'Taiko Rolls' - Taiko Rolls (album review)

If you don't know, get to know - Taiko Rolls is the collaboration between Rak and Edge and their debut album is self titled.

'Taiko Rolls' is an album full of honest, heartfelt rhymes that journey to the core of the MC. Lead track 'E', a boom-bap salute to the likes of DJ Premier, tells of Rak's early days with details of drug-addicted parents and his anger at school. Following on with nothing but more quality is 'The Hardest' featuring none other than Vast Aire - not a bad combo with more top notch head no production.

The album progresses, only 40 minutes all in all, with more dope beats and more dope rhymes. There is no one track that will get you reaching for the rewind button - you'll just need to put the CD on repeat. 'Taiko Rolls' brings back real Hip Hop and it's available now on itunes! Go on lads!

'Sickness' - Highrise (video)

Slick but sick video from Bigz, Shotty, Panache, Flexplicit and Hypes.

UK Hip Hop Artist Graziella on The X Factor Tonight!

It's not often you'll find anything very mainstream on Certified Banger but this is different (I think so anyway). Graziella - a UK Hip Hop mainstay (check her work with the whole Dented Records movement) - is due to appear as part of her group Miss Frank on The X Factor tonight. She's properly talented and if this is what she wants, we should support her in her quest for fame, a record deal etc. Do whatever you have to do to vote for Miss Frank tonight. Peep the video above for the skills - especially the foreign rapping from our girl.

Skandal's 'Hunger Pains' Mixtape Coming Soon!

I got my promo of Skandal's 'Hunger Pains' mixtape mixed by DJ MK this morning and then I saw these so thought I'd share them. First vid is an interview and the second two are snippets. You can pre-order your copy at UK Record Shop now. Also, go check out volume one of 'On The Radar' for his track 'Venom' produced by Chemo.

'Running Man EP' - Prose (free download)

Ah here's some really dope, fresh and free UK Hip Hop for your earpieces. Another Bandcamp drop from the group known as Prose.

Steady and Efeks defo keep it really real - the lyricism is top notch ("You only wanna destroy life, whilst I preserve it//Embalming this beat after I stone cold murk it") and the beats are too.

'The Storm' has a menacing but melodic sound, 'Running Man' is computer game digital and 'Born Invincible' is a very recognisable sample - all guaranteed to get you mean mugging and head nodding. The download also includes the instrumentals.

'Running Man' is also available backed with 'No Mystery' on Bandcamp, again with their instrumentals.

'The Numbness' - Stanley Odd (single review)

Seems like it’s every other day that I’m telling you about some new Scottish-based Hip Hop. Here’s some more – with a twist.

Stanley Odd are a six-piece live Hip Hop band with members from Norway, Germany and Scotland. Their new track ‘The Numbness’ features Solareye’s confident and cheeky rhymes (“I woke up with no shoes, my wallets missing//And I’ve enough guilt to jump start Catholicism”) and Veronika Electronika’s lovely singing and it’s top stuff. With the chance of mass appeal Stanley Odd should keep the good work up.

‘The Numbness’ is released on 17th October on Circular Records.

'It's On' - Kilian Ateh (single review)

I had to laugh at the press release for this one – a comparison with Andre 3000? Nah. Lupe and Kanye – yes, I can see that. Kilian Ateh is very American influenced – right down to his accent which doesn’t sit well with most fans of UK rap.

‘It’s On’ is one of those poppy R’n’B affairs and Kanye can be heard in every utterance – it’s basically a cocky song about girls and sex over a annoyingly try hard ‘summery’ beat mixed in with orgasm sounds. Not pleasant.

There’s a Chartstalker mix and a track called ‘Hello’ on which Kilian says hello to his family and friends – a better track, but not a redeeming track. ‘It’s On’ is out on 2nd November.

'Barbie Analogue' ft. C-Mone - Barbie Analogue (review)

Low key, haunting, downtempo production tinged with synths, strings, guitars and pianos with equally evocative rhymes courtesy of C-Mone: this EP is the musical equivalent of a whispered secret – quiet but powerful. ‘Q&A’ sees C-Mone musing life and ‘Storm’ lyrically describes how feelings continually shift. ‘Barbie Analogue’ sees Barbie go it alone (mostly) in the style she has crafted for herself on this short but sweet release.

This new project from C-Mone will be released on Dark Whisper Records from all major online stores from the 14th Nov 2009. C-Mone is currently working on her sophomore album which is due out in 2010.

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)'

CRS Entertainment Freestyle Session

'Ellipsis EP' - Scatabrainz (EP Review)

Scottish instrumental goodness - Scatabrainz' 'Ellipsis EP'. Using samples perfectly alongside lilting, swinging beats he creates the beats I crave at the moment. From the vocal utilised in 'Someone To Love You' to the blinding synth bass of 'Munatayo' this is going to be admired by all serious beat heads - download (for £3), bump and grimace.

Quotes from men in the know go like this:

"really feeling this, perfect blend of classic Hip Hop production fused with electronics and a healthy sprinkling of detroit stylings on top, 'I Know You're There' is my pick but the whole EP is hot" - Hudson Mohawke (Warp/LuckyMe)

"I'm in a position where I get to hear a lot of beats week in week out...not to say I'm overloaded with beats but I hear my fair share of bangers so I'm not easily gassed! I heard a joint and a half from Scatabrainz and I immediately had to find out who this dude was and started sending his bandcamp addy out to my peoples....boy! This EP is serious! I suggest you pay attention!" - Kosyne (Louis Den/EatGood Records

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!

'Battle Drum' - Hieroglyphics (video)

Another US banger from the legendary crew. Watch out for a new Souls of Mischief album coming soon called 'Montezuma's Revenge'.

'Little Young' - A&E (Masta Ace & Edo G) (video)

One of the few US tracks that has penetrated my thick UK skin lately is this one - love everything about it. The video looks cool too.

'The Script' - C-Froo (album review)

Bristol stand up! 'On The Radar' artist C-Froo dropped his debut 'The Script' earlier this year and you may just wanna check it out.

C-Froo swiftly carves himself a rapidfire flow (but not double-time) groove over some hyped up BPMs on 'Elemental Gentlemen' and 'The Gauntlet'. C-Froo's down with Tough Touch so you know the beats are gonna get your head nodding - 'Proper Mint' will for sure, even if you don't share their(Chalk MC & Kali Mist feature) definitions of what's mint and what's not.

Things mellow out briefly when it gets to 'Let It Out' but it's only a brief respite - 'Where U 2?' explodes back in with some details of temptation then 'You Made Your Bed Now Go Lie In It' then tells the story of the aftermath.

'Mad Method Posse Cut' is straight up Hip Hop over a simple but banging loop featuring Kali Mist, Mighty Mandroid, Pins, Ewan Hoozami, Social Conscience and DJ Kraf-T. 'On The Radar' track 'Financial Times' ft. D-Melo still bangs - my favourite beat on here and C-Froo chats sense that we can all relate to.

'The Script' is a real solid first outing - a more mature second outing will be anticipated here at the CBHQ - possibly with a few more concepts and a more refined rap style. Hit C-Froo up on his myspace and get your copy - it's all properly presented with dope artwork.