'Ma Money EP' - Dap-C & Lil' Wayne (EP review)

Now this is a strange one; Newcastle’s Dap-C and New Orleans’ Lil’ Wayne on a track together. Lil’ Wayne isn’t usually to my taste and the jury’s out on Dap-C but this release may change my mind.

‘Ma Money’, produced by The Elementz, is a good track. I even prefer Lil’ Wayne’s verse over Dap-C’s, in fact Wayne’s is just straight fire whereas Dap’s is a bit shouty and high pitched. The production is on a big dirty south tip and it stands up to some of the biggest tracks outta the south.

‘Ma Money part 2’, produced by Quincey Tones, is even better, it features Royce da 5’9 and a song-long guitar solo; the instrumental is entirely different and it suits Dap-C, Lil’ Wayne and Royce a whole lot better. ‘Ma Money part 3’consists of a brassy production and a handful of UK MC’s and it’s not as good as the other two parts. The ‘Nasty Boi Remix’ has a nice rock edge to it – worth checking.

‘Bang Bang Bang’ isn’t bad but it’s nothing special and it’s made worse by the presence of Geejay. ‘I’m Still Here’, the US MC heavy track, is OK too but it doesn’t really compare to an actual American track – it comes off a bit weak.

‘Ma Money’ parts 1 and 2 are really worth a listen, get your hands on this to hear those tracks and who knows, some of the others may take your fancy too. Dap-C gets respect for linking with one of the hottest artists in the Hip Hop world. UK/US link-ups are still thin on the ground and they’re certainly a way to make some fresh and diverse Hip Hop so right now, I can’t hate.

'I Came To Represent' - Geejay (album review)

Hip Hop’s Sunderland spokesperson Geejay steps up and informs us ‘I Came To Represent’. He’s a young hope but his debut album boasts collaborations with Raekwon and Canibus. Past the Skrilla artwork and the big name guests what’s the CD actually like?

Actually, and maybe unsurprisingly it’s not that good. The synthy production aspires to bark with the big dogs yet yaps weakly in comparison to similar attempts on the scene right now. Some tracks display potential but don't achieve their aims.

The lyrics are basic; Geejay employs rhyme schemes circa 1980 (which were fine back then, but things have moved on), relies too heavily on drawing out words to fulfil his syllables per line quota and leaves sentences hanging at the end of each line for rhymes sake (‘Plaguing me much//More than I thought it…). The crude and immature concepts exhibit a lack of life experience and teen years spent idolising US rappers. ‘Heart Attacks’ attempts to readdress the balance but comes across a little too clichéd.

‘I Came To Represent’ is Geejay’s version of every formulaic rap LP ever made and unfortunately, it falls short even of the middle mark. Some strict self editing and serious writing graft might see him return stronger but for now it’s pretty feeble. Let's hope that Sony development deal does just that.

'Street Karma' - Dap-C & Dirty Sweet (album review)

Armed with a plethora of guests Dap-C alongside producer Dirty Sweet brings you ‘Street Karma’ on NGU records. This could be an album but apparently it’s not - it’s a mixtape.

After the intro (which features real scratching - yay) proceedings proceed with Blak Twang featuring ‘Music Game’ which is good. Then his NGU compadres drop in on the well produced but just a little bit silly our crew is the best boasting track. The reason why it’s silly is that following this you get tracks featuring Lewis Parker, Fallacy, Sir Smurf Lil, Stylah, Mr. Drastick, Late, Tricksta and Conman and I don’t need to tell you that their crews are actually better.

Dap-C, in my opinion, is pretty nice with his on most outings and the more established guests here complement his concepts well. There are a nice range of sounds here; Dirty Sweet is more than just competent behind the boards as he harmonizes with the emcees and their content.

The version of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ on offer here (featuring Skinnyman, Supar Novar, Emceekilla, Karisma and S.Kalibre) is nowhere near as good as the one on the video included on the DVD, it’s disappointing that the album cut makes it boring. ‘Passing Me By’ sees Dap-C take on a track alone with slightly less effective results than when backed up by guests of ilk.

On the whole ‘Street Karma’ is worth picking up and you can get it now at most of the usual places.

Reviews Coming Up @ Certified Banger

Yo! My postie has been a busy man over the last week or so (and so has my virtual postie) and I've got millions of CD's and tracks and things to review. Let me give you a list so you know what to look forward to:

Sway - 'The Signature LP'

Skreintax - 'Scene Stealers'

Illustrate - 'The Stuff'

Rhyme Asylum - 'State of Lunacy'

TB - 'The Beast From The East'

M9 - '144,000'

Chronic Redeye - 'Knowledge is King'

Geejay - 'I Came To Represent'

Dap-C - 'Street Karma'

Pyroradio.com Presents 'Top Selectors'

Occupy Your Mind Records Presents 'Grime'

Evil Ed & Conspicuous - 'The Get Together'

Jazz T - 'All City Kings'

Wordsmith - 'They Don't Seem To Care' EP

The Mantis Chapter - 'Graveyard Poets' EP

So check back regularly, add me to your reader feeder or whatever to find out what's going to be worth listening to out of this little lot!

Dap-C Interview

Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview? For example: who you are, projects you have worked on, people you have worked with…

Dap-C: My name is Craig Dalziel a.k.a. Dap-C, I’m originally from Newcastle but currently live in the Midlands. I have just released an album with producer Dirty Sweet called ‘Street Karma’ which also features Blak Twang, Skinnyman, Fallacy, Lewis Parker, Geejay, MC Beads, Kid Rad & many more big UK names.

CB: What are your current or upcoming projects? ie albums, singles, tours, guest spots…

Dap-C: I’m releasing the ‘Ma Money EP’ with Lil Wayne on 03/11/08, the EP also features Royce Da 5’9”, Professor Green, S.A.S, Big Cakes, Madnessity, Sabotawj, R.H.BLESS and many more. My solo album ‘Chasing The High’ is due for release March 2009, featuring some massive names from the US. I’m featured on many forthcoming projects such as the new single from Nasty Boi called ‘Wanna Buck’ track also features Madnessity, DJ Grind, Dreno & Drast. We just shot the video for that, the track is on a hype rock tip! I'm also heavily featured on the forthcoming album from producer Stealf, we just shot the video for the first single ‘The Music’ which also features Madnessity, Universon & Lunatrix – watch out for that!

CB: On ‘Street Karma’ you hook up with a nice selection of big UK names, how did that come about?

Dap-C: The whole concept of that album was a big collaboration project, so we reached out to as many UK artists as we could, my favourite track on the album is ‘Music Game’ which features Blak Twang & Geejay – Check out the video on youtube now!

CB: How would you describe your sound? Is there any one track that would best define your style?

Dap-C: My style is pretty versatile, so there isn’t really one track that defines it. On my ‘Chasing The High’ album you will get the full picture of Dap-C’s range, as there’s tracks on the album that aren’t even hip hop, there’s a rock track and even an acoustic ballad on there!

CB: Who have been your biggest musical influences and which Hip Hop artists have inspired you? Which are your favourite albums? What music were you brought up on?

Dap-C: My biggest influences have to be people like Michael Jackson, Axel Rose, Ice T, NWA, Snoop Dogg. Al Green, etc. My favourite albums have to be Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Guns & Roses Appetite For Destruction, both Dre albums, Eminem’s Slim Shady LP, the list could go on forever…

CB: What is your earliest memory of anything Hip Hop related? First rap track heard? First time you rapped?

When I was 11 years old someone gave me a tape, one side was Ice T, the other side was NWA, since that moment I have been addicted to hip hop. First time I rapped was just singing along to those tapes in the early years of high school.

CB: Can you tell us a bit more about the Hip Hop scene in the Midlands or in Newcastle?

Dap-C: I have no interest in the local scenes in either places. I’m more focused on talking about things on a global scale.

CB: On ‘Music Game’ you talk about having to work a normal day job, something most rappers in this country can relate to. What do you think about the Hip Hop scene in the UK, where do you think it’s headed? Are things good/bad? What are your current philosophical thoughts on the current trends in rap music?

Dap-C: There was a time when for many years I had to work a day job and rap in my spare time, but now music is my career it feels kind of surreal that I’m finally able to do this for a living. The UK hip hop scene is getting better and better, year by year, but is is in my eyes still just a scene and not yet an industry, I didn’t realise just how far behind the states we are as a ‘scene’ until I spent some time out there this year!

CB: What process do you go through when writing a track? Do you start with a beat, a concept, a lyric that you thought of in the shower? What happens next?

Dap-C: I normally start with an idea and write as much as I can in my head, then take the idea to a producer and see what they have that fits my idea best, then develop the idea from there. Writing songs to me is an art form and therefore no set formula to it, and if I had a formula that worked every time, there is no way I would share it with you.

CB: Like a job interview… Where do you hope to see yourself in 5 years, 10 years time? Is it an achievable goal?

Dap-C: In 5 years time I’ll be grinding as hard as I do today, but in ten years time I’ll be retired by then as I’ll be nearly 40, so I’ll be doing more stuff on the label side of things.

CB: Any last words?

Dap-C: Check out www.myspace.com/dapc and make sure to check out all the NGU family on my top friends list!

'Music Game' ft. Blak Twang & Geejay - Dap C (single review)

He's a humble 'un that Dap-C. Not only did he let Reain and Stylah go first on 'Heaven' he's also let Blak Twang rap up front on 'Music Game'. Kindness or business savvy? Possibly the latter seeing as Blak Twang is one of the most prolific names in the UK Rap scene at this moment in time.

The concept of 'Music Game' is simple and it works well. Each MC chats about everyday employment whilst trying to succeed in the entertainment business. The accompanying video portrays Blak Twang as a painter and decorator, Dap-C as a barman down his local and Geejay as a park gardener giving a real insight into the poorly financed world of UK Rap. I've spoken to big name UK MC's who are still having to work their day jobs whilst at night they write, rap and record - far from the world of your 50 Cents, Akons and Kanye Wests. They also pick up on the theme of music-making as therapy and a deterent from a life of crime.

The sample used as a chipmunk chorus is perfect; " I got a little job, don't make much money" and if anyone can tell me where the sample comes from I'll be happy to hear, it's really bugging me! 'Music Game' has a nice throwback-ish, non-synthetic sound, the beat is steady and not crowdy rowdy and the bassline is just the sort I like.

'Music Game' is a semi-sun soaked track showcasing three MC's with different voices and interesting things to say. It's great light entertainment and deserves to be recognised as a good piece of Hip Hop. Fans should also heed the message - if we don't support the scene financially these MC's may be forced to step down - look what happened to Blade.

'Heaven' - Dap-C

If 'Heaven' is anything to go by, 'Street Karma' by North-East spitter Dap-C is a great CD. Heaven features Mr. Drastick and Stylah and is produced by Dirty Sweet, as is the rest of the album. This is on some straight up, head nod vibes and Dap-C actually raps last, an unusual move but one which works.

He's also been busy with other stuff too. Check out this video with Geejay for his track 'Fresh' and whilst you're there you can click some more links for more Dap-C vids.

Dap-C has also made last years 'The Richest Misfit' mixtape available for absolutely nowt. That means its free so download it, ya can't go wrong!

'Street Karma' features big names like Blak Twang, Fallacy, Skinnyman, Lewis Parker (and the list goes on) so you know with support like that it can't be bad. Stay tuned here if you need more convincing, I may review it if I get a copy!