J.Cole - Cole World the Sideline Story Album Preview

An awful lot of hype is surrounding J Cole at the moment, and having been impressed by a few of the tracks I had already heard from him, it was a great pleasure to attend a listening party of his debut album, apparently produced by No ID and released very soon (cant find an official date at the moment) here are the initial Vocalswords impressions..... The album intro eases in gently with some general random chat, which seems unassuming but swiftly an ominous piano leads into the massive sounds of 'Dollar and a Dream', a classic cinematic, riding out beat with a fantastic arrangement provide a great platform for Cole to set out his stall. "Walk with a n--- pain, quick fix, everyone broke" this is an ode to coming up through hard knocks in the game of life and music. It's good to hear a humble note that runs through the album with "Never knowing riches, he's known broke, jeans low with a mean flow" This album opener is pretty swaggertastic but works pretty well. The tempo remains quite upbeat but "Can't Get Enough" featuring Trey Songz is a fairly standard bump and grind led tune that will probably be favoured by many people, unfortunately not me....while I like the amusing swagger and tongue in cheek class of In the Morning with Drake, later in the album, I will probably skip this track on the album; for some reason the phrase 'Beat the Pussy Up' jars a sour note in my mind. Luckily for me a real treat from this album comes up next. Fans of Cole will already be well aware of this track but on listening again the clever song set up and magnificent delivery of 'Lights Please' is a sure fire reason to get this album. Documenting the fine line between discussing social issues and getting more intimate there is something intangible about this track that makes it a classic....playing it to my flatmate he was very impressed by how such a simple set up can sound so good. Sideline Story appears at the heart of the album and is a statement of intent that showcases J Cole's rhyming ability and honesty over a resounding boom bap beat highlighted with a nice piano tinkle; highlighting how it "fucks up a white man's head when they see I got manners". I didnt quite catch the full version of the hook, but again this track will be another good reason for grabbing the album. Unfortunately the out of place electronica and disjointed, unnecessary ostentationess of Jay Z and by default Cole on 'Mr Nice Watch' knocked the so far smoothly running album out of kilter slightly. The pace remains high with Cole World and some heavy 808 drums inject some energy as Cole flips some pretty nice verses of a generally self congratulating tone. 'In the Morning' is, as mentioned earlier, a great tune so take a break if you need and appreciate the humour and production value of the song. Got to love the girls singing along to the chorus. "Lost Ones" brings a well placed slice of maturity to the proceedings over a classic beat that allows the lyrics to shine; some deep refleections on the responsibilities of parenthood taken as a conversation between partners. Cole switches his delivery to narrate the female's point of view and the vicious lyrics and delivery sound like a slap in the face. The track ends with a heavy soulfull hook, mashing up generic song arrangements and providing another example of the diversity and talent of the artist. "Nobody's Perfec"t (ft Missy Elliot) is a fantastic tune that see's Missy in excellent form displaying an amazing voice that to be honest I hadnt really appreciated before. This fairly slow headnodder has some really nice guitar licks and fits in perfectly to the running order. "Never Told" has a spacy, soundshifting type beat with some random word play that appears to be aimed at a girl. Although it sounds quite odd its a fairly short track and seems to work well as a slightly offbeat musical interlude before the final installment of the album. "Rise and Shine" is a highly optimistic tune where Cole documents some of his journey on the rise up to achieving the position he is in now. His workman like attitude and persona gives him an affability that helps this track sound very genuine, and is genuinely a positive and entertaining track. "God's Gift" Has a gaellic sounding, haunting introduction which is soon accompanied by some hard drums creating a very nice soundscape. Cole comes over pretty hard on this one but again, a single listen does not do it justice and I will have to check this one out in more depth. "Breakdown" is a very interesting, soulfull sounding tune with some fantastic instrumentation with Cole in his finest form, waxing lyrical about the temptations that lurk in clubs, stresses and strains of family life on mothers and various social issues and problems. I really need to relisten to this track but it sounded a super dope slice of soulfull music that really establishes the potential of hip hop can be; for me this is J Cole's real superstar track. The album moves finishes up with "Workout" and my first impression was.....really? Another unfortunate sore thumb, but I imagine it will get spins as a radio friendly hit for the ladies. General generic pimp fodder about hollering at big ol chains in a range shaking them thangs. As a tea drinking british gent it doesnt really float my boat but I imagine when Im dandying around the west end and this comes on I probably wont mind gyrating against some nubile young thing while this is playing. Still think it is a bit of a shame as it it slightly tarnishes what is otherwise a pretty genuine heart felt album. So in summary, despite a few blunders this album hangs together extrodinarily well; the music is incredible and Cole delivers an album that bares an awful lot of soul whilst giving him credibility as an authentic lyricst, story teller and showman. This is the sort of album that has long been needed and should put a shot of adrenaline into both hip hop and contemporary music. It would be nice to hear some more lyrical schemes edging more into a political or economic commentary but that's a personal bias of mine, but I am hopeful that as J Cole becomes more comfortable in his role he will be able to expand the scope of his work, and lead the way for a concious, music loving approach to beats and rhymes.

Truth Vs Tony D - Cold City Battles hosted by Charlie Sloth

Loving this battle some great lines, and both emcees coming with a bit more comedy and intelligence than is sometimes seen! Vote at the end for the winner

Unbridled Land Grabbing Greed! Plus new Statik Selektah ft Big K.R.I.T & Freddie Gibbs

A pretty slick preview of a larger campaign from Oxfam's GROW campaign; a project to try and make sure the world has enough to eat. Pretty powerful stuff already.

Statik Selektah always packs a smooth hip hop punch with his consumate production and his new single featuring Big K.R.I.T and the hard-as-fuck-but-mad-intelligent Freddie Gibbs lay it down nicely. Check the new single taken from new album 'Population Control' here

Juice Aleem, Fat Gold Chain, Antidote plus Carpetface & Audio1

Yes yes Yall Live hip hop is repping as Fat Gold Chain present Juice Aleem plus the return of funky rap battles! Emcees and rap Junkies get down to Charlie Wrights this Friday! Email solocypher@gmail.com for more info or join us on Facebook (link on the right) In other rap news..... People here in the UK have had a while to reflect on the recent riots that broke out accross the capital, and Carpetface & Audible 1 have decided on the drastic but fun filled measure of just packing it in and head to the beach instead. A pretty good idea and if the convoy is going to be pumping this thumping tune (and its dopealicious dubstep remix) I might have to get in the missus's jalopy and join 'em...enjoy! Time To Get Out (escape from the riot) - new single from CARPETFACE & AUDIBLE1 by CARPETFACE & AUDIBLE1 Slightly less sunny but definitely representing the British sound is boom bap heavy weight Antidote's latest project alongside the always ill Pro P 'Antidote - Mass Hypnosis. This free to download album is chockfull of emcees spitting from experience in a Mancunian land filled with alcholic, drug fuelled geezers and slags where tea is drunk mainly as a cure to the disgusting hangovers and memories of truly messy nights...the sort of mess most can relate to on a "Friday Night". The track "Termination" with Assa and Deadline is a rediculous highlight with lightning speed sick flows over a redicullous headnodder from Pro P. The whole project is full of gems; I need to spend a while more zoning out to this but hopefully you get the idea; real life from quality artists this is UK hip hop still grinding.

Go get your down load on now for some quality......Bandcamp Goodness

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.

Esinchill - Daddy Was A Sailorman

Great piece of chilled hip hop with a very nice sentimental feel representing good family. Lovely sounds from Jake One and a smooth video shot by Casual...

Muneshine & Vinyl Frontiers - Easy Does It

Check one of the most fun looking hip hop videos I've seen in a while! Need cheering up on this gloomy rainy supposedly summer London day! Get your super villain on!

Fat Gold Chain Riot clean up with Chima Anya and JHC

Solocypher - Life Worth (Call for sanity in London, stop the riots and looting)

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

New joints! Talib Kwali, Tone Deff, Large Pro, Neek the Exotic, Sonny Jim

Talib Kwali - Mr International


Sonny Jim & Sleaze


Large Pro & Neek the Exotic


Tone Def & DJ JS-1

Fat Gold Chain presents Granville Sessions & Kal Sereousz

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

Freedom for Palestine - One World

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!

Fat Gold Chain Live...Punning Clan, Mister P plus HLI and Sonny Jim goodness

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!



Now Check the American Language Remix Here!

But dies it hold up to this!?

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...

F-T - Deep Times

F-T is a name to be reckoned with. Producing and rhyming on this incredible track, its a deep song that deserves heavy rotation. I say no more; check it...

Rock the DELS!

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.

AKS, Cunninglinguists, Baron Samedi...Read this Now!

Sunday's a good day to discover South London's Aks, as today I've been engrossed in his EP 'The Bus Stop'; engaging in a lot of topics with energy, honesty and well formed perspectives over great production this cat is going places...although TfL might be dictating the speed just at the moment, Aks depiction of place and mind set is refreshing but holds down a lyrical swagger that should see him up there with the big names...'House Called Home' is for me the heaviest cut and according to the man himself one of his favourite songs he's ever written; great to hear this sort of energy in the game. At the moment this gem is available for free DL but you only have around 5 hours left to get it! Dont Sleep People! http://thebusstopep.com/

AKS - The Bus Stop EP
Some more dopeness, feeling the vibe of this one....
Cunninglinguists

and Finally we cant leave you without sharing this to the minute Banger celbrating and possibly bettering the antics of your favourite Hot Shots actor....
Baron Samedi 'Team Winning'....

Sonny Jim - Purple Patch 4

The Final Chapter! This 4 part series comes to a finale with more heavy braggadocious bars...

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

Pharoe Monch presents 'Clap' Short Film

Powerful stuff this, an entertaining but piece inlaid with pathos, tension, and fear, excellent camera work and dramatically inter woven lyrics from Monch. This War album/project is looking to turn out to be pretty incredible.

Probably better to check it full screen over on the tube...(anyone know how to allow my embedded videos to be played full screen!?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG_iDZbSZ3I

Welcome to the Arab Spring?

If this is to be the name given to the recent revolutions and popular uprisings accross Egypt, Libia, Bahrain,.... then welcome, the long overdue over throw of outmoded and oft despised leaders or despots by popular protest. The (largely) overwhemlingly peacefull nature of the demonstrations, protests and defiant actions

Masta Mimmz - Back down Muburak



Fat Gold Chain keeps rolling on London

Conrad the Scoundrel

This guy is heavy weight! Bars, Charisma, Jokes, Message...this man is the definition of proper emcee in 2011. Check the video but thia man has bucket load more of different flows and styles to slap you with in his live show!


Wisdom Band

From Brixton Ritzy to Brixton living; check out the smooth sounds of The Wisdom Band and there motherland ode to Africa...



From Brixton streets to America where Vado's banger 'Large on the Street Scene' shows a rapper with huge potential blazing hard. This guy is a serious mic ripper and evidently has a rep to protect; it will be good to hear more from him in the futureas his content diversifies.

so sitting around with Vado on repeat can get you hyped to a certain extent. However its only when a true blast from the past like this rolls through that you remember why the fuck you love hip hop music so much...

Ice Cube - Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It



Conspiracy World Wide

Re Up Re Up Info!....Menace and Montana have been providing the back bone of journalistic insight on hip hop for a while now (2006 I believe?) and the start of 2011 has seen the team getting into serious discussion with all manner of heavy swangers...make sure you get to know!

Liam Bailey - You Better Leave Me

Liam Bailey has been mentioned a few times across various press outlets as a future star...his recent work with Chase and Status and this latest song 'You Better Leave Me' is proving them right and I've got to say that great music like this just cant be held down!

Logic MC...Fire in the Booth with Charlie Sloth

Hidden gem - Kyza freestyle

From the Associated Minds archive...madness!

New Talib Kwali - 'I'm On One' from Gutter Rainbows new album

Taken from his new album 'Gutter Rainbow's' this new track 'I'm on One' has Kwali looking nicely hyped in the video in a classic looking sweatbox of a hip hop club. I like the sentiment of the backing track vocals but not sure if it comes off all that well...Talib's flow is trademarkedly wordy but sounds dope in context of the current era where lyracism in rap music seems to have flown completely out the window. Having said that I didnt hear any quotables jumping straight at me, maybe I need to check it a few more times! By the way his album drops 25th of this month; a hip hop day for all as it is also the date when Homeboy Sandman will be blessing the marvelous Fat Gold Chain! (smoooth plug segue there or what!?)

Promo Business!

Get tickets here

Akala - Yours and My Children

Akala........

What can you say!?
I wonder how much media cover this track got? Enjoy, as I go investigate!!

Launch of 'Equality' movement....Lowkey, Logic, Jody McIntyre & Tariq Ali

The inaugral meeting of the 'Equality' movement spearheaded by Lowkey, Logic and Jody McIntyre proved immediatly impressive as due to demand the venue had to be moved to a larger lecture theatre, which itself was packed to capacity of around 500 people.

Speakers included Seamus Milne Guardian columnist and author of ‘The Enemy Within’,Lizzie Cocker political activist, Tariq Ali, a political commentator and campaigner who recently wrote ‘The Obama Syndrome’,Jody McIntyre writer for the Independent and author of ‘Life on Wheels’ and Dr. Hanan Chehata, commentator on Palestine and Middle Eastern affairs.

The lead question of 'What is Imperialism' was not debated as such, rather each speaker gave an empassioned overview of various elements of the anti-war, anti-imperiallist mosvement that has grown since the invasions of Iraq and Afgahnistan after the 9/11 attacks. There were some excllent points raised, especially in regards to the illegal Israeli imposed blockade of Gaza,the victimisation of protesters espcially young Muslim men by the policed, and examples of imperialistic aggression against civilians and children by Britian and America.

Unfortunatley, a debate it was not and the question and answer section after the initial speeches was hijacked by a lot of enthusiasic comments agreeing with all the previous speakers. Although encouraging to see such enegry it was a shame that there was no little internal criticism or debate, especially in regard to the initial question - What is Imperialism? Preaching to the converted is one thing, however the nature of imperialist capitalist hegemony means that levels of apathy in the general population must be addressed before a popular movement can really prove to be successfull. Although Lowkey was only present via a video speech, his presence was most definitely felt, and some of his views I have later found encapsualted in this important and provocating video for his track 'Terrorist?' below.

Regardless of lack of debate, the meeting showcased a lot of common sentiment against violent oppression everywhere, and was very inspiring. The next meeting is set to be even larger, I just hope the next one will begin to solidify some ideas for raising awareness, especially over the situation in Gaza, and direct action. For the time being I'm writing to my MP (probably not the most revolutionary of actions but its a start!)so watch this space...

Unforgivng World - Wyld Bunch

Pretty impressed by this, raw soulful stuff over a great beat. From upcoming "RICH BLOOD.BROKE POCKETS" album by James (WYLDBUNCH) Bunch. Produced by TWOMANICS...as someone as commented, "Real Hip Hop, at last!'

http://soundcloud.com/twomanics
http://wyldbunch.bandcamp.com

Sonny Jim - The Purple Patch part 3

My favourite of the four part series so far! Plus the Eatgood team have kindly put this banger up for free download here! Heavy

Homeboy Sandman

Dont Sleep Peoples!

Joel Ortiz, Rass Kass and Dubbledge new fire...plus Economics, Sexual Politics and randomness

First up Shouts to Mayor out of Associated Minds for sending over this quick 16 from UK rising legend Dubbledge...always got bars for days 'Edge is on some next tip with this one!

JM Keynes vs Friedrich Heyek? Slightly heavier weight than certain current rap battles being staged?...those crazy yanks lampooning hip hop videos is not normally my cup of tea; despite the stereotypical bafoonary the intrisic ideas of the economist's portrayed in the video hold so much credence (and to be fair the 'rappers' had done an admirible job of putting over some of the most persuasive and influential ideas)Wish my half hearted attempts at doing this sort of subject matter while at Uni had been more coherent! Shame neither rapper attempts a 'Slick Rick' British flow for Keynes, and Hayek certainly wasnt sounding like...er, Promoe!?? Anyway now have fun reading about these two dude's philosophies! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hayek

Rob One's infamous 2020 podcast keeps life pumpin through the body hip hop politic with Wedesday's show we saw Joell Ortiz murdering 100 bars with rediculousness and then Rass Kass spitting smooth fire from his latest, fan funded album A.D.I.D.A.S (All Day I Dream About Spittin) A dope podcast, but if you need your sick lyric fix mad quick check 12.14 Ortiz is going in super hard! http://2020.mypodcast.com/

and finally...http://www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/article/feature-power-vagina-almighty-penis-portbello-film-festival

Hungry? Rtkal shows how to Eat Good!

Rtkal is the future! If you're not already aware of the calibre of Eat Good artists you need to head over to the site to check out quality from the Birmingham powerhouse, in the meantime recognise the rediculous skills of Mud Fam endorsed Rtkal aka R Tillery. I had the privilidge of rockin mics alongside the man a few times in Brum and was always blown away by the insane delivery, passion and intelligence of his flows so am hyped about hsi forthcoming Kelakovski produced 'Genuine Rtkal' EP.

In the meantime 'The Prefix' mixtape is blowing up my system right now with ultra hype beats and spitfire flows. Go get it now for free and while its on the DL check the sick shit below...especially from 1.10 where the 'Bars' bars are just too ill!

That UK business... New Stylah,Task Force and Skinny Man plus new Mowgli video

After listening to Westwood on 1xtra (I was doing the washing up) reading out the BET list of greatest Hip Hop stars of the last decade I was left with a dissapointing feeling of hollowness in my guts....the list read like some sort of blinged out thuggy autotune crooning jizz fest; even Jay Z wasnt included. However after racking my brains I realised that the list was actually a reasonably fair representation of 'Mainstream' hip hop. Goddamn shame but there it is...and have now just found out that the Canibus man has pulled out of doing his London show due to visa issues....Shiiiiiiit!!

Anyway to cheer myself up I did a bit of Youtube surfing and was rewarded with the UK Hip Hop documentary posted below (Check the first one, then find the consecutive ones up to 10, worth checking all out) Chester P and Farma G dropping some serious science, insights and important reflections on the state of the game, including a break down of their own respective acronyms for you hip hop factophiles.


After watching this I have been re-motivated on my hip hop grizzly and so present some of the other little gems that have found their way to Vocalswords Towers...

Mowgli's incredible '93' album has been rightly lauded by critics and is indeed a fine epic of cerebral, intricate hip hop for those with a pallete inclined to enjoy in depth lyracism. An unknown US fan has created the following video which sets off the tunes ambiguously warped storyline perfectly. Various claims as to the origin of the visuals but its for promo use only and works a treat; more info at www.mowglihiphop.com...enjoy!


For a slightly different perspective, check Charlie Sloth getting upset by people shouting 'Par' at him on the golf course on his 1xtra hip hop show...joker with some banging tunes on rotation. Some pretty raw stuff keeps the show pumpin; Sloth's shouty style and constant glass smash sounds might get a bit too hectic at times, some of the tunes are just that little bit too retardedly gangsta and a couple o' shots of more uplifting ish wouldn't go amiss, however the boy knows and loves his stuff so its worth checking as the BBC's last bastion of some form of underground lyracism....

Nuff Beeb talk anyway, until they put some words in for this man and this first single off his latest project 'Treading Water"; incredible video! Big up www.grimedaily.com for this one!


Extra treats and leaks...Soul Khan ft Akie Bermiss tearing it up http://usershare.net/q66y3b9jh01k look out for video coming soon...

Canibus coming soon! Plus Chima, Sonny Jim, Mooka Jerz and more....

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!...

Mooka Jerz

Fat Gold Chain presents 'F**k Your Blog!

Back at it again for you fiends!!!

FOLLOWING THE OVERWHELMING SUCCESS OF FAT GOLD CHAIN'S DEBUT IN LONDON, THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF THE SERIES WILL BE IN COLLABORATION WITH NEW NIGHT "F***K YO BLOG" AND "RAW BLUE CHEESE"

CHIMA ANYA (FAT GOLD CHAIN CHAMP 2X) WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY AT THE EVENT WITH A SPECIAL SET WITH ACCOMPLISHED DRUMMER J MILLY.

SOLO CYPHER (FAT GOLD CHAIN HEAD HONCHO) WILL BE RAPPING INFINITELY AS WELL AS HOSTING THE OPEN MIC CYPHER ...WHICH WILL BE OPEN TO RAPPERS, SINGERS, BEAT BOXERS AND VENTRILOQUISTS.

WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST PA FROM BENNY DICTION AS WELL AWESOME DJ SETS LINED UP FROM SAMMY B SIDE AND RP-1.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A VERY SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMER (POSSIBLY TIMMY MALLET!!!)

ALL THIS IS FREEEEEEEE!!!
ON THE DOOR WE WILL HAVE AN OPTIONAL DONATION... ALL OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO HELP SUPPORT THE CASUALTIES OF THE PAKISTAN QUAKE.

SO TELL A FRIEND TELL AN ENEMY (JUST DON'T FIGHT IN THE VENUE) OCTOBER 2ND FAM

PUT IT IN THE DIARY!

Also if you havent already, make sure you join the facebook group! (Top Left button)

Fat Gold Chain Returns!

Mayhem Morearty

Some gritty grimy Toronto rap with a beautiful hook from Obie...if you're gonna do street shit make it sound good I reckon, and this does the trick, produced by Pro Logic.

Vinnie Paz, Brown Bag All Stars and How Stories Can Save the World!

Since first hearing those 'old school' Jedi Mind Tricks recordings I've had a lot of respect for Vinny Paz and crew. Lately I've not really been enjoying some of the super hype gun music that I've been hearing but was checking Conspiracy Radio and heard Vinny breaking down this track. Sample issues mean it's not going to be available in this form on the album proper which is a real shame, so sit and reflect on this for the moment. Some deep reflections...by the way if you want more go google the documentary on the progress of JMT, some good watching!


Quick Jump to latest realease from the Brown Bag All Stars, a tidy collective of emcees spitting bars very nicely over a boom bap beat...check it out for free download right HERE

Finally on a more eclectic note, check this video about how fiction can bring the world together, a great talk by an interesting author, Elif Shafak, whose ideas I think should resonate with the essence and philosophies central to the world of hip hop...

No Swag Needed

Am loving this fresh new slice of dopeness...middle verse is a smasher (not sure who's spittin?)...I want my eulogy to be rhymed too!



UK based hip hop producer SciFi Stu releases his second single No Swag Needed!

SciFi's debut single The Will feat Vast Aire, 4th Place & Jonwayne has been broadcast on radio shows worldwide, from BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix to the classic DJ Ready Cee show in New York and has appeared on mixtapes across the globe.

Looking to follow on from this success SciFi has recruited hip hop mainstay John Robinson (aka Lil Sci from Scienz of Life) & ultra-fresh Jersey group Remarkable Mayor to provide raps for this new energetic 'golden era' inspired track. The track also features turntable skills from SciFi's friend and collaborator Twelvebit.

Tracklisting:
1. No Swag Needed feat. Remarkable Mayor & John Robinson
2. What Yall Waiting For feat. Ill Poetix

SciFi Stu "No Swag Needed" Digi-12 is now available at:

iTunes
Emusic
Amazon.com
JunoDownload.com

Domination Recordings
Website: DominationRec.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/DominationRec
YouTube: Youtube.com/DominationRecordings
Facebook: Facebook.com/DominationRecordings

The Isis Papers -Cyrus Malachi free monster mixtape

Go cop it for free right now! Sorry about random posting laptop ain't working and blogging from iPhone is taking some getting used to! Check my review in post below....

Get mixtape here

Free Ice Cream for the Bohemian Rap CD Muppet Show!

It is what it says on the tin! Great work from these fellas, proving that Hip Hop can, sometimes, have a nice sense of humour! Now go check all the free ice cream you can handle at http://www.freeicecream.net/



And if that quite cerebral enough for you just another brief reminder of a certain firebreather....Stand up Nottz!

Cyrus Malachi The Isis Papers Mixtape Coming Soon

VS is on some promo business as one of the UKs most intense and hardest spitters Cyrus Malachi has just released his 'Isis Papers' mixtape in the very near future. Having the privilidge of a sneak preview it's always great to hear work from one third of the heavyweight Triple Darkness crew. Those who have heard the trio's work will know that Malachi is going to come hard with it. You will not be dissapointed, First track 'The Hammered Bracelet' featuring Melanin 9 has got me rewinding rapidly already.

Never an easy listen if you are unwilling to sit down and follow the flow of the complex, often highly polemical rhymes, this is some serious hip hop that carries some very important messages.. it would seem at the moment that this type of music is completely absent from the mainstream music industry. Cyrus Malachi and Triple Darkness are in a good position alongside the incredible production from Endemic and others to make some serious moves, it just remains to be seen as to whether their content may be too much for certain interested powerfull parties.

Regardless of the above slight misgivings, this is a great slice of classic hard as shit hip hop. Good to hear a 'Robin Hood' freestyle over one of the sickest beats on Endemic's recent 'Needle Drop' EP and plenty more goodness featuring a wraft of other mic demolishers such as....

Although this mixtape will be a sure fire winner for a lot of heads, the constant barrage of dark metaphores, conspiracy theory and images of brutality may prove a bit too much for some. As a precursor to an album proper this certainly does its job, but it would also be good to hear some slightly more optomistic rhymes at some point. The mastery of lyracism to paint great pictures of anarchy, crime, evil and subjugation is one thing, but for me the masterpiece comes when the light is also demonstrated, if only to more effectively define the dark. Some more personal reflections on various subjects I think would also help Cyrus to gain the larger appeal and audience that he and affiliates undoubtably deserve.

Watch this space for when the Mix Tape drops, in the meantime sit back and enjoy this classic slice...

Kil Ripkin 'Not You'

Kil hit me up with this video a while back and I was seriously impressed, sorry for the delay getting it up here! Words from the man himself...

"Peace and Love Family Finally I Present to you the long awaited video by Kil Ripkin titled "Not You" Directed by Science Projects and Produced by Eric G
The Balancing Act out Soon"

Delusionists - Digital Connects (prod. Jon Phonics)

Vocalswords got the Props baby!

Mad big ups to the Delusionists who alongside the prolific Jon Phonics have put together a bangin' ode to all their favourite online sources of Hip Hop goodness. There are big number of serious sites mentioned (how many can you spot!?) and it feels pretty good to be amongst some heavyweights...Will put up links to all those mentioned shortly but for now I gotta go write some bars!



Now go and support the crew, check them out on line and get 25% off your dowload with "digifam" as your discount code; http://music.delusionists.co.uk/

PS Just while I'm on an own horn tooting bit thought I'd throw up the Youtube version of the tune 'It's Not Right' myself and Chima did with Scholarman a few months back...so for all you lazy fools who dont like downloading shit, all you gotta do is press the stankin button!! One

Fighting Crime, Hip Hop Kareoke and Scorsayzee

Maaaaan I hate not having internet working properly! Apologies for not posting in ages, am going to post up now as much of the coolness Ive heard recently and meant to blog but got caught up in all the hype. Talking of which have some sympathy for me as I nurse a bruised face after getting hit while throwing some chief scum menace off a bus last night...out fighting crime like Method Man after a wicked night watching my girl win doing a Missy Elliot tribute! Shout out to all the crew at The Social and HHK; always a wicked night!Check their blog for more info plus some wicked free downloads...http://www.southernhospitality.co.uk/blog/

Now then, one of my all time favourite rappers and evasive UK legend, Scorsayzee has been making some nice moves lately; his appearance in Shane Meadow's 'Le Donk' mockumentary was well recieved (although I would have loved to have seen him doing a lot more rapping but I guess that wasnt really the point of the film) to some great freestyles (go google or you tube that shit) and recently dropped a pretty dope mixtape 'Raging Bull' a little rough around the edges but some great lines from the Notts motormouth as ever. Grab that here and while your doing so check out the fresh video he's put together.

Scorzayzee - Luv Me (MistaJam.com Exclusive Video) from Mista Jam on Vimeo.

And if that still aint enough for you check the interview he did recently with the on line kings of Hip Hop, Menace and Montana on Conspiracy Radio...plus of course all the other rediculous interviews they manage to get!

Gonna get some more goodness up soon but better post this now cause my lap top appears to be trapped in internet treacle, peace!

Jon Phonics 'Half Past Calm 2'

YNR Productions is proud to present the release of producer Jon Phonics' 'Half Past Calm 2' LP. It is a heavy project all over, my personal favourites are 'Dark Days' and 'Mind over matter'...the former has Jam Baxter and Fliptrix giving you some top notch braggadocio bars and the latter elevating yor mind into some next dimensions with Verb T and Kashmere knocking it out the park on another ill collaboration. 9 Planets and Kosyne also come particularly hard/clever on their respective tracks, loving Kos's way of switching up perspectives, great writing!

The following is taken from the press release but does a pretty good job at giving a flavour of the project...

"Jon is back with another snapshot of what the UK scene has to offer to the world of Hip Hop. Featuring highly acclaimed artists such as Jehst, Triple Darkness, Micall Parknsun, Sonnyjim, Kosyne, Obba Supa and more. This album is more than rapping over beats, Half Past Calm 2 is a statement of the current musical climate in the UK.

The album takes the listener on a journey from the coldest sword swiging boom bap on album opener 'Raw Ingredients' (Featuring Jehst & Cyrus Malachi) to the oscillating basslines and 8 bit blips of head nodder 'Pump', to the dusty soul of T-Bear & Yasine on 'Changes'. Too new school to be UK Hip Hop too Hip Hop to be, for want of a better word, wonky...

You can stream the album from Jon's bandcamp here. Where it is also available for free download for a limited time only.
Here!

The album is also available in the form of 300 x limited edition 4 ply covers available exclusively via the YNR shop here. Get yours!

Solocypher - Wheres My Cash.mp3

Just a quick self promo; check the topical tune and think about it before casting your votes come election day...screws everyone a little bit really but I wanted to put it out there! Let me know what you reckon...safe!

Solocypher - Wheres My Cash.mp3

http://www.mediafire.com/?junonnwgonw

Just in time for the election, Solo poses a few difficult questions for himself, and more importantly for the men attempting to run our country...produced by T.Twigg

See what you reckon, pass it on to those you think might dig it!! :)

Scholarman Indomitable Will Mixtape featuring Solocypher & Chima Anya!

Make sure you get your mits on the blazing new free mixtape from Scholarman...plus show support for your favourite blogger haha!!

Greetings! Just a quick note to inform you that the new ScholarMan mixtape Indomitable Will is now available for free download. Mixed by the ill DJ Nominal, this mixtape features the lyrical talents of K-Mynez, TrueBless, Kats, SoloCypher, Lolo Life', Chima Anya and BEveready. It also features guest producers Lagbara, Jonesy, X3M, Labmatik, Ardel Limbo, Overlor and Reign. Download it today! Download

Please spread the word to your friends, family, readers, followers, or anyone who you feel may enjoy this project!! Thank you for the continued support!

v/r

Soganic Music
www.soganicmusic.com

R.I.P. Guru

Just want to take a moment of reflection on the sad passing of one of the great pioneers of intelligent and reflective hip hop; Guru from Gangstarr. His career alongside DJ Premier produced some of the finest moments in the cerebral and musical development of hip hop in the early to mid nighties.

My remembrance of him through his work was the great LP 'Moment of Truth' LP containing an incredible amount of advice, insight and empathy through his vocals. Guru's journey from Boston to New York to produce some of the great cornerstone works of hip hop.

His contribution to Hip Hop should never be forgotton, long may his legacy influence the genre and the world.


"Ive just been thinking about the situation for the todays youth you know the seeds man
Whats your opinion on the that?

No matter your religion is islam, christianity judiasm boodah ism old school izm or new school izm If we're not schooling the youth, children with the wisdom then the sins of the father will visit the children and thats not keeping it real, thats keeping it wrong...." - Guru, from 'Moment of Truth' LP

Chima Anya 'Death' and 'Nu-Wu 'Massacre!' Macarbe March!!

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

Kasha - Black Rhyme Debut Video

Been hearing tracks by this cat round and about for a while; loving the smooth type flows and concious lyricism....get this ish on radio 1!! He's doing a show at Notting Hill Arts Club tommorow for all you London heads, check more info on Kasha here

Reppin in London to the fullest on Sunday!!

Brother Ali and Chima Album Launch

Yes Yes Yall Make sure you get ya bad selves down to both these shows; will be incredible!

Crucifix Cornerstone EP Review

Reviewing this excellent EP was a bit of an experience; Krate Krusaders exquisite production accompanied by some of the most complex, uplifting and enjoyable lyrics from the uncomparrable Crucifix has been on constant rotation. Its hard to do it justice in full so here are some random observations about various tracks. You seriously need to get hold of this and get to grip with it on your own terms, I loved it, but be warned you will almost certainly need a dictionary to help you along the journey!

The cornerstone..."Excuse me we haven't been formally introduced"...the rejoining statements then create a safe haven for Crucifix to introduce himself, batting aside opponents with ease just as a brief nod to the hardcore battle heads; his main agena in this track is to establish his modus operandi-a highly cerebral encompasment of a vast source of ideas, language strategy and iconology...to what precise end these resources are to be put to use is not quite cleare at this point: it's damn intriguing though.

In Dreams of an orphan the I was completely sucked in and lines such as "I should have been an abortion, I'm the dreams of an orphan watching his family dying in the midst of a war that finish with "Remember tiannomen square?" is a certified rewindable, deep stuff.

Open wound boasts some great pianos draw you inextricably into this track before a guitar lick switches it around; great to hear such a switched up beat...next level boombap!

Restoration is on a bit of a sick futurism on the drums with some hypnotic slow Adam f style ish banging into a nicely dark rolling track with an "if u see me walking down the street" sample with Crucifix smashing down on some celestial devastation type ish..."so what if its ostentatious?" Just what I was thinking. Dope.

The final track on the EP is Torment; I love this track and probably found it the most repeated.An ace piano loop that sounds oddly familiar provides the soundtrack for an indepth exploration of Crucifix's psche, exploring self down and regret with his trademark complex world play that despite the often morose content, a life affirming message is still snugly contained within the words. I reckon Crucifix and Krate Krusaders do a fantastic job of "Stretching an image of heaven pretending I live there" Soul music.



Note: Reviewing this post the original sales link has disappeared, but the album has appeared on BandCamp, albeit it with some changes to the track listing. 02.01.15

Chima world domination tactics!

Yes yes the homeboy Chima just dropped this brand new video to me, gotta love it with his trademark swagger and afropick, your mother's favourite rapper makes some crotch grabbing drunk Spaniards famous whilst forgetting what year it is...classic!

Dubbledge & Conspiracy

Props to HHC digital for heads up on the latest freebies...gotta love Dubbledge; a heavy spitter, live performer and thoroughly nice guy who didnt bat an eyelid when my then girlfriend ran up to him and started chatting to him like they were best mates (she thought I knew him previously and got a bit star struck!)anyway here’s a couple of fresh Dubbledge downloads: ‘Choices Choices’ (produced by Ghosttown) and ‘The Trilogy’ (produced by DJ IQ and hosted by Asaviour). Enjoy! and again!

In other general prop giving I've got to give a bit of a bigger mention to Montana and Menace and their incredible friday night live Conspiracy Radio show. These guys play stupidly dope hip hop and manage to get amazing artist interviews with some of the best in the game week in week out. Ive been a bit slack over the last year so I've been downloading some old shows and some of the guys they get on well worth listening to...(even when they arn't that great Montana's acerbic analysis is often entertaining enough)

What I really love about the show is the depth of research and questioning, giving artists not only a chance to promote thier music and explain their artisitc visions, but also to expand on their beliefs, political positions and opinions on current events. From listening to Lowkey and Immortal Technique discuss global politics, Bronze Nazareth and Apathy talking beats and life and Homeboy Sandman on veganism and spirituality the show is a window into a host of interesting lives coupled with some of the dopest hip hop you could expect to hear. Support of artists such as Cappo and Endemic is also great evidence of their efforts to back quality product. Go ituning the podcasts or check them out here.

End of the Weak first heats review

First off it was wicked to see such a lot of heads passing through Brixton Jamm for this event, nicely organised by End of the Weak. Stig did a great job hosting; I'm sure he's lost his calling though he'd be a hit on the stand up comedy circuit! Louis Den was in the house for a bangin beat battle; plus Bass6 repped alongside Kingpin for the post battle performance...

All good ish but the heart of the night was the End of the Weak heats. 4 heavyweight emcees stepped up and repped hard through a great format of rounds; prewritten, freestyling on random objects pulled from a bag, Emcee vs DJ freestyle and final a 2 person cypher where the emcees had to spit frees back to back without falling to the temptation of battling one another.

All was good entertainment but I felt the crowd were a little harsh on certain emcees in a vague undiscernable way. For me Birmingham's Justice smashed it in 3 rounds, with Genesis Elijah coming very close and topping the first round prewritten with a great diatribe against reality shows, Jordan etc by comparing their problems with what is going on in Palestine. Most unfortunate was Phoenix the Icefire who clearly had some devastaing lyrics. He was right up there in the fight to begin with but the DJ vs Emcee round completely through him...not suprising at all for me though as the beats he were given were absolute dogshit, barely sounding like music at all I have no idea how anyone could have spat over them at all.

Verb T also presented pretty well lyrically although he seemed pretty petulant at having to spit first in a few rounds. This was decided by the crowd and although to me it didn't really seem to make much different his sarcastic 'Thanks a fucking lot' comments didn't seem to help his cause, though he did seem to have a lot of support in the crowd. Anyways was a tight battle; for me Justice smashed it with concious, dope flows, a wicked persona and an ability to flow rediculous over most beats...I didnt find out who won it as I had to split fairly quick so answers on a postcard please!

UPDATE NEWS FLASH! Managed to get a quote from the good lady herself; in true flambouyant style she says she "Floated into Brixton like a butterfly and stung like a queen bee!! Justice was done !!" Go check the myspace here!

New Kashmere ft Truth

Check one two the big homie Truth has hooked up with that space time continuum hopping Kashmere for a nice slice of freshness...Free Download Link Here **Cuts By Jimmy Green, Mixed By Cross Bone T** Taken from the Rapsploitation Sessions compilation CD "3 Years High & Rising" out on 4th February ya heard!

Crucifix "Glorious" alongside Krate Krusaders

Crucifix has certainly been "granted serentity and its calming effects" through both his intricate, knowledgable and uplifting wordplay and great backing from a great piano led track from the Krate Krusaders. Enjoy some lyrical Hip Hop at its most inspiring. Taken from the new E.P The Cornerstone out 27th January.

Lowkey - Long Live Palestine Part 2

Watching Lowkey perform a poem with the chorus "Long Live Palestine, Long Live Gaza" to a multi ethnic crowd that included Jewish and Israeli protesters against the Israeli bombardment was a humbling experience...hearing that the music resulting from this has reached number one in the Amazon charts gave me a great feeling. Please excuse the following rip from Hip Hop press but it does a better job than I could!

Mesopotamia Music rapper Lowkey has stormed to Number 1 in the Amazon hip-hop download chart with the highly anticipated charity single "Long Live Palestine Part 2". The song features verses from international artists, including DAM, The Narcicyst, Eslam Jawad, Hich Kas, Reveal, Hasan Salaam and Shadia Mansour.

The underground rapper behind 2009's protest anthem "Long Live Palestine Part 1" has defied critics who called him "too political" by toppling well known artists Jay Z, 50 Cent and the Black Eyed Peas. The achievement is most profound as Lowkey did not have the promotion from a lucrative record label, nor the support of any major radio DJ's.

Lowkey, who is a patron of UK based Palestine Solidarity Campaign, says: "Through the universal language of hip-hop, this song aims to unite people from across the globe to express their solidarity with Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, equality and self determination."

"The support for this single amongst the general public has been overwhelming and is testament to the fact that Gaza is not forgotten even though it no longer makes mainstream headline news."

Lowkey releases this tribute single alongside the 1 year anniversary of the Israeli massacre in Gaza, labelled 'Operation Cast Lead', which killed 1,400 Palestinians and maimed hundreds more. Profits from the sale of this single will be equally shared between Interpal and Islamic Relief, two leading charities undertaking much needed relief and development work in Gaza.

Anti-war veteran and former UK Cabinet Minister Rt. Hon. Tony Benn has been forthright in his support for the single. "The song speaks to people about the struggle of the Palestinians and their fight for freedom. By buying it you, your friends and your colleagues can show support for the Palestinian people in their hour of need. The single is supported by Stop the War Coalition, Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Viva Palestina. I hope we can count on yours too."

Listen back to the Lowkey interview here on Conspiracy Radio with Menace and Montana.

Go download "Long Live Palestine" from all your regular ituney style spots!

Cyclonious - What's a Postcode?

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.

Punning Clan Aint Nuthin to Fudge With!

Whilst sharing a bevvy with homeboy & fresh producer Rishi at the Brick City Boutique a while back I was privilidged to be introduced an elequent young man known as Benny Diction...him and his accomplices The Punning Clan have been hard at work putting the final touches to a full release "Pun & Dusted" but have been fresh enough to leak out a few full tracks for the head to get a feeling for their flavour.

Checking the Punning Clan as a unit is a real hip hop treat with all emcees trading entertaingly fresh, quick witted rhymes over some bangin beats.....quotables like 'Its all relative like inbread families', egg on your face like John Prescott punching and buckets more are topped with masterclasses in extended rhyming which finishes in stunts such as the jacking of harrier jet to breat the sound barrier. I could do with breaking down each emcees styles a bit more, but for now that Wu like depth and intricacies is enough to keep me happily banging it on the old walkman.

Benny's solo efforts are similarly quotable packed "Get stuffed like Paxo" and some great beats are laced with some fresh scratches to keep the name Benny stuck in the dome. Not content with just punchlining through a set, World on a Plate gives a nice take on the consumerist zeitgeist...smell that petroleum pou pourri people.

Go see for yourself now and get a taste of Punning; Download Here! and cop the joint when its fully released..,loving the current UK take on Game Records themed covers ha!

Sonny Jim - The Purple Patch

Easy now the Eat Good fam have kicked off the year with a tasty treat, SonnyJim doing what he does best, "Taking it back to when MCs just used to rhyme, spazzin out with the bars, fuck a hook straight up smack u in the face hip hop how it used to be before our emcees started rhymin over that house music shit" hells yeah, ya boy Jim definitely delivers over this heavy Kelakovski beat, the first installment of a four part series. Nice

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD (right click and save)