'Over' - Remus (video)

The seed of Task Force's Farma G has called upon Charlie Sloth do make him a video. This is about as different from the musical output of his father as is possible although the quality is something that is shared. Obviously, Remus appeals more to those who are more Grime-minded, and lets face it, more to those who are young (he's only 17).

'Not Like You' ft. Farma G & Black The Ripper - Charlie Sloth (video)

Track taken from the 'Black Book' CD which is available for free download from 1st March 2010 from WWW.CHARLIESLOTH.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

Bonafide Magazine Issue 3 Out Now!

"Bonafide is produced by people who care. It’s crafted outside of our 9-5s to create something that we’d like to read and know there are a loads of people out there who like it too. Our aim is simple; provide original coverage on where hip-hop has been, is at and where it’s heading. DaM FunK and co. are here to set our musical, artistic and fashion frequencies to 2010 and beyond.

In support of issue 03, exclusive images, interview tasters and one or two specials will be appearing online in the coming months. But with a diverse roll call of major league talent, why not head over to our online corner shop and see what the fuss is about by treating yourself to a copy?"

Make sure you do and all - you'll get to read my wonderful interview with Farma G!

Farma G Joins Rock Band The Invasion Of...

Here are some photos of Task Force's Farma G performing with his new band The Invasion Of...

In an interview I did recently with Farma G for the next issue of Bonafide Magazine he had this to say about his new project:

"I have joined a band called The Invasion Of. It is a straight up Rock band in which I perform the lead vocals (no rap). Our drummer is the world famous Gary Powell ex Libertines/Dirty Pretty Things. Watch this space!"

'The Skuff & Inja Show - Skuff & Inja (album review)

When heard in the context of a whole LP, Skuff and Inja’s new musical direction makes more than sense. I wasn’t a great fan of Inja’s ‘Hats Low’ but when the remix pops up at the end of ‘The Skuff & Inja Show’ all becomes clear.

Leaving behind the more familiar sounds of samples are the tracks that leave the biggest dent – the tunes that are designed to be played loud, preferably in the type of club I’d love to spend my weekends in. Tracks such as ‘Kickstart’, ‘Spark it Up’ and ‘Side Effects Remix’ fall into this category.

Where things are more traditional, dopeness abounds - ‘United Kingdom’ in its social and political seriousness, ‘Be Like You’, ‘Enter The Albatross’ and other tracks all sound more like Hip Hop as we know it. Mr. Thing’s ‘Witness’ and DJ Nappa’s ‘Ital Violence’ provide the MCs with the chance to show off their considerable double time skills.

‘The Skuff & Inja Show’ is full of innovative and creative Rap music and should be in your collection upon its release. CB’s favourite tracks ‘Famslam’ (featuring Farma G, Chester P, Ramson Badbonez & Remus) and the beautiful ‘Sunnicide’ can be heard on the pilot of the Certified Banger Podcast. It will be released by In Records/The Music on November 2nd 2009.

'Ear To The Beat' - Wizard (album review)

Producer Wizard’s latest offering is something he should be proud of. Over 22 self produced tracks he’s gathered 30 MCs from both the UK and the US. I don’t know how long Wizard has been making beats but he’s naturally gifted and it’s no surprise that all these artists want to spit over his varied but always immense productions.

Farma G drops in with a split persona on the heavy ‘The Anthem’, Micall Parknsun raps as hungrily as ever on ‘The Land Of The Lost’, Verb T rocks over the jazzy but hard ‘The Dungeon’ and Jack Flash examines himself on the piano-led ‘Sound Of A Genius’. Ramson Badbonez brings golden bars as usual on the punchy ‘Jammin’ On The Street’ and SonnyJim and Conflix wrap the album up with ‘King’ – sure to give you a long-lasting screwface. Other UK MCs who appear on equally as awesome tracks are Baron Samedi, 777, Unfriendly Neighbours, Ed Strong, Enlish (on the very true to life ‘Jealous Type’), Rup, Influx and Vecks and Scizzahz.

Tragic Allies, Erg One and Singapore Kane kick things off for the Americans on the threatening ‘Run For Cover’ (a joint production with Kelakovski) and Random gives one of the best lyrical performances on ‘New World’ as he tells the story of an African being taken into slavery. Verbal Kent and Wizard keep heads moving with ‘Fast Forward’, the album’s non-cheesy love song. Other US rappers to feature are Lil E, J-Black, Mike Mass and Altruisms.

'Ear To The Beat' will be available soon at Suspect Packages.

Task Force, Kashmere, Verb T, Inja Live at Rapsloitation Sessions!

Make sure you can make it for this big big line up! So many heads and all for only £6! Big up Truth!

'...Present Volume 1' - The Krate Krusaders (free download)

The creators of two of 'On The Radar's best recieved tracks, Krate Krusaders, have yet another free giveaway for you.

The first volume kicks off with an excellent live MPC megamix of recognisable tracks which is followed by Remus and his track 'Respect Ur Elders' (from 'OTR Vol. 2) and then newcomer Vex takes over the mic for the bouncy, scratchy 'Vex is Dead'.

The ominous 'Pscience' features Clarity, Farma G and Cappo - each one dropping thrilling rhymes right on point.

Kasha, Logic, Ramson Badbonez (with 'OTR Vol. 3' track 'Incredible'), Fenetik, Saga Sphinx, Crucifix, Devi and Ahmos all get a piece of the beat action too. Download this and Krate Krusaders will keep your nead nodding, and all for the price of a five finger discount - top notchness this is.

'Audible Amelioration EP' - Audible Amelioration (free download)

No, I can't pronounce the name either but Audible Amelioration have named their EP after themselves so you'll have to get used to it! This is another bandcamp drop (stream the EP there) and is available to download for free from their myspace site.

The EP features a few nice UK guests who you'll be familiar with - Farma G and Brad Strut as well as DJ Para and Billy Butler Yeats (whose 'BounceBackAbility' Album is on its way). Most of the tracks are helmed by American MC Coherent Motion (or C-Motion) and the beats by Odious Din, Abject Theory and Relent are three things - quality, heavy and varied.

Relent's 'I Sit Alone' displays a hungry-as-ever Farma G alongside Billy Butler Yeats, C-Motion and DJ Para and Abject Theory's 'Stage is Set (alos with C-Motion) will smack you round the face - for real.

To download it there are three separate zip files on the left hand site of their myspace page.

'Death of L.O.L.' - Farma G (free download)

Couldn't agree more with Farma on this one - LOL is something I can actually say I've never typed, or even worse - said! People actually say it now, but they don't even say the acronym, they just say it as a word!

Not sure if 'Death of L.O.L.' will have a worldwide impact but it might make a few people think! Still loving the 'D.O.A.' instrumental and always appreciate Farma's jokes.

'Take It Back Again' - Farma G + J Dilla (free download)

The ever busy Farma G has dropped a little free freestyle over a J Dilla beat: 'Take It Back Again'. You can download it from his bandcamp page and bump it to your hearts content. If you didn't already get his 'It's A Funny Old Game' mixtape from bandcamp, you should. It costs the price of a minimum donation of £5 and is really rather good. There's also his free 'Farma Dilla' track over at that spot too.

'It's A Funny Old Game' - Farma G

Farma G has just dropped a new mixtape - 'It's A Funny Old Game'. He's done it on the innovative bandcamp website and, like Radiohead's last album, you have to make a 'donation' in order to download it.

The minimum donation is £5 for the whole 18 tracks. You can listen to it all before you pay the money so that try before you buy argument works here without actually stealing.

It features some tracks you may have heard before on youtube and myspace ('I Love Dee Cake!', 'Influenza' and 'You're Such A Dope' for example). There's not a bad track on here IMO and Farma proves that he is still one of the kings of the UK scene.

Blogscraper

Gathered from the close knit web of blogs:

From Explosive Muzik: 'My Little Girl' - Supar Novar (a rough version of a track for his next album released for now because today's his daughter's third birthday. Aw.

From Music From The Corner: 'You're Such A Dope' - Farma G (a reply to Yaeo's diss)

From Ramson Badbonez: 'In Da Pub' - Ramson Badbonez & Teef (NOT a version of 50 Cent's 'In Da Club')

'The Official Mixtape Volume 1' - Ramson Badbonez & DJ Harry Love (mixtape review)

Coming up under the wing of Task Force can never be a bad thing. First appearing in 2002 on the ‘Mud Fam EP’ and then again in 2003 on ‘Music From The Corner Volume 2’, Ramson Badbonez has had a good start in UK rap life. Along with DJ Harry Love he now brings us an epic collection of verses and concepts over a load of beats from the greats (Premier, RZA, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, Madlib and more).

If Badbonez isn’t one of the most promising MCs on the scene right now then I don’t know who is. He’s interesting, clever and witty, he’s laidback, competent and lyrical - skills which could be generalised as ‘panache’.

Ramson displays a versatility that’s missing in most MCs only on their first mixtape. Concepts, hooks, lexis, on-point delivery, real talk, braggadocio and story telling are all present and correct in the most refreshing way.

Standout tracks for me are ‘Put The Mic Down’ (for the awesome reworking of the RZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’) and the British weather reality track ‘Out In The Rain’ but if you’ve got an hour and a bit you’ll find it’s all of high quality. Rounding off with his version of Slick Rick’s ‘Children’s Story’ is a perfect way to end a release which only leaves me hoping that, with a bunch of instrumentals specifically made for him, Ramson Badbonez will produce a storming debut album proper.

‘The Official Mixtape Volume 1’ also features tracks from various projects already released (aforementioned ‘MFTC 2’, DJ MK’s ‘Above Board’ and Ramson’s own 12 inchers). Buy it now, as usual, at Suspect Packages (and don’t download it).

Farma Certifies 'On The Radar Volume 2'

Get on over to Farma G's Music From The Corner blog because he's totally dissected 'On The Radar Volume 2' in it's entirety and I have to say, it's more than favourable - which is good for me and all the guys and girls involved:

"I'm new to this blog thing but one thing I know is that Certified Banger is the top dog in this blogging phenomena... period! This is the second volume of 'On The Radar' and it is FREE!!! The artists are all on the come up and from all over the UK which for me is now a very important thing to be showcasing. The UK Hip Hop scene is not just a London thing anymore (not that it ever was, but it has been the general perception) and the local accents of my brothers and sisters from all over the UK are something to celebrate and enjoy."

Take Farma's advice and download yourself a copy!

Farma G's pick of US '08

Check out Farma G's latest blog over at the Music From The Corner blogspot.

He's put together a few tracks that he was feeling in the year just passed:

'Lions In The Forrest' ft. B-Real - DJ Muggs & Planet Asia 'The DJ' ft. KRS-One - DJ Revolution

'EY' ft. Joell Ortiz, Termanology - DJ Revolution

'Get Yo' Hustle On' - Uncle Murda
'Hollywood' - CNN

'Talking In My Sleep' - Elzhi
'Robbery' - Guilty Simpson
'Paper Plate' - GZA/Genius
'The Art Of Disrespekinazation' - Heltah Skeltah

'A Billi' - Jay-Z

'Chief Of Staff' ft. C-Dot - Planet Asia and F.L.O.
'Boxcutters' ft. Big Twin - Prodigy
'Catch Body Music' - Prodigy Product Of The 80's
'Been Shot Down' - Royce Da 5'9"

Click here to download them all

Photography by Scott Forrester

Rare Task Force Tracks @ Music From The Corner

Farma G of infamous UK Hip Hop group Task Force is the latest rapper to join the wonderful world of blogging. He's kicked things of in a big way by dropping exclusive tracks that have been sleeping in the vaults up until now.

Here's one example, a track named 'Bang Bang', produced by Mic Skilla and Farma with vocals by Chester P, Mic Skilla, Farma G and Eno Redrum:



Click here to hear the rest!

Roots Manuva/Farma G/Mr. Ti2bs (free downloads)

Here are few treats I gleaned from myspace and the like:

Farma G - Paper Fakes
Farma G - Influenza
Mr. Ti2bs - Go Hard
Roots Manuva - Let The Spirit (Hot Chip Remix)

'Scene Stealers' - Skreintax (album review)

Skreintax may not have been the most obvious collaboration. Dr Syntax and Skrein each have quite a unique take on Hip Hop but in no way is ‘Scene Stealers’ a mash-up of the two. Synners and Skrizzle have cooperated to create a joint stage for their skills.

Dr. Syntax and Skrein retain their identifiable timbres; you know when one MC stops and the other start – more than can be said for some collaborative efforts. The other MC’s complement this; Stig of the Dump, Farma G, Verb T, Sir Smurf Lil’ and Dubbledge all show up to rap. ‘Mine for the Taking’ showcases yet another Farma G style – that man is really experimenting right now. ‘Express Train’ and ‘T.E.T.M.D’ (The Evil That Men Do) both feature Stig, who seems to have all but lost the Geordie twang but still raps ferociously.

Lyrically there are many messages to be had here. On an overall positive vibe, words of advice and encouragement flow thoughtfully, especially on tracks like ‘Mothers’ and ‘Reach’. Other tracks follow concepts; ‘Express Train’ discusses getting away for a day, ‘Back Down’, a night on the pull with disappointing consequences. ‘Venus’ examines a woman who, despite her name, revolves around material things. Other tracks, like ‘6 Bitters’ (Sick Spitters….get it?), are all about the ill lyrics. As usual Dr. Syntax shines as he displays his awesome propensity to write amazing rhymes.

The production is perfect, not a bad beat in sight. Boom bap, a splash of jazz, a hint of reggae, all stirred in the sunshine is the order of the day here. The beats are courtesy of Nutty P, Kelakovski, Chemo, DJ Snips, Dag Nabbit and Tom Caruana among others. Graziella also provides her golden tones on some deliciously sung hooks.

If you’re already a fan of Dr. Syntax or Skrein then I can guarantee you will want this LP in your collection. It’s out on Dented Records on December 1st; one for your stocking then.