'Put The Knives Down' - Shy & DRS (video)

Scotland's Shy & DRS speak out on the massive problem Scotland has with knife crime. It's an essential message but one that needs to come from many more people. Unfortunately, Hip Hop culture has become mixed up right in the middle of this 'epidemic' and as a result there is a great weight on our shoulders to react positively.

Shy & DRS also have an album out entitled 'Behind Closed Doors' and this, 'After The Sun' is the first single from that record:

www.awerecords.com
www.myspace.com/shyguyDRS
www.youtube.com/Shy0017

'The Golden Age' - Spin Doctor (free download)

Do you love the 90's? 90's Hip Hop that is Well if you do you needs to get your mitts on Spin Doctors 'The Golden Age' mix.

It's packed full of goodness from the likes of Brand Nubian, The Pharcyde, The Fugees, The Roots, Common, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Busta Rhymes... man the list goes on. But really, it speaks for itself so I'll continue: Black Moon, KRS One, Junior Mafia (unfortunately, can't stand em), Big L, Showbiz & AG, Lord Finesse, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Keith Murray, Das EFX, Sadat X, Mobb Deep, Rawcotics, Nas and Africa Islam (wipes sweat off brow and fingers).

'The Golden Age' is expertly mixed by an expert and is bound to be many folks cup of tea, or even coffee - the Americans will love it too! Whatsmore, you can get it for free! If you go to The Doctors Orders webpage, then you'll find this free to download as one fat track. If you want a hard copy with the artwork and everything then track it down at Sounds Of The Universe, Revival Records, Wyld Pitch, Sister Ray or Phonica.

Whilst you're there, there are loads of other mixes to download - cool!

'Cracked It' ft. Verb T - Asaviour & DJ IQ (free download)

A big fat present here from Asaviour and DJ IQ!

Off of the soon to be unleashed 'The A Loop Theory' album - which bangs in its entirety - is 'Cracked It' featuring none other than Verb T!

Go to the Saving Grace Music website to find out more!

If you're a designer/doodler/artist type then check out the chance for you to design the official T Shirt for the album (which I'll wear proudly when I get mine) then make sure you can get to either the South or the North release party where you can participate. To find out more, click here.

The album is due to be released on 23rd March and you can read all the blurb about it here.

Suspect Packages Radio Show February

February's Suspect Packages radio show is up and ready for you to download. This month Disorda's guest didn't show so you get more music than usual.

Interestingly the show features many 'On The Radar' artists past (Skillet, Truth)and present (Joker Starr, Assa, Jay Madden, Dialect, JVF Clique, Dabbla, The Three Amigos, Antiheroes) and all the current favourites of Certified Banger (SonnyJim, Jyager, Sir Smurf Lil, Lowkey and more).

It also includes the usual old skool selection at the end with cuts from 3PM, Gunshot, Unanimous Decision and Pointblank amongst others - get schooled in the old skool.

Anyway, go here to see the tracklisting, click here to stream it and click here to download it.

Certified Banger Presents: 'On The Radar Volume 2' Coming Soon!

Unveiling - Certified Banger Presents: 'On The Radar Volume 2'.

The second installment in the series (Vol. 3 will be hot on its heels) continues the quest to expose UK Hip Hop artists, potentially, to people all over this green planet.

It will feature exclusives and never heard elsewhere tracks 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, Naïve, 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 and Reggiimental.

It will be available to download as of Monday 9th February so be sure to check back here!

Ironik vs. Silver - worst beef ever

An artist who I didn't like very much last year (Silver) and an artist I didn't like at all last year (Ironik) are having a big beef. Silver has recorded a 'diss' aimed right at Ironik. It's all pretty laughable really. If you were so inclined you could even download 'Your Time's Up' which features Jaycee (who wastes a good proportion of the 5 minute track singing and making the whole affair a bit feminine).

'Wives' - Eaters (album review)

Very alternative Scottish Hip Hoppers Eaters bring to you ‘Wives’, their fourth album release. Those who like their rap music unorthodox will enjoy this one. Whilst still employing typically Hip Hop methods – rhymes, beats and cuts Eaters have managed to create something slightly strange.

If any comparisons were to be drawn it would be to the output of Anticon and MCs like Sage Francis – kinda like emo-rap or something. Obviously this is not for everyone and this certainly does not have mass appeal – it would be a strange day if this was played on daytime radio. Don’t get me wrong, this is good stuff; in fact it’s carefully crafted and honed.

Production wise (the group of 2 MCs and 2 DJs share the board work) the album is forward thinking, electronica and rock seeming to provide main inspiration although you may hear different influences. Subject matter is mainly, and self admittedly, rantish – Hip Hop, advertising, consumerism and people all get the tirade treatment which is a bit much sometimes honestly.

‘Wives’ is out now on Incorporeal Recordings and it can be bought with Scottish or British pounds here.

Eaters - 'Brain Hoover'
Eaters - 'Deformities'
Eaters - 'Puzzlebox'

'Sin City' - DJ Gone (mix CD review)

The tracklist for DJ Gone's 'Sin City', out now on Kung Fu, kinda speaks for itself to any UKHH head. Featuring the cream of the scene and in the vein of Kung Fu's showcasing 'Sin City' is over an hour's worth of exclusive freestyles and tracks - it's basically a must for those fans who strive for more than an artist's album and single output. It's also pretty essential for anyone who just wants to bump quality Hip Hop for an hour.

Poisonous Poets, Mystro, TB, M9, Charlie Sloth, Million Dan, Mr Ti2bs, Sincere, Mr. Drastick, Task Force, Ramson Badbonez, Teef, Harry Love and Wretch 32 all pop up here.

Lesser known artists drop just as credibly - check Kulture's 'Whoops' or 'Big Deal's 'Sun Up To Sun Down' for perfect examples of my statement.

Check out DJ Gone at his myspace, go to his myspace blog for the full tracklisting and a link to buy it for only £6.99. Check out Kung Fu's myspace too.

'Septimal Volume 1' - 777 (album review)

Featuring a who’s who of a rising and powerful network of underground UK artists 777’s ‘Septimal Volume 1’ is a fine spread of dark and lyrical victuals. With verbal imagery splashed over every track it sure is tasty – providing you’re not used to watered down poppy rap.

The beats weigh more than the average and some are highly original, ‘5 Dimensions’ for example. Aforementioned guests come in the form of Beserk, Baron Samedi, Beit Nun, Dan Bull, Joe Kobi, SonnyJim, Respek BA, Labal-S, Esyoube and Redmaster. This release is a testament to the fact that major labels are unnecessary when it comes to dropping an album – it’s top quality.

‘Septimal Volume 1’ is out now on Innit Records and can be gotten at www.lala.com/album/2306124485460124196 or on CD at www.myspace.com/777uk.

'Holy Residents EP' - Blessed House (free download)

In my link-following search for freeness I found (on the same label as the Tom Caruana release) this EP from Leeds based Hip Hop group Blessed House.

'Holy Residents EP' is well and truly in the vein of UK Hip Hop artists like Jehst. Blessed House add to that a sizeable pinch of cheeky toilet humour and wit.

The beats are punchy and varied. Their ability to be serious is demonstrated on 'Wrong Path' and tracks such as 'Debt Collector' goes beyond the normal realms of rap subject matter. 'Layout' features Fourny P and Tington Sterling on a straight up battle tip and the headnodder 'Sinister' features Corkhill.

Download it here for free from Budabeats.

'Welcome Aboard' - Tom Caruana (free download)

Back in October Tom Caruana, ex-Breakin' Bread artist posted a free download EP on his blog (that I've only just discovered).

To quote the man himself "It is set on a cruise ship and travels through various styles of Hip Hop." In my opinion it's one of those quirky collections of tracks that is so enjoyable to listen to because you just never know what will be round the next corner.

It's got sea themed samples galore and if you like funky, futuristic beats strewn with seamen's witicisms (and who doesn't) then this is for you. 'Cause For Celebration', 'Keeping it Me', 'Get it off your Chest', 'Judy' and 'Sea of Tea' feature nameless rappers and 'Music Therapy' features a singer, so it's not all beats and samples.

Anyways, 'Welcome Aboard' is 8 tracks of riotous fun and it appears to be free courtesy of Budabeats and this is the link.

UK Flow Documentary

'UK Flow' is a short documentary film about UK Hip Hop. It features The I.R.S. boys, Orifice Vulgatron, Stig of the Dump, Disorda and many more prominent UKHH heads. It's edited and shot really well and is very representative of the real scene here. It's by Mike Tyler and Lee Warren and this is what they say about it: "This is a short taster for a feature-length version, which will follow the story of several artists ... and key players in the scene. This film gives an idea of the tone of the project."

'New State of Mind Mixtape' - Jyager (free download)

Having heard Jyager's forthcoming long player 'Encrypted Scriptures' I can post a link to his 'New State of Mind Mixtape' blindly - or deafly (something I'm not usually in the habit of doing).

Rest assured I will listen to this, unless I just want to listen to his album again - a pleasure most of yall will have to wait for!

Anyway, this should get your earbuds tingling for the release of his album, on Jehst's YNR Productions, very soon.

Visit his myspace and download 'New State of Mind Mixtape'.

Asaviour Interview

"When I hear the words UK Hip Hop I can’t lie; the thought of unfinished beats, raps about rapping come to mind…"

Asaviour has been on the rise for a few years now and his forthcoming LP 'The A Loop Theory' will surely cement him a place at the top of the UK Rap pile. Here he is talking about his past, Lowlife, who he's worked with and which tracks off his new album with DJ IQ are his favourites:

Certified Banger: Yo Asaviour! You’re gearing up for a new release but before we get into that, for those who have kept their ears closed over the last 3 or 4 years, can you give us a quick history of Asaviour?

Asaviour: First appeared on Jehst’s ‘Premonitions’ EP, worked with artists like Konny Kon and Strategy, featured on a track by Jehst called ‘People Under the Weather’, worked with a number of artists like Yungun, Kyza, DJ IQ, Dubbledge, Micall Parkinsun, Verb T, Ghost etc. Dropped an EP called ‘Savoir Faire’ on Lowlife Records. Then released the single ‘Money in the Bank’ REMIX backed with ‘The Homecoming’ on YNR Productions, followed that up with a debut LP on Lowlife records called ‘The Borrowed Ladder’, released a series of mixtapes called ‘Play 2 Win’ and I’m about to drop a new album alongside DJ IQ called ‘The A Loop Theory’. There’s a few different records in between all that but… you get the idea!

CB: So, what is it that you’ve got coming soon? Tell us a bit about that:

Click here to read on!

Asaviour - 'Lust Letters' (The remix) - Taken from the Play to Win 2 MixCD

Asaviour - 'Sucker or Savvy Revisited' - Featured on the Play to Win 2 MixCD - Taken from the forth coming Album 'The A Loop Theory'

Asaviour - 'The Aim' - Taken from the Play to Win 2 MixCD

'Rock Ya Shoulders' ft. The Beatnuts - Recordkingz (free mp3)

Another Recordkingz single to download for free to get you ready for the new album 'Heavyweight'.

This time it features the legendary Beatnuts and it's called 'Rock Ya Shoulders'.

Visit Juliano Creator's myspace here
and check out his impressive website here, especially if you're after some rare vinyl or breaks - he'll find it for you. Click on the Recordkingz link below to get the other free mp3 and to read more about the album.