'The Exit Strategy' - Invisible Inc. (review)

Ghost’s electrified woozy beats on ‘The Exit Strategy’ provide the perfect backdrop for the rhymes of some of the UK’s best rhymers: Kashmere and Verb T. With relaxing, hypnotic headnod tracks being the overall experience this is one to settle and listen to – let the sometimes surreal, sometimes true-to-life lyrics wash around the emptiness the production has cleared. Asaviour pops up on 'Suspects' and 'Paranoia' and gels well with the group. This is an understated, unsung release that is guaranteed to give you what you need – if only it had a physical release.

It can be heard for free and downloaded for a minimum of £3.50 from Bandcamp. If you pay more than a fiver you’ll get two extra tracks.

Gen Interview

"I’d do a track with Alexandra Burke, she’s soulful enough to get a good track out of me."

Certified Banger: Whatup Gen – this has been a long time coming – apologies for that!

GEN: I know man everyone’s making moves though, ennit?!

CB: You’re as yet, relatively unknown on the scene – introduce us to yourself and give us all that us Hip Hop heads need to know:

GEN: My names Gen, or Gen Uchiha. Born in Huddersfield, Raised in Wolverhampton, I’m a Hip Hop Poet, and Artist/Animator. I’m into anything everyone isn’t.

CB: Why the name Gen?

GEN: Got the name when I’d taken a break from recording music and thought it was time to reconstruct myself. As I was doing it I was reading about meanings for Japanese different words and different symbols and came across “Gen” which is “Foundation” like a beginning for many different words and meanings.

Read on here.

'No Days Off' ft. Sir Smurf Lil' & TB - Asaviour & DJ IQ (video)

Classy but comedy video from Savvy and IQ with their friend Verb T - niceness! West Yorks doin' it a bit.

'Flashing Lights' - DJ IQ (mixtape review)

One part cream of the crop UK MCs, one part lefty beats of the wonky/dubstep variety = DJ IQ's 'Flashing Lights' mixtape. IQ has facilitated a mixtape the likes of which have never been heard before. His vision is clear - create a dope, new, futuristic version of UK Hip Hop. The clarity of his intention has led to the production of one of the most compelling mixtapes of the year.

With beats from Samiyam, Tiago, Dabyre, Floating Points, Hudson Mohawke and more, the more cutting edge of you will know what to expect production-wise. DJ IQ mucks in with a couple of productions which, in my humble opinion, are the best on there with the Micall Parknsun-fronted 'Do It For A Fee' being the overall standout track. TB gets clever on his dub of 'Overnight' by spelling out rude words in radio alphabet. Jehst's space-based wordplay on his dub of Floating Points' 'For You' is another top track.

Eva Lazarus and Stac provide non-rapped vocals whereas the likes of Asaviour, Ramson Badbonez, SonnyJim, Kashmere and Prof Green bring the lyricality. Fresh faces Gen and Pride showcase unorthodox styles - ones to watch for.

'Flashing Lights' is available now and is well worth your hard earned moolah. Get it from DJ IQ's website if you want.

'Hip Hop Hype Dog Compilation Vol. 1' - VA (free download)

Hip Hop Hype Dog have just dropped their first compilation. The free download features 28 tracks of Hip Hop from the UK but with a few US representatives thrown in for good measure.

The thing that gets me going about this compilation is that, nestled inbetween tracks and artists I'm familiar with already, there are a few new bits. Vice and Mister D's 'On My Mind', Capital R's 'I Represent (for Hip Hop)' and Sicnis's 'Get Better' all fall into this catergory - dope, fresh and new.

The tracks that you may have heard before are all quality too - if you didn't pick up the LPs they belong to then you'll be wanting to after this. Kyza's 'Murderman' (from 'S.O.S'), Micall Parknsun's 'Bang' (featuring Jehst), Asaviour and IQ's 'Complicity' featuring Kashmere and loads more are examples of tunes taken from brilliant releases.

MC Life's 'Hard 2 Spit' produced by DJ Nappa is not a track I remember from elsewhere and it's a really dope and excellent inclusion. The Americans are represented by Elzhi, Raekwon (and some of his famous mates) and MF Doom - only quality MCs. With other tracks from Ty, LDZ, Kelakovski, Farma G, Chester P, Orphans of Cush, Truth, SonnyJim, Kosyne, M9, Delusionists and more you'd be foolish not to get this for free.

DJ IQ's UK Hip Hop Evolution Mix (free download)

DJ IQ was invited onto the BBC to do a UK Hip Hop mix to document the evolution of our scene. After asking for requests on Twitter IQ came up with around three quarters of an hour's worth of top notch UK Hip Hop. It was on the radio. Now we've got a rip of it for you to download so you can listen to it any time you want.

The tracklist is as such:

Malcolm McLaren - 'Buffalo Gals (Instrumental)'
HiJack - 'Hold No Hostage'
Silver Bullet - '20 Seconds To Comply'
SL Troopers - 'Movement'
Demon Boyz - 'Vibez'
London Posse - 'Money Mad'
DJ Pogo, Monie Love, Mc Mello'O' - 'Juss Badd'
Lewis Parker - 'Walk In the sky'
Blak Twang - 'Dettwork South East'
Roots Manuva - 'Juggle Tings Propa'
Skitz Feat. Rodney P & Skinny Man - 'Twilight of the gods'
Mark B & Blade - 'The Unknown'
Taskforce - 'Intro'
Jehst Feat. Asaviour - 'People Under The Weather'
Klashnekoff - 'Murder'
Roots Manuva - 'Witness (1 Hope)'
Dizzee Rascal - 'Fix Up Look Sharp'
Kashmere - 'Do The Numbers'
DJ IQ Feat. Allstar Mc's - '8 Bars of Fire (Pt.2)'

'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

'Can't Hold Me' - Yogi (prod. by Asaviour) (free download)

Here's a new free tune from Yogi, produced by Asaviour - 'Can't Hold Me'

If you don't know Yogi then you need to go back. His debut album was 'Jamaica Child', released in 2001 and considered by some as a classic. His second album 'Bear Neccesities' was released in 2004. He has featured heavuly on Baby J's releases on great tracks such as 'F.T.P.', 'Black & White' and 'Let it Go' with Ty, Klashnekoff and Rukus. More recently, with fellow Midlands rappers Shade 1 and Rukus he formed Antourage and they released 'Ants Dem A Swarm'.

Watch Out For: Gen

Gen is one to watch out for. You may have already caught him tearing down stages with Asaviour and DJ IQ on their A-Loop Theory tour - if the Savvy seal of approval isn't enough then I also recommend him to you.

His new mixtape 'Forbidden Jutsu Vol.1' is set to be released on 9th September (that's 09/09/09) and he's told me he's currently recording an exclusive track for Certified Banger - so check that out probably on 'On The Radar Volume 5'.

Now, check him out on his myspace and also on the Saving Grace Music website. Click the button below to download a sampler of 'Forbidden Jutsu Vol. 1':

'No Days Off' ft. Sir Smurf Lil & TB - Asaviour & DJ IQ (video preview)

Asaviour on Lucy Pink's Podcast

Ignore the picture of Savvy trying to save face after tripping over his undone shoelace and get Lucy Pink's podcast downloaded. It features highlights of Asaviour's visit (who brought along new boy and one to watch for Gen), Lowkey's Hip Hop commandments and a chat with Sarah Love. Asaviour performs tracks from his and DJ IQ's album 'The A-Loop Theory'.

Get to lucypink.podomatic.com/ for the download or use my link below to download it straight away. Her website also has previous podcasts which feature DMC heats, End of the Weak heats, Triple Darkness, Beer and Rap and more!

Tonight's show features guest DJ Vadim so tune in between 5pm - 7pm at www.dieselumusicradio.com.

'On The Radar' Series - 60+ Free UK Hip Hop Tunes

Haven't bigged up these for a while, neither have I done a post with all three:

Click the images to download over 60 tracks of free and exclusive UK Hip Hop featuring music from: JVF Clique, Jay Madden, Chris L, Assa, Jut, Dan Bull, Mrs. Pez, Jimmy Crack, Skrimshank, Remus, Krate Krusaders, Antidote, Pro P, TLG, Chima Anya, The Three Amigos, Naive, Grit Grammar, Dan Bull, Joker Starr, MasterSystem, Asaviour, Apa-Tight, Dabbla, Miss Tofelees, Gouki P, Antiheroes, Reklews, Lowercase, Chattabox, Sober, Simple Samples, Circle Makerz, King David, Cipher Jewels, Reggiimental, Reain, Ramson Badbonez, Yosh, Vee Kay, Joe Blow, Metabeats, Dialect, Delegates of Culture, Stylah, Jon Phonics, Kasha, Jee4ce, Profisee, Capitol 1212, Mr. ShaoDow, Cheif Wigz, Brutal Artistry, Cyclonius, Baron Samedi 15. Judgement Day ft. SonnyJim, Kosyne, R.C. & LKC _ JC, Ozmosis, Miss Tofelees, Stoney, Pockets, Pro P, Zoo Mark, Slippa, Mr. Loop, Bane, Jonny Alpha, E Hustle, Jehst, Kyza, Queens English, Klashnekoff, Skandal, Loudmouth, Jay Large, Grimlok, Reps, Late, Size8, Spee 69, Beit Nun, Truth, B'Tol and more:

A-Loop Theory Southern Album Launch This Saturday

Want to have a good time this Saturday? You in London? Like the future sounds of UK Hip Hop? Then check this flyer and get yourself there! All those guys on one night? Quality! If you haven't picked up a copy of the album yet then do - it's all nicely gatefolded with a bonus CD of tracks.

'Jimstrumentals' - Jimmy Green (free download) **New Link**

Rapsploitations Sessions man Jimmy Green has put this awesome mixtape together of his beats with UK Hip Hop verses from the greats - just check the image for the list of MCs. Let me assure you now before you listen in, Jimmy Green's beats are HOT, next thing he'll know is that these rappers will be calling him for beats and next thing we'll know is that his beats are on tracks and albums by said rappers.

Check out the way he totally changes the vibe of Rodney P's vocals from 'The Doggist' and how he re-flips Premo's 'It's Yours' beat! Listen as he throws in quotes from 'Dead Mans Shoes' and comedy routines about bad breath. Get this for yourself and if you're an MC get in touch. If you're a producer - watch out! Click for tracklisting.

Here's a new link that includes DPF's verse:

Jack Flash - 'Intoxicating' (video)

Check out this video for Jack Flash's track 'Intoxicating'.

I saw him at Asaviour and DJ IQ's album launch and he properly rocked the spot. This guy has clarity and a real magnetic stage persona - sometimes you totally forget that his DJ has just killed the beat and that Jack is rhyming acapella. '4 Minute Warning' is pretty much favourite track right now, my only problem is I'm not sure which version I like the most!

JVF Clique on Suspect Packages Radio

Check Suspect Packages latest radio show. It features 'On The Radar' mainstays JVF Clique with exclusive tracks and interviews from them boys.

It also features a whole host of artists who I've been generally been getting excited about recently - these are the next layer of talent from our country. It also features certified legends in our scene.

He's got Stylah, Skandal, Asaviour & DJ IQ, Delegates of Culture, Karl Hinds, Kyza, Jyager and loads more!

'The A Loop Theory' - Asaviour & DJ IQ (album review)

‘The A Loop Theory’ is the Yin to ‘The Borrowed Ladder’s Yang. Asaviour’s earlier album almost saw him ‘do’ the UK Hip Hop thing and that’s out of his system he’s freed himself from the constraints of expectation and tradition. And let’s not forget DJ IQ, they’ve both spurred each other on to create something that doesn’t sound exactly like Hip Hop but that is outrageously Hip Hop – y’ know, how Roots Manuva does.

Synth basses and soaring violins sit side by side as the drums swing merrily with perilously little amount of quantization. With production styles like this IQ and Savvy have pretty much created something new in Hip Hop. Tracks like ‘Scientists of Sound’, ‘Uber Groovement’, ‘De Ja Vu’ and ‘Golden’ are more along the jazz line of things – akin to some of IQ’s older work. ‘Hustle and Hope’ which features Pride, Kyza and TB will please the grime fans whereas ‘Complicity’ featuring Kashmere is probably as close as this LP comes to traditional Hip Hop, despite its screaming guitar licks. This is next level stuff.

Lyrically Asaviour comes ridiculously correct and in his laid back manner he lays out visions of grandeur and authority. It’s all in his confidence: “S.A.V.V.Y? ‘Cause I have t’/ Fools can’t beat me now or thereafter/ Numerous master plans this bredder thinks faster” is how he opens ‘No Days Off’. Elsewhere certified spitters Sir Smurf Lil, Dubbledge and Verb T feature as well as the ones previously mentioned. Graziella and Thabo also lend their dulcet tones.

Whether you’re content with Hip Hop how it is or tired with where it’s got you need to get a copy of this album. Wherever you are in the world you need to be in tune to Asaviour and DJ IQ – no one does it like this. The album is our now on Saving Grace Music and can be bought at a good variety of music outlets.

Asaviour & DJ IQ Tonight!

'The A Loop Theory' Out Now!

'The A Loop Theory' from Asaviour and DJ IQ is here! I haven't reviewed it yet - I've been too busy jammin' to it - I even cooked Chilli Beef to it the other night.

You can get yours now over at the Saving Grace Music website, at Play.com or at HMV - be ahead of the pack!

Sarah Love has been championing it, go listen to her latest show because Asaviour is in the UK Spotlight and there's loads of other decent stuff besides.

You can catch the boys live if you're out and about on these days in these places:

March 25th - The A Loop Theory "Northern" Launch Party @ Verve Huddersfield
April 3rd - Doctors orders "Battle of the Sexes" @ Herbal London
April 16th - "Louis Den Beat Cipher" Birmingham
June 6th - Huddstock Festival Huddersfield
June 6th - "The A Loop Theory Sound System" @ The Globe Cardiff

If you're going to the Northern launch party -see ya there!