Here we got some Fresh new Hip Hop from unknown UK crew Depths Beneaf, currently unassociated with any label and produced entirely by the dope BambuHands. The rappers involved are a pair of brothers the oldest (Jacob) who taught (Helm) the youngest how to rap and write with a heavy focus on style and content. The album itself is a journey through hardcore rap set in a futuristic landscape with kung foo fighting and blazes of mgic.
BambuHands explained “I work with a lot of rappers and it’s only every so often one comes along who really stands out Helm the younger of the two is defiantly a rappers rapper. Someone who has the lyrics backed up with the delivery and a very focused mind he really made this album. Even without label backing i felt i had to put this guys music out there, i really feel rap fans need to hear this guy and judge for themselves.”
We whole heartedly agree with BambuHands, Depths Beneaf are definitely ones to keep an eye out for. You can stream and download this DOPE debut release here, go cop it NOW!
Roman Republic presents “The Die Is Cast” the new release from 21st Century Romans. 21st Century Romans is a new hip hop group that has a new modern twist to the classic hip hop group formula. Their sound is an American and British fusion of hip hop, mixing the sounds of Old Skool with New Skool.
They have influences from other groups such as De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, The Pharcyde, Slum Village, Little Brother and many more.
Using a mixture of samples and live instruments, this EP tells a personal story about 3 guys telling the world about their trials and tribulations through their music and lyrics. They have grown up in central London and are dreaming of a better life as they go though a defining moment where they try to get out there with their fresh sound.
The group consists of
JDT(producer): Jack Thomson is a London based producer JDTs music and sound of his production is reminiscent of such sounds as Moby and 9th wonder. His production style is a mix of America and British sounds. He spends his time making instrumentals and DJs sets on his machine. He plans to bring true emotions to his music in what ever way he can.
Rafiki Rhymes(rapper): Arik Raviv was born and raised in New York City. In high school, he took an English class that introduced him to spoken word poetry, and from there he translated his skills to MC-ing. Like Slick Rick and Lupe Fiasco, his strength as a rapper is in storytelling. This skill, he says, is a natural extension of his greatest strength: the art of bullshitting.
J.J(rapper): Jordan James is a rapper from London who is out to make music that people can relate to. He injects humour and a laidback sound but mainly wants to take you on a journey using words through music. .
This dope 5 track EP ‘The Die Is Cast’ from 21st Century Romans is available to download for FREE here
Matthias aka “Mr 16 Bars” is a hip hop artist from Philadelphia, PA that has just released an independent album called the “Forgotten”. This album talks about his experience as a soldier trying to transition back into civilian life. This album also touches on the day to day struggle of growing up in the inner city of North Philly
Matthias was born in North Philadelphia in 1979. He is one of 10 siblings. Matthias graduated from Eastern University with a BA in marketing. In 2006 he enlisted in the US Army. He completed two tours in Iraq and was awarded two Army Accommodation medals in his support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After his discharge Matthias began working on a hip hop album called “The Forgotten”, which is now available on Itunes, CdBaby, Amazon MP3, Google Store etc.
Matthias speaks on social issues ranging from his multiple deployments as a soldier to trying to deal with the hardships of reintegrating back into civilian life in a poor urban environment. He currently has 2 music videos, “Combat Stress” and “Popular” (See Below) which collectively have generated well over a hundred thousands views on YouTube. Matthias tells it like it was—and—is; by interweaving reality, smooth stylistic flow with beats that keep your head nodding. In his latest cd, “The Forgotten”, Matthias takes social awareness to another level as he speaks about his deployments as a soldier, and his experiences in day to day urban life.
With a sound comparable to artists such as Common, NAS, Mos Def, De La Soul, and Gangstarr, this is Straight up Hip Hop goodness
The Bluntskins are a emerging Marijuana hip hop trio based in Manchester. The group consists of one DJ and 2 Emcees, Bill Sykes, Of Established Manchester Hip Hop Crew The Natural Curriculum. Cheech from Manchester Based Hip Hop Collective: The Mothership Connection and North West DJ & Producer Pro P.
In Mid June the band released 2 Videos via their YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/bluntskinsTV (see Videos below) which to date has clocked over 4000 hits (and counting) and have a release date for their Debut album, the self titled “The Bluntskins” OUT July 30th 2013. Off the back of producing and editing their music videos the band have gained a lot of support from both the Marijuana and Hip Hop communities.
Locally the group were approached by Dr Hermans and requested that the group provide them with stock of CD copies of the forthcoming album. Various Manchester Bloggers within the Fashion, Music and Popular culture domains have given features and shout outs to theirr Music/Videos. And of course their friends and accomplices in the Manchester Music scene (and beyond) have been getting in touch to support and collaborate with.
Nationally, With the content of The Bluntskins music being focused on getting high and promoting acceptance of Cannabis culture, they have been approached by NORML (National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) www.norml-uk.org and will be preforming at some of their national conference dates and demonstrations in September & October. Various hip hop Video/Radio stations, Blogs and Brands such as Cannabis Energy Drink have been sharing their music and been in contact to work with the group which is being discussed and worked at present. We The Bluntskins will also be performing at the sick Boom Bap UK Hip Hop festival on the 13th of September.
The Bluntskins are also being recognised Internationally and have gained air play and support from Triple 5 Soul (who now supply Bill Sykes with Clothing) DJ Eclipse (of Non Phixion & La Coca Nostra) has played their tracks on his “Half Time” Radio show on WNYU Radio and they’ve also gained welcome support from some of Amsterdam’s premier coffee shops – with videos being shared by them on Social Media – with note worthy shout to the groups personal own favourite – The Grey Area www.greyarea.nl (as they will be visiting them for the cannabis cup in November to discuss performances in Amsterdam and cross promotional activity)
That’s the introduction and the story of the Bluntskins so far. Now Check out their releases to date and check ’em out for yourselfs. Quite literally DOPE! But don’t take our word for it……
Been going through the inbox, and getting through the last couple weeks that we might missed, I found this jewel of a record. It’s a pretty dark, but very sincere record and I really can’t hate the production and instrumentation on it. It fits perfectly with Jae Apollo’s vocal and lyrical style. This is the first time I’ve come across this dude, but already I’m impressed. ‘All The Right Mistakes’ is a perfect example of how to write a conceptional album without writing one. Does that sound super pretentious? Oh well, I’m a writer that’s part of my job you know. No over-used cliches. No, “I came from the hood, here’s my guns” bang bang stories, when really you came from the same neighbourhood as where my great aunty lives. Although since I say that all the time, I suppose that’s a bit of a cliche in and of itself now too, oh the irony.
It’s an introspective and clever record with a lot of potential, and I haven’t been this impressed with a rapper for a long time.
For fans of CunninLynguists/Kno, Atmosphere, Prince EA, Lupe.