'The Realism (Can I Rock)' - Kasha (video)

Kasha freshens up and polishes what may be perceived to be a fairly poppy sound, making for a ridiculously compelling and enticing song. Would love to hear Kasha's music gracing our radio waves. This is just great music, in my opinion.

'Retro Luv' - Kasha (free download)

'On The Radar' artist Kasha has never been one for conformity. His latest mixtape 'Retro Luv' confirms to nothing or no one. Its subtitle is 'Reinventing the Mixtape' and he really has.

'Retro Luv' features tracks by Kool and the Gang, The Brooklyn, Bronx And Queen

Band, Ralph Tresvant, Anita Baker, En Vogue, Tevin Campbell, Joyce Sims and Dr. Hook amongst others. Kasha takes cues from the originals and lets loose lyrically although he does let each track air out meaning that you get to hear a fair chunk of each of these classic, upbeat (and sometimes slightly cheesy) tunes. This mixtape will make you want more Kasha and it also should inspire you to check out some of the original tracks.

'Retro Luv' is available now (although its Bandcamp release date say August) and it is free!

'Black Rhyme' - Kasha (video)

UK Dubs and Freestyles from Kasha, Grimlok, Joker Starr, Cobane and Double H (free downloads)

Grimlok (pictured) sent over a couple of dubs – one over Lupe’s ‘Dumb it Down’ and the other of Jay-Z’s ‘Run This Town’.

Speaking of Jay-Z Kasha has done a version of ‘Empire State of Mind’ and called it the ‘England Remix’.

Here’s a Joker Starr freestyle over Wu-Tang’s ‘C.R.E.A.M.’.

Double H, a rapper I know little about, sent me a few ‘freestyles’. He takes on The Roots’ ‘Ain’t Sayin’ Nuthin’, a version of ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ and ‘Hottest in the Hood’ by Red Café.

Cobane has done a version of a track which I don’t know – I also can’t really work out what his version of the unknown track is called! Anyway, have a little listen to this Dubstep-ish number.

'On The Radar Vol. 5' Artist Profile - Kasha (+ free download)

Name: Kasha aka Tyrone Ashley Roach

Age: 25

From: Charlton, London

Track on ‘On The Radar’: ‘Round and Round We Go’ (taken from 'On The Radar Vol. 5, available Monday 30th November)

Tell us the story behind the track: The track is me reminiscing on old times but not just any time… a dark past when I wasn’t always on the right side of wrong. It is a summary of dark times gone but also me looking forward to what could be… in the meantime shedding light on the reality of today.

Record label: Vivid Imagery

Who you roll with: Riffioso and Max Real

Favourite album: Common – ‘Be’

Describe your style in three words: new, old, unorthodox

Past/Present/Future projects: Past: ‘The Oracle’ Album, present: ‘Retro Kid’ Mixtape, future: ‘Life On Dead Trees’ Album

The Basement Sessions Podcast

Check out the Basement Sessions podcast featuring these most excellent tracks and artists:

1. J.Rawls & John Robinson f. Rashad - She's So Brilliant
2. Son Of A Queen - King
3. Krate Krusaders f. Kasha & Logic - Stronger
4. Percy Filth f. J.Sands & K.Skills - That's Why
5. Amanda Diva - Heart Strings (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
6. Sonny Jim - CrazyIllMadRowdy (Produced by Jon Phonics)
7. Wio-K f. Ty & Serocee - An Ting
8. Alphabetix - What's The Name
9. d. C. & Pennbannekar - The Come Up (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
10. Marco Polo & Torae f. Masta Ace & Sean Price - Hold Up
11. Akrobatik - AK B Nimble
12. Roots Manuva - 2 Much 2 Soon
13. Big Cakes - Soul
14. yU - Marvelous (O.G. Mix) (Produced by Kev Brown)
15. Amor Jones - Nothing Good Comes Easy
16. Art Of Fresh - Come N' Get Some
17. Kyza - Wild Orchid
18. Sleaze - Success
19. Nova Infinite - All Of My Life (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
20. IV f. Junclassic - Please Don't Go Away (UK EXCLUSIVE!)
21. FS Green - Rusty Beat

Check out The Basement Sessions on their website and on Sensei FM and stay tuned for more podcastage with the first official CErtified Banger podcast.

'Rising Styles The Album 2009' - VA (review)

The fellas in charge of Brighton's Rising Styles Festival have put together yet another dope compilation of tracks by up-and-coming UK Hip Hop artists and it's out today just in time for the actual festival.

There's the awesome future-hop of Asaviour and Apa-Tight's 'Gully', the fire of Tactical Thinking's 'TT Onslaught' and the madcap adventures of Elemental and Tom Caruana on 'Blind Bob's Vengeance'.

There's also a good representation of the UK's 'real' countrywide Hip Hop scene - watch out for a nice range of accents with London's Grit Grammar (& other Southern types), Leeds group Verbal Contact and Birmingham's Jimmy Davis.

Check out the Rising Styles website for news of the events that kick off on Thursday 1st October. Download the sampler here then get to Suspect Packages to download your copy of the Rising Styles compilation.

Rising Styles 09 Album Tracklist

Listed below are the artists and tracks that made it onto this years festival album. It's good to see that here at Certified Banger we haven't been off the mark with some of the underground artists who we consider to be on the way up - Queens English, Asaviour, Apa-Tight, Kasha and Grit Grammar have all been on 'On The Radar' and Skilf, Elemental, Tom Caruana, Verbal Contact (Leeds stand up) and Tactical Thinking are all firm favourites here. Well done to all involved:

01 Jimmy Davis - Brits Are Coming - www.myspace.com/littlejimmydavis
02 JackL & Timmay - Turn It Up
 - www.myspace.com/timsbeats
03 Queens English - Full Limit featuring Mr Chips & Embee of Looptroop
 - www.myspace.com/queensenglish
04 Asaviour & Apatight - Gully
 - http://www.saving-grace.co.uk/
05 Kasha - Rats & Roaches
 - http://www.kashamusic.co.uk/
06 Skilf - Let Loose
 - http://www.skilf.co.uk/
07 Theory 77 - Who’s He? - 
http://www.nofrillsrecords.co.uk/
08 Mr Tubz - Take Me Away featuring Katarina - 
www.myspace.com/tubzta
09 Elemental & Tom Caruana - Blind Bob’s Vengeance - http://www.teasearecords.net/ www.myspace.com/mcelemental
10 Grit Grammar - Musical Life - www.myspace.com/gritgrammar
11 Verbal Contact - Trifling Times - www.myspace.com/verbalcontactleeds
12 Tactical Thinking - TT Onslaught - http://www.tacticalthinking.co.uk/

An official announcement regarding the release date will be made early September. The album will be available as a digital download from Suspect Packages

'...Present Volume 1' - The Krate Krusaders (free download)

The creators of two of 'On The Radar's best recieved tracks, Krate Krusaders, have yet another free giveaway for you.

The first volume kicks off with an excellent live MPC megamix of recognisable tracks which is followed by Remus and his track 'Respect Ur Elders' (from 'OTR Vol. 2) and then newcomer Vex takes over the mic for the bouncy, scratchy 'Vex is Dead'.

The ominous 'Pscience' features Clarity, Farma G and Cappo - each one dropping thrilling rhymes right on point.

Kasha, Logic, Ramson Badbonez (with 'OTR Vol. 3' track 'Incredible'), Fenetik, Saga Sphinx, Crucifix, Devi and Ahmos all get a piece of the beat action too. Download this and Krate Krusaders will keep your nead nodding, and all for the price of a five finger discount - top notchness this is.

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

'The Oracle' by Kasha Out Soon

Kasha, the UK artist attempting to bring that 90s sound to the UK's noughties audience, is due to drop his debut album 'The Oracle' on April 6th.

Kasha's track 'Black Rhyme' features on my official compilation 'On The Radar Volume 3' which is also available as a free download on Monday 6th April - be sure to check that out!

• To find out more about 'On The Radar Volume 3' click here
• To read my review of 'The Oracle' by Kasha click here

Check out this track from the album 'Coming Back With It':

Certified Banger Presents 'On The Radar Volume 3' Coming Soon!

'On The Radar Volume 3' is on it's way, it's due to digitally drop on Monday 6th April. If you are a blogger or similar who wants to have it early to review just drop me an email and I'll let you know the secret link. If you just really want it and you won't be reviewing it but you will be passing it on to your friends, send me an email too! Check out the video promo to hear some of the tracks.

Guerilla links are going up right now at undisclosed locations on the web so if you really want it early, you can find it! (Clue: Check the tracklisting and find those artists on facebook and myspace)

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

Check out the title track from Reain:

'The Oracle' Kasha (album review)

With obvious salutations to his inspirations, London youngster Kasha has carved a nice little album for himself. ‘The Oracle’ is an entertaining listen with stand-out moments coming earlier on in the playlist. ‘The Wake Up’ must be intentionally reminiscent of Nas’ ‘Memory Lane’ and ‘Coming Back With It’ reminds of the more recent superstar; Lupe Fiasco.

‘Hustling’, whilst a topic that has been covered innumerable times, is a nice guitar led track that’ll have you singing along. ‘Black Rhyme’ finishes off the one, two, one, two dual-combo that kicks off the album with a positive message over a backwards looking, forward thinking production from Vivid Imagery.

Kasha’s flow is unorthodox; a stream of ideas mingled with wordplay which makes for some refreshing listening – a unique flow is a gift in this market. The album continues focussing on life’s themes: love, girls, work, imaginary stories and reality. Sonically you get Blaxploitation, Soul and Orchestral sounds all touched up with an up-to-date Hip Hop brush.

‘The Oracle’ can be bought now at Suspect Packages. Check Kasha’s myspace and website.

Unattended Baggage Blows!

Disorda has dropped another Suspect Packages radio show on us; the first of 2009.

Click here to download the show which features tracks and exclusives from Scorz, M9, Chester P, Mr. Loop, Kasha, Illustrate, Ramson Badbonez, Brotherman, Sir Smurf and a whole host of others who shouldn't be offended if I didn't type their name on the list. Anyways, you can go to Disorda's blog and read the whole tracklists hould you so desire.

There's also a nice old skool selection featuring Krispy 3, Black Radical Mk II and others.

Kasha remixes Estelle

You should hear Kasha. If not only for his brilliant remake/remix of Estelle's 'American Boy' which is entitled 'American Girl'. He takes off Kanye's lazy slurring brilliantly (uh-ohh that was lazy -x2 brilliants, ah well) but adds his own precise delivery to the mix.

He also has an EP in the pipelines called 'Wildheart' and you can hear the title track of this here. He's also done a track inspired by Rick Ross' 'Hustling' also called 'Hustling' (that's the second take off of that I've featured this week). The boy's got skills for real so dip your toes.

He's also just recorded a track named 'You Have A Choice' as a theme song for an upcoming, anti-knives-on-streets event held at the Emirates Stadium. This is an issue I have some views on so expect a post soon about the UK media's latest pet topic - knife crime. I can't say too much right now but the point is, the government are getting it all wrong - no surprises there for some people but I am not usually of that opinion!