What's Worth Hearing Today? Part 1 (free downloads and reviews)

Check these things out:

'Genic Riddim' ft. Skamma & Joe Blow - Stagga - very heavy, dubstep-ish, stripped back, bare and banging.

'Close Reminder' (clean) - Wio-K - beautiful sunshine music from a guy who understands quality control.

'My Estate' ft. Stat Quo - Jaycee Payaso - more sunny production from Sermstyle, raps from the Shady soldier and skilled tones from Jaycee - the next Akon? Maybe. Taken from his mixtape 'Sing City' hosted by DJ Rockstar DevonDJ(Bumsquad), featuring Vado (UN/Dipset), Lil Chuckee, (Young Money), Yung Berg (Epic) + more, with exclusive production from Sermstyle Wiz Khalifa & Young Buck. Mixtape coming August 8th. 'Honour Amongst Thieves' featuring Vado ain't bad either.

Hmmm, more summer vibes - 'Party Tonight' ft. Jean Grae - Dres (Black Sheep). Buy some more Dres from Black Sheep material here and trust, it's worth it. These old guys still got it!

If you've still not picked up Klashnekoff's 'Back To The Sagas' then here's something to whet your appetite: 'Somebody Tell Me' featuring Wretch 32 and K9. It's a thoughtful and soulful track with strong contributions from each MC - still love Wretch.

You may not have heard of Cookbook and Uno Mas (I had) but they've got a song with Evidence of Dilated Peoples (one of my favourite Hip Hop groups) called 'When You Rock and Roll' and it's pretty dope. I'd say it's not Evidence's strongest performance (but he's made it hard for himself with some of his past raps) but Cook and Uno both come very correct so check it. It's taken from their album 'C & U Music Factory' which can be picked up on itunes.

Dels has a single out on Big Dada and it's pretty mental - as you'd expect of a Big Dada release. Dirty electronica backs up this UK MC's figurative and imaginative rhymes - it's hot and it's called 'Shapeshift' and it's produced by Joe Goddard of Hot Chip. Buy it now, innit.

'Revenge of the Blowfish' - Squid Ninjaz (album review)

Drawing comparisons between Squid Ninjaz and Wu-Tang would be easy, lazy journalism – but I’ll do it anyway because it seems so apt: there are lots of them, they’re dirty and grimey and there’s the whole martial arts thing too.

The production comes from Metabeats mainly although Dogruffbeats, Lousain Hekla and Imakemadbeats all pitch in too with beats. Sparse, crunchy and dusty and ultimately very heavy backdrops back up the Squids – the LP’s strength.

Opener ‘8 Bars’ features fifteen MCs who all come in full on ill lyrical mode. However, as the album goes on the allusions to violence and misogyny wear pretty thin – if you can stomach it to begin with. I appreciate their quest to bring “raw raps” but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t necessitate so much sordid imagery. For some heads – this is just what you’re looking for. For me, it’s not. Having said that, all these MCs have skills – they all rhyme the rhyme well – it’s just the relentless content that’s the problem.

Single ‘Luna Disco’ is a dope track and I can’t front on that!

‘Revenge Of The Blowfish’ will be out on December 7th on Squid Ninja Records.

Free Willo Wispa, Black Milk, Yogi, Shade 1, Mr. Drastick, Squid Ninjaz Tracks

Some UK heat for y'alls:

New Black Milk dub by Willo Wispa - these two seem to be made for each other and the track 'Panda Pops' is just eased brilliance. Can't tell you much I'm looking forward to his forthcoming recorded and released output.

Yogi and Shade 1 have dropped 'We Aint Ya Typical', some west coast sounding ishmish, via Twitter - good stuff.

Mr. Drastick sent over a new track 'Nothing To Lose' which is labelled as a Sade remix - now that I can't vouch for (although I recognise her voice on the chorus) because I struggle to be a fan of hers - one of my Dad's favourites that I couldnt get with. Anyways, Drastick's track is pretty dope so sample it for yourself.

Chrome Kids dropped a load of Squid Ninjaz tings - a Stagga remix of Joe Blow's 'Hour Glass' and two Cervantis tracks - 'Supa Human' and 'Yellow Rocks'.

That's all for now thanks.

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.

'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:

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

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:

Celtic Underground Sessions

Northen Irish rapper Jee4CE ( pronounced G-Force) has been hard at work this year. He featured on 'Mic:Ctrl', the mix CD by Blufoot and Wytfang, has supported Immortal Technique and has recorded a session for Rory Mcconnell's Introducing Show on Radio 1.

He's also been busy collecting up tracks from Hip Hop acts from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. He's called his mixes 'Celtic Underground Session' and so far there are three installments. Below is the tracklisting for the second of the trilogy along with a download link for it:

1. The Elements - The Ruff Guide (Ireland)
2. Jee4ce - Modern Times (N.Ireland)
3. Joe Blow - Blunts In The Ashtray (Wales)
4. The Matchstick Men - Wack Weed skit (Scotland)
5. Scatabrainz ft. Loki - Across The Room (Scotland)
6. Maverick Sabre - One Youth (Ireland)
7. The Matchstick Men - Stalker (Scotland)
8. Messiah J and The Expert - Jean Is Planning An Escape (Ireland)
9. Marrik Layden Deft - Insomniac Olympics (Scotland)
10. Nu-centz & DJ Flip & Freeze Master Slick - Not A Problem (Ireland)
11. Correkt Minds - Pushing Up Daisys (Ireland)
12. Metabeats Ft. Skamma - Know Now (Wales)
13. Madhat - I Might Pass On (Scotland)
14. CatchKlick MCs ft. Jee4ce - The Introduction (Scotland)
15. DR-OP - Boogaloo (Wales)
16. Terawrizt - Raw Rhymes (Ireland)

Stream or download as one track or download as seperate tracks.

Here's a link for the 3rd installment but as yet there is no tracklist. Keep checking the Jee4ce myspace for more info.

Do You Know: Squid Ninjaz?

Squid Ninjaz is a small record label from outta Barry Town, Wales. They've put out a few good releases lately and things are certainly looking to progress for them if they continue their upward movement.

Their last release was Joe Blow's cleverly-titled and art-worked 'Smoking Skills' which was released on 12" as well as on mp3 download. 'Blunts in the Ashtray', the final track on the EP is one I've been bumping with regularity and 'Poetry in Motion' produced by Associated Minds man Metabeats is an awesome track with a great video. The EP also features Cervantis, Junior Disprol, Qred, Hekla Kosh, Stagga (Optimas Prime) amongst others. You can cop this lovely piece of work straight from their website for a few quid.

Cervantis also released the not-too-dark but still-quite-dark 'Cloakroom EP' on the label (it features Cesto, Metabeats, Diverse Concepts and Joe Dirt) and Squid Ninjaz (as a group of artists) released 'Pug Ugly' which in their words is "a dark twisted soundscape of complex lyrics and beats featuring Metabeats, Joe Dirt, Ral Duke, Joe Blow, Cesto, Cervantis and Skamma".

There are also a couple of other releases from these boys to try and all can be ordered from their website. You can also go and be their friend on myspace, I'm going to do it right now.

Squid Ninjaz - 'Yellow Venom Styles'
Cervantis - 'Luna God'
Joe Blow - 'Blunts in the Ashtray'

Associated Minds... Men, Women and Enzymes

Welsh based Hip Hop label Associated Minds have got a new website and they seriously mean business. So far they've not put a foot wrong release-wise what with Mudmowth's 'Circus in the Cemetery' and Metabeats's 'Metaphysical' LP and a load of other top quizzality CDs and 12"s and the website continues their winning streak.

AssociatedMinds.com has been professionally designed by professionals - man like Burning Red and Southpaw Vision deserve props over here (or there) - and it looks like the dog's donuts (except much nicer). It's got everything you need on there to get you really really well acquainted with what they're doing in the land of sheep and dragons.

You can also find news about things like Mr. Shrew's lovely artwork being in a gallery and the fact that Metabeats is making a new album. You can even find quotes from yours truly on their press cuttings section - thanks chaps! You can even join the very same mailing list that Mayor has kindly put me on right here.

It also makes me want to go buy all their things from their shop which is surely a reason to have such a spanky website. Get on o'er there with a hotstep! It's the home of the leaders of the next school!

Since they sent it to me, you might as well reap the benefits too: 'Skullcrackology' by Mudmowth, produced by P.L.O. for absolutely nada. Also check this Metabeats produced track/video by Joe Blow, it's called 'Poetry in Motion':