'Special Kind Of Fool' - Ty (album review)

Read my review of Ty's 'Special Kind of Fool' over at Traffic Mag.

'Death' - Chima Anya (video trailer)

This is the video for the last track on Chima Anya's 'New Day' album. It's one of the two really deep, thoughtful tracks that round up the proceedings and it probably speaks for a lot of people out there. The video looks really well made so it'll be good to see the final product.

'New Day' - Chima Anya (album review)

Proving that Hip Hop can be pushed forward without resorting to corny gimmicks, ringtone beats and zero-content is Chima Anya’s debut solo LP ‘New Day’. Chima also demonstrates that forward thinking can be inspired by reminiscing about ‘the good old days’. With more charisma than most of the UK’s MCs put together, a love of Hip Hop classics and more than a clue of what makes a good track Mr. Anya brings what will be one of the Hip Hop releases of the year.

Kicking things off properly is ‘Spell It Out’ a fast paced funk fuelled B.E.A.S.T which features Chima just illing out, saying how good he is and absolutely proving it – entertainment. Hot on it’s heels is ‘The Realness’; a squelchy, slow head nodder containing Chima’s lyrical manifesto whereas ‘I Choose You’ is a straight up honest, love song with absolutely no cringe-factor whatsoever.

‘Hey’ is a minimalistic, percussion led track (like Busta Rhymes’ ‘Touch It’ but with more variety and just way better) which once again sees Chima’s cheeky ego taking centre stage with much aplomb. Title track ‘New Day’ is as upbeat as things come and Soweto Kinch does nothing but add to the feel of the album. Jehst pops up on ‘It’s The Manner’ – another quality track. ‘Paid For’ sees the release turn a corner – this is as serious as the other tracks are fun. Chima’s experience as a doctor comes though powerfully on this one.

‘New Day’ represents more than just that, it symbolizes new hope; fresh optimism for the Hip Hop scene. It’s out on 10th May, which I know is a while away, on Phoenix Down. You have to buy it.

Chima supported Brother Ali at London’s Cargo last night and will be hosting the release party for this album at Camden’s Barfly on 9th April! Get to that and you just get your hands on the album sooner than you think!

'Cuttin' It Fine' - DJ Roast (review)

Hip Hop with scratching? Yes please. Not only does DJ Roast get down behind the boards on ‘Cuttin’ It Fine’, he also gets loose on the cuts – something we should hear more of on UK releases. Roast’s production is in the classic sampled loop-based dust-fest vein with added grit and East Coast style funk. There isn’t a bad beat on here – all of them hit hard.

With a supporting cast of rappers Teef, Nemesis & Arrogance, Triggs Vega, Phoenix da Icefire, Cyrus Malachi, Genesis Ellijah, Stig & Syntax, Skandal, Brad Strut and Ramson Badbonez most UK Hip Hop fans will know what to expect from this line up of new school (but old school influenced) MCs.

Teef’s contributions really stand out – this guy is a really entertaining spitter with unconventional flows and a whole load of witticisms – check ‘News Flash’ and ‘Paper Mache’ for his solo tracks. ‘Vagina Monologue Two’ featuring Cyrus Malachi and D21 gets the skip button from me – I just don’t want to hear details of another guy’s sexual exploits. Surprisingly, I can’t really get with Stig and Syntax’s ‘Wasters Inc’ – maybe ‘cause I just can’t relate to what they’re saying (even if it is slightly tongue in cheek?) – some of you will be able to so it’ll probably become your anthem. ‘Trading Darts’ (also featuring Cyrus) sounds as fresh as it did on ‘On The Radar Vol. 5’ where it was debuted and tracks like ‘Ghostown’ and ‘2012’ provide social commentary. ‘Playtime’s Over’ is a intimidating and broody triple threat from Skandal, Brad Strut and Ramson Badbonez.

‘Cuttin’ It Fine’ is must-have for UK Hip Hop heads who are already fans of the guest MCs. It’s available now from Suspect Packages for only £4.99. Go to the amazing Bandcamp website now to hear the whole thing!

Mystro Interview

"If you do constantly write you end up saying the same thing and that’s what you hear from people who claim they write all the time."

On Saturday night Mystro graced Leeds with his presence as he performed at the Golden Mic Challenge's first round. With a less than adequate sound system (no monitors) Mystro rocked the stage, the crowd and everything else with a set combining old and new material (really dope new material) and afterwards agreed to do an interview with Certified Banger:

Certified Banger: Ok, we don’t need the basics; everyone on the site should know who you are already.

Mystro: Hopefully!

CB: You’ve just come back from Australia and New Zealand. What’ve you been doing there?

Mystro: Just causing more trouble really man. I had to do a festival called Splore in NZ and around that we managed to hook up a few more gigs in Auckland, Wellington. We flew to Australia to do Sydney, Brisbourne and Melbourne just to make it more of a trip. You go all that way, man, it’s gotta be done. I did a bit of writing too but I was just thinking of you lot in the snow really! I went there and did a tour, promoted the ‘F.D.T.’ EP and it went well man. I got some interest for future releases later on in the year to get out in NZ and Oz in terms of distribution and licensing so I’m definitely happy about that.

Click here to read on to find more about his forthcoming EP ('Digmund Freud'), album ('Mystrogen') and loads more!

'The Best Of... On The Radar' - Coming Soon!

Some of you will know, some of you who are a little newer to Certified Banger, may not.

'On The Radar' was a series of free-to-download compilations that Certified Banger put together within the space of one year. The idea was to get the music of fairly unknown UK Hip Hop artists in the ears of those who care about real, underground music. The series gained in popularity and 'On The Radar' snowballed. Volume 5 was officially the last release in the series...until now.

'The Best Of... On The Radar' will be the conclusion of the series. It will take all the best tracks, mix, blend, juggle and scratch them into a real mixtape style format. What we want to know is; which are your favourite tracks? Email me, comment on this wherever you are reading it and let us know which tracks you want to see on there.

If you've not yet downloaded the series - get cracking. All the pictures above will take you to the download links. A quick search on the internet will turn up alternative links too for those struggling with rapidshare.

'Something Big! Vol. 1' - Ty (free download)

For those of you who aren't privileged to have heard Ty's latest album 'Special Kind Of Fool' he's kindly put together a mixtape with DJ Bounce to keep you going until the album drops on 19th April 2010. It's a 26 track mix of mainly features - Ty gets about for sure! There's loads of stuff here that you probably didn't even realise was out there - and it's all for free. Click here to download it now! (or here!)

The other thing you can do to bide time between now and the album release date (I'll be posting a link to my review of this album very soon) is buy the single 'Emotions' (read my review of that here). Buy 'Emotions' at itunes or head over to Bandcamp to check it out.

Mystro Investigates: Ghosts

I had a good old natter with mighty Mys on Saturday night, we touched on his series 'Mystro Investigates' although he couldn't reveal too much. Here's the latest episode - 'Ghosts'.

'Week 13' - Jack Flash

I've been slack on posting these, lets face it you don't need me to remind you of it every week. This time Jack Flash raps over TQ's 'Westside' and makes it sound better than it ever did. Check out his youtube channel for more.

Come Say 'Hi!' To Me At...

...The Golden Mic Challenge in Leeds on Saturday night! All sorts of Hip Hop good times will go down - Leeds knows how to have fun with its Hip Hop that's for sure! It's only 4 or 5 squid entry and Mystro will be there doing his thing as well as all the battling, DJs and stuff.

I'm also gonna be doing a swift interview with Mystro and Mr. Ris (of Alphabetix), Raphael Attar (Paper Tiger), Sage and Tongue Tied (of DS Fam/Defenders of Style) will all be competing on the night - good luck boys!

Check the website for more info: http://goldenmic.co.uk/

And Now For Something A Little Different...

It might surprise you to know that I don't always listen to Hip Hop. Some people even send me some different kinds of music so I thought I'd give some of it some shine:

I've been noticing Nneka's name for a few months now and I got the chance to check her track 'Walking'. DJ Farhot, the track's producer, has taken a Curtis Mayfield composition ('Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um (Curious Mind)' as sung by Major Lance) and made it into fat slice of headnod Neo Soul with a hint of the old Negro spirituals. Nneka's voice is sweet and her message is positive, also with a hint of the old Negro spirituals. Lovely stuff.

I've also got possibly the strangest thing Stones Throw will ever release. 'The Minimal Wave Tapes: Vol. 1' is a compilation of Minimal Wave - an 80s genre of "underground DIY electronic music". Some tracks are more minimal than others, some sound like the soundtrack old school computer games (but with real singing voices) and some really remind me of the old school cinema infomercials. Whatever your preferred genre, this will certainly expand your mind! Personal favourites are Linear Movement's 'Way Out Of Living' and 'Blurred' by Turquoise Days. It's out on 15th March.

Next up is The Last Skeptik's latest project. It's a remix album on which he does nothing like he's ever done before. There are no dusty samples only original electrofied compositions. Some of the tracks he tackles are unfamiliar to me so I can't comment on whether he's done them justice or not - Marina and the Diamonds, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Daniel Merriweather, Hong Kong in the 60s, and David's Lyre all get unconventionally remixed in a way that requires loud playback. These particular remixes made me wonder whether I would keep listening if they came on the radio or whether I only like them because of a knowledge of the artist behind them - hmmm, thought provoking. The rest of the remixes are more in the Hip Hop vein with Loudmouth Melvin, Joe Budden, The Streets, Brad Strut, Lowkey, Mudmowth and Eslam Jawaad all getting reworked with varying degrees of electro-funk. That's going to be available for free on 5th April but you can go here to check out many of the tracks.

Finally, Distiller Records sent me an interesting thing: 'Flush' by Losers. It features feisty female MC Envy alongside Riz MC on a dance floor shaker all about falling out with ones other half. It won't be to everyone's taste (including mine) but Skism's dubstep remix is exceedingly heavy as is Sukh Knight's meaning that it might just appeal to those into that kind of thing. 'Flush' is out on 5th April.

'Sometimes' - Maverick Sabre (video)

With a commercial edge that doesn't resort to europop type synthy slush Maverick Sabre gives you 'Sometimes'. This track by 20 year old rapper/singer (think Plan B/Natty) is available to buy at http://dittomusic.dloadshop.com/shop for Only 79p.

'I Love Women Pt. 2' - Skillit (video)

Skillit keeps things nice and clean and absolutely hilarious on his video for part of 'I Love Women'!

Knew Jeru'slum Album Launch + Sherwin Gardner

Sherwin Gardner and WizKid join Knew Jeru'slum for their album launch at Verse UK on Friday 7th May. If you're around Huddersfield then, then this is one to get to.

El Da Sensei Live in the UK!

El Da Sensei from the legendary Artifacts is here in the UK for theses two special dates on his European tour.

20th of March -LONDON @ The Rhythm Factory

21st of March -MANCHESTER @ Moho Live

EL DA SENSEI has teamed up with THE RETURNERS Poland's super dope producer duo to put out a steady stream of music over the past few years on Polishes biggest independent record label ASFALT. This team bring the boop-bap back with their live shows bringing the neck-snap and energy to the stage.

Support comes from the man like Reps. One of UK's rinsing talents who has made a name for himself with his debut album 'The Saga Of A Peaceful Man' out on Flash Fry Records in the UK and Asfalt in Poland. He rips up the stage the Flash Fry Fam Rup and Nozeeny.