Track Of The Day: 'Serious' - Delusionists

Delusionists are back with another heavy UK Hip Hop track - 'deliberate' would be one would that sums this up - aside from 'serious', that is. Ben Black and DBF spit forcefully over Slim Pickens' curt beat which is oh so well mastered and produced; there is no muddiness like you find on a lot of the more homegrown releases - this is pro stuff.

The package comes with the acapella, instrumental and also a great track entitled 'Snow'. You can download it now at Bandcamp.

Delusionists also feature heavily on UK producer Figment's download album 'Love H.E.R. Madly' which is an album using samples of The Doors with UK MCs spitting over the top. Check it out now and hopefully I'll get time to give it more shine.

'Digital Connects' - Delusionists (video)

Big shout out to Delusionists for their big shout out to me!

Readers - you can get 25% off the download of their most excellent album by using the code DIGIFAM over at http://music.delusionists.co.uk

'Prolusion Plus' - Delusionists (review)

Delusionists have swollen their portfolio since they released 'The Prolusion'. Now it's back; bigger and better than before - kinda like Hercules' Hydra (and if you don't know Greek mythology - bone up).

'Prolusion Plus' adds 6 tracks to the original release, omits 1 weak link and contains remixes of a couple of the original tunes (which I reviewed way back when).

Opener 'Who's That?' benefits from an alternative beat before a new banger from the boys and Jon Phonics kicks in: 'Digital Connects' is a celebration of Hip Hop's online community and with lyrics like "Oh Word? you never heard the fly chatter of a bonafide nutter on the Certified Banger?" you know you need this in your life. Love this track - salutations to all those who get mentioned beside me.

Old favourite, and the track that did a lot for them on the interweb, 'Trunk Rattle' is up next followed by 'The Low' which premièred on the 'On The Radar Vol. 5'. Kelakovski lends his signature production sound on the operatically chorused '12 Letters' - this, along with the Jon Phonics track, is a great new sound for Delusionists.

'Work' is a gloriously hazy instrumental track which updates the famous 90s Hip Hop sound and they've added the Slim Pickens produced 'The Movement' to the package. Tom Caruana comes up with a remix of 'Supa Lyrical Excursion pt. 2' which is as dope as you'd want it to be. They've also thrown in Ed Strong's minimalistic spaced-out remix of 'On The Radar' exclusive 'Parallel Worldz' (check the other remixes here).

Are Delusionists the mystery saviours of real Hip Hop from the UK? It's a very strong possibility. All in all this is a terrific new package of music, perfect for Delusionists beginners and fans alike. The download is only £4 and for a beautifully crafted CD version it's only going to set you back £6. Even better, since you read about this here, if you type in CBFAM when asked for a promotional code on the download, you'll get 25% percent off! How's that for goodness? Click here to be whisked away to the magical, mythical place where all this purchasing can happen.

'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

'It Came From Across The Pond - VA (free download)

Supporters of all things UK Hip Hop, the good guys at BMX/Skate/Music/Art mag Style 43 have put together a compilation of UK Hip Hop niceness in collaboration with US based indy Hip Hop site aboveGround.

Peep the tracklist:

1. Sound of a Genius – Jack Flash
2. Strange Fruit – M9ine
3. Aquarius – Mystro
4. Kush115 – Squid Ninjaz
5. The Low – Delusionists
6. Take Time – Truth
7. Ground N Bump (Interlude) – Jon Phonics
8. Some Emcees – The IRS
9. Responsibilities – Farma G
10. Clash of the Titans – Shadowstar ft. Joker Starr
11. Do It For a Fee – DJ IQ ft. Micall Parknsun
12. I’m Doing It – Genesis Elijah
13. Now Look At Us – Revilo
14. Alternate Take – Jon Phonics ft. Verb T & Fliptrix

'On The Radar Vol. 5' Available Now! (free download)

‘On The Radar Volume 5’ is the fifth and final in Certified Banger’s series of free-to-download compilations of up-and-coming UK Hip Hop. Since the first one dropped on 30th November 2008 the series has gone from strength to strength with over 80 tracks of British Rap music being given away for free and with the final instalment that total will be in excess of 100 tracks in the space of a year!

With some new faces joining some of our regular artists ‘OTR Vol. 5’ ensures that the series goes out on a high note – or with a bang. Remaining true to the original vision this volume seeks to showcase some of the newest talent in the UK alongside a few more of our established acts as well as those who have already begun to gain some recognition in this underground scene.

Once again the music comes from all over the country with representatives from Northumbria, Yorkshire, London, the Midlands and elsewhere providing their music free of charge for your listening pleasure!

Make sure you check the ‘comments’ section of each track’s tag for more information about the artists and the tracks. Keep your peelers on www.certifiedbanger.co.uk also for interviews, features and more free music from the artists involved. Remember that, without you, the listener, our scene cannot survive – if you’re feeling an artist find out how you can give them pounds in exchange for their music – support them with your cash, it can’t all be free!

1. Chima Anya - Drinks Up (produced by Raul Supreme)
2. Homeless Genius - Plug One ft. Eddie Skratch (produced by Miss Tofelees)
3. Missing People - Bradford to Leeds (produced by ExP)
4. Suus - Top 40 (produced by Pro P)
5. Dialect - Bucket of Spit (produced by A.D.S.)
6. Kirk Spencer - Clap Your Hands ft. Scorzayzee, Jah Digga, Tempa & Lee Ramsey
7. Kasha - Round and Round We Go (produced by Chris Lock)
8. DJ Roast - Trading Darts ft. Cyrus Malachi
9. Reps - Stepping Up (produced by OSTR)
10. C-Lone – Friends (produced by MCM)
11. Preest – Paranoid (produced by Arcitech)
12. Mr. Flex - Nothing To Prove ft. Sophie Rose (produced by Beat Butcha)
13. Delusionists - The Low (produced by Ben Black)
14. S.Kalibre - All Day (produced by Mike S)
15. Teef – Rush (produced by Errol Farquah)
16. Chief Wigz - Don’t Want Much ft. Proptic (produced by Brutal Artistry)
17. Amass Hegemony - Cinematic Visuals (produced by Illskilz)
18. Franko Fraize - Blood of the Earth (produced by DJ IC)
19. 30KB - My Vote (produced by Article10)
20. No-Change – Wonderful (produced by Mike D)
21. Illmystic - Life’s An Outing (produced by Risk)



(alternative link)

Ed Strong Wins 'Parallel Worldz' Remix Comp! Runners Up Available For Free Download!

Delusionists have dropped a limited download 5 track EP of remixes to their 'On The Radar' exclusive track 'Parallel Worldz' featuring Invizible Frenz. The 5 featured tracks are the best runners up in the competition and production comes from 30KB (also 'OTR' artists), 44th Parallel, Lucien Digwell, Dugless Vinegar and Ample Mammal (I'm assuming here that those are the names of the artists and not just the names of the remixes).

Anyways, there are 5 very different versions of this track on offer with Ample Mammal's being the most mental and un-Hip Hop but still very fitting - get ready do a little dance.

So these were the runners up. Well, who won? It is with great pleasure that I announce Ed Strong (from the almighty IRS crew) as the winner of the 'Parallel Worldz' remix competition! Ed's version is currently being finished off for the new version of the Delusionist's EP 'The Prolusion'. Big yaself up Ed!

You can go to Delusionist's Bandcamp page now to download the remixes EP for free!

'On The Radar' Artist Highlight: Delusionists Interview

"...humans aren't one dimensional, so music should reflect that."

After initially impressing me with their debut EP (which then went on to get a good review in HHC), then serving up a hot exclusive for 'On The Radar Vol. 4' and just generally having something going for themselves I had to get the inside info on this fresh UK Hip Hop duo:

Certified Banger: Can you tell us your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview? For example: who you are, projects you have worked on, people you have worked with.

Ben Black: Ben Black aka Beanz aka that rapper/producer out of Delusionists. We dropped our debut EP 'The Prolusion' earlier this year, which was a strictly in-house production. Off the strength of that we're starting to link with some other heads so we've got a few remixes and collabos bubbling beneath the surface... Some of it has come off the back of being on OTR4 so big up to Certified Banger for that!

Click here to read the rest of the interview.

'Parallel Worldz' ft. Invisible Frenz - Delusionists (30KB remix) (free download)

'On The Radar Vol. 4' artists 30KB have remixed the Delusionists track 'Parallel Worldz' also taken from 'OTR Vol. 4'. This is their entry into the remix competition but they couldn't wait any longer for you all to hear it. It's a really dope remix that really fits in with the style of the vocals without just sounding the same as the original.

Check it out for yourself and hold tight for more versions of this track!

'The Movement' - Delusionists (free download)

'On The Radar' contributors Delusionists have been busy boys - they've hooked up with Slim Pickens to bring you a new track by the name of 'The Movement'. It's free to download so get on it now! It features a nice headnod beat and some sick lyrics - what more d'ya want? Love the fact that he name checks Nastro Azzurro.

Producers, don't forget the Delusionists remix competition - remix 'Parallel Worldz' and have your track featured on the CD of their 'The Prolusion' EP. Click here for more detail!

Delusionists Remix Competition!

Calling all beatmakers! Here is your chance to remix the Delusionists track 'Parallel Worldz' as exclusively featured on 'On The Radar Volume 4'! The winning entry will be featured on the CD version of their next EP (which, they say, they'll be "promoting heavily, so there's a bit of free exposure on offer for the winner").

All you have to do is download the acapella, do your remix thing and then email it to delusionists@hotmail.co.uk by 31st August. That gives you a couple of weeks so dust off the old MPC, fire up the computer, dig out that sample and get to work.

If you want to know more then get straight at Mr. Ben Black for info at any of these places: twitter.com/MrBenjaminBlack, myspace.com/delusionists or beatslayingabout.com.

'On The Radar Volume 4' Out Now! (free download)

So, it's here - for all of you who were waiting! 'On The Radar Volume 4' is available for your downloading pleasure and with over a dozen exclusives, Volume 4 proves that the series is going from strength to strength.

Volume 4 features 20 tracks of strictly British Hip Hop from rappers and producers from around the Kingdom. Certified Banger’s now cemented reputation in the underground and online UK rap scene means that UK artists , who are not yet on the radar, have a platform for their music – so long as it’s decent! Judging by the subsequent success of previous ‘OTR’ artists you can expect to hear much more from these names in the near future:

1. Delusionists: Parallel Worldz feat. Invizible Frenz (CB Exclusive)
2. Chosen Spokesmen: Mad Real (Prod. by Chemo) (CB Exclusive)
3. C-Froo: Financial Times

4. S.Kalibre: English (Prod. by Mike S)
5. Instance: Can't Get Down (Prod. by Mike D) (CB Exclusive)
6. Vee Kay: Backroad ft. Dead Residents (CB Exclusive)
7. Rapskallions: Battleslang (Mr. Loop Remix) (CB Exclusive)
8. Runamuk: No Gimmicks ft. Unfriendly Neighbours & Blaze (Prod. by Terror) (CB Exclusive)
9. Lunar C: Stop Stressin’ (Prod. by Ant Orange) (CB Exclusive)
10. Uncle Dicky: Running On Fumes ft. Nozeeny (Prod. by Lazyb0nes) (CB Exclusive)
11. Nutty P: Why So Serious? (CB Exclusive)
12. Leady: Travelling Man (Prod. by Irn Mnky)
13. Joker Starr: Get Up (CB Exclusive)
14. EdXL: Crocodile Smile (Prod. by Cranky Fatso)
15. 10Shott: Soldier Salute
16. Skinnista & Gadget: Get Away ft. Dvas & Reggiimental (CB Exclusive)
17. The Riddlah: Mind Right (Prod. by Nasty P)
18. Knew Jeru’slum: Dreamcatchers ft. JND (Prod. by Eliphino) (CB Exclusive)
19. 30KB: Crewd Sons (Ghost in the Machine) (CB Exclusive)
20. JVF Clique: Lose The Chains (CB Exclusive)
Bonus Track: Zion I: Legacy ft. Ty

Here's what the UK Hip Hop internet community have been saying:

Joker Starr @ jibbajabbajoker.blogspot.com:

"Certified Banger who, in my opinion has the best Hip Hop blog period has put together the 4th in the 'On The Radar' series."

Truth @ rapsploitationsessions.wordpress.com/:

"Certified Banger is one of the most important blogs in the UK and they’ve been putting out these free download compilations of some the dopest up coming Hip Hop artists in the country for a minute now."

Solo Cypher @ vocalswords.blogspot.com:

"Mad props to the ever ready heavy Certified Banger blog, coming back with yet another ridiculous free compilation of quality tunes from the UK shores. 'On
The Radar Volume 4' is available for free download as usual, and this one is, in my opinion, the freshest and most consistent yet. Having only listened through a couple of times, the whole project struck me with the high quality high temp beats that proved a wicked accompaniment to a high octane workout. The lyricism was well above UK par and really showcased how UK emcees are embracing their own identities and putting in verses of a calibre worthy of international recognition. The fact that most of them are still under the radar is fairly ridiculous but proves how needed this sort of compilation is. There are enough quality bars in this release to literally bury the mainstream 'hip hop/grime/pop/autotune' garbage currently being bandied about by mainstream outlets. Go cop it now, its free so no excuses, and then go support the artists involved."

No Frillz @ cantstopfanatics.blogspot.com:

"The ever improving 'On the Radar' series should now be a staple in most peoples diets. In case the rest of the world doesn’t know, the UK has an abundance of top notch beatsmiths and MCs. The amount of exclusives alone should get you started. Don’t underestimate the work my man puts into this series. This latest volume has been a staple in my ears since it arrived in my inbox."

Disorda @ suspect-packages.com:

"Here's some freeness from the Certified Banger blog, 'On The Radar Vol. 4' featuring the likes of Delusionists, Vee-Kay, Nutty P, Joker Starr, JVF Clique, Rapskallions, Chosen Spokesmen and many more... "

Tomasz @ lifejustbounces.blogspot.com :

"So the day we got back from Kendal, we also got an email from head-of-the-pack UK hip-hop blogger Certified Banger to tell us that 30KB are one of 21 artists featured on the forthcoming fourth instalment of his winning On the Radar compilation series.

We're completely thrilled to feature on UK rap's premier contemporary showcase alongside people whose music we listen to regularly. Previous volumes of 'OTR' have featured the likes of B'tol & Jagos, Grimlok, Skillit, Skandal, JVF Clique, The Three Amigos, Baron Samedi, Mr Loop, Dialect, Stylah and Delegates of Culture, as well as appearances from, among others, Sonny Jim, Kyza, Klashnekoff, Witchdoctor Wise, Ramson Badbonez and the mighty Jehst. Not a roster to be sneezed at in any way, I think you'll agree.

If you've previously missed out on On the Radar volumes 1—3, you'll be pleased to know they are all still available to grab: just click the album covers above or hit up the CB rapidshare here for links to all three. You are well advised to cop 'em."

'Parallel Worldz' ft. Invisible Frenz - Delusionists (video)

Here's the first track on 'On The Radar Volume 4' - 'Parallel Worldz' by Delusionists and Invisible Frenz. It's an exclusive so you won't be able to get it anywhere else. Check out the 'video' and hold your horses until Monday when you can get this. Check some of the lines in this, stuff like "it's like you've gotta clap somebody to get some applause round here" and "I was in it for the craic and now I've had a pipe full" - genius I think!

Suspect Packages Radio Show July

Bit late on this and probs none of you are cos it's Supect Packages radio show innit and where else would you be hearing all the next stuff before you can get your mitts on it? Nowhere, that's where.

So as usual Disorda packs a lot of UK Hip Hop into his allotted time - and mroe than usual cos there are no live shenanigans. Anyways, there's loadsa good stuff as you would expect from all of the best current UK artists including Kyza, Micall Parknsun, Delusionists, Elemental and Tom Caruana, Danny Spice, Dialect, Truth and loads more MCs who you read about regularly at Certified Banger. Check it out yo.

'The Prolusion' - Delusionists (free download)

Delusionists are a new UK Hip Hop group and they dropped the link to a free download in my inbox. When that happens I usually give it a listen and if I like, it ends up on here - you know the drill bit.

Anyways, these Suffolk to London transplants are actually mainly beatmaker/rapper Ben Black and MC DBF. I found out all this information from the always reliable myspace and you can find out more at the very same spot.

You can download 'The Prolusion' right away for their bouncy beats and chortlesome rhymes covering girls, drugs (in the 'Intoxicating'-esque 'Nature's Way') and other such stuff and it's all done in a polished and competent way - good.