The 2nd EP in The Lord Of The Real series. The Fellowship Of The Real is a collaboration EP featuring Cyclonious, Tabanacle & Cons and production from Evil Ed, Commerce, White Keys & Stealf.
I was lucky enough to review the first EP in this trilogy of releases from Mista Flix and label De Facto Entertainment, as with all great trilogys this one takes off from where we left the first EP with dope production skills and that dope boombap sound throughout the EP.
On the lyrical side Mista Flix is on point again and if anything has raised his game further with sick lyrical flows accompained by dope features from Cyclonious, Tabanacle and Cons.
DOPE release go cop it now!
The EP is available to digitally download for £2.50 or physical copies are also available for those that still like to have the hard copy for £3.
Cambridge City seems to be overflowing with talent at the moment, emcees such as Inja have been holding it up for years but now with an influx of rappers such as B-iLLA aka Mistah Biggz and Dillah, as well as JTC and Screwface bubbling under, the scene down there is beginning to really take shape.
Well here is another artist to add to the list and that’s Mr. Melta who has chosen Tricksta from UK Runnings to host his mixtapes, as did B-iLLA. So the Wolftown/Cambridge link begins to build and what a corker of a mixtape this is with Mr. Melta eating every beat that is put in front of him, a bit like a musical version of Man V’s Food!
There are some quality tracks on here and the variety of beats really help to showcase this emcee. Mr. Metla is a name to remember as he is already in the lab cooking up his next release. This is a big release, don’t sleep on Mr. Melta.
Lady Marga Mc is the UK’s newest cutting edge urban/pop artist. Born in East London Lady Marga MC, has always had a passion for music which has lead to her featuring in NME, The Times, RWD, The Guardian, Heat Magazine, The Metro Newspaper as well as support from US media such as Digiwaxx and TV Channel BET International. Lady Marga MC has also had support from BBC Radio 1 DJ’s Zane Lowe & Annie Mac, as well as numerous other radio stations both here in the UK and overseas. Lady Marga MC won the 2010 My Space MOBO Awards Competition beating thousands of entries getting to perform at the MOBO After Party which was presented by Ras Kwame from BBC 1Xtra, something that gained her instant credibility.
Lady Marga MC is an artist who is unique, diverse and open-minded. After being asked to work with XL Recordings artists Basement Jaxx on track called ‘Run 4 Cover’ on their album “Crazy Itch Radio”, he went on to perform on their UK tour at Wembley Arena and The BBC Electric Proms amongst others. The grind continued as she went onto work with dubstep producers Slyde featuring on the track ‘Reckless’ (No. 7 Beatport Charts) and reaching number 1 in Mexico with drum’n’bass producers Tech 3. Lady Marga then dropped her funky anthem ‘Sweeper’ with support from BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Footloose and Choice FM’s DJ Woody and as well as touring with Mad Professor performing the single ‘Badseed’ in Italy, Slovenia, Belgium and The Jazz Café, London.
‘Music is The The Way Vol. 2’ is a cutting edge release that showcases Lady Marga MC’s diverse style and pop sensibility and features a whole host of guest including P Diddy’s artists Hollywood & Ko signed to Bad Boy South/Block Ent, 50Cent’s artist Sun signed to Zoolife/G-Unit and US singer Riz who has collaborated with the likes of Pitbull, Lil Zane & Akon and is now signed to Ultra Records. That’s not all, Tinchy Stryder’s artist Slix from Ruff Sqwad Crew features as does US rapper & producer Mally The Martian who has worked with artists such as Freeway and Tyga. This release isn’t all about the collaboration tracks; here Lady Marga MC proves she is a solo artist that could really crossover into the mainstream.
Not content with containing herself to music, Lady Marga MC also cameo-ed in the British Film ‘Shank’, had a roll in the film ‘Jericho’s Walls Are Falling’ and has been a extra in films such Zero, Sket 2011, Heart Divided and has also appeared in Noel Clarke’s movie ‘The Knot’ which is out later this year! Now locked in the studio with an array of top producers Lady Marga MC is working on her debut solo album and is also continuing to collaborate with artists & producers from the UK & USA. The support for this talented urban artist is overwhelming but when you listen to her latest release ‘Music is The The Way Vol. 2’ you’ll understand why!
Live Dates: Thursday 5th July @ Urban Bar, London
Tuesday 17th July @ Club Surya, London
Saturday 21st July @ The Hudson Bay Charity Event, London
Sunday 22nd July @ Hoxton Square Bar, London
Tuesday 25th July @ The Curfew Inn, Bath
South London rapper Smiler is fast becoming one of 2012’s biggest breaking new talents following the reception greeted to his current mixtape ‘All I Know’ which received thousands of downloads on the day of its release. Now Smiler’s ascension continues with the June 11th release of his Warner Bros. Records single ‘Rocksteady’.
Produced by Jamal Hadaway (Labrinth, Lethal Bizzle), the heavily rhythmic ‘Rocksteady’ bounds with boisterous beats which accompany Smiler’s ultra-confident lyrical flow and features Sneakbo. A second all-star version of the track again features Sneakbo, this time alongside Don Strapzy, S.A.S., Shotty Horroh, Random Impulse, Tyler Daley, DVS and Bigz.
Smiler has already become a mainstay at 1Xtra where his tracks have been playlisted for a total of over 20 weeks, with 4 of those weeks on the A-list, while further radio support has been provided by Radio 1’s Zane Lowe who named both Smiler’s track ‘Spender’ (which includes additional vocals by Lana Del Rey) and Smiler’s guest appearance on Jakwob’s ‘Right Beside You’ as his Hottest Records of the Week. Tracks from the mixtape have also been played by Huw Stephens at Radio 1, Mistajam at 1Xtra, DJ 279 at Choice, and DJ MK and Shortee Blitz at Kiss. Zane Lowe also named Smiler’s single ‘Delorean’ as his Next Hype.
Named alongside Nicki Minaj as one of NME’s Top 5 Rappers, Smiler has also been featured in a diverse array of publications including The Guardian, The Daily Star, RWD, Pride and Lime. In the live arena, Smiler proved to be a popular addition to this year’s MOBO tour (during which he created a tour diary for Urban Development) and was then personally invited by Professor Green to join him on his full UK tour which culminated with a major London date at Brixton’s O2 Academy. Smiler also toured with Wale.
Professor Green is just one of the many artists that have recognised Smiler’s undeniable talent. Green and Tawiah both guest on Smiler’s track ‘Top of the World’ which will be released late in the year. Opening with ‘Delorean’ which features Wretch 32, the ‘All I Know’ mixtape also highlights the talents of Bigz and Crafty. Lady Leshurr contributed to an alternative version of ‘Delorean’, while Smiler’s interpretation of ‘Spender’ also included additional vocals courtesy of Lana Del Rey.
Vitally, Smiler is also connecting with an audience as his fast escalating online profile proves: his YouTube channel is approaching 500,000 views, he has 8,000 likes at Facebook and a further 10,000 Twitter follows, while his Soundcloud page has received 36,000 plays.
Smiler is an artist for whom doing things his way is vitally important. Years of self-promoting his music has created a fiercely independent spirit – what other rapper could reference Amir Khan, Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ and favela flick ‘City of God’ in a single song and then on the next track address the social issues that inform his environment? Honesty, intelligence and sheer talent are the cornerstones that guarantee that Smiler will be an artist worth keeping an eye on.
Sixteen bangers from Wolverhampton producer Tricksta who really has excelled himself here with his best work to date. It’s no secret that Tricksta is already a true ambassador for homegrown Hip-Hop with his UK Runnings mixtape series and his promo company Park Street PR, but now I feel Tricksta will finally get the props he deserves as a producer.
There are so many reasons to buy this album, a future classic. Especially look out for the tracks, Bars, Esscence, Hip Hop and Strength In Numbers (Video featured below) with Tricksta really showing his versatility as a producer and all the emcees featured on the tracks coming hard with their bars. To be honest, there’s not a track that doesnt dissapoint, with so many emcees featured you would expect there to be the odd weak verse but all their bars meet your expectations with this quality line up of UK talent.
“Out Of Darkness Cometh Light” is a sixteen track album that is out now on RGS Entertainment, and features Iron Braydz, Genesis Elijah, LATE, Scorzayzee, MCD, Karl Hinds, TBear, Supar Novar, Seanie T, Wordsmiff, Big Cakes, Dubbledge, Cyclonious, Serocee, Logic, Shameless, Phoenix Da Icefire, Ramson Badbones, Cons, Big Ben, Big Dutty Deeze, Yogi, Twissman, Tenny Ten, Cobane, S. Kalibre, Inja, D Gritty, Jai Boo, K9, Sonnyjim, Deadline, Quest Rah, Reain, Conman, Streetz, Grizzly, Size8, M.A.B, Sketchman, Joe Gutta, Reload, Taurus, Marc Anthony, Double E aka Brinkworth and scratch deejay Jabba Tha Kut. When asked about the project Tricksta had this to say……
“I wanted to create something that I could look back at as a ‘celebration of UK Hip-Hop’. I’ve been on this journey since the late 80’s starting out on pirate and I’ve seen the genre grow, develop and progress. I wanted to celebrate the fact that there is so much talent in the UK by getting everyone together for one project. I can’t thank everyone enough for their contributions as every single featured guest has brought fire to the album. I really hope people take the time to absorb it and enjoy it as much as I did making it.”
RAGZ SWEET JONES is a rapper with phenomenal skill and great content. He has been grafting in the U.K Scene now for a few years, but we don’t feel Ragz is getting the recognition he truly deserves.
Ragz tha Monsoon is a first generation refugee from Bangladesh. A hustler and a writer from his early teens. In 2001 he co-founded a crew called K-I-N with BIG BEN, and also became an official member of the F.L.I.P tha Skript family. Featuring all over Tha K-I-N mixtape, and volumes one and two of the explosive music mix tape series as well as releasing Never Can Say Good Bye, Ragz started to make noise on the streets. Unfortunately in 2004 Ragz was incarcerated after being on the run eating for 8 months hitting up mixtapes and doing shows. He came home in 2007 and exploded on the scene.
So I have posted some videos of his flaming bars!!!
In this video shark fin soup you will see him play with pronunciation , lyrical concepts, and some humorous metaphors.
Evening hipada hopada land. What you saying? Fancy reading about Configa’s mixtape ‘Calm Before The Storm, and having a cheeky listen all at the same time? Oh my days multimedia, technology is everywhere!
This was actually released last August via Configaration Records, but the man himself kindly sent us a copy recently so we couldn’t not give it at least a few words. Maybe you’re already a fan, maybe you’ve never heard of the dude well either way keep reading.
‘Calm Before The Storm’ is a mash-up tape of UK and American, as well as pretty gutter-level and well known MCs amongst the underground scene. For example, I’ve known for quite some time that I’m a big fan of Jaz Kahina, but until I heard this I wasn’t aware I loved John Graham too. I love mixtapes like this; they sort of ease you into liking new artists all safely nestled in between some of your favourites, like “Oh shit, where did you come from? Snap I’d better buy everything you’ve ever touched or I’ll surely die”. Well maybe not that extreme but I’m sure you catch my meaning, and I respect that Configa can pull that off without forcing it down your throat. I don’t need to be shouted at, I need to be encouraged. Ya get me fam?
After listening to a few other releases by Configa Records (you can check our recent review of HaStyle’s Hair Cuts) and especially CBTS where they are even more evident, I’ve come to a few conclusions. The main conclusion being, you can most definitely without question hear the ‘old skool’ and golden age influences. Now when I say this I don’t mean those records that are so obsessed with ‘bringing hip-hop back’ that they rehash the past and go over the same tired cliches. I love me some old skool, but I don’t need to hear a cheap cover band do Melle Mel impressions for 12 songs. I want to hear how those artists and legends have impacted the music you’re now creating. There’s a lot of good artists who do this well, and Calm Before The Storm is a perfect example of how to incorporate all the new and interesting music of current, as well as not forgetting the roots of hip-hop, culturally, politically and musically. Which is why, throughout this whole album you won’t hear talk of bitches, bling and drugs. It’s straight progressive, fun and intelligent music by a bunch of MCs that were clearly having a good time when they made this.
I’m not gonna do a run down of the whole album because yo, it’s 20 tracks. Whatyawantfromme!? I’d say 3’s enough, ’cause 1’s luck, 2’s fluke and 3’s habit.
‘Come Over To My Place’ by Grey Matter is a track about trying to get the attention of someone niiiiice, and whilst the lyrical content could easily fall into some cheesy areas, Grey Matter manages to dodge the cheese cake with lines like “I’m fully grown and I ain’t tryin’ play games. And I ain’t gonna smack you up like Chris whatishisname?” Haha yes! Fuck you Chris Brown, tens point to Grey Matter.
You might have already heard ‘We On Fire’ ’cause the video’s still blowing up on YouTube, but for those of you who haven’t yet this is a classic track from Jaz Kahina. Killer content, killer flow and spitfire pace. If you spend all your time trying to catch up with her, you might miss the sharp verses she’s spitting.
“What the fuck’s going on with hip-hop son? Same bullshit. Talking about ‘shorty this’, or ‘in the club’ that. It’s like diamonds and chains and all that bullshit. Fuck that, it’s about this shit real”. That’s the intro for Nut Kaze’s ‘Same Bullshit’ and if you don’t like this track you’re an idiot son. Safe.
The best thing about this song is how fucking angry Nut Kaze is. He could easily be a roadman rapper, talking about real greasy shit but instead he’s telling you better stop being a radio rapper or he’ll kick your ass. In the nicest possible way of course.
I know I said only 3 tracks, but screw it I don’t care. ‘There Goes The Sunshine’ by Corporal Asskick and Rockaway Jah is so good. This right here is how you tell a good story, and use narrative to your benefit as a rapper. Take note. The samples are pretty tasty too.
So there you go kids, ‘Calm Before The Storm’ is how you write a record using influences of the past, every day life and make it all sound progressive and new.
To hear the album and get yourselves a copy have a go at some of the links below.
Recommended If You Like: Early Nas and Jay-Z (for real), BlestEnation, Pacewon, J-Roots, Jedi Mind Tricks. Stand Out Tracks: ‘We On Fire’, ‘There Goes The Sunshine’, ‘I Want You’, ‘Come Over To My Place’.
You may remember a few weeks ago we posted a couple tracks and an interview by 2 Dash Tone. Well now the man’s back with a full length EP to treat your ears with. It’s a released inspired by Dash’s favourite producer and hip-hop group, J. Dilla and The Roots. Those are some big boots to fill, and he could have quite easily have come off as a biter, or at least in over his head. Yet 2 Dash Tone makes it his own, and once again comes through with killer flow and well versed content that he’s demonstrated on earlier releases. Even though the EP is only 6 songs longs, with an extended interlude if the release was dead on the ground it have easily dragged on. This isn’t the case at all, and I found myself thinking ‘shiiiit where’s the rest’. The trick is to always leave you wanting more and not to out stay your welcome, and Dash manages to pull this off really well.
The instrumentation and production is of course as good as you’d expect, since this is a cover joint of sorts, filled with Dillah and Roots beats. I like the overall vibe of the EP, it’s smart, catchy and a generally positive release. If you fancy having a cheeky listen and getting the EP for the grand total of nada coins then hop over to the man’s bandcamp and check out for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Reccomended If You Like: J. Dillah, The Roots, Trek Life.
Innuendo ‘Off The Cuff EP’ is out now. This is a great release from the talented Liverpool two times Jump Off battle emcee. Go cop it, straight quality UK Hip-Hop music….
1. Made It Now Feat. Nicky Talent & Clarity
2. And Then She Was Gone
3. You Can Call Me Feat. Ro Jista
4. Reason To Live Feat. Clarity
5. I’m On Top
6. Where Is My Mind? Feat. Baileyz
7. The Cost Of Living Feat. Ro Jista & MR2G
Before I start this, I’d like to shout out Configaration Promotions who sent us this a long time ago. Thank-you Configa for showing us this, and we’re sorry it’s taken so long to get it up.
Now listen yeah? Really listen. I’m going to say a word right, and it’s going to sound a little silly, but I don’t want you to judge the album by the use of this word, because it’s a compliment. Thing is, you have to keep an open mind with this word because it’s a bit ‘dated’. It’s in the family of the word ‘funky’, but maybe a little bit more nonsensical. That word is ‘groovy’. Waaaa I know! Please don’t leave. Now what do I mean when I say groovy? For instance, you’d say that a 1970’s jazz double bass player was groovy yeah? That dude’s got soul, and is definitely one cool motherfucker right? Yeah that’s what I mean, and that’s exactly what I mean when I say that about ‘Hair Cuts’. It’s got a good groove, HaStyler has put a lot of soul into this album. The rhythm and general ‘groove’ of both the instrumental and vocal production is consistent and very memorable, and it was one of the first things that caught my attention when I first listened to it. Oh how I wish I had enough backbone to not use quotations marks every time I say that word.
I like the way the album sticks closely to a strong narrative. I can’t say I’ve ever listened to a record by a barber before, and it’s a very refreshing take on story telling. The lyrics and stories themselves are very sincere and honest, and I love how generally fun the album is. The latter is something we could all do with whether in the hip-hop world or any other musical genre; sometimes people forget we’re actually meant to be enjoying ourselves. HaStyle does this very well, whilst still retaining his legitimacy as a ridiculously talented MC, and not being a clown for the sake of appearing ‘quirky’. It’s very easy to tell when someone is just having a nice time in their mum’s garden, and when someone is trying far too hard to be funny.
Another thing I think you’ll notice immediately after listening to ‘Hair Cuts’, is that this is obviously a New York release. The dude couldn’t be from anywhere else. It’s as if you can imagine HaStyle walking to his barber shop, passing the graffiti bombed trains, over the city’s sidewalks, all whilst bumping some Dougie Fresh in his earphones. That’s another thing about this record, it’s not strictly grimy roadman NYC hip-hop. It’s more in the family of old school, well it’s at least a healthy mix of the current and the past. This style gives the record a good character, and sounds so much more realistic. Just imagine if Pacewon had a cousin that rapped, well that dude would be HaStyle.
So what’s my overall thoughts? This record could be a little underground classic in waiting, and if you feel like giving your ears and mind a nice little treat then I suggest you get you little mitts on it. (Also ten points for releasing a comic to accompany the album. I can’t wait for that. I’m sorry I didn’t go more in depth on that one, but you know I do tend to go off on tangents)
Recommended If You Like: Pacewon, Murs, Dougie Fresh, De La Soul. Stand-Out Tracks: Basement Barber, Black Hand Side, Funny Cats, The Insane Asylum.
The 2nd EP in The Lord Of The Real series. The Fellowship Of The Real is a collaboration EP featuring Cyclonious, Tabanacle & Cons and production from Evil Ed, Commerce, White Keys & Stealf.
hiphoplifeandtimes 