ZooLoop EP preview

Highly underrated producer Mr Loop, and long time collaborator Mark from the Zoo apparently have a joint EP in the works. In this admittedly extremely budget video, Mark gives you the first verse and a half from a tune called 'Cathedrals & Cobblestones'.

Overlook the basic visuals, and you'll see that the tune knocks. I'm sure that the project from these two heavily slept-on artists will be one to look out for.

'Music From The Tanhauser Gate' - Mr. Loop (free download)

More dopeness from Certified Banger favourite producer Mr. Loop featuring Yosh, Zoo Mark, Ben Black, Slippa, Rick Fury, Chattabox, Sam Otis, Super Dertie and others this free download really brings quality to your table. Mr. Loop is truly a perfectionist which is a great characteristic to have in this competitive scene. It's criminal that folks haven't heard of or heard the music of Mr. Loop. If you're one of those people, mug yourself no longer and download a copy of this and bump, bump, bump it.

Download it now from Bandcamp.

'Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot' - Rapskallions (album review)

‘Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot’ – yup, Rapskallions have a sense of humour but they take their craft seriously. It’s this combination that has resulted in 50 minutes of quality, often tongue in cheek Hip Hop. It’s clear MCs Slippa and Zoo Mark want you to enjoy this LP – it’s so accessible and the alienating features of many rap albums are absent.

Opener ‘Battleslang Galactica’ (Mr. Loop’s remix can be heard on ‘On The Radar Volume 4’) and ‘Sweatbox Cypher’ featuring Yosh and Cerbeus (and an annoyingly familiar sample) are fine examples of what the Rapskallions can do – humorous put downs, clever wordplay and cheeky self-bigging-up. It’s not just comedic punch lines that the boys do well. ‘Red Dress’ holds a couple of thoughtful tales of how men can lead women astray and ‘Dreamscape’ is a psychedelic foray into visions of the night.

Vee Kay handles the majority of the production although Mr. Loop, Wosk Master Astek and PG Tipps all get a track each. All the beats are finely crafted; if you’ve heard Vee Kay or Mr. Loop’s previous work then you know the sound and quality to expect. Mr. Loop’s ‘U.S.B.’ (not the version from his own album) explores the same sample as Dre’s ‘Xplosive’ and Vee Kay and Gut 1’s ‘Another Day’ beat revolves around a beautiful summery soul sample.

Don’t let the icky name put you off, this is some quality type UK Hip Hop and it’s out now on itunes although the good guys at the Sweatbox will be pressing up CDs later.

'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."

'Battleslang' (Mr. Loop remix) - Rapskallions (video)

Here's another track taken from 'On The Radar Volume 4'. This is another exclusive courtesy of Mr. Loop and those Rapskallions. 'Battleslang' is a track from the Rapskallions' forthcoming album 'Slicker Than A Bucket Of Snot' although this particular remix will not feature on it.

All Day Hip Hop Event in Canterbury This Saturday

Beatroute - Saturday 30th May 2009, in Canterbury, featuring Mr. Loop, Yosh, Rapskallions and loads of other DJs, Breakers, Graffers and the likes.

Exclusive Rapskallions Tracks!

Got a couple of tracks taken from Rapskallion's forthcoming album, the pleasantly titled 'Slicker Than A Bucket of Snot'. Just in case you didn't know or you forgot, Rapskallions are Slippa and Zoo Mark. 'Just Another Day' is produced by Vee-Kay & Gut1 and 'The Joint' is produced by Wosk Master Astek. If all goes well the album will be out in June on Sweatbox Sounds, around the same time as the Yosh EP, also on Sweatbox Sounds. Oh and Mr. Loop says he's got some stuff on its way too!

Certified Banger - 'The Number One Blog for UK Hip Hop'

On The Radar Artist Profile: Mr. Loop

Name: Mr. Loop

Age: 26

From: Whitstable

Track on ‘On The Radar’: 'Grown Man Music' ft. Zoo Mark, Yosh & Slippa

Tell us the story behind the track: It’s one of the tracks of the forthcoming collaborative project between myself, Vee Kay, Yosh, Zoo Mark & Slippa called ‘Sweatbox Sounds Presents: Our Soles’. This track is the emcees having a pop at some of the people in our scene that end up damaging it in the long run.

Record Label: Sweatbox Sounds

Who you roll with: Vee-Kay / Yosh / The Rapskallions / The Kojak Brothers

Favourite album(s): The Quantic Soul Orchestra - 'Tropidelico'

Describe your style in three words: Dug from Oxfam

Past/Present/Future projects: My debut album ‘The Bury All’ came out in January and is getting some good reviews and exposure which is nice! I’ve got a track on the forthcoming Rapskallions album ‘Slicker than a Bucket of Snot’ which is out shortly. The aforementioned collab ‘Sweatbox Sounds Presents: Our Soles’ should be out later this year. I’m also building tracks for another solo album, and have a lot of collabs with people underway.

'Grown Man Music' ft. Yosh, Zoo Mark & Slippa - Mr. Loop (OTR promo video)

Hip Hop Producers - Mr. Loop Interview

"I love taking something from a different era and flipping it into something completely different that a completely different type of person will feel."

Having just dropped his debut LP 'The Bury All' and it being a banger, I thought I should probably interview the man they call Mr. Loop. Then, I did, so why don't you have a read?

Certified Banger: Mr. Loop! How goes it?

Mr. Loop: I’m good, nothing to complain about!

CB: First of all tell us, if it’s not obvious, how did you get your name?

Mr. Loop: Well, two reason really – my surname is Lupin, and I’ve always been called Loop as a nickname my whole life, and I make crusty Hip Hop using sample loops…

CB: And now please tell us how you named your album ‘The Bury All’:

Mr. Loop: That’s just another play on words – I’m originally from Canterbury and featured a lot of east Kent artists on the album, and also its kind of ironically arrogant cos I’m kind of a humble dude!

CB: It’s your first album isn’t it, debut as they say. Might we have heard you on anything else previous to this?

Click here to read on!

Unattended Baggage Blows!

Disorda has dropped another Suspect Packages radio show on us; the first of 2009.

Click here to download the show which features tracks and exclusives from Scorz, M9, Chester P, Mr. Loop, Kasha, Illustrate, Ramson Badbonez, Brotherman, Sir Smurf and a whole host of others who shouldn't be offended if I didn't type their name on the list. Anyways, you can go to Disorda's blog and read the whole tracklists hould you so desire.

There's also a nice old skool selection featuring Krispy 3, Black Radical Mk II and others.

'The Bury All' - Mr Loop (album review)

Mr Loop’s ‘The Bury All’ is the second release from Sweatbox Sounds, a label shaping up to be one that only brings quality to the crowded table of UK Hip Hop. So far their less-is-more approach suits me to a T; 40 minutes is a perfect length for an album. You still get 11 tracks of goodness wrapped in great artwork so let’s explore it more:

Mr Loop is the producer and he’s brought along a truck load of guest artists for the ride; no less than 15 (including Wordsmith and Mudmowth) if my counting skills are up to scratch. A few appear multiple times – Zoo Mark and Slippa of RapSkallions and Yosh all hold down multiple mic duties.

Mr Loop’s production is wide-ranging, his sample pool is wide and deep – he steals from medieval England’s lute-strumming bards, slices up whole orchestras, mugs jazz bassists for their dusty low frequency goodness, sneaks easy listening breaks from under relaxed musicians noses and swipes 60’s pop and all for his own gain – and yours. This CD really is a treat – the sounds are so diverse and so obviously the produce of a crate digging whiz kid.

The MCs offer a largely cheery body of work and things get rowdy on both parts of ‘Satisfaction’ as 13 MCs vie for mic time. Yosh, Slippa and Zoo Mark explore both sides of drinking to excess on ‘Out on the Razz’ and ‘the Middle Path’ and B’Tol’s Eva Lazarus assisted ‘Try Again’ is sure to allow you to sink into its gently ebbing waters. ‘The Infamous Baron Spittswell’ is made to have a video – although Yosh paints a more than vivid picture of this maverick character, this is a lyrical imagination at its best!

‘The Bury All’ will be out on 12th January 2009 on Sweatbox Sounds and will be available on CD (you can get one now direct from the man himself for £5) or as a digital download. Visit his myspace page for more info.