UK emcees Dubble G and Mr Melta link together for this track ‘Break Us Down’, Both emcees drop bars about the negativity of others and how their jealousy wont break the pair from the dreams and goals they’re trying to achieve over a piano sampled Roon produced beat.
The team at High Focus Records seem to be dropping dope releases every month, the prolific label are at the forefront pushing the UK Hip Hop scene in an upward direction right now and are amassing a large following not just here in the UK but overseas too. This trend is set to continue with another piece of dopeness coming from the conveyer belt of talent associated to the HF roster this time in the form off the NEW Brothers in Stone album which dropped during the week.
Brothers Of The Stone are emcees Leaf Dog and BVA and making up the trio is Leaf Dogs brother Producer illinformed providing the dope beats laced with some seriously nice soul samples, accompanying Leaf Dog and BVA’s lyricism and witty style. The record has a positive message throughout about taking control for yourself, being what you want to be, and don’t let the haters take you off the path you have chosen, but still with a fun vibe without feeling like they are preaching at you.
The record stands alone on its own with just the trio, but they are also accompanied with features from the legendary KRS-ONE, Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks), HF head honcho Fliptrix, Reef The Lost Cauze, and UK rappers Smellington Piff, Jack Jetson, DJ Sammy B-Side & more! This just elevates it to not just a future UK Hip Hop classic, but a HIP HOP classic
With 14 tracks of head nodding Hip Hop goodness that flow throughout the record and with no fillers or skits, It’s hard to pick any favourites from the joint, so if I had to pick three I’d probably go for……
Track 4 ‘Go Hate’, man I’m loving the dub/reggae feel on the production from illinformed on this joint and with a guest verse from Reef The Lost Cauze you can’t go wrong. You also cant look much further than Track 7 ‘Future’ featuring the legendary KRS-ONE and Beast 1333, when KRS spits or just lays down a hook you just listen and the track carries a positive message throughout from all emcees involved. Finally I’d pick Track 12 ‘Burning Soul’ featuring the man Fliptrix. Probably my favourite on the record. Loving the sample that illinformed uses throughout the joint as the emcees go in on their frustrations at at watered down commercial radio, something any self respecting Hip Hop head can relate to!
Now don’t get at me and say “You said the record stands alone from the trio, yet you’ve picked two tracks with features” Look, this list changes on a daily, every time I listen to it, it changes there really aint a weak joint on it. On that note a special mention must go out to the posse cut ‘Underground’ that ends the record that track is a banger too!!
But hey, don’t take my word for it go check it out for yourselves, you wont regret it….TRUST!!
After hearing the tragic news of Trayvon Martin’s murder while in Amsterdam, New Orleans born hip hop soul singer Suave had the chance to discuss issues of race and injustice in a studio session with musicians and producers from Holland, Germany, Curacao, Suriname, and N. Africa. Each artist shared stories of racial profiling they’ve experienced around the world, and their words sparked visions of a global musical revolution. As a result of that conversation, Suave penned this heartfelt call to action, “No Justice No Peace,” not only for the African-American community, but the human community as a whole. Accompanied by frequent collaborator, label mate, and producer, Prospek,, they call on the lyrical skills of buzzing DC hip hop artist Kam Royal to bring together this live instrumentation hip hop soul joint that will have people from all walks of life questioning who our real oppressors are.
Last night South West, UK collective Techtonic Plates dropped a previously unreleased track ‘PASS THAT’ from their vaults featuring members Satch, Bloodshot and Matchstick, take a listen to the track here…
Sway Featuring Project Alfie – “Good, Bad & Ugly”. Sway said about the track…”This is a story I wrote that serves as an introduction to a story on my new album The ‘Deliverance’ (Available soon). Hope you enjoy it and that you ‘get’ the moral behind the message I am trying to convey. Much love. Sway”
The Rugged Man recruits Hopsin and Jarren Benton of Funk Volume to rework “Underground Hits,” off R.A.’s new album “Legends Never Die.” Featuring a new beat from Mr. Green, plus Duck Down’s Ruste Juxx on the chorus.
The ‘Life Moves’ album from Benny Diction & Able8 is out now on digital and limited edition digipak CD release! Available via the BBP site boombappro.com and as of next week on iTunes and at www.suspect-packages.com
‘Life Moves’ is the brainchild of prominent London-based MC Benny Diction and prolific Australian beats producer Able8. The two met at a Melbourne hip-hop night in 2011 and have been working together since.
Both established artists in their own right, they have combined to turn hip-hop on its head and create something that stands out from the usual format. Able8’s signature sound combines the world of dusty vinyl samples with heavy bass-laden electronic sounds and swinging drums, providing the perfect backdrop for Benny to paint his intricate, tightly-woven rhymes. The result is an exciting mix of classic hip-hop with a futuristic, off-kilter sound.
The single and video were met with praise and acclaim, played on Internet radio shows worldwide as well as BBC Radio 1 and Base FM (NZ).
The pair also released in May, a collection of 7 tracks entitled the ‘Spring EP‘ to whet the appetite of listeners for a full-length project from the duo. Now, the debut album from Benny Diction & Able8, ‘Life Moves’, is out on Boom Bap Professionals. Expect to hear the duo’s chemistry to shine throughout, bolstered by features from UK MC’s Cappo, Zaman and Gambit Ace, US rapper Biz Bronze, Australian vocalists Julez and Myla Vinyl, as well as cuts from DJs Rasp and Sugai. Naturally, Benny’s fellow Punning Clan members Tony Skank and Ro Jista also put in sterling guest appearances.
Benny Diction is an MC/musician with over a decade of writing lyrics, performing, organising and hosting events behind him. After moving to Liverpool in 2001, he started to rip open mics and became involved in long-running hip hop night Sunday Service. His collective The Punning Clan was formed in 2005, with close involvement from IDA UK/DMC battle champ DJ Rasp.
Both solo and with crew, Benny has torn down stages at festivals and club nights across the UK and beyond, including Chibuku (Liverpool), Holdin’ Court (Reading), Hoofer Doofer Festival (North Wales), Passauer Kunstnacht Festival (Bavaria) and Lyricist Lounge (Melbourne). Currently residing in East London, Benny also promotes and co-hosts monthly night Fat Gold Chain.
Benny applies tight quality control to both his own releases and his appearances on other artists’ projects. This consistency, combined with his strengths as a host and live performer, make him one of the underground’s highly sought-out MC’s.
Able8 is a prominent music producer and beatmaker based in Melbourne, Australia. He has been writing and performing songs in various forms over the past 9 years. During this time, Able8 has gone from strength to strength, whether it’s fronting live bands as an MC himself, pushing electronic gadgets as a producer or working behind the scenes organizing and booking events. His own label ‘Uncomfortable Beats’ sheds light on Australia’s under-exposed music scene, and his crew ‘The Operatives’ import the best world talent onto Australian shores.
Able8 is surely one of the hardest working creators and innovators in Australian beat-music and so is his live shows, which have seen him support artists such as Hudson Mohawke, Machinedrum, Rustie, Lyrics Born, Bonobo, Harmonic 313, The Streets, Shlohmo, DJ Krush and many more, are testament to the fact
Benny and Able will be touring to promote the project this Summer, with several dates already confirmed for the UK and Europe.
Live show dates:
Sun 21st July – London’s Lyricist Lounge, Camden
Thurs 25th July – Impulse Dubstep @ About Blank, Berlin (Able8 Solo)
Fri 26th July – Bei Ruth, Berlin
Sat 27th July – Robox Neotech vs. Heat @ Urban Spree, Berlin
Sat 3rd Aug – The Free Yard @ Hysteria, Dalston (Benny D Solo – TBC)
Tues 6th Aug – Slip Jam:B @ The Hope, Brighton
Fri 9th Aug – Golden Egg @ Trof, Manchester
Sat 10th Aug – Brum Town @ Suki10c, Birmingham
Sun 11th Aug – Revolution on Reprezent Radio, Peckham (broadcast Weds 21st Aug)
Sat 17th Aug – Dragonfly Festival, Ekehagens Forntidsby, Sweden
Thurs 22nd Aug – The Trailer TV (live stream), Deptford
Fri 23rd Aug– Massive Arms @ The Victoria, Dalston
Sat 7th September – Holdin’ Court @ The Rising Sun Arts Centre, Reading (Benny D Solo)
Mirage512 and Side Effect are from Austin, TX and are collectively known as The Undergrind. They have linked up with producer Dee Metto from Switzerland to deliver this remix banger “Lights Out”. Stay tuned for more collabs with Dee Metto coming soon!
Kingston, Jamaica resident Nomad Carlos presents his Sosa produced new single “Capital Script”. This single is the first record from Nomad Carlos’ upcoming project titled ‘You’re Most Welcome EP’. The EP was done while on his recent visit to New York; and is entirely produced by Sosa. It will be released as a form of appreciation to all core fans and supporters of Nomad Carlos from his last project Me Against The Graintill now. Expect ‘You’re Most Welcome EP’ to be out within a month. Nomad Carlos is one of the pioneers in bringing hip hop music to the forefront of the music industry in his hometown, Jamaica.