it's the shiznit

news, reviews and banter on r'n'b, hiphop, garage, grime, bassline, soul, electro and house. standard.

JME & Skepta on the BBC...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, November 29, 2007


Just as the BBC relegate Trevor Nelson and Tim 'as old as ya Dad' Westwood to 1Xtra, Radio 1 start playing Heartbroken every half hour and even Jo Whiley singing the tracks praises. The clip above shows JME and Skepta on the Beeb's new Introducing initiative.

David E. Sugar - Chelsea Girls Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, November 29, 2007

Ben Westbeech Live @ Orange Rooms, Southampton...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, November 26, 2007

Despite a heavy weekend of man vs beer there was no way I was going to miss seeing Ben Westbeech perform live. Set in the ultra trendy Orange Rooms it was a perfect setting for one of the classier performers making music in 2007.

While warming up to a soundtrack of soulful house flavours and funk a random appearence of Kano next to me at the bar certainly raised a few eye brows. After meeting a few Southampton FC players through Craig David while filming T4 Transmission a few weeks back he was hanging with them and enjoying the attention from the spray on tan collective around. I doubt that will make the Heat spotted section so I'll give you a moment to indulge on that exclusive...

Right back to the music. With full live band in tow Ben Westbeech commanded the stage turning this intimate crowd out and having them shake their money makers to the majority of Welcome To The Best Years Of Your Life.

Hearing live tracks like Get Silly, So Good Today and Dance With Me were highlights, but his band added to many of the tracks with extra break sections which gave them new life.

Being a d&b and jungle head Ben had his band pay a little homage to that part of his make up but it served only as a warm up to the last track and heater on the album track Get Closer, which cut half away through to DJ Marky It's The Way and had the crowd at its most liveliest, ending a very polished and energetic performance from one of the artists of the year. So underlooked and criminally missed off of a Mercury nomination because Indie is so in vogue right now, but Ben Westbeech's breakthrough will come soon.

...Kano drank wine by the bottle, is that grimey enough for ya?

Kate Nash - Pumpkin Soup...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, November 26, 2007

Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, November 14, 2007


Much better Alicia, seriously what is up with that track No One. Someone at the her record company should have just said "ok Alicia we all make mistakes, lets just pretend we didn't hear that and put that track away, here's a piano now do better things." Harsh.

Jay-Z - Roc Boys Video

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, November 14, 2007


We the dope boys of the year...drinks is on the house!!

Check out those horns, this is the most upbeat track on American Gangster as Jay Hova reaches the high point in the narrative of this concept album. This is already better than Kingdom Come, which to be fair wasn't really up to much at all. Kind of listening to that reminded how disappointed I was listening to the Blueprint 2. Yes it was a mature album from someone now in his mid thirties but with so much rubbish around in Hip-Hop you need Jay-Z doing what he does best - spitting about his hustle over a soulful blaxpoitation soundtrack. On American Gangster he is back to that era and the listening is all the much better for it and will say now, the production from Diddy and his hitmen is of top notch qaulity. If the name Madlib or Pete Rock was behind these beats b-boys would cream. You can't knock Jays hustle, but you can't knock Diddys on this one either.

Check this video of Jay-Z talking about the involement of Diddy.

The Cool Kids - Black Mags Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Elektrons Ft Mpho Skeef - Classic Cliche...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, November 01, 2007

This is the next single from the excellent ELektrons album. Classic Cliche features the lovely Mpho Skeef. She's featured on plenty of tracks of this ilk before and sounds on point as always. Just hurry up and get that album out I can't wait!

Example on the Culture Show...Being a stand up comedian...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, October 29, 2007


Check the footage of Example as he tries his hand at being a comedian. First on an open mic night in a pub to opening up for the large collared Harry Hill. He also performed You Can't Rap with his band in the studio.

I didn't have time to do a review for What We Made when it came out last month, but the album is definately one of my favourite releases so far. Plenty of wit as you would expect from previous releases and the infamous Beat Stevie clips, but on tracks No Sleep For The Wicked and the title track he shows that he can write about serious matter and write well. The single I Don't Want To and Birthday Card are perfect examples (sorry!) of his story telling and carries on the same vein that label head Mike Skinner has set for The Beats. The latter track, a tale of forgetting the other halfs birthday card is perfect comfort for blokes out there and has massive crossover potential. Throw in references to his favourite eateries, cinema interuptions and getting head from posh birds - What We Made adds up to a pleasently refreshing album. Example knows his strengths and plays up to them in the delivery of his subject matter. He isn't trying to sit in that box full of UK Hip-Hop and is better for it, infact the white guy from Fulham could easily become a bonafide pop star and you wouldn't bet against or begrudge it.

Common - I Want You Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, October 29, 2007


He may have decided to go in a pop direction with his group B.E.P but there is no denying that Will.I.Am can produce a beat. This is Common's third single off Finding Forever, not as good as Like Water For Chocolate or Be but definately a grower. Check Alicia Keys getting invloved.

Fire Camp - I Wanna Hear You Say (Flat Eric Beat)

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, October 29, 2007


I've been wanting someone to do a vocal of this track for years but why does it have to be Fire Camp? Saying that the chorus is catchy like previous Bizzle releases if simplicit and some of bars are alright. But couldn't someone like Durrty Doogz have provided the vocal instead, that I'd love to hear.

50 Cent ft Robin Thicke - Follow My Lead...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, September 23, 2007

Jay-Z ft. Pharrell - Blue Magic (Trailer)...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, September 23, 2007

Rap News Top Ten UK tracks...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, September 17, 2007
My ten favourite UK tracks at the minute in no order...

Tinchy Stryder – Something About Your Smile

Shameless – Every Day

Smasher – Back In The Day 2

JME, Skepta, Kano – Fuckin Widda Team

Example – Posh Birds

Akala – Bit By Bit

Durrty Goodz – Switching Songs

The Nextmen feat. Sway – Camera Tricks

Mitchell Brothers – Michael Jackson

Skepta – You Dun Know


Hit up www.rapnews.co.uk for more realness...

Kanye West - Good Life video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, September 13, 2007


Whoops, no it's this one...

Graduation...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Kanye you done done it again...

Early highlights for me are the Goodlife, Flashing Lights, Champion and Big Brother. The artwork is pretty hot too. Isn't it ironic that Kanye's embarrassing moment at the MTV Europe awards last year has seen him stumble across the sounds Ed Banger and other dance music, which are a clear influence on a few of the tracks. Those that like that Kanye boom-bap and sample sound needn't fret though as that's catered for too. I won't be buying Fiddy's album to compare as it's not my thing and I doubt he will make a better album. I'd expect he will out sell Kanye though as his name has a bigger reach in buyers than Kanye.

Akala - Bit by Bit...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, September 10, 2007


Akala - Bit by Bit

Akala is one of those artists that ticks all the right boxes yet never leaves you feeling that you've heard anything groundbreaking or that makes you go 'wow that's hot'. Yet he is nice on the mic and has plenty of substance in his lyrics. The guy also has his head screwed on business wise with his Illa State imprint putting out his first album and mixtape. But despite this he hasn't made the sort of noise previous Best Hip-Hop MOBO winner Sway has made. Bit by Bit though could be start of the breakthough as he spits over the electro heavy track sure to gain love from those outside his usual Hip-Hop/Grime fanbase. Already MTV Dance have started playing the video and with acts like Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and any dance act to have ever been near the Eifel Tower in vogue right now, this track will do Akala no harm at all.

Ali Love takes it back...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, September 10, 2007


Ali Love - Late Night Session

The amazingly talented and seriously overlooked Ali Love drops the next single from his hotly anticipated album Love Music on the 1st October. Late Night Session sounds like something the great Earth, Wind & Fire would have done and the video director has acknowledged this with a promo that looks like it came out way back with it's neon lights and plenty of special effects that may look dated in these CGI times, but suit the vibe of the track perfectly.

Fiddy Vs Kanye...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, September 04, 2007


Next week sees the two undoubtedly biggest Hip-Hop artists of present day go head to head when their albums are both released on the same day. But while the artists, both cocky in front of any microphone and camera, may be a little worried at what they risk to lose when the record stores open on Monday.

Fiddy has been boasting that if he doesn’t outsell Kanye in first week sales then he will leave the rap game and looking at it, would he really be that missed. When his second album came out despite relying on a week rap about sex first single the buzz was still there.

Third time round and he doesn’t seem to be straying too far away from this formula. But it seems the listening public aren’t greatly enthused, as numerous singles have been floating around to promote the album with the latest finding him playing the third wheel to Justin Timberlake and Timberland on what was surely leftovers from the Future Sex/Love Sounds album.

Kanye on the other hand has seen his cockiness annoy and made many overlook his obvious talents because of this. But sonically Graduation will see him embarking on a new sound as the Daft Punk sampling first single showed. Ironically it was his cringe worthy drunken stance against fellow French Dance act Justice for winning the MTV Europe Best Video award, that had him directed towards the electro sounds by someone close to him.

While Late Registration wasn’t as strong lyrically as The College Dropout, his lyrics may now come under closer scrutiny with his boasts of how great a rapper he is, now he is going as far to say anyone not putting him in their top 3 greatest rappers of all time are losing credibility.

When both albums drop, no matter how good the albums are they will ultimately be overlooked in favour of comparing their sales and in the current climate of records being bought it may not match the highs they’ve been used to. My money is on Kanye to come up with a better album and personally wouldn’t see it as a bad thing he outsold Fiddy, if only to see if he keeps his promise.

Jack Penate - Second Minute or Hour...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, September 04, 2007


Can't wait for the album.

Kate Nash - Mouthwash...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Example - What We Made Tracklisting

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, August 28, 2007


According to Play.com website - release date is the 10th September on there but on Example's myspace it's down as the 17th.

So Many Roads
You Can't Rap
Milk Your Goat
Birthday Card
I Don't Want To
Popcorn & Fisticuffs
Posh Birds
No Sleep for the Wicked
Me & Mandy
Really Sorry
Today I Met Myself
Care 4 U
What we Made

Why is Lily Allen dressed as an astronaut?...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, August 28, 2007


Common feat. Lily Allen - Driving Me Wild
...and although Jeremy Piven is a legend as Ari Gold in Entourage, he loses man points for his non-convincing, one finger Hip-Hop swagger.

Kano Tour Dates..

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, August 22, 2007

In support of the new album London Town, Kano will be hitting the road alongside Tinchy Styder on 9 dates including the Astoria, where his gig was notoriously shut down on police advice last year. Tour dates and ticket details are on his myspace. I saw him live last year in Bournemouth and for any purists who think grime doesn't come across well in gig form you need to think again.

Two videos from The Go Team!

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, August 22, 2007

The second video to promote the new album from The Go Team! is coming to a screen near you now, but for my money the track Grip Like A Vice is still the favouirte appetiser. I just about prefer it to Doing Alright, both tracks though bang and the album Proof Of Youth can only bring about more tracks that contain hints of just about every genre going and all sorts of random influences. I might just have to get a fake NUS card to catch them on the NME Freshers tour. Get the snakebites in.

Leave our R'n'B classics alone...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, August 20, 2007


If there is one thing I hate with a passion, then it is the dreaded cover version. It’s all well tackling your favourite song or that rare B-side of one of your much loved artists but when it comes to actually releasing a cover you better come correct.

Bringing something new to a song like Mark Ronson recently did with his Version album can go horribly wrong (especially if you’re a psychotic Smiths fan) or add a nice twist to the original. Thankfully the album did the latter but a couple of songs doing the rounds this year have pushed it too far. Not surprisingly they both come from the same camp.

Booty Luv is fronted by two ex-Big Brovaz members and in their second single Shine has shown that they can craft a great track. This isn’t to knock their talent as I’m hearing the other original workings on their forthcoming album sound promising. But by covering two classic R’n’B tracks in Tweets ‘Boogie 2nite’ and Lucy Pearls ‘Don’t Mess With My Man’ they have failed.

The two tracks at best work as a half decent remix that would luckily make the final cut when the single goes to packaging but due to Radio 1 and their inability to spot what’s hot (they barely played Kate Nash ‘Foundations’ until it’s 4th week in the top 3) bars full of Gary Lagers and Beyonce-Mercedes are rejoicing to a track that’s a substandard take on the originals.

It may make me sound like a music snob but it proves how fickle and clueless radio big wigs and some music buyers are when both Lucy Pearl and Tweet deserved their tracks to be hits and I have to have the pleasure of seeing these bad reworkings dominate the music video channels.

Getting reloads on my stereo...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, August 20, 2007
Talib Kweli feat Justin Timberlake – The Nature
The Go Team – Grip Like a Vice
Simian Mobile Disco – Tits and Acid
Calvin Harris – Merrymaking At My Place
Kate Nash – We Get On
Dizzee Rascal – Da Feelin
The Real Heat – Stand and Deliver
Amerie – Some Like It
David E Sugar – Chelsea Girls
50 Cent feat Justin Timberlake – Ayo Technology
Sinden – Organ Grinder
Diplo – Do The Bartman Refix
NYPC – The Get Go
Bonde Do Role - Marina Gasolina
Common – The People
Talib Kweli – Hot Thing
Chromeo – Tenderoni
Example – So Many Roads
Durrty Goodz – Switching Songs Part 2
Dave Spoon feat. Lisa Mafia
Smasher – Back In The Day Part 2

The second Urban Nerd night...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, August 16, 2007
There should be more nights like this, why do we need so many clubs where the music sticks to one style. With lines becoming blurred between what's pop and what's underground and many artists being influenced by music from genres outside of what they play, more nights need to be appealing to this widening trend. One night which covers plenty for everyone is the second Urban Nerd night which takes place the weekend of the Notting Hill Carnival. Full details below, cop one of those t-shirts as well.


Wanna play a B.I.G part in a movie? (sorry)...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, August 16, 2007
If you look, sound and have the mannerisms of the late Notorious B.I.G then head over to www.biggiecasting.com and find out how you can play the man in the film to be made about his life. The Wallace family is part of the team to bring the story to the screen so expect a tight screening process. Finally the role Gorilla Black has long been waiting for…

Got Beef?

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, August 16, 2007


Although it would be a much healthier rap world if they all just got a long beef in the rap game is intriguing. The DVD series Beef hones in on this and is now on its 4 installment of the series. It’s like Lord of Mics but with little in way of bars, there is plenty of drama. There is the Game/50 Cent beef, break-up of Roc-A-Fella and even the beef between LL Cool J and Jamie Foxx from the filming of Any Given Sunday.

I feel like a prime minister, vote for me and boost my ego...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, August 13, 2007
BT DMA07 People's Choice Nominee - Vote for me!

Recognition doesn't really bother me. Ok that's a lie we all like to be recognised don't we. We may not go as far to go on Big Brother then sell our story to Heat magazine, but a little attention doesn't hurt. So if you like what you read, the peeps at the Guardian seem to, click on the above and vote for me. I'll be very grateful and may reward you with prizes. An invisble CD or two.

Blues & Soul magazine on hold...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, August 13, 2007


Just as it's reached the 1000th issue Blues & Soul magazine has ceased publication for the time being. The iconic magazine has been the voice of soul and the various styles of music that have come out of the genre for over 40 years, but due to its current publisher going into receivership, the magazine racks will be a little light on the black music front for a while.

I first picked up the magazine while at school just seven years ago and it was still mainly a black and white publication bar the cover. It later went with more colour until earlier in the year it relaunched with colour throughout and a new size. The new publishers 4 The Wall Ltd had freshened the publication to give it a more modern feel and had received praise from the music industry and many long term readers.

The title will see the light with a new publisher and gladly so, at the moment the earliest it would resurface is September. In the meantime the website, newly launched in recent months, will still operate and update the situation with the magazine.

It was so much easier when we only had to nod our heads...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, August 12, 2007


When in a local watering hole they play some hip-hop, this is how I get down. The old boy at the bar always disapproves...

Defected In The House Eivissa 07...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, July 29, 2007


Those that aren’t flocking to Ibiza for the summer season could do a lot worse than buy the latest Defected In The House CD to bring the warm nights to these rain filled shores. Eivissa is two CD’s filled with soulful Mediterranean and Latin grooves perfect for a warm up to a night out or to play the backdrop to your own Ibiza homage. Highlights include Get Down by the Todd Terry Allstars, U Don’t Know by Quentin Harris and Touch The Sky by Dennis Ferrer. Indeed the CD’s are packed with establish Defected names but the newer talent more than holds it’s own. The third disc in this package is a DVD mix set to the backdrop of footage from the island rounding off what is a must buy for any soulful house lover, as there is something for everyone. Another quality release from this brilliant label.

Example - What We Made Promotional Album Cover...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, July 20, 2007

Kano feat Craig David - This Is The Girl...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, July 20, 2007


Thoughts on Kano feat Craig David - This Is The Girl

Jesus what happened to Craig David? He seems to have aged ten years since he was last in a video.

Kano really could have chosen a better first single to follow the street single Buss Dat. This is better than Nite Nite but really is a third single at best.

Is Craid David going to lean in a more garage direction now? One or two tracks really won’t hurt.

With Dizzee working with Lily Allen & Joss Stone, Lethal with whoever is in the NME that week and now Kano with Craig David & Kate Nash, shouldn’t Wiley really have reached out to Beth Ditto or something?

But seriously, have these two years been real hard on Craig?

Super Mal feat. Luciana Caporaso - Bigger Than Big...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, July 05, 2007

Dizzee Rascal - Pussyhole, sorry Old School video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Old Skool

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Bad Boy Tune!!

Soweto Kinch and UK black music acts get no love...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, July 03, 2007

I admit I slept on the talents of Soweto Kinch and his fusion of Jazz and Hip-Hop. His album A Day In The Life needs to be checked out but you would be forgiven for not hearing of this album or his name any sooner than now. The album and artist has been pickin up acclaim from Giles Peterson, Ras Kwame et al but despite this, Soweto has been having trouble getting his product out to reach people. Now this sounds nothing new, artists are always talking about not having their product marketed right and plenty of copies being left on the shelf, but this story is important as it raises the age old topic of UK black music acts being neglected for american Hip-Hop/R'n'B by numbers acts backed by big record companies.

Earlier in the year the always outspoken, but always valid Ty raised some important points on this topic and it's worth checking out what Soweto has to say on his myspace blog on being blackballed by music retailers who want to pigeon hole his music to the Jazz section and not double rack his CD. This has stalled his second album Basement Fables. He goes onto mention his thoughts on:

The spin the music industry puts on things that make it sound like it's all rosey.

The term 'urban music'

The youth market

The term intelligent Hip-Hop

It makes for angry and at times depressing reading when he shares an opinion of many, yet the big people in their record label offices don't have a clue. Record labels, TV and Radio stations seem to use the excuse that UK Hip-Hop and Grime is not something that they want to be associated with, yet they pump millions into making 50 Cent household names with 5 year olds. Yet it's hard even if these record companies listened to what these artists had to say and had the time to understand more about the UK scene when they can point to spreadsheets of money made recycling tried and tested types of artists. Young kids are now brainwashed into excepting acts like 50 Cent and T.I represent all that Hip-Hop is and don't want to know about a Ty or Soweto Kinch. Will we ever see a change?

Wu Tang is for the kids...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, July 02, 2007

Forget the haters, put aside the length of time it's taken for them to come together, this footage finally shows the boys getting back together for some reunion gigs. The documentary was put together by GZA after originally filming his own solo adventures. The footage mainly consists of the guys conducting business round the kitchen table as their manager gets reprimanded by Raekwon about joing the guys on stage and some dispute Ghostface has over money. As yet there is no release date and more talk about recording an album than actally recording taking place, but it all looks very positive.

Career Boosters...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, July 02, 2007

Above is a clip from Nick Cannon's new sketch show, Short Circuitz which airs for the first time on MTV UK this thursday at 9pm. Being that it's MTV and not HBO, Chappelle's Show this ain't, but from the clips I've seen you could watch a lot worse.

Kanye West - Stronger...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, July 02, 2007

Simian Mobile Disco - I Believe...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, June 22, 2007


The third single from a fantastic album.

Lethal B - Jump...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, June 22, 2007


Lethal gets his shamrock on, make mine a Guiness and a potato salad. Ok enough with the stereotypes.

That legal crack...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, June 15, 2007


For years Red Bull has owned the energy drink market despite the fact that it tastes like the horrible medicine you used to have as kid and the taste is left in your mouth for hours afterwards. While cheapskate bar owners stocked poor imitations of the drink it's taken until now for Red Bull to be challenged in this market.

Relentless is Coca-Cola's take on the energy drink but instead of some slimline can they go the whole hog and pack a whole pint of caffeine tasting goodness for you to consume. Not only that but it tastes nicer and is better value for money than red Bull, with some supermarkets selling it for as low as 89p!!

For those that haven't tried it, you get a bigger buzz than Red Bull and it makes you think that it has to be illegal to serve that much caffeine in a can. This drink can only be described as legal crack. Before long you are wondering where your next Relentless kick will come from. The fact that it's only sold in a few places at the moment as well adds to the addiction. I heard someone say recently that they hadn't seen any in three supermarkets, perhaps there is a dry spell. These conversations don't happen for energy drinks, only drugs!!

What I've noticed though over the course of consuming plenty of the stuff, is that some cans seem to have more of a kick than others. I think at the factory where they are made the standards are very poor for qaulity control and so sometimes you get a can with extra caffeine than the standard amount. It's like a game of Relentless roulette with the uncertainty of what sort of kick you're going to get.

It seems to have become an underground, cooler thing to drink and is already being co-singed by the likes of JME and Example. The latter mentioned the drink in his blog and was sent crate loads by their PR company. Don't be fooled by the terrible, unreadable design, Relentless is not to be taken lightly!

Wiley the CGI star...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, June 15, 2007



Big Dada have got their special effects people working overtime on the Wiley project. Just when it loked as though there would be no video promo action for his album we get two videos. The first is for 50/50 and the second for My Mistakes with a clip of Gangsters thrown in at the end.

Blood Red Shoes - It's Getting Boring By The Sea...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, June 14, 2007


The best thing I’ve heard so far from the duo Blood Red Shoes. Good live too.

Mark Ronson - Stop Me (US version)...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, June 14, 2007

This is the US version for the Smiths cover of Stop Me which actually features both Mark Ronson and the tracks vocalist, the hotly tipped Daniel Merriweather. Not sure about the cartoon tears though.

Maths & English + Playtime Is Over early thoughts...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, June 11, 2007



Commercially Dizzee is going to take this one, but I think we would all be happy if half the people buying Maths & English picked up a copy of Playtime Is Over.
Because of the more commercial sounding tracks, big name guests and well known samples Dizzee will be labelled a sell-out, not in touch with the grime etc. from some quarters.

Despite this, the album doesn't sound as bad as people have made out who are well into their grime. After two albums and exposure around the world, can a person be begrudged for switching up their styles?

Wiley made the cohesive sounding, full on grime effort we knew he could do without any label interference. But after finally getting with a label who understands artists that offer that something a little different and understanding what a difference it makes if you put in the promotional effort, has he relinquished any chances of doing what Dizzee has done now, in a few albums time?

I’m not going to choose one over the other, but I will say these are two excellent albums from two excellent artists in music, not just in grime.

Brighton Hip-Hop Festival in doubt...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, June 11, 2007
From the BHHF website...

BHHF NEEDS YOUR HELP!!! Brighton Hip Hop Festival (BHHF) is the UK's largest celebration of Hip Hop Culture.

Now in it's fourth year, the annual 2 week festival is attended by 100's of artists and 1,000's of people from all over the world.
Launched in 2004, the festival has gone from strength to strength and is recognised as a must attend event for all Hip Hop enthusiasts, as well as anyone with an interest in the many art forms that are comprised within Hip Hop culture.
Organised by KALA PHOOL, a multi-arts diversity led development agency, the BHHF exists as 'not for profit' to celebrate the richness, strength and diversity of Hip Hop culture, with many of the planned events free to attend.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2007 festival has programmed a fantastic line up of high profile events, designed to appeal to audiences new and old, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.

However, we've just found out that our major funder is NOT supporting us this year.

This is extremely bad news. Without these funds, BHHF will not happen. 100's of UK artists won't get the support and exposure they deserve, leaving a huge gap in the region's creative artistic and cultural landscape.

WE URGENTLY NEED YOUR HELP to realise the exiciting and varied programme of events we have planned.

OUR PLANNED EVENTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED COSTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

INDUSTRY EVENT - £500
FRIEZE BOX (live public art installation) - £3,000
DARKDAZE COLLECTABLE PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS - £500
GRAFFITI LEGENDS SHOWCASE - £3,500
FRESH STYLES FILM FESTIVAL (x3 film screenings) - £3,000
RAW (spoken word event) - £150
THE LIVE DAY - £23,000
INSURANCE / ARTIST & VOLUNTEER SUPPORT / DOCUMENTATION - £7,500


We will accept donations directly or if you prefer to deal with our suppliers this can be arranged. Donations of materials and loan of equipment is also required.
If you think you can help in any way please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Please email or ring Indy Hunjan (BHHF Director)
with your support:
E: indy@kalaphool.com T: 07977449052

BHHF07 hopes to run from THU 28 JUNE - SAT 14 JULY.

BHHF NEEDS YOUR HELP IF IT IS GOING TO SURVIVE.

Some videos for your viewing pleasure...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, June 10, 2007
Calvin Harris - The Girls


Kate Nash - Foundations


Example - I Don't Want To


Hadouken - Liquid Lives


Pharoahe Monch - Body Baby

Artists i'm feeling at the moment...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, June 10, 2007
In no order...

Wiley
Dizzee Rascal
Example
Kate Nash
Hadouken
Jamie T
Jack Penate
Ben Westbeech
Robin Thicke
Remi Nicole
Calvin Harris

A new era...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, June 10, 2007
When I was growing up and first started seriously getting into my music, it was all about R’n’B. This was around about 99/2000 when I would start to put my pocket money towards buying singles and any magazines that would feature the beats I stepped to. As R’n’B relied more and more on Hip-Hop to add a little something extra to the music in way of more Hip-Hop sounding production and the addition of a guest verse here and there, I too started to seek out these artists. At first it was those rappers who leant towards the more commercial sounding and MTV played Hip-Hop. At the time this was all Base was exposing me too! But I developed a wider taste and soon fell to the words of a Mos Def and a Common, rather than the barking tones of DMX and Ja Rule. While those commercially sounding and skillfully lacking rappers provided an early introduction to Hip-Hop for me, I wasn’t some souped-up Nova driving billy boy and as such these weren’t an essential soundtrack to my life and were listened to less and less. I wouldn’t say I had turned into some backpacker as the term goes, but I was soaking myself up in the sounds of those Okayplayer namesakes. I would still nod my head to a 50 Cent song, in fact in my circle of Hip-Hop fans I was the only one who could see the point of a 50 Cent song when in a club full of girls on some Saturday. I’m not going to say the guy is a genius, but there is a time and a place to hear a Fiddy record and a time and a place to listen to Illmatic. This open-minded approach has never ringed truer than in the last two years when I’ve been listening to and going to gigs where the speakers don’t bang to the urban beat. Whether this is down to age or the fact that a lot of urban music has hardly been hitting the great heights of late I’m not sure. But it has meant I’ve listened to a lot of different music for the better. I could drive to work listening to the Arctic Monkeys but be rushing home reminiscing with some New Jack Swing, playing Black Milk while on my laptop but getting ready for a night out to some Soulful House mix by Wookie. Expect this to be reflected in the music I’ll be writing about from now on. There will still be plenty of helpings of urban music, but I’ll also be writing about other music too. Basically the philosophy is if it’s good music, it’s good and I’ll more than likely write about it. Never has there been a better time to be into music with so many ways for an artist to be heard. You don’t have to wait for Top Of The Pops or rely on daytime Radio 1 to hear who is big at the moment, you can log on to myspace and find out who is going to be big. Now all you need just a few songs and a myspace page to be known. This directness with music listeners may mean some of the mystery is lost, but the benefits are there for all to see. For me it means there will be plenty of updates to this blog for starters and hopefully I’ll have even designed a new layout by then. Stay tuned, it’s about to get real interesting…

Logan playing a classic Grime set...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, April 26, 2007


How old does Grime have to be, to be considered classic?

Redman - Put It Down (Produced by Timbaland)...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 26, 2007


Welcome back Reggie!!

Trim - Soul Food mixtape out now...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, March 25, 2007




Available at UK Record Shop...

Example - We Didn't Invent The Remix review...

Published by Warren Dell under on Sunday, March 25, 2007

A few years back P.Diddy, clad in shiny suit, decided to announce that he invented the remix and dropped an album of Bad Boy re-workings. Typically British, you won't be hearing any boasts of the sought from Example, who builds anticipation for his debut LP 'What We Made' with his own collection of remixes on this must have mixtape.

Click here to read more...

New Ne-Yo Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, March 22, 2007


I'll post a better quality video when I can find one, for now enjoy it for the song...

Tales from the flipside review...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, March 20, 2007


Mark Devlin – Tales from the Flipside


Private jets, getting drunk and glamorous women flocking round are just some of the few things that spring to mind when you think about the life of those superstar marquee name DJ’s. For the small minority all this and more is certainly true but outside the Premiership league of DJ’s the lifestyle is very different.

Blues and Soul writer and DJ for the last 14 years Mark Devlin lifts the light on what reality is like for the vast majority of DJ’s in his book Tales From The Flipside. As any clubber knows the real nights specializing in R’n’B, Hip-Hop & Dancehall are not in a vast supply and thus the world of a DJ in this arena is very different from those dance DJ’s who can enjoy bigger fees, more opportunities abroad and become household names in half the time.

While you may think that after a few chapters Devlin is moaning perhaps too much about a career many would do at a drop of a hat and he could easily go get a 9-5, realize that the guy like many others in the urban field have put in years of graft while still having uncertainty and repeatedly annoying scenarios while out playing.

This book serves as an eye opener for those who think that a DJ’s job is merely turning up to a club and throwing on a few records. Equally entertaining as insightful Devlin lets the reader in on a day in the life of a DJ and all the circumstances that come with the job. Stupid requests from pissed-up clubbers, dodgy promoters and everyone’s hated people, bouncers, all get taken to task while lifting the light on a career you wouldn’t expect your careers teacher accepting back at school.

From his own personal accounts to anecdotes of major players and friends in the scene this book is as equally as important as Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (Bill Brewster & Frank Broughton) to anyone that is passionate about music. If you want to DJ and believe it’s all money and no problems, then ignore this book and keep daydreaming, but if you want to be told how it is pick this up now.

Yungun and Guru - Too Slick...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The UK’s finest Yungun has teamed up with Guru for the ultra funky Too Slick. The Gang Starr man’s next installment in his Jazzmatazz series is about to drop in the coming months but unless it’s a bonus on a UK edition it doesn’t look like it’s made the cut judging by the track listing below. One UK man that does make it is soul man Omar, but with regards to the Yungun track head to his myspace to check it out and keep an eye out for any release.

1. Cuz I’m Jazzy – feat: Slum Village
2. State Of Clarity – feat: Common and Bob James
3. Stand Up (Some Things’ll Never Change) – feat: Damian Marley
4. Look To The Sun (Solar)
5. Connection – feat: Kem
6. Fine and Free – feat: Vivian Green
7. Wait On Me – feat: Raheem DeVaughn
8. International – feat: Bobby Valentino
9. This Is Art – feat: Ronny Laws
10. Fly Magnetic – feat: Dionne Farris
11. The Jazz – Style feat: Omar
12. Follow The Signs – feat: Shelley Harland
13. Universal Struggle – feat: Brownman
14. Infinite – feat: Blackalicious
15. Kissed The World – feat: Caron Wheeler
16. Living Legend – feat: David Sanborn

Grime @ Isle of Wight Festival...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Last year I posted a short clip I found of JME, Skepta, Tinchy Stryder and DJ Cameo at the Isle of Wight festival. This weekend while bored I was having a butchers at a load of myspace videos when I found the actual full length documentary. The guys were performing in the Strongbow Cider rooms alongside the Heritage Players in a grime meets instruments mash-up. Take a look...

Isle Of Wight Documentary

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Like Cameo says, Grime just doesn't have to be about Playstation beats...

Phuturehype Female rapping auditions...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 19, 2007
Calling all budding female emcees! 2007 sees the 4th year of the Phuturehype female mc/rapping competition. Each year the competition has grown bigger from just 7 people turning up to the first ever audition in 2003 (one of them was Lady Sovereign) to last year where they cut and shot the first video for the single Phuture Journey, featuring the 2006 finalists. Along the way the competition was featured on Channel 4’s Chancers and 2006 finalist VdoubleE on Music Cool. The first stage of auditions takes place in May with all the details below; those that are interested should contact the brains behind Phuturehype Denise Destini (denisedestini@phuturehype.com).

Phuturehype on myspace

Phuturehype auditions-Sat 5th May @12.30pm
05 May 2007, 20:30
157-163 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1, London and South East WC1
Cost : nothing!!


Kanye West, Rakim, Nas, & KRS One - Classic (Premier produced)...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 19, 2007

New Videos on the UK tip...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 12, 2007
Roll Deep - Celebrate That



Klashnekoff - My Life

Musiq is back...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 12, 2007
Buddy Video


It's been a long three years since Musiq dropped any material but after a few tracks leaked to radio we now have a proper single to get our hands on. Buddy is the first release from the forthcoming album Luvanmusiq out 19th March. Lyrically it may be along the lines of his debut single Justfriends but it's just nice to hear the Philly soul mans voice on record again. This mid-tempo beat has serious cross-over potential sampling Taana Gardner's 1981 disco fantasia Heartbeat.

Tracklisting:

1. Buddy
2. Millionaire
3. Teach Me
4. Better Man
5. The Questions
6. Today
7. Make You Happy
8. Ridiculous
9. Ms. Philadelphia
10. Take You There
11. Lullaby
12. Greatest Love

The Return of the Magnificant...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 12, 2007

While those whose heads don't nod to the Hip-Hop beat may forever associate Jazzy Jeff for being the guy who was always being thrown out of the Banks household in The Fresh Prince, those that do will know what high holding he has in music. Following on from the critical acclaim of his last long player and after a load of various Hip-Hop and Soulful House mixtapes, Jazzy Jeff drops an EP before the release of The Return of the Magnificant. The James Brown sampling and Rhymefest featuring Jeff N Ness takes it back to the days of when the MC and DJ went hand in hand, while fellow midwest rhymslingers Little Brother pop up on Whatever You Want. For the soul heads out there the excellent and vastly underated Raheem DeVaughn complements the smoothness of My Soul Ain't For Sale while the funky Bossynova maybe minus vocals but provides plenty of layers to get into. The EP is perfect for DJ's but it's the full LP I want to get my hands on, the wait isn't long.

Redman Mixtape, album soon come...

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, March 07, 2007

It's been a lengthy lay-off for any official output from the man from Brick City, but while Jay-Z may have been busy with his comeback and signing R'n'B singers, Redman has been putting together some of his best material. After the Gilla House mixtapes teased us into what was in store he now drops Live From Brick City which includes a take on the classic Roots Manuva track Witness. Although not as good as the original (although what is?) Redman is clearly on top form and finally Def Jam look set to end the waiting for his next official album on 26th March.

Red Gone Wild Thee Album Tracklisting

1. Fire-Feat. E3
2. Bak Inda Buildin
3. Put It Down
4. Gimmie One
5. F**k Ur Opinion (Skit)
6. Sumtn 4 Urrbody-Feat. Blam, Runt Dog, Ready Roc, Icadon & Saukrates
7. Pimp Nutz
8. Freestyle Freestyle
9. WutchooGonnaD-Feat. Melanie Rutherford
10. Walk In Gutta-Feat. Erick Sermon, Keith Murray & Biz Markie
11. Dis Iz Brick City-Feat. Ready Roc
12. Rite Now
13. Blow Treez-Feat. Ready Roc & Method Man
14. Suicide
15. Mr. Ice Cream Man (Skit)
16. Hold Dis Blaow!
17. Get 'em-Feat. Saukrates & Icadon
18. Merry Jane-Feat. Snoop Dogg & Nate Dog
19. Gilla House Check
20. No Mo Soopaman Luva (Skit)
21. Soopaman Luva 6-Feat. E3, Hurricane G & Melanie Rutherford
22. Soopaman Luva 6 1/2-Feat. Hurricane G & Melanie Rutherford

Budget Video

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake -

New night to check...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, March 05, 2007

Urban Nerds

Lethal Bizzle - Mr - Video

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, March 01, 2007

Worth Reaching...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Example - New Mixtape...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Example is one of the many guys reppin the UK who I believe is in for a great 2007. His debut album What We Made drops in June but in the meantime his mixtape We Didn't Invent The Remix is about to drop which includes myspace bangers Toxic Breath, Bikini Woman and the Lily Allen remix Vile.

Dizzee and The Arctic Monkeys team up...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, February 22, 2007

Dizzee Rascal has teamed up with the Arctic Monkeys ahead of the release of his third album Maths & English. The track Temptation sees the raskit boy lay down a verse over a track the Sheffield lads had done, but which is minus from their forthcoming album.

Dizzee met up with the guys in London to record the vocals and is set to team up with a couple more surprise guests for his first return to the mic in three years since Showtime.

Lily Allen sings the hook on the track So You Want To Be Gangsta and an unlikely teaming up with Joss Stone on a yet to be named track.

Maths & English is scheduled for a June release with the single Sirens just before.

JME - Serious Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, February 22, 2007
Serious Remix

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Nice to see JME doing it with his own video, you may have caught this on Base but every time I turn it on they keep playing Smack That, really no need...

Kano headlines spanking new music...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Looking ahead...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, February 19, 2007
Below is a piece I wrote for the excellent resource that is Rap News on some of albums to keep an eye out for in 2007.

Sway

It seems like such a long time ago that Sway dropped 'This Is My Demo' after some solid mixtape success. Although the album did great things and earned Sway a Mercury nomination and BET award, those that were familiar with Mr DaSafo will have felt a little disappointed that so much of the album had been heard before. Fear not though, as 'Not Another Flipping Rap Album' should drop in the first half of the year with a mixtape coming February 10th and an EP to drop in between.

Tracks floating around at the moment include 'True Stories', sounding similar to 'Up Your Speed' and an overview of life in the UK today and 'We Love You', which features Lupe Fiasco. Although nothing concrete has been signed yet, everyone’s least favourite chipmunk Akon has been mentioned a few times in interviews about a possible collabo, while one American act definitely working with Sway is Small World from Ludacris' DTP camp. They have worked on the upcoming 'Global Warming' mixtape.

JME & Skepta

The Adanuga brother’s names were on the lips of grime fans more than any other through 2006. Whether it was JME with his conscious Grime or Skepta drawing plenty of pull-ups with dance floor smash 'Duppy', they go into this year with the hope and anticipation from fans to carry the grime scene further. From Old Street to Oxford Street, the word is being spread through the street fashion must have – the Boy Better Know t-shirt. With the t-shirts, label and hilarious myspace diaries JME has received plenty of praise for his work ethic, sometimes overshadowing his skills.

If the scene is going to grow, then artists like JME are needed. Rumours are saying that either 679 or The Beats could sign him to an album deal. After four mixtapes and no sign of burning out of material, 2007 should see JME gracing more than RWD and the style magazines. Skepta may not have made as many tunes as his brother, in fact we’ve only had a few vinyl releases from him, but that should change this year with his album, not a mixtape as he will tell you, is released.

Titled 'Greatest Hits', it is due to be released through BBK, but don’t be surprised if Mike Skinner is involved somewhere down the line. Any time he is asked to comment on grime, his name graces his lips and he’s already dropped his lyrical flow on the 'Prangin Out' remix. Expect 'Duppy' and 'Single' to make the cut, but for something a little different and deeper, keep an ear out for 'Postcode Wars'. Who said Grime had to be aggressive?

Roll Deep

By the time you read this you should be able to pick up 'Rules & Regulations'. The first long player since 'In At The Deep End', their attempted pop crossover which failed to materialise. The deal may have turned sour, but the boys are back with a more focused and full on grime album. 'Badman' is a tune, which sees the most substance heard in their lyrics, as they discuss the wrong choices young people are facing. You may have seen the Trident funded video in recent months.

'Do This Ting' and 'Floating Thru The Sky' continue on the 'substance over hype' lyrics while 'Celebrate' is a party tune, but the beat stays grimey as Scratchy, Skepta and Jet Li trade words. With Wiley working on '2nd Phaze' and the 'Tunnel Vision' series, don’t expect too many bars from the Eski Boy but expect Breeze, Scratchy and Jet Li to shine. Also, added to the mix are Skepta and JME who people sometimes forget are now in the line-up.

Just Jack

If you don’t see or hear the name Mike Skinner in the same breath as this man then you’re very lucky. Since The Streets broke through, anyone rapping in an English accent gets compared to the brummie geezer. Call it lazy journalism, but as the man said himself, it’s great to hear more of the English language coming out on record. With his 2-step dance ode to the fickle celebrity he has already been tipped by the BBC as one of the ten best talents to come through. Although he has already released one album and played at the V Festival.

Combining a number of styles, he has ultimate crossover appeal while uniting fans of Hiphop, Dance and Garage. Give the funky and dreamy 'Writers Block' a try while 'I Talk Too Much' sounds like Platinum Pied Pipers, Sa-Ra and Jamiroquai were merged together with rapping over the top. Could be too different for some heads.

Example/The Mitchell Brothers/Professor Green

My favourite UK label, The Beats, look set for a big year, with three albums due from Example, Professor Green and the return of everyone’s favourite cockneys, The Mitchell Brothers. Starting with those cheeky cousins, expect the usual street wit and banter, but one track that could be the first single is 'Solemate'. With its acoustic guitar lick, it has crossover appeal all over it but don’t think it’s a soppy rap love song. Remember the brilliant 'Alone With The TV?' Like their label boss, they were easily dismissed as not being Hiphop by heads, but the new album should see them change their mind.

Going from rap battler to fully-fledged artist is not something that has been easy in the past for rappers, but Professor Green looks to turn his Jump Off and Power Summit success into album sales with his full long player dropping late summer. As he revealed to RapNews, he is working with Sem/Beat Peddlers, Core, Apa Tight, Sticky, Epydemix, Afreex, Plastician, Joe Buddha and his boss on the beats. Hit up the net for his video to 'Before I Die', because you won’t be seeing it on Base as its not for the faint hearted!

Mike Skinner may have lightened up on the drink and drugs front of late but his newest signing Example is more than determined to do enough for the two of them if his festival antics are anything to go by – as told on 'Yes Please' where even Skinner doesn’t escape the abuse. 'You Can’t Rap' continues the antics with his introduction promo release. As the most recent signing, it could be the last album released of the three, but the quality looks to be the same from one of the most exciting labels in this country.

Dizzee Rascal

The raskit boy returns with his third album 'Maths and English' in spring. He accredited the title to the maths being the beats and the English his rhymes. The title has been known for the last year or so but there is little in way of tracks floating around. Semtex has been playing 'Wasteman' and a couple of other tracks on his 1xtra show but these will likely not appear on the album. One track that should is 'Ghetto' and can be heard on his Myspace page.

It remains to be seen whether we’ll get another track in the vein of 'Dreams' with its novelty chorus but more 'Fix Up, Look Sharp' would not hurt. It does seem like a long time since we heard Dizzee’s notorious flow, but with touring around the world and setting up his Dirtee Skank label, he’s been busy. 2007 looks like being a busier year with 'Maths and English', the Dirtee Skank mixtape and material from Klass A and Newham Generals all set to go.

Kano

The much anticipated and yet unnamed second album from Kane Robinson is due to drop in April, around the same time as Dizzee’s. Talk about spoilt for choice! Not much is available to listen to as the material is being closely guarded, but already RWD and even men’s style magazine 'Arena' is tipping the album for big things. The Vybz Cartel assisted 'Buss It Up' and the lyrical heat of 'Til The Milkman Comes' are big tracks that give a taster for an album that will also see dancehall legend Don Corleone and more surprisingly, Damon Albarn helping out.

Wiley

Wiley seems to be putting out as much material as 2pac, but I think we can all agree we would rather hear the eskiboy over some stripped down beat than another regurgitated vocal from a guy that died over 10 years ago. With one edition left of his already four deep 'Tunnel Vision' series, not to mention '2nd Phaze' from spring, Wiley goes into 2007 ready to release an album called 'Playtime Is Over' on the worldly respected Big Dada. If anyone can make his album a better success than 'Treddin On Thin Ice' on XL, it’s certainly those guys. With one more mixtape left to come, little is clear on what material to expect and although Big Dada will let him get on with making an album his way, I hope someone at the label recommends a Spank Rock collab.
Mr Hudson

Now signed to Mercury after releasing singles through the mecca in Carnaby that is Deal Real, Mr Hudson will be an artist to turn a few heads this year. Dressed in a waistcoat and trilby, he’s the last person you would expect to be releasing Hiphop music, let alone being undisputed producer champion at the Jump Off in 2005. But he could be the most unexpected hit with the Hiphop crowd and with Sway and DJ Semtex already giving their seal of approval to his hybrid sound and live shows with his band. Take his early guitar references, yearning for the Hiphop beats of J Dilla and The Roots with his song writing, and you’ve got a hybrid sound that is Radio 1 and beyond for the self-confessed outsider.

Other releases

Kyza may have left but the Terra Firma camp release 'Terra Firma 2 The Deaf' and Klashnekoff keeps it moving with the HHC Connection highly rated 'Lionheart Tussle With The Beast'. The latter is out 12th February. Yungun will release his third long player but 'The Middle Man' will be his first official solo effort after the highly credible 'Essence' and Mr Thing assisted 'Grown Man Business'. Sway’s cohorts Bigz and Pyrelli will have more mixtapes for the streets, while UK legend Blak Twang is also working on a follow up to 'The Rotton Club'. Plenty of new artists and plenty of anticipated albums make 2007 potentially a better year for releases than the last. Lets hope this all lives up to expectation.

Madness feat Sway & Baby Blue - Sorry

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, February 15, 2007

Artist blogs to check...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, February 13, 2007
The Internet, for all its bad points when it comes to downloading music, has allowed the relationship between artist and fan to get ever so close. Now just putting an album out and touring aren't enough. If people can't find you on Myspace, you're missing out on a potential new fan base. Getting to hear an artist's music months before it hits radio is great for the artist to receive feedback and it means many more new talents can be discovered. One of my favourite aspects though, of this closer bond between an artist and fan, is blogging. Before it was only critics who blogged, but now your favourite artist is filling you in on everything from making their album to touring and eating in restaurants to hitch hiking across America. These are some worthy of your browsing time.

Gym Glass Heroes Gig Review...

Published by Warren Dell under on Saturday, February 10, 2007



@ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth Feb 4th

Gym Class Heroes have been labeled in some quarters as 'emo Hip-Hop'. Judging by the amount of teenagers clad in skinny jeans at the Wedgewood Rooms, the lazy comparison doesn't seem too far off.

But while a lot of GCH songs are very story led and focus a lot on love, the fact that Travis McCoy's narrative flow is backed by live instruments takes the songs further than some love sick pop song.

Continue reading...

M.I.A - Bird Flu Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Saturday, February 10, 2007

Never forget...

Published by Warren Dell under on Saturday, February 10, 2007

Jay Dee - Making beats in heaven...

Kidz In The Hall - School Was My Hustle...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, February 09, 2007

A producer rapper combo signed to Rawkus and with a love for jazz and soul driven beats – sound familiar? While the first foray into releasing music once again from Rawkus sees them in familiar territory, producer Double O and MC Naledge would rather you not compare them to Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli – even if memories of Train Of Thought do come to mind.

Continue reading...


The video for the Wheels Fall Off track...


JME - Derkhead/Tropical...

Published by Warren Dell under on Friday, February 09, 2007

JME continually puts other artists in the UK scene to shame with his work ethic and just before 2006 was out, he released his 3rd and 4th mix CD of the year. Due to the instrumental nature of the bonus 'Tropical' CD, the 'Derkhead' disc has been overlooked but it has some of JME's best lyrics.

Continue reading...

Mark Ronson in the studio...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, January 30, 2007

From what I've heard so far I'm looking forward to his Version album. Here Comes The Fuzz was more like a mixtape but Version should give him the credit warranted as a producer. The Toxic version with God Put A Smile B-side is out now.

Disco D R.I.P...

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Another one of Detroit’s music men has passed away, with producer Disco D committing suicide yesterday. Although not in the same category as J Dilla or Proof he had produced for 50 Cent, Spank Rock and Trick Daddy while also forming his own label Detroit Ghettotech. The up and coming producer, who was only 27, had recently been diagnosed as bi-polar and was also suffering from depression.

Wiley retires...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, January 22, 2007


So the godfather bows out. For those that haven’t heard the news Wiley today spoke to RWD magazine to announce his retirement from the grime scene. While not a full retirement as such, he will continue to produce, it looks as though Playtime Is Over will be the last time we hear the Eskiboy in a while. Here is the link for the interview excerpt, which will be featured in full in the new RWD issue. Just as the final Tunnel Vision dropped today as well.

Immediately I thought this was some marketing ploy a la Jay-Z, but it looks as though outside interferences that have nothing to do with music have played his hand. Not a month goes by when a message board forum is speculating Wiley getting rushed, now finally it’s gotten to him and he feels he can no longer continue. If that’s the case then it’s a big blow for a music scene that will never grow if road politics dictate. The guy has pretty much carried the scene on his back without achieving anywhere near the success of Dizzee or even Kano, and however the scene develops, if at all – he’ll be remembered for his part. It’s true there is some young talents coming through as he goes on to mention in RWD, but a grime scene with no Wiley bars? Hard to believe. I hope and am sure Playtime Is Over will be a great send off, but after all the strive and hustle, has he bowed out at a time when on Big Dada he could have got that Dizzee success?

I finally got my copy of Rules & Regulations today, early thoughts are that it has matched what Prancehall and Rap News have said, it’s a gem of a mixtape/album. Full review to follow.

New Hip-Hop Soul out now...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 18, 2007

Usher is needed for 2007, no offence Justin. Some good work on Amerie, Mya and our very own Corinne Bailey Rae.

Stretch Armstrong...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 18, 2007

Those people fed up of snap, hyphy and in need of an old school hip-hop fix need to check the blog of DJ Stretch Armstrong as he is posting up his old shows from his WBLS Rap Attack radio spots and other classic gems. Peep a hungry Mobb Deep from 1994...

Example - You Can't Rap Video...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 18, 2007


Always expect the unexpected, well that's what I've been told before and it's one of those old famous sayings. Whoever said it probably didn't have The Beats label in mind, but it seems so apt with their latest music video for Example. Go to his myspace blog for the making of it after.

New music 2007...

Published by Warren Dell under on Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Back for 2007 with new music

I have recently written a piece for Rap News on the years forthcoming new music to watch out for. Artists include Sway, Roll Deep, Mr Hudson and many more. Go check it out and if you're not familiar with the site have a butchers as there is plenty of good stuff on there. I'm also going to be writing some things for the site so keep an eye out.

Nerdcore Rising...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Remember when you were at school and you had the crowd of geeks you would laugh at? Well now while you’re stuck in you 9-5 job they’re off doing PHD’s and finding cures for diseases. It’s ok because you’ve got your Hip-Hop. But wait, because now they’re trying to take that away from you. Nerdcore Rising is the movie documentary that follows MC Frontalot –that’s right Frontalot as he embarks on his national tour. According to the fans interviewed these nerdcore rappers, as the genre is called, rap about issues that relate to them – like online RPG games or Internet porn addiction.

The White Rapper Show...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, January 16, 2007

There have been so many reality shows surrounding Hip-Hop these days that not a week goes by when you can see DMX skipping studio time to buy donuts, or Flavour Flav looking for a female to hold his clock (That's CLOCK dirty minded readers). Now VH1 in the states have rolled out the search for the next Eminem with The White Rapper Show - in conjunction with MR Serch of 3rd Bass fame. He and the VH1 team go about finding the next great white hope across the country and if it comes to the UK could prove a similar ratings puller. If only they would bring the search to the UK so we could see more attempts at emceeing like this...

Uffie is ready to f...

Published by Warren Dell under on Tuesday, January 16, 2007

If her mum caught Uffie reciting her lyrics and seeing what frenzy she has been sending young lads at club performances Mother Uffie could only be disgusted. Telling you she is ready to do the nasty and urging you to pop the glock may not be what your regular 18-year old Miami born and now Paris based girl is talking about, but this hipster favourite is causing a right stir at the moment. Backed by Mr Oizo (of Flat Eric fame) and signed to label of the moment Ed Banger (Daft Punks manager) she can be heard from Fabric to any Shoreditch bar right now, but that shouldn’t put you off as the electro beats of Ready To Uff are as Hip-Hop as below the waistline jeans. The lyrics are fun and although I can’t actually imagine she has ever popped said glock, can we really say half the American artists that rap about it have? With danceable beats and irresistibly catchy hooks only the biggest purists can front on Uffie.

Uffie on Myspace

Thirty's the new twenty...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 11, 2007

...but Hawaiian was the new Kangol

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 11, 2007
Jaz-O & Jay-Z - Hawaiian Sophie

Interscope told me I was going to be the Next Big Thing and whisked me off to the US to record an album. Then they heard Thanks For All the Aids...

Published by Warren Dell under on Thursday, January 11, 2007
This has been on the Guardian website for a week now but if you haven't seen it is a funny account from Akira The Don on his Interscope tenure. Worth a read.

Some moving images...

Published by Warren Dell under on Monday, January 08, 2007
Just Jack - Stars In Their Eyes

This reminds me of some of the people you see on a night out in Southampton. Forget the lazy comparisons to Mike Skinner this track is a tune and he's got others too in his catalogue.




Hadouken - That Boy That Girl

May not be liked too much by the grime crowd and may be seen as too much of a gimmick but I think this song is alright - the video takes it a step further. Colourful.

 

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