Baron Samedi – Wanderland (Eleven Eleven Records) - Review

Due for release on Jan 24^th this new album from London producer/rapper Baron Samedi is something that I am sure is going to get the UK Hip-Hop community talking. You may know the name as this is indeed the man who produced Grit Grammar’s last album. The title track ‘Wanderland’ I knew I was in for a treat! The album continues to impress with loads of quality future thinking production with a selection of good bars and top notch production. Grit Grammar features on ‘Child At Heart’ which has a real 70’s funk feel to it. This is a well rounded album that is full of great tracks making this a must for any real UK Rap fan.

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Baron Samedi - Hip-Hop

Here's a new 'official leak' from Baron Samedi. (I guess that's what a single is called these days, seeing as virtually nobody actually releases singles anymore...)

Samedi produced the whole of Grit Grammar's Life Music album from earlier this year, and has a new album of his own, entitled Wanderland, dropping on the 24th of Jan, which will include this joint. Whilst this is hardly covering new ground (just how many tracks are there called Hip-Hop?...) the production is of the standard that you would expect if you've heard Life Music.

Overall then, a pretty decent re-introduction to Baron Samedi, who's last album was several years ago now. I'm sure it'll be worth checking, for the beats if nothing else.

Download here:

Baron Samedi - Hip-Hop (Dirty Album Version)

'Life Music' - Grit Grammar (review)

Watch out for Grit Grammar's album 'Life Music' - it's a professionally finished and very solid selection of tracks from the MC and his go-to producer Baron Samedi.

Grit bucks all current radio fodder trends without just sounding like another UK MC with another UK Hip Hop album - this LP has memorable moments.

'Hard Times' is an obvious choice - one most of you will have heard with its Genesis Elijah feature but picking out others is fairly difficult - but only because of the high quality of each track.

'Sound of the City' is a funky ode to Grit's London which showcases his ability to really rhyme and flow. Strangely, the last three tracks are all ones that really stick in my mind: 'Trapped From The Beginning' (an exploration of love, life and attitudes to both, 'Going Under' (an honest diatribe on drug struggles) and 'Rich & Famous' featuring Baron Samedi on the mic as well as the optimistic production are some of the best tracks on the album.

Elsewhere Grit finds perfect rhyme partners in Kyza, Iron Braydz and Verb T (in thoughtful, serious mode).

The album drops on 27th September and everyone is invited to the album launch on Tuesday 28th Sept 2010, The Social, 5 Little Portland Place, London. The event is free and features full live performances from Grit Grammar, Verb-t & Fliptrix, Genesis Elijah, Iron Braydz, Baron Samedi and Lixx with a special guest appearance from Kyza Smirnoff and DJ CWD holding down the decks all evening. Check out: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=154728551206519&ref=mf for more.

Grit Grammar on 1Xtra's Homegrown Podcast

27th September is the release date on Grit Grammar's first album proper. It features full production from Baron Samedi and extra raps from Verb-T, Genesis Elijah, Kyza, Iron Braydz and Baron Samedi. It all comes on a proper CD with really dope artwork (as you can see) - hooray for physical product.

Anyway, I've previously featured the video for 'Hard Times' featuring Genesis Elijah, but the track is worth mentioning again because it made it onto 1Xtra's homegrown podcast this week. You can download or listen to that by clicking here.

For more Grit Grammar goodness, check out my interview with him from early last year, the first track from this new album on 2009's Rising Styles compilation, his appearance on my 'On The Radar series and other things.

'Punches' ft. Baron Samedi, Dweller & 777 - Wizard & Scizzahs

If you wanna get involved as an MC in the next Organix track then check this:

'Pet Hates' - Organix (video)

The Organix videos are coming thick and fast now - this one features a beat from Wizard (probably my new producer man of the moment) and all the usual Organix names - plus a few more, all on the topic of 'Pet Hates'.

'Ya Dad Knows About This One' - Chris L (review)

This one’s been around for a while now but if you’ve not checked it out yet you might want to reconsider your ignorant behaviour. Macc lad Chris L has jacked a hefty selection of beats and sprayed a boat load of tongue in cheek lyrics all over them. Productions previously heard on releases by Skinnyman, Dr. Syntax, Mark B, Foreign Beggars, Nas, Dirty Diggers and Baby J all get blessed with an equal amount of respect and impertinence from the mouth of Mr. Leese.

Stig of the Dump hosts ‘Ya Dad Knows About This One’ and if you’re after a bit of a giggle, some good rhymes and beats then buy yersen a copy. Top tracks are ‘Macc Town’ - a synical but loving assessment of Macclesfield, ‘Subcultures’ (which follows the original concept, watch for the D’n’B MCs bit – jokes) and ‘Mane-Stream’ is a scoffing take on poppy southern Hip Hop.

The CD features Ben B, Baron Samedi, EDXL, Antidote, Truth, Mic Dyson, Filthy Rich and more (apparently) and in the words of Doc Synners “bless him, he’s tried really hard with this one”! Some of the recording, EQing and mastering could be better (it was done in a “stinking bedroom in 2006/2007) but Chris promises better on the next CD. Hit Chris L up on myspace and get yourself a copy.

'Ear To The Beat' - Wizard (album review)

Producer Wizard’s latest offering is something he should be proud of. Over 22 self produced tracks he’s gathered 30 MCs from both the UK and the US. I don’t know how long Wizard has been making beats but he’s naturally gifted and it’s no surprise that all these artists want to spit over his varied but always immense productions.

Farma G drops in with a split persona on the heavy ‘The Anthem’, Micall Parknsun raps as hungrily as ever on ‘The Land Of The Lost’, Verb T rocks over the jazzy but hard ‘The Dungeon’ and Jack Flash examines himself on the piano-led ‘Sound Of A Genius’. Ramson Badbonez brings golden bars as usual on the punchy ‘Jammin’ On The Street’ and SonnyJim and Conflix wrap the album up with ‘King’ – sure to give you a long-lasting screwface. Other UK MCs who appear on equally as awesome tracks are Baron Samedi, 777, Unfriendly Neighbours, Ed Strong, Enlish (on the very true to life ‘Jealous Type’), Rup, Influx and Vecks and Scizzahz.

Tragic Allies, Erg One and Singapore Kane kick things off for the Americans on the threatening ‘Run For Cover’ (a joint production with Kelakovski) and Random gives one of the best lyrical performances on ‘New World’ as he tells the story of an African being taken into slavery. Verbal Kent and Wizard keep heads moving with ‘Fast Forward’, the album’s non-cheesy love song. Other US rappers to feature are Lil E, J-Black, Mike Mass and Altruisms.

'Ear To The Beat' will be available soon at Suspect Packages.

On The Radar Artist Profile: Grit Grammar

Name: Grit Grammar

Age: Old enough!

From: London

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'Final Frontier'

Tell us the story behind the track: This is one of the first tracks me and Baron ever recorded together. Its basically an exploration of a possible metaphorical future, and questioning if it's the future at all! DEEP!!

Record Label: Unsigned

Who you roll with: I roll solo, but work closely with Baron Samedi, Lixx and other MC's around London.

Favourite album(s): Too difficult to say, but probably Big L – 'Lifestyles of the Poor & Dangerous'.

Describe your style in three words: Versatile, lyrical, abstract.

Past/Present/Future projects: 'Final Frontier' features on the promo I just dropped called 'Reflections In The Dark'. Look out for my official debut album fully produced by Baron Samedi due late 2009.

You can have more than just this one track - catch 'em all!

'Septimal Volume 1' - 777 (album review)

Featuring a who’s who of a rising and powerful network of underground UK artists 777’s ‘Septimal Volume 1’ is a fine spread of dark and lyrical victuals. With verbal imagery splashed over every track it sure is tasty – providing you’re not used to watered down poppy rap.

The beats weigh more than the average and some are highly original, ‘5 Dimensions’ for example. Aforementioned guests come in the form of Beserk, Baron Samedi, Beit Nun, Dan Bull, Joe Kobi, SonnyJim, Respek BA, Labal-S, Esyoube and Redmaster. This release is a testament to the fact that major labels are unnecessary when it comes to dropping an album – it’s top quality.

‘Septimal Volume 1’ is out now on Innit Records and can be gotten at www.lala.com/album/2306124485460124196 or on CD at www.myspace.com/777uk.

Grit Grammar Interview

"The representation of UK rap in the general media is also appalling, and after all these years they still don't want to take it seriously, and treat it as if it’s some kind of parody of its US counterpart."

You know how it goes: A UKHH artist drops a release and Certified Banger does an interview. This time it's the turn of London MC Grit Grammar who recently dropped his free release 'Reflections in the Dark'. Here he chats about that, the future and the state of UK Hip Hop:

Certified Banger: Grit Grammar, tell us 5 important facts about yourself:

Grit Grammar: Well I'm from London, I've been rapping for years, but only just released my first project called 'Reflections in The Dark'. I promote a successful Hip Hop night in London, and I've got my official debut album dropping this year, fully produced by Baron Samedi.

CB: ‘Reflections in the Dark’ is a free album. Give us some more info on that:

GG: It's a collection of 13 original tracks written and recorded between 2004 –2008. In reality most of the tracks are from 2004-2006 but I got a couple of newer joints in there as well. I got production from some dope producers such as Baron Samedi, Complex, Creep, I.C, Soul Coke, Shrunken Bones and Guice. Baron Samedi is the only feature on the album. It’s basically a select choice of cuts from my earlier days of recording, that I put out as a free promo project to start getting my name out there before my official solo drops.

You can download it now for free @ www.sendspace.com/file/rxhsrx

DO IT NOW!

CB: What made you give all your hard work away for free? How will you benefit from that?

Click here to read on!

'Reflections in the Dark - Grit Grammar (free download)

A whole free album of never ending rhymes and beats from the grimey (but not Grime) side of London:

Grit Grammar - 'Reflections in the Dark'

It's as good as anything that you might buy with actual money so d/l it, burn it and bump it - it's bound to raise a screwface or two as it's pretty gully and, well....gritty. I'll be spinning this one for sure and as your excellent taste maker I order you to too.

Grit Grammar - Cold World
Grit Grammar - The Silver Book
Grit Grammar - Final Frontier