Joker Starr – Back On The Street / Rules Of The Game. All songs on MACKnificent produced by DJ IQ. Album also features rapper Kashmere The Iguana one half of the duo Strange U. MACKnificent was released 19th March 2015 on Flukebeat Music.
CZARFACE – Wu-Tang founding MC Inspectah Deck and veteran Boston duo 7L & Esoteric – isn’t concerned with the glitz and the B.S. that modern consumer culture is pushing. And neither are the group’s fans.
In 2013, the trio appeared relatively unassumingly with their self-titled debut, which was chiefly produced by DJ 7L and included guests ranging from Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna to Vinnie Paz, Action Bronson and Roc Marciano. The soon-to-be acclaimed group found out quickly that there was a groundswell of hip-hop fanatics thirsting for the lunchpail, lyrics-above-all-else rap they fell in love with in the ‘90s. Several pressings of the album on CD, 2-LP and even cassette later, they are back and ready to up the ante.
This time around the group is the same, but it’s fair to say that all three men have stepped up their game. “We knew how we felt about the last album, but weren’t sure how it would be received by listeners,” explains MC Esoteric. “But people really responded to it, even more than we had hoped. That gave us the confidence to really spread our wings and let loose on this one. The chemistry is even tighter this time around. We know exactly what lanes we are cruising in and what weight class we are fighting in for Round 2.”
Inspectah Deck adds, “Czarface is like the Danger Room for the X-Men, I can use all my weapons on there. When I’m in Wu-Tang, I have to come a certain way because we have a certain style of fan, when I’m here doing the Czarface projects, it allows me to actually be an MC, it allows me to actually just spit…I love that. I love when i can just spit freely and just be an MC.”
The fighting analogy – whether drawn from pugilism or ‘80s wrestling, both which figure into Every Hero Needs A Villain – is an apt one, considering the unrelenting lyrical attacks that Deck and Esoteric unleash on track after track, each trying to one-up the previous verse. Best of all, it is friendly camaraderie, based around a loose theme of renegade mutant MC talents running wild. DJ 7L explains, “All three of us are influenced by comics, sci-fi movies, TV, wrestling. Czarface encompasses all of that, and it helps with the visuals as well.”
On the production side, 7L shows yet again – as he did with the group’s debut – that he remains a formidable yet underappreciated musical force, constantly providing hard, funky and alternatingly ominous backdrops for the assembled MCs to use as lyrical luge paths.
If that wasn’t enough, it’s all iced with a ridiculously intricate and beefy 70-plus page, hardcover CD casebook with lyrics and extensive artwork by Gilberto Aguirre Mata (El Ultimo Codice) and L’amour Supreme, and with “Death & Abduction,” a comic written by Esoteric; and an explosive, comic-book-inspired cover by L’amour Supreme (Mishka NYC). The LP version also comes on Clear double vinyl, with a full-sized “Death & Abduction” comic.
Pre-order from iTunes here: http://radi.al/CZARFACE
*includes two bonus tracks not on CD or LP
Pre-order the Deluxe Bundle from GetOnDown.com here:
http://getondown.com/product.php?id=1…
*Bundle Includes-
-70+ page Hardcover Casebook CD, with cover art by L’Amour Supreme (Mishka NYC), full lyrics, and debut Czarface comic ‘Death & Abduction’
-2xLP on limited Red & Cyan colored vinyl (this colorway is only available at Get On Down, as part of this bundle), with full size ‘Death & Abduction’ comic book
-Limited edition Cassette featuring the full Vocal album plus the Instrumentals
-Czarface Sticker Sheet, with 12 stickers of art from L’Amour Supreme and Alfredo Rico-Dimas (only available at Get On Down, as part of this bundle)
-Limited t-shirt (only available at Get On Down, as part of this bundle)
‘Every Hero Needs A Villain’ Track List:
1 Don The Armor
2 Czartacus
3 Lumberjack Match
4 Nightcrawler feat. METHOD MAN
5 World Premier feat. LARGE PROFESSOR
6 The Great (Czar Guitar)
7 Red Alert
8 Junkyard Dogs feat. JUJU OF THE BEATNUTS
9 Sgt. Slaughter
10 When Gods Go Mad feat. GZA
11 Ka-Bang! feat. MF DOOM
12 Deadly Class feat. MEYHEM LAUREN
13 Escape From Czarkham Asylum
14 Sinister
15 Good Villains Go Last feat. RA THE RUGGED MAN
Breakin’ Convention Park Jam 2014, featuring Jeru The Damaja and Monie Love. Filmed for documentary in the making ‘What’s Real?’ – The Evolution of Hip Hop which features Dead Prez, Brother Ali, Chester P, Fliptrix, Immortal Technique, Jurassic 5 and many more!
Fallen hip hop legend Guru (Gangstarr) lives on threw this new record/video. Recruiting Gangstarr partner Big Shug, this song gives us one last listen to the greatness that was Guru. Directed by Myster DL (Wu, Cypress, Onyx, Sean Price, Cormega, MOP, Dj Premier etc) this video features new footage and old footage made to look like Guru is still with us rapping his parts. The proceeds from this song will go to Gurus son and the video features an intro from Gurus sister. Its always a great thing when legends can live on. This is for you and this is for hip hop culture.
Snippet #1 #1: RU1 FAM performance | Danny John Jules interview
#2: Young Ty, PowerLords, DJ Kuku, Niko Dey
In accordance with the celebrations that occurred across the globe, HIP HOP HONOURS UK in conjunction with Westway Presents hosted a ‘40yrs of HIP HOP CULTURE CELEBRATION’ on THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER 2014 at THE FLYOVER, Portobello, London W10.
This event was made up of solely live music & art performances, spanning 2 generations and all of the elements of Hip Hop Culture. Old-skool, mid-skool and new-wave artists has participated: DJs displaying the skillset of a turntablist, B-boys, poppers & lockers, rap performances, a live paint by graffiti artist. This display of the whole culture stood side by side with interviews from legends/elders, and the screening of the History of Hip Hop Culture.
This event was hosted by T J Chill (Zulu Nation), records were spun on the night by legendary hip hop DJ MK, DJ Kuku and DJ Harry Love with special appearances by previous awards honouree Rodney P. Other artists included, RU1 FAM, Young Ty, PowerLords, DJ Jam Fu, Traffik and B-Boy/ B-Girl open cypher. Plus, interviews from MCM (Caveman), Danny John Jules and from the performers.
The full coverage of the event highlights will be uploaded on their YouTube channel.
hiphoplifeandtimes 