We recently caught up with Andy Brydon, who in collaboration with writer James McNally and Kid Acne, has curated the forthcoming Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip-Hop exhibition at Urbis. An ambitious and unique attempt to capture the development of hip-hop as a UK sub-culture, the show is broken down into seven sections and covers rap, deejaying, graffiti and breakdancing.
In the midst of the build and deadlines, Bonafide decided to increase Andy’s workload and ask a few questions. …Read More.
After the hiatus comes the reckoning…director Joey Garfield plunges us straight into the mainframe of the avant-garde hip-hop beast that is Anti Pop Consortium. Intense stuff and a real insight into the making of the brilliantly entitled Fluorescent Black LP. Fluorescent Black is out very shortly and the kind folks at Big Dada are offering the track Capricorn One as a free download. Cop it for some digital sizzle.
For more Anti Pop goodness check out the new Ninja Tune Podcast series. Hosted by the effervescent Dexter, number two features an interview with Beans, High Priest and M Sayid, exclusive snippets of songs from the album and music that inspired one of hip-hop’s most unique collectives.
Introducing ‘Kool Keith Tuesdays’! A regular-ish column that loosely celebrates the pomposity, curiousness and ingenuity of the man with a million monikers. Feel free to contribute with your own favourite links to clips of Underwear Pissy by emailing them to info@bonafidezine.com with ‘Kool Keith Tuesdays’ in the subject heading.
Of course Kool Keith isn’t really a Tuesday type of guy, but James pipped me to the congruously named ‘Friday Funk’ and my Saturdays are strictly reserved for sleeping and screaming motivational abuse at what currently passes for Arsenal’s midfield. Not producing copy on raps biggest weirdo. Besides, Kool Keith ‘Tuesdays’ is ironic, you can read more about irony in Vice magazine.
Having a bit of a spring (sic) clean today and stumbled across an old Answer Camel Slice tee at the bottom of the wardrobe. Despite a couple of moth holes its aged like a good wine and looks a seriously good piece of vintage clothing. I think (and hope) the label is still running – Emmet Keane helped us out in issue 01 and provided a great insight into how an independent clothing label operates. Check out the site for more Answer goodness.
Answer feature designs by super creative Will Bankhead who ran the fantastic Park Walk clothing line and now seems to be involved in the occult world of the Trilogy Tapes.
As the clock ticks down to one of this years most eagerly awaited gigs, we thought it would be good to post up what can only be described as one the best interviews. Ever. This is like Story Time with the RZA and is an amazing yarn full of colourful little details and embellishments. Obviously it probably helps if you can dispense with your disbelief and just go along with the story.
BTW if the RZA needs somewhere to store his stash of 50 Replicators he can use Bonafide HQ for a cheap commission-based rate.
“That’s Paul’s Boutique and they’re in Brooklyn…” Sheffield’s Kid Acne was recently invited to take part in Beck’s Music Inspired Artproject. The South Yorkshire illustrator/MC/one-man hip-hop band remixed the Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique album cover and there are lots of deft and imaginative touches in the reinterpretation. Other commissioned work includes pieces by super nice designers Kate Moross and Si Scott. Scott is part of the excellent Paper Scissors Stone team – anyone in Leeds needs to check this shop out.
On the South Yorkshire art and design tip, Kid Acne is also taking part in 7 Styles for 7 Brothersexhibition at the Archipelago Works in Sheffield. Running until the 27th September, the show looks proper boss.
Apologies funk fans, this weeks tunes are more of the delicate soul variety. Brought to you by the kind folk at Stones Throw, Mayer Hawthorne handpicks soul gems and retro radio advertising spots that have influenced his musical sound – as showcased by the fantastic A Strange Arrangement LP. Download and put a skip in your step on your way to work this Friday.
Blu and David Ellis have delivered yet another piece of beautifully animated street art. Nothing much more to add say except watch it, be amazed and then check out further goodness at the Fame Festival.
Following on from last weeks post about The Rub and their A History of Hip-Hop series we came across a mix by Rub member DJ Ayres. Put together for UK-based outfit Southern Hospitality, the ongoing programme is Entitled Twelve 12′’s and the concept is for a guest DJ to put together a vinyl only mix. Some straight up raw stuff here with no gimmicky tools, no pre-configured computer assistance and no magical Replicators allowed. Check out and enjoy.
Fresh from acting in Funny People, this September will see the RZA pack up his chessboard, reach for his well thumbed copy of the Art of War and his mic and travel across the Pond for a UK tour. Starting on the 29th the round of gigs is part of the launch event for his second book entitled The Tao of Wu. The new book details RZA’s own personal enlightenment and how he has sampled various religions and sub-cultures to create his own state of mind and vision of the world. We’re doubtful these dates will be book reading events - expect bangers galore. Hopefully it will be as good as it sounds, the RZA is a hugely charismatic, articulate and entertaining individual and you only have to look at the diversity and prolific nature of the man’s CV; from his work with the Wu-Tang Clan to his solo work in the guise of Bobby Digital to his superb film scores such as the Ghost Dog Instrumental Soundtrack through to his acting appearances in flicks such as Coffee and Cigarettes; to realise the mans an original. Hey, even Bill Murray knows who he is. Not to be missed.
