'Antidote EP' - Virus Syndicate (EP review)

The last EP in the Virus Syndicate’s ‘Breakout Trilogy’ is the ‘Antidote EP’. The EP kicks off with a hyped up version of Reel To Real’s ‘I Like To Move It’ (more recently performed by a Sacha Baron Cohen voiced Lemur king in the Madagascar films) entitled ‘Move It’ – this 90’s house hit has been twisted into a dubstep rap banger – defo loving this.

‘Talk To Frank’ leaves you to decide the group’s stance on a variety of narcotics – apparently they’re playing devil’s advocate. Another hard track though – the production on this is next level, mature dubstep/grime. ‘Crazy’ is a pretty funny expose of mental women and ‘I’m Here’ is their “we’re better than you” track.

‘Antidote EP’ will be released on 9th November on Contagious Music.

'Hunger Pains' - Skandal (mixtape review)

Even from the cleverly put together 15 minute mini-mix it's obvious that Skandal’s new ‘Hunger Pains’ mixtape is of a high calibre. Each verse exhibits this MCs ability to twist and wreck words – bending them into his own configuration to serve his purposes. Roast dinners, films and actors and play with different root words all contribute to the overall dopeness and listenability of Skandal’s product.

DJ MK does the cutting honours and the beat selection is solid – guaranteed to keep you moving in your chosen way. The CD features Little Dee and Ramson Badbonez and it seems some real heads are already in support – Shortee Blitz, Huw Stephens (Radio 1) and DJ 279. Big.

‘Hunger Pains’ is available on 26th October and is exclusive to UK Record Shop.

'OCDC' - OCDC (free download)

for some truly great Hip Hop that I know you're going to dig then get to http://www.ocdc.co.uk/ for the free download from OCDC!. OCDC are Associated Minds MC Ralph Rip Sh** and producer Stoph.

The EP features 8 tracks and it appears to be self titled. It doesn't really need a name - it's dopeness speaks for itself. This just seemed to drop out of nowhere and music of this quality is rare - be sure to download this and then be ready to support them to the max.

SonnyJim & Jack Flash play The Line Up (Fri 30th Oct) Leeds

In just under 2 weeks time this is where you need to be. SonnyJim, Jack Flash and the almighty DS Fam (Defenders of Style). Throw in some DJs (all of whom do their thing well) add in the fact that it goes on from 9pm until 5am then you know you've got a party on your hands. Your 8 quid in goes a long way. Be in Leeds on Friday 30th October.

'Baptism Under Fire' - Phoenix Da Icefire (review)

Bringing real trad-rap Phoenix Da Icefire has dropped a pretty hot/cold mixtape. Mixed by DJ Roast and hosted by M9 'Baptism Under Fire' features a whole host of wholesome and meaty full tracks - it's more like an album that happens to be mixed and cut up (big ups to Roast for the quality scratching).

After an hour your neck will ache and your brain will be busting - beats are dope, rhymes are deep. Coming with a similar thesis to the whole Triple Darkness crew but with slightly more of a good time feel Phoenix Da Icefire proves that he's an MC worth making noise about.

Tracks such as'Purple Mist', the lullaby-like 'Silver Lining' and 'Mic Check' will repeat themselves in your head whilst others just sound ill each time they play. Banger '3rd Degree' features Young Roots and Prophet and elsewhere M9, Masikah, J Tha Exodus, D21 and 9 Planets feature.

If this is a mixtape then watch out for the album - it can only quality when it comes. 'Baptism Under Fire' is out now and is available at Suspect Packages.

'Hip Hop Hype Dog Compilation Vol. 1' - VA (free download)

Hip Hop Hype Dog have just dropped their first compilation. The free download features 28 tracks of Hip Hop from the UK but with a few US representatives thrown in for good measure.

The thing that gets me going about this compilation is that, nestled inbetween tracks and artists I'm familiar with already, there are a few new bits. Vice and Mister D's 'On My Mind', Capital R's 'I Represent (for Hip Hop)' and Sicnis's 'Get Better' all fall into this catergory - dope, fresh and new.

The tracks that you may have heard before are all quality too - if you didn't pick up the LPs they belong to then you'll be wanting to after this. Kyza's 'Murderman' (from 'S.O.S'), Micall Parknsun's 'Bang' (featuring Jehst), Asaviour and IQ's 'Complicity' featuring Kashmere and loads more are examples of tunes taken from brilliant releases.

MC Life's 'Hard 2 Spit' produced by DJ Nappa is not a track I remember from elsewhere and it's a really dope and excellent inclusion. The Americans are represented by Elzhi, Raekwon (and some of his famous mates) and MF Doom - only quality MCs. With other tracks from Ty, LDZ, Kelakovski, Farma G, Chester P, Orphans of Cush, Truth, SonnyJim, Kosyne, M9, Delusionists and more you'd be foolish not to get this for free.

'Summer Breeze' - Loudmouth Melvin (video)

'Want Me Back' ft. Shanice Davis - Conspicuous & Sir Smurf Lil' (video)

Cons alerted me today to the fact that Shanice Davis of The X Factor/Miss Frank featured on his track 'Want Me Back' with Sir Smurf Lil'. Check it y'all - like he said "not just Graziella with the Hip Hop link, huh!".

UK Rapper Ruffstylz Breaks World Freestyling Record - Again!

Yesterday, on the 11th October 2009 for Oxjam at The Toucan Club, Cardiff, six years after his first attempt Ruffstylz broke his own world record of 10 hours 34 minutes. He extended it to an incredible 17 hours, lasting from 2pm-7am and stopped by choice again.

"It was more difficult than I thought it would be, I hit a wall early on but it actually got easier as time went on."
- Ruffstylz

Maximum love out to Oxfam for proposing the idea and absolutely everyone who came through on the day and night, especially all the DJs who held Ruff down throughout. At AM we're proud of Ruff for doing his thing for charity and history being made once again.

'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.

'Too Broke To Go Solo' - Tactical Thinking (album review)

If you want raw, hyperactive, non-stop Hip Hop look no further than Tactical Thinking’s ‘Too Broke To Go Solo’. The group approach equates to pack mentality – with a united goal (to bruise your ear canal) this collective of artists hit hard.

17 tracks, 1 hour, 6 MCs and 2 Producers plus guest spots from even more TT family members makes for a relentless audio assault. Opener ‘Dusk ‘Til Dawn’ embodies the whole album in one track – this is their war cry. With sometimes cheeky lyrics, sometimes downright dirty it’s hard not to faux-screwface and get down to this release.

With a variety of beats ranging from electronica (‘Superstars’ and ‘That’s Right Move’) to wonky dubstep (‘Stick ‘Em Up’ and ’10 to 3 Chicks’), straight up Hip Hop (‘Do Wah’) to jaunty productions borrowing from a range of musical genres (even Barbershop Quartets) no two tracks sound alike – and that’s a grand thing.

Buy this, take a deep breath, slot into your player, sit back and prepare for the face-distorting G Force of Tactical Thinking – mighty.

'Hacksaw' ft. Cyrus Malachi & Iron Braydz - Endemic & Cappo

Micall Parknsun & Joker Starr Interview (video)

Big up to Lady Jay for this one!

'Mercedes Benz' - Sway (video)

“'Mercedes Benz' is all about the fun side of what I do – hitting the road, travelling from city to city tearing down parties and doing live shows. I wanted to take it back to basics and make something in the style of my original 'This Is My Promo' mixtapes, music where I’m havin a laugh, havin' some jokes and people can dance to it, you know?” - Sway

So that might explain but it still seems like he's going straight for the mainstream jugular - he wants to get that money! Don't we all though?

Whatever you think, beat is dope! Big up 45 King!

'Civil Rights Insemination'/'Wrath of the Perspective View Vol. 3' - First and Last (review)

First and Last have two releases available to you right now - 'Civil Rights Insemination Mixtape' and 'Wrath of the Perpective View Vol. 3'. They're both full of politcally and socially charged frustrated rhymes about life in London's ghettoes.

'Civil Rights...' with its moody beats ('Roads and Paths' and 'Blood On My Garmz') nestling against reggae flavours ('Fade Away') and headnod productions ('Social') ensures there's enough subtle variation to keep you feeling the product. You may have to give yourself a break every now and then from the full frontal assault of the two MCs but otherwise this is good stuff.

'Wrath of the Perspective View Vol. 3' follows a similar path to 'Civil Rights...' although there is definitely a darker feel to this one. 'Aimless Wandering' ft. Kyra UK is a nice bit of melodic respite and one that stands out for that reason. 'Time Frames (Hip Hop Path)' is pretty upbeat too. With probably a bit too much to digest in one go, this mixtape would have benefitted from some slimming down.

Both CDs are available now from First and Last - contact them on myspace.