Solocypher's Hip Hop Christmas Countdown 1979-2011 - Number 31 - Kurtis Blow 'The Breaks' (1980)

A wicked break to party to, Kurtis lays down some nice observational and party verses over this piano led track. Highly influential down the line!

Solocypher's Hip Hop Christmas Countdown 1979-2011 - Number 32 - Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight

Greetings from a cold south London flat people! The world is not looking too rosy from this window at the moment; but let's not dwell on the negative for now and think about the upcoming festive season! I thought a good way to celebrate is to honour some of our hero's; and as such I humbly present the 'Vocalswords Christmas Countdown'; a journey through hip hop time and space. Please check the Solocypher Facebook page to like or add any of your favourite hip hop tunes from a particular year to make it a community history of hip hop....what will be Christmas number one!? (Shit too much SiCo sorry) So, officially (by record book standards anyhow) Hip Hop began (or at least) reared its recorded voice first in 1979. In that year, really only one record can truly be said to have set in motion the events, songs and history that combined to create the movement so many of us hold so dear...controversies over lyrics (shoutout to Casanova Fly!) aside; this is the jump off.... I've embedded the full length version with no video here; sit back in your time machine and imagine your self in a whole different era and world........

J Live - The Authentic

Always a breath of fresh air to hear a new Ras Kass joint and this one is no exception; incisive gangsterisms rubb shoulders with jokes and political commentary in the singular style that keep Rassy fans fiending for more! Check the track here

Another jem dropped throught the mail the other day; Audible Doctor X Blacastan. Check this new dopeness!

Skyzoo & Torae Live in London 1 Off UK Date!

My man Chima Anya will be hosting not one but 2 New York City heavyweights; Torae and Skyzoo at a fantastic venue in South London; if you are remotely near the big smoke on Wednesday 13th December you need to get your self a ticket quick for this exclusive night of dope hip hop!

SKYZOO With his critically-acclaimed debut album “The Salvation,” Skyzoo was both Brooklyn’s narrator and curator. The album hit the Billboard Top 200 charts at No. 14, the fourth-highest position among new artists. Working with a cast of producers that included 9th Wonder, Just Blaze, Nottz, Black Milk, Best Kept Secret, and Illmind, he created a sonic successor to hip hop milestones “Reasonable Doubt,” “Ready to Die,” “Illmatic” and “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.” The lyrics are why Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg felt confident enough to put a lord of the underground among Nas, Andre Benjamin, Lil' Wayne, and Talib Kweli as the top lyricists alive. www.skyzoo718.com TORAE Torae gained recognition by collaborating with DJ Premier and Marco Polo. He and Marco Polo went on to receive critical acclaim for their collaborative LP entitled „Double Barrel“. With Cosigns from Hiphop Dx, 2DopeBoyz, Nah Right, Hot 97, XXL and a dope new album feat. production from DJ Premier and Pete Rock, if you are serious about Hiphop this is a man you need to catch up with. www.itstorae.com Chima Anya Chima Anya is a name familiar to anyone with a serious interest in Hip-hop in the UK. His debut mixtape came to national attention with support from Kiss, Choice, 1xtra and Radio 1, all while practising full time as a medical doctor. Having shared stages with legends such as Amp fiddler, KRS 1, Jay Electronica,Dead Prez and Pharaohe Monch it’s no surprise that when asked Chima states his greatest joy comes from performing. Always engaging, energetic and charismatic, Chima also fronts his own genre-leading 4 piece electronic / hip-hop outfit; a group that can only be described as a “must see". www.chimaanya.com + Special guests TBC

New Statik Selektah, B.I.G. Krit & Freddie Gibbs

Beats, rhymes, being dope and enjoying life; this is an ill track from some of the most exciting up and comers in the game...

Chima Anya - Closure

Big Props to Chima on this one; the hard hypnotic beat lays down the soundtrack to Chima's epic reflections on life. Filmed on a cold London autumnal morning; check out the cameo in the video lovingly shot by Fat Gold Chain renaissance man RP-1! And if you're feeling this make sure you check Chima alongside NY contemprary legends Skyzoo and Torae on 14th December for a one off UK show; more details Here

RIP Heavy D

Very sad unexpected news today; Heavy D has died aged just 44. A young death is a sad occurence in any circumstances, especially as Heavy D was one of the most positive, thoughfull and inspiring rappers of the 1990's. His presence will be sorely missed. RIP

New Solocypher, Jeff Spec, and Submit plus Classic Eat Good Hip Hop!

New Solocypher on production from DJ Nifty.....I recently hooked up with LeeN (NLT) to finally make a start on some proper productions and this is the result; was a very good feeling to get a recording done professionally so see what you reckon. Solocypher - What The Fuss by Solocypher Jeff Spec has produced a pretty immense sounding album 'Specnology'; I'm just listening through it bobbing my head to some wonderful horns at the moment so havent had a chance to form a full view of the album as a whole; but its going to be a pleasure checking it out! Jeff says of the project "Over the past 10 months, I've been working on a record that I truly believe is my best yet (I know that's the standard thing to say, but I won't release a record unless I feel it tops my last). The album, called "Specnology", is up on Bandcamp now for preview/purchase. Go check it here. Eat Good have been doing some outstanding work with many of the dopest heads in UK; I believe there is a Sonny Jim/Foreign Beggars collab in the not too distance future. In the meantime I've gone back to 2009 to re-check this dope posse cut 'Planet Rasco' ; in particular check out the rediculous verse from my boy Truth, always reppin the East!!

Submit - Victory Lap....pretty excellent track; haven't heard much stuff doper stuff than this recently! Soon to have his Mixtape dropping, this track is a thank you to fans after winning a hypetrak.com competition; Get involved...... SUBMiT-Victory Lap by Bombay Knox