Ok, we’re a little late on this one cause we’ve been putting all our recent energies into developing this new website but we couldn’t not put this up. If you haven’t already heard it, ‘Just ain’t gonna work out’ by Mayer Hawthorne is out now on Stones Throw Records. He managed to get a deal after label boss Peanut Butter Wolf heard only 2 tracks.
He has captured the essence of the old Motown soul sound whilst still sounding fresh, it’s almost like J-Dilla came back to life, went back in time and handled production duties for the Delfonics. Except it’s a 29 year old white guy from Ann Arbour, Michigan who just happens to have more soul than Andre the Giants size 22 boots. He has an album slated for release in September ‘09 and from what we’ve heard so far, you better believe the hype.
The very generous Cooler than Cool, Cool Kids have released a free mixtape entitled ‘Gone Fishing’ Check out coolxkids.com for the download and tracklisting. Co-produced by Don Cannon, ‘Gone Fishing’ is a pre-curser to upcoming album ‘When Fish ride Bicycles.’ which has been promising to drop since forever ago. Free mixtapes aren’t usually this dopethough so it’s a sign the Long Player could be well worth the wait.
In putting the magazine together and getting it out there we have come into contact with some great people. Bonafide issue 02 featured the Urban Angel Gallery. We came across this place when they released Ben Eine’s Scary print. Trust me, this print does serious justice to one of the most memorable pieces of street art produced in the last five years. Urban Angel will shortly be holding Lost Colours and Alibis, a solo exhibition of new paintings by Remi/Rough. Remi/Rough is an artist with a deep rooted knowledge, passion and talent for graffiti and with the pieces for the show being influenced by Homer’s ‘The Odyssey,’ of all things, audiences should expect some deep, surprising and breathtaking visual narratives. Running from June 11th it should be worth checking out.
We would also like to add a message of thanks to our allies who are helping us fight the good fight against the mass destruction of the magazine world by digital media (herein dubbed D.M.D). Adding a whole new meaning to quality top shelf publications, Bonafide is now available across the UK. This should be perfect for those who like to thumb their magazines before purchasing. Those visionary book and magazine buyers who have taken a gamble and put us on display include the brilliant art-meets-fashion-meets a new definition of cool shop that is Paper Scissors Stone, the Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art, Bristol’s brand spanking new creative outlet, Weapon of Choice and Magma ‘the boss of design’ books.
The magazine is also available at excellent record shops up and down the country and online, including Jumbo Records, Fopp, Fat City, Piccadilly Records, Juno and Boomkat. We would like to thank each business for their support in helping bring Bonafide to the masses. Large props.
Edan is one of the most exciting and imaginative live acts we’ve ever seen and while the gestation period between each full album has been frustratingly long, both Primitive Plus and Beauty and the Beat were brilliant, surprising albums. We were excited, then, to come across Edan’s stab at radio. Clocking a mere two hours plus and dropping a mix of rock, roots, soul, hip-hop, jazz, obscure Peruvian folk (by the sounds of it) and whatever else comes in-between, this is some truly out-there radio. A fantastic peek into the Humble Magnificent’s musical mind and surely set to become a DIY classic. For future episodes go to myspace.com/eeddaann
For those of you not wishing to inflict such an epic mix on your i-pod, head to www.rappcats.com who still have the J Rocc mixtape that was done for the Blue Note Droppin Science comp. J Rocc flits between the originals and the tracks that sampled them. V v nice. As an aside, in the early 2000’s, Blue Note allowed Muro and Biz Markie to go through their well guarded vaults and mix it up as they pleased. Alas these great mixes were only for the Japanese market, if anyone knows where we get them – I had them on Mini-Disc, going way way back – please get in touch.
It’s been a while in the making but issue 02 is finally unleashed on the world. Featuring exclusive features and interviews and with Neon Neon, Large Professor, Peanut Butter Wolf, Kid Acne, Kidkanevil, Flying Lotus, Ben Eine, Best Joined up, Gareth Bayliss, Mo’ Wax records and more.
It’s not your standard throw-away trash. With attention to detail throughout, from the writing to the visuals, Bonafide is a keeper. Which is why we can’t bring one out every month! Secure your copy here and get it delivered straight to your door. Click here to see more shots of the mag
In an era of auto-tuned Myspace rappers who release mixtapes on download, DJ’s who carry their music on memory sticks and footballers who are called legends after their debut, Bobbito Garcia embodies genuine knowledge and talent in the many cultures and mediums that he has made a name for himself in over the years. Baller, label owner, DJ, sneaker connoisseur and all round cultural personality, Bobbito is always busy on one project or another. Read More
Last month saw the release of Xrabit and Damaged Good$ appropriately titled debut LP ‘Hello World’, an infectious, lucid and very forward thinking concoction of electronic influenced hip-hop. I first came across the Hamburg-born, London based producer Xrabit on a Wiley promo I was sent about 18 months ago, his remix stood out for being the aural equivalent of an Anime-inspired mushroom trip. So needless to say it was pretty good. But his uniquely off-kilter production was in need of equally unorthodox vocalists…>> Read More.
The avant-garde rap quartet has signed up for a two-album deal with Big Dada recordings. The Ninja Tune offshoot seems like a natural home for the off-kilter ping pong enthusiasts and as Will Ashon, the founder of Big Dada, puts it “Anti-Pop were one of the groups who were inspiring me when we started the label in the ’90s - to have them directly involved is a dream.”
Shortly after the critical success of Arrhythmia in 2002 the group disbanded due to creative differences and a desire to work on solo projects with different collaborators. However APC seemed to have put any differences behind them and have spent the last year touring on and off, and have released the following mission statement: “We needed time to grow and mature as artists individually. Now that we have assessed our strengths and weaknesses, we are ready to re-form stronger and better than we have ever been before. The chemistry that we have together makes for exceptional music. It’s time to return.”
Sources close to the group suggest that “two-thirds of Fluorescent Black is already in the can” and is slated for a September release.
April 28th saw the launch of a new mix by old school legends De La Soul. In collaboration with Nike, who are currently commissioning some very innovative artist led projects, the group have gone one step further from designing their own dunks and have crafted their own sound-track for the city runner. Entitled Are You In?: Nike + Original Run, and following the likes of electronica deviants A-Trak, LCD Soundsystem, Aesop Rock and Crystal Method, this is the groups first full length release for five years and listening to it, it’s a nice introduction to the 20th anniversary of Three Feet High and Rising and the perfect reminder of why the group matter.
It doesn’t seem five minutes since Three Feet High and Rising came out and when we interviewed Posdnous, Trugoy the Dove and Maseo, it’s easy to see the energy, passion and excitement, that marked their first release is still there. Witty, articulate and full opinions, they stand for all that is good in hip-hop. Look out for a full length interview on the group in issue 03 of Bonafide. In the meantime download, get your running shoes on and go and stretch those legs. Or if it’s raining (sic you are feeling bit lazy) why not sit back, reminisce over this and then drool over this piece of beautiful piece of Escher-meets the Running Man-meets James Jarvis animation.
After 20 years, legendary UK produced Rap Monthly Hip-Hop Connection has sadly ceased print publication. HHC was an institution for hip-hop heads in the UK and abroad. Delivering our monthly fix through good times and bad and covering a diverse range of rap music from underground to overground, geeky backpackers to gun-toting jiggy gangsters and everything in-between.
The good news however is HHC is now resurrected in digital form. The even better news is it’s completely FREE. Click here to download your copy. Oh and check the DOOM interview. It’s big.
