Instalment five of Bonafide Beats arrives signed, sealed and delivered courtesy of the distinguished talents of UK hip-hop stalwarts Mystro and Mr Thing. …Read More.

Filed under: DJ/Turntablism, Hip-hop, Mixes, Rap, UK hip-hop by D.K.
1 Comment »

UK hip-hop legend, Big Dada repper and Banana Klan badman Roots Manuva and the Dub College will be opening up shop near Kingsland overground tube station on the 6th Sept. Celebrating the release of his LP, Mr Manuva will be selling his wares, DJing, signing and performing. Roots Manuva doing all that in a shop! In a shop I say! A spectacle not to be missed!

For more Banana Klan goodness check out Groovement’s interview from last year. The man from Del Monte says yes!

Filed under: Live, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »

Bonafide is produced by people who care. It’s crafted outside of our 9-5s as something that we’d like to read and know there are a loads of people out there who like it too. Our aim is simple; provide original coverage on where hip-hop has been, is at and where it’s heading. For issue 03 DaM FunK and co. are here to set our musical, artistic and fashion frequencies to 2010 and beyond.

For this issue we some how managed to convince one of our favourite, and modern music’s most imaginative art directors to design our front cover. And Jeff Jank (Stones Throw records) certainly comes up with the goods in this comic book-inspired cut-up of a Strong Arm Steady/Planet Asia/J Rocc image – dope to the power of a gazillion. …Read More.

Filed under: Bonafide magazine, UK hip-hop, Uncategorized by J.G.
6 Comments »

On the subject of fresh record cover artwork, Emily Macaulay (for Iamstanley) delivers the goods for the Simonsounds Reverse Engineering LP. Cutting up found photography and employing retro graphics, the artwork matches the LP – which we reviewed a while back – with it’s understated chic.

Filed under: Graphic Design, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »

Some doubted Cameron’s commitment to the urban game, questioning the sincerity of his ‘hood a hoodie’ campaign but the new PM has upped-the-ante on the haterz by presenting President Obama with a piece of art by typo-graffer extraordinaire (and re-formed illegal dauber with previous) Ben Eine.

Political tittle-tattle aside, having interviewed Eine for issue 02 we can safely say that this recongition is more than deserved. Not only is Eine a top bloke to share a pot of tea with but he is a multi-talented artist. His work on prints released via Nelly Duff, Urban Angel, and before that his time as a printer at Picturesonwalls, confirms that he’s a black belt in the complex art of screenprinting, while his street creations appeal to the public and are often more subtle than you may think.

Still the thought of us and Sam Cam having the same taste in art…scary.

Filed under: Artists, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »

Bonafide sent Prof C Renwick out-and-about to Lovebox this weekend and after a few false starts he eventually landed an interview with the one and only Grandmaster Flash.

We were also invited down to cover the work of Create the agency responsible for cultivating the arts and the creative sides of the five boroughs that will host the 2012 Olympics. The Create10 festival is currently up-and-running with the Young London: Into Music strand showcasing their skills during Friday at Lovebox, as well as Indig02 and Theatre Royal Stratford East. Acts featured included UD Vocal Collective directed by Matthew ‘Excalibah’ Xia, Shola Ama, novelty act but still seriously skilled MC Mr B Gentleman Rhymer, Kele le Roc, Mz Bratt and Mikill Pane – check out this hugely innovative promo for the Re:Definition 2010 gig.

Filed under: Live, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »

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.

Filed under: Bonafide Exclusives, Dub-step, Electronic, UK hip-hop by P.A.
No Comments »

Sometimes you hear something that blows your mind; razor sharp fully-loaded lyrics, crunchy beats and that elusive WTF ingredient, with The Return of the Mister Pane Mikill Pane has one of those kind of tracks in spades. And he’s a footie fan to boot.

Check out more of his output here.

Filed under: Hip-hop, UK hip-hop, Video by J.G.
No Comments »

We recently caught up with YNR’s beat monster Jon Phonic chatting about his excellent Half Past Calm 2 album, UK hip-hop and his approach to making music. Jon has kind of flipped things a bit with his new release. Working with the Delusionists, Digital Connects doffs a cap to all those keyboard warriors bashing out critical coverage of the hip-hop scene and takes its inspiration from the GZA’s classic Labels joint. Big props for the shout out!

Filed under: DJ/Turntablism, Hip-hop, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »

Bug (of Jus Like Music) has been mad busy these past few months. Fresh from dropping a superfly installment of our Bonafide Beats series, he then delivered this aural hot potato for UK hip-hop record label BBEs mixtape competition over at that mighty music cloud in the sky (aka Mixcloud). Cooling off somewhat he then put together some laid-back rhythms for Monday Jazz. Nice.

Filed under: Free Downloads, UK hip-hop by J.G.
No Comments »