What a piece of advice! And what a stormer of an EP...classic raps, introspective soul bearing dopeness and beats that absolutely smash it, this is an evocotive piece of work crafted with a depth of soul, acoustic finesse and lyrical accomplishment that makes it a definite to check and download for repeated listening.....a lot of instrumentals on the end of the jams which is great for you aspiring rappers out there to get up and rhyme to your reflection in the window!
I probably need to write in shorter sentences. So check it...
Nottingham's finest Scorzayzee is back on the mic with this up beat positive banger.....gotta couple lines of poetry? Share it! Good call Scorz.....
What you mean you never heard of Cullowhee!? Scottie Flippen holds it down for his North Carolina ends with a beat made by cartoon villain sounding Mike Machete.
Shouts to Itch FM DJ's Schroff and Primvte for playing this 'I'm from a Place track on their Rap Nation Radio show.I really aint been feeling the radio repitition of German Whip so it's good to hear a little sumpthin' more thoughtfull.....
Up and coming artist Russo hailing from Brixton, just down the road from Vocalswords Towers has enlisted the legendary Rodney P to give her track that authentic taste....I'm liking the track, vocals sound great and there are some great shots of Londoners in the video. Was hoping for maybe a full 16 bars from the Riddim Killah but heh we can't always have our cake to yam....Good luck to Russo though, coming on point.
After April's event which saw Jester Jacobs and the Ruby Kid tear it down, FGC welcome to the stage two duos making ripples in the UK scene right now:
THE DEAD POETS (Mark Grist & MC Mixy) THE BOOK THIEVES (Legoman & Ol-E Mac) OPEN MIC CIPHER FAT GOLD CHAIN DJs
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THE DEAD POETS
Mark Grist and MC Mixy are the Peterborough based writers and performers known together as ‘Dead Poets.’ Since forming in 2008, they have been challenging the preconceptions of poetry and hiphop across the country. As ‘Dead Poets,’ they have performed in venues ranging from nightclubs to secondary schools; from festivals to formal dinners. They appeared on Radio 6 Live with Steve Merchant and have recently been on a National tour with Phrased and Confused. Both performers have been active on the Don't Flop battle circuit, including the milestone Mark Grist vs. Blizzard clash here:
"Both your flows are impeccable." (Stephen Merchant on the Dead Poets)
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THE BOOK THIEVES
Legoman and Ol-e Mac have both been on the Oxford scene for a long time and releasing solo and collab material. They decided to form the Book Thieves at the end of 2011 and have since released their first EP 'In Spite of Everything' that was well received and promoted by Wordplay Mag. It included the track 'Please Don't' for which they did their first video. The second video 'Beauty' has now been dropped as an introduction to the next EP 'Why Do We Do This Everyday?' which will be coming this summer. In other work, they have done tracks with Cappo and Split Prophets... Legoman also won the 'Chain at March's FGC open mic cipher.
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FGC's OPEN MIC CIPHER
If you think you've got the skill to go all the way into the final and flex your lyrical muscle alongside FGC's finest, all you have to do is sign up on the night. It is advised that you put your name down EARLY to avoid disappointment. The winner takes home a bottle of JD.
...and, of course, the FGC resident DJs (DJ DAVE, TACTICK, CHIMA ANYA, RP-1, OPTAMYSTIK) will be out in full force, making sure the party stays live 'til well in to the wee early hours of the morning. Expect to hear HIP HOP from across the globe, Funk, Soul, Glitch Hop, Beats, Ghetto Funk, Bass, UK Funky, Dubstep and DNB - basically dope party music from an eclectic range of genres....music is music yo!
All this for a mere £3 as well. See ya there - Charlie Wrights International, Pitfield Street, London - Nearest Tube Old Street
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 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
For all the Independent Artists doing thier thing this is a heavy weight rallying call, check it out.....
And if that gets you in the mood for some authentic artistry, make sure you check this new night if you are out and about in London; having had the pleasure of witnessing the host El Crisis at one of our recent Fat Gold Chain events and his spoken word forthcoming events 'The Dark Sea Scrolls' are destined to be pretty special, especially as UK hip hop legend HKB Finn (previously Huntkillbury) is one major name amongst some serious poetical and lyrical talent.
Yes yes y'all its that time of the month again and a triple whammy of fresh hip hop is headed to Charlie Wrights (nr Old St Tube, London) this friday...make sure you get down to enjoy the vibes of the Punning Clan, HLI and Mister P and open mic hosted by me :)for more info check the Facebook Event ... in the meantime check the amazing HLI video for 'Vectors' hot off the press...I was lucky enough to join the crew on set and its definitely come out a treat; graf heads should especially dig the timelapse recorded piece being thrown up by another writing legend...heat!
Meanwhile Sonnyjim has been busy (when is he not?) working alongside the P.L.O to spit on a heavy guitar led track. The press release said it had Mudmowth on the track also, but I must have developed myopia; answers on a postcard to solocypher@gmail.com if you spot him please. The track has also been remixed Stateside with Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca and Curly Castro rocking the Mic in the style of the classic Smooth Da Hustla and Trigga Da Gambla's 'Broken Language' joint. The link to the remix is below Sonny's Joint, but I thought what the hell lets revisit the original as well...Enjoy!
Egg on my face right now as I have to apologise for fronting on DEL's mixtape a couple of years back, mainly as the download I had I couldnt work out so didnt listen to the effort properly, shame on me! Anyway the dudes at Big Dada did do their job properly and the boy from my hometown Ipswich is making some heavy moves with some inspired videos and very interesting rhymes of a sort of style the scene has been missing for a while....if you haven't already, check the video below then go youtube more tracks taken from forthcoming 'GOB' album....The London release party is at Hoxton Bar & Grill this Thursday, for more info check out the info Here. Word.
In preperation for the next installment of 'Fat Gold Chain' our homies at Raw Blue Cheese present...Chima Anya's Hip Hop Moment...check it out!
Catch Chima this Saturday alongside myself Solocypher tearing down mics and basically bringing the freshest live hip hop to London @The Cavendish Arms near Stockwell....check flyer below for more info!
In other news, just heard the legendary mic ripper Canibus is set to rock a set here in London towards the end of October. As one of my all time favourite emcees and massive source of inspiration I thought it only right to share a track from his new 'C of Tranquility' Album he's out here to promote....enjoy, and if you want more just youtube that shit, some excellent return to form dopeness, plus a raw Eminem diss you may not of heard before... Canibus Lunar Deluge
And if you still want more heavy bars!? Ok....
Check this new Sonny Jim banger with his classic punchlaced bars produced by the big savvy badman Asaviour... http://www.sendspace.com/file/3v9l92 Yeah thats what you wanted innit! Peace to 2 UK Legends! And finally, to switch it up to rep the ladies to the fullest degree check the latest offering resulting from stumbling around You Tube to find dope shit!...
After smashing the set supporting the incredible Brother Ali at Cargo last week, Chima's hustle is reaching hectic levels in anticipation of the 'New Day' Album release on April 9th at Barfly, Camden. Check the trailer for the video of the heavy heavy heavy track 'Death'and if you can pass it around, the full video will be released when 1,000 views on Youtube are clocked!
Can't leave a post with just a trailer so tuck into this slice of niceness from the forthcoming 'Wu Massacre' Project with Meth, Rae and Ghost...collector edition artworks to boot, out 30th March...
And Finally...for all you hip hop goers or old school Brum heads who remember Fat Gold Chain...there may soon be a resurgence of the heaviest live organic hip hop nights in London...Join the Facebook Group to get involved! Peace
Real talk from Cyclonious on this heavy release from forthcoming debut album...the post code beef thing is having serious consequences not only in London but across Britain's cities and this track brings a timely call for unity, and looks towards a positive future...plus the track bangs, the bass is rediculous and Cyclonious spits with the confidence of a real serious talent. Check www.myspace.com/cyclonious for more info, plus support the movement and get a Whats a Postcode? Tee. Single out on itunes 27th Feb.
If you fancy an interesting read, or know someone from the younger generation interested in hip hop/rap this is worth checking out. Written in a fairly basic style to appeal to younger readers, it is nevertheless a compelling tale of 3 dissaffected London youths who decide to form a hip hop group, and charts their turbulent rise to fame and notoriety. Zephaniah has cleverly weaved his tale amid a social backdrop of a London filled with rebellious gangs, but unlike tabloid images he creates realistic characters whose moral indescretions are depicted in a realistic and thought provoking manner. A couple of references and innacuracies to rap/hip hop culture were a bit wince inducing but should not put readers off taking the work seriously and reflecting on it as a representation of elements of black and urban youth experience.
Teaming up with DJ Nifty this second LP combines outer space beats with tales of the city and lyrical chicanery
Solocypher - Citizen Framed Download
Debut 2003 album features Chima Anya, Kid Anime, Serious, Concept, Eliza and Kaf. Includes smash hits "Selly Oak" "One Love one Life" and "This is what happens (when you don't stay sane) Email solocypher@gmail.com for a proper version!
Change Through The Rhyme
Check Solocypher trading international bars with Scholarman over heavy D'Logic beat
