Saturday 30 August 2008

Nick Rage

Born in the heart of Pittsburgh, upcoming phenomenon Nick Rage is quickly becoming a household name not just nationally, but internationally too. Rewinding to the early stages of his career, Nick began writing music between the ages of 11 to 13, and made his first recording at the age of 16, lending his vocals on other artist’s songs. Nick then began to polish his style, which has been compared to the likes of LL Cool J, and Tech N9ne, which are coincidently two of Nick Rage’s major influences, alongside the likes of Ill Bill and Royce Da 5’9.

Nick Rage’s debut release came at the age of 19, in the form of “Burgh Villain Vol.1”. This created the initial buzz around Pittsburgh for Nick, and gave him the opportunity to hook up with the likes of Cassius, Conspiracy, Pheenixx, G30, Tw12ve Gauge, Young Kap and Moine Luke. Then Nick Rage’s career rocketed quicker than an N.A.S.A aircraft, as he has featured on the DefJam DMA mixtape, along with DJ Domination’s “Coast to Coast Mixtape”. The respective names speak for themselves; however Nick really put his first foot in the industry when he hooked up with Royce Da 5’9 to record the track “Burgh to the D”

Now at the age of 22 Nick Rage has returned with his sophomore mixtape “Dead to Society”. The sixteen-track mixtape displays Nick’s ability to switch up styles from an unearthly underground approach, to a very appealing, and radio friendly sound. Nick Rage possesses the best of both worlds, and “Dead To Society” caters for every musical taste. With already over 500 copies handed out locally, Nick intends to push his name internationally, and “Dead to Society” is proving to be the foundations for him to do so.


Nick Rage – Dead to Society – OUT NOW!


Posted by Anna Nathanson

Friday 29 August 2008

Jack Flash

Artist: JACK FLASH
Title: THE UNION JACK ALBUM
Label: KLINIK RECORDS
Release Date: October 27th


Hailing from the sleepy Yorkshire town of Huddersfield, Jack is a storyteller, a quick witted freestyler and a battle-honed lyricist. With his poetic mix of good vibes, juxtaposed with no-nonsense hip hop, Jack walks you through snapshots of his hometown and his unique view on the world.

Following the success of this solid album on its digital-only release this Summer, it is now getting the nationwide CD pressing that it deserves. With it’s tight production largely handled by beatsmith boy wonder APA-TIGHT (JEHST/SIR SMURF LIL) and Jack himself, the bright, headnodding soundscapes provide you with one of the most consistently fresh projects of the year.

The critically acclaimed singles ‘Intoxicating’, ‘Four Minute Warning’ and ‘Living Legend’ tie the album together with their radio friendly, energy and conceptual rhymes. YNR representer MICALL PARKNSUN features on the banging ‘The Program’, and JEHST, ASAVIOUR and APA-TIGHT trade verses on the Huddersfield anthem ‘Sleepy Little Town’.

But despite the party lyrics and conceptually vivid masterpieces, Flash pours his heart in to songs like ‘Refuge’, with the live Spanish guitar - adding testament to the diversity of Jack Flash’s music.

Catch Jack Flash live ripping up stages with his live show alongside the Extra Curricular Live Band in a town near you soon!

Track List
01. Pledge Your Allegiance
02. Living Legend
03. Refuge ft. Thabo
04. Stay Put
05. Hip Hop
06. Like It Was Yesterday
07. Vibe With Me
08. Intoxicating ft. Thabo
09. The Program ft. Micall Parknsun
10. What I Invent ft J Simple and Wize
11. Four Minute Warning
12. Sleepy Little Town ft Jehst, Asaviour and Apa-tight
13. Ground Wurq Anthem ft. J Simple and Apa-tight
14. Everything
15. Come On Down


Posted by Anna Nathanson

Baby J ft Million Dan and Tawiah

Artist: Baby J featuring Million Dan and Tawiah
Title: Ruffnek Set The Trend
Label: Abstract Urban
Release Date: 29th September 2008

‘Ruffnek Set The Trend’ is the lead single from Baby J’s new studio album ‘Baby Food’. As ever the super producer has upped the anti with a guitar driven, floor filling beat that has instant hit written all over it. Vocals are provided by the North London legend Million Dan and sweet soul Brit School graduate Tawiah.

Baby J has been on the scene for ten years and 2008 has seen his profile leap from underground hero to superstar producer/deejay climaxing this summer with support slots on Mark Ronson and Jay-Z’s arena tour. He is currently in talks with Sony for a remix of Ronson’s ‘Version’ album after his remix for ‘Valerie’ held the number one slot on the MTV airplay chart for five weeks.

Million Dan first shot to fame as part of North London crew Demon Boyz who’s album ‘Recognition’ was named the third best UK rap album of all time by Hip-Hop Connection Magazine. Recently he released the critically acclaimed ‘Spektrum’ album and performed at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

Tawiah is described by The Guardian as a “purveyor of twisted soul blessed with a voice bigger than God.” Most people will have seen her as Mark Ronson’s only live female singer at his shows and last year Tawiah bagged a gong for best newcomer at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards.


Track list

1. Reffnek Set The Trend (Radio)
2. Reffnek Set The Trend (Instrumental)


Posted by Anna Nathanson

Dap-C

Artist: Dap-C ft Blak Twang & Geejay
Title: ‘Music Game’
Label: NGU Records
Released: 8th September 2008


Rhyme animal Dap-C joins forces with Blak Twang and Geejay!

One of the hardest working rappers in the UK Hip-Hop scene, DAP-C returns with a brand new single ‘Music Game’ featuring the legendary BLAK TWANG and label mate GEEJAY. Taken from the forthcoming CD ‘Street Karma’ this slice of UK Hip-Hop brilliance is destined to be getting the airwaves and the clubs rocking this summer.

The video for the single will be hitting TV screens very soon and has already been getting loads of hits on You Tube. Check out the direct link now to view it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQMiIauLaWI.

With ‘Street Karma’ set for release this autumn DAP-C is once again going to be a name to remember as the CD promises to deliver some of the sickest production in the UK game as well as featuring the likes of FALLACY, SKINNYMAN, LEWIS PARKER, SUPAR NOVAR, STYLAH, MR DRASTIK, LATE, CONMAN, SIR SMURF LIL, BIG CAKES, GEEJAY, WOLFTOWN and many more. DAP-C is back…believe it!!!

Also check www.myspace.com/dapc


Posted by Anna Nathanson

Tuesday 26 August 2008

Danielle Senior at ILUVLIVE

Danielle Senior will be making a return to ILUVLIVE for an exclusive performance of "Take It To The Dance Floor".

Filmed by MTV Base, she will be performing alongside the likes of Roll Deep & Donaeo.

"..one of the biggest voices in bassline – Danielle Senior – will be taking things to the dance floor as she showcases the soulful style that has helped win her a loyal underground following." - Rachel Bee, ILUVLIVEILUVLIVE –

Favela Chic, LONDON

The Details

Date: Monday 1st September & first Monday of the month thereafter

Location: Favela Chic, 91-93 Great Eastern Street, London, Old Street, EC2A 3HZ

Artists: Roll Deep / Mpho Skeef / Kerry Leatham / Donaeo / Danielle Senior / Eddie Kadi

DJs: DJ WonderHosts: Twin B / Ras Kwame

Time: 7:30pm – 12am

Entrance: £3 B4 8.30pm, £6 after

Guest list £2 B4 8.30pm, £5 after

Guestlist: email play@impactventures.co.uk
text 07939 593 718
www.myspace.com/iluvliveuk

For more info on ILUVLIVE or for guest list contact Trailer on t: 020 7924 6443 or e: lou@trailermedia.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Thursday 21 August 2008

Madlib

MADLIB: The Beat Konducta'WLIB AM: King Of The Wigflip'

Madlib: maverick, prolific, and tirelessly uninhibited.

'W.L.I.B. AM. King of the Wigflip', the final instalment in the Beat Generation series, finds Madlib venturing away from the deconstruction of world rhythms on recent projects and returning to his Western hemisphere roots in hip-hop and R&B.

Starting with the ominous, tribal overtones of 'The New Resident' its spiritual spank followed by the customarily aggressive Guilty Simpson on the brassy, stabbing 'Blow the Horns On 'Em' In getting back to basics, lyricism is in full effect, courtesy of Cali cohorts such as Defari on the driving, speed-limit bass funk of 'Gamble On Ya Boy', MED and Poke's ode to home stance with the fury of 'The Ox (805)' and Murs doing what Murs do in addressing the "can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em" state of male-female relations over the electro-pulse minimalism of 'Ratrace'.

Beat Konducta The Younger, Oh No, teams up with big brother Madlib as The Professionals on 'I Want It Back' while the maestro himself steps away from his helm at the beat machine and drops into the vocal booth on the audacious 'Heat'.

World Famous Beat Junkie J.Rocc heralds the return of the DJ with cuts on 'Blindfold Test #10 (He Don't Play)' before the proceedings venturing eastward with Detroit's party hearty Frank N' Dank riding the humming, percussive 'Drinks Up!' like Motor City madmen.

Another Motown-born MC, former Common and Kanye West sideman, Karriem Riggins, provides a glimpse into the Madlib-Riggins Supreme Team pairing on the melancholy 'Life', while veteran Prince Po provides a standout cameo with the vibrant buoyancy of 'The Thang-Thang'.

Talib Kweli, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Roc C, and the songbird styling of Frezna ('Yo-Yo Affair, parts 1 & 2') and Stacy Epps round out 'W.L.I.B. AM. King of the Wigflip', which is woven together by dusty interludes and instrumentals like few but The Beat Konducta can.

Madlib will be performing at the BBE 12 event on Friday 5th December 2008 at Area Nightclub, Vauxhall, London.

Release: 20.10.08Label: RapsterWebsite: rapsterrecords.com myspace.com/madlib

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Sunday 17 August 2008

Million Dan

New Millian Dan 'Spektrum Special Edition' album

If you enjoyed Million Dan’s ‘Spektrum’ album you’ll love the ‘Spektrum Special Edition'!

Not only does it have two bonus tracks it now comes with a bonus DVD featuring videos, interviews, live performances, behind the scenes extras plus much more!

To coincide with the release is the ‘Spektrum Special Edition’ Launch Party on September 1st 2008 at Club Astoria 2, Tottenham Court Road. This is in conjunction with Hip-Hop Connection’s 20th Anniversary party at the Jump Off club night.

The single ‘Inner City Got Plenty Cases’ is also released on September 15th.

Here’s what the critics are saying about Million Dan:

The Sun “Spektrum...A Hit”

Metro “Spektrum...Best Hip-Hop album to be released this year...”

Music Week: “Excellent”

If that’s not enough Million Dan is also on the front cover of this month’s Hip-Hop Connection Magazine alongside Roots Manuva, Skinnyman and Sway

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Wednesday 13 August 2008

Exclusive Competition! Win tickets to see A-Trak this week!

Exclusive to Big Smoke Magazine!

We have a pair of tickets to give away for A-Trak's show at Plan B in London this Friday night! To enter, please email anna.nathanson@gmail.com stating why you should win. Good luck!

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Friday 1 August 2008

New Blak Twang album!

Blak Twang’s long awaited 5th album “Speaking from Xperience” is set to be released September 29th 2008 on Abstract Urban.

Blak Twang’s elder statesman status means he’s a natural spokesman for home-grown hip-hop, whether defending the scene he helped put back in the shop window on prime-time television, or his battle-hardened tones meaning every track he blesses is given a thick coating of experience, knowledge and wisdom. But Twang has never been one for relying on high-fiving himself, preferring the oft-cited defiance of letting the music talk for itself. Ignited by the jump-off single
Help Them Lord – a crashing, rousing extension of Jahmali’s So Rotton chorus – Speaking from Xperience has him snatching back his throne, and getting nice and comfy on it while he’s at it. Right from the starter’s gun, he resumes domestic sovereignty on the apocalyptic Legends, trading breathless show-n-proves with Sway, and Nah I Ain’t Done relishes putting impudent inquisitors back on the shelf.

Tony Rotton has always produced his own beats whilst working alongside various talented beat makers. This time around collaborations have come from First Man and Silvastone Beats on production and sharing mic time with right-hand man K9 as well as Kanye West connect Rhymefest, UK's own up and coming talent Tor and Nigeria's MTV award winning singer Tuface Idibia Rotton’s unshakeable, knuckle-whitening grip on the mic steadfastly remains. Once a lyric’s spat, it stays spat, lamenting the easily influenced on
Champagne Lifestyle and Nu N’uh alongside Estelle. Resting on laurels has never been a good look, meaning the maintenance of survival instincts is essential, developing into a one-man amnesty on Cant Truss Dem, How Long, and So Hard rummaging through old soul 45s to score tales of today’s harsh realities.

Taking a moment to survey his status, the memoirs of Raplife and ‘96 pick up where Ain’t Done 2 Bad left off. Hey People switches up to grime-shocked pressure, epitomising the Twangsta moving away slightly from his usual block-knocking, ragga-streaked beats and presenting new erudition in higher definition, full of battle royale fanfares and titan-grappling strings. That said, Click n Roll has Blak Twang spitting a saliva-flying inferno over club-toppling drums, and though he may not admit it himself, Twang can be a chivalrous gentle giant, as
For the Summa confirms.

They say there’s no substitute for experience, and the return of the Rotton One vigorously and determinedly upholds this maxim.

Click on the link below to hear the album, read biog and check out the video and single for “Champagne Lifestyle” which is available as a digital download single only.

http://www.unionblack.co.uk/blaktwang/BlakTwang_Ecard.html

Posted by Anna Nathanson

DJ Krush live!

DJ Krush LIVE
plus support from edI T+ DJ Vadim + Memory9 + Reptiles Koko -
3rd August 2008
7pm
www.wegottickets.com

Every now and then a live show comes along that makes you think ‘yeah, I’ll go to that’ even though it’s on a Sunday night and you may have to take a sick day on the Monday. Well, here’s one of those shows!

This one is definitely not worth missing for anything... DJ Krush is arguably the most gifted producer & DJ in the world with a superb sense in mixing and composing who's been lauded for years by both his domestic and the international audience.

Probably the most revered and renowned Japanese musician alive; the very fact of this unprecedented esteem goes some way toward justifying his laurels alone. Krush's introduction to hip-hop came like that of so many others, through the movie Wildstyle.

But unlike most of us this single event inspired the young Krush to form a posse which immediately became the greatest in Japan where it remained until Krush went solo in '92, and on to even greater prestige. Krush was also the first DJ to use turntables as live instruments, doing free sessions with live musicians on stage and comes at you in '08 as the battle hardened veteran of dance floor killing shows from here to Burkina Faso. Expect a live turntablism display unlike anything you have seen before.

www.myspace.com/hideakiishii

Edward Ma, better known under the recording name edIT (or The Con-Artist) is a Los Angeles electronic producer and DJ. His second full length album titled Certified Air Raid Material was released October 9, 2007 and features notable Hip-hop artists such as Busdriver, TTC, and The Grouch of Livin' Legends. Edit is most known for his collaborative work with other DJ's and musical artists. He is an old college friend of electronic artist Daedelus and has contributed a remix to his Something Bells release. In addition to his friends in The Glitch Mob, edIT has also worked with and produced albums for many popular electronica and hip-hop artists such as Sole, Emanon, Dntel, Boreta, Jel, Busdriver and TTC.

www.myspace.com/edit

DJ Vadim is a workaholic powerhouse DJ/producer/musical incendiary and he hits the stage tonight surfing the wave of his latest release 'The Soundcatcher'. It is Brazilian carnival spirit crossed with a reggae soundsystem and Brooklyn, New York hiphop sensibilities. It promises to deliver us a DJ Vadim at his eclectic best, rocking the dancefloor like only he can.

www.myspace.com/djvadim

Memory9 bridges the gap between the zen of electronic performance and the thrust of live playing thanks to unique control surfaces and homemade software, injecting the floor with his kaleidoscopic vision of music: expect to hear a unique mashup from beginning to end, expect it to surprise you with shards from myriad corners of the musical spectrum. That, and loads of bass.

www.myspace.com/gadisassoon

Reptiles draw a straight line from the roots of hip hop to the captain's star log. They have the emotional impact like back in the day, yet leave you feeling you've just made one small head nod for man. Part of Vadim's Oneself collective, they are the perfect addition to this brazen night of bank hollyday dancefloor shaking.

www.myspace.com/reptilestyles -- liquidplaythings.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Herbal this Sunday!

Take it Back @ Herbal this Sunday, 3rd August 2008

Dan Greenpeace
Excalibah
Tommy Sparks
James Lebens

Take it Back- Classic Hip Hop

1st Sunday of every month @

10-15 Kingsland Rd,
Shoreditch,
London E2 8DA

Free b4 9pm
£5 after/ £3 NUS

Doors 8-1am

www.myspace.com/takeitbackuk

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Ty speaking at the Contact Theatre

Saturday 16 August
TY
All shows at 8.00pm Tickets £10/6

Contact Theatre
Oxford Road, Manchester, M15, 6JA
www.contact-theatre.org
0161 274 0600

One of the UK’s most cherished names in Hip Hop, Ty has made critically acclaimed albums, shared mics on stage with Hip Hop 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. At this An Audience With double bill, Ty demonstrates skills involved in creating verse, exploring how words and music relate to performance.

Posted by Anna Nathanson