With the World Cup now over the big boys can focus their efforts on Retro re-releases and new grails instead of million pound advertising campaigns on players who had tournaments to forget.
Adidas have thrown up another fruity range from fashion designer Jeremy Scott. Here we see the Adidas Forum in many incarnations some eye catching (the license plate blue’s) and some downright terrifying (the Teddy Bear Highs look like something Gary Glitter dreamed up).
2010 marks the 15th Anniversary of Harmless records and to celebrate they’ve recruited award-winning compiler, record collector and DJ Dean Rudland to put together Pulp Fusion: The Return Of The Original Ghetto Jazz & Funk Classics all-new set of some of the best and most elusive cuts from the jazz and funk fusion scene. Nico Franks speaks to Dean and gets the skinny on the best way to craft the perfect compilation and why Pulp Fusion matters to anyone calling themselves a music fan. …Read More.
During this years Lovebox Festival Bonafide sent Prof C Renwick to talk to OG vinyl wrecker Grandmaster Flash. As this archival clip from The Tube demonstrates Flash is nothing but open-minded with who he works with (and what they wear).
Our interview focused on not just Flashes legacy but also what he is still aiming to invent, and explored his wide ranging interests and influences. Check out the quote below and look out for the full article in issue 05 (slightly getting ahead of ourselves). Props to Rizla and Exposure for facilitating. …Read More.
Way back in Bonafide 02 we did a feature on one of our favourite producer mans Kidkanevil. It’s been a while but if we could still be arsed to use MySpace, he would be in our top friends for sure. And I’m talking top 8 shit, before it turned jokes. Consistently dope and consistently unpredictable, one of the most genuine and original producers in the UK today. If you haven’t heard his latest album Basho Basho then erm, you really need to. …Read More.
Bonafide is proud to have been selected alongside 23 other creatives to represent London for the Nike (RED) TIED TOGETHER campaign, a noble initiative to raise awareness and support for fighting AIDS in Africa. Here’s the low-down;
“TIED TOGETHER is an epic journey in response to a global health crisis. Five cities. 120 hours of racing. 24 hour relays. …Read More.
Far from being just the big guy in a shower hat behind Eminem, Detroit rapper Bizarre boasts a musical legacy to rival even some of today’s more high profile rappers. Ahead of the launch of his solo album, Friday Night at St Andrews Bizarre took the time to speak to Bonafide about the hip-hop legacy of his home city, MC battles and oh yes, the shower hat. …Read More.
Bonafide caught up with YNR Beat monster Jon Phonics immediately after the release of his brand new LP Half Past Calm 2 on YNR – who happen to be giving the album away to co-incide with the launch of their dope new website: ynr-productions.co.uk. You can also head over to their shop and grab 1 of 300 Limited Edition CD’s with hand-printed 4-ply booklet and inlay/poster courtesy of Brixton Basement Press.
Jon Phonics is one of the most promising producers in the UK hip-hop scene right now and the quality of the beats speak for themselves. If you don’t believe us, you can download most of them yourself for the ridiculously low price of bugger all. It’s almost criminal. …Read More.
The Infesticon trilogy is set for its denouement with Bedford Park. Following the earlier installments, the Infesticons resistance and underground informed Gun Hill Road and the bling-decadence of Beauty Party, the Majesticon’s nouveau riche reply, Bedford Park is the sound of the aftermath of the battle. An exploration of musical styles, all set to an ‘anthem’ theme check this exclusive for an insight into the aural handgrenades that are being thrown out in Bedford Park.
Bonafide caught up with Infesticons figurehead/ringleader Mike Ladd. A man of many guises, Ladd is a seriously talented individual dividing his time between musical collaboration, writing and lecturing on Black American literature and producing documentaries. Always against the grain. Always worth listening too. Checkit. …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.
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.
