A pretty introspective and very nostalgic track from Apollo Brown and Guilty Simpson. Lyrically, the narrative is well written and I’ve just the play button on repeat since I first heard it. For fans of Apathy and Cunninlynquists.
Recently received ‘Maximum Potential’ from JP Beats, featuring George Clinton, Planet Asia, Boots Riley (The Coup) & Tri-State. It’s got some interesting production to it, I’m not really sure what the chorus and outro is about, but hey there’s nothing wrong with trying something different. It’s from JP Beats’ fourthcoming album ‘The Warning’ which will be released November 6th.
A pretty dark and vulnerable track from Alias & Fakts, dealing with the heavy subject matter of domestic violence. As well as broken relationships. A listen/watch.
As promised, our first every video shot exclusively for Hip-Hop Life & Times. It’s been a few months in the works, and we couldn’t have picked any better MCs to hit our freestyle/bars videos off with than South West rappers, Twizzy and Jinxsta. These guys absolutely smashed it, along with the talents of our in-house beatboxer Matt Ryder. Watch and enjoy, and subscribe to our Youtube page as we’ll be posting more videos and our bi-weekly podcast up on there from now on.
If you’d like to feature on this, then get in touch with either Stix or myself via our email/twitter/facebook or Youtube accounts.
Also, if you’re feeling these guys then check out the links below to listen to more of their material.
Evening! Well after the storming success of our first podcast, we thought well we’ve gotta give the public what they need. I’ll tell you now that all our phones have been blowing up since then, none of us have had a spare 5 minutes to ourselves. Coke and Enron and Tescos want to give us all their money, but yo we’re gutter kids yeah we won’t sell out for anything!
Anyway aside from that little make-believe, the response was pretty good and so much so we thought we would keep this bi-weekly. This episode we play some classic Immortal Technique, Slick Rick and ODB. As well as the latest underground tracks from Astroid Boys, John Vietnam, Q-Unique, A.C, Tricksta, Reveal, Dr Syntax and loads more. We also update you about our up and coming filming projects with Bristol MCs Twizzy and Jinxsta, and tell you more about The Ruby Kid and Tricksta, the artists that we’ll be interviewing for the future podcasts. This whole episode also demonstrates how to pronounce people’s names wrong; it takes a certain kind of genius that’s for sure. As well as talking about how having a dog is much better than having a child.
You know what? It’s suddenly occurred to me that a large majority of Euro rappers are missing a few screws. I mean, yes, yes we’re all crazy blahblah and everyone’s a bit mental sure, sure. I can think of three tracks or groups straight off my head that use a lot of lyrical imagery that isn’t just surreal, but pretty fucking macabre and dark as well. Now don’t get me wrong, I personally can’t get enough of that if it’s done well and doesn’t turn into a giant cliche.
The Scribes recently contacted us, and sent us their album and, music video for their track ‘Monsters’ and it perfectly encompasses exactly why I love that dark lyrical content on a lot of hip-hop tracks. Not all of their songs carry that same narrative within them, but it definitely carries that same energy their entire album. ‘Not A Dancer’ is by far one of my favourites on the album, a slightly self-deprecating and well versed and produced track. The way it hits into the chorus is well done, and I can safely say I can completely empathise with the lyrics in that. Oh my days, I’M NOT A DANCER. ‘John Wayne’ is a great example of how to tell a really good story, and done so well that even though the subject matter is a bit bizarre it’s believable. Poor old Johnny.
The album as a whole is pretty eclectic and includes a lot different and interesting sides of hip-hop. You’ve got the classic and always welcome, scratching, mixed in with a bit of off-key synths just to keep it unique. The production throughout the album The flow and style of both individuals MC stands out within their own right, but the West Country tinge in their accents gives them a good sense of familiarity, without sounding repetitive.
Overall I’m really impressed with these guys, and I’m very proud to say they’re from the South West. If you’re feeling this release than I strongly suggest you check out their other releases, and listen to the song, ‘I Slay Dragons’, about the life of an online gamer, it literrally made me laugh out when I first heard it.
Check these guys out, or die! Well maybe not die, but have less good music in your life.
For fans of Too Many Ts, KRS-1 (ZOMGZZZ NO WAAII, and it’s not just because they use a few clips of him in the album), Split Prophets, Rhyme Asylum. I said it was eclectic didn’t I?