Icelandic producer Abstrkt Idea has recently released his record through Lunatic Records, featuring the legendary Sadat X from Brand Nubian. It’s a good mix of old and new skool, something for the backpackers and something for the soul lovers. Abstrkt’s use of horns and subtle synth parts in a lot of his tracks gives it a nice touch, and doesn’t oversaturate the record, but instead enhances it nicely. ‘Detective Sax’ is a really good example of both instruments being used to their best. Some songs feature Sadat X, and some are strictly beat-driven
This is only free until February the 18th, so I suggest you get your hands on a copy whilst you still can. Then, oh noze you might actually have to finacially support your music scene. Eek!
With guest appearances from Ghostface, Action Bronson, Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire, Roc Marciano, Vinnie Paz, Cappadonna & additional beats from DJ Premier & Oh No, you can expect nothing less then top notch production and rewind worthy lyricism from CZARFACE. “We are CZARFACE because they know our faces and they know us for being dope rhyme suppliers, like Tony Montana we are known for our balls and our word; lyrically we will conquer the world and everything in it” states Deck. Esoteric explains further, “CZARFACE is a vigilante, anti-hero character who serves as the face of the project, and his focus is on annihilating the media darlings that the mainstream caters to.”
CZARFACE will be released on 19-02-2013 via Brick Records
Pre-Order the CZARFACE CD, LP, and exclusive bundle (with t-shirt and autographed print of the album art) from GetOnDown.com here: www.getondown.com/album.php?id=16028
Winter Blues is the latest EP from Mohammad Escrow, and he’s used a pretty eclectic mix of producers to rap over. Some beats range from dubstep (Skrillex need not apply), 60’s pop samples, interesting cuts and drums, all mixed with some more familiar sounding hip-hop production that you might expect.
Content-wise, Winter Blues is an EP that is very much about the MC himself, mixing up the externel of what’s happening, and reflecting on it’s internel effect on Mohammad Escrow as a person. I’m a big fan of his vocal tone, and it reminded me of Evidence in his delivery, although Escrow definitely has his own style down.
Just so you don’t forget, the beat makers featured were: Hi Fi, D.S, Andrew Michael and DJ Dystrakted.
The official YNR x Dephect collab T-Shirt for Micall Parknsun‘s brand new album ‘Me Myself & Akai’ is finally available to buy online! And they’re VERY limited so don’t hesitate to cop your size while stocks last!
As worn by Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, DJ Boogie Blind (X-Ecutioners), Mr Thing and more!
The album ‘Me Myself & Akai’ is out now and available to buy on CD and digital download. Featuring guest appearances from Jehst, Dubbledge, Ramson Badbonez and more!
Alright I didn’t want to start this review saying Just P is back, because the first song on this release is ‘We’re Back’, but errrr he is. Unlike a lot of other artists, (and I’m not hating on these type of tracks at all, I’m a fan of them) but a lot them comeback to music is a big old angry track with lots of disses, and a healthy potion of gassing. Just P has taken a slightly different route to his return to hip-hop; in place of that he’s thrown out tracks and this mixtape telling the audience where he’s been, and making the unaware amongst you where his roots lie. A little retrospect without living in his past success; and he’s pulled it off really well without appearing egotistical or bigheaded. That brings us nicely along to the general vibe of the EP (is it an EP? I reckon so, it’s 7 songs so I’m going with it), whilst Just P isn’t pulling any punches, or missing a beat on any song this is a very humble and honest tape. He’s not telling you HE’S THE BEST MC IN THE WORLD FUCK YOU ALL. He’s not worried about what other rappers are doing, he’s just concentrating on himself and the issues and subjects he’s addressing.
Just P talks on a varied amount of subjects, strays away from preaching to the converted but never dumbs it down. I feel like My Bars On His Beats is amongst a collection of other UK rappers that have recently released albums/mixtapes that truly reflect grimy underground British hip-hop. Ruthless’ new one ‘The Last Instrument’ is a good example, and coincidentally is featured on a collaboration ‘Cold Blood’ which shows the two MCs individual but complimentary styles off really well. It doesn’t necessarily mean gloomy-weather lyrics on every track, instead it showcases two major traits that I love about UK hip-hop, stoic realism but always backed up with constant optimism. In underground hip-hop regardless of country, it’s not about the flashy chorus it’s about the bars and Aleksander Koziel shows off his production skills with enough interesting diversity in his beats and samples that you really don’t need a hook, the instrumentation does a good job of it on its own. He’s a really versatile producer and I think he could happily work with a pretty mixed bunch of MCs and still make it work.
In short ‘My Bars On His Beats’ is a welcomed return to Just P, and I’m excited to see what’s next to come out of the Black Budget camp this year. We’re never let down by those guys.
“Dead In The Middle” (Ryu, Celph Titled, Apathy) Produced by Apathy. Directed & edited by “Open” Mike & Greg LaRose.
On 05-03-2013, the Demigodz (Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu of Styles Of Beyond, Esoteric, Motive, Blacastan) will release there first official full-length LP, KILLmatic, and it will feature appearances from RA The Rugged Man, Termanology, Panchi (of NYG’z), Planetary (of Outerspace), Scoop Deville & Eternia with production from DJ Premier, Marco Polo, The Snowgoons, Apathy, Teddy Roxpin, Chumzilla, Skammadix & Will C.
Fuzz Jaxx and Kon Sci have teamed up to create a really fresh release. It’s got the reminiscent feel of early Jay-Z (DON’T HATE. You know Reasonable Doubt was the jam), mixed with Kon Sci’s ever-changing production. He is by no means a predictable producer, and his broad style really compliments Fuzz Jazz, who is a very diverse rapper on his own. They’re a clever and interesting pairing that works really well together.
For fans of 2 Dash Tone, early Jay-Z, Pragmatic Theory.
Watford emcee Ruthless dropped his new ‘The Last Instrument’ mixtape yesterday and its been worth the wait!! Now we’ve been big fans of Ruthless here at HHL&T ever since his debut release just over two years ago and have repped all his music and again we’re not disappointed with the talented Watford emcees latest offering.
The reason we’re such big fans of Ruthless’ music is his honesty in his bars. There’s no airs or graces with Ruthless, just straight up real bars, mans had it tough but doesn’t hide the fact as its those struggles that make him the artist he is today and gives him the drive to succeed, which we admire here at HHL&T.
All you can ask of an artist that you have followed since the start is progression and Ruthless clearly demonstrates this with 18 tracks of the realest Hip Hop, featuring beats from some of the sickest underground producers in the UK from Bizniz Beatz, Dead Man Walkn, Sunny Kokaine, Show N Prove, Micall Parknsun, Ill Thought Process, Artik, Agent Of Change, Terry Hooligan, Danny Bones, Rekless, Molban, Redskull, Mr.E, Jay Flames & also features two RUTHLESS COVERS over NAS & LINKEN PARK instrumentals.
Ruthless said about the mixtape “I put alot of work in on this one! Theres 18 songs and only one voice (mine) throughout the whole thing, 16 original productions and 2 COVER songs…. you’ll recognize them as soon as they come on no DOUBT!”
This is a must for fans of UK Hip Hop we really believe Ruthless is destined for big things, and to our followers overseas definitely check out this 23 year old emcee, coz you’ll be hearing a lot more from him here on HHL&T!!
Tracklist
01 – This Is How we Do (Prod by Bizniz Beats)
02 – Fuck The EDL (Prod by Dead Man Walkn)
03 – About My Buisness ( Prod by Sunny Kokaine)
04 – Reppin [REMIX] (Prod by Show N Prove)
05 – How we Raised Up (Prod by Micall Parknsun)
06 – Me, Myself and I (Prod by Ill Thought Process)
07 – Outcast (Prod by Artik)
08 – Underated (Linken Park Cover)
09 – I Know I Can ( NAS Cover)
10 – All Around The World [SKIT] (Prod by Ruthless)
Number 4 in the series of beat tapes from super famous, benz driving, gold-house living beat maker, Keith Price. By now you should really know the deal when it comes to this; we’ve already let you know about the man’s previous 3 Vols, along with his collab project Pragmatic Theory, but here’s the shortened version for those late to the prom. Ready?
Keith got to work cutting up, mixing (stop me if I sound like I’m talking about a cake) sampling, and scratching some classic tracks and a few lesser known, along with in his own ideas, production and instrumentation with only the help of a SP 505, overdubs, no sequencing, turntable and of course the vinyl. The result was 4 volumes of jazz infused, funk, keyboard-driven, soul, guitar-tinged, classic hip-hop (oh my days that was a long, semi-grammatical intro).
This is his last offering, and it’s a definite departure from his previous three. Maybe it’s because I have so many feelings, but this definitely has a more melancholic undertone to it, from the very out-set of the first track, to the outro I got that feeling. Not to say that this is the record you’ll listen to when you want to cry and wear black with the curtains closed, it just felt more at ease and more open to showcase some different paces and styles. Don’t get me wrong though, you can still listen to this and get your dance on, ‘Go Back’ and ‘Brown Leather Jacket’ are great examples of that, and whilst they both are short and sweet are mixed nicely and given enough time in their own right.
In short, if you’ve ever been a fan of Ant’s production (you should know that’s one half of Atmosphere), Mr Green and Motown’s Berry Gordy then you’ll be a fan of this.
Also, I reckon I could probably woo my girl to this record. Just keep that in mind.
