'Real Hip Hop Is Back' - Illskilz (free download)

According to Illskilz 'Real Hip Is Back'. Download his new beat tape and decide for yourselves:

'The Beat Tape 2' - Illskilz (free download)

Producer Illskilz has put together another nice beat tape for peeps to listen to and it's a free download. Check out his wares and if you're a rapper who wants to use one of these get at him on isrbeats@live.nl - that's right he's Netherlandian, or Dutch for those in the know.

This is a really nice varied set of beats with a whole load of samples and influences. There are some of those swingy, wonky beats that are cool right now (and I'm totally loving that style), then there's straight bangers and some pretty soulful slices of stuff too.

Check him out on www.myspace.com/illskilzrecordz or http://www.illskilzrecordz.nl/ and don't forget these are his and not yours to pilfer!

'Skilzstrumentals Vol. 1' - IllSkilz (free download)

The producer behind Beit Nun's latest release, Dutchman IllSkilz has dropped a free beat tape for all to cop. And it's some fair cop. He's as diverse as can be yet still maintains a distinct sound -you get the impression there are no limits when it comes to producing. You get stuff that would sound at home on an early Massive Attack LP ('My Story') right next to terrifingly hard bangers like 'Buss Raps Like Bullets' - Mobb Deep need to put in a call.

MCs y'all need to drop the man a line, but don't use any of these phrases: "I got lyrics that would fit to that beat", "I can make your beats famous here", "I got the right contacts to get ya a deal", "Send us your best beats for radio promotion or "I almost got a deal, I can make you famous" - they won't work. Although heavily influenced by the West Coast all tastes are catered for on this 13 track sample of just what Illskilz is capable of and aside from a couple of dodgily mastered tracks he is more than capable. MCs worldwide regardless of subgenre should find something to flow over and if you don't rap, just listen, there's enough going on for these beats to stand alone.

Download it here and now!

'Colours' - Beit Nun & Illskilz (EP review)

The first thing that struck me about ‘Colours’ by Beit Nun and Illskilz is a new-found positivity. This 9 track release really lives up to its title and as it’s playing time is just shy of 25 minutes, it’s an ideal blast of optimism for anyone.

‘A Good Year’ features a whole host of like-minded MCs and is a perfect tune for this time of year. ‘Summertime’ is not your average summer track – Beit chats hilariously about the ups and downs of the season over a west coast style laidback banger – “It’s the hottest day since records began, We getting’ a tan, But us Brits reckon that if you’re puttin’ on lotion you’re less of a man, And so we burn and turn red, peel and blister but it’s worth it, ‘til it hurts ya to get in the bath”.

Love song ‘Leave me Here’ features partner in rhyme 777 and is an honest walk through the minds of men devoted to living life with his partner through the peaks and the troughs – there are not many rappers brave enough to be this truthful (without making us all feel sick!).

We mustn’t forget the man behind the boards on this lovely little piece of work – dutch producer, Illskilz. His very professional sounding, largely cheery production really suits Beit’s new outlook on life – this boy has skills, watch out for him.

‘Colours' was released digitally on 29th December 2008 and the limited edition CD release date is 26 January 2009. You can get it from Amazon.

On The Radar Artist Profile: Beit Nun

Name: Beit Nun

Age: 23

From: Macclesfield, UK

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'The Music'

Tell us the story behind the track: 'The Music' is simply Beit Nun's ode to music, as he talks positively on his musical experiences and how it has become a part of his life and made him who he is.

Record label: Innit Records

Who you roll with: Member of duo Amass Hegemony alonsgide 777, and work closely with fellow Macclesfield artists Gouki Productions.

Favourite album: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon.

Describe your style in three words: Raw, Gritty, Honest

Past/Present/Future projects: Beit Nun & Menace - Cheap as Chips: The E.P. (2005), Beit Nun - Where The Art Is (Volume 1), Beit Nun & IllSkilz - Colours (2008). 2009 will see the debut Amass Hegemony E.P. (Beit Nun & 777) and also an E.P. alongside producer Bare Beats of Bare Records.