was a good competitive spirit, it kept us sharp, but there can also be disagreements over tunes, like someone might not like a verse or something.
You've been on the 1Xtra playlist several times, back in the day and more recently with your latest track, Luv Me. Do you have any advice for artists taking their music to radio?
If I knew that a 1Xtra DJ was at a jam in my town, I'd approach them and give them my music, that's what we used to do with Out Da Ville. Where there's a will there's a way. You just have to get out there and push your music and have belief and faith in yourself.

http://www.myspace.com/scorzayzee

Scorzayzee's debut album Peace To The Puzzle is out in March 2010.

Q&A by Anna Nathanson who is Assistant Producer for BBC 1Xtra Interactive. Anna blogs about all things urban at annanathanson.wordpress.com

SUSPECT PACKAGES LIVE - (CAPPO ALBUM LAUNCH & BEN-ONE LIVE MPC SET)

2010-04-08T01:05:00.001-07:00

Skandal, Black the Ripper, Little Dee - Kill 'em wit the Flow

2010-04-08T00:59:00.000-07:00

Skandal ‘Kill Em With The Flow’ [RMX] PT 2 video directed by Charlie Sloth!!

If the PT1 remix wasn’t big enough, this time round Skandal is joined by Little Dee and Black The Ripper to smash up this Beat Butcha rhythm once more! The original and PT1 of the remix will be available to download from all good digital retailers from this Monday 29th March.

Chima Anya - Death Video

2010-04-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

The new single from his upcoming album "New Day" is accompanied by a video that shows a level of creativity in UK hiphop not seen since "Witness the Fitness" (Roots Manuva) and pioneers a brand of class yet to be seen in the "Urban" market.

New Day out May 10th. http://chimaanya.wordpress.com

Brand New Shifty Spirit MP3

2010-04-08T00:45:00.001-07:00

"Its been a while " - LINK
Produced by Nally Production for CRS Entertainment
Watch out for a Shifty Spirit mixtape real soon

New Notts rapper Tempa 2 Track MP3 Release

2010-04-08T00:34:00.000-07:00

Watch out for mixtape real soon. Download link below.

Track 1 " dont give up"
Feat Becky Produced by Ar Mulah
CRS Entertainment - LINK

Track 2 " Its my Time "
Produced by Kirk Spencer - LINK

The Thunderclaps - Bootstrap vol.1 - Mega Mega Acapella Turbo Mix

2010-04-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Look out for the UK versions too in collaboration with Tim & Barry TV featuring: Black The Ripper, Maxsta, Axeman, P Money, Blacks, TB, Shameless and more!!

You can download a MP3 version here:

New Blak Twang - Before N After

2010-04-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

NEW SKITZ MUSIC - Video

2010-03-31T03:15:00.000-07:00

Skitz ft. Rodney P & Buggsy from Studio JK:AK on Vimeo.

LONDINIUM ILONDINIUM I

2010-03-10T04:09:00.000-08:00

LONDON’S BIGGEST BASS PROMOTERS UNITED UNDER ONE ROOF FOR THE FIRST TIME

SATURDAY 1ST MAY 2010 AT A SECRET LONDON WAREHOUSE LOCATION

Location revealed at londiniumbass.com before the event
9PM-7AM - 6 promoters gather and go head-to-head under one roof to make history as they present their respective sounds with a collection of the biggest selectors playing the baddest beats in town with a truly legendary line up!

AND NOW FOR THE EPIC LINE UP…

Urban Nerds VS Chew The Fat!  
AC Slater  - A1 Bassline -  Foamo  - Mumdance -  Rattus Rattus & Klose One -  Tomb Crew -  Raffertie -  Ordio Kid  Drama  - Daddy Nature
  
Dirty Canvas VS Vagabondz   
ONE MORE SECRET HEADLINER REVEALED SOON! 
Fabio & Grooverider (History Set)  - Plastician & MC Crazy D -  Heartless Crew LIVE  - Oneman  - Tempa T -  P Money -  The Heatwave ft. Rubi Dan -  Slugz & Boyson ft. MC Badness -  Reecha -  DJ Magic -
Deadly Rhythm VS Hyp!Hyp!Hyp!   
MJ Cole b2b Zed Bias  - d Bridge & Instra:Mental -  Untold -  Ikonika  - Ben UFO b2b Pangaea  - Deep Teknologi -  Deadly Rhythm Sound System -  Hyponik DJs

GET YOUR TICKET…
£5 early bird tickets – SOLD OUT
£12 save tickets – WILL SELL OUT SOON
£15 - £25 THEREAFTER
MORE ON THE DOOR

ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM TICKETWEB.CO.UK
www.londiniumbass.com

Professor Green NEW Single

2010-03-09T08:57:00.000-08:00

There are those that rap, and those that rap well; then there are those that transcend the confines of hip hop culture to become credible, commercial, mainstream pop acts - Kanye, Jay-Z, Eminem, for instance. But it’s unfair to compare Professor Green to any of the aforementioned; utterly British, uniquely inimitable, if anything; his closest equivalent is Lily Allen.

Littering his lyrics with wry pop culture references, a sharp sense of humour and an honesty rarely found in rap music right now, Professor Green is one of the most exciting talents to emerge in 2010. With the UK charts increasingly full of MCs, now, more than ever, pop is ready for an artist that does more than merely rap well. Lucky then that Professor Green is truly and genuinely unique. Funny, forthright and full of stories, he’s a rapper with a powerful personality, as engaging as he is honest, funny as he is open. Consider the various tattoos on his neck, arms and torso and the 8 inch scar across his neck and it’s not hard to see that the 6’3 spitter more than stands out from the ‘Braaap Pack’. “I'm white, I’m from Hackney and I’m soon to be covered in even more tattoos. If Vanilla Ice wasn't Vanilla Ice, I would be,” he grins. He jests of course; unsurprising given the amount of wit and self-deprecation found in the east London MC’s music.

The Inxs sampling I Need You Tonight was Zane’s Hottest Record In The World in February; the single will be followed by the S.O.S. sampling Just Be Good To Me, in May. Featuring Lily Allen, the song has already been performed in front of thousands of people around the world. “We got chatting on Facebook and I mentioned the track, which turned out to be one of her favourite songs. She asked why I didn't let her sing the chorus!?,” remembers Green. “I was like ‘Well, if you want to… ” As well as appearing on the single, Allen has taken Green on tour with her around the UK, Europe and Australia, bringing him onstage to perform the track. “I’m so appreciative of what she's done,” he says. “She really helped take a not so great year for me and make it into a better one. She's honest and very straightforward, you know exactly where you're at - she stands by what she says. I’ve had the best experiences to date touring with her,” says the Jay-Z, Lamb and Portishead fan, before recalling a Yacht trip with Muse in Sydney as one high point.

His melody-laden rhymes and physical presence aren’t the only thing that makes Green so individual. He’s already had quite a life in 26 years; from winning battle rap competitions and being signed by Mike Skinner, to being stabbed in the neck and collaborating with Lily Allen just two months later, life had already been incredibly colourful for the rapper born Stephen Paul Manderson in Hackney in 1983.

Shortly after he was born, Stephen’s 16 year-old mum and 18 year-old dad broke up. Raised by his Nan on an estate in Hackney’s Upper Clapton, the pre-teen Stephen was exposed to the realities of inner-city life from a young age. “It was never boring; we knew the police on a first-name basis,” he grins of growing up on a housing estate. A bright kid, Green was offered a place at the prestigious St. Pauls, but, preferring to follow his friends, he turned down the place and ended up at a comprehensive school in Tottenham. Although academically gifted, he was unable to remain out of trouble, going to two senior schools and “a kind of halfway house” before dropping out entirely. “I was smart and I had the potential to do really well, but school didn’t interest me. I got really bored,” he admits. “A lot of it has to do with my dad. I looked up to him but he was in and out of my life; I was a sensitive kid so all that got to me. Instead of having a stern hand at home, dragging me to school, I got to do what I wanted.” He hadn’t seen his dad, who died suddenly in 2007, for six years. “It would have been better if we’d had the chance to have a conversation, but I’ve made my peace with him.” As a teenager living in east London, the absence of a father figure made it easy for Stephen to get into all kinds of trouble.

He also made money legally, working as a designer and typesetter in a design company. It was on a lunch break one day that he saw a flyer for a freestyle battle night called Lyric Pad, held at Camden’s Oh! Bar. Though his rap experience was limited to messing about with his mates, he entered the competition, which sees two MC’s battle using raps they mostly make up on the spot. “I had no experience, but I went there that night and won,” he shrugs. The following month, where he won again, Green was spotted by a scout for London’s infamous night, The Jump Off. He stormed the night, winning each week, until eventually becoming Champion, and the only MC to win seven times in a row, not once, but twice. With his quick retorts, smart metaphors and off-the-top punchlines, Green was not only a hit with the crowd and the judges, but also Mike Skinner. The Streets star saw Green perform at the B-Boy Championships in Brixton and invited him on tour. In the interim he sent Green a beat that would become Stereotypical Man, a song that went on to become huge on the UK Underground scene, spending weeks in the Channel U charts. His first mixtape, Lecture No.1, featuring another underground hit, Upper Clapton Dance firmly established Pro Green as a mainstay of the UK hip hop scene.

Concurrently, he won the Jump Off prize to perform at Fight Klub, a world championship battle held in the Bahamas. Unfortunately a raid at his house led to an arrest for intent to supply. Fortunately a few days prior to heading out to the Bahamas in 2005 it was decided no charges were to be brought and Pro was issued a No Further Action. It was then that Pro realised he had to turn his life around. “I could have lost everything, but thankfully I didn’t. That was the end of that part of my life right then.”

Placing second to world champion Jin, he returned home and soon had more cause to celebrate; Green was offered a deal with Mike Skinner’s The Beats label and got a gig presenting the In New DJs We Trust slot on Radio 1. Although The Beats folded in 2007, before Green had the chance to release, the pair remained friends, with Mike producing Crying Game for his new album. “The down time was hard to deal with at first, but it ended up being more of a blessing in disguise” he muses. “I honed my ability and I'm a lot more ready as an artist now.” In 2008, Green recorded The Green EP, and began looking forward to getting back into music, even if that meant doing it entirely independently.

Before he really had chance to push the EP, he was savagely attacked in an unprovoked fight at a nightclub in London. Though he’s unable to talk too much about it for legal reasons, Green was stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle in May 2009. Holding his neck together and fending off his attacker who continued to attack him, Green staggered outside while people filmed him on their camera phones. Fearing the worst, he took a few deep breaths and tried to keep calm while an ambulance was called. “I phoned my Nan and my mum and I told them what happened. I tried to relax but I really thought that was it.” Missing his carotid artery by a couple of millimetres, Green was incredibly fortunate to survive; it’s perhaps no small coincidence that he was stabbed over a tattoo that reads ‘Lucky.’

Green took time after the stabbing to re-evaluate his life. He admits it’s changed him: “I find it harder to relax when I go out now, I'm a lot more aware,” he was determined to see it in a positive light. “When a bad situation comes around, you either go forward focusing on the positive or on the negatives. It either buries you or makes you a stronger person,” he surmises. Throwing himself back into the studio, he recorded a number of songs, including I Need You Tonight and Just Be Good To Green. Around the same time Lily jumped on the track, Green also had his first major-label deal with Virgin and the opportunity to finally finish his debut album, Alive 'Till I’m Dead. “I like making light of the dark. No matter how dark it gets there's bits of humour in there,” he says of the record. “My humour is very much British, though my biggest influence in rap was Biggie. No matter how dark the music he made was there was always an element of humour."

Production and collaborations comes from a host of musicians including Mike Skinner, Lily Allen, Labyrinth, Naughty Boy, Thunder Catz and long time collaborator Cores. Hypochondriac pokes fun at his obsession with visiting the doctors, Where Do We Go shows off a vulnerable side, while the fuzzy bass, searing synth and grimy guitar of Oh My God is tailor-made for festivals. “Nothing has come about from me going 'I need to do a single for radio,’” Green is careful to point out. “There's a difference between pop and cheese; the bubble-gum pop era is gone. I think people want substance. They wanna hear something they can relate to.”

It’s been a truly rocky road, but finally it looks like life is looking up for Green, with his long-awaited album ready to release by the summer. “I’m just really looking forward to getting it out there, it’s taken a long, long time. Like me, there’s more than one side to my album and all I can hope is that people like it. In this game, you have to be dedicated. You can't have one foot in and one foot out,” he decides. “I've left everything that used to detract me alone, my focus is, at long last solely on my music.”

Single 1 ‘I Need You Tonight' out in April 12th
Single 2 ‘Just Be Good To Me' featuring Lily Allen out in July
Album 'Alive 'Til I’m Dead' out in July

www.professorgreen.co.uk

SOULS OF MISCHIEF x CARHARTT

2010-03-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

SOULS OF MISCHIEF ANNOUNCE UK & EUROPEAN TOUR AND CARHARTT LIMITED EDITION BOX SET
TOUR DATES
11th March - The Mint Lounge [Manchester]
11th March – Carhartt store [Manchester] - instore
12th March – The Well [Leeds]
13th March – The Good Bits [Dublin]
13th March – Cru [Dublin] – instore
14th March – Jazz CafÈ [London]
15th March – Carhartt store [Neal St – London] – signing
16th March – Banquet Records [Kingstone] - signing
16th March – Peel [Kingston / Surrey]
17th March – White Rabbit [Plymouth]
18th March – Po Na Na [Norwich]
19th March – Rainbow [Birmingham]
20th March – Club 2k [Penzance]
23rd March – Carhartt store [Amsterdam]
24th March – Carhartt store [Cologne]

In celebration of the long awaited release of Montezuma’s Revenge, Souls of Mischief have teamed up with Carhartt, official sponsors of their first extensive tour in the UK & Europe for many years, to produce an exclusive box set available on a highly limited basis.

This special product will include a copy of the brand new album, a special SOM / Carhartt designed collabo shirt, SOM / Carhartt sew on patches, stickers and more.

This rare deluxe edition of the album will be launched at the Carhartt store [Neal Street – London] on the 15th March 2010, where SOM will also be appearing for a meet & greet signing session of this fantastic new release as part of their official series of dates. Since announcing the release of the new album back in November, there has been a phenomenal amount of media coverage in the UK, and venues have reported a huge level of interest in each date, proving once more the popularity from several generations in this renowned hip hop group. The spread of towns and cities around the country will give true hip hop fans an opportunity to witness these legends in action, many for the first time.  The London Carhartt event will also feature some of the UK’s best DJ’s plus free drinks from our generous Meantime Brewery sponsors! Look out for more information shortly, including details regarding a new Hiero mixtape and special guests in support of the dates.

NEW ISH FROM ABUZE

2010-03-04T09:08:00.001-08:00

www.abuzelondon.com

Skandal - Kill'em Wit The Flow (Remix)

2010-03-01T07:42:00.000-08:00

Top 5 artists to watch in 2010" - BBC 1XTRA
‎"Promises to satisfy those starving for some straight up spitting" RWD MAG
Skandal - Kill'em Wit The Flow (Remix) ft Klashnekoff & P-Money (Radio Rip)
Produced by Beat Butcha

This is the Remix to Skandals single 'Kill'em Wit The Flow' and features Klashnekoff
+ P-Money this will be released 29th March on iTunes as part of the 'Quick Snack EP'.

With many people calling him one to watch for 2010 it was only really right that Skandal started the year with that in mind and prove those sat in his corner where onto something. ‘Kill Em Wit The Flow’ does just that
and is sure to kick those still sat on the fence square in the face evaporating any possible doubt that he’s
not hear to stay.

FOREIGN BEGGARS LIVE- Friday 5th March

2010-03-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hyponik, London's leading music marketing and promotions team, bring through a heavyweight line-up of cutting edge underground music as part of their 2010 Tour. With some of the UK's leading producers rolling through Manchester, London and Cardiff, bringing with them the very finest in bass weight music.

HYPONIK TOUR 2010 - LONDON
@ Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, SW9 7AY

RUSKO
FOREIGN BEGGARS
IKONIKA
COOLY G
THE NEXTMEN
ESKIMO TWINS
HYPONIK DJ SQUAD

Doors: 2200-0400
Tickets: £5 advance / £7 on the door

Advance tickets available press HERE

JAY ELECTRONICA @ The O2 Academy in Oxford

2010-03-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

JAY ELECTRONICA @ The O2 Academy in Oxford
A few pics from a banging night. Thanks to KID FURY playing a good set and one to watch CHIMA ANYA preforming a strong warn up set with some heavy production. Look out from him in the months ahead doing gigs at Cargo and Barfly in London. JAY smashed it leaving his Exhibit C tune near the end and he jumped down and rapped it in the middle of the dance floor. Great record.

JAY ELECTRONICA @ The O2 Academy Oxford

2010-02-23T04:07:00.000-08:00

Sunday 28th February 2010
SUPPORTING ACTS
CHIMA ANYA
EARTH SHAKE FACTION
DJ GEENEE / KID FURY
+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Wordplay is indeed very proud to announce that Oxford's 02 Academy will play host to the man himself on the 28th Of February 2010 with support from the city's own rising star Chima Anya & Earth Shake Faction.

DOORS: 7pm - 11pm
AGES: 14+

TICKETS HERE

Not Like You - Charlie Sloth, Farma G, Black The Ripper

2010-02-22T03:01:00.000-08:00

ILL BILL IN LONDON

2010-02-18T03:08:00.000-08:00

ON THE REAL

2010-02-17T05:34:00.000-08:00

ON THE REAL
This Friday 19th February 2010
@ Plan B, Brixton Road, London SW9
Klashnekoff live, Spin Doctor, Shortee Blitz, DJ MK, Snuff & more...

The Doctor’s Orders are experts at keeping away the winter blues and for this February special they are bringing a little Caribbean heat to South London’s No.1 Hip-Hop party with a special live appearance from Klashnekoff. He is joining the UK’s strongest line up of resident for what is sure to be another incredible night of the real soul and Hip-Hop sounds that havs seen this and all The Doctor’s Orders events grow from strength to strength. After 600 people attending the last event this is fast becoming the home of Hip-Hop in South London so spread the word and we will see you on the dance-floor! With advance tickets available for only £5 you gotta be mad to miss this!

FOR TICKETS CLICK HERE

Jay Electronica AT The Jazz Café

2010-02-11T04:59:00.000-08:00

Jay Electronica is one of the most exciting, fastest-rising talents in hip-hop. The rapper and producer has already been compared to Nas in his Illmatic

Jay hits the UK next week for his debut live dates in this country. The shows are as follows:

Wed, 17th Feb - The Jazz Café, London (hosted by Benji B)
Thu, 18th Feb - The Jazz Café, London (support from Sway, hosted by Semtex)
Sat, 27th Feb - Audio, Brighton prime and praised by Jay-Z as “incredible”.

Jay Electronica’s Exhibit C single is available now on iTunes and has been scheduled for a UK 12” release in March via Decon / The Dogon Society. The song is a thrilling chorus-free showcase of skills marrying vivid, intelligent and highly evocative lyrics with a silky smooth delivery. Just Blaze – another champion of Jay – provides the inspired beat over which Electronica documents his homeless days in Brooklyn and nomadic early life before spinning off in other dizzying directions. The online word of mouth buzz around Jay Electronica and Exhibit C briefly propelled the track to the top of the US iTunes chart recently. The single continues to grow and gather momentum picking up commercial radio play in America (a virtually unheard of scenario for an independent artist), and the heat is being increasingly felt in the UK too thanks to early support from Tim Westwood, Semtex, Benji B, DJ Swerve, Gilles Peterson and others. Born in the Magnolia projects of New Orleans, Jay Electronica now lives in New York. The first unreleased recordings by this mysterious figure began to surface and circulate online. One of these early offerings, Eternal Sunshine – featuring lyrics on love and religion cascading over the beat-free soundscape of the Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind film score – especially helped to distinguish Jay from the hip-hop herd. In addition to songwriting and rapping, Jay’s skills also extend to production and lead to him crafting the opening track for Nas’s most recent Untitled album. A full Jay Electronica debut LP is planned for later this year. In the meantime, interested listeners and readers should seek out the unofficial Victory mixtape for a blistering album-length showcase of Jay’s electrifying potential.

SUSPECT PACKAGES LIVE

2010-02-05T07:33:00.000-08:00

Hittin' you off with another SUSPECT PACKAGES LIVE taking place at Vibe Live (upstairs at Vibe Bar), Brick Lane, London, next Friday the 12th of Feb. We'll have Diversion Tactics & London Zoo live on stage. DJ's with be myself, Disorda alongside DJ LoK, and we'll be dropping new and old skool Hip Hop thru to Reggae and Dubstep too... only £4 entry (free downstairs b4 8)

Stylah - Pass Out Remix

2010-02-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

DOWNLOAD HERE

The Doctor’s Orders Feb Flex!!!!!!!

2010-02-05T07:26:00.000-08:00

Klashnekoff live, Spin Doctor, Shortee Blitz, DJ MK, Snuff & more...

The Doctor’s Orders are experts at keeping away the winter blues and for this February special they are bringing a little Caribbean heat to South London’s No.1 Hip-Hop party with a special live appearance from Klashnekoff.

He is joining the UK’s strongest line up of resident for what is sure to be another incredible night of the real soul and Hip-Hop sounds that havs seen this and all The Doctor’s Orders events grow from strength to strength. After 600 people attending the last event this is fast becoming the home of Hip-Hop in South London so spread the word and we will see you on the dance-floor!

With advance tickets available for only £5 you gotta be mad to miss this!
www.thedoctorsorders.com

CHIMA ANYA - I LOVE RAP

2010-02-05T07:04:00.000-08:00

25 year old (Dr) CHIMA ANYA has seen alot. An avid hip-hop fan since birth he has watched how it has evolved and devolved over the years while simultaneously perfecting his own grasp of the art. This experience multiplied by the wealth of life stories witnessed by working as a junior doctor in fields ranging from geriatric to paediatric medicine (imagine being faced with life or death situations daily) has culminated in an artist of intrigue.

As a hip-hop MC his credentials are stellar - having already shared stages with hiphop legends KRS 1, AMP FIDDLER, FLAVA FLAV and having already received support from MARY ANNE HOBBES (RADIO 1) "A Dope ass MC", HUW STEPHENS (RADIO 1) "I'm sure we will be playing more of this man" RAS KWAME (1XTRA) "Futuristic hiphop- we are looking for the doctor to come and save hip-hop", DJ 279 (CHOICE FM) "Hope yet for UK hiphop", SHORTEE BLITZ (KISS FM), EXCALIBAH, ACE and VIZ (1XTRA) and The Temporary Residents.

The Debut album "NEW DAY" reflects the change that is needed to effect some balance the uk hiphop scene. Entirely produced by ASTROSNARE, the two hooked up having ascended to the top of the hiphop scene in Oxford making it a natural alliance. The first double AA side single saw CHIMA enlisting some fellow UK hiphop Luminaries SOWETO KINCH and JEHST in joining his campaign to bring some element of swagger, style and substance back in the scene.

I Love Rap continues on from where he last left off, this time showcasing Chima’s immense diversity, skipping between beat patterns and subject matter with aplomb, giving us a further insight on what to expect when the full length drops.

The album ‘NEW DAY’ is out APRIL 2010

URBAN NERDS - Valentines Warehouse Party! & London Snowbombing warm-up!

2010-01-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

Valentines Warehouse Party! & London Snowbombing warm-up!
First up is our London Snowbombing warm up and Valentines special warehouse party in a new Hackney warehouse. Attached is the flier with more info, if you can post this up that’d be a big help.

Snowbombing April 5th-10th Mayrhoffen, Austria
We are hosting a night at Snowbombing on Tuesday 6th April at the Arena in Mayrhoffen. Headlining this party is Benga, Skepta, Mistajam, Rattus Rattus & Klose One and all the urban Nerds residents. Book with Urban Nerds and get a FREE exclusive Urban Nerds x Snowbombing Jumper worth £39.99! Just go to http://www.snowbombing.com/urbannerds and book!! (You must book through this link to get a FREE jumper)

Londinium
Here is a little heads up on something in the pipeline, more info soon come. We are also pleased to announce that we are involved with an exciting new concept set to launch on the 1st May 2010. The Urban Nerds will be hosting one of four rooms alongside six other top London based promoters at a huge warehouse space just south of the river. Watch this space.

For more check www.urban-nerds.com

EATGOOD RECORDS UPDATE

2010-01-26T06:16:00.000-08:00

EATGOOD RECORDS PRESENTS “SONNYJIM - THE PURPLE PATCH”

KICKIN OFF 2010 WE HAVE THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF A FOUR PART SERIES:

SONNYJIM - THE PURPLE PATCH (PART 1) PRODUCED BY KELAKOVSKI.

TAKING IT BACK TO WHEN MCS JUST USED TO RHYME, SPAZZIN OUT WITH THE BARS, NO HOOK, STRAIGHT UP SMACK U IN THE FACE HIPHOP HOW IT USED TO BE BEFORE OUR MCS STARTED RHYMIN OVER HOUSE MUSIC.
PRODUCED BY EATGOOD RECORDS IN HOUSE HEAT MAKER, THE ALMIGHTY KELAKOVSKI

LOOK OUT FOR MORE MUSIC COMING SOON FROM SONNYJIM IN 2010 WITH ARTISTS SUCH AS ILLMIND, MARCO POLO, M-PHAZES, PRINCE PO, AG (DITC), JZONE. WE ALSO HAVE SONNYJIMS - TRADING STANDARDS REMIX PROJECT DROPPIN IN MARCH 2010 WITH EXCLUSIVE REMIXES BY LOTEK HI FI, KOSYNE, JON PHONICS & MORE!

Link To MP3:
www.eatgoodrecords.com

DJ ZINC FT MS DYNAMITE - 'WILE OUT' OFFICIAL VIDEO

2010-01-25T07:48:00.001-08:00

CRS Enteratainment new video

2010-01-22T03:22:00.000-08:00

Jay Electronica - Exhibit A C (ft. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Diddy) @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 1-17-10

2010-01-21T15:52:00.001-08:00

Jay Electronica - Exhibit A C (ft. Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Diddy) @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 1-17-10

Posted using ShareThis

Jay Electronica Calls On Diddy to perform "Exhibit C" from Mikey Fresh on Vimeo.

:: Beggars Tour ::

2010-01-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

TASK FORCE’S REMUS PRIMED FOR SOLO SPOTLIGHT

2010-01-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

London 2010 – Remus, the youngest member of north London rap collective Task Force, has released his highly anticipated debut solo project, The Uprising, on the independent label Music From The Corner.

As the son of Farma G (Task Force) and nephew of Chester P (Task Force) and Mike Skilla (Dominant Force), Remus has a rich musical background, which has seen him record and perform with top UK artists since the age of ten.But now, with the release of The Uprising, Remus is set to become the Task Force front man for the very first time – an exciting prospect for those who know about Task Force’s influence on British urban music.The 15 track mix CD, which will be sold on www.remusmusic.com, provides the British urban music scene with a taste of what can be expected from the 17-year-old’s bright career.Remus, real name Aaron Johnson, can be described as a spokesman for his generation and a lyrical perfectionist. He uses highly evolved rhyming patterns to deliver diverse content – ranging from the deep social commentary found on tracks like Stereotype, to the verbal pugilism exhibited on hard-hitters such as La la la.It is Remus’s talent, intelligence and ambition combined with his coveted musical background that ensures he is one to watch. Not only in 2010, but for as long as he is making music.

More Info Click Here.
www.myspace.com/remusthetruth

:: ZOO @ THE VIBE BAR ::

2010-01-13T09:57:00.000-08:00

Home Grown- The Story of UK Hip Hop

2010-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

HomeGrown: The Story of UK Hip Hop is the first ever exhibition to trace the story of the British scene from its reggae and sound system roots to the unique street sounds of the UK today. Bringing ..

Cyclonious - What's A Postcode?

2010-01-06T08:19:00.000-08:00

One to watch, Cyclonious is a rapper hailing from East London. With a nicely directed video. his raw and uncompromising single 'What's Your Postcode' is the first track to be taken from the soon to drop debut. And if 'What's Your Postcode' is anything to by we are in for a real nice treat.
Check, check

Cyclonious Myspace

Asaviour & DJ IQ - NO DAYS OFF

2010-01-06T08:15:00.000-08:00

Check out the dope and feverishly funny new music video for "No Days Off" by Asaviour & DJ IQ taken from the critically acclaimed album The A Loop Theory, out now on Saving Grace Music. Asaviour we salute you!

No Cure Rec's presents the Needle Drop EP

2009-12-15T08:19:00.000-08:00

No Cure Records presents the Needle Drop EP. Legendary Nottingham MC Cappo teams up with world renowned producer Endemic for a hard hitting assault of hip hop purity.
Endemic, known for his debut album “terminal illness” which was signed by NYC label – money maker and distributed by EMI music, continues his hard east coast style of production on “Needle Drop” and provides Cappo with perfect backdrops for his heavy rhyming style. Cappo who is renowned for holding his own against any emcees, local or international, his hard delivery and technical flows roll over a lot of rappers in this country. Guest spots include fellow Nottingham Legends Scorzayzee and Lee Ramsay and London’s talented Cyrus Malachi & Iron Braydz. “Needle Drop” embodies the hard rap style and is set to be a favourite across the UK. The needle drop EP drops december 15th on vinyl / digital formats, however pre order now from nocurerecords.com and your record will be shipped on december 7th
www.nocurerecords.com - click on store on this site.

C-Mone : Barbie Analogue

2009-12-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Out Of Da Villes' first lady and Queen of UK Hip Hop, C-mone returns after a short hiatus with the exciting new project 'Barbie Analogue'. Different from her previous releases this is a musical challenge that's good to hear. All beats are produced by C-Mone, as she takes the alias Barbie Analogue. As our appetite grows for the new album, we say go and support:

Hear and Buy EP here.

Prose - Boom Bap Bootleg Vol 2 - Download

2009-12-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

Wow wee! Prose return with more straight honest Hip-Hop goodness.

We've been waiting in heightened anticipation and just in time for christmas they release the stomper 'The Boom Bap Bootleg Vol.2'. In perfect timing before their debut album coming early 2010, Prose, made up of duo Steady (Producer) and Efeks (MC) have shown why they can be considered the saviors of the UK scene. This is new music, no overheard freestyles - bringing back the true sense of the word 'mixtape'. Sure to move the Boom Bap heads while convert new young listeners. Preview their 2009 release below and download at: www.boombap.bandcamp.com

One to watch - Maverick Sabre

2009-12-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

New video for 'Sometimes'. The massive fresh single from shining star Maverick Sabre.

Directed by the talented Alpha One. Watch out for this artist!

Myspace

Phoenix Da Ice Fire Live MON 7TH @ THE CARHARTT STORE

2009-11-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

PHOENIX/TRIPLE DARKNNESS/THE IRS/CAPPO & ENDEMIC/ MONDAY 7TH @ THE CARHARTT STORE WITH FREE DRINKS AND FREE ENTRY

When: Monday, December 7, 2009
Time: 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: 55 NEAL STREET, LONDON, COVENT, WC2H 9LL

Carhartt is hosting a special one off event at its Neal Street store
in Covent Garden, London. Alongside an exclusive performance
from the man himself 'Phoenix Da Ice Fire will be:

TRIPLE DARKNESS
THE IRS

Plus extra special guests CAPPO & ENDEMIC - performing tracks from their
NEEDLE DROP E.P!!!

Dj's: Charlee Brown & Roast
Host: Kingpin

** Free Drinks will be provided by Mean Time Brewery **

PHOENIX DA ICE FIRE
‘BAPTISM UNDER FIRE’
LABEL: Higher Heights Records
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
ONLINE: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/PHOENIXDAICEFIRE1

HIGHER HEIGHTS RECORDS presents another hard-hitting release from South East
London mc PHOENIX DA ICEFIRE. PHOENIX has been crafting his skills for some
time now and is getting ready to set the country alight with this his debut
release BAPTISM OF FIRE.

Having cut his teeth through his garage roots, performing alongside the
likes of P Money, Firmer Dee aka Funky Dee, Little Dee and Blacks has all
helped play a part in his exciting new pathway towards individual success.
Now 1/3 of Midas Touch with AKS & J DA EXODUS, Phoenix feels it's time to
step out by himself and bring some truth, experiences and opinions of his
own to the mic.

This twenty-two track audio gem is hosted by Higher Height’s comrade and
label mate M9 and mixed by super scratch dj Roast who cuts his way
seamlessly through Hip - Hop’s more rugged side.

Features from Masikah, 9 Planets and fellow crew members AKS and J Da Exodus
all add to the heat, spraying a flurry of condensed poetically punctuated
rhymes that’ll burst a hole in your brain and leave your neck aching.

If you think it’s icy right now - this is just the warm up! Phoenix Da
Icefire is soon to be dropping his debut album 'The Quantum Leap' featuring
Kyza and Triple Darkness who recently formed the new super group Orphans of
Cush. With the consistently sterling beatsmith CHEMO taking on all
production duties this will be a follow up not to be missed.

Remixes from the Edge NEW from GHOST

2009-11-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

Artist: GHOST
Release: Remixes from the Edge
Format: Digital mp3 only
Release date: 23/11/2009
Contact: musicforheads@yahoo.com // www.musicbyghost.com

Ghost drops a brand new 10 track remix album and showcases the depth of his production skills across multiple genre’s. Ghost once again proves not only is he one of the hardest working producer’s out there, he’s at the top of his game.

‘Remixes from the Edge’ travels through Bassline heavy Hip Hop into thoughtful moments with a touch of uptempo Rock Funk. Along the way incorporating a variety of tempos and rhythms to help you ride through the album. ‘Remixes from the Edge’ and its varied sound is a testament to Ghost’s production skills, certainly not a one trick pony.

Kicking thing’s off Ghost pulls no punches with his first of 2 Foreign Beggars remixes, ‘No More’. Ghost puts the bass in overdrive and this wouldn’t sound out of place at a Drum n Bass set, Dubstep rave or Hip Hop mosh pit. Next P Money’s (NZ) ‘Everything’ get’s a total re-working from house into a slightly wonky electronic Hip Hop summer joint. Switching the mood again the ‘Sound Mirrors’ (Coldcut) remix has a hint of Rob Dougan’s Clubbed to Death, Ghost add’s piano’s, strings, drums to turn this into a spellbinding affair. The Bonobo remix is pure emotion whilst the remix of Dabrye’s ‘Air’ has a deep spaced out vibe but pulls you right into the music. The Heavy’s ‘No Time’ remix sounds like Fatboy Slim in his prime, upbeat and straight bangin’, guaranteed to rock any party. The ‘No Holes Barred’ (Foreign Beggars) remix is grimey, just wait for the bass drop. Ghost then turns Deep House producer AT Jazz‘s ‘Together’ into a dubstep wobbler with a chaser of depth to keep things interesting. Remixing long time cohort Kashmere‘s ‘Poison’ into a warped slice of electronic Hip Hop leads us into the final track, Ghost’s re-jiggling of The Heavy’s ‘How You Like Me Now’. There aren’t many ways better ways to finish a remix project off than this.

There aren’t many producers around in 2009 who could step to the table with a collection of remixes spanning multiple genre’s and pull it off, in style.

‘Remixes from the Edge’ serves as a build up to the release of Ghost’s 2nd Album ‘Freedom of Thought’ in New Zealand set for March 2009, and bridges the gap between ‘Freedom of Thought’ and Ghost’s 3rd studio album ‘Postcards from the Edge’. Having moved from London to NZ in 2009 Ghost has been settling in and busy working on music. Ghost also keeps busy hosting his Friday Drive Radio Show 4-7 pm on RDU playing the best in hip hop, dubstep, electro and electronic beats.

Not content with a new 10 track remix album and releasing it free, Ghost has a new website which will serve as a resource for all Ghost related music and info…

www.musicbyghost.com is the place to be, get the ‘Remixes from the Edge’ album free on digital download via the new Ghost website and probably find out some things you probably didn’t know about Ghost.

HIP HOP WEEKENDER 2009 UPDATE

2009-11-24T03:59:00.000-08:00

On the 5th - 6th of December young people all over London will be reunited at the 2nd annual HIP HOP WEEKENDER 2009. HHW 2009 will take place at Stratford Old Town Hall in Newham, the home of the Olympics. A celebration of the five pillars of HIP HOP "Breakin', DJ-ing, Emceeing, Graffiti, Beat boxing" will take place at this exciting event which will also feature exclusive fashion shows from up coming and established hip hop fashion designers, dance choreography, film screenings alongside seminars & workshops.

The Hip Hop Weekender will be supported by organizations such as Prince's Trust, Community Links and East Thames Housing Association who will ensure that emerging talent from young people on their projects are given the opportunity to showcase their art or film to an audience over the two days.

If you are a Hip Hop or Grime artist, dance crew, graffiti artist, Emcee, DJ, or would like to contribute or participate in the event contact the office.

http://hiphop-hooray.com

SKANDAL Live Proformance 26th Nov

2009-11-23T04:09:00.000-08:00

Hip-Hop Weekender in London

2009-11-20T04:13:00.000-08:00

On a winter weekend in December 2009, young people all over London will unite in Newham, the home of the 2012 Olympics, to celebrate the five pillars of Hip-Hop “B’Boying (Street Dance), Deejaying, Emceeing, Graffiti (Street Art) & Beat-boxing”, at the 2nd Annual HIP-HOP WEEKENDER (HHW).

This exciting event will also feature emerging, as well as established urban designers, grime artists and underground filmmakers in a showcase of fashion shows and film screenings with the industry watching. There will also be exhibitions, seminars and workshops running throughout the day with special guest performances at night. HHW is part of Hip-Hop Hooray! The Hip-Hop Education & Exhibition project
which includes a Hip-Hop Film School and a Hip-Hop Seminar Roadshow. The
Hip-Hop programmes, run by Anointed Productions, aim to highlight the positive
elements of hip-hop lifestyle through the platforms of creativity and art, opposed to
the negative stereotypes forever portrayed in the media.

At the Weekender expect an Exhibition, Fashion, Dance, Film and Music.
More to follow on this BLOG:
www.hiphopweekender.co.uk

DJ IQ BIRTHDAY BASH

2009-11-18T03:16:00.001-08:00

Dead Prez Live - Koko Friday 6th November

2009-11-02T02:40:00.000-08:00

As hip hop groups go, Dead Prez are a rare breed. Continuing on the path of politically minded artists like Public Enemy and KRS-One the Florida-formed-New York based outfit has been crafting revolutionary but gangsta hip-hop since the late 1990s. Striving to produce records that express concepts beyond the limited confines of the rap aesthetic and are instead relevant to the struggles faced by contemporary black America, Dead Prez tackle such diverse topics as education, the drugs problem and the economic traps faced by a community that in many ways remains oppressed. Like those esteemed predecessors, Dead Prez are world-class musicians with a social conscience.

With two full albums under their belt, plus two underground mix-tapes and two solo albums of street level political hip-hop that is heavily designed challenge the status quo Dead Prez have diversified into writing and publishing, filmmaking and been the subject of an acclaimed documentary. All of which has given them the opportunity to spread their message over a wide range of media. However, music remains their first love! On the back of ‘Pulse of the People’ the third instalment of their mix tape series ‘Turn off the Radio’, Dead Prez will be descending onto London’s Koko with all their talent, fire and street level revolutionary zeal.

Support will come from the UK’s finest Klashnekoff. He has been missing in action for a while now but will surely make a solid return as he intends to release his new album ‘Back to Da Sagas’ in the coming months.

Buy Tickets Here

SOULS OF MISCHIEF IN LONDON

2009-10-30T04:34:00.000-07:00

Virus Syndicate - Talk To Frank Video

2009-10-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

Virus Syndicate - Talk To Frank - Taken from the Antidote E.P Out soon

Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip Hop

2009-10-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Home grown hip hop recognised
with new exhibition at Urbis Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip Hop 15 October 2009 – March 2010 Urbis, Manchester Free admission

Tweeted about by Mark Ronson, described as “Jaw dropping” by DJ Semtex, ‘Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip-Hop’ – is a brand new exhibition at Urbis in Manchester. ‘Home Grown’ focuses on the wonderful, unpredictable story of UK hip-hop: a music and culture that came up from the streets - with a little help from some surprisingly eminent friends - to change the face of British music and style. From producing some of Britain’s most esteemed artists, to helping spawn almost every major British dance music genre of the last twenty years, it makes for a cracking story. But surprisingly it is one that has never before been told.

Co-curated by Urbis’s Andy Brydon and hip-hop writer James McNally with the assistance of Kid Acne, ‘Home Grown’ focuses on how British hip-hop became truly British, using an amazing array of multi-media artefacts to tell the story. Whisking you through nearly thirty years of history, the exhibition showcases rare and previously unseen flyers, posters, original cover art, fashion, photography and artefacts from the best private collections, paying tribute to British hip-hop’s indefatigable spirit and its unsung heroes.

But it also enables you to get lost in the sights and sounds, courtesy of rare film footage - sourced directly from the likes of Malcolm McLaren and film maker Dick Fontaine - and touch screen jukeboxes containing over 17 hours of hard to find music – including exclusive live audio from the Wild Bunch’s DJ Milo and the Sindecut’s DJ Fingers. Just as impressively, ‘Home Grown’ boasts the finest selection of British hip-hop photography ever assembled, including rare and evocative shots from the legendary Beezer (photographer of the Wild Bunch before they became Massive Attack), from the inimitable Normski and unseen work by former Hip-Hop Connection staff photographers Paul Hampartsoumian and Richard Reyes. It’s a compelling ride back through time, which not only reveals the fascinating secret history of a truly British sub culture, but its rich and constantly evolving aesthetic.

Andy Brydon commented: “British hip hop has never had the recognition and kudos it deserves. We have a wealth of talent in this country that has developed and grown in the last 30 years to become a respected musical force to be reckoned with and the artists that are consistently breaking through continue to push boundaries and take hip hop further. Many people are unaware of how British hip hop has evolved and of how influential it has been. Through this exhibition visitors will be able to trace the history of the UK scene before discovering what and who will be the next to make their mark.”

Pollyanna Clayton-Stamm, Head of Creative Programmes at Urbis said: “This exhibition continues the ethos that underpins all programming at Urbis, to explore a broad spectrum of popular and often timely topics, reclaiming popular culture by covering sometimes uncharted themes that are not traditionally covered by other galleries or museums. It’s exciting to be highlighting a genre that has had such a huge impact on our culture, not just through music but also fashion, art and film; with this exhibition visitors will for the first time be able fully to understand and appreciate how and why British hip hop developed and where it goes from here.”

Contributors include Malcolm McLaren, Normski, Cookie Pryce (Cookie Crew), Paul Hampartsoumian, Mr. Dexter (The Brotherhood), Simon Harris, MC Duke, DJ Fingers and Crazy Noddy (the Sindecut), Rodney P, DMC, DJ 279, Fallacy, Tom Dixon and Nick Jones (The Language Lab), Skitz, Part 2, Greg Wilson, Jehst, Big Smoke, King Fu, Deal Real, DJ MK, Dreph, Junior Disprol, Benji Reid, Andy Cowan, Vie Marshall, Beezer, DJ Milo, Aroe (First Down), Tuf Tim Twist (Rock Steady Crew), Mikey DON (Krispy), Mike Lewis, Big Dada, Jake Green, Rising Styles (Hip Hop Festival), photographer Richard Reyes and Contact Theatre.

Urbis is open daily 10am-6pm
FOR MORE: www.urbis.org.uk

THE PEANUT BUTTER WOLF SHOW

2009-10-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

DJ VADIM and full band at the Jazz Cafe - Thursday 17th October

2009-10-09T05:52:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right, the T-E-R-R-O-R-IST is back with a brand new live album! 'U Can’t Lurn Imaginashun' hit the shops on BBE records back in May, with the first single 'Hidden Treasure' featuring Sabirajade out mid-April. Since then its been a full on tour throughout Europe and the USA, Vadim's been 'assaulting his bodyclock' to bring his new sounds to your backyard. Fresh from remixing MIA, Nextmen, Fat freddys drop, Alice russell, Kidkanevil, sola rosa, Stevie wonder.....its time for the get down. So the band has had time to mellow like a fine wine, the knobs have been finely tweeked to get that bass optimally ripping and drums thwacking... and to celebrate being back home in Blighty they'll be giving a very special, fully-live performance at the legendary Jazz Cafe!

DJ Vadim, a man who this year conquered cancer has dug deep, learned new skills and used his imagination to produce his best work yet. From deep in his basement studio he has distilled a fine selection of beats, utilising the skills we all know and love as well as exploring new musical territories, as 'Hidden Treasure' shows. A hold on to your seat, white-knuckle rollercoaster of a track that combines the rawness of Ska, jump-up party vibes, and spine tingling vocals, set against reggae-tinged, massive track 'Soldier' serves as solid proof that The Isolationist's proficiency is nowhere near diminishing.

With his full band - the magnificent vocals of sabirajade, Chicago's finest MC 'Pugs Atomz' and the dexterous fingers of Lil Ste Keys, bongo pete, very special guests of kidkanevil, lizzy parks and then some mo....expect an introduction to the peak of a hard-working, much deserving DJ/producer's career.

Sony Ericsson B-Boy Championships – World Final, Brixton Academy

2009-10-09T05:40:00.002-07:00

The best dancers from around the globe will be competing for the coveted title of Sony Ericsson World Champions here in the UK this October.

The best poppers, lockers, B-Girls and B-Boys will flaunt their best moves and tricks at the Brixton Academy on Sunday 11^th October in the World’s #1 B-Boy competition. Hosted by the original and undisputed founder of B-Boy, 24-year veteran Crazy Legs, the World Final is set to be the most prestigious and high calibre break-dance event of the year.

Sony Ericsson is bringing together the best of the best from the qualifiers in US, Japan, Korea, Russia, Holland and Scandinavia. After a five-month search, staging seven international eliminations, the most impressive dancers will now take part in the ultimate B-Boy battle. Joining them will be the UK’s winning breakin’ crew, Soul Mavericks, the eight-strong team hailing from London who will represent Great Britain in this year’s team competition.

After wowing the crowds in the UK Final with their explosive freestyle interjected with slick choreographed routines and their secret weapon, B-Girl Roxy – the ‘Mavericks’ will be challenging the greatest break-dance teams from around the world for the title of Sony Ericsson World B-Boy Champions.

Over 10,000 people are set to descend into London to watch all the incredible action and contests during the two-day event. For the first time this year, there will be a special B-Girl battle event on Saturday 10^th October at Islington Academy, judged by Lady Jules, star of the movie ‘B-Girl’, due to be released on 12^th October.

Channel 4 has also re-commissioned the second series on the trials and tribulations of the world’s greatest breakers, poppers & lockers in the lead-up to the Sony Ericsson UK B-Boy Championships World Finals.

The six-part series ‘2009 Sony Ericsson World B-Boy Series’, will document the search to find the most talented break-dancers to compete at the World Finals. Plus, if you miss any action you can catch up on all the episodes with fresh updates on how each battle went down at www.se-bboys.com

In keeping with the big beats, style and flair of B-Boy, winning crews will also take home the Sony Ericsson W995 Walkman™ handsets. Set the phone on its integrated stand and watch videos on the crystal clear 2.6” TFT display with powerful speakers and an in-built 3.5mm audio jack

Remi/Rough New Book.

2009-10-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Finally they're in, here in my hands so anyone who would like one, they're available from:
www.agents-of-change.co.uk

Limited to 500 copies and 104 full colour pages of artwork plus a lovely foreword by NYC legend; Mare139.
If you'd like to get one direct and save on the postage (Which due to the size of the book ain't that cheap), then just give me a shout...

NEW FILM LE DONK & SCORZ-AYZ-EE

2009-10-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

Shane Meadow's new film, Le Donk & Scor-Zay-Zee, stars his regular collaborator Paddy Considine as a washed-up, deluded roadie, alongside real-life long-time Nottingham rapper (and former Out Da Ville member) Scor-Zay-Zee, as the pair try to get a spot supporting the Arctic Monkeys at Old Trafford. Shot in five days, the film was completely improvised with a tiny crew after the band granted Meadows access to the gig, and although it’s a very small scale comedy, it has moments as engrossing and as heartfelt as his best work. He tells us how, by rejecting some of the more diabolical temptations of the
industry, he manages to make so many good British films – something that is very rare. (lifted from Vice Mag)

Le Donk Movie trailer

Doctor's Orders - 4th September at Herbal

2009-08-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Prepare for a big night come Friday 4th September as herbal plays host to Docters Order's.
Always bringing the hottest Hip-Hop to the capital wether it be established, much loved artists or readily shining a light on those breaking through and doing something new and exciting, the jam packed club night is in it's fourth year now. The fun kicks off at 9pm-3am Friday 4th September @ Herbal 10-14 Kingsland Rd, London E1 with Live sets from John Robinson (MF Doom, flying lotus) and UK talent Lowkey. Upstairs plays host to the Funhouse Live from UK don's DJ Mk & Harry Love releasing their incredibly popular live streamed radio show out of the kitchen for it’s first ever live show!
The night will be rounded nicely by your host ofcourse the spintastic Spin Doctor himself

£7 in advance or £10 on the door
Advance tickets available from HERE.

TACTICAL THINKING - SUPERSTARS / DUST TIL DAWN (REVIEW)

2009-08-26T05:52:00.000-07:00

Tactical Thinking are a UK collective of MC’s, DJ’s & Producers and according to the group “make some of the most original and exciting music to come out of the UK music scene since Right Said Fred.”
That said they certainly back up their claim with two humongous stompers. Both tracks provide the standard good UK shizzle, mixing neck breaking beats and jaw dropping humour; meaning fans of outfits like Foreign Beggars and Syntax won’t be disappointed.
‘Superstar’ is an electro fuelled 80’s influenced club filler. Making the Hip-Hop crossover teamed with a perfect vocoder enhanced chorus, group spitters Deadline, Jim Raygun, Mr Dick & Derogatory build the hype over a massive beat from producer Naïve.
But definitely the favourite of the two, ‘Dust Till Dawn’ is straight thumping goodness finished off with distinctive mariachi horns. High octane, its a verbal assassination from each unique emcee laying down even bigger punch lines that will have you nodding your head and grinning throughout.
Their debut album tragically yet humorously named ‘Too Broke to Go Solo’ drops October, with these singles available for exclusive download now. Go purchase

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc new Video

2009-08-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

Featuring the Scratch Perverts, Shlomo, Foreign Beggars, Dr. Syntax and Stig of the Dump. A Heavy weight Hip- Hop Video folks...

New Music Reviews

2009-08-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

Deep Rooted – ‘Crazy’ B/W ‘We Rick The Hardest’ & ‘From the Heart’
Deep Rooted were formed in 2004 and now have a reputation as one of the best Californian groups due to their high quality live performances with Urban Dynamics Crew Dancers, CeSe & Boosie. The Deep Rooted sound is electro soul mixed a large hip hop influence, with these tracks defiantly holding their worth. This release is available from Clear Label Records, Tajai of the massive Mighty Souls of Mischief new label. Not only have Deep Rooted supported heavyweights like Diamond D, Planet Asia, OhnO & Abstract Rude they have found time for voluntary charity work, helping raise money and awareness in relation to the genocide in Darfur.

Full Release – 24/08/2009
Andrew Halls

Grasscut – ‘High Down’ Released on 20 July 2009 through Ninja Tune
Welcome to the world of Grasscut: sweeping melody, epic build, rain, dislocation, glitched-out psych-pastoralism, beauty and beats. Inspired by and continuing the bold tradition of English transcendentalism. Andrew Phillips & Marcus O’Dair made their live debut at the Loop Festival (Fourtet, Caribou, Holy Fuck) in August 2008, each armed with a laptop and keyboard - Phillips also on vocals and guitar, O’Dair double bass and stylophone. They have since played audiovisual shows at Tate Britain and The Great Escape and supported the likes of Fujiya & Miyagi, Nathan Fake, Wildbirds & Peacedrums and BLK JKS. Their forthcoming, eponymous debut album is a transcendental journey from the Sussex South Downs of High Down to the Nintendo cathedral of Muppet. Weaving in between the lead vocal are voices from the past and the present, snatched from mobile phones and gramophones – a 1920s tenor, gossiping mums, a Victorian singing poet, a woman reminiscing about post-war rationing. Some have heard in their music traces of composer Gavin Bryars, others Another Green World-era Brian Eno or the “steam-powered futurism” of Daedelus. Yet lead single High Down in many ways most resembles a kind of folk music – an original, unsettling exploration of the beauty, alienation and downright strangeness of contemporary life. Swallow the day is defiantly a must check track!

The full release is out now!
Andrew Halls

Instra:Mental - Sepia Tones EP (Darkestral)
The Darkestral label hark back to the mid-'90s era of drum & bass and jungle, encapsulated in their motto of respecting the 170 BPM speed limit. The beautiful Photograph opens with poignant shifting synths that stutter in and out of tune as if they were broken archaic machines, yet despite this, the melody makes sense and progresses gracefully within the framework of the song. Translucent features similar elements, with floating and evocative synth riffs layered over harmonic pads and a steady beat. Both these tracks eschew the kick-snare breakbeat patterns that have come to signify drum & bass and, in turn, seem much slower than they really are.

The other half of this release, however, is drum & bass—pure and simple. In The Dead Zone stark synths feature over a two step beat, the heaviness of which makes it seem much slower than it actually is. A growling and menacing bass line appears out of nowhere and the tune progresses in a minimalist vein, with ticking hi-hats, resounding drum hits and synth pads playing with the foundational elements of the simple beat and snarling distorted bass. Detuned operates in similar territory, the core ingredients being a slow rolling bass line filtered up and down over a steppy beat, and a vocal sample that seems half sarcastic, preaching the arrival of a techno utopia over the rigid and machine-like bleakness of the backing track. Instra:mental and dBridge sidestep about ten years of evolution (or devolution depending on who you ask) in the harder-end of drum & bass. Their open and spacious analogue sound is a breath of fresh air and a diversion from the over-compressed ultra loud sound that dominates modern productions in this drum & bass subgenre, a place where production values and engineering skills sometimes seem to be valued over ideas or musical content. Overall, a completing amazing release we couldn’t recommend highly enough.

004A – Instra:Mental - Photograph
004AA – Instra:Mental - The Dead Zone
005A - Instra:Mental vs. dBridge - Translucent
005AA - Instra:Mental vs. dBridge – Detuned

Out now on Gold or Black Vinyl!
Andrew Halls

DJ VADIM HEADLINES JAZZ CAFE

2009-08-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

DJ Vadim + Live Band
Venue: Jazz Cafe, London
Tickets: £8 limited advance / £10 on the door
Date: Thu 15 Oct 2009, 19:00 doorst

DJ VADIM HEADLINES JAZZ CAFE WITH FULL LIVE BAND!
+ Support from Lizzie Parks [Tru Thoughts] live, Cheeba
[Soundcrash / Soild Steel] & Kid Kanevil [DJ sets]

Tickets available Click Here:

Take It Back - Friday 21st Aug

2009-08-19T06:43:00.000-07:00

Nextmen Live Gig at RoughTrade

2009-08-18T06:09:00.000-07:00

If you missed The Nextmen's 'Join the Dots' Summer BBQ Album Launch party last Saturday (15th August) at London's Cargo with Ms Dynamite and High Contrast, what can we say you are a complete dummy. Fear not though the beat masters from Cambridge, Brad Baloo and Dom Search, are playing an exclusive free gig at Rough Trade Records off Bricklane this Thursday.

No doubt set to make East london vibrate with limited numbers we recommend you get there early to pick up wristbands. check the link.

The Nextmen Roughtrade

Micall Parknsun - First Second Time Around

2009-08-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

If ever there was to a need to validate UK Hip-Hop, Micall Parknsun has broken the stamp of approval. From the powerful and moving ‘New’ and piano looped induced ‘Turn It Up’ you get a sense from the start you’re about to witness homegrown at it’s best. Released under the pioneering and influential YNR Label, run by UK’s finest Jehst, it’s been a while since Parky dropped his worthy ‘Working Class Dad’, a debut that passed mostly unfairly undetected but with this creative golden sequel the hardest working dad in music is sure to make himself heard. ‘First Second Time Around’ is beautifully honed, strongly crafted and sweetly pure promising to win over newcomers to the genre as well as fulfilling boom-bap enthusiasts worldwide. 18 tracks deep it’s an album that will have you paining from the head nodding yet yearning to press the rewind button and Micall Parknsuns appetite for the right beats delights our consumption further on ‘Diz is Real’, family orientated ‘Everyday’ and the Golden stumper ‘All 4 HipHop’. Illustrating again what dedication and buckets of talent can achieve, the underground banger ‘ Movementz’ is another highlight seeing Parky go toe to toe trading verses with label mates Jehst and Kashmere. Nice!

Micall Parknsun – All 4 HipHop (YNR

2009-08-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

After a short gap following his honest debut ‘Working Class Dad’ and the tasty mix-tape ‘The Interview’ Micall Parknsun returns to form with this ridiculous banger. A beat so meaty it deserves a butcher’s award Parky has created a humongous neck breaker sure to nicely concuss any fan. The lead single from the hotly anticipated new album ‘First Second Time Around,’ ‘All 4 HipHop’ is an anthem that holds no prisoners, a true justice to the bold title and certain classic.

Asaviour Savy T-Shirts

2009-07-30T04:54:00.000-07:00

Mr So northern has come cunningly correct with his super 'Savy' t-shirt collection. Just released they come on the back of Asaviour's critically celebrated 'A Loop Theory' Album and looking at the design they're sure to be the freshest defence against the British weather this Summer.

Check the link for stockist: BUY SAVY

:: URBAN NERDS BIG PARTY ::

2009-07-29T09:13:00.001-07:00

Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee

2009-07-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Directed by shane meadows.

NEW TRACK FROM Scorz, Jah Digga, Tempa & Nina "money makes me" CLICK HERE

GUARDIAN REVIEW LINK

New Ramson Badbonez mixtape

2009-07-23T09:07:00.000-07:00

Tales From The Staircase: Chapter 1

DOWNLOAD HERE:

Phrase Mob, Disorda, Legoman & El Muddles live...

2009-07-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

SAT 25th July.
This Saturday night
in Kingston, LONDON.
COME DOWN going
be a heavy one.

SUSPECT PACKAGES
IN THE HOUSE!!!!

Brownswood Bubblers Four

2009-07-23T02:36:00.000-07:00

Brownswood Bubblers Four
Compiled by Gilles Peterson
Release Date: 24th August 2009 (CD and digital download)

“The Brownswood Bubblers series is about new music. It’s about shining a light on up-and-coming or unfairly overlooked artists. It’s a peek into Gilles’ record bag. It’s about joining the dots, searching for the perfect beat… but more than anything else, it’s about goosebumps and that tingling sensation on the back of your neck.” Forging ahead with the Bubblers series, Brownswood Recordings are proud to present another awe-inspiring assortment of delightfully obscure ditties and underground heaters that have been clogging Gilles’ record bag and radio playlists of late. Kicking off with the honey-coated Motor City soul vibes purveyed by Mayer Hawthorne on ‘Maybe So Maybe No’ and weaving a path through to Lone’s lush, widescreen beatscape ‘Sea Spray’. This is Gilles Peterson in his element – flitting between Oumou Sangaré’s soaring African melodies, Maryland beatmaker yU’s coarsely chopped hip hop soul, El Michels Affair reworking classic ODB material for the jazz headz, New Look’s spine-tingling electro pop, and the rich sub low cinematics of Floating Points.

brownswoodrecordings.com

Micall Parknsun - Album Launch 24th July

2009-07-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

The boys from YNR are set to rock the town sideways and every which way this Friday 24th July for veteran heavyweight Micall Parknsun's album launch party. Taking place at London's infamous Jazz Cafe, the venue is sure to hold the cream of the scene showing support for Parkie's super dope second album 'First Second Time Around'. On that note the lead single , 'All 4 Hip Hop', is pure dynamite laying down the blue print of a more then worthy return. So get your tickets 'cos you'd have to be a native of another galaxy to miss the madness.

RAKIM - THE SEVENTH SEAL LP

2009-07-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

RAKIM Drops - “Holy Are You” Lead Single From Long Awaited Album, THE SEVENTH SEAL

In the history of Hip-Hop, few artists have had as great an impact on the development and progression of the art form and lyrical style as Rakim. In the U.S. on July 28, 2009 the man many call The God MC will drop “Holy Are You” - the hypnotic lead single off of his long awaited new album The Seventh Seal, to be released early fall, 2009 on the artists Ra Records imprint in a joint venture with TVM and SMC Recordings and distributed through Fontana / Universal Music Group. His first full album of new material in almost a decade, The Seventh Seal is Rakim’s contemporary observation of the Hip-Hop culture he helped define. While staying loyal to his New York roots, the artist has created a body of work that encompasses the very best of regional, underground and mainstream styles reformed and delivered through his intricate lyricism and the seemingly effortless flow for which he is revered. The first single, “Holy Are You” (produced by long-time Rakim collaborator Nick Wiz for Preserve the Art) embodies the overall concept of the album, communicating Rakim’s worldview and spirituality through artistic interpretation of scriptures and revelations about the coming of the Apocalypse and each persons role in the world around them. Additional releases prior to the albums early Fall drop range from seething character studies of life in modern times and personal stories of self-awareness to feel good anthems celebrating music and Hip-Hop in all of its forms.
(Ra Records / TVM / SMC Recordings)

DOWNLOAD

Phil Knott Update

2009-07-15T02:27:00.000-07:00

www.philknott.com

INJA - HAT LOW ft. SkinnyMan and Fallacy

2009-07-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

From years earning his stripes recording and touring with Beardyman, Taskforce and Foreign Beggars, Inja's lively stage shows have built him a swiftly increasing fan base. Having hosted roadblock hip hop, dubstep and drum & bass parties all over the world, Inja now holds the undeniable talent to flip flows on beats of any genre. In anticipation of his upcoming full-length projects, Inja releases the wall-shaking juggernaut of a track: Hat Low. It features legends of home-grown hip hop Skinnyman and Fallacy, whose impeccable lyricism sit on a filthy instrumental sure to be murdering the airwaves and clubs all summer long. Former Scratch Pervert Mr Thing drops by with a horn-laden hip hop mix, while Chimpo destroys a reverberating dubstep remix. With big tings coming to Inja, its only right he has been chosen to host the world's biggest DJ competition: the DMCs.

Catch Inja live hosting the UK Finals at the Islington Academy on
July 9th, and the World DMC finals at the Indig02 on September 11th and 12th.

OUT JULY 20th 2009
CLICK HERE

The RareKind Gallery

2009-07-14T07:24:00.001-07:00

BILL LONDON, OFFICIALLY ONE OF THE BEST GRAFFITI ARTISTS
IN THE WORLD, AT THE RAREKIND GALLERY

The RareKind Gallery, London, is proud to present the first ever solo show by Bill London; joint winner of last weekend’s Write For Gold, global graffiti competition in Germany.

Officially one of the UK’s and now the world’s most skilled graffiti artists with a career spanning ten years, Bill London has consistently raised the bar for London Graffiti. His skill, subtlety and innovative subject matter have buyers champing at the bit to get their hands on his illusive canvases.

Influenced by an eclectic mix of architectural line, bold colour, traditional tattoo and oriental art, Bill London applies the cloak and dagger elements of purist graffiti ‘Wild Style’ (camouflaged lettering and words through intricate manipulation) with delicate aesthetic elements and layering to create hypnotic final pieces, which can be appreciated on infinite levels. Alongside these wild-style canvases, the ‘They Seek Him Here’ show also includes a series of 3 illustrative, concept pieces, exploring themes on Britain’s dark, alluring urban and social landscape; and as part of the exhibition, an entire wall of the 1,000ft gallery has been covered with small canvasses overlaid with a graffiti mural, which will then be divided up as small artworks.

The exhibition runs from Friday 10th July until Friday 7th August 2009.

RareKind London, 49 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, London, E1 6LA
www.rarekind.co.uk

DUDLEY PERKINS new album

2009-07-14T07:08:00.000-07:00

DUDLEY is set to release is new album titled HOLY SMOKES.....set to drop July 28th off E1 Ent (koch).....album solely produced by sensational soul/jazz/hiphop artist & producer GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW, who has just recently in efforts with DUDLEY PERKINS produce for MOS DEF on his latest project......

UK RUNNINGS PRESENTS THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

2009-07-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

UK RUNNINGS PRESENTS THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION
'VOLUME THREE' - HOSTED BY TUBERCULOSIS
(SPONSORED BY STURBAN CLOTHING -
MIXED BY TRICKSTA)

Tricksta and UK Runnings are back with ‘Volume Three’ of their well-respected FREE download mixtape series ‘The Digital Revolution’. Following on from the well received ‘Volume Two’ hosted by M9 from Triple Darkness and ‘Volume One’ hosted by LATE from Wolftown, ‘Volume Three’ is hosted by East London rapper TUBERCULOSIS aka TBEAR / TB. It features three brand new exclusives from the host as well as tracks from the likes of KYZA, STYLAH, SUPAR NOVAR, LATE, LOWLEY, YOGI, MR. DRASTIK, WORDSMITH, S.A.S, MANNY MOSCOW, MR. T12BS, JAY FULL STOP V, LONDON ZOO and STREETZ. This is yet another slice of Home-grown goodness from UK Runnings….

DOWNLOAD HERE

Krate Krusaders volume 1- The UK connects

2009-07-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Krate Krusaders volume 1 - The UK connects - (outa town soundz 003)

Volume 1 is the debut album from the krate krusaders
This release features vocals from some of the uk's
finest MC's both established and up and coming.
If you like this album please share it with your
friends and family, help us to spread the word!

Bookings and enquiries.
outtatownsound@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/kratekrusaders
http://www.kratekrusaders.com

:: THE GAME IN CONCERT ::

2009-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:00

THE GAME
IN CONCERT AT LONDON HAMMERSMITH APOLLO
17TH JULY 2009
Venue: HMV HAMMERSMITH APOLLO
(45 Queen Caroline Street, LONDON W6 9QH)
Ticket: £22.50
BUY NOW FROM: www.ticketmaster.co.uk
Doors: 7.30pm

DMC UK DJ FINAL 2009

2009-07-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

DMC UK DJ Final and Battle For UK Supremacy
02 Academy Islington, N1 Centre, N1 0PS
Thursday 9th July 7pm till Midnight
Tickets - £12.50 available from
www.dmcworld.com/ (01628 667124)
www.ticketweb.co.uk/ 0844 477 2000
www.o2academyislington.co.uk/

La Coka Nostra - The Audacity of Coke (Mixtape)

2009-07-08T15:27:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of their upcoming album, A Brand You Can Trust (July 14th), La Coka Nostra drop off this brand new mixtape. Statik Selektah & DJ Eclipse on the mix and a guest list of Vinne Paz, Snoop Dogg, Special Teamz, Bun B, U-God, Raekwon, Crooked I (Die Hard) and many more.

DOWNLOAD HERE