Anna Nathanson’s Column: Part 4

New York City!

I’m traveling round America for 6 weeks on my own at the moment, and am having a great time.

My New York adventure started at the famous Chelsea Harbor for a night of mingling with the stars at the annual SESAC New York Music Awards, which saw the likes of Swizz Beatz, Nate ‘Danja’ Hills and my friend Jack Knight pick up prestigious awards for their work.

The night was put on to honour the cream of the song writing arena, and it didn’t disappoint. Songs that picked up awards included Tanbourine by Eve, Be Without You by Mary J Blige, Omarion’s Icebox and Ayo Technology by 50 Cent.

The venue overlooked the river and New York City skyline, and everyone enjoyed the spread of free food and drink, and wondered what the goodie bags would contain on the way out.

Jack Knight, Bad Boy’s senior song writer, who you can find out more about by clicking www.jackknight.blogspot.com, won for P Diddy’s Last Night and Let It Go by Keisha Cole.

I then headed to Jay Z’s club 40-40, where you can pick up a bottle of Cognac from the cabinet at a cost of 10,000. The five rooms are decorated with sporting memorabilia, and most have a pool table, where I enjoyed a couple of games.

The private rooms however were out of bounds; only those who can afford the $3000 admission fee can enter. If you’re rich enough to afford the $2500 membership, they’ll send you updates on new products and events, and you’ll be treated to VIP entry and guaranteed seating and a whole host of other goodies. For more info, go to www.the4040club.com

Another night I checked out while I was in town was the infamous End of the Weak (EOW) weekly hip hop open mic night. It was founded in 2000 as one of the few weekly platforms in NYC where hungry MCs could showcase and hone their talent.

I got there early and interviewed founders Vice and Pro, who told me all about how the venue started as a small open mic in the back of a restaurant and has now grown into the longest running weekly hip hop show in NYC and an international hip hop movement, with DJ Snuff representing in the UK.

I had a wicked night and even got shouted out on stage during the freestyles, like “we got Anna from the UK showing us love!” We were then treated to some amazing MCs, best of whom I liked Majesty. We then saw the premier of the Hip Hop 4eva video by Final Outlaw, and saw some full on talent grace the stage.

End of the Weak (EOW) takes place every Sunday night @ Pyramid, 101 Avenue A, between East 6^th and East 7^th, New York. Click on www.endoftheweak.com

Well that’s all for now but look out for the next installment, coming soon and don’t forget to check this blog regularly for upcoming shows and events, as well as all the info on a host of UK and international artists.

Take care,

Anna x

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Kidz in the Hall

KIDZ IN THE HALL – ‘THE IN CROWD’

Record Label: Duck Down Records/Major League Entertainment

THE IN CROWD FEATURES APPEARANCES BY BUN B, ESTELLE, TALIB KWELI, THE CLIPSE, COOL KIDS, GYM CLASS HEROES, PHONTE OF LITTLE BROTHER, SEAN PRICE, BLACK MILK, BUCKSHOT, CAMP LO, MASTA ACE, AND GUILTY SIMPSON

Kidz In The Hall (comprised of Naledge and Double-O) are not your average group. Following their successful debut record, School Was My Hustle, the duo teamed up with legendary Mix Tape DJ Mick Boogie, to release Detention, a digital-only album, in late 2007.

Now these Ivy League Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania, co-signed by producers Just Blaze and 9^th Wonder, are poised to release their second full-length release, The In Crowd, courtesy of Duck Down Records/Major League Entertainment.

The In Crowd is entirely produced by Kidz In The Hall’s Double-O and will feature some of the most relevant MC’s in the game today. Though Kidz In The Hall’s debut, School Was My Hustle, was universally hailed, Naledge and Double-O have set much loftier standards for themselves with its proper follow-up, The In Crowd, as Double-O states “Fans can expect to hear a tremendous growth with The In Crowd. Our debut was a stepping stone in our movement. The In Crowd is a masterpiece and a concise reflection of our sound, as it’s a bolder and bigger sounding album made for huge shows and cigarette lighters. We have taken our experiences and our year of traveling and performing and morphed it into a true musical experience with some of the best rappers and musicians around---the true In Crowd.”

Naledge takes things a step further asserting The In Crowd is going to solidify us as the best new group in Hip-Hop. Our new album is the re-definition of the Kidz In The Hall sound and our experimentation with artist collaboration. The first album was a lot rawer and showed our potential for greatness, but The In Crowd is our greatness coming to fruition. We went out of our way to create an album that has something for everyone and is air-tight from beginning to end. This is a definite classic for the Hip-Hop lover.”

Kidz In The Hall’s surging success has even caught the eye of Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, who has featured their hit song, ‘Work to Do’ in his campaign effort. The song has been posted on Barack Obama’s website as well.

June 17th - Edinburgh (Voodoo Rooms)

June 18th - London - (KoKo)

June 20th - Dublin (Craw Daddy)

June 22 - Bristol (Thekla)

June 23 - Nottingham (Rescue Rooms)

July 11^th – London - Kidz In The Hall & Wiley

July 12^th – Brighton - Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival

Posted by Anna Nathanson

IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE GIG

Immortal Technique concert in London
Wednesday 4th June

As part of Immortal Technique's 'Guerilla Incursion into Europe' Tour there'll be one concert in London on Wednesday 4th June 2008.

If you've seen I.T perform live before... you know that this is a show not to miss. I.T is one of the few artists with the raw ability to electrify an audience. Scheduled for over 1hr, I.T will perform joints from his soon to drop album (The 3rd World: 24th June).

Can't wait for this one!!



Immortal Technique
Immortal Technique MySpace
www.immortal-technique.com

Buy Concert Tickets
SeeTickets
TicketWeb


Immortal Technique (Felipe Coronel)was born February 19, 1978 in a military hospital in South America, Immortal Technique was brought to the United States in the early 80's while a civil war was breaking out in his native Peru. The US supported puppet democracy and Guerilla factions were locked in a bitter struggle which ended like most do in Latin America, with the military and economic aid of the State Dept. through channels like the CIA. Although he had escaped the belligerent poverty and social turmoil of life in the 3rd world, he was now residing in Harlem which had its own share of drama. Growing up on the streets of New York, the young man became enamored with Hip Hop culture, writing graffiti and starting to rhyme at an early age. Although he frequently cut school and ended up being arrested time and time again for his wild behavior, the kid still managed to finish high school and got accepted to a state university. Unfortunately the survivalist and aggressive attitude that was the norm in New York City caused him to be involved in more violent altercations at school, whether it was with other brothers, false flaggers or the relentlessly racist population of an uncultured Middle America.

Compiling multiple assault charges in New York State and in other states eventually caught up to the uncompromisingly hardheaded actions of one Immortal Technique. He faced several charges for Aggravated Assault in the tri-state area. Realizing his inevitable incarceration, Technique began to prolifically write down his ideas about what he had lived and seen in the struggle back at home in relation to his visits back to his native land. He came to embrace his African roots that stemmed from his grandfather and understood the nature of racism and ignorance in its role in Latino culture, separating oppressed peoples and keeping them divided. He also began to study in depth about the Revolutionary ideas that had caused a history of uprising in the indigenous community of his Native South America. Although pressured to turn states evidence before and during his bid, he refused the DA and lawyers. He was facing a 5-10 stretch, but the hiring of a pittbull attorney helped him compile the cases without turning snitch like his co-defendants. The result was a 1-2 year sentence in the mountains, 6 hours away from the city. There Technique studied, worked out vigorously, began to document his lyrics, and create songs. Besides the creation there was destruction, and the fights were nothing compared to the verbal battles that he engaged in occasionally. This proved to be a foreshadowing of what was to come...

Paroled in 1999, Immortal Technique returned to NYC and began a campaign to claim victory to what he had discovered he had a talent for; battling. One of the rites of passage in establishing oneself in the Hip Hop community is following in the steps of those who made their name in lyrical warfare before you. Immortal Technique quickly became known throughout the underground. His brutally disrespectful style was trademark, and it was not long until he had won countless battles not just on stage and in clubs, but on the streets whenever a random cipher would pop up. From Rocksteady Anniversary, to Braggin Rites, SLAM DVD's and hookt.com's infamous battles, he established himself as someone who could captivate a crowd and who people looked forward to seeing. But it was then that Technique realized what every battle champion had come to terms with before him, battles was just that, battling, and not synonymous with success at making music. Turning his eye to production and touching up some of the songs he had written in prison he now focused on trying to get an album together, but major labels wanted a more pop friendly image and were uncomfortable with his hardcore street style that was complemented by his political views. In response to their lack of vision, Immortal Technique left the battle circuit and released his critically acclaimed Revolutionary Vol.1, which at first moved 3000 copies, but to date has moved more than 12,000. This earned him Unsigned Hype in the Source (11/02) and numerous articles in Elemental & Mass Appeal.

Established in the underground circuit Tech began another round of dealing with record labels unwilling to see the direction of his brutally honest and cultured rhymes. He decided to continue with what had been so successful, his hand to hand out the trunk hustle. In the post 9.11 climate, as the music industry crumbled, Immortal Technique built on the truth with a hardcore brand of street politics. Being featured in XXL, The Washington Post, and having been titled with the Hip Hop quotable in The Source (10/03) for his sophomore independent release Revolutionary Vol.2 was just the beginning.. On Viper Records, where he is the Executive VP, he sold 29,000 copies of Revolutionary Vol.2 to date and has appeared on soundtracks for new movies including the new Mario Van Peebles film "BAADASSSSS". Immortal Technique has also worked with Mumia Abu Jamal and AWOL magazine. His single "Industrial Revolution" released in conjunction with Uncle Howie Records hit #1 on CMJ and #50 on the Billboard charts. Recently back from a successful West Coast tour, Immortal Technique is now booking a European tour in the Fall of 2004 and recording his highly anticipated third album...

SOURCE: ViperRecords.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

DMC UK DJ Championships 2008

DMC UK DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2008

Thursday 17^th July 2008

7pm – 12midnight

@ Islington Academy, London

Hosted by Trip and Cutmaster Swift

w/ live PA’s from

Million Dan w/ DJ Skitz & Le Shadow

Hobbit + more acts TBC!

Mixers, scratchers and turntable junkies, the DMC UK DJ Championships are back for 2008 where they’ll be unearthing the UK’s very best in turntable dexterity! The successful turntable wizard will then go on to represent the UK at the DMC World DJ Championships on Friday 26^th and Saturday 27^th September at Indig02.

The 2008 DMC UK DJ Championships final takes place on Thursday 17^th July 2008 at Islington Academy, London and follows a series of nationwide heats which started on the 25^th April in Plymouth and ends in London on 21st June.

This year the winners get £500 worth of clothes from Drunknmunky for each battle – the UK Final and UK Supremacy. Our friends over at CK are providing CKIN2U fragrance goodie bags. This is all in addition to the regular prizes of the Golden Technics Turntables and a $10,000 cheque from Ortofon. These prizes will complement the accolade of being crowned the DMC World DJ Champion for 2008.

Past DMC UK Champions have included The Scratch Perverts, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Blakey and Plus One, who went on to be crowned DMC World Champion in 2001. Last year’s UK Champion winner JFB will be participating in this year’s event defending his title.

This year’s event is hosted by DMC favourites’ MC Trip and Cutmaster Swift, who’ll be joined on stage with live PA’s from Million Dan with DJ support from DJ Skitz, and Le Shadow as the microphone hype man. Hobbit will be performing a standalone beatbox set.

MC Trip was awarded the Time Out accolade of ‘Best Live Show of 2004’. He is explosive on stage and is Killa Kela’s official MC/right hand man. To date he’s shared the stage with Busta Rhymes, Outkast and N.E.R.D.

Cutmaster Swift, the legendary UK scratch-mix DJ won the UK/World DMC title in 1989 and is a frequent presenter at the DMC DJ Championships.

Ex-Demon Boyz MC, Million Dan will be performing live with DJ Skitz on the decks, and Le Shadow hyping up the crowd on the mic. Million Dan has been bigged up by Busta Rhymes when he was quoted as saying: “Million Dan is the Shizzle on stage!!.” He launched his Million Dappa Records last year and has just released his album ‘Spektrum’ to critical acclaim. Beat master DJ Skitz is now known across London for his hip-hop production skills. Expect a performance of some of the very best in UK hip-hop.

Meanwhile, Hobbit, who at the age of only 20 has carved out a successful career to date, is showing no signs of running out of breath. His videos featured on YouTube have received over 1 million hits and he has appeared all over the UK and in the USA with the likes of Nizlopi, Zulu Nation, Kenny Mohammad, Cutmaster Swift, Killa Kela, Ugly Duckling, Herbaliser, and DJ Yoda.

So, whether you want to enter, or simply witness the nation’s best DJ talent, make sure you’re down at the Islington Academy on Thursday 17^th July!

Remaining dates for the UK DJ Championships heats

(which all include exclusive performances from current DMC World Champion DJ Rafik and DMC World Champion Cutmaster Swift):

Tuesday 27th May – Northampton
Venue: Roadmender, Northampton College, 1 Lady's Lane, and Northampton, NN1 3AH.
7pm – 3am £5
Tickets available from: The Roadmender Box Office or over the phone on 01604 60 40 20
www.newroadmender.com
www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk

Thursday 29th May – Bristol
Venue: BREAK!!!, Walkabout, 40 Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1HQ.
Tel: 0117 9300 181
Featuring: Matman, Bunjy & Joe Peng, Dazee & MC Foxy, Ruttler, Asbo.
£6 advance more on the door.
www.breaktheworld.com
Tickets available from
www.bristolticketshop.co.uk & Rooted Records

Friday 30th May – Birmingham
Venue: Heducation Custard Factory, Gibb St, Digbeth, Birmingham, B9 4AA.
Featuring: Dj Rafik (Dmc World Champ), Cutmaster Swift (DMC World Champ 1989)
Hosted By: Mc Trip (Killa Kela's Spit Kingdom), Dj Mylz (Hedz)
ROOM 2 (The Kitchen) Bass Operations – Drum N Bass
The Doctor, Malicious, Cleancut, Sammy B-sides (rumble in the jungle) & more
Tickets: £7 + Booking Fee
Before 11: £9-members/NUS; £10-others.
After 11: £10-members/NUS; £12-others.
www.heducation.com
word@heducation.com

Friday 13th June – Bournemouth
Bad Biznezz Present

Venue: Crank Club, 6 Hinton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2EN
Featuring: Bizzy,Storm and Bob Baker
10pm - 5am price: £5

www.crank-club.com / www.badbiznezz.com

Saturday 21st June – London
Venue: Urban Nerds Save The Vinyl Special @ 93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL.
Featuring: Goldie (Metalheadz), DJ Blakey, DJ Tubby (FWD>>) + The Newham Generals, Rattus Rattus (Urban Nerds) VS Klose 1
(Special 4 deck mix!)

Bar: Hosted by Step:One & The Audio Revolution
The Farm Yardies, Dusty Lungs, Littleboselecta

Outside: BBQ all night, Live 4 Crew Graff Battle Hosted by One Trick Pony Crew!
6pm-LATE
FREE before 7pm, £8 thereafter
www.urban-nerds.com
www.myspace.com/urbannerds / www.wegottickets.com/event/31135

UK World Championship Final

Thursday 17^th July @ Islington Academy

World Final Weekend 2008
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th September @ Indig02

www.dmcworld.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Excalibah's DMC Chart- May 19th

EXCALIBAH - DMC HIP HOP CHART: 19th / MAY / 2008

(Printed in next week's UK DMC Update, posted online @ www.dmcupdate.com & broadcast live on Pyro Radio)

ARTIST - TITLE (LABEL)

1. The Roots ft Peedi Crack – Get Busy (Def Jam)

2. J Live ft Posdunous – The Upgrade

3. Kidz In The Hall ft Pusha T, Bun B & The Cool Kids – Drivin Down The Block Remix (Duck Down / Major League Entertainment)

4. Dynamite MC – What!!! (White)

5. Outkast ft Raekwon – Royal Flush (MP3)

6. Baby J / Mark Ronson – Baby Version (Ant/Sony)

7. The Elementz – Crush Mode (OYM Records)

8. Pro Green – Trunk Shit (MP3)

9. Ludacris – Stay Together (White)

10. Asaviour & IQ – Beefy (Saving Grace)

11. Little Vic – If You Go Away (White)

12. Hezikiah ft Freeway – 4 That Filling (White)

13. J Rawls & Declaime – Dank & Jammy (Illmindmuzic / Polar Ent)

14. Jay Z ft Timberland – Ain’t I (Def Jam)

15. Estelle – Shine (Home School)

16. Riz MC – Radar (White)

17. Lupe – Hip Hop Saved My Life (Warner)

18. Example ft Tinchy Strider & Frisco – Loud (All The Chats)

19. Black Grass ft J Live – Set It Straight (Catskills)

20. Sonny Jim – The Mission Statement (Dented)


Check out EXCALIBAH "Tales From The Legend" live, every Tuesday 7pm - 9pm (GMT) on PYRO RADIO
(Download / Stream from the Archive @ www.pyroradio.com)

*** Also check out EXCALIBAH'S regular columns in HIP HOP CONNECTION & BIG SMOKE MAGAZINE
&
"TAKE IT BACK" London's brand new but classic Hip-Hop night @ Herbal, Shoreditch every 1st Sunday of the month ***

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Hip Hop Theatre Workshop Festival

Breaking Cycles and The Martin Harris Centre at The University of Manchester present Process08

Hip Hop Theatre Workshop Festival 4^th – 16^th August 2008

Following the success of Process06, Benji Reid and his company Breaking Cycles present another ground-breaking festival of courses, master-classes, film and special events offering b-boys, b-girls, hip hop heads and young artists the unique opportunity to work alongside some of the worlds most creative hip hop theatre masters.

For Process08, Breaking Cycles joins forces with Manchester’s Martin Harris Centre this August, offering opportunities to work with and showcase key hip hop innovators including the UK’s Ty, France’s Walid, plus US maestros Will Power, Baba Israel and for the first time, inspirational duo Kwik Step & Rockafella. As well, Manchester’s Contact Theatre plays host to performances titled ‘An Audience With’, offering the public a rare chance to savour the best of Process08. Finally Process08 also presents their film festival with a rich and diverse programme of shorts, documentaries and features relating to Hip Hop culture and art forms.

Here’s the low-down on Process’s special guests for 2008:

Ty highlights skills involved in creating verse, exploring how words and music relate to performance. One of the UK’s most cherished MCs, Ty has made critically acclaimed albums, shared mics with luminaries such as Talib Kweli and De La Soul, been name-checked by Lily Allen and performed with Damon Albarn. A Mercury Music Prize nominee, Ty has won numerous awards, taking his vision of hip hop into prisons and schools acting as spokesman for his musical culture on Newsnight. Ty has a history of involvement in the spoken word/poetry scene, as well as running workshops in schools and beyond.

France’s Walid is a popping and boogaloo master and original member of the O Posse, a pioneering hip hop Paris dance crew and is now one of the most revered exponents of his craft world-wide. Walid confirmed this status by winning the first ‘Funkstyles’ event judged by the Electric Boogaloos at the B-Boy Summit 2000 in Los Angeles. As well he’s been a long-term dancer with Montalvo-Hervieu and co-created Quintessence with Nabil Saoudi, utilising a combination of b-boy and popping styles. An auspicious occasion to watch and learn from this prized performer, Walid is now one of the most in-demand popping teachers in the world.

From the US, Will Power returns to Process after a memorable contribution in 2006. An award-winning actor, rapper, playwright, and educator, Power has his own style of theatrical communication, fusing original music, rhymed language and dynamic choreography to produce compelling and internationally renowned work. Winning accolades via his lyrical and composing skills he has collaborated with musicians appearing on albums. Will Power’s talents are matched only by his remarkable teaching ability focusing on self-expression via performance.

Baruch ‘Baba’ Israel is an MC, producer, poet, recording artist and beat-boxer, he also has a life-long association with theatre co-founding the Playback NYC Theater Company and teaching all of his disciplines internationally. He works with Urban Word, Bam, Arts Horizons, and New World Theater and co-directs Hip Hop Connections, a touring education assembly program also continuing to record; his latest collaboration with Yako 440 titled Beat-box Dub Poetics. Baba holds an MFA in interdisciplinary arts, uniting his passion for Hip Hop and Education. As a performer, he’s shared stages with legends such as Afrika Bambaatta, The Roots, Outkast, Vernon Reid, and the late Lester Bowie of the Art Ensemble of Chicago

Process08 is delighted to welcome quintessential b-boy/girl husband/wife duo Kwikstep & Rockafella. Gabriel Kwikstep Dionisio and Ana Rokafella Garcia were both born and raised in New York, Ana in Spanish Harlem. They both have become legendary, Kwik for his versatility, signature head-spins and inventive choreography and Rok for her superbly crafted technique and teaching skills. Kwik’s credits are plentiful, having worked with music, TV and film, he also mentors performance students through Full Circle Prod.- a non profit Hip-Hop collective he co-founded with his wife who in turn has taught extensively. Rok has been featured for her unique ability as a B girl in Fabolous Holla back Youngin and KRS One’s Step into a World plus the film Brown Sugar

Finally Process08 is brought to you by Benji Reid who as the winner of countless body-popping championships, co-choreographed 'Soul II Soul’ and was a founding member of classic UK breakdancers: Broken Glass Street Crew. Now a successful writer, theatre director and choreographer as well as acting and dancing, he is recognised as a powerful performer and multi-faceted talent. Process08 continues Benji Reid’s vision of nurturing hip hop’s fundamental elements via his company Breaking Cycles, furthering these inspirational crafts to the talents and performing icons of the future.

www.brerakingcycles.co.uk

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Relentless Wakestock Festival 2008

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire:

27th-29th June

Abersoch, Cardigan Bay, North Wales:

4th-6th July

-

New acts and final headliners announced for Relentless Wakestock 2008

Estelle, Happy Mondays

Plump DJs, Nu-Mark, The Blackout, Goldierocks, Hyper, Sonny J
Uncle Buck, Dan Greenpeace, Jaguar Skills, I-Koma

…to join…

GROOVE ARMADA, MARK RONSON AND THE VERSION PLAYERS, THE STREETS, SUPERGRASS (B), FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND, THE HOOSIERS (A), CALVIN HARRIS, DUFFY (A) PENDULUM, SAM SPARRO, PETE TONG, ZANE LOWE, JO WHILEY, BLACK KIDS,

ELLIOT MINOR, MYSTERY JETS, THE FUTUREHEADS, HADOUKEN, ONE NIGHT ONLY, AUDIO BULLYS, YOUNG KNIVES, FRIENDLY FIRES, JAZZIE B, IN CASE OF FIRE, YOU ME AT SIX, THE DYKEENIES, METRONOMY, LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION, ESSER, plus many more

Europe’s largest and most successful wakeboard music festival, sponsored by Relentless Energy Drink, have finalized their line-up ...

Madchester troubadours Happy Mondays will now join the already eclectically swelling bill, bringing an enviable back catalogue of some of the most generation-defining anthems; from ’24 Hour Party People’ to ‘Step On’ and ‘Kinky Afro’, their Factory Records career has been the stuff of legend. Still as relevant today, making as intrinsic music as ever, their appearance aside vocally stunning modern chart darling Estelle proves this years Relentless Wakestock to truly be unsurpassed in the summer calendar.

This is the first time that a contemporary music festival has been held within the grounds of Blenheim Palace and certainly the first that also boasts the biggest title in the world wakeboard calendar. The Relentless Wakestock is booked and primed to be a memorable occasion with an outstanding line-up now confirmed with the added bonus of the slickest water sport thrown in right next to the festival site, while the duke’s palace carries the most uniquely breath-taking backdrop.

This year will be the first time that special VIP packages are on offer at both venues. For those who want to spend the weekend in style hanging out with the riders, bands and DJ’s, there’s a myriad of different options available ranging from hotel accommodation to amazing tipi’s, yurts and beach huts which are available to hire in an exclusive VIP camping area on site. For those who want the real, nostalgic rock ‘n’ roll experience, a tour bus is available for hire - presented fully set up for the weekend it can accommodate you plus 11 of your mates… This is really how to do a festival! For those who will not be able to make the whole weekend day tickets are on sale and are modestly priced at £40 per day.

“2008 is going to be the Year of Wakestock!” says Wakestock Founder, Mark Durston. “We’ve built the festival up over the last 8 years in Abersoch to be a really cool mix of the world’s best wakeboarders, bands & DJ’s right at the forefront of the live music scene and a lifestyle that is unrivalled by any other festival! With the help of Stuart Galbraith, CEO of Kilimanjaro, to develop the festival and to add a second venue as stunning as Blenheim Palace was an opportunity we’ve relished. The grounds at Blenheim Palace, as a festival venue, are first class. Add to this a stunning lake sat right in front of the Palace and you have the perfect setting to showcase the coolest sport on water”.

Now in its 9th sell out year, the original festival in Abersoch, North Wales (4th – 6th July 2008) and the new Wakestock Blenheim Palace both promise to serve up the pinnacle in established names playing against the preeminent emerging talents in music along with world class wakeboarding, on-site camping and a weekend full of exhilarating on and off water entertainment. Both sites can boast the best scenery and the liveliest festival atmospheres, Abersoch gracing stunning beaches with some incredible surf breaks, while the Blenheim Palace site sits within the awe-inspiring Parkland amid picturesque lakes.

Wakeboarding is the world’s fastest growing watersport with over 3 million participants worldwide. Wakeboarding began back in the 1970’s when surfers who were bored of waiting for the waves began pulling their boards behind a speedboat with a ski rope. The summer equivalent to snowboarding, wakeboarding has now grown hugely over the past 10 years and is no longer the younger sibling of the boardsports world

The pool gap construction has been re-designed and built, and is ready for more epic battles. The viewing for spectators is greatly improved with a lower bottom pool, each event seeing a different rail setup to keep the riders on their toes. The Wakeskaters will also be returning for ‘best trick jams’ and this summer you’ll see an influx of European skaters seasoning the rails along UK riders like Christian Thom and Craig McCulloch.

The second battle will commence the following weekend on the 4th, 5th and 6th July at Relentless Wakestock Abersoch while Newquay plays host to the final stop on 8th & 9th August at the Unleashed Music Festival.

For more information, the line up breakdown, plus all the essential information for 2008 be sure to check out www.wakestock.co.uk now.

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Rising Styles Hip Hop Night

Kala Phool in association with Afrolution presents Rising Styles, the UK's largest celebration of international hip hop culture.

The launch party which features a hip hop show case takes place on Thursday 29th May at Cargo in London, from 7pm- 1am.

There'll be live performances from Emmanuel Jal, English, Koaste K, Scizzahz, Southern Suspects, Skilf and band as well as Witchdoctor Wise.

DJs on the night include Excalibah, DJ Catch, DJ Downlow and Tyni, and the night will be hosted by DJ 279 and Freecy D.

There will also be break dancing and a fashion lounge featuring clothes by Avit Clothing, Illegirl and Love Apparel.

Tickets cost 8 pounds/7 concessions (on the door) and 5 in advance.

Venue: Cargo, 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AY.

To purchase tickets, please visit:

www.cargo-london.com/shop

www.ticketweb.co.uk

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Digga

Melding Joe’s soulful flow, Raphael Saddiq’s leftfield funk and the effortless heartfelt delivery of Donny Hathaway, DIGGA'S raw, deep and real lyrics and vocals melt the hearts of the toughest street kid and the pop listener alike.

No stranger to the hard knocks that life can bring in formative years, UK based DIGGA turned to his natural musical ability to share his experiences and deal with the heartache he went through while at the same time helping thousands of others realise they are not alone when dealing with life's challenges.

"BROKEN" - the song behind his YOU TUBE PHENOMENON with over 200 different FAN VIDEO’S and clocking over 2 MILLION cumulative views despite the song never having been released - tells a story of love and loss that touches every listener.

As the initial single from his forthcoming album, "BROKEN" is not afraid to state that DIGGA is a serious artist and not just an average Urban vocalist but someone of real talent and longevity.

Further tracks with Drum & Bass dons CHASE & STATUS (the brilliant Wet) and his production partner D-El slam home the message that R&B isn't just from US talent and that DIGGA could stand shoulder to shoulder with John Legend, Omario and Chris Brown.

Coming from a hugely musical family, DIGGA has always been immersed in singing as he watched the trials and tribulations of his father JOHN MCLEAN, the well known Lover’s Rock singer.

He networked furiously and sang every opportunity he got, and eventually his tenacious deeds paid off. He landed himself a regular slot on the massively popular underground radio station Flava FM (notorious for pushing forward new talent), ultimately leading to the formation of BLAQUE SHEET ENTERTAINMENT.

DIGGA’S rollercoaster ride of positive vibes and fantastic talent demonstrates he is yet another British Urban / R&B star in the making - following Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone, Estelle and Dizzy Rascal into the mainstream market while still remaining true to themselves. Catch a glimpse into his world as his aspirations begin to take flight and he begins his ascent into the charts to become the name on everyone’s lips in 2008.

Posted by Anna Nathanson

L Star & Tweeti

After the success of L STAR & TWEETI’s debut release ‘STREET DREAMZ’, the duo are back with the official remix. The original is already a firm favourite amongst the urban music scene with the sampling sensation rapidly generating what can only be described as musical madness.

Championed by KISS 100’s JEZ WELHAM – who labelled the original – “SOMETHING SPECIAL” and independently pushed by L STAR & TWEETI, the tracks popularity has been almost unexpected. A combination of mass downloads; MySpace plays and video votes for the track’s original video have surpassed any expectations or targets. Standing as a TOP 5 CHANNEL U video for 16 weeks, there just had to be a remix, and now we have it!!

Featuring the lyrical acrobatics of UK Hip Hop's very own godfather 'SKINNYMAN' (COUNCIL ESTATE OF MIND), this recipe of refreshed eighties flavour pushes the UK urban music scene even further into prominence! Coupled with a heavy sprinkling of specialist sound effects from the Prince of Grime/Garage himself - FLIRTA D (HYPE HYPE) - propels its potential even further in the direction of distinction.

Already receiving rave reviews from pirate radio and internet stations alike, this “DANCEFLOOR DESTROYER” (DJ MAGAZINE) stands as a contemporary contribution and example of sampling with skill. Both eclectic and energetic each MC's offering oozes individual style and finesse whilst remaining integrated and involved throughout the whole three minutes. Minutes that can only be described as musical magic, a magic that seems to already have a considerably growing audience.

Coupling this musical movement with their own clothing line "DOIN IT CLOTHING" sales figures for these products have recently reached a national level. Heavily supported by top names in the UK urban music scene the "IM DOIN IT" logo again stands as an excellent example of the duos developments and directions for the future!

Look out for this and other tracks on the ‘SHE LOOKS GOOD E.P’ Coming soon. The ‘STREET DREAMZ’ remix is available to download on 9^th JUNE 2008 from iTunes, 7 Digital & all good internet retailers.

"An eighties lick with a contemporary twist makes it my drive time pick!" (JEZ WELHAM - KISS 100 FM)

"Dance floor destroyer". (DJ MAGAZINE – MARCH 2008 EDITION)

"The song is both positive and promising making us a proud sponsor". (JEREMY FESTA – HEAD OF MARKETING - OAKLEY CLOTHING)

Posted by Anna Nathanson

HUGO Urban Rules

CHART-TOPPING ARTIST ESTELLE SUPPORTS URBAN MUSIC ARTISTS OF THE FUTURE

Thursday 5th June 2008

The UK’s finest, Estelle – whose single ‘American Boy’ has just spent four weeks at number 1, is the latest artist to sign up to HUGO URBAN RULES – the music programme from HUGO Fragrances that uncovers and invests in new talent.

The west-London singer and MC, whose album Shine features a guest list of the hottest musicians in the world right now, heads to Manchester on Thursday 5th June to help choose a budding artist to have their music professionally produced and released AND to perform on stage with her at an exclusive showcase event at Sankey’s to be broadcast by MTV.

Following in the footsteps of pop divas Jamelia, Amy Winehouse and Amerie, Estelle will work alongside a panel of experts that includes industry experts Sony BMG’s Mervyn Lyn (Vice President of A&R & Business Development RCA); Galaxy FM’s Steve Sutherland and Radio 1 Xtra’s Alex Boateng. Together they will host master classes on a range of subjects designed to kick start the careers of budding talented artists who want to break into the UK urban scene.

The support and cultivation of the UK urban music scene is a subject very close to Estelle’s heart and HUGO URBAN RULES is an opportunity for her to get involved. To get involved, upcoming artists must upload their music at www.hugofragrances.com/urbanrules by Friday 16th May.

Necro's back!

Necro

Death Rap

(Abstract Sounds)

Released 10 September 2007

Prepare to be shocked and stunned once again as the man that Mike Skinner aka The Streets called “an extreme Eminem” releases yet another brand new studio album, Death Rap.

If you’re currently rockin’ the new Interpol and think that’s as dark as New York gets, stop reading and don’t even think about playing the CD.

If however, you’ve got a good sense of humour and don’t mind the odd four-letter word, gratuitous sex and violence or horror-core hip-hop, please read on.

Necro is a hardcore hip-hop artist with his finger on the pulse of extreme music. He is recognized worldwide for his work as an established recording artist, rap producer, film director and as the owner/CEO of Psycho+Logical-Records.

His most recent albums The Sexorcist, The Pre-Fix for Death and Brutality have set the stage for Necro's brand of irreverent and often humorous commentary on the dark side of reality that began with tracks like I Need Drugs, his warped rework of LL Cool J’s I Need Love.

Death Rap is the latest offering from hip-hop’s indisputable king of gore and features the tracks Mutilate The Beat, Technician of Execution, Forensic Pathologist and Portrait of A Death Rapper.

Named after the title given to him by British newspapers following his sold-out live dates in the UK earlier this year, Death Rap takes the collaborations with premier metal bands Slipknot, Hatebreed, Obituary, Nuclear Assault, Skarhead and Voivod on The Pre-Fix For Death to the next level in metal-rap collaboration.

The album features some of heavy metal’s most acclaimed and well-respected artists: Harley Flanagan of The Cro-Mags, Brian Fair of Shadows Fall, Mark Morton of Lamb Of God, Mike Smith of Suffocation & Steve DiGiorgio of Death/Sadus, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Dave Ellefson formerly of Megadeth & Ray Alder of Fates Warning.

While The Pre-Fix For Death was the first step in Necro’s plan to create the most natural consolidation of rap and metal made by an artist of either genre, Death Rap sees him bridging the divide with the type of ease you might expect from someone who played in guitar bands until 1990 and has supported not just Run DMC, The Beatnuts and Kool Keith but Sepultra, Biohazard and Napalm Death to make what ranks as one of the most original, most uncompromising albums released this year.

http://www.myspace.com/necro

The Urban Shop

WWW.THEURBANSHOP.CO.UK

The UK’s number one on-line clothing store The Urban Shop is something that al fans of street apparel should definitely check out. With competitive prices, exclusive ranges, FREE postage & packaging, The Urban Shop is guaranteed to service all your clothing needs.

From Tee-Shirts to Jeans, Hoodies, Shirts, caps and much more, The Urban Shop stocks some of the most exclusive brands in the urban fashion world. Expect to see brand new ranges from the likes of Zoo York, King Apparel, Temple Effective, Diamond, Rogue Status, Nomis, Mada, Ambiguous, Dilate, Eleven, Five Four, Abuze London, DC, Fenchurch, FLY53R135, Freshjive, Fuct, Live Mechanics, MethodsNYC, Obey, Planet Earth, Supremebeing, THTC, Ubiquity and many more.

The Urban Shop isn’t just any old shop… it's been supporting the scene since day one, with sponsorship for events such as the only UK Masta Ace gig in 5 years in 2007, nights which includes a live painting night every month in Bristol, support for a number of UK Hip-Hop forums & websites, as well as showing a lot of love to many Hip-Hop artist’s around the country including bringing out the mixtapes & DVD’s with UK Runnings. Support the brothers who support you!!!

Please take time out visit the official Urban Shop website at www.theurbanshop.co.uk where you can browse around and visualise on some the flyest garmz available! Also listen to their exclusive radio show, join the forum, check out our special offers and over 70 different clothing lines!

WWW.THEURBANSHOP.CO.UK

Fix up & look sharp for 2008 & treat yourself to some good clothes!