For those of you keenly following every article and post we put up on the site, or just those of you that are simply interested, then you may well remember we posted up a album cut and mixed by Pragmatic Theory entitled ‘Summer In The City’. The LP’s full of a plethora of MCs, both from the US and the UK. The album was and is a fantastic release, showcasing some awesome rappers, with intelligent and well versed wordplay, all rapped over some ridiculously tasty beats and instrumentals. We probably told you to drop a few bucks, stop giving Starbucks your money (PAY YOUR TAX) and buy that release.
Well Pragmatic Theory member, Keith Price has recently dropped his own solo beat tape entitled ‘Bunch Of Fives Vol 1’. The beauty of this tape is that it was made with SP 505, overdubs, absolutely no sequencing, a bunch of vinyl and a turntable. Considering so many DJ’s can’t enough of sequencing, this is pretty impressive; plus I’m always a sucker for some live cutting, especially when it’s done this well. ‘Bunch Of Five Vol 1’ is the first in a series of 5 beat tapes, followed by a vocal album ‘From the Low Point’ in the very near future. You can pick this up for a big old nothing over at his bandcamp.
Donnie Darko returns to the Hip-Hop scene with his latest (Digital 12inch) Single “Today” Produced By DJ Bless. Its the 1st single from his New upcoming Ep “Life Vol. 2” (Pick Up “Life Vol. 1” On itunes). In the mean time you can buy the single from Bandcamp.
Producer/DJ, Ari Why and emcee, Tito Fuerte, have combined to form Original Text and release their debut EP, The Out Number. Both artist have released well-received projects before: Ari Why at the helm of his band, The Invisible College, and Tito Fuerte as a member of the Hip-Hop collective, Raw Nature. The Out Number marks the first time that either has been a part of a 1+1, “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper” style dynamic that’s been integral to Hip-Hop since the days of Eric B. & Rakim and Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo. Utilizing intricate wordplay, decoded language and a lush, cinematic soundscape, Original Text bring originality, creativity and authenticity back to the forefront.
Original Text’s The Out Number is available for FREE DOWNLOAD via
KaliRaps wrote and recorded “Sandy’s Song” produced by Slapp Symphony for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings, he revealed on his Facebook page.
The New England Rapper said funds raised by selling the tribute composition online will be donated to the Newtown Memorial Fund.
“This song is dedicated to those who lost their lives and were affected by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut” KaliRaps, wrote on his page. “I couldn’t imagine losing my nine year old daughter or 4 year old son to such violence, I was compelled to record a heartfelt tribute to the victims and their families.”
Kaliraps has asked his fans and the Hip Hop community, as a whole, to come together and share in their support. “If my music moves you to help, 100% of the proceeds from this track is going to help the families affected by this tragedy,” he said. “Sandy’s Song” is now available internationally via iTunes.
The Locksmiths are a London-based duo comprised of Zushi and Syxx. We’ve been big supporters of these guys since we first came across them back in..well to be honest I can’t even remember, I just know we’ve always been fans. The boys took some time out to answer a few questions we had for them, and gave us a really interesting look into their daily lives, and why and how they make their music. If you’re a fan of Mr 13, Akala, Ruthless, A.C then chances are you’ll appreciate these guys. Even if you’re not, this is a good interview with some very hardworking dudes.
Thanks once again to the Locksmiths dudes for doing this. Bless.
Words: Aimee 1) Who are, how would you describe the Locksmiths to someone that didn’t know you?We go by the name of The Locksmiths, we are a hip-hop duo from West London, who very hard working & passionate about the music we make, and aim to deliver and show that in everything we do.2) What originally got you into hip-hop, what were your influences?
Zushi: I originally got into hip hop via my uncle, who was a DJ & had a vast record collection with many genres, but it was mainly hip-hip at the time & that’s were I 1st started to get into it. Plus I was just interested in the whole culture of hip-hop, it just kinda suited what I’m about. My influences include many artists from A Tribe called quest, Nas to Missy Elliot, plus I was also into graffiti from young which had me roped into the whole hip-hop movement.
Syxx: What got me into hip-hop is the art form and how you can express yourself, and get anything you want from your mind, in a creative way.
My influences in terms of artists are, KRS 1,Busta Rhymes and Method Man. 3) Was it always your intention to do it as a team, and not solo?We would say yeah, I mean in the past we’ve been in various groups. In the end it just ended up being us to which just seem to work, and from then it’s just been family. Plus we do so much together as in run the business as well as being good mates, it’s all just natural to us now. We hardly even get to write with each other these days as much as we talk all the time, but yet when we do write and put a track together, it matches perfectly. Some things were just meant to be, real shit lol. 4) In recent years, UK hip-hop seems to be moving away from the roadman, ‘gangsta’ content in favour of more intelligent, realist subject matter. From your point of view, what would you attribute to this? AND how do you think The Locksmiths fit in to this?
Zush: Would have to say a few. We’re already doing this and being real through music, and there are a few that are starting to click on that too. There’s more to hip-hop than image, so slowly more real subjects and artists are being brought to light. But I do still think a lot of artist are still on a next ting and unfortunately that’s where most of the light gets shone.
Syxx: We’ve never portrayed to be anything than who we are, we always kept it real to how we live, and how life is around us, so subject matters & good content has always been a main focus to us.
5) You guys have been pretty prolific this past year, it seems like you guys really stepped up your game. Your work rate has been crazy; so give us a little more incite to a typical Locksmiths day?Zush: Well my day is all about work, I mean we’re both 9-fivers ha, full-time plus we both run an events company “Team Sa’real” (Quick Plug lol) with another mate so the work rate is always 24/7. All we do is apply that some work rate that we have to something we have a passion for which is music. Plus we still enjoy making music, so after a hard day of making money & slaving away it’s like meditation writing & going to the studio, and as for putting things out consistently, we already work hard so music just gets thrown into the mix.
Syxx: Typical day for me is juggling my day job like Zush said, with dreams of leaving it and doing music as a full time job. I try to inhale as much music as I can as it helps me keep my sanity and keep creativity following. As much as work and family life takes up the majority of my day I still try to write as much music as I can to or from work and during my break.
6) Can you tell us more about The Red Tape collective?Zush: Yeah our boy Mr 13 came up with the idea of putting on a few artist which were us, Mr 13,Big Frizzle & Wordplay. Then there was a few more features from around the way on a EP to make a collective of tracks, which was already bless because we had been doing tracks with each other already. It was just a thing of doing 1 or 2 tracks/vid with all of us on it, I.e “Ignorant” & “Fire” both produced by Nutty P, who was live on production and it was great to work with the man himself.
Syxx: We enjoyed that project, I think some of our best material was done on “The Red Tape”.
7) Your latest EP ‘The Story of the Unknown EP’ is a really diverse release. I mean ‘Hell Break Loose’ and ‘Behind Closed Doors’ could be on different EPs, but still are both firmly Locksmiths’ tracks. Was this intentional to demonstrative your diversity, and is that why you used so many different producers?Yeah defiantly, it instantly shows our diversity in music & how we approach it. I mean like we said a lot of our life is in our music & a lot of our life is ups & down. I mean one minute we can be in the studio making “Hell break Loose” *no pun intended lol* or on stage, than snap, within an hour we’ll be back to reality, dealing with shit at work and family life “Behind Close doors”. That defiantly gets shown in our music all the time ’cause that what it i for us, and it’s nothing for us to put different tracks on the same project like that, because that’s just how our day or week is. A project almost represents a day or a month in the life of The Locksmiths. Using different producers is just our way of bringing out different emotions, the ones we have on the EP are the main ones we tend to work with anyway so it was just us displaying what we do.
8) Keeping it closer to home, what’s your local scene like?
Syxx: Every area has it’s positives & negatives, ours is getting better on the positive in term of music & people working together, so we just try to stick to the positive ones & get work done.
Zushi: Yeah, our side of the boarder is slowly but surely getting better. I mean there’s always been man doing their thing, some have stopped, some are still doing it like us, and I guess it’s just about keeping it up and getting that light over here.
9) What are your plans for the New Year?Zushi: A lot! A nice few new ideas & projects, I think more importantly we have a plan now, so we know exactly what we’re doing & what need be so it’s all about getting it done.
Syxx: Keep being consistent & keep working on getting the name out there.
10) Shout-outs?Zushi: Yeah shout-out to everyone that has been supporting and helping us on our journey, like yourself who enjoys our music & keeps pushing it, bless up.
Syxx: Shouts to the Team “Team Sa’real”, our sponsors The Ink Parlour/Team Tip & Also check out www.teamsareal.com for our events & adventures company & get involved. New Mixtape “The Sa’real World” coming real soon.
North London rapper, CR-Black with his track ‘My Thoughts’ (Prod. By Ragz Originale) – Off the “Reality Through My Words” mixtape dropping January 2013. Visuals have been shot for this one so look out for it!
Phillie of the Wisemen brings us his next single from the “Welcome To The Detroit Zoo” project which is set to drop in 2013. The album features contributions from the Wisemen, Boldy James, Hell Razah, and 60 Second Assassin. Production is helmed by Bronze Nazareth.
Link to “Gangland” (This right here) mp3 download
Phillie has been planning the release of his debut album since listeners were first introduced to him on Bronze Nazareth’s “The Great Migration” in 2006. He said “I’m excited about this release because I’m ready. I took my time with it, and anything you take your time with is going to yield quality, this album will prove that.”
Phillie’s hunger gives “Welcome To The Detroit Zoo” a refreshingly honest feel and showcases Phillie’s life journey on Detroit’s infamous ‘Number Streets’. Bronze Nazareth, Executive Producer, states “This marks an exciting time in the development of Phillie as a solo artist, and the music he created here will be a testament to his abilities.”
XOTR is three man strong group from Luton, UK with all three members taking on the rapping, singing and instrumental duties. The released is hosted by our man, and veteran producer/DJ Tricksta, and is a pretty varied and electric mix. If that sounds a bit vague I’ll explain. A while back, or maybe yesterday, or this possibly this morning we’ve talked about how a lot of ‘rappers’ (ooh) find it extremely hard to mix party rap with content. I’m not sure why, there are plenty of real artists doing it (just look over our website kid), and OXTR manage this perfectly. They mix different aspects, production techniques and instrumentals with intelligent themes, with simply put, good party rap.
You can still analyse and critique serious and darker subjects, without glamourising it; and when an MC says they’re going to kill you on the track that doesn’t always mean they’re literally going to hop out of your speakers and merk you. XOTR are a group that can balance all these parts without sounding cheesy or overdone. There are a few tracks with auto-tune mixed in, which is a bit of a shame because the dude clearly has a better voice than that and I’d rather hear his natural singing voice. Overall though the LP is full of a lot of potential and I’d be excited to see what else these guys can come out with in the future.
For fans of Lost Alliance, B-Dee, Jae Apollo. 01 – Intro (Tricksta)
02 – Urban Decay (Prod. 5n6)
03 – Dream (Remake Prod. Cardiak)
04 – Numero Uno (Prod. MilesAway)
05 – G’d Up (Prod. MilesAway)
06 – Red and Black (Remake Prod. PushaBoy)
07 – Light Up Trees (Prod. 5n6)
08 – My City Acoustic Cover (Performed by 5n6)
09 – Shades of Green (Prod. 5n6)
10 – Is This the Way (Instrumental) (Composed. 5n6) (Bonus Track)
11 – Outro (Tricksta)
