Nozstock The Hidden Valley has announced its next wave of names performing at the festival this July at their beautiful working farm in the Herefordshire hills, curated and managed by the father and daughter partnership of Noz and Ella.
The festival in it’s 17th year has already announced Wu Tang Clan, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Beardyman and many more.
The festival is now very proud to announce Fuse ODG joins the bill, with further new live artists including the Neville Staple Band, Will and The People, Mouse Outfit ft Dr Syntax & Sparkz, By The Rivers, The Computers, Will Joseph Cook, Clarence Clarity and many more, with P Money, Mad Professor, Chimpo, Reggae Roast and lots more DJs and MCs, plus in Laughing Stock Seann Walsh, Mark Simmons, Andrew Maxwell, Mike Wozniack, Brett Goldstein, Spencer Jones and Pat Cahill all star.
It’s great to hear new music from Cashtastic since he’s been living in Jamaica. He is sending a clear reminder that he is still dedicated to music. Toxic flew out to the Caribbean island to shoot the brand new video with Cashtastic in Spanish Town. His aggressive delivery shows his hunger and passion and that he isn’t going anywhere.
Novelist – Ignorant And Wot
South London MC Novelist is the future of Grime and this week dropped a new track “Ignorant And Wot”. The 18-year-old is full of potential and is turning heads everywhere with his flawless flow and realness in his lyrics that people can relate to. With many saying the song reminds them of Dizzee during his Boy in da Corner days. The dark beat is produced by Novelist himself and is going to be a classic track in years to come with , with him spitting about his block and getting some thoughts off his chest.
Kwabs – Fight For Love
Kwabs is one of our favourite singers out of the UK, an artist with such a refreshing sound and unique voice that’s full of power and soul commanding people to listen. This emotional ballad reminds us of an 80s track with a pop-sounding electronic production. The track is taken from his forthcoming debut album Love + War out on September 11th. This is definitely going on my playlist.
Clubs & Spades ft Tom Prior – Clearer Coast
Sheffield hip hop collective Clubs & Spades dropped their EP Deal Or No Deal today (May 17th) and on the same day their new video “Clearer Coast” with it. The track was premiered on Charlie Sloth’s Rap Show on BBC Radio 1 and then was chosen as his Record Of The Week for next week. Shinobi & Matic Mouth rap with a skippy flow over the eerie key led beat produced by Andy Nicholson and Jamie Shield.
Zinc – Hidden Track
This track isn’t exactly new as it was released on Zinc’s 2003 album Faster’but wasn’t available for download. After demand for the track he decided to put it up on Soundcloud as a free download. Let this drum & bass track take you back in time. Steeped in rolling drums with a melodic bassline. If you know about Zinc you know he has a long career in bass music and has been a key player expanding drum & bass, house and garage in the UK.
Ed Sheeran drops the video to “Photograph” off his most recent album X. Known for his different and creative videos, this one takes us through his past to present with clips from home videos of his life. The video matches the song perfectly, and also shows Ed playing instruments which is especially cool as we get to see him as a youth in his element.
Krept & Konan – Freak Of The Week ft. Jeremih
Krept & Konan are due to drop their album The Long Way Home in two months and this is the second track to be heard off of the new project after “Certified”. “Freak Of The Week” sees them collaborate with American singer Jeremiah over a DJ Mustard and ADP beat. The two South London rappers bring the heat in what will definitely be a summer banger.
JME ft. Giggs – Man Don’t Care
BBK’s JME released his brand new album Integrity which hit a very commendable no.12 on this weeks official album charts. The “Shut Your Mouth” MC released a video the same day as the album for the monster track “Man Don’t Care” featuring UK rap God Giggs and produced by well known grime producer Swift Beater. JME is as cheeky and witty as ever with his bars which he shows off impressively on this tune.
Chip – Feeling Myself ft. Kano & Wretch 32
Chip was given a challenge from KFC as part of their new campaign #PackedMoreIntoLunch where they are encouraging people to use an hour of their day in a productive way. He took new single “Feeling Myself” off his brand new EP Believe & Achieve – Episode 1 to shoot, edit and put out this music video in an hour and this was the result.
Modestep – Machines
Last but not least, Modestep the electronic/rock group two weeks before their album is released have dropped the video to “Machines” with zombie eyes and a very dark video to match the track. Their album London Road features Big Narstie, Flowdan, Frisco, Lay-Z, Discarda and production from the likes of Funtcase and Trolley Snatcha.
Milli Major ft Prez T & Paper Pabs– Shut Down The Dance
‘Shut Down The Dance’ is like a hardcore grime rave tune and it will do what it says in the title when played in a rave/club! This is from Bloodline representative’s Milli Major, Prez T & Paper Pabs who are royalty in the Grime scene. This will be on Milli Major’s forthcoming EP ‘Bloods Thicker Than Water’ set for release 31st May and sees the finest talent on it from D Double E to Flirta D and producers such as Rude Kid and True Tiger.
The Stray Doggz ft Wretch 32 & Stormzy – Skank Out
To be honest I’d never heard of this producer duo before I got sent this track through and this is their debut single ‘Skank Out’ featuring two highly respected artists Wretch 32 & Stormzy. With the ‘woofs’ on the hook incorporated into the lyrics and two of the sickest MC’s at the moment on it, this trap led tune can only mean one thing, a straight up banger! It’s aggression and honesty makes me love it even more..
Clubs & Spades – Deal Or No Deal
‘Deal Or No Deal’ is the first track taken from newcomers Clubs & Spades forthcoming EP of the same name. They may be newcomers as a collective, but make no mistake each of them have been in the music game and had great careers in it already. They blend hip hop, punk and funk where the two producers use live instruments along with the MC’s rapping in their Northern accents which creates a unique sound. This track talks real life issues…
Benny Banks & Joe Black – Know Me From (remix)
Covering Stormzy’s hit track ‘Know Me From’, North London’s Benny Banks and Joe Black who have been in the rap game for quite some time now put their spin on it. They tackle the track with such finesse it’s like it was one of their own! They both are slick lyricists so we expect nothing but fire from them. The two have a joint mixtape dropping soon, which will show definitely bring a lot of heat to the music game this summer.
Young Spray ft Wretch 32 & Chip – Proud
North London MC’s Young Spray, Wretch 32 and Chip join together for new track ‘Proud’ which is a introspective track of how they grew up. It’s shows Wretch & Young Spray’s journey as they spit while Chip handles the hook, where they look back at their hard lives growing up, where they are at now and what it took to get there. It’s personable, heartfelt and deep and the kind of rap I like.
All my tracks seem to be Grime ones this week, and I can assure you they are all worthy to be included. From the cheeky ‘Feeling Myself’ to war track ‘Hotline’ and feel good one ‘Foolish’ this is why I can say safely say all Grime isn’t the same, so don’t put it in a box again!
Chip ft Kano & Wretch 32– Feeling Myself
I have to start with this one ‘Feeling Myself’ from Chip as it’s a proper feel good, funky track that is a production you would associate more with a hip hop tune than a Grime one, but it sure sounds good. It features quick witted, sizzling and cheeky bars from Kano and Wretch 32 as the three show different can be good. This will be on Chip’s forthcoming EP ‘Believe & Achieve – Episode 1’ out on May 4th.
Newham Generals – Soundboi Killa
The Newham Generals have done it again with this future classic ‘Soundboi Killa’ produced by the bass don Toddla T. When you hear these three names you know it can only mean one thing…it’s Grime, with reggae influences, plenty of bass with computer game sounds. The best duo in Grime kill it and control the mic like the dons they are. Their EP ‘N To The Gs’ will be out very soon too!
Cadell – Hotline
Woahhhhh so it’s sending season, and Cadell really caught my attention with this one I had to add it as one of my tracks of the week. The East London MC goes in for a whole host of MC’s such as Stormzy, Maxsta, Jammer, Elf Kid, Stelf, Mez and more in this one shot taken video called ‘Hotline’. Mez has sent a reply which I’ve put the video to called ‘#64 Bars Of Air Pie’.
Isaiah Dreads ft C4 – Foolish
Let’s take it back now to some more bouncy, happier vibes with the 17-year old Grime MC from Dorset Isaiah Dreads. We heard the track on Soundcloud which seems to have gained co-signs from DJ’s Target, Cameo, Phil Taggart, Huw Stevens, Mistajam and more who have all pressed play on it. Produced by the go-to producer Preditah and featuring his brother C4, this is a more uplifting, melodic track showing off Isaiah’s fast paced flow.
Gunplay ft Rick Ross & Scrufizzer, Saskilla and Maxsta – Aiight
Last but certainly not least, a US to UK remix here with Gunplay ft Rick Ross’ track ‘Aiight’ being given a Grime remix with three very hard lyricists Scrufizzer, Saskilla and Maxsta all going in over the remix which Darq E Freaker provided for them. S/O DJ Cameo for putting this one together, I look forward to seeing more of this from them.
C Cane is an MC from North London, Enfield that is about to cause some serious waves in the scene. Not only can she rap, she can sing, play the drums, piano and the guitar. She’s been in the studio recently with the New Money Recording team and has gone from putting out some sick freestyles to now laying down and recording tracks in the booth and releasing visuals such as ‘Whos Dat’. She’s worked incredibly hard the past few years, doing as many live shows as she can and building the foundations to become a recognised, serious and talented artist. As a lyricist she has some serious bars and can go from a skippy, fast flow to switching it to a more relaxed one. Check out ‘Just Cool Nah’ her recent collaboration with DJ Cameo, Scrufizzer, Saskilla, Drifter & Lil Nasty.
I’m not going to talk about the Grime beef going on between Chip, Skepta, Devilman, Saskilla, Big Narstie and now Shizz as I’m sure you can find out enough online if you’re interested. Lets keep it to what it’s about my favourite tracks of the past week with all the best in UK only rap & grime.
Krept & Konan ft Rick Ross – Certified
Well these two rappers are certainly creating history again and shot to the Top 5 in the album charts with just the news of their album release alone. After that they dropped the track to one of their most excitable collaborations with the Maybach Music boss Rick Ross and it is a ‘Certified’ banger with Ross bringing the heat too. ‘The Long Way Home’ album is due July 6th.
Mr Bigz ft Wretch 32 – Finer Taste
Mr Bigz is a UK rap veteran and last Summer he dropped his ‘S.U.M.M.E.R’ EP with some soulful, classic hip hop tracks. Last week saw him release the video to one of the favorable tracks off it ‘Finer Taste’ featuring Wretch 32, and it seems the two rappers bring the best out in each other in this Nas sampled track.
Deli Bricks ft Blade Brown – Deadlines
As Deli Bricks mixtape ‘Finnesin’ is coming up for realise on April 12th as a free download on GRM Daily, he keeps the momentum flowing releasing the 2nd visual to another collaborative track, this time featuring one of UK raps hardest lyricists Blade Brown. A mixture of flows and bars from the two makes for a heavy combination of truthful storytelling on this trap beat.
Lil Nasty ft Nasty Jack, Milli Major and Sgt Elz – F You Remix
‘F You’ remix video dropped shot by Grimes legendary Risky Roads and featuring Nasty Jack, Milli Major and Sgt Elz. This looks set to be the beginning of Lil Nasty’s new A.M.O Nation imprint and perhaps an EP or mixtape on the way. The 4 MC’s go in, each spitting a verse on this high energy Grime track with a nostalgic shot video.
Shalo – Running From Myself
Shalo is a artist signed to Alwayz Recordings and who has previously released music alongside Chip, Double S, Yellows and more. He is spiritual and this track sees him paint a vivid picture with deep and real life situations that many can relate too. It features some beautiful vocals too, cementing the emotional song more. This will be on his forthcoming EP ‘The White Room’.
I first heard this track on Charlie Sloth’s show last month and instantly thought what a banger! Dizzee Rascal teams up with UK raps finest Giggs for this Heavytrackerz produced single sampling the famous Tchaikovsky classical ballet song from the Nutcracker. Heavytrackerz have done a fantastic job turning it into a heavy grimey track. Giggs and Dizzee of course bring us a lyrical madness that these two flow masters are accomplished in, talking about the past.
AR15 Presents Section Boyz – Trapping Aint Dead
Alwayz Recording have released the news of their forthcoming epic mixtape by of dropping the first track from there from Section Boyz titled’ Trapping Ain’t Dead’ produced by Nana Rouges. Section Boyz are one of the most talked about, up and coming crews right now and kick off the ‘Concrete Jungle’ mixtape with this catchy track. The mixtape will feature UK rappers such as Skepta, Wretch 32, Ratlin, Sneakbo, Ghetts, Youngs Teflons, Stormzy, Tempa Tand more.
Sway – Stream It
Sway has been on a hiatus for a little while touring with Example and developing the careers of others such as Tigger Da Author. Now he is back with a brand new album to be released in June. ‘Stream It’ is the first single to be heard from the album featuring Afrobeats star Mista Silva; the follow up to ‘Upload’ and ‘Download’, showing Sway at his lyrical best and looking at the effect of instant music.
Sneakbo ft Grizzy, S-Wavey & M Darg– Look Like You
My favourite mixtape of the moment is Sneakbo’s ‘Jetski Wave 2’ and ‘Look Like You’ ft Grizzy, S-Wavey and M Darg is the new video Bo has released from there. This man literally does not stop working and this hard, street track shows Sneakbo at his finest.
Devlin ft Skepta – 50 Grand
Devlin is back after a hiatus as well from the music scene and comes back with a bang. With Skepta featuring on brand new single ’50 Grand’ these make a firing combination. Both Grime dons’ together can only mean something explosive. Devlin has also announced his fourth studio album due later in 2015. Riches is the theme, I’m going to say no more, just get listening.
I’ve been away for 9 days, so this is my first post back from my holidays and seeing as it’s Monday it might as well be my tracks of the week! We have some good UK rap and Grime tunes, especially the JME surprise videos and album announcement!
Frenchy Le Boss ft Giggs – Flexing
Frenchy Le Boss & Giggs team up for this absolute banger. This track is one from for the clubs. Expect to hear some bilingual rap from Frenchy Le Boss and some hard bars and naughty lyrics from Giggs.
Swift & Sleeks – Let My Squad Up
Swift & Sleeks from one of the most talked about UK rap crews around at the moment; Section Boyz, come together as a duo for this one titled ‘Let My Squad Up’. They showcase their lyrics over a dark trap beat.
Genesis Elijah – Spin Em Round
Wiley dropped some instrumentals on Soundcloud and Genesis Elijah decided to bless one of them with some bars. Complementing the Godfather of Grime’s skills as a producer, Genesis Elijah a well-respected rapper comes with some hot bars and a catch chorus.
Milli Major ft Scrufizzer & Lil Nasty – Stable
Bloodline’s Milli Major drops the second visual from his highly anticipated ‘Bloods Thicker Than Water’ EP due for release in April. This track features Scrufizzer and Lil Nasty who each add some of their own Grime flavour to the track. The EP will feature some of Grime’s finest artists including D Double E, Flirta D, Chronik and more.
JME – Integrity, Taking Over (It Ain’t Working) & Work
This is exciting me as much as the release of Skepta’s album to be as honest, as JME announced the release of his album ‘Integrity’ slated for a May 4th release. To celebrate the news, JME dropped three videos unannounced! Only JME would do that and we all love him for it! Check out the videos for ‘Integrity’, ‘Taking Over’ and ‘Work’ which will all be on the album.
From last week here are the 5 best tracks, which of course includes Skepta’s ‘Shutdown’ and Sneakbo’s mixtape ‘JetSkiWave 2’ with both releases shutting the internet down …
Skepta – Shutdown
Of course this has to be the biggest track from last week. With pretty much no lead up to it, Skepta premiered his brand new track ‘Shutdown’ on The Fader. His name has the biggest hype around it at the moment, from shows in New York to joining Kanye West on stage with other Grime artists at the Brits, and now reportedly working with Kanye in the studio. This will be on his forthcoming ‘Konnichiwa’ album where we can expect bigger and better music still to come.
Footsie – Straight Loco
Another Grime don is next up and that is Footsie from the Newham Generals, who released this track as a solo one. ‘Straight Loco’ brings a hard, Grime beat produced by G Jones allowing Footsie to flow in his style known to most Grime heads. This is the 2nd release from his forthcoming project, so keep your eyes and ears locked…
Sneakbo – Rap Like Dat ft Grizzy & Frass
So Sneakbo dropped his ‘JetSkiWave 2’ mixtape on Saturday hosted by the veteran US DJ Whoo Kid and setting the internet alight with it also trending on Twitter. This tape saw fans in the likes of Wretch 32, Chip, Krept and more all tweeting it. ‘Rap Like Dat’ video also dropped a few days before from the tape warming up his fans for the full 22 track tape. Watch the video below and download the mixtape by clicking here
Ard Adz & Sho Shallow ft Jaja Soze – Thoughts
Haven’t heard much from Brixton’s Ard Adz & Sho Shallow from a while, but the two rappers return with this one featuring PDC’s Jaja Soze for ‘Thoughts’. This is an emotive, deep track with all three spitting a verse each about the streets in Brixton where they are all from and their life experiences. They all complete each other with their varied deliveries but similar subjects.
Bush ft Benny Banks – Own Path
Bush is a rapper that’s new to my ears. I came across him after the release of his debut mixtape ‘Driven 2 Success’ which dropped on 23rd February. ‘Own Path’ is the 3rd video release from the project and sees him dropping some motivational bars over a melodic beat. Benny Banks drops a hard verse for Bush’s track adding more inspiration to the track. These two make a sick team! Download Bush – Driven 2 Success by clicking here
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