Newham Generals
WHERE IS THE ALBUM?
Tuesday, 25 July 2006
Monday, 24 July 2006
Drop The Lime, E Lock
INTRODUCING... DROP THE LIME
Blues & Soul meet one of the new hero's from New York's underground dance scene's, Drop The Lime aka Luca Venezia, on the brink of his next European tour...
Q: Firstly, who is Drop The Lime?
DTL: Drop The Lime is me, Luca Venezia, when it comes to production and identifying the alias, but for tours/shows i'll bring guest artists along whether it be DJ's or musicians/ MC's, guest singers etc...
Q: Where did the name come from?
DTL: Ha ha. Take it to mean what you may want it to mean, so far the list of meanings for the name begins with tequila shots and ends with motorcycle racing rituals in india.
Q: I tracked you down after hearing a track on Mary Anne Hobbs' Breezeblock, you seem to have an ever widening fan base?
DTL: Things have been moving very quickly at the moment. Europe understands my sound better than America still, so yes, the fan base is growing globally.
Q: How long have you been in the game?
DTL: I was popping out mixtapes for girls when i was 9 years old, singing over dr 550 beats and casio basslines, so really I've been in the game for a while, but really, only for a few years. I was DJ'ing raves and loft parties here and there in New York and Philly, but my first releases only came out a few years back. They all leaned heavy on the leftfield side of things, dropping on labels like Ambush, Peace Off, and Mirex. It wasnt until two years ago that I began getting into grime, 4x4, baltimore club, and the like - Shadetek and I began throwing grime and heavy bass parties here in New York city and that pushed me to focus more in the club sound of music with my production.
Q: Releases to date?
DTL: Shot Shot Hearts EP (Tigerbeat6 Records), Shot Gun Wedding Volume 4 ( DTL vs. Syrup Girls) - DJ mix CD covering grime, crunk, heavy bass - VT/Tigerbeat6 Records, Urban Collision EP - DTL/ BLack Ham (RUFF01), Tribute To Tiger - Ghislain Porier / Drop The Lime (Shockout Records), Gal Yu Nuh Beg - Team Shadetek / Drop The Lime (Shockout Records), This Means Forever LP (Tigerbeat6 Records), 1 For The Team (Broklyn Beats Records). These are the closest to date, I've also had the opportunity to collaborate with and remix heavy cats like Atki2, Chris Glover, Mathhead, Bong Ra, and Kid606. You can visit my discogs site for the full list http://www.discogs.com/artist/Drop+The+Lime
Q: Career highs/lo's?
DTL: I have always felt iffy on labeling your style, and sticking to a scene as an artist, I definitely came into the public as a "breakcore/ drill n bass" artist, when really my main interest has always been mixing genres old and new, what I grew up on in New York. I've been able to meet so many fresh faces and click with artists I never would have 3 years ago now that I am producing more club oriented music. I was definitely worried about getting pigeonholed into breakcore, but with the positive response so far with this new album material worldwide, I'm excited for it to drop so people can understand that I'm an artist who integrates every style into something universally sound. I would never call what I make grime, or house or baltimore or whatever, its influenced by so many different styles that it is what is it. Dance music.
Q: The production aside, you DJ, what's a DTL set like?
DTL: It depends. I DJ and do live sets. A live set will consist of only material I've produced, and I sing on top of processed beats, altering samples with Ableton Live on a laptop. It's all about giving the crowd energy, sharing the feeling you get from the music. When I DJ I use vinyl though and make sure to switch it up and never stick to one specific genre all night long. I drop crunk like Crime Mob or Three Six Mafia over Low Deep, then throw in some Rod Lee Baltimore Breaks over a Dexplicit beat. By mixing things up, I'm able to get people into grime/ dubstep who are unfamiliar with it. Things tend to get real rowdy during sets. In New York i've got my trouble&Bass crew - Mathhead, and Zak Shadetek who will jump in on a triple team set, that goes down heavy.
Q: You're currently touring and are due in the UK soon, what memories do you already hold from the British clubbing scene (good or bad)?
DTL: Dynamite. I love playing in the UK - more than 50% of what im influenced by and what i listen to /DJ is out of the UK so I can usually let go and drop the real bangers for people, ones that the US cant handle haha. I played at this party Toxic Dancehall @ The Blackswan in Bristol with Vex'd and Mathhead last December. It was bananas, I'm talking dirty filthy pub with ravers and hoods bumpin ankles and bows on the muddy dancefloor with subs so heavy I had ringing for weeks after. Was well worth it and a fantastic crew those Toxic dudes.
Q: What would be your perfect night out?
DTL: Even though I travel and play out (aka party) for a living, you'd think i'd want to chill at home and drink tea and watch the tube, but really its not like that. I thrive off of going out and keeping ragers. I like to jump around to different spots, may be a New York thing because you can walk everywhere, but I never like to stay put at one spot because you have the option to move about. Landing at a club around 3/4am with a weighty sound system toasting with the crew, or on top of a rooftop is where its at. New York City has the roof parties on lock, especially during summertime, crack a 40 oz and youre gold.
Q: What are you listening to right now?
DTL: Trick Daddy - Thug Matrimony, married to the streets, Tittsworth new 12" EP, Mr. Slash - The Concerto EP, Kites - Hungry EP, Justice - Waters of Nazareth
David Bowie - Low LP, Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly, T.I - ASAP, Juelz Santana - Oh Yes,
Team Shadetek feat. 77klash - Brooklyn Anthem, DMZ007 - Anti War Dub/Haunted, Bogeyman - Smelly.
Q: Tell us something about yourself we might be surprised to hear?
DTL: I can speak fluent Italian and make magic in the kitchen.
Q: Forthcoming releases...
DTL: We Never Sleep - new full length dropping on Tigerbeat6 Records, Spring 2006, T&B01, Trouble & Bass presents EP in Fall 2006.
INTRODUCING... DROP THE LIME
Blues & Soul meet one of the new hero's from New York's underground dance scene's, Drop The Lime aka Luca Venezia, on the brink of his next European tour...
Q: Firstly, who is Drop The Lime?
DTL: Drop The Lime is me, Luca Venezia, when it comes to production and identifying the alias, but for tours/shows i'll bring guest artists along whether it be DJ's or musicians/ MC's, guest singers etc...
Q: Where did the name come from?
DTL: Ha ha. Take it to mean what you may want it to mean, so far the list of meanings for the name begins with tequila shots and ends with motorcycle racing rituals in india.
Q: I tracked you down after hearing a track on Mary Anne Hobbs' Breezeblock, you seem to have an ever widening fan base?
DTL: Things have been moving very quickly at the moment. Europe understands my sound better than America still, so yes, the fan base is growing globally.
Q: How long have you been in the game?
DTL: I was popping out mixtapes for girls when i was 9 years old, singing over dr 550 beats and casio basslines, so really I've been in the game for a while, but really, only for a few years. I was DJ'ing raves and loft parties here and there in New York and Philly, but my first releases only came out a few years back. They all leaned heavy on the leftfield side of things, dropping on labels like Ambush, Peace Off, and Mirex. It wasnt until two years ago that I began getting into grime, 4x4, baltimore club, and the like - Shadetek and I began throwing grime and heavy bass parties here in New York city and that pushed me to focus more in the club sound of music with my production.
Q: Releases to date?
DTL: Shot Shot Hearts EP (Tigerbeat6 Records), Shot Gun Wedding Volume 4 ( DTL vs. Syrup Girls) - DJ mix CD covering grime, crunk, heavy bass - VT/Tigerbeat6 Records, Urban Collision EP - DTL/ BLack Ham (RUFF01), Tribute To Tiger - Ghislain Porier / Drop The Lime (Shockout Records), Gal Yu Nuh Beg - Team Shadetek / Drop The Lime (Shockout Records), This Means Forever LP (Tigerbeat6 Records), 1 For The Team (Broklyn Beats Records). These are the closest to date, I've also had the opportunity to collaborate with and remix heavy cats like Atki2, Chris Glover, Mathhead, Bong Ra, and Kid606. You can visit my discogs site for the full list http://www.discogs.com/artist/Drop+The+Lime
Q: Career highs/lo's?
DTL: I have always felt iffy on labeling your style, and sticking to a scene as an artist, I definitely came into the public as a "breakcore/ drill n bass" artist, when really my main interest has always been mixing genres old and new, what I grew up on in New York. I've been able to meet so many fresh faces and click with artists I never would have 3 years ago now that I am producing more club oriented music. I was definitely worried about getting pigeonholed into breakcore, but with the positive response so far with this new album material worldwide, I'm excited for it to drop so people can understand that I'm an artist who integrates every style into something universally sound. I would never call what I make grime, or house or baltimore or whatever, its influenced by so many different styles that it is what is it. Dance music.
Q: The production aside, you DJ, what's a DTL set like?
DTL: It depends. I DJ and do live sets. A live set will consist of only material I've produced, and I sing on top of processed beats, altering samples with Ableton Live on a laptop. It's all about giving the crowd energy, sharing the feeling you get from the music. When I DJ I use vinyl though and make sure to switch it up and never stick to one specific genre all night long. I drop crunk like Crime Mob or Three Six Mafia over Low Deep, then throw in some Rod Lee Baltimore Breaks over a Dexplicit beat. By mixing things up, I'm able to get people into grime/ dubstep who are unfamiliar with it. Things tend to get real rowdy during sets. In New York i've got my trouble&Bass crew - Mathhead, and Zak Shadetek who will jump in on a triple team set, that goes down heavy.
Q: You're currently touring and are due in the UK soon, what memories do you already hold from the British clubbing scene (good or bad)?
DTL: Dynamite. I love playing in the UK - more than 50% of what im influenced by and what i listen to /DJ is out of the UK so I can usually let go and drop the real bangers for people, ones that the US cant handle haha. I played at this party Toxic Dancehall @ The Blackswan in Bristol with Vex'd and Mathhead last December. It was bananas, I'm talking dirty filthy pub with ravers and hoods bumpin ankles and bows on the muddy dancefloor with subs so heavy I had ringing for weeks after. Was well worth it and a fantastic crew those Toxic dudes.
Q: What would be your perfect night out?
DTL: Even though I travel and play out (aka party) for a living, you'd think i'd want to chill at home and drink tea and watch the tube, but really its not like that. I thrive off of going out and keeping ragers. I like to jump around to different spots, may be a New York thing because you can walk everywhere, but I never like to stay put at one spot because you have the option to move about. Landing at a club around 3/4am with a weighty sound system toasting with the crew, or on top of a rooftop is where its at. New York City has the roof parties on lock, especially during summertime, crack a 40 oz and youre gold.
Q: What are you listening to right now?
DTL: Trick Daddy - Thug Matrimony, married to the streets, Tittsworth new 12" EP, Mr. Slash - The Concerto EP, Kites - Hungry EP, Justice - Waters of Nazareth
David Bowie - Low LP, Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly, T.I - ASAP, Juelz Santana - Oh Yes,
Team Shadetek feat. 77klash - Brooklyn Anthem, DMZ007 - Anti War Dub/Haunted, Bogeyman - Smelly.
Q: Tell us something about yourself we might be surprised to hear?
DTL: I can speak fluent Italian and make magic in the kitchen.
Q: Forthcoming releases...
DTL: We Never Sleep - new full length dropping on Tigerbeat6 Records, Spring 2006, T&B01, Trouble & Bass presents EP in Fall 2006.
Rhyme 4 Respect
Went down to Deal Real on Thursday for the Rhyme4Respect launch. Met some new faces which was nice, including Ghetto's brother (special mention must go to Ghetto's super sweat inducing new trainers). Fiddy's got a new job, mentoring over at Live Magazine, which for those of you who don't know, is a magazine run by young people in south London. The idea is to get them back into education or find jobs after their placement but it's open to all, whatever the issues that have been (and still are) facing them. So I thought it would be a good team building excercise to take them into Soho. £40 worth of wine later I wondered whether this was responsible action for a teacher of sorts to have taken. I'm now hoping my drunker senior remembers she said I could expense it.
Now for those of you who are interested in Rhyme4Respect, it's a nationwide lyrics competition open to young people aged 12-21 years old. The competition is searching for inspiring lyrics that encourage self respect and respect for others on the theme of relationships & sex (ahhh so that's why Scorcher and Ghetto cut out before the spitting started). The competition is organised by Livity and its supporters include MTV Base, Galaxy FM and Foot Locker.
The methods of entry to the Rhyme4Respect competition are as follows:
i) Complete the official entry form found in the CD promotion pack and post to: Rhyme4Respect, FREEPOST, RG394, Reading, RG10 8BR
ii) Simply write your details and competition lyrics on a piece of paper and post to: Rhyme4Respect, FREEPOST, RG394, Reading, RG10 8BR
iii) Email your details and lyrics to lyrics@rhyme4respect.com
iv) Via promotional drop boxes at Footlocker stores. See www.rhyme4respect.com for details of participating stores.
vi) If you want the chance to record the lyrics yourself, simply put your demo CD with your written lyrics and send to: Rhyme4Respect, FREEPOST, RG394, Reading, RG10 8BR but remember, you will be judged on your lyrics.
Visit www.rhyme4respect.com for more. They also have a myspace page.
Sunday, 23 July 2006
Sunday, 9 July 2006
New Touch Out
Catch my underground and mixtape reviews in here, plus a head to head Q&A with Statik and The Rakes.
Draw For The Classifieds
| Your Job Dissatisfaction Level is 40% |
 Your job is not bad, but it's probably not a long term thing. You're just not happy enough to stick around for too long... And there's little that can change how you feel. Start looking around for other options, but only quit for something really good! |
So Like Whatever
| You Are 50% Normal |
 While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself |
My Top 10
Bugz In The Attic - Move Aside (a.brucker & sinden remix)
Epicman & Plan B - More Is Enough
Skepta - Dissertation
Mr Slash - Kidset Anthem
Cat Power - The Greatest
Adele London - My Same
Paloma Faith - Far Side Of The Sea
Roadside G's - Get Dat Doe
Plan B - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
JME - R U Dumb
Epicman & Plan B - More Is Enough
Skepta - Dissertation
Mr Slash - Kidset Anthem
Cat Power - The Greatest
Adele London - My Same
Paloma Faith - Far Side Of The Sea
Roadside G's - Get Dat Doe
Plan B - Who Needs Actions When You Got Words
JME - R U Dumb
Wednesday, 5 July 2006
Is Grime Legless?
Martin Clark came around for dinner earlier, we discussed our lack of blogging these days. We're from the same school of thought though - if you've got nothing to say don't say it. But I've got something I actually want to type, so consider me back.
No, this isn't the eagerly anticipated Fiddy announces 'GRIME IS DEAD' post, but a look at the lack of crutches propping up the legs. Must like the NHS, we're crippled.
The reason I'm writing this now, at a totally unsuitable hour given I have to get up for work in a few hours, is something just struck me. At the weekend I was directed to an interview I did with uksoundtv, a new website that's launched to promote, yep you guessed it UK sounds. Needless to say I cringed, I was talking sense alright but my head looked semi-rectangular and I looked close to the brink of death (ok, slightly too far with this point but give a girl a break). I remember being really nervous on the day when I had to meet John and the guys at Rhythm Division cause believe it or not, I don't like cameras, especially not ones that capture moving moments. Anyway, having watched the clip, I'm not exceptionally vain, so I just put it down to experience and laughed it off. Much to my amusement, I just looked on the RWD forum for the first time in four weeks, found a thread about uktv and read two pages debating my experienced words... or not... no, they're more concerned as to whether I'm wearing a bird in my ear (this is why I prefer to write for i-D), or whether i'm uglier than they previously expected...
How has it come to be that a good website can launch full of grime 'stars' and live footage, yet the supposed fans don't mention any of it but waste their words on me? Shit if I could MC I'd release a record, I've got more heat on me than friggin Ruff Sqwad's PA! I'm not even going to get into the blatant sexism, female bashing or outright egotistical nature of these comments or the manner in which ladies in the scene are treated, i'll be here all night. But to any women reading this who think it's a laugh and a joke, it's not. Have your wits about you, spit the venom back in their cake hole and think twice about the decisions you make. I could be earning a lot money doing something else, and the number of times I think 'why do you bother', trust me there's a lot. Don't get it twisted though - unlike the talkers, I'm walking and earning my p's. Anyone who's got time to sit on forums all day when they're not getting paid for it can't be stacking.
Now I understand grime is a youth movement, and I'm by no means judging all the followers by what's written on a teenage forum (and there's a lot of them out there), but is it really any wonder people with an ounce of sense no longer give it half the time of day? I wasn't surprised to see Dubstep get a mention in the Sunday Times Style this week cause although it's not about fashion, it's following is a tad maturer and although I don't always share their love of the beats, it's got a nice vibe about it.
If grime music was stronger on the whole (do you know how hard it is to find 10 good grime some months that are actually being released?), maybe people would be more willing to stick with it instead of throwing their hands up, but the sad fact is the same people doing it now are the same people who were doing it years before (bar the odd few). Some artists in this scene have got caught up in the bubble too, judging the scene and planning their path forwards based on the words of the inexperienced, frequently unintelligent, forum ramblers. Don't even get me started on myspace. While it's doubtless good for promotion, getting 50,000 friends does in no way shape or form = 50,000 sales. Where's your distribution? Where are the events? Where is your game plan? Where's your head at?
I look forward to part 2 getting uploaded on uktv. Red nose and all. Say what you want but i'm standing firmly on my two.
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