'Skeen' - Skillit (video)

Ahaha, just had myself a little chuckle over this one, some proper comedy bits in it - I'll let you decide which bits you think are funny. If you're lovin' it then go download 'Talk Of The Town' - it's free!

And now for the US...

Some US Hip Hop I'm feeling now:

Blaq Poet is currently your favourite rapper's rapper and this track, 'Stretch Marks And Cigarette Burns' is representative of why. It's quite reminiscent of some Method Man material, mainly because of the beat but the expletive bleeps contribute also. Not sure I'd like to lick burns and stretch marks but, each to their own.

One of my own favourite rappers chasing dollar right now is Pugs Atomz. He featured on DJ Vadim's latest album and now he's hooked up with Wes Restless and Ill Legit to form The Gent$. Here's a track from them which seems to be called 'League of Extraordinary Gentlemen' - it's some pretty fun stuff and it's produced by DJ Vadim! If you do feel the boy Pugs then download solo track 'Duwayne and Whitley' too. If you liked The Gent$ collectively then I've just discovered a free album from them boys here. Big up to HHC for still knowing what's what.

Cymarshall Law is doing some nice music right now and this is his latest track with Mr. Joeker: 'King With 4 Wives'. A pretty serious message is taught here and although it could apply to women it actually goes much deeper than that - listen carefully.

On a very different note, here's Royce Da 5'9's new track 'Gun Harmonizing'. It features really big production from Emile and Royce is just so ridiculously hungry on the first leak from 'The Revival EP' which will be out on 7th July. It will include new tracks from Royce’s 'Street Hop' LP along with a new Slaughterhouse track and will be available at all major digital retailers.

ABD and Alphabetix (free downloads)

I think this may be the first example of The Stereophonics being sampled in Hip Hop: ABD's 'Maybe'. ABD, of Northern crew Alphabetix, recently won the Golden Mic Challenge (a rap competition based in Leeds which was hosted by Blade) and this track contains verses he used in the acapella round. The track is produced by 'On The Radar' artist Spee 69

You should also check the more old school sounding 'You Can Bet It's The Betix' which features all the Alphabetix MCs: ABD, I.D. and AngeleS. As individuals and as a crew they come with a different sound to most with AngeleS' female ragga raps and ABD's clear and entertaining Yorkshire flow being the key to their originality.

Check back soon for an interview with ABD.

7 UK Hip Hop Downloads...

It's been a long time, I shouldna... yeah you know it. I'm back just like all your favourite rappers everytime they bring out a new LP. Here's some dope stuff to step to:

Loudmouth Melvin's 'Summer Breeze' has a summery vibe (can you believe it?), a suitably silly chorus and some British Jay-Z type lyrics! It's taken from an E.P. he's putting out in August so watch for that.

I know I said I wasn't going to check any Jacko tributes but this is Sway, and 'The King Full Stop' is properly inspired - nice.

I'm loving the name of 'Bars on a Bass, Drum 'n' Snare' by Tempa, Shifty Spirit and Scorzayzee - it pretty much does what it says on the tin and it's nice. According to HHC it's produced by A.R. Mullah, it heads up a new compilation titled ‘CRS Entertainment’ which will drop in September featuring cats like Razor, Tayla Jade, Jah Digga and more.

A few heads on Twitter were all talking about this gem from back in the day: Marko Magik - 'Ladies Favourite' - go on have a massive chuckle!

Professor Green dropped the next track from 'The Lecture #2', it's called 'Open All Hours' and if you didn't catch it (because DMCA took down my post) then here's the first one: 'Ballers is Bouncin''.

If you missed that last one then your probably missed this too: Mystro's version of Drake's 'Best I Ever Had' entitled 'Mess I Ever Had'.

'Self Harmonic' ft. Cage - No Pretense (free download)

From the good good folk at Don't Talk To Strangers:

"To promote the release of No Pretense 'Self-Harmonic' ft Cage on 7" green vinyl, available at http://www.suspectpackages.com/ we are giving away a free download of the original version of the track! We're hoping that peeps who feel the joint will then consider buying the lovely zombie green vinyl version which features the dope Supreme Dust remix by Pheend Supreme"

Don't forget to buy the lovely 7" and whilst you're at that myspace page grab a free more decent mp3s for yourself.

‘Ever So Calm’/’Soul Crunk’ - Mancini & the Creepers (single review)

Bristol is known for producing some of the cream of UK music and Mancini & the Creepers are no exception. Their new single ‘Ever So Calm’/’Soul Crunk’ is full of musical passion and rhythm. With Jazz, Soul and Funk being the obvious influences on their brand of UK Hip Hop, Tommy Tempa, Frank Laws and Mancini have created a delicious foretaste of what’s to come.

‘Ever So Calm’ is a cocky but laid back statement of intention and Mancini’s almost spoken word flow is just cool. ‘Soul Crunk’ is a dusty and more lyrical effort that gets a little spacey in the chorus – it also has that swing that’s so fashionable right now – lovely stuff.

‘Ever So Calm’/’Soul Crunk’ is out now on Lula’s Kitchen. Get it and then, like me, you can look forward to more from these guys.

Beastie Boys Reveal Tracklist for 'Hot Sauce Committee Part 1'

The new Beastie Boys feature length LP entitled 'HOT SAUCE COMMITTEE PART 1' is unleashed on the 15th of September and it features Nas! Here's the tracklisting:

1. Tadlock's Glasses
2. B-Boys In The Cut
3. Make Some Noise
4. Nonstop Disco Powerpack
5. OK
6. Too Many Rappers (featuring NAS)
7. Say It
8. The Bill Harper Collection
9. Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (featuring Santigold)
10. Long Burn The Fire
11. Bundt Cake
12. Funky Donkey
13. Lee Majors Come Again
14. Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament
15. Pop Your Balloon
16. Crazy Ass S**t
17. Here's A Little Something For Ya

Klashnekoff To Drop Free Mixtape!

Klashnekoff, on Twitter, just now: "jus made 1 sick tune for my mix tape 'P.O.P' free give away ting I'm gonna drop this 1 this wk".

'P.O.P' - very similar to 'S.O.S.', the name of Kyza's new mixtape. Is there still beef? What might 'P.O.P.' stand for? Whatever, I'm looking forward to hearing some new Klash material and you can rest assured you'll be able to find the download (both the single track and the mixtape) here when he drops it.

Go here for his swanky myspace which also has handy links to his blog, facebook and his twitter!

'Mercedes Benz' - Sway (official viral video)

'The Dave EP' - Dan Lambert (free download)

Check out this EP from UK MC Dan Lambert. Rapped and recorded entirely over Dre beats from '2001' Dan gets into the mind of a guy named Dave and verbalises the thoughts of a reclusive, violent weirdo whose dead cat is now used as a doormat.

Dan displays a knack for storytelling on the slightly gruesome 'Murder' and psychotherapy on 'The End'. Dave is a pretty convincing character - in fact, we probably all know a Dave so this is a compelling and often comical listen. Dan shows his lyrical aptitude making sure that your keep your ears peeled for more from this young MC.

Hip Hop Connection Online

Hip Hop Connection's online outlet is now in full effect with a whole host of non-magazine articles and interviews. They've got interviews with Brad Strut, Ramson Badbonez and Khujo Goodie (of Willie Isz). They've got ?uestlove speaking on Karriem Wiggins and Immortal Technique giving Drake careers advice and also something about the heavily-lauded-by-MCs-you-love Blaq Poet and DJ Premier. Well, what are you waiting for?

http://www.hhcdigital.net/ for more!

Calling All Rising UK Hip Hop Artists!

These compilation CDs are always quality so make sure you're coming with your A-game with this one. OTRers, I expect you lot to be submitting your stuff but be quick, the deadline is 10th July!

'The Most High EP' - ROTLA (free download)

Some real chilled out and super-positive UK Hip Hop here for you folks. Raiders of the Lost Arts (ROTLA) and it featurs vocals from LeeN (NLT Productions), Gadget (Millenium Jazz Music), Kyra UK, US MC Klarity and B-Val. All the beats are by B-Val and LeeN.

It features four tracks of high quality, laid back rap with some good messages (if you take time to listen properly) and apparently they'll be putting out one of these every week or two which is even better. More of this can't be bad.

'Procrastinat(K)ing' - Truth (free download)

Copped this free download fresh last night and here it is now for you. Truth is the man behind the big Rapsploitation sessions (the best UK Hip Hop artists rockin' in Ipswich!) and this time it's his turn to drop a few bars on you.

Over a nice selection of heavy and varied beats (each from a different producer) Truth does what he does in the way he knows how and this 9 tracker turns out to be pretty dope.

A few guests drop by to kick a verse - Eat Good guy Kosyne spits on 'Pass That' (on a re-listen, it's not your average weed track, more like an anti-weed track!), The Colony's Grimlok voices his desires on 'Wannadoo' and SonnyJim and Conflix rap on the foreign-sounding 'Heavyweight'.

'Rap By Numbers' and 'Take Time' (produced by Sivey) are favourites of mine although I could bump this half hour set from beginning to end more than a few times. Think I will.

'Compatible' - Up Hygh (free download)

Just remembered this track that Kidkanevil played at Homecut's Leeds album launch party. I recognised the track and have just found it on a Tru Thoughts compilation. Their album 'The Venus Album' was released by Zebra Traffic in the UK, hence the Tru Thoughts connection. Apparently these dudes are actually Swedish - no further comments. Anyway this is a banger so check it: