Lewis Parker and John Robinson Live Shows

No matter where you are, you need to make it across to Leeds on 14th of August for this. Apart from the UK legend Lewis Parker being in full effect with John Robinson (and if you've not checked out the 'International Summers' LP yet, then do) you get a whole host of top notch artists from the thriving West Yorkshire Hip Hop scene including DMC 2010 set from Mike L, live shows from J Bravo, Defenders of Style, Verbal Contact and Brutal Artistry. There will be live Art from The Beat Inspection Scribblers and the whole thing will be hosted with much energy by Mr Ris of Alphabetix. DJ Prolific with Kockee K and Sir Snaff (How We Do) will also be holding things down. Tickets are only £5 from www.ticketweb.co.uk, Crash Records, Jumbo Records or The Elbow Room.

The tour also takes in Ipswich on 11th of August, London on the 12th and Milton Keynes on the 13th.

'Jerus and Gentiles' - Knew Jeru'slum (album review)

Rowdy and militant – that’s how I’d describe ‘Jerus and Gentiles’. Now you must understand; I use both words with all possible positivity. Knew Jeru’slum’s debut LP disturbs the peace with its no-nonsense approach to Hip Hop although it’s not all heavy fire.

‘Intro’ featuring cuts from First Word’s Andy H, ‘Thirty Twos’ and lead single ‘Non-Apologetix featuring US MC Manchild are pure aural assault with the album’s three producers Eliphino, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Brutal Artistry each taking their turn to match the MCs’ impassioned rhymes. ‘Dreamcatchers’ featuring JND (as heard on Certified Banger’s ‘On The Radar’ series) and ‘Kaleidoscopic’, whilst remaining equally as heavy, provide a slower tempo and a rest in the trenches before ‘Speakwise’ explodes into the ear canal with renewed fervour.

Label mate Chief Wigz must have influenced ‘Move Mountains’ featuring Larbi; the interplay between Jonny Alpha and Watson G on the chorus makes for one of the most memorable tracks on the album. Another US MC, Pigeon John, joins the ranks for the summery ‘Hibernation’ on which Belinda’s vocals are showcased beautifully. ‘Aircon’ does what it says on the tin – provides a breather and a chillout moment which is backed up by the serious message and the laid back vibe of ‘One Foot In The World’.

‘Plan To Prosper’ brings the funk and the juxtaposition of the haunting background vocals with the MCs frenzied words is fairly close to surreal, and that’s before it ascends into Drum and Bass chaos. Narykcin provides a heartfelt chorus on ‘Penitent Man’ and if you hadn’t caught onto the fact that this album is inspired by the Christian faith of its proprietors by this point then this will track will point you in that direction, causing you to re-think everything you’ve heard so far.

‘Memoirs’ serves as a decoy before ‘Bobby Legion’ devastates the situation; the track, featuring singer Stevie Heath’, has the most mass appeal because of its chorus which is insane considering the earth-shattering hardcore-ness of its Hip Hop beat – definitely the album’s atomic charge, talk about saving the best ‘til last! In fact, it’s not the last; ‘Hunger’ featuring Rini of Sons of Light and Ragga artist Wizkid bring the final frontier of variety as old school Hip Hop, R’n’B and Dancehall rub shoulders making for a crowd-pleasing product.

Stand up and salute West Yorkshire’s latest offering to the UK Hip Hop scene – Knew Jeru’slum have created a piece of work worthy of decoration. Suspect Packages are stocking this, you can get it (and listen to it all for free) at Bandcamp, it’s on itunes, you can get it at label Don’t Talk To Strangers’ website so there’s no excuse for you not to have this in your collection. Oh yeah, and it's only a fiver.

'Chief Wigz' - Chief Wigz (review)

Those who know will recognise the relaxed but passionate, Yorkshire-tinged flow of Chief Wigz – those who don’t will soon realise that he’s something a little different.

Lyrically Chief Wigz has gone from strength to strength and on his self-titled opus a matured, measured wordsmith is on show. Whether playing on root words, penning poetry or speaking from the heart to loved ones Wigz is in no way painful on the ears – many MCs could learn a lesson by simply absorbing this material.

From the fuzzy warmth of ‘Real’ to the 90s Jazz Rap-esque ‘Movements’, the mellow but heavy ‘Write Rhymes’ to the positive electronic vibes of ‘Don’t Want Much’ this album is immaculately produced by Brutal Artistry with crackle in abundance and not a hint of anything plastic. This LP is definitely one to kick back with – the nonchalant feelings ooze from its every fibre.

Chief’s tracks with fellow 9 Livez MC Proptic prove that years of on-stage chemistry makes for great music – the two bubble and bounce off each other and their conversational style choruses just sound so cool. Other guests include Bane (of No Pretense), Spida Lee, Jack Flash, J Simple (of Jack Flash’s Groundwurq Crew) and beatboxer Megamouth.

‘Chief Wigz’ by Chief Wigz is out now on DTTS and is available to order on CD from the Dark City Store or can be downloaded digitally from places such as itunes. Get it.

'Music & Mouthwords' - No Pretense (album review)

A quick look at the cover art and a prior knowledge of lead single ‘Self Harmonic’ featuring Cage will more than certainly mislead you. You’ll think that you know what ‘Music & Mouthwords’ has in store for you – but you’ll almost certainly be wrong.

You see, No Pretense are multidimensional; they don’t just do dark, twisted Hip Hop, they do it all. Don’t be fooled by titles like ‘Darkskies’ – this particular track is one of the least cheesy but most honest and heartfelt love songs Hip Hop has ever produced. The vein of sincerity and reality runs thick and deep – ‘Keep Breathing’ is written in such a way that it could be metaphorically describing a number of things, but it’s the stark reality of it that is the true subject matter – leaving behind a life of drug use. Tracks like ‘Fallen’ and ‘Death of a Star’ are a fine balance of lyricism and thought provoking ideas.

It’s not only Cage who represents the US here. None other than Prince Po turns up on ‘Elevation’ and drops a dope verse alongside Belinda Hards’ perfect sung chorus. Belinda Hards, of Knew Jeru’slum, appears elsewhere on the album and there’s no doubt her contributions are more than just filling gaps.

Eliphino’s rich sample pool has provided a sonic backdrop unlike any other. This isn’t boom bap, this isn’t old school styled, this certainly isn’t today’s chart fodder – this is just Hip Hop. In fact, if Don’t Talk To Strangers fancy releasing this as an instrumental album too, I, for one, wouldn’t mind. Cuts from Brutal Artistry add to the realness.

As things move along the album does get more shadowy. The absolute departure from crunchy drums and dusty production on ‘Wyrmslaya’ featuring Chief Wigz heralds vivid imagery based on various conspiracy theories over pumping synths. Bane and Mury P are joined by Chief Wigz, Spida Lee and Propticz on the militant beat of ‘Trife & Trivia’ – a banging posse cut for real.

With a keen sense of making a well rounded product and unashamedly Yorkshire accents No Pretense definitely bring something different into a flooded market. It's out now so order it for £5 only by clicking here.

Mystro & Golden Mic Challenge Live In Leeds

The Golden Mic Challenge, a successful event last year, consists of a total of 8 MCs who battle it out to be on top. There can only be one winner so we present you with a total of 3 intense club nights. Round one takes place on the 13th of March with a special guest named Mystro.

Chief Wigz Interview

"...the time’s gotta be right for everything; recording, writing, practising, ciphering, timing of life -it ain’t luck, just good timing"

A legend on the Leeds scene, quiet for a while, is ready to rock again on a national stage. Certified Banger gets the lowdown from the man himself:

Certified Banger: Alright? How’s it going?

CW: I’m good; the glass is always half full! I got the 12” out, album on the way, all produced by ‘Brutal Artistry’ may I add, and I’m rolling with an ill label, ‘Don’t Talk To Strangers’ - things have never been better.

CB: Let’s talk about your 12” then. What’s it called? What’s the thinking behind the orange vinyl – why is it orange and why is it vinyl and not just download or CD?

CW: ‘Sunday Service’ is the name of the first release. The thinking behind the vinyl (let alone the vinyl being limited edition orange vinyl) was that a classic product. Since I was a teenager my dream was to have my own vinyl, I want more already, it’s like having you’re own comic book printed and the story board is about you. It’s just a classic, traditional method of releasing material. Me and Brutal Artistry and DTTS as a label all want to practise the art form traditionally; anyone can release a download, some people put one out each week and that’s fine but we want our product to be permanent, we want you to be able to pick it up and be fascinated with it, not just put it on your ipod and it fall into years of endless un-listened music. We want you to use it as it was designed to be used classically! Anyways, vinyl’s still the new cool - all the kids are getting back into it. Trust.

Read on here

Stig and Syntax Show, Bradford Tonight!

who's around the West Yorkshire area tonight? You are? Well get to the Polish club (bare Poles there for real) for some real Hip Hop from the likes of Stig of the Dump and Dr. Syntax - yup, Fatty and Specky are coming up for a cuppa Yorkshire Tea and some mic mangling. Lunar C, Wydeboi, Chief Wigz and Spida Lee will also be representing - big ups to Brutal Artistry and Don't Talk To Strangers for making this happen for us WY heads!

'Last Breath' - The Guvnor (free download)

If you like eclectic beats then you couldn't go far wrong today by downloading The Guvnor's latest (and last) EP 'Last Breath'.

Whether you like classic Metal ('Money & Mates'), choirs singing over scratched and broken beats ('Krush Style' - a rework of The Cinematic Orchestra's 'Night of the Iguana'), foreign Jazz-Rap ('Toxic Psychosis is not Enlightenment') or downtempo Hip Hop Soul ('Filsofia Musical') you should open up your leftfield and enter into The Guvnor's world of Hip Hop psyhcadelia by downloading 'Last Breath' for free:

'Sunday Service' - Chief Wigz (12" review)

“Timing is of every importance” – Chief Wigz (previous 'On The Radar' artist) has used the elapsed time between his ‘Never Speak Ill of the Dead’ EP and this to sharpen and perfect his recognisable lyrical style. As a result ‘Sunday Service’ is a tight 12” consisting of three focused tracks on which Wigz showcases his maturing vocals. By way of content Wigz simply invites you inside his psyche to give you honest musings on real life wrapped in poetic language.

Brutal Artistry provide all three beats; title track ‘Sunday Service’ is a lovely wedge of boom-bap soul laced with their trademark old skool drums, ‘Don Style’ is a half-time, melancholy and minimalist composition whereas, in complete contrast, ‘DSB’ is a bass heavy, middle eastern menace.

‘Sunday Service’ will be out on Don’t Talk To Strangers on 14th September as a download and on 12” vinyl. It’ll be available at all the usual places. Listen to 'Sunday Service' on the Certified Banger Podcast now!

Bradford Hip Hop Night - Disgracelands 2

The next Disgracelands, Bradford's newest and bestest Hip Hop night, looks to be a good do. Jack Flash is headlining and beatboxers Megamouth and BallZee, Sinoptic Records main men ExP and JND and Jason Ellis are all also on the bill! It's only £3 in and the beer's pretty cheap too. Be there.

'Sunday Service' - Chief Wigz Coming Soon

Leeds rapper Chief Wigz (or Chief Wiggum), who features on J-Simple's 'Breath Control', is about to release 'Sunday Service' on the Don't Talk To Strangers imprint.

Production will be by Brutal Artistry and it'll be out on a 12" vinyl and digital download sometime in July

It's his debut solo 12" on DTTS and is taken from the forthcoming self titled album produced entirely by Brutal Artistry.

'They Don't Know' - J Simple (single review)

Vulcanologists have today revealed that West Yorkshire is a hot spot for volcanic Hip Hop activity. The current focus point is said to be Huddersfield’s underground rap scene. Unusual activity has been observed of late with both Jack Flash and Asaviour erupting with devastating effects. Historically it was this Northern town that saw things heating up for UK Hip Hop hero Jehst.

Latest reports show that the most recent movements are coming from J-Simple who can often be seen raining down fire with Jack Flash. J-Simple’s debut single ‘They Don’t Know’ should see him explode onto the scene with its molten Apa-Tight beat, his own pyroclastic flows and Thabo’s ashy tones on the chorus. With Jack Flash’s jazzy remix luring you into a false sense of security, be sure you heed the warning signs.

The B-side ‘Breath Control’ features Leeds MC Chief Wiggum and Jack Flash – sonically it’s like the darkness that follows the destruction, lyrically the three MCs make this concept track air tight over the Brutal Artistry production.

‘Even though you may not know now, you soon will. ‘They Don’t Know’ is available on itunes now on the Klinik label, it’s packaged up with the instrumental, radio version, the Jack Flash remix and ‘Breath Control. Check the video at youtube. Listen to 'They Don't Know' now on the Certified Banger Podcast.

'Elevation' ft. Prince Po - No Pretense (free download)

Newness from the Don't Talk To Strangers camp. As if a collaboration with Cage on 'Self Harmonic' wasn't enough, No Pretense (pictured) have now hooked up with Organized Konfusion bod Prince Po for their track 'Elevation' which is produced by Eliphino and features cuts by Brutal Artistry and lovely vocals from Belinda Hards of Knew Jeru'slum.

It's on a laid back jazz thing, despite it's urgent looping sample and although there is a definite No Pretense sound there it's not just a repeat of 'Self Harmonic'. Both these tracks are taken from the forthcoming album 'Music and Mouthwords'.

Disgracelands Tonight!

If you're in the West Yorkshire area (or near, you might be in North Yorkshire for example) then get over to Bradford for this night of niceness - I'm going. Jack Flash's right hand man J Simple is heading the line up, Brutal Artistry's set will be peppered with guests like Bane and Knew Jeru'slum, beatboxers Ballzee and Megamouth will probably stir up a storm as usual and new kids on the block Missing People will bring the ruckus too.

If you're there then wave some money in Bane's direction and he'll furnish you with a hot off the press green 7" vinyl of his single with Cage. Have a butchers and peep out the last logo on the back:

On The Radar Artist Profile: Chief Wigz

Name: Chief Wigz

Age: 24

From: Leeds/Bradford

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'Leafs'

Tell us the story behind the track: Fresh flex on battle rhyming.

Record Label: Don’t Talk To Strangers

Who you roll with: Brutal Artistry, Don’t Talk To Strangers & the 9 Lives Clik

Favourite album(s): Jay-Z 'La Roc Famila: The Dynasty'

Describe your style in three words: Confident, complext’d, context

Past/Present/Future projects: 'Sunday Service' 12” out end of June on Don’t Talk To Strangers. And the self titled Album ‘Chief Wigz’ end of the summer also available on Don’t Talk To Strangers. All musics produced by Brutal Artistry Productions. For anymore future releases check the DTTS web links 'cause there are too many to mention.

Certified Banger Presents 'On The Radar Vol. 3' Out Now!

The third in the series of free to download compilations compiled by Certified Banger. What more is there to say?

Well actually, loads. Representing the UK and 100% supported by all artists involved ‘OTR Vol. 3’ is 21 tracks deep and features bare exclusives.

Reain (aka Wha’s His Face) has recorded an exclusive track entitled ‘On The Radar’ over one of RJD2’s finest beats. Yosh and Vee Kay have offered an up-front exclusive taken from Yosh’s forthcoming EP. The guys over at Don’t Talk To Strangers give you all the chance to get 2 tracks previously only available on a limited pressing of 200 CDs (‘When Planets Collide’ by Bane & Jonny Alpha and ‘Leafs’ by Chief Wigz).

Delegates of Culture offer you a chance to sample their soon to be released LP ‘Bad Guys’ with their track ‘Grip’. Mr. Loop brings some never-heard-before vibes with ‘Grown Man Music’ featuring Yosh, Slippa and Zoo Mark and Krate Krusaders grant you the opportunity to download their Ramson Badbonez featuring track ‘Incredible’ for the first time.

JVF Clique, Mr. Shaodow, Dialect and Stylah also provide special tunes from soon to be released projects. Elsewhere Joe Blow and Metabeats, E Hustle, Kasha, Baron Samedi, Ozmosis, JC and SonnyJim, Jee4ce and Capitol 1212 and Profisee give away tracks from previously available EPs and albums.

‘On The Radar Vol. 3’ features artists from up and down the country including Northern Ireland, South and West Yorkshire, London, Manchester, Birmingham and Cambridge – Certified Banger fully represents the talent this country holds. If you don’t recognise the names on here, there’s all the more reason to download this – you need to hear these tracks and then you need to find out more.

In a time when so much music is given away for free it’s good to remember that these guys need to eat too. ‘OTR Vol. 3’ is intended to be a signpost that points towards the places where these MCs and producers sell their wares. Check these tracks out, then buy the albums, EPs and 12”s that these artists put out.

1. On The Radar - Reain
2. Incredible ft. Ramson Badbonez - Krate Krusaders
3. The Siesta ft. Yosh - Vee Kay
4. Say Yeah - Joe Blow (prod. by Metabeats & cuts by Stagga)
5. I’m Gunna - Dialect
6. Grip - Delegates of Culture (prod. by Toe)
7. Fear The Future - Stylah (prod. by Jon Phonics)
8. Black Rhyme - Kasha (prod. by Vivid Imagery)
9. The Positive Pessimist - Jee4ce (prod. by Whys)
10. I See ft. Profisee - Capitol 1212
11. The British Are Coming - Mr. ShaoDow
12. Leafs - Cheif Wigz (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
13. Rise To The Top - Cyclonius
14. Cannibal Rights - Baron Samedi
15. Judgement Day ft. SonnyJim, Kosyne, R.C. & LKC – JC
16. Tomorrow’s World - Ozmosis (prod. by Miss Tofelees)
17. Manchester ft. Stoney - Pockets (prod. by Pro P)
18. Grown Man Music ft. Zoo Mark, Yosh & Slippa - Mr. Loop
19. When Planets Collide - Bane & Jonny Alpha (prod. by Brutal Artistry)
20. Phenomenal - E Hustle
21. Drugs Need Kids - JVF Clique

Beats, Rhymes & Christ - Knew Jeru'slum Interview

"It’s very important to us to be ourselves in this, to speak about what’s important to us and let people get an insight to our lives, none of that’s any good if its confined to the bottom shelf in a Christian bookshop – who’s gonna hear it then? We make hip hop for all heads, where ever you come from."

With an agenda like few others, West Yorkshire based UK Hip Hoppers Knew Jeru'slum bring it hardcore on their new single 'Non-Apologetix'. The boys answered a few of my burning questions about their music and their faith:

Certified Banger: Introduce yourself please:

Jonny Alpha: We are Knew Jeru’slum: Myself and Watson G on the spits, my beautiful missus Belinda Hards on the vocals, and on the most part, production from Yorkshires illest - Brutal Artistry. We’re from various ends of West Yorks - Hudds, Falihax and Bradford. Knew Jeru’slum is a project we started a couple of years ago really, me and Watson were getting some ideas together, then he and his lass introduced me to Belinda – her sister, and when I was chatting her up I found out Belinda’s an amazing singer too, it all linked there, then we met Miki B and loved what he does plus we all got a love for the gospel, so that’s us.

• Click here to read on
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'Non-Apologetix' ft. Manchild - Knew Jeru'slum (single review)

A change of review style here today. Instead of writing a new review I thought I’d let you know exactly what feedback I gave to Knew Jeru’slum about their new single ‘Non-Apologetix’:

Big bad beat (courtesy of Brutal Artistry), Public Enemy/Bomb Squad-ish but with that Eastern twist - it's a good look, reminds me of some the tracks off the latest Styly Cee/Cappo 12". Cuts in there too (from Andy H) - good to hear!

Title and subject matter is clever, playing on the two meanings of the word 'apologetics' - comes across well. I think you have actually managed not to compromise your message whilst still making it sound totally acceptable to every Hip Hop head - I just hope they listen exactly to what you're saying on the track and subsequent tracks.

Lyrics and rhymes wise - it's all good too, no whackness and the Manchild hookup is big! Mars ILL know how to keep things underground and hardcore for sure!

I’m totally feeling this track right now and it deserves some big support, go cop it on itunes – it’s out on Tuesday 31st March. Have a download of a 45 second snippet!

'Leafs' - Chief Wigz (On The Radar promo video)

'When Planets Collide' - Bane & Jonny Alpha (OTR3 promo video)