'Music From The Tanhauser Gate' - Mr. Loop (free download)

More dopeness from Certified Banger favourite producer Mr. Loop featuring Yosh, Zoo Mark, Ben Black, Slippa, Rick Fury, Chattabox, Sam Otis, Super Dertie and others this free download really brings quality to your table. Mr. Loop is truly a perfectionist which is a great characteristic to have in this competitive scene. It's criminal that folks haven't heard of or heard the music of Mr. Loop. If you're one of those people, mug yourself no longer and download a copy of this and bump, bump, bump it.

Download it now from Bandcamp.

'The Landing' - Mr. Boss (free download)

Perfect production from Mr. Boss and a great guest list: SonnyJim, Skrein, Delusionists, Yosh and Dr. Syntax to name a few. At only 18 years old this guy has more than enough time to establish himself and if this is anything to go by it won't be long before every MC worth his salt will want a beat from Mr. Boss.

'The Landing' has been made available for free despite the fact that you should be paying for something this decent. Click here to download it.

Don't be tempted just to listen to the tracks that have the well known MCs on (although they are dope and SonnyJim kicks things off in style, no doubt). Tracks like 'Young and Foolish' by Them Lot and 'Understand' by Chango Flash are top notch. I'm definitely looking forward to hear more from all involved in this project.

mrbossmusic.com
twitter.com/mrbossmusic
mrbossmusic@gmail.com

'Normalized' - Vee Kay (free download)

Today I got the official go ahead to post Vee Kay's latest little project the 'Normalized' EP. It features remixes and a mashup and demonstrates what Vee Kay can do. The tracklist features Ghostface Killah, Daft Punk, Mos Def, Dizzee Rascal, Dialect, Copywrite, Jamie Lidell, Delusionists, Rapskallions and Yosh.

Grab this freshness from the Sweatbox studio and anticipate Mr Loop's forthcoming 'Music From The Tanhauser Gate'. You should also check their back catalogue for previous releases from Vee Kay, Yosh, Rapskallions and Mr. Loop - it's a real nice stable, yo.

If you would like a remix by Vee Kay, please contact info@sweatboxsounds.co.uk or call 07904128378
http://www.sweatboxsounds.co.uk
http://www.vee-kay.co.uk

'An Audience With The Baron' - Yosh (EP review)

Sweatbox Sounds keep bringing out the quality and the secret to their success may well be their frugality with music releases - they drop short, sharp and snappy releases (see Vee Kay's 'The Audio Workout', Mr. Loop's 'The Bury All' and Rapskallions' new one 'Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot') and don't throw music about like it's worthless.

Yosh's first EP is another fine example of this formula. At half an hour or 8 tracks short even Ritilin-takers can handle this one. With not a boring or bad track in earshot Yosh and Vee Kay (who produces all the tracks) bring the real Hip Hop from the land of Kent.

You may recognise 'The Siesta' from 'On The Radar' and it sounds just as fresh nestled amongst its mates. Yosh keeps the subjects varied and the rhyme style funky even on tracks like 'Synthia' - an intergalactic love story (think a UK Hip Hop version of 'Cosmic Girl'). If you're a RJD2 fan then you'll recognise the awesome sample on 'Back Home' and you'll jam to this one on repeat. 'Portrait of a People' takes a techy but serious look at people in the digital age.

'An Audience With The Baron' is available at Suspect Packages right now and I heartily recommend this release to you. Check out 'Back Home' now on the Certified Banger Podcast.

Suspect Packages Radio Show September

More Suspect Packages news - I'm currently locked onto Disorda's latest podcast - September's Suspect Packages Radio Show. It features newness from Tactical Thinking, Contact Play, Phoenix Da Icefire, Krate Krusaders, Crucifix, The Thunderclaps, Shameless, Wizard, Unfriendly Neighbours, JVF Clique, Foreign Beggars, Yosh, Danny Spice, Rapskallions, Alphabetix, Joe Blow, Orphans Of Cush, Redbeard, SonnyJim, Delusionists, MCM, Sigher The Gutter Snype and Monkey Sons. It's great to know that Disorda is constantly ahead of the game and that he'll always be supporting up-and-coming artists to the maximum.

Anyway, visit his blog for the tracklisting, visit his mail order site to buy some of these records and visit Sensei to download and listen to the show.

'Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot' - Rapskallions (album review)

‘Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot’ – yup, Rapskallions have a sense of humour but they take their craft seriously. It’s this combination that has resulted in 50 minutes of quality, often tongue in cheek Hip Hop. It’s clear MCs Slippa and Zoo Mark want you to enjoy this LP – it’s so accessible and the alienating features of many rap albums are absent.

Opener ‘Battleslang Galactica’ (Mr. Loop’s remix can be heard on ‘On The Radar Volume 4’) and ‘Sweatbox Cypher’ featuring Yosh and Cerbeus (and an annoyingly familiar sample) are fine examples of what the Rapskallions can do – humorous put downs, clever wordplay and cheeky self-bigging-up. It’s not just comedic punch lines that the boys do well. ‘Red Dress’ holds a couple of thoughtful tales of how men can lead women astray and ‘Dreamscape’ is a psychedelic foray into visions of the night.

Vee Kay handles the majority of the production although Mr. Loop, Wosk Master Astek and PG Tipps all get a track each. All the beats are finely crafted; if you’ve heard Vee Kay or Mr. Loop’s previous work then you know the sound and quality to expect. Mr. Loop’s ‘U.S.B.’ (not the version from his own album) explores the same sample as Dre’s ‘Xplosive’ and Vee Kay and Gut 1’s ‘Another Day’ beat revolves around a beautiful summery soul sample.

Don’t let the icky name put you off, this is some quality type UK Hip Hop and it’s out now on itunes although the good guys at the Sweatbox will be pressing up CDs later.

All Day Hip Hop Event in Canterbury This Saturday

Beatroute - Saturday 30th May 2009, in Canterbury, featuring Mr. Loop, Yosh, Rapskallions and loads of other DJs, Breakers, Graffers and the likes.

Rapskallions & Yosh Release News

Fresh from the Sweatbox with some characteristacally dope artwork are two albums soon to drop: Yosh's 'An Audience With The Baron' and Rapskallion's 'Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot'.

The Rapskallions joint features production from Vee-Kay and Mr. Loop as well as guest vocals from Yosh, Dr. Cerberus and Vee-Kay and should be out digitally at the beginning of July with a short run of limited edition CDs coming around September - I've already heard the album and best believe I'll be having a hard copy for my collection.

The Yosh EP is being mastered right around now so hopefully there will be a release date for that sometime this year.

If you haven't already picked up a copy of Mr. Loop's excellent production album 'The Bury All' then do so now - this album kicked 2009 off with a bang and it features 777, B'tol, Beit Nun, Dr. Cerberus, Eva Lazarus, Humble Pious, J-Soles, Mudmowth, Slippa, Super Dertie, Vee-Kay, Wordsmith, Yosh and Zoo Mark all up on the microphone. You should also go download Vee-Kay's album 'The Audio Workout'; it features Cariz, Dialekt, Dr. Syntax, Dubbledge, Lowercase, Micall Parknsun, Stig of the Dump, Wordsmith and Yosh.

On The Radar Artist Profile: Mr. Loop

Name: Mr. Loop

Age: 26

From: Whitstable

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'Grown Man Music' ft. Zoo Mark, Yosh & Slippa

Tell us the story behind the track: It’s one of the tracks of the forthcoming collaborative project between myself, Vee Kay, Yosh, Zoo Mark & Slippa called ‘Sweatbox Sounds Presents: Our Soles’. This track is the emcees having a pop at some of the people in our scene that end up damaging it in the long run.

Record Label: Sweatbox Sounds

Who you roll with: Vee-Kay / Yosh / The Rapskallions / The Kojak Brothers

Favourite album(s): The Quantic Soul Orchestra - 'Tropidelico'

Describe your style in three words: Dug from Oxfam

Past/Present/Future projects: My debut album ‘The Bury All’ came out in January and is getting some good reviews and exposure which is nice! I’ve got a track on the forthcoming Rapskallions album ‘Slicker than a Bucket of Snot’ which is out shortly. The aforementioned collab ‘Sweatbox Sounds Presents: Our Soles’ should be out later this year. I’m also building tracks for another solo album, and have a lot of collabs with people underway.

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

'Grown Man Music' ft. Yosh, Zoo Mark & Slippa - Mr. Loop (OTR promo video)

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:

Hip Hop Producers - Mr. Loop Interview

"I love taking something from a different era and flipping it into something completely different that a completely different type of person will feel."

Having just dropped his debut LP 'The Bury All' and it being a banger, I thought I should probably interview the man they call Mr. Loop. Then, I did, so why don't you have a read?

Certified Banger: Mr. Loop! How goes it?

Mr. Loop: I’m good, nothing to complain about!

CB: First of all tell us, if it’s not obvious, how did you get your name?

Mr. Loop: Well, two reason really – my surname is Lupin, and I’ve always been called Loop as a nickname my whole life, and I make crusty Hip Hop using sample loops…

CB: And now please tell us how you named your album ‘The Bury All’:

Mr. Loop: That’s just another play on words – I’m originally from Canterbury and featured a lot of east Kent artists on the album, and also its kind of ironically arrogant cos I’m kind of a humble dude!

CB: It’s your first album isn’t it, debut as they say. Might we have heard you on anything else previous to this?

Click here to read on!

'The Bury All' - Mr Loop (album review)

Mr Loop’s ‘The Bury All’ is the second release from Sweatbox Sounds, a label shaping up to be one that only brings quality to the crowded table of UK Hip Hop. So far their less-is-more approach suits me to a T; 40 minutes is a perfect length for an album. You still get 11 tracks of goodness wrapped in great artwork so let’s explore it more:

Mr Loop is the producer and he’s brought along a truck load of guest artists for the ride; no less than 15 (including Wordsmith and Mudmowth) if my counting skills are up to scratch. A few appear multiple times – Zoo Mark and Slippa of RapSkallions and Yosh all hold down multiple mic duties.

Mr Loop’s production is wide-ranging, his sample pool is wide and deep – he steals from medieval England’s lute-strumming bards, slices up whole orchestras, mugs jazz bassists for their dusty low frequency goodness, sneaks easy listening breaks from under relaxed musicians noses and swipes 60’s pop and all for his own gain – and yours. This CD really is a treat – the sounds are so diverse and so obviously the produce of a crate digging whiz kid.

The MCs offer a largely cheery body of work and things get rowdy on both parts of ‘Satisfaction’ as 13 MCs vie for mic time. Yosh, Slippa and Zoo Mark explore both sides of drinking to excess on ‘Out on the Razz’ and ‘the Middle Path’ and B’Tol’s Eva Lazarus assisted ‘Try Again’ is sure to allow you to sink into its gently ebbing waters. ‘The Infamous Baron Spittswell’ is made to have a video – although Yosh paints a more than vivid picture of this maverick character, this is a lyrical imagination at its best!

‘The Bury All’ will be out on 12th January 2009 on Sweatbox Sounds and will be available on CD (you can get one now direct from the man himself for £5) or as a digital download. Visit his myspace page for more info.

'The Audio Workout' - Vee Kay (album review)

Vee Kay’s producer album ‘The Audio Workout’ is a perfectly cut gem. At 11 tracks and 34-ish minutes long it’s short but incredibly sweet. Vee Kay himself said “I don't listen to music to bring myself down, I listen to it to try to cheer myself up” – this album makes it evident he makes music to please himself; whilst in no way soft it’s cheery stuff.

The chosen samples are funky, soulful and uplifting. The productions don’t just fall back behind the voices of the MCs – they have their own presence (an area where producer albums often fall). It’s the pure musicality of this album that’s made it one of my most played in the last month or so.

The guests are a well selected mix of known names and the skilled up-and-comers. ‘Lok Dat Remix’ is just that, a version of Vee Kay’s track from Wordsmith’s forthcoming LP (Vee Kay has other beats on there too) and it features Dubbledge and Micall Parknsun – in my world that’s star studded! Stig and Syntax rear their double-time heads on ‘Goldwings’ and Dead Residents own ‘Bogey Homecide’ – a hilarious ode to flicking snot. Wordsmith features a second time on the tuneful ‘Bring Me Down’ – it gets me in sing-a-long mode!

Dialekt, Lowercase, Yosh and Cariz provide the other vocals, holding their own on the bangers courtesy of Vee Kay. Of the 7 MC-fronted tracks here there’s no stinker, it smells just rosy.

‘Third Child’ is an awesome demo of skill – a Hip Hop show tune if I ever heard one. The ‘Intro’ and ‘Outro’ are also worth a listen, they bookend the album nicely making the whole affair comprehensive.

‘The Audio Workout’ is one of my favourite releases this year and it’s released digitally on November 24th on Sweatbox Sounds.