The dancing crazes at the moment are everywhere, so it's only right Wiley's 'Wearing My Rolex' gets one! Well actually it's Skepta's remix 'Rolex Sweep' that Jammer is busting moves to here, but in 1Xtra's massive live event in Coventry earlier this month I noticed both Wiley and Skepta performing these actions to their songs. Hmm this appears to be easier than any Soulja Boy or Michael Jackson dance routine that I have witnessed before so I'm kinda happy. Although in saying that, it will probably still take me a year to master all that flexing knowing my dancing skills. Be prepared ladies for when I hit the dance floor!
One of the biggest releases from Irish Hip Hop in a good while has to be The Drink Money Mixtape by the Class A'z. A project combining the skills of Nu-Centz, Redzer, Terawrizt and Rawsoul with Ratman behind the production desks surely has to have people salivating at the mouths. A few tracks had leaked in the weeks before release and now the whole thing is out to buy on Tera's website. So make sure you hop along and get your credit cards at the ready as it's getting rave reviews already across the internet.
You can purchase The Drink Money Mixtape by Class A'z - HERE
Release dates for stores across Ireland haven't been released yet, but I will post them as soon as I hear news, until then Paypal is your only option.
The Class A'z along with Jee4ce are also on the bill for the next Skinnyman gig in Dublin on the 5th April in the Vaults. Show starts at 9pm. Tickets are e17.50 inc booking fee and are available at Tickets.ie or City Discs/Temple bar and now All City. I.D. required
Redzer and Terawrizt will also being playing a gig next month showcasing many of the tunes off their latest release at The Hub on the 19th April. The Silence, Cullo, Leiko, Gina & Young Dub are all on the line up also for a night the promises to be some good craic.
The Hub, Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 Saturday the 19th of April 8pm till late (Admission €7) I.D. is required
And before I go I feel I must mention another member to the blogsphere, a northern resident of our shores, Mr Urbanize has now started his own blog which will hopefully add a new dimension to the 'scene' he so fondly loves. In between his huge rants you might come across something of interest haha. Love ya Urb!
The latest video from Dizzee Rascal has just dropped. 'Where's Da G's?' is the next confirmed single off the Maths And English album and the video features a slick looking Dizzee vibing in Houston, Texas with a lot of Houston natives including their very own Bun B who features on the track. 'Where's Da G's?' was one of my favourite tracks off Maths And English, I thought it merged the southern crunk style with London's grime very sophisticatedly but I'm slightly unsure about the video. Yes it's very polished and looks ready to hit all the BET's and MTV's in the US but does Dizzee need to follow the same mould as all the other US artists? Personally I think there are a lot of concepts he could have ran with on this one and he just went down the same road as many US artists before him. I do however like the neat touch at the end whenever he puts on the shades that allow him to view everyone in the house for what they are. Still unsure really what the point of cutting Pimp C's verse out of the song was, (I think they recorded him in the video also) but ah well, it's good to see Dizzee doing what he wants, so big up on that.
JME's debut album has been on the lips of many for ages ever since the success of his huge 'Boy Better Know' mixtape series. Latest rumours suggest it will drop around April/May time and the latest track to leak from his album Famous, 'Standard', can be heard on his myspace here: JME'S Myspace Another track called 'Show' also from Famous is up on his myspace too. So what has JME being doing apart from playing Gears of War and videoing himself on an Apple Mac with strange affects applied to his face? Well actually he has had his photo taken.......
Maybe not as impressive as it first sounds but....... apparently it's his new album cover for the album 'Famous' and if it is, LOL (laugh out loud - hold tight all the text talkers!) Far from looking hard, tough or anything strong, JME is cross eyed on his album cover! I'm really hoping this is the actual cover art too. Messageboards and forums are going wild, with a lot of people disliking it, but I think it's really clever and just highlights how down to earth JME really is. He still isn't afraid to mess about and have a little fun and I don't think it's too in your face either. The subtle cross eye is perfect! Have a look, what do you think about it?
Following those immortal words of Mr. Jee4ce that ended his Deadwax freestyle taken from the Tapedekrock Compliation Album that was a free download HERE I feel it's necessary to show my face tonight at the Pavillion for one of the first Irish Hip Hop events of 2008 in Belfast. And because my conscience is still burning from missing the BCB Breakers event last month I'll be there in all my glory tonight. Marc Stretch (Foreign Legion) has travelled all the way from Oakland, California to host the Open Mic Night tonight in Belfast. And 'ITF World Scratch Champion 2003' DJ Flip will spinning tunes behind the wheels of steels throughout the night. Shoutout to Suspectpromotions for organising this, it should be a great night. Hope to see everyone there!
Doors: 9pm and £5 in
Also freshly confirmed news that the legendary Public Enemy will be coming to Dublin this spring to perform their classic 1988 album “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back” in full at Dublin’s Tripod on May 25. With the likes of Edan, Lupe Fiasco, De La Soul, RA The Rugged Man and Jay-Z all confirmed to play in Ireland over the course of the year, we certainly are spoilt for choice over the coming months.
Now I refuse to make any apologies on this post! Today is a political outrage and I know I should keep that to a minimum on my blog but it's gone too far! No not George W Bush or the latest video of a US soldier throwing puppies off cliffs in Iraq, it's the UK's very own Chancellor Alistair Darling's new policy to raise prices of alcohol to stop under-age binge drinking and crime... It will rise over 6% percent of the inflation rate and this is due to take place the day before St Patrick's Day. I'm really thinking I should break into the House's of Parliament's liqour cabinet and rob them of every alcoholic product they have. I hear they have like 9 pubs inside there too! Happy days!
The new album cover for Nu-Centz and Rawsoul's joint collaboration album 'Hot Property' has been released. They have obviously been following Urbanize's business strategies, the phrase 'sex sells' comes to mind. But who is complaining here?!?! My only worry is the young lady's face as I'd give the back of her a straight ten out of ten. There must be some reason the don dapper's have only rated her a 9! The album's appears to be nearly complete and the release date is imminent. With guest features from New York rapper Wordsworth (MTV's Lyricist Lounge show) and Craig G of the "Juice Crew" (one of America's pioneering Hip Hop groups of the early 90's) the album is shaping up very nicely. Until then you can check the latest music at there Bebo Band Pages.
Talib Kweli and DJ Mick Boogie have teamed up for a free mixtape release courtesy of illRoots.com. It features fresh and exclusive material from the BK emcee himself, Strong Arm Steady, Jean Grae and more. With guest shots from KRS-One, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes & Ne-Yo along with many others.
Oh and I urge anyone who is anyone to try and make this gig. Last summer whenever Skinnyman came to Spring & Airbrake he tore up the place (after keeping everyone waiting). He's a great live performer and I'm not just saying this because he gave me two wine glasses full of Buckfast while live on stage...
Skinnyman with some inspirational words (haha)
New flyer for the Secret Knock Tour with Foreign Legion and DJ Flip. Other nights include: 20 Mar: Marc Stretch & Flip @ The Pavillion Belfast 22 Mar: Marc Stretch & Flip - Tivoli Theatre Dublin 23 Mar: Marc Stretch & DJ Flip - Trinity Rooms Limerick 25 Mar: Marc Stretch & DJ Flip + Collie - Liquid Lounge, Cork 26 Mar: Foreign Legion & Flip - Whelans Dublin,Ireland, Dublin
It's sure to be a classy night, so make you head down if you can.
And I have purchased myself a lovely 4 Day Blue camping ticket for Oxegen this summer. All major acts like Rage Against The Machine, Prodigy etc are getting everyone into a frenzy already. Someone who might just slip by most people is the self confessed, "genuine trainhopping, jailbirding, cowboying, carnival working, migrant farm picking, occassional tramping, near-fatal heart attack surving, old hobo." Ok Ok it's not hip hop or grime... but it's still extremely enjoyable music and I thought I'd try and broaden some people's horizons whether they like it or not.
Seasick Steve performing at Belladrum Festival in Scotland
OK! Breaking news today is that after Kano's contract at 679 Recordings not being renewed he has come out in an interview with 1Xtra and said he wants to return back to his 'roots'. He will be releasing a brand new album in April entitled '140 Underground Street' which will hopefully showcase his grimier flows once again. It's funny reading on a lot of the message boards people doubting Kane's intentions of returning to the scene. Whether he has 'fallen off' or not, one things for sure and that is it'll certainly rattle up a few emcees and up the quality output levels. Personally I can't wait for the return of Kano even if he did refuse to be labelled a 'Grime MC' in the past. Fingers crossed from now on his work will be 'grimey enough'.
Ghetto is back again with the third leaked track from his eagerly anticipated 'Freedom Of Speech' album. The track is called 'Who's Got?' and features a Wiley sample on the chorus. "Who's got lyrics? Me not Wiley/ Who's got bars? Me not Skepta!" It's louder than stampeding elephants and Ghetto is spitting with such venom that I'm going to get a blood test to see if I've caught anything. I'm seriously thinking that Ghetts has surpassed the hype he received for 'Ghetto Gospel'. As long as the production stays on point which I'm positive it will with Lewi White and Smasher behind the boards, I see this shaping up to be one of, if not the best grime release yet.
Ghetto - Who's Got?
Remember 'Freedom Of Speech' is out 10th March 2008!
After an image of Wiley's new album cover leaked onto the internet, the Eski-Boy promptly uploaded the official 'Grime Wave' album cover to his myspace page. Aren't the colourful letters lovely?
And probably my favourite remix of Wearing My Rolex so far has to go to Blacks. It's actually just a mix DJ Initial put together and was uploaded onto Black's Myspace, but the tune is still nonetheless very heavy. Check it out at Black's Myspace
Lastly a nice little article I noticed up on XXLMag.com's pages: "A 19-year-old man was arrested in Brookville, Florida on Sunday (February 3) for singing a Lil Boosie song with explicit lyrics in the presence of children. According to Tampa Bay’s News 10, Amy Churchill, the children’s mother, called the police to report that Christopher Holder was yelling out profanities a he walked with two younger kids on Brookville’s Gordon Loop. An offense report notes that Churchill explained that she did not think her children should have to hear that sort of language. When deputies arrived, Holder explained that he was just singing a song by Baton Rouge artist Lil Boosie. The report revealed that Holder himself told the deputies that he didn’t believe that children should have to hear profanity either. Nonetheless, he was taken to the Hernando County jail and charged with disorderly conduct. It is unclear which Boosie track Holder was singing."
All I could think when reading this was, why hasn't Boosie been arrested yet?
For the latest Irish hip hop songs being played every week make sure you check out Mugsy's hip hop show on CueLK Internet radio every Wednesday night live from 20:00-22:00 on CueLK Radio. If you miss the two hour long show there is a listen back feature that hosts the shows for a week after.
You can also catch Mugsy at Contagious in The Orchard, Letterkenny every Saturday night, where he plays the latest hip hop and r'n'b tunes. Admission is 5 Euro and all drinks are 3 Euro. Free passes are available at the bar.
I've got bits and pieces of Irish Hip Hop news for you now. Starting with Cork's very own GMC. His second yet to be titled album is nearing it's release date soon. Building on the success of his debut, 'Diggin' A Hole' which can be bought here: GMC - Diggin' A Hole, we will get to see a more mature and refined album promising to deliver a 'different approach' from the last. An old tracklisting for the album says there will be 15 songs. 1. When I Come Back 2. Elephantitis 3. The Jig (Feat. Collie) 4. You're One Of My Kind (Feat. Nu-Centz) 5. The Ultimate Biggedy Banger (Feat. Nu-Centz and Rawsoul) 6. Tears In My Eyes 7. Sorry and Thank You 8. Hold U 9. Happy Out (Feat. Bubba Shakespeare) 10. Fade In (Feat. J-90) 11. Do It Again (Feat. Nu-Centz and Collie) 12. Champyan Luvvah 13. Where's My 20 Euro? (Feat. Bony) 14. The Lonesome Boatsman (To be renamed) (with Buachall Dána and more...) 15. Home
But it is rumoured a track called 'Shiny Filth' featuring Bony has been recorded and will feature on the album, along with a track called 'Suspicious' which is story driven about a female and a phone call. Artists already on the album are as follows: Bony, Collie, Rawsoul, Nu-Centz, Andrea Nicole, Bubba Shakespeare, Anto Yau. With more to be confirmed (I'm looking at the tracklisting and not seeing some of the recently confirmed names?) Check his profile for latest updates on the album and new music @ GMC's Myspace GMC's Bebo
GMC featuring Nu-Centz & Collie - Do It Again
Hip hop's favourite dreadlock sporting, psychedelic tripping, musical Irish man has kindly uploaded his debut EP called Dave SDK - The Chalk And Cheese EP. It's 7 songs all produced by Dave SDK and Nookie featuring appearances from Rhymes Vital, Stop and Linda Mc Grath. It was produced back in late 2005/06, and is totally free, so what's your excuse not to listen to it?
Urban Intelligence, one of the heavyweight Irish Hip Hop groups released this EP years and years ago, it's been resurrected due to the magic of the internet and you can get the download of their classic EP, Urban Intelligence - Hip Hop Is Oxygen EP Tracklisting: Hip Hop Is Oxygen Magnificent Wordplay A New Flow What You See Is What You Get
I actually only noticed this download this morning while floating around the world wide web. I feel ashamed with myself that I havn't spotted it earlier, but here it is anyway for anyone who is in a similar position to myself. It's Sway's latest mixtape, called 'The Dotted Lines Mixtape'. It was made available by Sway for free download, all you have to do is register your name, email address and city for it to be yours. The catch? You get a few updates about Sway's album 'The Signature LP' which is apparently being released on 05/05/08 if his word on the last track is anything to go by. Not much information has been leaked about the new album yet, except for the odd 'It's shaping together nicely' remark. So I guess The Dotted Lines Mixtape will have to satisfy all your Sway Dasafo needs between now and May, unless you are living in mainland Europe where you can catch him supporting Chamillionaire all through March up until April.
The Godfather of the Wot U Call It scene has possibly reinvented himself in a new stylish twist. Merging electro with grime on the track 'Wearing My Rolex', he breezes over Bless Beat's infectious instrumental with ease. I'm really enjoying the track and it's got stacks of crossover appeal. Reports are that Atlantic have snatched up Wiley on a record contract and will be putting out his single. Let's hope that Wiley can last a little longer at Atlantic than he did at Big Dada even if he isn't getting 50/50 anymore.
Wiley - Wearing My Rolex
Already other artists are jumping on the beat. Mz Bratt giving us her version of events and Skepta joins Wiley for a great sounding remix.
Mz. Bratt - What Would You Do?
Wiley & Skepta - Rolex Sweep
The official single 'Wearing My Rolex' is released on the 28th April 2008 on Atlantic Records
The dancing crazes at the moment are everywhere, so it's only right Wiley's 'Wearing My Rolex' gets one! Well actually it's Skepta's remix 'Rolex Sweep' that Jammer is busting moves to here, but in 1Xtra's massive live event in Coventry earlier this month I noticed both Wiley and Skepta performing these actions to their songs. Hmm this appears to be easier than any Soulja Boy or Michael Jackson dance routine that I have witnessed before so I'm kinda happy. Although in saying that, it will probably still take me a year to master all that flexing knowing my dancing skills. Be prepared ladies for when I hit the dance floor!
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