Monday 31 January 2005
Be Off With U
Vegetarianism
Sunday 30 January 2005
Plastic's Plastic
1. Terror Danjah - Nitecrawler
2. Mark One - Plodder
3. JME - Plasticman Dub
4. Macabre Unit - Sense Remix
5. Wiley - Dragon's Stout
Saturday 29 January 2005
Feeling Tense
Crazy Times
“I’m just a product of my environment that comes equipped with a lot of energy, passion and sense of humour,” explains Titch. “With me it’s just Crazy.” And it’s this that’s attracting such an eclectic mix of fans, from kids to NME reading rock lovers.
Recent Crazy outings include joining Lady Sovereign in warming up for D12 on their recent UK tour and commandeering all-out lyrical warfare on Tim Westwoods Radio 1 rap show after a series of showdowns with Dizzee Rascal.
Continuing with his go-getter formula, Titch is putting the finishing touches to his mixtape and DVD series. Set for release in early 2005, Crazy Times will include footage from Ayia Napa, disses, Titch’s yard and a whole heap of shenanigans. He’s also finding time to set up his own label, In Da Hood Records, work on an album, with his next single, the classical magic that is ‘Sing-a-long’ (produced by Crazy Tim), shaping up to be bigger than his first. And for a boy who was described as tone deaf as school, that sure ain’t bad.
Words: Chantelle Fiddy
‘Sing-a-long’ is out on In Da Hood Recordssoon. www,crazytitch.net is under construction.
A version of this article appears in Touch Magazine.
Friday 28 January 2005
Nice Fabric
Cameo, Mac 10 and Semtex.
Wednesday 26 January 2005
No Beef Here
Monday 24 January 2005
A Family Affair
For budding MCs and producers there is also the opportunity to send in your demos which will not only be posted on the site as downloads , but also the best of which will appear on the next installment of the Run The Road compilation. This is the first of a series of opportunities Run The Road will be offering for new talent. Some of the scene's biggest producers will also be providing instrumentals which MCs can download, vocal and send in to the site, the cream of which will also appear as downloads and on Run The Road Volume II
"The most gifted champions of the scene brought together by essential imprint 679" - Time Out
"As up to date as garage compilations get" - The Guardian
"Even connoisseurs will marvel at the array of exclusive, unreleased tracks" - iD
“The first to hit the nail on the head as to how a grime compilation should be run” - RWD
Camping
Freeness
Saturday 22 January 2005
Scarface aka Kano
He's doing something at a Tsunami benefit gig, I would tell you more except I've lost the details. Hold tight.
Friday 21 January 2005
Rinse Refurb
Out Monday
...It's Run The Road. Go to www.runtheroad.com for more info on the worlds first grime compilation...
Thursday 13 January 2005
Battle Of The Breast
It seems thanks to the success of the burgeoning underground music scene and the efforts of mic blazers past and present, more and more female emcees are emerging and challenging both the lyric and history books ultimately spurred through a very real hip hop gene. They’re bringing stories and rhymes fuelled by social climate and stifled opinions. Unknowingly perhaps, but they’re fighting a saturated fantasy world of bling and worse.
In the wake of the success of MC’s like Ms Dynamite, who contrary to popular belief still spits bars like the rest of them (at underground London club night Forward, Dynamite a former resident, turned up unannounced recently to unleash 30 minutes of firing verbals), record companies and the public are opening their ears.
While Shystie has been snapped up by Polydor and Estelle by J-DID/V2, Touch caught up with six of London’s leading ladies on the high-rise…
UZI (Urban Soul Incorporated), 17, South London
Having casually written poetry and MCing for a number of years, UZI joined South London collective N Double A last summer. Their track, Ghetto Living appeared on the first Street Dreams compilation and they can currently be seen spitting on Lord Of The Decks 2, their own Top Boy DVD’s and under 21’s club nights.
I MC because…I’ve got a message to deliver and aside from the music I’ve got talent in lyrics and I want to express that and give that to the people.
MC Style…Real, urban life.
On being a female…I think it makes it harder and you have to prove your point more. You have to justify your talent where as men can get recognised through ego and arrogance. I wish people would just listen to the music.
Musical memory…Recording tunes and listening to the final product, Wake Up is on a conscious tip and that was an amazing feeling.
Fave MC’s…Wiley, All In One, Fury’s my girl, Narstie, L Man and my favourite is Dizzee Rascal.
Drug of choice…I think all music.
Working on…Our raves and our new radio station has just launched, 95.5 On Top FM. I’m doing an R&B tempo track with a beat from Sinister and I’ve just finished the Pum, Pum Riddim, and a tune called Wake Up for the next Street Dreams compilation album.
Tor, 23, East London.
After winning college competitions and linking up with a management team, Tor was signed to Go Beat for a spell before the label moved from Polydor to Island. Instead of compromising her music (and soul) she returned to the studio with a new found vigour and recently appeared on the Split Mic mixtape. While currently talking with various major record labels she continues to play football for Tottenham Ladies.
I MC because…I can’t help it. In east London you either do sport or MC because there’s nothing to do. Pen and paper is accessible, It doesn’t cost anything and if you’re good, you can get credibility for it.
MC Style… I rap but I kind of sing too.
On being a female… It’s helped in a way. If you do what you’re doing and you do it right you’re really going to stand out.
Fave MC’s: I’m feeling Klashnekoff, Talib Kwelli is a big one on the list - I like a lot of different things about different MC’s, flows like Lil Kim’s Jay-Z’s, the boys like Kano…
Musical Memory…Working in New York with Rashad Smith…there’s such a buzz about hip hop there that it makes you work so quick and feel excited to be part of hip hop.
Drug of choice…I don’t smoke or drink anything. I’m a football player too and I’m busy recovering from a leg injury.
Working on…My album, some new bits with Fusion, Rashad Smith, JK and I’ve just started a track with Wonder. I know my best work is yet to come.
Maihem, 18, East London.
Maihem started her career at the tender age of four, playing the keyboards. She began song writing at ten and spitting at 13. Maihem is one of the few females producing a lot of her own beats and is now working with J2K and big boy producer TNT.
I MC because…That’s what I do, it’s me, it my life. If I wasn’t MCing, spitting, making beats I don’t know where I’d be right now, prison or something.
MC Style: Different. I just remember how I used to listen to people like Skiba and wanna learn that rolling tongue.
On been a female…It does and it doesn’t make a difference for the fact that you’re going to get love if you’re good no matter what, but been a female makes you stand out a little more.
Fave tune to date: Scorpion (with DJ Target).
Fave MC’s: Kano, D Double E, J2K and the youngers like Scare Dem.
Musical memory…Meeting J2K, he’s a funny character who brightens up the studio and going to see Erykah Badu live. That was a life changing experience trust me.
Drug of choice: Music, it gets every problem and point across.
Working on: I’ve just realised I’m not an MC, I’m an artist. Every genre is my genre, standard. I’m doing the next Heat In The Street mixtape with J2K and I’m on DJ Target’s Aim High mixtape.
Lady Sovereign,18, North London.
Sovereign’s career launched on vinyl last year with track The Battle featuring Shysite and co. She’s currently working with a host of producers including Medasyn and Sunship. Having just finished a stint warming up for Obie Trice and more recently playing Fabric Live with Dizzee Rascal, Sov is tipped by more than just the industry for the top.
I MC because…It’s all I want to do, Ms Dynamite inspired me. I have nothing to fall back on I just want people to hear me and laugh. I knew I could be better than the swag MC’s I used to hear on radio.
MC Style: Cheeky and random
On been a female… It’s nothing. It doesn’t make a difference it’s how you are, it’s how you spit.
Fave tune to date: A Little Bit Of Ssh! (Out now) or Midget that I’m working on.
Fave MC’s: Anyone who’s cheeky - Flirta D, Missy Elliott, Ludacris, Outkast.
Would love to collaborate with: Dizzee, Wiley, Outkast.
Drug of choice: Hash. It gives me the giggles.
Working on…Bare tunes, mixtapes, dubs. I’ve just finished a remix for The Streets next single with Tinchy Stryder, Kano and Donae’o. I’m set to go on tour with The Streets later this year.
Lady Fury, 17, East London.
It was when Fury started entering competitions at under 21’s raves like Young Man Standing that she got noticed and now she is the only female MC regularly booked for Eskimo Dance’s and Sidewinder. Formerly a member of East Connection, she now sits with her mentor Maxwell D and The Musketeer family while aspiring to become a youth worker.
MC Style…Angry and real.
I MC because…it helps me express myself, I like music and I like writing bars. I was a very shy person and MCing helped me overcome it and gave me confidence.
On being a female…It’s still more about talent in this game than sex or race.
Fave MC’s…I only started listening to MC’s after seeing Dynamite fuck up EQ, that made me want to do it, so her, she murked the rave in two seconds. I also like Heartless and Pay As U Go.
Raves and clashing… I clashed Gift’s sister, Q-T once, she sent for me but I’m not in it, I’ve got a bigger picture and being negative isn’t going to benefit me. I find at raves people either go mad or they stare, like their a bit shocked or something.
Drug of choice…Trainers. Decades are the lick now, not Nike, you gotta move with the times. I like the old skool look, with adidas you can come different, you can just cover your body with clothes or you can have a look. I’m an individual, you get me?
Working on…Tracks, keeping up profile on radio. Gash featuring Demon, Murk Dem my first solo and Tools So Small are all out in shops.
Rzarector, 20, East London.
Also representing The Musketeers, Rzarector only began MCing 18 months ago driven by her frustration at only being able to sing to her television. It was through ongoing work experience (from the age of 16) with Commander B on Choice FM that she hooked up with mentor Maxwell D and Fury.
MC Style…Bashy but lowkey.
I MC because…I can’t sing. I just want to be happy with what I’m doing and what music I’m putting out.
Being a female…People get excited when they know you’re a female MC, but it’s not a big thing. It doesn’t bother me, I don’t see a difference.Fave MC’s…I won’t go home and listen to pirates, I rate a lot of people in the game but I don’t really have inspiration. I would like to collaborate with Kano though if I could. He’s big.
Inspiration…People that piss me off, I try not to but that’s what I find myself writing about, especially HO’s. I’ll remember if
you’ve done me wrong in the past and you’ll know the lyric is about you without me calling your name.
Fave track to date: Mine and Fury’s version of Terror Danjah’s Cock Back.
Drug of choice…Bless. Strictly high grade boy.
Working on…Our show on Flashback 99.3fm, Tuesdays, 8pm, The Musketeers album. I’ve laid down tunes I haven’t even named that are in the pipeline to be released.
Hitman Hyper (NASTY)
And model...
Where have you been? I heard you’d moved over to the world of Gospel?
Oh my days! Serious? That’s not true. You know what it is, I was sorting out some personal problems but that’s all good now so I’m ready, the scene’s in trouble now. I’m back with passion, got lots of tracks, a mix CD…I’ve been talking to Heat In The Street and they may be taking it over, finishing if off.
What’s going to be on that?
Me spitting fresh bars over hip hop and garage beats.
Are you singing on it that’s what we want to know?
Oh my days! You never know.
Your Pharrell Beautiful bootleg was too much but you never bought it out, you going to put it on there?
I’ve got bigger things coming than that.
So are the bars changing?
I’ve stepped up my game, if people think they’ve already had the best of me they’re wrong. There’s a lot more coming.
While you’ve been away a lot of talent has come through is there anyone in particular you’re watching?
I’m not really watching anyone cause everyone’s doing their own thing. Listen to the tune we’re doing today ‘The Link Up’, listen to the message in the 8 bars, I feel in this scene I’m very underestimated. I’m the hitman.
Describe Hyper?
I’m a very serious brother, very focused, but you know be good with me I’ll be good with you.
And the NASTY Crew album, is that for the streets or are you looking bigger?
I’m not sure, I think we’ll just wait and see what happens but you know it’s going to be off the hook.
Kiss For Logan
Monday 10 January 2005
Some Fave...
Roll Deep - Creeper Mixtape Vol. 1 (Roll Deep Recordings)
Klashnekoff - The Sagas Of (Kemet Entertainment Records)
Bossman - Street Anthems Vol. 1 (Essentials)
Various - Run The Road (679 Recordings)
Wiley - Treddin On Thin Ice (XL Recordings)
Twista - Kamikaze (Atlantic)
Fried - Fried (London)
Dizzee Rascal - Showtime (XL Recordings)
Usher - Confessions (Arista)
Various - Lord of the Mics (Hotheadz Entertainment)
SINGLES OF THE YEAR...
Lethal B - Forward Riddim (Lethal Bizzle/Relentless)
Trim, Riko, Wiley, DEE, Footsie - Boogeyman (White label)
KT and Kano - Leave Me Alone (Paperchase Recordings) P Jam & D Double E - Anger Management (White)
Target feat Riko, Discarda & Dog-Z - Critical (Aim High)
Crazy Titch - I Can C U (Aftershock)
Roll Deep - Poltergeist Relay (Roll Deep Recordings)
Lady Sovereign feat Riko - Random (Casual Records)
The Streets - Fit But U Know It Rmx (679 Recordings)
Oris Jay - Quaker Notes (Texture)
Sunday 9 January 2005
Bashy Latest
Recent Charts
2. Shola Ama – With U (Aftershock)
3. Top T & Danny C feat Supplier - Magic (Aim)
4. D Child V’s Desert Storm – Lose My Breath Rmx (White)
5. DaVinChe – Dirty Canvas EP (Paperchase)
6. Dr Venom – Egyptian Riddim (More2DaFloor)
7. East Connection – Link Up/Desert Storm (White)
8. Aftershock Recordings presents Road Sweeper EP (Aftershock)
9. Aftershock Recordings presents Fully Conditioned EP (Aftershock)
10. Virgo – Monster/Resolution (White)
Compiled by Sparky @ Rhythm Division, Roman Road, Bow E3. You can listen to audio in this chart at www.rhythmdivision.co.uk
1. Wiley – Ice Pole (White)
2. EL-B – EL-Breaks Vol. 3 (Ghost Studios)
3. No Questions Vs Vandetta – I Don’t Care (White)
4. Kano – P’s & Q’s (679 Recordings)
5. DaVinChe – Dirty Canvas EP Vol. 2 (Paperchase)
6. Unknown – Walked Outta Heaven refix (White)
7. Lethal B – Forward Riddim Rmx (Relentless)
8. Jill Scott – Golden (Wookie Remix) (Promo)
9. Donna Deep – Lovin U Remixes (Jaycel)
10. Aftershock feat Shola Ama – Without U (Aftershock)
Compiled by Cameo @ Uptown Records, D’Arbly Street, W1. You can listen to audio in this chart at www.uptownrecords.com
James From Luton
Check out James and JME http://s16.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=067QY47TPMN990NLO3LBWUE6SG or James and Trim http://s16.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2JHSQCXD9KM8Z24RFM9G1IKJLX or James and Flirta D http://s7.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3JVAEUWK0KN3J29NVV3KFMY806.
Channinja
Lesson 1 - When entertaining Canadian grime fans in your yard, do not attempt unblocking your sink with acid, especially if they have serious asthma. Lesson 2 - do not then ask them if they want a sandwich brandishing a knife bigger than their manhood.
Friday 7 January 2005
Danjah Mail
“Wha gwan, I’ve spent Xmas & New Year behind the computer making music which is sad…but good. I’ve been doing tracks for Kano, Wiley and Lethal B’s albums. Doing the Aftershock M1X Show with Bruza, Triple Threat and Scratcher has been firin’ – we’ve had Shola Ama, Sway and Roll Deep on as guests and we’ll have more in ’05. In April we’re going to do a DJ Clash with all the big DJs on the garage scene. You know that will be massive! My prediction for this year is that vocals are coming back which means it’ll bring the girls back and make the music accessible and more diverse than just the MC thing. Aftershock are taking on new singers & we gonna be big so check the show every Friday night 2-6am, and if you miss it you can listen anytime online to our UKG M1X Show at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/garage." And there you have it.
Diary Date
Aim High 2 - The Press Release
It’s been wanted on road for time, and now the warrant is out for the latest installment in the Aim High saga. After the success of Aim High Vol. 1 last year, DJ Target returns to quench the streets appetite with the second mixtape from his series.
The 28 track CD showcases a range of lyrical talent including Bruza, Riko, Sadie, Kano, Wiley, Crazy Titch, Gods Gift, So Solid Kids, Wile Out Onez and many more over never-heard-before productions from Target and Roll Deep’s Danny Weed, with Wiley and Natty P also contributing a track each to the package.
For the first time Aim High also presents a no holds barred bonus DVD. With nearly two hours of exclusive footage to boot, it features freestyles from the biggest MC’s on road, live performances, behind the scenes with Roll Deep in Belgium and Dizzee Rascal in Miami, run-ins with the law, street legends on the Deuce magazine photoshoot as you’ve never seen them before… and the rest.
Aim High Vol. 2 serves as further evidence that Aim High Recordings is continuing to write the blueprint for the underground musical take over. The brainchild of DJ Target (renowned through his work with the influential Pay As U Go Cartel and Roll Deep Entourage who recently signed to Relentless), the label stands firm at the forefront of ones of Britains most exploratory and innovative scenes.
Watch, listen and learn.
RRP: £14.99 Aim High Vol. 2 is available from all good independent stores.
For further information/press enquiries on DJ Target or Aim High Recordings, please contact djtarget@hotmail.com
Also available from Aim High Recordings:
Aim001 – Pick Yourself Up feat. Wiley, J2K, Riko & Breeze
Aim002 – Poltergeist
Aim003 – Chosen One feat. Riko
Aim004 – Poltergeist Rmx (Terror Danjah)
Aim005 – STDS feat OT Crew
Run The Road
679 comp, Run The Road, compiled by our Martin Clark and Dan Stacey, has hit the streets. Currently available in Rhythm Division and Uptown, pop in or log on and have a word with Sparky or Cameo to get your copy. HMV, Virgin and co soon come. Seems we're been spoilt - there's also a website in the mix. Check www.runtheroad.com to hear the tracks, enter comps, get some news... a site to keep watching too.
Words from Riko
Wednesday 5 January 2005
Kanos Not Ramping
The winner will be announced on Friday. While we're talking Kano his next single, Mic Fight, will be out Feb 14th.