Farewell 2012...What have we learnt? Skillz, Kendrick Lamar , Lefty and Styxmen

So 2012 is behind us now and as the first days of 13 ripple past we can look back having survived up till now the apocalypse and what looks to be a triple dip recession in the UK...our hatches seem pretty well battened down so bring it on. Last year was apparantly been a bit of a good one for hip hop here and abroad, and although work has kept me fairly well cocooned from it all albums from Ab Soul, the rise of Kendrick Lamar, seeing Hopsin and Crew smash live sets in London has kept alive my hopes of the US scene keeping it rugged and real, meanwhile the unstopable force of LeeN's London Lyracist Lounge has been supercharging the hiphop scene in London, while its been good to see Chima Anya getting some of the shine he deserves (hope you've already checked his masterpiece 'The Doctor's Note'), plus Bennydiction and the Punning Clan steadily making some big moves...all round it has all been pretty positive. Below I'm gonna throw down a few bits and pieces that either tie last year together or give a taste of what is to come in the Twenny One Trey..... Skillz Rap up of 2012...Not feeling the beat at all and as usual can't really catch a lot of the references as they are so US-Centric...however gotta show love as ever, and there are quite a few gems hidden in there...however more importantly eagerly awaiting the Mystro version Man of the year according to many and I couldn't agree more, I'm feeling Kendrick Lamar but seeing as the main exposure is given to him for moaning about bitches killing his vibes and drinking him getting vibes back again or not, I've been more interested in the heavyweight stuff like High Power...tell me this aint dope! Meanwhile back in London Lefty smacked me round the face with this visual feast of a video, with a tight flow and great stage presence at live shows with his crew the Legionarres he's putting in excellent work for hip hop. Plenty more where this came from too, find out yourself or watch this space. A load of Newness from the Christmas Stocking of Gmail has come through recently but I've had no internet at Vocalswords Towers so having to digitise live from the local library.....Thanks to everyone sending submissions for consideration, keep 'em coming to solocypher@gmail.com In the meantime..... Styxmen and Mogul have joined forces with Whitekey for this analysis on War 'Kachina Doll'...I'm really feeling the track but have a feeling the vocals need some sort of sound editing (or I just need to listen harder) either way good stuff, and I've left the link for all of Whitekey's stuff cause the dude has some absolute gems... https://soundcloud.com/rotten-forest

Bump Casts, Videos, and New tracks from Associated Minds, 7even Thirty, Oddisee, Dag Sav

The crew at Associated Minds have been exceptionally busy as ever, thier latest newsletter is packed with illness including Ralph Ripshit Lemonface's Album release and this excellent 'Bump Cast' featuring some of raps current hardest hitters such as Action Bronsen on a Metabeats production, Kendrick Lamar, Reks, Nas, Homeboy Sandman, EL-P and many more. Very tasty and packaged with some mind bending artwork    from Hopfences (check the eyeball above!). DagSav has released a free mixtape for ya to download, and judging by the flows on this video should be worth checking out here.

7even Thirty has had album track 'Nightmare' remixed by Oddisee and has put the track up for free download. To be honest its a bit to glitchy sounding for me but the lyrics are pretty interesting, check the Mello Music Group pages for more.

Havent really got to grips with Soundcloud yet but DMH certainly has; his solid Westcoast sounds has got gangs of people commenting on the tracks he's uploaded.....anyways all pretty rugged and 'Who takes the Blame' is pretty soulful with some thoughtful lines....though not much other information; go make up your own minds at Here. 

Hardcore Special.....Kaniva - Warrior Freestlye

Parental guidance advised; the following text and videos can be considered offensive Shiittt....My middle class politically correct side kicked in as I first listened to this new set of bars from Kuniva; horrible violent, misogynistic attack rap; but as the whole rap kicks in I just couldnt help wildin' out, as they say.  This is that real hardcore rugged rap shit, take it as you will :) Hmmmm something about the duality of man quote here.....
 Ab Soul Black Lip Bastard ft Fendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and J Rock come through equally hard on this Rocksmith track; and arguably with J Rock coming through with the strongest flow of all, you make up your minds