Wretch 32 - Unorthodox (video)

The Stone Roses sample on this track is near on guaranteed to get stuck in your head, with the hook not too far behind... No doubt this was made with airplay in mind, but that doesn't have to mean a tune can't be enjoyable.

Klashnekoff's 'Back To The Sagas' To Be Released in April

Amazon.co.uk and Play.com both have this eagerly-awaited UK Hip Hop album up for pre-order with the release date of April 12th (on Amazon). Play.com have a tracklist, although I guess this is porbably subject to some change. Anyway, it seems the album features alot of Skriblah (who stuck by Klash after the Terra Firma fallout a couple of years back), D.Ablo (who featured on Kyza's 'S.O.S.' recently), Wretch 32, Smasher, The Thirst and K9. I would love it if this is going to be as classic as some of the tracks that made up 'The Sagas...'.

Intro
Forever more (feat D.ABLO)
Piano (Feat THE THIRST)
Keep It Moving (Feat D.ABLO)
Hands Up (feat SMASHER amnd SKRIBLAH)
Skit
Ric O Chet K Lash Nek Off (Feat D.ABLO)
Tek Time (Feat SKRIBLAH and CAPITO)
Come Soon
Paper Up
Reppin Hard (Feat SKRIBLAH)
Raw (Feat CAPITO)
Cold World
Son Of Niya Pt. 2 (Feat K9)
Show Me The Way (Feat SKRIBLAH)
Get It Too
Feal Kuti (Feat SKRIBLAH and DIAM RUFF)
Somebody Tell Me (Feat WRETCH 32 and SMASHER)

'Heavyweights of the Hip Hop Division' - T.S.K. & VA (free download)

Check out Thetford's T.S.K. as he reps a cross-section of the UK Hip Hop scene covering artists as diverse as Wretch 32 and Tom Caruana. Also featured are battlers Arkaic and Kulez, producer Jon Phonics, Thetford heads Franko Fraize, Lyrical T and Red Eye, UK legend Wordsmith as well as AC and Terra, 'On The Radar' artist Reain, T Leevz, Wazlee, Jabba Tha Kut, Forbidden Tongues and Mr. Drastick - see I told you it was diverse.

This is available at Datpiff so go download, burn a CD and support the cause.

'Soldier' ft. Wretch 32, Kyza & Orifice Vulgatron - DJ Vadim

Check out this remix of DJ Vadim's 'Soldier' (the original is on his 'You Can't Lurn Imaginashun' LP). This remix features big in the game MCs Wretch 32, Kyza and Orifice Vulgatron of Foreign Beggars. The original was a banger and so's this UK version. Remember, this is the track that The Last Skeptik remixed which you can download for free here.

'Da Real Sho' - Nemesis and Arrogance (album review)

Inspired by their radio show on Itch FM, Nemesis and Arrogance bring you ‘Da Real Sho’, their follow-up to 2007’s excellent ‘Lend Me Your Ears’.

On only 4 of the tracks here do N & A go it alone, many guests from the UK Hip Hop and Grime scenes grace the other tracks. F.L.I.P (Supar Novar, Big Ben and Rapper Ragz) crowd the booth on the urgent ‘Spit Something’, ‘Don’t Shoot Me’ features Wretch 32 (although this track is a little limp) and Mr. Ti2bs appears on ‘Listen To Your Heart’ - one of the stand out tracks here. Mr. Drastick rocks up on the synthy (but heavy) ‘Let Go’ and star of their last album, SkinnyMan, does his thing on the stripped back ‘North London Pt. 2’ – another top tune from Nemesis, Arrogance and SkinnyMan. Faith SFX also does his best impression of drums and basses as the boys go in with some braggadocio bars.

At 20 full tracks long, a little whittling would have been useful here - together, at 1 hour and 20 minutes long and segmented with radio style shout outs and dialogue, the impact of the great tracks is lost somewhat.

‘Da Real Sho’ will be released on 15th June on Real Records. Get it now from their myspace page for a fiver!

Nemesis and Arrogance Launch 'Da Real Sho'

Nemesis & Arrogance, whose latest project is ‘Da Real Sho’, are holding a launch party at the Carhartt Warehouse in Hackney (18 Ellingfort Rd, Hackney, E8 3PA) this Thursday 11th June between 18:00pm – 21:30pm.

The night will showcase music from the mixtape with performances from some of those featured alongside the boys: Mr Ti2bs, Jelluzz, F.L.I.P [Supar Novar / Big Ben / Rapper Ragz] and live Hip Hop band Lazy Habits! Form and Charlee Brown will be DJing and there will be free drinks courtesy of Meantime Brewery.

Da Real Show mixtape is out now and features: Sincere / Wretch 32 / Faith SFX / Bashy / Mr Drastick / Skinnyman & others...

'Soldier' ft. Wretch 32, Kyza & Orifice Vulgatron (The Last Skeptik's Re-Re-Remix) (free download)

Basically a brand new track - It's Skeptik's new beat for the re-vocalled version of Vadim's 'Soldier' which was originally on a reggae vibe with a french guy and a russian guy rapping and singing respectively - check my review of the 12" it featured on for more.

'License To Kill' - Lowkey (video)

Video for political raptivist Lowkey's latest track 'License to Kill' which addresses the police brutality at the G20 protests and the death of Ian Tomlinson. The track is produced by Stylaz Fuego:

And the video for 'In My Lifetime' featuring Wretch 32, produced by Quincey Tones and taken from his album 'Dear Listener' which is out now and excellent!

Certified Banger - 'The Number One Blog for UK Hip Hop'

'Ransom' ft. Scorcher & Wretch 32 - Bashy (video)

Last Friday Bashy blogged a picture of his face bearing deep cuts. Allhiphop.com picked up on it and started the rumour that Bashy had beef with someone. Today Bashy dropped the video for 'Ransom' which features Wretch 32 and Scorcher - it explained the wounds and tells a pretty good story. The video is ridiculously professional and Bashy used his make up to gain a little exposure - now that's business! 'Ransom' is the underground release from Bashy's Debut Album 'Catch Me if You Can'.

'Sin City' - DJ Gone (mix CD review)

The tracklist for DJ Gone's 'Sin City', out now on Kung Fu, kinda speaks for itself to any UKHH head. Featuring the cream of the scene and in the vein of Kung Fu's showcasing 'Sin City' is over an hour's worth of exclusive freestyles and tracks - it's basically a must for those fans who strive for more than an artist's album and single output. It's also pretty essential for anyone who just wants to bump quality Hip Hop for an hour.

Poisonous Poets, Mystro, TB, M9, Charlie Sloth, Million Dan, Mr Ti2bs, Sincere, Mr. Drastick, Task Force, Ramson Badbonez, Teef, Harry Love and Wretch 32 all pop up here.

Lesser known artists drop just as credibly - check Kulture's 'Whoops' or 'Big Deal's 'Sun Up To Sun Down' for perfect examples of my statement.

Check out DJ Gone at his myspace, go to his myspace blog for the full tracklisting and a link to buy it for only £6.99. Check out Kung Fu's myspace too.

'Flying The Flag' Coming Soon!

Here's something I'm looking forward to: Tricksta of UK Runnings and Lunatrix of HHB Radio have teamed up to put together a double disc compilation/mix CD.

Now the UK Runnings series have always hit the spot with me - up-to-date tracks from UK Hip Hop's overground and underground - so my expectations are justifiably high. ‘Flying The Flag’ features underground anthems, exclusive tracks, unreleased tracks and remixes.

The double CD features the following artists; WILEY, SKEPTA, LATE, SUPAR NOVAR, RELOAD, IRON BRAYDZ, DJ SNIPS, TB, PYRELLI, SHAMELESS, RUKUS, SKINNYMAN, DEADLY HUNTA , TINCHY STRYDER, WRETCH 32, TINIE TEMPAH, SCORCHER, BASHY, SWAY, CHIPMUNK, MILLION DAN, MC DYNAMITE, MCD, K.NERS, SKREINTAX, STIG OF THE DUMP, GIGGS, DUBBELEDGE, KYZA, BIG CAKES, M9, CHEMO, THUNDERCLAPS, GHETTO, ORIFICE VULGATRON, REGGIIMENTAL, UNFRIENDLY NEIGHBOURS, LOWKEY, SONNYJIM, MALIK, YOGI, SHADE1, 10SHOTT, SMILER, STYLAH, LETHAL & DESTRUCTION, TOR, SI PHILI, WORDSMITH, KASHMERE, JEHST, CHARLIE SLOTH, JOKER STARR, GENESIS ELIJAH, LOUDMOUTH, BABY J, RANSOM BADBONEZ, DR. SYNTAX, THE LAST SKEPTIK, TRICKSTA, JABBA THA KUT, MANNY MOSCOW and CONMAN amongst many more!

HHBRADIO & UK RUNNINGS Present ‘FLYING THE FLAG’ is out on RGS Entertainment March 2009.

For more information check these website links…

http://www.hhbradio.com/
www.myspace.com/lunatrix
http://www.oymmedia.com/
www.myspace.com/butchershousestudios
www.myspace.com/oymmedia
www.myspace.com/occupyyourmindrecords
http://www.ukrunnings.co.uk/
www.myspace.com/trickstawolftown
www.myspace.com/ukrunnings
http://www.wolftownrecordings.com/
http://www.parkstreetpr.co.uk/
www.myspace.com/parkstreetpromotions

New Sway Featurings and Video

Watch Sway's video for surely-a-crossover success 'Silver and Gold' ft. Akon. Also go to his site/blog to hear some new 'featuring Sway' tracks such as Akon's 'Right Now' remix and Busy Signal's 'Tic Toc' remix.

Also download the remix of Wretch 32's 'Be Cool' which features Wizzy Wow, Tinie Tempah, Scorcher, Bashy, Chipmunk and Sway!

'Wretchibition' - Wretch 32 (free download)

Wretch 32 - 'Wretchibition' or here.

Spliced with interview with the SK Vibemakers this mixtape turns up the Grime-tinged tracks Wretch made before or during the time of 'Punctuation' the track that got him into people's heads (listen to track 7 to get the full history and discography of Wretch).

This is actually a real mixtape as opposed to a collection of a few full songs. Wretch's back catalogue goes deep - there are 51 tracks here and it lasts for 1 hour 19 minutes - just enough to fit on a CD.

Good Day ft. Cell 22

Bad Day ft. Cell 22

'Be Cool' - Wretch 32 (video)

'Grime' - VA - Mixed and Compiled by Lunatrix & DJ Vokal (compilation review)

There are certain Grime artists who have matured the genre into something listenable. Some of those artists (Wiley, Asher D, Wretch 32, Bashy, Virus Syndicate and Skepta) are assembled on HHB Radio’s ‘Grime’ mix CD. Other artist on this CD generally fit into the mature mould although there are a couple of Channel U moments, ya get me?

Primarily, I’m a Hip Hop fan but there are many Grime artists who have crossed into my consciousness as the boundaries between the two genres have blurred. This does mean that I’m not up to speed with everything on this CD, but to my ears it sounds pretty fresh.

Stand out track is the massive ‘Punctuation Remix’ and the mix into ‘Streets on Lock’ by Nasty Jack is nice. ‘Badder Dan Dem’ by Lady Lykes, ‘The Formula’ by W.A.R. Material and Fr3e’s ‘I Got This’ could have been left on the cutting room floor but overall the track selection is educated.

If you’re a Grime fan then buy this, if you’re curious, buy it because it could change your mind. It’s ideal for your car’s subwoofer or for getting hyped up to before you hit the town in your cris new creps. It's out now on OYM records.

New stuff at Suspect Packages

Run on over to Suspect Packages 'cause they've got a few of those releases you've read about here and have been waiting for:

Mudmowth - 'Circus in the Cemetery EP'
M9 - '144,000'
Illustrate - 'The Stuff'
Wretch 32 - 'Wretchrospective'
Evil Ed & Conspicuous - 'The Get Together'
Mystro - 'F.D.T. EP'

2008

Wow! February 2008 came fast! I don't know what your view on Hip Hop in 2007 was; mine was on the whole a good one. If you were looking to the world of mainstream, big record label Hip Hop then you probably entered 2008 slightly jaded. The major releases of 2007 were dissapointing: 50 Cent pretty much proved he hasn't got 'it' any more, Kanye West still thinks he is 'it'; his ego spoilt his release which wasn't as good as his previous efforts anyway and Jay-Z, despite genius marketing moves and use/abuse of his position still didn't provide us with an album anywhere near as classic as The Black Album. If you looked just under the surface then there were plenty of good releases and most of you probably heard and bought at least one album that you will always listen to.

Many people will be looking to 2008 as some sort of saviour for Hip Hop. 2007 seemed to be a lost cause right from the very beginning but it needn't have been if hopes had not been set on the major releases. If the focus of anticipation had been directed to the more minor, underground releases then last year would have been more fulfilling for more people.

This year I suggest you look to music more local to you. The internet is great for hearing everything that's out there but it cannot provide the sense of belonging that music that is more relevant to you can. Yes, the US created Hip Hop, it is Hip Hop's homeland but there is very little I can relate to at the moment. The beats are not to my taste although I guess if I resided in the Bay Area I would 'get' the whole hyphy thing or if I was from Miami then I would like bass music, but I'm not so I don't. The lyrical content of much US rap has worn thin but what I do still relate to are skills and this is why there is still US rap that I listen to.

In contradiction to the last paragraph's opening sentence, if you are not local to the UK then you should be looking to the UK. Just as people can relocate, musical genres can too. Hip Hop lives on in the UK. So what can you expect from us in the coming year?

Life MC of Phi-Life Cypher will be dropping an album on Zebra Traffic in March. I'm surprised at myself for not mentioning this before but Phi-Life Cypher's album, 'Higher Forces', is one of my top 2 UK Hip Hop albums; it's awesome. Look out here for a review of the new Life album and an inteview with the man himself. Also, I really should tell you some more about 'Higher Forces' so keep 'em peeled for that too.

Silent Soundz is probably the only UK label giving Low Life Records a run for it's money. Their roster of artists is incredible: Skitz, Kool G Rap, Yungun & Mr. Thing, Verb T & The Last Skeptic, Blind Alphabetz, First Man Productions and Brotherman. The 3rd of March should see the release of Brotherman’s debut single - a double A-side called Heart of Dem/Bollox. April should then see the release of a double EP project from which will be two EPs sold separately that can be joined together to form one plush package. Together it is called The Dark & The Light (stay tuned here for more on Brotherman). SS are also releasing Skitz’s second producer album, the follow up to 'Countryman' which will drop in Q2. This is entitled 'Sticksman' and features most of the big UK emcees plus Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Kardinal Offishall. The Kardi single will be released in Q1, probably end of March. It is called Struggla and also features Rodney P and Skibadee with D&B remixes by Ruff Cut. Not only are they releasing these big UK joints but they should also be releasing “Long Live G Rap” by Kool G Rap in Q2, an album which features Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep, Canibus, Saigon and Sean Price among others. Other than that they’ve got a digital only single from Blind Alphabetz, track TBC, which will feature a Jehst remix of Change as a bonus track. Phew...

Lex records are a label to watch too; last year they released one of my favourite albums 'Romance Ain't Dead' by Kid Acne and the much lauded 'Craft of the Lost Art' by Shape of Broad Minds. Previous releases include more of my very favourites - 'Ghetto Pop Life' by Dangermouse and Jemini, 'The Mouse and the Mask' by DangerDoom (now that's US Hip Hop I CAN listen to!). Although they don't have any UK Hip Hop releases slated for this year they are releasing a Khujo Goodie (of The Goodie Mob)/ Jneiro Jarel (of Shape of Broad Minds) collaboration. Guests on the album are the other big Dungeon Family members and it should be out September. A single, 'OPR8R' featuring Khujo Goodie is out this spring, with a UK tour getting sorted around the release time. Now that Ghostface has done his time with DefJam Lex may be able to finally release the Ghostface & Doom album and Indecision at Boombox Distribution tells me Dangermouse has a follow up album to 'Ghetto Pop Life' called 'Kill Your Heroes' which is apparantly a concept album about living a pimps lifestyle on a budget. Again I've contradicted myself but I totally trust Lex as tastemakers, if they release it and it's from the US then it's probably very relevant to the UK market. Also every bit of Lex artwork and packaging totally kicks bottom!

Other things to look forward to that I don't have as much information about are:

• 'The Signature LP', the new album from Sway, is supposedly to be released in May.
• Million Dan, the Demon Boyz UK legend, is working on an album release due for mid April (get the Suspect Packages re-issue of 'Recognition' now and check the Spektrum Ride/Mic Chek 12" for something a little more up to date.)
• 'Food For Da Brain Second Serving' - the last one featured the cream of UK's rap talent so the next one will be big too with a posse cut featuring Skinnyman, Harry Shotta, Shameless, Foreign Beggars & Deadly Hunta being the lead single.
• New Asaviour projects - check his newly released mixtape, buy 'Broken Ladder' if you don't have it and savour the great West Yorkshire accent.
• New albums from Dented - not sure who, could be Foreign Beggars, Dr. Syntax, Skrein (possible their collabo - Skreintax), Stig of the Dump...whoever it is, it'll be good.
• Bashy is releasing a DVD of all things 'Black Boys' related.
• Wretch 32 is releasing his album: Wretchrospective.

Whoa, well I never intended to write that much but I hope that if you're reading this bit you're looking forward with me to at least one of the above releases . Here's to 2008 and good Hip Hop.

Bashy - Black Boys remixes and video

One of the biggest tunes from this end of the year has got to be 'Black Boys' by Bashy. I've posted this track before but since then there has been an abundance of remixes and a video shoot. If you were to listen to all of the remixes you'd hear verses from the very cutting edge of UK Hip Hop and Grime. You could hear Ty, Wretch 32, Durrty Goodz, Skepta, Swiss, Sincere, Nolay, Chipmunk, Dynamite, Reggie Yates, Scorcher, Ghetto, J2K, Alaye, Big Narstie, Bigz, Mike GLC, Styla and more! Rumours of the inclusion of L.Man, Skinnyman, Klashnekoff and Lethal B are also flying around although I've not heard these ones yet!

According to Ed Strong of The IRS the video has been banned from MTV because it is apparently too racist. So it's focussed mainly on black role models but as a white person I don't feel like I'm being racially discriminated against. If I can say this, massive companies like MTV should be supporting stuff like this. Everyone is always complaining about the negative effect of 'Urban' music on the youth of our country. The basis of this song is that there are positive role models who aren't glamourising gun culture, drug peddling, misogyny and the like. Artists like this are who the youth need, it is ridiculous that they are banning this and still playing the Snoop vids, the G-Unit vids and the Dipset vids. Someone with absolutely no grip on reality must be in charge of the playlist at MTV. Is the word 'Black' still such a negative thing? Are ignorant people stilled scared of it?

Bashy also features on the excellent remix of 'Punctuation' by Wretch 32 alongside Shameless and Scorcher. It's so good to see young UK blood doing something creative. UK artists, especially young up-and-coming ones are still relying too heavily on the street narrative, grimey life tales kind of lyrics. Punctuation is an innovative way for Bashy et al to say "I'm great". The very nature in which they do this supports their message; they are great because they have come up with concept and pulled it off very well. This is one of my favourite tracks this year full stop.

Wretch 32 - Punctuation remix ft. Bashy, Shameless & Scorcher.mp3
Bashy - Black Boys remix ft. Durrty Goodz & Ty.mp3
Bashy - Black Boys remix ft. Wretch 32, Scorcher & Ghetto.mp3

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 tracks for y'all

Get all the tracks by licking here, yes that's right, lick it.

U.K. Rap Cats by Tha 4orce & Poynt Blak

I don't know much about either of these acts but what I do know is that they've used Quasimoto's Rap Cats, produced by Madlib, and done a UK thing instead. Listen out for the biggest names in UK Hip Hop both past and present. I think I do prefer Blade's 'UK Hip Hop' but this is good too.

Surviving the Times by Nas

I've always liked Nas. I like his emotive voice and the way he writes. His lyrics are honest and whilst clever they sound effortless. I'm not going to go on about 'Illmatic' and what his careers been like since then but this track takes us back in Nas' memory to those 'Illmatic' days. Just erase all criticisms of Nas and sit back and enjoy this, it shouldn't be too difficult.

No Qualms (Revox) by Wiley

This track features Chipmunk, JME and Skepta; if you're into the UK Grime scene then you'll know these names. Pretty empty topic wise but the MC's have skills and the tune is nice and bouncy.

Dumb it Down by Lupe Fiasco

Doesn't seem a minute since Lupe dropped 'Food & Liquor'; an album I rate as one of the best of last year. The lyrics in the first verse here are top notch - listen carefully. The verses tick over quietly but menacingly and the chorus is masterfully written: it sums up what the track is about. Similar in topic to last years 'Daydream', Lupe obviously feels he hasn't got his message across. An anti-stereotypical Hip Hop mentality track at its best.

The Mission ft. Jehst & Micall Parknsun by L.G.

L.G. is a UK producer who makes real Hip Hop. This sample based track is laced with Biscuit's flute, the distinctive rhymes of one of UK's best Jehst and the not so distinctive but very up-and-coming rhymes of Micall Parknsun. This off-kilter beat sounds like it should be hard to flow over but Y'n'R's brightest talent make it sound so simple.

Classic Cliche ft. Mpho Skeef by Elektrons

Not Hip Hop, rather electrodiscofunk from Manchester duo Elektrons that features Ty collaborator and impossibly named Mpho Skeef. So her name sounds like the noise you'd make when being thumped in the stomach but her vocals are clear and happy here, I dare you not to move to this. Happy music.

Dillagence (One For Jay) ft. Phonte by DJ Spinna

A medley of synthy strings and punchy basses of different pitches backs up this track sung (I presume) by Little Brother's Phonte. A dedication to Jay Dilla in a Slum Villagey way (in case you couldn't tell from the title).

Leyendecker (DJ EMZ remix ft. Joell Ortiz) by Battles

Battles were only brought to my attention the other night by Jools Holland and I don't know much about them other than some call them art rockers and I think they're a bit mad. Anyway, this track sounds good, it's really good for humming and Joell Ortiz does top notch raps on it.

Skeng ft. Killa P & Flow-Dan by The Bug

What's this? Grimey Dubstep? Yeah probably. If you play it quietly it's quiet, but if you turn up the volume it's loud. Ya get me? This can't be played at a low volume, it just can't. Although it's a slow creeping track it's not really relaxing. Bang it out and let the hairs on yer neck stand up.

Punctuation by Wretch 32

Wretch 32 must be from around my way somewhere. His certainly aint a London accent as his myspace page might have us believe. The lyrics here are pretty intelligent, check how he includes loads of english grammar into his rhymes fullstop