Scare the Normals, Endemic Emerald & Skanks and Marcus Juvann....Dope Fresh Rap Yo

"I can't take it, I'm loosing my childhood favourites, Bill Cosby a rapist & Hulk Hogan a racist"....too true and a sentiment I increasingly find myself relating too. This beautifully produced banger from Endemic Emerald, the seasoned UK heavyweight producer smashing it in NYC sets the scene perfectly for Skanks to deliver topical insights into the messed up world where the Black Lives Matter is increasingly heard but not necessarily addressed.



Bury St Edmund's is pinned definitively on the map by the Scare the Normals crew who present their second full length release "Creepy Brainfood" a very welcome blast of fresh air from the fens incorporating anti-establishment spit fire rhymes with hyped up instrumentals with the classic festival stomping elements of scratching and mind bending sound effects. Serious messages are nicely laced into the fabric of the hectic, feel good vibe while reminding us of perils of modern life; "Diet coke and fluoride giving me a tumor" Apologies but late Sunday eve and there are too many bangers to go in depth review wise on but if you want to mainline the goodness jump straight to "Brass Leaf" for a super smasher of a track.




Marcellus Juvann presents a nicely laid back projects kicking off with "Make my way" which has some lovely sax work intertwining with everyman struggle bars interspersed with some imaginative vignettes such as winning a stare out competition with Medusa. "Do the Right Thing" gives a good account of the dillemas faced in modern life and the percieved need to get the Fat Gold Chain and other shiney trinkets.

Bennydiction & Mnsr Frites - "Appetisers" Video

Feeling hungry? Slick video production outfit Idiot Village sets the scene producing a nice vid for this culinary banger served up with care in this collaboration from Punning Clan's Bennydiction and Granville Session's Mnsr Frites, trading bars over a smooth piano jam... follow the links in Vid for a download of the track and get up with all that Twitter info too; Tuck in!

Genesis Elijah Live, Jay Z "Open Letter" and Percy Filth New Banger ft Mylo Stone, Split Prophets & Serocee

Genesis Elijah brings his 'This is My Hustle' nationwide tour to London's 'Fat Gold Chain' an event not to be missed, especially due to the £100 open mic emcee competition that will be also taking place backed by an exciting new live band. More info from Fat Gold Chain FB Check out Genesis Elijah displaying why he is the 'Underground King' while you sign up, and if that wasn't enough check the GE Site for free goodness. Recent controversy piqued my interest as Jay Z's 'Open Letter' sent waves around the net. As hiphop is well known for its often dubious braggadocio, the fact that Jay Z has been welcomed at the White House makes Jigga's lines about chilling with Obama on the beach pretty poignant, if obviously false. His geopolitical views on China help put concerns in perspective, nice!

And finally, Brum Super Producer Percy Filth has been back at it and recruited Mylo Stone, Split Prophets and Serocee for an absolute bouncing riff led banger documenting the struggle alongside demonstrations in ill mic tearing, that classic UK sound. Buy it here.

Fat Gold Chain....Back around for the London posse!

https://www.facebook.com/events/294987000602697/

Benny Diction - Over Here

Filmed right in the heart of Vocalswords territory, the man making big moves as part of Punning Clan and Fat Gold Chain, Bennydiction teams up with incredible Aussie beatsmith Able for this party rocker 'Over Here' Benny as always comes mad clever with the lyrics so tune in closely!

The Book Theives "TBT/Lines"

Having had the pleasure of witnessing Legoman win the Fat Gold Chain title, and later watching them smash a live set it's great to see another video from these fellas...

Fat Gold Chain present The Dead Poets and The Book Thieves

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)

* * *

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.


* * *

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


PS Keep up with us better....Join on Facbook!!!

Fat Gold Chain Live, Beardyman feat Foreign Beggars plus OutKast, Goodie Mob and Cool Breeze

Gotta love DJ Dave and his superhuman editing skills on this video for "Oh!" by Beardyman featuring Foreign Beggars....this was a big collaboration check the lowdown from PromoNews.tv... ..!

"Cut-up face antics for the human beatbox maestro Beardyman and his mates Foreign Beggars for Oh! by Jimi Crayon – a very suitable idea for a bunch who are their own instruments, executed in exuberant fashion.

“I jumped at the chance to work with these guys as I’ve known about them for a long time and both Beardyman and Foreign Beggars are incredible at what they do,” says Jimi. “I knew all three guys would be up for giving a quirky and energetic performance and didn’t really want to detract to much from this. I wanted to mix and match their faces as I thought I could get some weird combos from the guys different looks and skin tones.”

Beardyman ft. Foreign Beggars
Oh!
Director: Jimi Crayon
Co Director: Paul Barulis
Producer: Adam Farley
Prod Co: LoveHate Productions
DoP: Martin Roach
Art Dir: Ciaran Beale
Editor: Dave Silver

It's that time again Londoners and remember we have the One Hundred Pound Open Mic Competition! Big Ups to DJ Dave on this one, Editor Don! Dont forget to sign up to Fat Gold Chain and the party crew!http://www.facebook.com/events/338031506240424/

and finally check out this lyrical tour de force out of the South a few years back.....

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

Fat Gold Chain present Mystro

Live once again from the heart of London, the Fat Gold Chain gang proudly present Mystro who will be performing a full live set this Friday 17th February. The night will also feature a sure to be slamming set from FGC Open Mic Champion Gambit Ace.....plus we will be running the open mic and of course the crew DJs will keep the place pumping. Check the promo video below, join the Facebook group and then relax and recap on the events of last year with Mys Diggy's 2011 rap up. Hip Hop lives in the UK!

Murs x Ski Beatz plus The Dark Sea Scrolls ft El Crisis and HKB Finn

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.

A Good Man? Great tune from Eliza Shaddad

It's great to see my home girl Eliza Shaddad starting to get a real buzz in the industry and congratulations to her on winning a Sony recording contract. I've just been checking her flashy new site (www.elizashaddad.com) and stumbled over this fantastic mini-movie or video short. On a car radio can be heard the incredible voice of Eliza on her song 'A Good Man; whilst a pretty disturbing but very well done drama unfolds. I have no other info on this work so am quite intrigued...anyway get checking!

Mr Average Shortfilm from Jesus Plaza on Vimeo.

Fat Gold Chain Riot clean up with Chima Anya and JHC

New! Silent Knight, Manifest, Chima Anya, Roach Giggs plus Classic Skinnyman

Rolling into my summer has been pretty great so far, finding some time to read, catch up on music and generally relax...however it cant last long as I try to get some of my own material up off the ground, sort out Fat Gold Chain and generally try scheming to keep my head above the financial waters, life is hectic even when on holiday. Silent Knight appears to be in the same situation, laying it down in this smooth banger....
Silent Knight 'Busy is My Best Friend'

Twitter is a wonderful thing and whilst retweeing some of my boy Chima Anya's endless quotables stumbled accross this rediculously real joint from an emcee out of Ghana, Manifest currently putting work in the big bad Bronx....
Manifest 'Suffer'


Another man known for his random global positioning is (the Doctor) Chima Anya who's most recent video must surely be one of the most expensive rap videos ever made.. believe the hype andcheck this out as he joins forces with Soweto Kinch and Mr Mann. There are rumours abound that Mr Mann has retired from rapping; please listen to his verse then go create a petition to bring him back!

The Vocalswords mailbox has been pretty rammo lately, and Roach Gigs has often turned up with a slew of releases...his style isnt normally my cup of tea but I couldnt hate on this record due to the lively tune and sheer fun Roach is having making the video. What Hip hop is all about.
Roach Gigs F A Chrous

And just to remind ourselves in the UK that we can also lock down a track deriding repeated phrases in rhymes....all about the Mud Fam man....
Skinnyman Fuck the Hook

Mister P 'The Unheard' EP Review

Mista P's 'The Unheard' is an intense project combining psychedelic spiritual reflections with a socio political commentary sadly lacking in the apparant mainstream of popular and hip hop music. The title track drops highly involved subject matter over a mellow, haunting instrumentals that has a sinister backdrop of a snare giving an ominous military tatoo.

Cardboard Culture drops on the hyper vibe that P is known for at his numerous live performances, a mighty swift head nodder of a track with a wild west feel complete with whirl wind sound effect, this ends far too quickly and the need for a re-up really draws you into the multifaceted mind of this emcee. His pessimistic conclusions and observations often leaves him "trapped in a hum drum oddessy" but he presents the journey with a great style.

Carousel puts P squarly into the grinding rat race of everyday life, again presented with a lyrical imagination that paints bleak pictures in such an intruiging way you need to hear more. As P says 'I aint scared to say my tastes highbrow'...and I'm glad it is because this is a thinking persons record. Recognise.

P's highly textures rhymes sometimes can cloud over the real points he presents, however this trait is absent in the banging 'Moments'. Sleepy Time Ghost lays down a hypnotic boom bap beat as Mista P gets straight into his natural cynicism via the chicane of "Surrounded by dumbfounded products of capital, astoundingly poor sounding views are rational" as he casually sticks "a middle digit to the names and the branding, alone in the dark a sweets Brandy, trying to block out the Bill Boards and Eye Candy. True that...

The EP raps up with an up beat cheery production featuring the dulcet tones of Punning Clan shaker and mover BennyDiction who's blackberry and apple metaphores must be heard to be appreciated. The cheeriness of the beat is interestingly juxtaposed with observations on anorexia, alcohol and the corruption of young minds; expect nothing less and ask for your hip hop with a damn brain!

Check the EP out now at Bandcamp by clicking the album art work above, and then come and get a copy from the man in person at Fat Gold Chain (Charlie Wrights Jazz Bar, Old Street, London) this Friday or Love Music Hate Racism Saturday at Brixton Jamm.

Fat Gold Chain present El Crisis & Thunder, Solocypher & Zeps

Fat Gold Chain presents Granville Sessions & Kal Sereousz

This Friday 17th June, Charlie Wrights Jazz Bar near Old Street Tube, London

Onyx, Sonny Jima and Soul Kahn goodness

Sonny Jim - The Psychonaut EP
The Birmingham spitter ramps up his output in anticipation of the Psychonaught LP (apparently only available in Australia) to present a selection of tracks he recorded whilst travelling down under. I'm a big fan of Sonny's highly complex and humour stuffed verses but for me enjoy his style best when he's in reflective mode, and Lotek's remix of his 'Mission Statement' at the end of this EP is my favourite joint. Its a good showcase for the other spitters from various corners of the globe; but go get it quick as I think it's only available till the end of the month....Get it Now


Hip hop accross the pond is still lurking around if you care to dive into the grimy underground. Vocalswords favourite Soul Khan recently shot a video (at last) for my personal favourite 'Soul Like Kahn' tune from his free to download album. I think a few people have used this sort of edit before but love the way it's done here.


Meanwhile at the grimier end of the spectrum its good to hear of Onyx making a bit of a comeback with their 'Classic Terror'....if your gonna do thug music, do that shit properly!

Chima Anya 'What Now'

The big man Chima is back with a very impressive video to the stomping track 'What Now'; something to meditate a little on for you all...

Fat Gold Chain presents Cappo....Don't Sleep People!