A hip-hop producer and touring DJ with more than 10 years experience, four albums and countless singles under his belt Ghost is a more than fitting débutante to our mix series. Ghost has graced countless MCs with his production skills including Jehst, Foreign Beggars and Kashmere, and always seems to be one step ahead-of-the-game when it comes to UK hip-hop. This is probably due to the fact that his music owes as much to progressive ambient, electronica and more recently, dubstep influences as it does to the traditional boom-bap and smoky soul samples characteristic of hip-hop. …Read More.
The Oakland based quartet Souls of Mischief formed at the start of the 90s and the memory of what they stood for – an enthusiasm for collaboration (as part of the much loved Hieroglyphics crew) and creativity in order to further push the envelope for hip-hop on a global scale, eschewing the commercial preoccupations that began to dilute the culture less than a decade later – has come to represent more than just music that they made at the time. But fear not, new album Montezuma’s Revenge, produced entirely by Prince Paul, isn’t some retrogressive attempt to return to or reminisce over past glories but a very solid and funky rap record. John Whybrow recently caught up with producer/MC Tajai from the group to discuss longevity, inspiration, Monetezuma and ancient history.
Countryman was an ambitious LP and arrived at a rich seam for UK hip-hop. Essentially a Who’s Who’s of national talent, the track Twilight of the Gods was a personal favourite, being both dope and epic in equal measure. News of Skitz’s forthcoming Sticksman album promises big new tings and is a welcome return for the Ronin warrior.
Struggla is the lead track and includes riddim killer/Arsenal fan/regular partner in rhyme Rodney P. Love the way the promo syncs into the flip side, Born Inna System, that features Bristolian Buggsy who proves the perfect foil for Skitz’s banging production shtick.
The Psychonauts are probably responsible for some of the slickest, dopest and most accomplished mixes you have ever heard. When we talk about mixes, we are not talking about Back To Mine stylish, coffee table ensembles but innovative, intricate, milk fresh mash-ups that are so sick they require a health warning.
Take a wander across to Pearson Towers to join their mixtape community and share the love for the Essential Mix, a mash up of hip-hop, electronica, indie and funk and the Cream Live 2 Mix (produced with James Lavelle) that manages to stitch together Street Fighter dialogue, Dr Octagon and Air.
They’ve been operating as producers, musicians and DJs for the past 15+years and despite critical plaudits and being cited by the likes of DFA as major influences, have remained in the shadows. With the re-release of their excellent debut LP Songs For Creatures, an album they state is beyond definition, we attempt to lift the lid on one of the UK’s most uber talented groups. …Read More.
Wildchild, a member of one of our favourite rap crews, the legendary Lootpack is in town this week performing in room 2 of the mighty Fabric alongside DJ MK, Spin Doctor and Kyza with Stanton Warriors, DJ Zinc and Skepta in room 1. So if you’re looking for a suitably bassy affair for part 2 of a 4 day bender look no further…
In celebration of this the goodfolk over at Fabric also have a brand new Wildchild track, Sloppy Drunk featuring regular west coast cohorts The Liks, available for a free download. Just hit up wildchild@fabriclondon.com.
Choosing a name with such connotations ups the ante for Cappo’s new album. Entitled Genghis you get the impression that Cappo – pictured here from the Resiztance photobook – has returned with a plan for his innovative, raw and relentless energy and if it’s half as effective as it’s namesake, peeps better take note. Genghis is the follow up to the 03′s mighty Spaz the World and drops on the 6th April on Son Records.
So, after what seems like an eternal winter we find ourselves basking in the feeble English sunshine of spring. And thank fuck as I thought this miserable weather was never going to end.
Something else that has put a spring, ahem, in my step over the past month has been the musical takeover of London by Red Bull Music Academy; with a host of new pupils, seasoned lecturers (encompassing everyone from Moodyman to Cosey Fanni Tutti and Roots Manuva, above) and above all a series of banging events and parties including Brainfeeder at Fabric and the long-awaited DOOM homecoming …Read More.
Hot damn! Following on from Bansky’s excellent Exit Through the Gift Shop, comes another underground arts gem. Thunder Soul is a documentary that explores the story of Conrad O Johnson and the cult Kashmere Stage Band, shining a light on some great haircuts, deeply funky music and some natty stage outfits. The enclosed clip is filmed by DJ Shadow (at one point looks like it is going to stray into one of those ‘legit’ copies from the Far East where you keep seeing people standing up to go to the loo) and the reaction from the audience suggests it is well worth seeking out.
To see why the Kashmere Stage Band has such a following, download the free MP3 doing the rounds at Now Again records. Now.
It’s 13 years to the day since the passing of Biggie Smalls. On the 26th of March it will be 15 years since Eazy E died of AIDS and the 11th of April is the Day Proof (D12) was shot dead. With this in mind, recent Mercury Prize winner Wayne Lotek has put together this dope tribute mix for all the fallen soldiers. And it’s free to download here.
Featuring the recently deceased Apache, MC Breed, Proof, Poetic/Grym Reaper(Gravediggaz), Eazy E, Big Pun, Ol Dirty Bastard, Big L, 2Pac and of course The Notorious B.I.G. Obviously there’s too many dead rappers to feature on one mixtape, but maybe he’ll do a volume 2 if this get’s enough downloads. Who would you put on?
