Wordplay Album of the Year Nominees

Yes yes it is that time of the year when the cream of the crop gets formally judged. Having been on another planet for the majority of 2016 it means there is special pleasure for me being able to jump in and out of a hefty batch of dope projects. Going to line them up all here with no bias part from to say a massive big up to my Ipswich homie Booda French and large ups to Truffle Barons for keeping everything lively as part of the extended Granville famalam. Sorry not to see Bennydiction's excellent "Button Up" LP on the list but what can you do!? Check out the official listing, artist info  and get your vote in ASAP at Wordplay.... in the meantime check some of the shortlisted music right here.

Eat Good 2015 Cypher, UK Music Industry Event Plus New Music Out of Washington DC from Gerreddi

Very pleased to hear that Birmingham city will be hosting an event to get the UK rap scene together to develop a more coherent industry. DJ Miss C Brown has put together a lively selection of videos from classic and new UK artists as a showcase for the event on 24th January. Hard to say exactly how a more cohesive scene could be made, especially as music seems increasingly to be seen as something that should be available for free, or at the very least at a much lower monetary value than yesteryear. How successful different approaches can be is up for debate, and especially in rap and hip hop there's inevitably lots of cliques and differences of styles and opinion going on; one set of 'like minds' do not always see eye to eye with another set so will be interesting to see if answers come out of this.....I know Malik from MD7 does a whole heap of work in this area so those attending will be in a privileged position to hear him.

Very fitting that this event is coming to Birmingham, as the ever heavy Brum collective Eat Good have just released this banging cypher featuring RedBeard, Kosyne, Gen Uchiha and representing good Ol' East Anglia new recruit Booda French. Check this out, then head to the Eat Good website for a prime example of a business model built from the ground up with a very clear focus on style and quality product.

Finally, back to the global Inbox and Washington native Gerreddi delivers a track pushing a positive frame of mind in the face of hate and the ills of society, with the "Black Lives Matter" featuring heavily in the video. Not entirely cohesive lyrically I reckon but it stands out from the generice bling trap music that continues to jam up the Vocalswords PO Box.

Clean Bandit featuring Lily Cole, Fat Gold Chain Live Hip Hop and new music from Booda French!

First up on this marvelous once in every four years day; Fat Gold Chain Presents Oliver Sudden, Jester Jacobs, Ruby Kid and Mister Fox in two hype shows this Spring, get both dates in the diary if you are even remotely near London town! More info and cool stuff at the FGC Facebook pages

I was very excited to hear about this short film recently shown on the UK's Channel Four TV station; a great video for Clean Bandit ft Lily Cole track 'UK Shanty'.....and of course long time Vocalswords/Fat Gold Chain affiliate the one and only Eliza Shaddad! I love this video, one of the most creative things I've seen in a long while, big ups to all involved!


Respect to international hip hop super blog 2dopeboyz for linking up this new gem from Booda French (pka Truth) links with Brown Bag Allstars. I've always been a fan of the mans flow, and here J57 provides the perfect soundscape to Booda's intricate, heart felt ode to his home. A must have go check it over at 2dopeboyz.

 If that lot isnt enough, look out for Smiler's 'All I know' free mixtape....was just wondering before I post it up properly if this is the same Smiler who has worked with Stylah before!? Answers to solocypher@gmail.com to win some random shit from my flat! Peace