Let’s start this year as we mean to go on shall we? So what a better way than to get your little mitts on some free music. J Dunn is forever supplying us with new music, videos and artists; sometimes too much for just 3 dudes to keep track of. Dunn Deal is produced and mixed by New Orleanian producer/deejay Quickie Mart who recently released Space Monkey Radio, an EP of artist-approved QM dubstep remixes of songs by Freddie Gibbs, Slightly Stoopid. This a culmination of three year’s worth of the best tracks taken from previous projects, get yo ears checked!
Your New Year’s Eve any good? Go clubbing and get charged 20 quid to get in, then another 15 for a drink? Or d’you take the easy option and find yourself a nice house party to situate your drunk ass? Or perhaps you thought the world was going to end, so you hurried on down to your local Scientologist temple and prayed to the mighty Bing Bong or whoever Tom Cruise gives all this money to?
Either way let’s start the year off with some legit hip-hop in the form of the truly awesome Leddie & Smoggy. A North England hip-hop duo that makes music you wish you could. We caught up with half of the group, Leddie and asked her slightly silly questions to which she happily answered.
Basics out the way first! Who are you and what are your roles and how did you first get in hip-hop?
We’re “Leddie & Smoggy” (L&S). Leddie is a female Hip Hop artist and beat maker, and Smoggy is a male Hip Hop artist.
How did you two first come together to become the mighty Leddie and Smoggy?
We met in college in 2005, and we were both in a 5/6 piece Hip Hop group for about 2 years before we became L&S. The group started breaking apart due to other members situations, or attitudes, and eventually there was only 4 of us left. I was invited to join The Peoples’ Army, and was put down to support Chester P, Logic and Lowkey at the launch party 3 months later, so I asked Smog if he’d join me. After we came back me and Smoggy decided to go our own way, as we shared the same views, ideas and ambitions. It was hard after doing so much within the group, but it was definitely worth it and I’m grateful for the opportunities I had previous to L&S.
Can you tell us a little something, something about The People’s Army? Jimmy Jitsu’s in it? Tell that dude I’m a fangirl.
Yeah Jimmy is in it. He’s developed so much in the past year, it’s incredible. The Peoples’ Army is a collective of people (Artists, producers, Djs, bloggers, radio hosts, camera men/women etc) who want the same thing. Our overall aim is to show and ‘educate’ with our music, raising social awareness and speaking on subjects which are usually left untouched. We hope to free trapped and unconscious minds and remind people Hip Hop is bigger than the ‘swag’ era of material objects and money you’re fed on TV, radios etc.
As always the underground and original roots of any genre is always better and more self-aware when compared to the watered down radio friendly stuff that gets pumped by majors. In keeping with that fact, you guys are pretty socially and politically astute. Was it intentional or did it just come naturally for you guys to write this way?
It wasn’t intentional at all. In the group we used to write a lot of punch line bars but when it became just me and smoggy we developed ideas and concepts we’re both interested in and we’d like to speak about. As opposed to what other people would necessarily want to hear. We used to label our music ‘political’ and ‘conscious’ because that’s how other people used to describe it …Technically, everything is politics (From the clothes we wear, food we eat etc) so it seemed derogatory. We just make Hip-Hop music.
What’s been going with your game this year, and what are you plans for 2012 providing the world doesn’t explode?
This year we’ve done a few gigs, not many though as we’ve been more focused on writing and getting our material ready for next year …For 2012, our plans are to finish writing and recording and to release our EP and our debut album. We hope to get a few decent collabs and gigs in the pipeline as well as video releases and our website up and running. Then I guess we’ll go from there…
Biggest influences and dudes that you’re currently getting excited about?
Logic’s new album (True Talk) as always. Genesis Elijah too, his old material was sick (Deh Pon Road, Industrial revolution) and his newer material is getting even better. He puts so much truth and heart into his music, and he inspires me so much …I’m definitely looking forward to his next project. I’m excited about Illmaculate’s new project (Skrill talk) because he also writes sick songs aswell as being one of the greatest battle emcees to exist, ever. To be honest, we draw influences from everywhere or atleast try to. If you aren’t inspired somewhere in the life that you’re living, then ther’es something wrong. I love comedy, myself. Comedians like George Carlin, Ricky Gervais, Russell Brand etc because they touch upon subjects we can relate to, whether it’s the ‘political’ aspects of life or simple things. I like to remain balanced. I love to laugh and joke etc and use my music to speak on things I don’t necessarily speak about usually, so inspiration is always high.
Tell us something that isn’t a commonly known fact about Leddie and Smoggy?
Ermmmm …If neither of us had bad luck then we really wouldn’t have any kind of luck at all …Seriously. Luckily, we can shrug it off and keep going.
Who would be your ideal collab?
To be honest, I’ve never really thought about one ideal collab. We’re hoping after the EP and Album there’ll be plenty of collabs with other likeminded artists.
How’s you hometown scene going? Recently there seems to be a massive surge from Northen heads up there.
The hometown scene? …There really isn’t one. There’s people who like UK Hip-Hop etc but they don’t make the effort to go to nights with the acts they like performing. We’re hoping to set up a local night with a few more Middlesbrough artists early next year. There are a lot of sick rappers from Newcastle (I’m assuming the surge is from there!) Suus, Rick Fury, Skrufz, Text Offenders …In fact there’s a North East Hip-Hop documentary “Hip Hop is Dead” (Filmed by Nick Light) that you can watch here; http://vimeo.com/15896666 (British rappers rapping yankee get no love.)
So what’s the reason for your lack in south England touring eh?
Haha, EP and album prep. There’s nothing worse than going to see an artist that doesn’t really like their own material anymore, because to them it’s outdated. We’ll be down there 2012 …That’s a promise!! (If anyone wants to book us for shows, get in touch with us at LeddieAndSmoggy@Hotmail.co.uk)
Shout-outs?
Ahhhh, The section where everyone unintentionally misses people out …Smoggy (My Partner in Rhyme) Jister, Ts17Projekt, Reece, Yosh (#AntiSwagAssembly) …Everyone involved with The Peoples’ Army, and last but not least, the people who support by spreading the word, liking, sharing, downloading, buying and showing up to gigs.
”UP & ON IT” (The Mixtape) Featuring Two of Radio Cardiff’s ‘Home-Grown Records Of The Week’ !!!
”The fresh prince of Wales’ urban scene.” – HypeOnTV ”Watch out for Dretonio this year and 2012.” – Ujima Radio (Bristol) ”Talented and versatile artist unheard and about to blow.” – Radio Cardiff 98.7FM ”Dretonio seems to be taking England by storm.” – M.I.L.E. magazine
1.Moment 4 Life (Remix)
2.Designer Diva ft Enemy & Yogiwan
3.Otis Freestyle
4.Dretonio & Enemy – Seduction (Remix)
5.Lonely Ft OD
6.Lost But Found
7.6Foot 7Foot freestyle
8.Neva Soft-Freestyle Dretonio
9.Dretonio – Miss Pretty Lady (Sinclair Mix)
10.FrenchKiss Ft Aleighcia Scott
11.Reppin your hood (UK) Ft B Hype, Dee Shae, DJ 10sion, Supa Darkaz and Reggie aka R.P
12.Rihanna – Whats My Name Ft Dretonio(Remix)
13.Dretonio VS JJ Sneed – Stars
14.Miss Pretty Lady – (Dee-Tech Mix)
15.No More Riots Ft Dretonio, Vanity J, Caspa, Antizzle(Flow Dem)
16.Christmas Love (Xmas Bouns)
17.Dretonio – Christmas Love (Music Video)
Dretonio ‘UP & ON IT’ (The Mixtape) Blaqbone Records. Available Dec. 23rd 2011
This is a FREE download dedicated to the fans. Please share all over your social media.
FREE Download: Dretonio – Up & On It : http://tiny.cc/d52i4
Here’s the new mixtape from LATE and his reality rap blog Straight Realism. Great collection of USA rap as well as a few new LATE tracks produced by our boy Tricksta.
01 – LATE – Intro
02 – LATE Feat. B-Cide – All City Hustlin
03 – Big Mike – The Code
04 – Gonja – All Black
05 – Lil Tec – We Grind Really Really
06 – 40oz T.A.T Feat KB & Icey Hott – Still Military Minded
07 – Wreckin Yard – See How A Playa Do
08 – LATE Feat Jabba Tha Kut – Enter The Sector
09 – Gonja Feat. G-Stak – Get Duct Taped
10 – K-J and Kontak – Gettin Chips
11 – Calico – Hook This Cold
12 – Murder One Feat. Father Time – Coke N Yac
13 – Big Gerb, Rasheed, A-1, Chozin – Never Felt This Way About Hustlin
14 – EC- 2 Blessed 2 Be Stressed
15 – Thugstar – Floss Thru The Hood
16 – Sniper – Exposed To Reality
17 – Suny Red – On My Grind
18 – Big Gerb & Spiktakula – Hard Times In The City
19 – LATE Feat. Syndrome – So Mint
20 – LATE – Outro
Check this documentary featuring UK rapper Big Dutty Deeze. It was shot over 3 days recording his new album ‘ The English Gentelman’ produced entirely by dope Chicago producer Rediculus. The album will be released on Rediculus’ label Knowledge Giving Birth Records and distributed by Def Jam/Island.
Here’s the latest video from one of our favourite emcees Ruthless.
In this video Ruthless goes in over the Red Skull beat made famous by Lowkey with the track ‘Obama Nation’. Ruthless’ version ‘Abomination’ will feature on his upcoming mixtape release ‘The Archaeology Takeover’ featuring Red Skulls beats.
More goodness from UK Mixtape giants UK Runnings. You gotta take your hat off to Tricksta never sleeps, not even at Christmas. All good too with this super sick mixtape… all ya favourite names as well as a few UK Runnings debuts for a few acts we didnt know about.
UK Runnings Presents Urban Kaos (Hosted by Tricksta)
01 – AC – Carnage
02 – Danny Bones – Flip Dub
03 – 40DUBst – Scary Movie
04 – Skilf Feat. Genesis Elijah & Grit Grammar – Fire-Starter
05 – Big Dutty Deeze – Dead Or Alive
06 – Ragz Sweet Jones & Tony Mahony – Shark Fin Soup
07 – K9 – Warn-A-Brotha
08 – LATE – H.U.S.T.L.E.R
09 – Stealth MC – Astra, Golf Or Audi
10 – Supar Novar Feat. Terra Slim – No Games
11 – S Kalibre & Soul Theory – Blaww
12 – B-iLLA – Home Sweet Home
13 – Skillit Feat Homeboy Sandman & Iron Braydz – Don’t Doubt
14 – DJ Roast & Phoenix Da Icefire Feat Cyrus Malachi – Walking With Angels
15 – Just P (Big PSG) – My Dedication
16 – Uncle Bungle – Steel City Titans
17 – Dillahman – Do It Properly
18 – Mr. 13 Feat. Kal Sereousz & Major (MKD) – Hold It Down
19 – Ruthless – Me, Myself And I
20 – Prose – The Mic Might Bust
21 – Diggy Don Walshie – Strictly Underground
22 – Suss Feat. Bigfoot & Joey G-Zus – Wonder
23 – Xidus Pain – Game Genie
24 – Brinkworth aka Double E – Signs
25 – No Money Records Present Karizma, AP The Anonymous Prophet, Nicky Tarus & JC – How I Feel
Video for Terra Slims track ‘Looking For Trouble’ Produced by Dead Man Walkn. The track is taken from Terra’s album ‘Evil Is The Route Of All Money’ available on road NOW! The video is by FLIP Life TV.
Who would be your ideal collab?
