Grandmaster Flash

Grandmaster Flash will be coming to the UK to host and DJ at the Alizé Remixed party on the 25th October 2008 at Paper night club in London.

Alizé remixed 2008 was a nationwide competition and UK club tour in search of the freshest DJ talent within the UK. The winners from across five regions each received £1000 cash and got the opportunity to hit the turntables alongside a legendary DJ legend including Jazzy Jeff and Tim Westwood!

The grand finale ends on 25th October 2008 at Paper nightclub with the ultimate legend Grandmaster Flash!

Grandmaster Flash who has featured on songs such as Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You” and Blondie’s “Rapture” is an icon in hip hop and pop history!

With his group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Flash was the first hip hop artist ever to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And on his own, Flash is the only hip hop DJ ever inducted.

But what Flash is famed for is being the grand showmaster of DJs. Techniques he invented back in the day are still being imitated today - cutting, mixing, scratching, spinning, juggling with his elbows, fingers and toes… Grandmaster Flash is the King! He’s even DJ’d for our very own Queen! The tour will start all over again in Jan 2009 and Jazzy Jeff and Grandmaster Flash will be joining us to do it all over again!

Date: Saturday 25th October

Venue: Paper, 68 Regent Street (nearest Tube Piccadilly Circus)

Price: £20

Age: Over 21

Time: 9:00pm – 3:00am

www.alizeremixed.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Kano Live

KANO LIVE with special guests Wiley, Skepta, Tinchy Stryder, Neon Hitch and the Thirst

September 30th @ INDIGO 02, LONDON

“The neighbours aren’t happy,” Kano grins about the residents either side of ‘140 Grime St.’ “They’re pissed off with the loud music!” Despite disgruntled habitants at 138 and 142, Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson has returned to the residence of his musical conception. He describes his new album ‘140 Grime St’, as a return to his teenage bedroom where he would write lyrics and record them onto mixtapes while his brother DJ’d. “I’m going back to where I grew up.”

Raised in the golden era of pirate radio, Kane Robinson quickly found notoriety on the underground circuit as a lyrical leviathan. Sidestepping the pitfalls of his East London environment, he honed his delivery alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, developing a confident poise absent anywhere else in the capital. Standing out from the rest of his peers, on his 18th birthday Robinson was offered the chance to make the leap from the underground to the mainstream in the form of a record contract with 679/Warner. Knocking back promising prospects in sport and academia, the young MC made the transition to an artist and accepted the proposal – and he has never looked back.

Released in 2005, Kano’s debut ‘Home Sweet Home’ was quickly heralded as an urban classic. With appearances from Mike Skinner, and production from himself, Mikey J and Fraser T Smith, Kano built an eclectic fanbase; a heartthrob and a hood hero both, singles like ‘Brown Eyes’ and ‘Nite Nite’ proved he could create chart hits with credibility. A MOBO performance of typical Me was pronounced by Public Enemy’s Chuck D as ‘The best performance,’ he had seen in a long time. However the standout track for many will be ‘P’s & Q’s’ – an underground anthem and a seminal grime classic.

The sophomore effort ‘London Town’ arrived in 2007 and offered an insight into London living. As well as further cementing his position as a commodifiable musician, the record featured noticeable musical contribution from Kate Nash, ex-Blur frontman and Gorillaz brainchild Damon Albarn who sang and produced on the single ‘Feel Free’, and UK garage/R&B poster boy Craig David with whom Kano released ‘This Is The Girl’. Both tracks hit the top 20. The album also showcased Kane’s Jamaican heritage, with a noticeable reggae influence most epitomised by the collaboration with dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel - ‘Buss It Up’ which fused dancehll and grime effortlessly.

As one of the few underground star’s to cross over to the mainstream, Kano has appeared in NME, i-D, RWD, Dazed & Confused (ETC ETC), been playlisted on Radio1, Choice, Galaxy and Kiss and has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Jools Holland. Among the awards won, Kano was named Best Newcomer at the MOBO’s, Best UK artist at the BET awards and was nominated for a BRIT award.

After all the awards, accolades and acclaim, why is Kane revisiting the place where it all started? “You could say I’m going back there, but I’m going forward at the same time,” Kane states about ‘140 Grime St’, an album that represents the cycle of his career so far. “The album really tells a story. It begins with me in my bedroom wanting to get out, but the end is me after I’ve been through the whole industry scene and now I wanna do it my own way.”

Robinson is referring to his new independent status as label owner of BPM Recordings. Rising above label politics, Kano has taken the reigns to his career into his own hands after an amicable split from 679. Full creative control has allowed him to produce the most challenging project of his career whilst tackling what is probably the first fully conceptual grime album ever. “140 beats per minute is the tempo,’ Grime’ is the vibe and the community I come from and ‘Street’ is where we came up, and who the music appeals to,” says Kano of the album’s concept.

‘Hustler’ is the first single from the album, and it exemplifies the cyclic evolution of Kano as an artist with the first verse directing the listener with TomTom-like precision through the life of a pre-signed Kano whilst the second verse presents the mature MC who he is today. “It was the perfect single cos it explains so much,” he shares. What with the hefty horns and hypnotic hook, some have likened it to the classic ‘P’s & Q’s’. “Wow that’s a lot to live up to,” Kano smiles knowingly.

Grime legend Wiley provides the beat and a verse on ‘Anywhere We Go’ which sees the long awaited collaboration between the grime pioneers. “I respect Wiley as a producer and an MC,” Kano remarks. The two heavyweights throw respect for each other back and forth as they reference each other’s standout lyrics. “That’s a mutual respect thing. Wiley was one of the people I listened to on the radio coming up, I used to recite his lyrics in my bedroom.”

Another artist who has contributed a beat is Skepta from the highly lauded Boy Better Know collective, while DaVinChe, producer of ‘P’s & Q’s’ provides the soundtrack for ‘I Like It’ and ‘Don’t Come Around Here’. The latter is a forward-thinking song that relays street tales from the perspective of victims of crime. “It’s putting out a positive message without preaching,” Kano says. “ It’s doing it in a way that young people can connect with. It’s not one of those bohemian coffee house poetry corner protests. It’s a hard beat which kids can bop their head to, but if you really listen to the undercurrent of the track it’s a positive message I’m trying to get across and it relates to the time that we are living in.” What starts off as a dark foreboding song is soon flipped on its head by a clever twist as Kano addresses gun crime, single parent households and the lack of positive black role models. “It’s not gonna change the world - that’s a bigger job than any track,” he admits. “It’s just my way of addressing the kids.

As well as DaVinChe, Wiley and Skepta, the album also sees long-term collaborators Ghetto and Mikey J (who produced 9 of the LP’s 16 tracks). Completing the narrative, the album’s finale ‘Aim For The Sky’ sees Kano in a thoughtful mood as he analyses his progression from day one up until the present. Is he ready to be his own boss? “It’s going well so far,” he smirks before adding, “I haven’t had to fire myself like Alan Sugar!

The next step is to take the album on tour, with Kano planning a full-blown assault on venues in the UK as well as Europe. The tour, which will hit clubs as well as traditional venues may be as groundbreaking as the album with plans to involve all the album contributors along the way.

Also not wanting to disappoint fans who he has accumulated along the way, Kano is hoping to jump into the studio very soon to record a follow up album to be released early next year. “The next one I’m just gonna go crazy. Explore more genres. Work with artists outside of the scene and just make an international album that will put my name on the map.”

“What I wanted to get across with ‘140 Grime St’ was the vibe and the energy of the scene. I also wanted to cement the position I have, my situation and how I’m trying to move forward through the industry,” concludes Kano. “It’s just MY story.”

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Writer's Block @ Juno Bar

Writer's Block @ Juno Bar, Shoredich High Street is THE place to be for those rich in creativity, bored of the mundane and ready to open their minds, chill, be inspired and spend less than a fiver in the process.

Free Before 7.30pm, £2 thereafter.

October 8th is an Open Mic Special, meaning YOU can do anything you want to. (obviously in keeping with the quality, we oh so love).

Headliners for October include:


♦Farrago Poetry Slam Champion Keith Jarret

http://www.myspace.com/elespaciodekeith

♦The honey-soaked vocals of Jaz Elington


http://www.myspace.com/jazellington


♦ Alim Kamara, the lyrical scholar

http://www.alimkamara.com

♦ Songress Sarah Williams- White

http://www.sarahwilliamswhite.com

PLUS
♦ Black History Month inspired Short Films


This makes Wednesday October 8th the BIGGEST Writer's Block line up so far.

Expect to cry with the sheer joy of it all.

See you then! Remeber to spread the good word and arrive early!

Lovewritersblock.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Sway Update

Sway signs to Akon’s Kon Live label
After months of rumours and speculation, Sway has now officially signed to Akon’s Kon Live label. The multi-album deal applies worldwide with the exception of Europe and the UK where Sway retains his celebrated independence and will continue to release through his own Dcypha Productions outlet. Sway is the first European artist to be signed by five time Grammy nominee Akon and joins the star’s Kon Live and Konvict Muzik roster of talent alongside the highly successful T-Pain, famed for his collaborations with Kanye West and Lil Wayne, singer songwriter Colby O’Donis and Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall who recently celebrated a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 with Dangerous.

The Signature LP release date change
In related news the release of Sway’s new album, The Signature LP, has now been moved back to 6th October. The delay is due to the late addition of Silver & Gold – a collaborative track with Akon that marks the start of Sway’s endeavours with Kon Live and Akon and which was initially held back until contracts were finalised.

Free download – The Signature LP Mixtape
As a thank you to fans and followers for their ongoing support and patience Sway offers up The Signature LP Mixtape. The riotous collection of exclusive tracks, radio clips, skits, freestyles and bootlegs once again demonstrates the North London rapper and producer’s razor-sharp skills and creativity. Highlights include tasters of The Signature LP material (Stereo, Saturday Night Hustle, F UR X, Jason Waste), and collaborations with new British talent Giggs, Styles P, Kardinal Offishall and The Wire star Idris Elba (AKA Stringer Bell). The free download mixtape is available for a limited 2 week period from www.sway.uk.com

For more info:
http://sway.uk.com/
http://www.myspace.com/swaydasafo

Posted by Anna Nathanson

B-Boy Championships on TV

Don’t miss the first episode of the Sony Ericsson B-Boy Championships TV series this Sunday 28th September. The program will be aired on Channel 4 at 8.20am.

This will be the first time that b-boy culture receives mainstream television coverage with a program dedicated to the UK B-Boy Championships World Series. Over the next six weeks, you will see some of the best breakers, poppers and lockers from across the globe battling it out for a place on the World Finals stage at London’s Brixton Academy on 12th October for the chance to be crowned as the ultimate b-boy crew on the planet.

The first episode features the Korean Elimination event which took place back in June and the following episodes will show documented footage and reports on the other elimination events. The final program will be an hour long special about the World Finals.

So please show your support by waking up and tuning in to Channel 4 on Sunday at 8.20am. However, if you miss out, don’t worry because it will also be available to watch online on the B-Boy Championships media player from the following day. This can be found at www.bboychampionships.com/

tv

Posted by Anna Nathanson

New film: Hip Hop Colony

Michael Wanguhu’s lively documentary celebrates the recent emergence of hip hop youth culture in Kenya, a nation still emerging from the hangover of British colonial rule.

Michael Wanguhu’s lively documentary celebrates the recent emergence of hip hop youth culture in Kenya, a nation still emerging from the hangover of British colonial rule. It introduces us to the movers and shakers of the scene, such as the new wave of record producers like Tedd Josiah of Bluezebra records and Steve Ominde of Soul Child records and artists such as Nazizi, Big Mike and DJ John. Originally inspired by the fashions and musical styles of the American scene, Kenyan hip hop has quickly established its own voice, with its artists rapping in both Swahili and English and dealing with topics relevant to their everyday lives.

Wanguhu’s camera follows his subjects from their homes in the ghettoes and suburbs of Nairobi through their producers’ studios all the way up to their live performances in front of thousands of avid fans, giving us a unique access to the broader picture of the culture and society of this vibrant country than we’re usually afforded. As Tedd Josiah says, “Kenya is not just about lions, giraffes and fast-running men.” Once considered a passing fad, local hip hop artists are now giving their foreign rivals a run for their money, and are now a phenomenal presence on Kenya’s TV and radio airwaves. How long before they take over the world?

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Blak Twang Launch Party

The Legendary Blak Twang's new album "Speaking from Xperience" will be released on 29th September 2008...

You are invited to an event to celebrate the release of Mistah Rotton's 5th Album.

This event will be taking place at:

The Underworld, 174 Camden High Street, London NW1 0NE

on Sunday 5th October 2008

Doors open at 7pm, performances start at 8pm sharp!!

Entry is free BUT you MUST be on the guest list to get in.

RSVP to info@rottonproducts.com

Media presence will be at this event along with some xplosive guest performances....plus lots of giveaways.

Get your names on the list early... IT'S GONNA BE A ROAD BLOCK!!!

New single Champagne Lifestyle OUT NOW
Album Speaking from Xperience - OUT 29th SEPT 08

www.myspace.com/blaktwang / www.blaktwang.blogspot.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/Blak-Twang/11548699316 www.myspace.com/rottonproductrecords
www.blaktwang.net

And don't forget to check out Blak Twang's new blog www.blaktwang.blogspot.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson

New Baby J Album!

You may think you know the Baby J sound. He’s the man who put smiles on faces with Mpho Skeef’s supremely chirpy Holla, and struck gold with his ska-stepping, all-star remix of Valerie for girl of the moment Amy Winehouse. The track reached number two in the national charts, stayed there for eleven weeks and spent five weeks at the top of MTV’s airplay chart. His soul patent, comparable to the now ubiquitous Kanye West method of using sped-up samples, produced Rukus's heavily rotated road lullaby Let It Go, taken from J’s much-applauded album FTP. He’s been hailed ‘The UK’s Best Underground Producer’ at the Urban Music awards and FTP was nominated for two BBC 1xtra mixtape awards, in ‘Best mixtape’ and ‘Best concept’ categories.

Baby J is a one-man-magnet when it comes to working with the cream of UK hip-hop and R&B, from home-grown thoroughbreds to below-radar up-and-comers and his own personal squad of emcees that always benefit from a Baby J leg-up. Presumably he needs to man the mic booth on a one-in, one-out basis, judging by the preceding, sixty plus emcee FTP2 mixtape. Jehst, Sir Smurf Lil, Dirty Diggers’ Young Max, Skibadee and Dynamite MC are the iceberg’s tip to what is a bulging beats rolodex. On the album front, J contributed notably to Skinnyman’s all-conquering Council Estate of Mind, and Blade’s Guerrilla Tactics. And all this is after putting in the groundwork earlier in his career by hooking-up with Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian and dead prez no less.

However, Baby Food – a full decade on from J’s UK-meets-US debut The Birth - is based on a distinctly sour palette. Sure, he’s prepared another menu of UK A-listers and those bound to occupy one-to-watch column inches. But J isn’t his usual chipper, optimistic self, though it does show that he’s not one to cook with the same ingredients time after time, particularly with his use of rawer materials, ‘traditional’, in-the-flesh instruments and declaring Baby Food’s austerity as a sample-free zone. It’s a morose, distrustful look at the ways of the world, and the opener If I Could Do It All Again, a stripped down, country-smoked folk lament featuring despairing songstress Jaymay and streams of conscience from NYC’s A-Alikes, shows Baby J ain’t playing.

Ashley ‘Asher D’ Walters sounds like he’s been on the wrong end of a few fibs and looks to put the record straight on Lies, showing Baby J’s R&B radar remains bang-on with Nathan on the hook. Farma G gives humankind a frosty reception, but it’s as a weary troubadour rather than Task Force firer on Love and Peace, backed by a school choir and more folk, fiddle-playing etchings. Lowkey is another struggling to make the sense of the day on the piano-drizzled Learn to Live Again, with Baby J engaging his crossover/mass market intuition thanks to Davey MacManus of The Crimea providing an exasperatedly cracked chorus (think Timbaland putting on One Republic, but with a UK frostiness). The similar combination of hip-hop rhymes set to acoustic reflections makes Its Time a further distinguished departure, with David Gibb supporting Moorish Delta 7’s Malik and his narratives of youth gone awry.

The encompassing air is pensively rain-sodden and understatedly subdued. Enter Jun Tzu, the incendiary Belfast blast-off rollicking over club-barging drum machines as Wee Jonny brings the album’s spite to boiling point. The same drum machines that are given short shrift on the posse shot Midlands Anthem repping Coventry, Birmingham, Nottingham and everywhere in between. There, it’s not all doom and gloom, with Alex Blood brightening the scene on the lead single Wake Up on some seize-the-day business. In the mould of The Streets’ Fit But You Know It, Ruff Nek Set The Trend has Million Dan rocking n rolling in inimitable jumping-bean fashion, showing he can despatch any beat bounced at him. The chorus comes courtesy of Mark Ronson’s live show vocalist Tawiah. The essence of Let It Go sees Ironbraidz and Mellow Baku share the sweet sentiments of Inspiration.

Baby Food – it’s all in the formula...


Posted by Anna Nathanson

Lectic- new hip hop night

LECTIC @ NINETY THREE FEET EAST

150 brick lane, london, e1 6ql

SAT 4TH OCTOBER

7 till 1am

free before 8pm / £4 till 9pm / £7 after

TASK FORCE (full live show from the uk hip hop legends)

VIRGIL HOWE (future sound of london) live drumming, loop pedals and sampling CAPTAIN STRANGE (live ska fusion and ghoulish funk)

HOSTED BY:

Orifice Vulgatron (Foreign Beggars) & MC Zani (Current UK Beatbox Champion)

PLUS DJs:

man make music / ill commotion / ronojoy dam (real gold) / dj klose 1 / equalizers

Many nights claim to be eclectic and don’t really deliver (it normally just means they have a DJ that cannot mix 2 records together – hence “eclectic”).

Lectic aims to rectify this situation.

Starting this month at 93 Feet East and every following 1st Saturday of the month thereafter...

Doing full live performances on the night will be UK Hip Hop legends Task Force. Hailing from North London, rappers Chester P and Farma G have had a cult / legendary status amongst London hip-hoppers for coming up to 10 years now.

Also performing on the night will be the drummer from the legendary dance outfit The Future Sound of London – Virgil Howe. Coming from a musical family, he is the son of Steve Howe; the guitarist from the prog-rock legends Yes. Virgil has been causing his own buzz with his new live show where he creates a wall of sound with just himself, a drum kit, a loop pedal and a sampler. This live show really has to be seen to be believed.

Also on the night will be young pretenders – Captain Strange. This young outfit blend ska, punk and funk into a modern day sounding Madness for the “Playstation Generation”. In fact, Suggs has gone on record to saying he is a fan of the Captain. It might be time to swap the baggy trousers for some skinny ones now…

The night will be hosted by the on-stage energy ball known as Orifice Vulgatron from the Foreign Beggars outfit and current UK Human Beatbox Champion MC Zani. Between the 2 of them, expect beats, lyrics, and a party to be seeping from their microphones. Soundtracking the night will be some of the finest DJs from all over London.

This is only the first night and the line-ups are only gonna get bigger and better.

Lecic – remember the name.

Posted by Anna Nathanson

EOW UK Final! ft. Immortal Technique, Kid Capri and more!!

This is the BIG one!!
EOW:UK FINAL!!

Extra Special Guest:
IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE
JOELL ORTIZ / KID CAPRI
DIABOLIC / DJ G.I.JOE

Book your tickets NOW!
SeeTickets.com
TicketWeb.co.uk

Saturday Night Live Hip Hop - Sept 20th - 10pm-4am
@ The Coronet Theatre - Elephant & Castle - London SE1
Excited yet? Check the video prview!! >CLICK HERE<

We've had an excellent season, all footage is now up online to watch in its entirety. The footage we have compiled this season is a shining example of just how strong the UK is. We're still buzzing from the energy of our recent Jazz Cafe heat. You can check it all now for yourself blogged at EOW:UK Myspace & EOW:UK FaceBook

Supported by SpreadLove.TV & Speakers Corner

This is a momentous occasion to decide who will defend the International MC Challenge Championship title in this years world final. This seasons heat Champions include Jack Flash, M9ine, Arkiac & Dubbledge. Its going to be very tense, its going to be explosive. It is definitely un-miss able.

This event will take place in the presence of greatness. Special guest lined up are straight out of the Hip Hop book of honors... the legendary DJ KID CAPRI will be on the wheels.. Guest performers include IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE (back by popular demand), JOELL ORTIZ (Mr. Hip Hop himself), DIABOLIC (heads better know) & DJ G.I.JOE (mix tape king & turntable annalist), plus an all star EOW:UK MC Cypha Showcase along side a full LIVE Rhythm Section, this cypha will include the crème of UK Hip Hop talent (this is not an understatement, anyone who knows us should know how we roll by now)

All hosted by the extremely charismatic Kingpin
& EOW:World Champion - Stig Of The Dump
along side DJ Snuff & DJ Jazz T with guest DJ Semtex & DJ 279

Book your tickets NOW!
SeeTickets.com
TicketWeb.co.uk

Also coming up this month: EVENTS

Every Monday!! @ 93 FT East - Bricklane - London
EOW DJs go head 2 head in a unique classic record label clash
(a night for crate diggers & Hip Hop lovers alike) Free Entry! 7pm-11pm

Thursday Sept 11th - Corsica Studios - Elephant & Castle SE1
Lowkey & Logic, The Kraftsmen, The Colony, Evil Ed, DJ Snuff & More

Saturday Sept 13th - Secret Location - (Join the EOW Facebook group)
Coconut & Rum Party with DJ Snuff & United Vibrations (Live Afro funk)

Sunday Sept 14th - Diesel-U-Music.com radio
EOW:UK all star live cyphr - TUNE IN!! - 7pm-9pm

Saturday Sept 20th - EOW UK Final - Coronet - London 10pm-4am
Immortal Technique, Kid Capri, Joell Ortiz, Diabolic, G.I.Joe + More

Friday Sept 26th - SOAS University - Russel Square - 7pm-12midnight
Speakers Corner & R.H.A.S Media present conscious lyricist and visuals

Saturday Sept 27th - 333 Old Street - London - 9pm-Late
Manage, Kingpin, DJ Snuff, DJ Jazz T & DJ Steaz (Dubstep set)

Monday Sept 29th - EOW:UK - Belfast - N.Ireland 8pm-1am
Immortal Technique, Diabolic, DJ G.I.Joe, Manage, Kingpin, DJ Snuff
Correkt Minds, Belfast City Breakers, DJ Elemental, DJ Sconey

COMING SOON:
EOW:International MC Challenge Final - London UK
Feat... UK, USA, France, Germany, Spain, South America, New Zealand

Posted by Anna Nathanson

GZA Live!

Soundcrash presents...

GZA aka The Genius

LIVE

w/ Skinnyman & Cool Ninja Sound feat Buggsy & Mr Bang On

WEDNESDAY 12^TH NOVEMBER 2008

@ GLASGOW, ABC

£18.50 / 7-11pm

THURSDAY 13^TH NOVEMBER 2008

+ Stig & Syntax

@ LONDON, ELECTRIC BALLROOM

£18.50 / 7-11PM

FRIDAY 14^TH NOVEMBER 2008

+ K.Ners

@ BRISTOL, CARLING ACADEMY

£18.50 / 6.45 – 10PM

This November sees 3 x UK dates from the Wu-tang Clan's founder member GZA The Genius who’s in town celebrating the launch of his recent album 'Pro Tools'. With dates in Glasgow, London and Bristol, fans can expect brand spanking new material. He will also be performing the best of his previous material including tracks off his acclaimed ’95 release ‘Liquid Swords’ (in addition to classic Wu Tang tracks).

The GZA needs no introduction. It's as simple as that. Go back to the original Wu-Tang album, 'Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers', and the art speaks for itself. He is the force behind the greatest hip hop group the world has ever seen, both musically and culturally.

Regarded by many as the intellectual and philosophical heart of the Clan, The GZA formed the group with The RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard after becoming massively disillusioned with the industry and with a resolve to do things their own way. He is a masterful (intelligent) ghetto storyteller without being ignorant. He spits thought provoking, street-bred raw lyrics, he's the Wu-Tang Clan's fountain of wisdom. (And that's no small thing, when you consider the latest venture from the Wu camp, Rza's Wuchess.com, a Wu-tang Clan-themed-chess site where you can practice your strategy skills, play other fans and maybe even go up against a Clan member!) He has smashed it with work under the Wu-Tang Clan and with his own solo projects such as his albums ‘Liquid Swords’, ‘Beneath The Surface’ ‘Grandmasters’ (with DJ Muggs) and ‘Legend Of The Liquid Sword’.

He’s also the genius behind the great movie soundtrack ‘Ghost Dog’, in addition to appearing in Jim Jarmusch's film 'Coffee and Cigarettes' opposite Bill Murray. Quite a resume!

This is an opportunity not to be missed, these shows are guaranteed to highlight the best bits from an illustrious career that has spanned almost two decades and incorporated all elements of hip hop culture. And with some of the best UK acts around as support, November is starting to look a lot hotter!

Support acts:

Skinny Man

After immense success in London MC battles in the 90's Skinny Man went on to form the seminal Mud Fam with Chester P and Mongo, one of the best UK crews around, with underground hits such as 'Itchy Town' and 'Slash Suttin'. After a brief stint in the nicker for er, distribution of marijuana, his debut album, 'Council Estate of Mind' was well received by fans and critics alike, becoming the highest new entry in the UK album charts.

Buggsy

Buggsy has been creating a storm in his home town of Bristol ever since he won the inter-schools poetry slam. Through countless group work he has matured into a conscious, fast-spitting rhymer making it on his own.

Mr Bang On

Mr Bang On is a mere 18 years old but he has already made a huge name for himself having had his debut mix-tape mounted on the front of the prestigious Hip Hop Connection magazine.

Freak Menoovers

Some DJs can mix, some can scratch, some can rock a party and some can do it all. And the Freak Menoovers (Dema and Nice) are two such DJs. Their monthly night at the world famous Glasgow School of Art was voted 3^rd best hip hop night in the UK by readers of HHC, and they do a wicked 4-deck juggling set. Nuff said.

Stig & Syntax

Bringing a much needed comedy approach to their music, while still being able to maintain their serious sides, Stig and Syntax are a world away from your average stern faced collective. Without a single reference to their designer clothes, street life or thuggery, instead they choose to opt for both intelligent observational and self-depreciating humour, this odd couple are more than content with not fitting in.

K.Ners

"We’re pioneers. The way we’re going about it is the way everyone else is gonna go." So says Cristal City's heat-seeking MC K.Ners. The 26-year-old Bristolian, who received heavy rotation on Channel U and 1Xtra with street hit ‘Hectic’, isn't joking. As well as throwing up great tunes with his rock-kid-turned-beatmaster producer One Mike, K.Ners is part of Cristal City. And Cristal City - a collective of Bristol rappers, producers, video-makers and designers which counts Massive Attack’s 3D as an honorary member - is running things in a totally new way.

Wednesday 12^th November, Glasgow ABC + Freakmenoovers, 7-11pm

300 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JA | 0141 332 2232

Tickets: www.Tickets-Scotland.Com

Thursday 13^th November, London, Electric Ballroom + Stig & Syntax 7-11pm

184 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QP | 0207485 9006

Tickets: www.wegottickets.com

Friday 14^th November, Bristol, Carling Academy + K.Ners, 6.45-10pm – Plus K.Ners

Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA | 0905 020 3999

Tickets: www.Seetickets.Com

myspace.com/gza

abcglasgow.com

electric-ballroom.co.uk

bristol-academy.co.uk

soundcrashmusic.com

Posted by Anna Nathanson
Posted By Anna Nathanson

Baby J Launch Party/The Doctor's Orders

The Doctor's Orders present
On The Real
Bringing you true school Hip-Hop & Soul
from Prince & Premier to Motown & Mos Def

8pm-3am
Friday 17th November 2008
& 3rd Friday of Every Month
@ Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1
(Picadilly Tube)
Free B4 9.30pm / £5 B4 10.30pm / £10 After

Baby J "Baby Food" Album Launch Party
With special guests
Baby J with live PA's from
Million Dan, Tawiah, Alex Blood & Malik
With Resident DJs
Shortee Blitz (Kiss FM / Extended Players)
DJ MK (Kiss FM / Roots Manuva)
Spin Doctor (The Doctor's Orders)
& The FREE B-Boy Cypher
hosted by Skeg (Breakin Bread) & DJ Hooch


London's west end is screaming out for a dose of underground Hip-Hop and original Soul and who better to prescribe it than The Doctor's Orders.

After 3 months of headline guests from the US in the shape of DJ Neil Armstrong, Sadat X and Bobbito matched by storming sets from our residents we are bringing back to the UK for this extremely special album launch party for the UK's most prolific and respected Hip-Hop producer who is pulling out all the stops and calling in an all star line up of MCs & singers to join him.


Baby J is the UK's very own Kanye West. Both hailing away from their respective nations' perceived centers of Hip-Hop they have both become experts in their field and man-magnets for the finest in Hip-Hop & R&B talent. Having struck gold with his ska remix of Mark Ronson's "Valerie" featuring girl of the moment Amy Winehouse which reached number 2 in the national charts and stayed there for eleven weeks as well as spending 5 weeks at the top of MTV's airplay chart Baby J's star is shining brighter than ever. With production credits for American Hip-Hop giants including Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian and Dead Prez for his new "Baby Food" album he has selected a stella line up of UK vocal talent many of whom will be performing on the night. Once again he has shown his credentials as a studio giant and will be showing how those talents are matched by his skills on the decks as he rocks the house for the dedicated party people.

Shortee Blitz is a shining light of the Hip-Hop scene in the UK. Whether supporting traveling US stars, holding it down on one of his two weekly Kiss FM shows or tearing the roof off clubs all over the globe one thing is for certain and that is that this MOBO award winning DJ is always going to be spinning with a smile on his face. Even more so now he is a resident at for a night dedicated to the Hip-Hop & Soul styles he truly loves.

DJ MK first came to prominence through his now infamous mid 90's mixtapes that are still the prize possessions of those wise enough to keep their tape decks well oiled. They now represent the blueprint for the sounds that MK will be spinning at this new night. When away from his day jobs as Roots Manuva's DJ & as Kiss FM's Thursday night Hip-Hop DJ extraordinaire he will be found doing what he does best, rocking crowds with the sounds of his beloved Hip-Hop.

Spin Doctor is the driving force behind the phenomenal success of The Doctor's Orders and while not planning domination of the UK's party scene is most at ease behind a set of decks. The early influence of his 5 older brothers and sisters record collections developed into an obsession with soul tinged music of all styles which he uses to this day when treating dance-floors to his fearless sets of party platters.

The B-Boy Cypher is a circle in which dancers display their skills in a battle of one-upmanship. Each month London's finest b-boys and girls will be heading to the west end to display their finesse to the sounds of the very best b-boy DJs in the business. Skeg has been the driving force behind the ever-popular Breakin' Bread nights for the past 10+ years and has developed an ability to cut up Funk records unrivalled in the capital. DJ Hooch was dropping bombs at his legendary Funkin' Pussy night, the longest running weekly Hip-Hop & Funk club known to mankind, before many of the current crop of Hi-Hop heads were out of short trousers. As the man responsible for the annual UK B-Boy Championships his credentials among the dancing community are unparalleled. As a talented B-Boy himself D.Bo knows exactly what sounds they want to hear when hitting the floor and he will not disappoint!

Posted by Anna Nathanson

Sway

Sway's musical magic will be beamed into the front room of millions next week thanks to a performance on the BBC's flagship music programme Later With Jools Holland. Sway's debut on the show will see him ably assisted by fellow North-Londoner Lemar for a live version of current single Saturday Night Hustle. Later airs live at 10.00pm on Tuesday, and again at 11.35pm on Friday.

Sway is also set to return to the live domain in full effect with the UK dates listed below. The shows will be the first chance to catch Sway performing material from his forthcoming album, The Signature LP, and include a special one-off launch party on 2nd October at London's Embassy nightclub.

In other news, Sway picked up his fourth MOBO nomination in 3 consecutive years this week with his inclusion in the award's Best UK Male category. To vote for Sway, go here: http://www.mobo.com/?page=016

The Signature LP out September 29th
Saturday Night Hustle feat Lemar out on Monday

www.sway.uk.com

Live dates >

Sat 20th Sept. Carnival, Stoke on Trent.

Tue 23rd Sept. Leeds University, Leeds.

Wed 24th Sept. Manchester Met University, Manchester.

Mon 29th Sept. SOAS University Freshers Party, London

Thu 2nd Oct. Embassy nightclub, London. ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY.

Tue 7th Oct. Fez Club, Cambridge.

Thu 9th Oct. The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth.

Mon 13th Oct. Loughborough University, Loughborough.

Thu 16th Oct. Junk Club, Southampton.

Thu 23rd Oct. Westminster University, London.

Fri 24th Oct. Route Nightclub, Colchester.

Tue 28th Oct. Matter, o2, London.

Fri 31st Oct. Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich.

Fri 21st Nov. Warwick University, Warwick.

Mon 24th Nov. Matter, o2, London.

Fri 28th Nov. Stealth, Nottingham

www.myspace.com/swaydasafo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLHGNeJaTE0 (Saturday Night Hustle)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHtUqu9bzWY (Jukey Remix)

Posted By Anna Nathanson