Bloc 2012 from Bloc. on Vimeo.

And here we have it. The infamous Bloc weekender is back and with arguably its strongest line up to date, relocating to London Pleasure Gardens, in the Royal Victoria Docks (venue trailer above), to a new early-summer slot this promises an exciting to change to an already excellent formula. Although it’s previous Butlins, Minhead location did hold a certain Eerie Indiana appeal.

On the 6^th and 7^th of July the Big Smoke welcomes electronic gods Orbital, dark synth-pop futurist Gary Numan and the growing legend that is Flying Lotus, a strikingly diverse headline trio that will no doubt be added to. While other big hitters include DOOM, Squarepusher, Jeff Mills, Four Tet and Hudson Mohawke.

On the back of The Less You Know The Better this was a chance to see Shadow’s famed Shadowsphere performance (or in other words watch Josh Davis perform live in a giant golf ball like the kind you find on Menwith Hill).

Exploring the idea of syncing music and visual effects that started with the in Tune and On Time tour the Shadowsphere Tour takes the creative a step further. Utilising 3D effects that play tricks on the eye and visuals that abstract space imagery, use the sphere as a snowglobe and – garning the populist vote in the audience – at one moment feature an exploding Justin Bieber head, this show is about delivering the complete package.

Again, as with previous tours, the set is broken into sections and recognisable tracks are shredded into pieces, with single notes, familiar samples or loops acting as calling cards before they fly off into the distance. As ever it seems that for DJ Shadow it’s about taking his work and pushing it as far he can so it becomes something different. A tricky balancing act that requires him to give the audience what they want whilst at the same time providing something they haven’t heard before. Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul) is the perfect example, yet again he pummels something new out of it and the crowd goes ape. The Shadowsphere, the tracks and his ability to spin new alien sounds really makes Deadmau5 look Mickey Mouse.

My musical education really came about by finally getting Endtroducing one year after I bought it, and then over time consumed Preemptive Strike and Solesides/Quannum, the UNKLE material, the Private Press, the three Cut Chemist collabs and the standout hip-hop mixtapes such as Diminishing Returns and the Funky Skunk. But things move on from 1996 – although for part of the gig I rubbed shoulders with two characters who hadn’t seemed to have washed or changed clothing since that golden era – and whilst some of the newer direction met a bit of resistance in my ears and stifled the head nodding for a minute, the sheer body of the man’s life work going back to the 4-Track Mixes from the early 1990s has you doffing your cap. I can think of few other contemporary musicians who have defiantly dedicated a life to musical experimentation and created such a trench in modern culture.

The man is an originator and his farewell encore to the audience is a thing of true beauty. Weaving the track (Not So) Sad and Lonely (from his new LP) with pieces of vintage photography, DJ Shadow yet again drops a unique piece of elegant urban soul that leaves the wide age-ranging audience thinking that they are in the best place in town this Friday night.

Random Axe – the ‘underground rap super group’ consisting of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price – are drawing fans from all corners, including a blunted Chewbacca, fresh (kind of) from the Millenium Falcon and New Era, who have collaborated with the group on a limited edition cap.

As mentioned back in August Bonafide are proud media partners for the group’s first live show in the UK, taking place next Thursday at London’s Scala, tickets are available here.

We have a pair of tickets and a copy of Random Axe’s tough as nails self-titled debut LP up for grabs. To stand a chance of winning just email in at mailbox@bonafidezine.com with your name and address details.

HORROR VACUI vs STROOMHUIS vs MARTYN from Jeroen Erosie on Vimeo.

To celebrate the release of Martyn’s second album Ghost People, Black Atlantic are hosting an exclusive event at a secret warehouse in Hoxton on Thursday 15th September. Beginning at 9pm and with tickets at £12, Martyn will be accompanied by Erosie, Kode9 and a number of other guests in what is sure to be a night to remember. Tickets are available here

Leeds has a lingering, partly undiscovered hip-hop history to it. Back when break-dance popularity came to Yorkshire in waves in the 80s and 90s someone was there soaking it all in like counter-cultural sponge. Tony Green is by his own accord “a fan of hip-hop rather than a player”. As the waves rolled back across the ocean to what we begrudgingly accept now to be hip-hop the sponge hardened. With it Tony came to the realisation that after years of just being there and being involved he was ready to contribute.

Sedgwick Avenue is intended as a tribute to the epicentre of a cultural movement at it’s beginning rather globally dominant, money churning force it is now. The venue oozes hip-hop authenticity as a fitting rather than as a costume. The name itself demands a certain agreed knowledge, but by no means is the venue exclusive.

Walking in to find out more about an upcoming event on a Tuesday evening Tony greeted me with the quiet enthusiasm of someone who’s living their dream. Within seconds he was introducing me to a Leeds artist, who’s wax he was ‘airing’ in the bar personally for the first time. It was a family atmosphere amongst strangers. It seems the venue aims to gather and nurture local talent as much as indulge in the creations of the pioneers.

But how would such distant ideas mix? In terms of era and circumstance the original 1520 Sedgwick Avenue Rec Room and this New City Centre Bar in West Yorkshire couldn’t be much further away from each other. The gig I was enquiring about was Pete Rock. How would he receive this new venue coming from where he’s from?

On the upcoming Friday Pete Rock was being chauffeured from his supporting slot for Roy Ayers on their collaborative tour over to this barely out of the boxes venue across town. Sedgwick Avenue was packed to its humble 150 capacity, eagerly awaiting approval from a legend.

Pete Rock christened Sedgwick Avenue Leeds. Instantly recognising the mandate for the evening he cut into the classics and contextualised some of the unfamiliar framed records that adorn the brickwork walls. The walls shook that night and Leeds sweated and squashed; united in a new beacon venue for hip-hop.

Yet you won’t find that on any of the flyers or posters. Tony fully understands the problems with marketing a hip-hop event/venue. Pitching the identity of the venue is a delicate skill, and by combining a positive atmosphere of mutual respect, love for music and recognition of local talent with a ‘nod’ to the NYC origins of what we all enjoy it seems he’s hit the right blend.

There’s as much to learn about Leeds hip-hop, Leeds break-dancing and graffiti art as there is about the New York origins and roots of all three. Sedgwick Avenue hopes to be the noisy library; as we collectively read further into the greatest story ever told.

Sedgwick Avenue has since been nominated for ‘Best Newcomer’ and ‘Best Bar’ in the 2011 Leeds Bar and Club Awards. To learn more about the history of the original Sedgwick Avenue and upcoming events at the new version check the Facebook, Twitter or the website.

Words: Adam Hutcheson

Black Milk is fast becoming one of the most accomplished producers in modern day hip-hop and even beyond, as his recent collaboration with Jack White would testify, but it’s with hard as nails rappers like Guilty Simpson and the Boot Camp Clik’s Sean Price on a track that Milk is in his element.

Which is why Bonafide, alongside Doctors Orders and Dephect, are proud to present the new hardcore rap (remember that?) supergroup Random Axe’s first live UK show at the Scala in October. With Jehst and Mr Thing in support the night should be a banger, pick up tickets here.

Commencing on November 7th at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, is the chance to see hip-hop cornerstone label Rhymesayers Entertainment and their esteemed roster as they undertake the first leg of a debut European tour in association with Carhartt.

With a collective including household names such as Atmosphere, Brother Ali and Evidence (well, a certain household at least), this is a one off UK showcase and a chance to pay homage to one of the most celebrated labels in modern day rap music. Pick up tickets here.

This week saw the premier of Hennessy’s music inspired The Art of Blending project. The 30 minute documentary features performances and interview pieces with an impressive line up of artists including Q Tip, The Roots, Ron Isley, Erykah Badu and…erm…Daniel Merriweather. Directed by Thibaut De Longeville the Blue Note cool aesthetic perfectly fits the music on offer (Merriweather doesn’t perform).

Using the broad ‘blending’ concept the artists have been brought together; singing, rapping and jamming over each other songs in a naturally polished set of live performances. The Roots have long established themselves as the tightest band in hip-hop and ?uest Love’s snares and kicks provide the setting for hits belted out by Bobby Brown, Eve and Isley, as well as energetic covers of classics like Excursions with Tip. Talking of which, when’s that Tribe documentary going to get a UK release?

The memories are a little hazy but the good time vibes prevail from last week’s Bonafide sponsored StreetFest, the ‘biggest and best’ event yet we’re told. Check out the photos below.

Photos by Steven Howard and Suguru Saito

We have two pairs of VIP tickets to the inaugural We, The People festival in Bristol up for grabs. The festival plays host to what promises to be the stand-out urban music line-up of any UK festival this summer, with performances by headline acts The Streets, Chase & Status, legends like Lee Scratch Perry and Roots Manuva, bright young things DELS, The Gaslamp Killer and an underground deity in the shape of DOOM.

To stand a chance of winning get in touch at the usual address mailbox@bonafidezine.com telling us who you are most excited about seeing at the festival. The competition closes on Thursday 2nd June and winners will be notified on the same day.