April 6, 2016

The Sounds Of UK Rap @lilnastyuk @Boasy_Blittz @BigTobzsf @AdianCoker @officialAvelino @PotterPayper

Lil Nasty

On New Year’s Day, platform SBTV dropped 5 videos called ‘Better Place’ from five talented UK rappers. The conceptual tracks/visuals are about their specific and different areas they are from and how they feel about them. In a very poignant showing, (following the tragic death of his little brother Nico Ramsay), Lil Nasty – who is known as a Grime MC – brought ‘Better Place’ to Plaistow. It’s a tribute to his brother and is emotional and moving, with Nasty taking on one of his first ever rap tracks, and doing it justice. He opens ‘Better Place (Plaistow)’ saying “What happened to the fun times, now it’s all blades and gun crime, youngers on the front line, attitude is thug life.”

Blittz & Big Tobz

Blittz & Big Tobz are two East London rappers who quickly made a name for themselves in 2015, both singly and as a duo with their on point punchlines and memorable tracks. ‘Wicked And Bad’ is the latest release from the rap duo, and an enticing track to kick off their collaborative forthcoming project Case Closed, which is set to be released in August 2016. Case Closed is produced and will be released by The Heavytrackerz, setting a new benchmark for the rap game. This track is the perfect introduction to the LP with an enthralling beat and the hook, which embodies the title track.

Adian Coker

Adian Coker is no stranger to the hip-hop game – he first staked his claim in the underground with his debut mixtape release Lights Fantastic, with his follow-up Young World propelling him past that success. He now returns with his brand new track ‘No Angel’, with a sample of Madonna’s ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ and a glimpse of Kanye West’s ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing.’ Adian laces the track with his deep vocals and dives straight into exploring and taking control of the production, with his lyrics using emotion, frustration and strength to bring inspiration. It’s just Adian baring himself to the world with no barriers to hold him back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq0W9oTJHRw

Avelino

Hailing from Tottenham, Avelino turned heads when he dropped his free collaborative mixtape with Wretch 32 titled Young Fire, Old Flame in 2015. This year is all about his own music though, which kicks off with ‘Welcome To The Future,’ produced by Raf Riley. It showcases his distinctive lyricism, signature wordplay and inimitable flow, and stakes his strong presence in the game where he has now become a successful artist after years in the underground. The track has got a futuristic and fresh sound to it and is just the start of things to come this year. He will be releasing his debut EP soon too so make sure you watch out for that.

Potter Payper

Essex rapper Potter Payper released his 7-track One Time EP on March 31st and also dropped a new visual off of their ‘Real Life (Black Impala).’ It’s the second visual from the EP, following on from ‘Normal’ (feat Maverick Sabre). ‘Real Life’ provides a soulful, contemplative glimpse at Payper’s struggles with the visuals ever-reflecting the lyrics. Potter raps, “Sugh Knight in this Black Impala, mob shit tryna jack him after. I’m too G I’m so Bush Obama,” over a guitar-led track. Potter is definitely one of the coldest UK rappers, with some of the realist lyrics. You can get his EP here.

 

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April 4, 2016

Pixies Tracks Of The Week @TheCocoUK @MajorB2DAL @RATLIN @chaseandstatus @Novelist @Wretch32 @WilkinsonUK

Coco ft. AJ Tracey & Nadia Rose – Big N Serious Remix

Sheffield Grime MC Coco’s latest track “Big N Serious” has been creating waves on the radio, online and on the TV for months now. The track has now been giving an official remix with two of Grime’s newest and hottest MC’s AJ Tracey and Nadia Rose also jumping on the track to add their magic. The levels of lyricism on this track are mental, and the three MC’s discuss everything from fakes, snakes, to mums.

Milli Major ft. Doctor – Merking

Bloodline representative Milli Major is back with an exciting new video “Merking” with a feature from Doctor. Milli destroys the track like a don does with his innate vocals and lyrics over a thumping 140 riddim. Doctor switches things up bringing a Dancehall vibe to the hook and immediately launches into a verse too.

Ratlin ft. Ayo Beatz – Never Doubt

Ratlin is back on his A-game with this brand new one “Never Doubt”. He brings in Ayo Beatz for the auto-tuned hook. This one sees Ratlin reaching for the sky for this inspiring track where he talks money, power and respect. We see Ratlin driving around in a very nice white Mercedes in the visuals and shots with his friends too. We should be seeing a lot more from the West London rapper who has been a little quiet lately.

Chase & Status ft. Novelist – NRG

Chase & Status have brought us some of the biggest anthems and after their latest London Bars series, with one of their tracks ft. Novelist “Bigger Man Sound”, they have joined forces again with him for brand new one “NRG”. Opening with a Prodigy sound, the track then launches into a bass fuelled, synth driven track, with Novelist showering it down with his bars.

Wilkinson And Wretch 32 – Flatline

After hearing the audio to this track already, we now have the energetic and fun visuals to match Wilkinson and Wretch 32’s joint track for “Flatline”. What a banger!

 

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March 23, 2016

The Sounds Of UK Rap @corleonegb @SectionBoyz_ @Official6ix7 @CadelOfficial @MDargg @SkoreBeezy @SKEAMEROJB @UncleFumez

I’m here to bring you some of the latest tracks and news from the world of UK Rap from the past two weeks. We’ve got some big tracks to talk about this week and a huge mixtape that I’ve mentioned in a previous column.

Section Boyz – ‘Dig Dat’

Section Boyz are undeniably the hottest UK rap crew right now. After their national #Sectioned Tour where they brought out Skepta and Drake at their London show, they are keeping things moving with a new track ‘Dig Dat’. The video captures the special moment, commemorating it. The production from Nana Rouges is crisp with a marching beat, setting the pace for each six of Section’s distinctive bars. It’s a clear indication of where Section Boyz are headed with their energy and bars, and that’s straight to the top.

Section Boyz have more tour dates at the beginning of April in Dublin, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as some festivals including Wireless. Get your tickets here.

Corleone feat. Young Adz & Chelski Lauren – ‘On The Boss’

GB Records are home to some of the hardest UK rappers including Skeng, who also dropped a track with C Biz ‘In Ma City’ and Uncle Chunks. Let’s talk about one of their other artists Corleone, who dropped a brand new joint ‘On The Boss.’ It features D Block Europe artist Young Adz, who gives a different component to the track, and Chelski Lauren, whose vocals gives the hook smoothness. Corleone’s laid-back flow complements the production’s relaxed beat, and the track’s title pretty much explains what it’s about. “I’ve got sharper as I’ve grown, earnt my masters on the roads, I’ve nurtured all these youngers, I’m a father to the shows.”

67 (LD & Dimzy) – ’67k What Where!?’

In September 2015, 67 released their mixtape In Skengs We Trust – a strong 20-track mixtape that is available to buy on iTunes. We’ve received the visuals to match one of the tracks, ’67k What Where!?’, from two of the crew, LD & Dimzy. The two provide us with strong, hard bars and effortless flows over a looming, twinkling beat produced by a producer responsible for some of the best UK rap tunes, Carns Hill. It’s combined with a solid hook, capturing the track’s title. “Who are these youts, who are these braes, 67k what where, you can get left right there.” These guys are one to watch, take note.

Cadell feat. Giggs – ‘Coming Through’

The sound on Cadell’s new track is pretty hard to define. It’s a mixture of Grime and Rap, and definitely hard. With Giggs’ distinctive voice on the hook and a verse to match, he gives the track a laid-back element on the hook, switching it up on his verse. This combined with Cadell’s skippy flow makes the track a straight up banger. ‘Coming Through’ has some funny visuals to match and it’s certainly something different.

M Dargg, Skore Beezy & Skeamer – ‘Kobe’

Straight out of South London, M Dargg, Skore Beezy and Skeamer bring you the visuals to their collaborative track ‘Kobe’. A key-led intro brings the track into a rolling percussive beat, allowing M Dargg to ride it with his bars followed by Skore Beezy, whose flow is undeniably tight; last but not least, Skeamer provides the hook. ‘Kobe’ is a hood anthem and is one for the streets. A cold beat with colder lyrics, Beezy spits “swerve on man with 2 wheels, serve on bats with a few deals, birds in packs with 2 seals, how you swerve on yats with 2 bills.” Check it out below.

Fumez The Engineer

Fumez The Engineer is one of the most highly regarded studio engineers in the UK scene and his mixtape, where he collaborates with some of the biggest names in UK Rap and Grime, has made a lot of noise. Over the past couple of weeks he’s dropped more studio videos from the project. We’ve seen Cadet’s ‘Grime God’ drop, along with Joe Black’s ‘Back To The Music,’ Trapz’s ‘100%’, Benny Banks’ ‘Murder Freestyle’, and Ms Banks’ ‘Amazing.’ The mixtape itself was also released and made available to stream. Make sure you support good UK music and download it here

 

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March 8, 2016

The Sounds Of UK Rap @YoungsTeflon @Official6ix7 @OfficialGiggs @nines1ace @TremzAYLAAH @KreptandKonan

Youngs Teflon

Brixton rapper Youngs Teflon is a UK gem. His work rate has always been high, and he always produces good quality music to our ears. At the beginning of March, he delivered an intense 14-track mixtape March Madness packed full of hip-hop beats that could easily take you back to the ’90s. He lyrically rides classic instrumentals which a lot of you will recognise as they have had Eric B & Rakim, Kendrick Lemar, Souls Of Mischief, The Lox and more spit on them. We also see a UK classic from Dubz & Giggs ‘Pain Is The Essence’, with Tefs giving his own spin. This is a true, refreshing UK rap sound with Tefs spinning us tales in his identifiable way, with the timeless sounds of DJ Premier, Dr Dre, Alchemist and many more. Listen below.

67 ft. Giggs

I think this track is seriously going to be a UK rap classic. The 67 crew have been teasing us with clips before the video dropped for a little while, getting everyone excited for the visuals to drop! Now we have them and it was definitely worth the wait. ‘Let’s Lurk’ is pure crud, with the instrumental pounding out a repetitive marching beat with a looming feel to it, and the video matching the tracks dark vibe. It features the Godfather of UK Rap, Giggs, who matches the tracks sinister feel with an amazing verse that complements 67. It’s UK at its finest.

The 67 boys also released news of their first headline show which will take place on the 29th March at Birthdays in Dalston. This is going to be one you won’t forget so get your tickets here now.

Nines

Whilst wer’e on the subject of shows, unfortunately the Church Road rapper Nines has had his shows cancelled, probably due to the police shutting it down. It’s a shame this is still happening to artists in the UK. We hope he does a secret show for his fans soon though!

Tremz

Liverpudlian rapper Tremz has hit us with a brand new studio video for a cruddy track ‘Pull Up Hop Out Bang’. Tremz delivery is energetic and he keeps it real with his lyrics, and this is why UK rap fans are starting to take him in more, and he is getting plays on the likes of 1Xtra and has a Westwood Crib session dropping soon. This track is taken from Fumez The Engineer forthcoming ‘The Mix-Tape’ which will also see tracks from Sho Shallow, Ard Adz, Joe Black, Cadet and more on March 13th. Listen to Tremz scouse trapping below…

Krept & Konan ft. YG

Krept & Konan are two of the most well known rappers right now in the UK straight out of South London. Their album ‘The Long Way Home’ dropped last year, and now we’ve been treated to a new video off of their ‘Last Night’. Whilst we hear the opening chant of “I don’t even know what I did last night’ we see Krept & Konan walking into a club with scantily clad women in masks. The rap duo drop some very crisp bars, full of punchlines, whilst YG slides in at the end to give his spin on the track.

C Biz

Last but not least, I’m ending this week’s column on C Biz. South Kilburn style the video shows lots of money, gold watches and chains. ‘Money March’ is a straight street anthem with C Biz talking about his real life situations, “C Biz taste this, this never started overnight, this shit took ages, fast life fast money,” with lots of swaggy clothes.

*published on 7th March 2016 on The 405 http://www.thefourohfive.com/music/article/the-sounds-of-uk-rap-youngs-teflon-nines-tremz-more-145

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March 7, 2016

Pixies Tracks Of The Week @JorjaSmith @LethalBizzle @ThisIsAngel @LittleTorment @iamSaintP @TheReal_PK @Lyrical_Strally @StickyBloodUK

Jorja Smith – Blue Lights

There has been a vastly notable spread of impressive female vocalist emerging recently and Jorja Smith is one to add to them. The 18 year old singer released the visuals to her debut single ‘Blue Lights’ and has set the internet alight with this stunning track and her enthralling vocals. She sings in ‘Blue Lights’ about what she sees going on around her, sampling Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Sirens’ a song she describe as “the beginning of my journey,” she then tells the person she’s talking about to run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i59Klb0S1Uw

Lethal Bizzle ft. JME & Face – BOX

Lethal Bizzle is back with another Diztortion production and enlists one of his old Fire Camp members Face & Boy Better Know’s JME for his hot new single BOX, which is set to top the charts. The video set in a boxing gym has a comical side and makes it fun to watch. It also matches the video’s energy and theme to the track. You can see this is going to be an anthem for the workouts, summertime and festivals.

Angel ft. Haile – Rudeboy

Angel is kicking off 2016 by reminding us he’s still a ‘Rudeboy’ with his brand new single featuring WSTRN’s Haile who lends him accompanying vocals to the hook. It’s great to see Angel back and fresh with a nice new banger that we are going to be hearing a lot of on the radio and clubs. He’s been in the States working with Grammy award winning producer Swizz Beats among others, and we’re likely to see his debut album drop this year too.

Little Torment – So Many Nights

We haven’t heard too much of the South London rapper Little Torment recently, so it’s good to see some new visuals from him. ‘So Many Nights’ comes from Fumez The Engineer’s forthcoming ‘The Mix-tape’ which drops on March 13th and sees other UK artists on it such as Cadet, MS Banks, Joe Black and many more. Torment takes a old skool sounding beat wrapped with a soulful melody in a studio video.

YGG – Don’t Talk Like That

YGG follow up their debut single ‘Okay’ with this banger ‘Don’t Like That’ with Empra on the production. The North West London Grime trio made up of Lyrical Strally, PK & Saint P drop some sizzling bars infused with wordplay. This track is harder than the previous one and will definitely be turning heads and get people skanking out on the dancefloor.

Sticky Blood ft. Snowy & Yxngz – Garn Again

Sticky Blood are the unstoppable duo from Sheffield who are literally putting out release after release and their newest one ‘Garn Again’ is a straight up riddim. With meaty punchlines from Snowy who gives nods to the Grime scenes Godfathers and Yxngz who offers an harmonious hook and slips into the role of an MC adding a verse at the end, it’s a R&G track you’ll not want to stop playing.

 

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February 29, 2016

Pixies Tracks Of The Week @JammerBBK @RaxOfficial @OfficialChip @Official6ix7 @OfficialGiggs @Wretch32 @officialAvelino

Jammer – Sun City

Jammer is really bringing the heat this year already with a remix of Riton’s ‘Rinse & Repeat’ and now his own track ‘Sun City’, a nod to the UKG rave of the same name. It’s definitely going to be a future classic, especially in the rave scene. With My Nu Leng & Chase & Status on the production credits, Jammer murks the beat with 140bpm mastery and laces the beat with his party vibe bars. Let the video take you back to the old skool era of raving when the dress code was Moschino.

Rax ft. Josh Osho – Four Seasons

Rax’s new EP ‘Just 4 You’ which was released for free on Friday will let you get to know the South London rapper again, slowly easing you in. After the release of ‘The Pickpocket’ in 2012 Rax took a hiatus from the scene, but is back stronger than before musically. His new visual to ‘Four Seasons’ premiered on Friday and will warm you up on these winter days and nights. It has enchanting vocals from Josh Osho and is packed with vivid emotion and expressive lyricism. It has a hip hop and jazz influences including a sunny saxophone.

Chip – ‘BlukuByeByeBye’

If you have Chip’s EP ‘Hear Dis’ you would know about this track already as it’s taken from there. It shows Chip’s non defeatist energy, as he takes a break from the musical beef with Yungen, releasing the video to ‘BlukuByeByeBye’. The video shows footage taken from a set at Radar Radio with some other very well known MC’s such as D Double E and Novelist in it, and really captures the energy and passion of Grime music.

67 ft. Giggs – Let’s Lurk

67 are a UK rap group from South London that includes members LD, Dimzy, Monkey & Asap. Their new track ‘Let’s Lurk’ is dark and threatening with a looming feel to it, whilst the video shot at night is pretty much the same with a menacing feel with some of the members cladded with masks. Giggs, the Godfather of UK rap steps up to deliver a hot verse on the track and boy is it good. The track is trappy, drawing influences from the Chicago rap scene.

Wretch 32 & Avelino – Gift To You

Wretch 32 and Avelino dropped their joint collaborative mixtape in December ‘Young Fire Old Flame’ which popped off becoming a fast favourite for last year. The journey continues though as they release the third visual from the mixtape ‘Gift To You’ ft. Moelogo. Over a laid-back beat, they both show their lyrical wordplay with the visuals showing the footage from their recent live show at Proud in Camden.

 

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February 28, 2016

The Sounds Of UK Rap: @OfficalChip @YungenPlayDirty @RaxOfficial @MoStack @konanplaydirty @Ocean_Wisdom

I’m here to bring you some of the latest tracks and news from the world of UK Rap from the past two weeks. There has been a lot going down musically and more beef has unraveled too.

Yungen & Chip

Let’s kick things off with the Yungen and Chip beef that I touched on briefly in my last column with Yungen’s track ‘Comfy’ where Chip thought he was indirecting him. Things have moved on progressively with Chip dropping his ‘One Take’ freestyle, firing direct shots straight at Yungen.

Now it’s been said there is rat in the Chip camp, due to the fact Yungen already knew Chip was planning to send for him, even though he had told Krept & Konan that he wouldn’t.

Krept tweeted on 20th Feb: “No we will not get involved it’s just Chip gave man his word that he wont diss Yungs and then did smh.”

Naturally Yungen pre-recorded his send, watching and waiting for Chip’s ‘One Take’ to drop and asking him on Twitter to remove it giving him hours. Chip refused to budge and Yungen released his diss track ‘Punk (Shitmunk Diss)’.

It didn’t take Chip long to respond. Less than 24 hours later the video to ‘Michelle Riddim (Lil Clive Diss)’ dropped, showing a laid-back Chip on his own in a smoky booth. His portrayed his calmness, showing Yungen didn’t worry him. The video opens with some cuts from an interview of Yungen bigging Chip up.

It seems Sneakbo is possibly taking Chip’s side, aiming tweets at Konan, which is worrying as Sneakbo and Yungen are meant to be friends… I guess we’ll find out more about what’s going on over the next few days.

Sneakbo: “These rappers get signed & become gangster…Go back to uni mate.”

“You don’t want drama pleaseeeeeeeee @konanplaydirty.”

24 hours later… Yungen is back at it with another response titled ‘Oopsy Daisy Riddim’ and he completely controls the track with bars laced with fire and cleverness.

Chip has responded less than 24 hours later now with another diss track ‘L (Lil Clive Diss 2)’. Things are definitely getting very heated now, as the replies are being made rapidly, and there are no signs of either backing down.

Rax

South London rapper Rax took a hiatus from the music game for a while, but now he is back stronger than ever. Gearing up to drop his mixtape Just 4 You on Friday (26th Feb), he has dropped two tracks over the past two weeks; ‘Money Bee’ feat. Zino Brown, Bonkaz and Dee Pee (Section Boyz) and ‘Four Seasons’ feat. Josh Osho. ‘Money Bee’ opened the doors to the full project and showed an energetic track, full of power and bass that’s lyrically tough. ‘Four Seasons’ revealed a different side to Rax with its relaxed, cool and calm vibe, infiltrated with the rapper’s witty bars. It’s infused with warmth, with the soulful vocals of Josh Osho and a sunny Sax. Watch out for the ‘Four Season’ video this week too.

MoStack – Gangsters With Banter

MoStack is a rising rapper from North London who has been creating a nice buzz over the past year, with a bunch of videos being released and collaborations with high profile artists such as Tinie Tempah on his album Junk Food. Last week saw the release of his brand new, highly anticipated mixtape Gangster With Banter with features from Yungen, Sneakbo, J Hus and Stormzy to name a few. Its 21-tracks are packed full of clever bars and a hard, Afrobeat sound combined with UK Rap.

Listen and download here.

He also released an accompanying video from the tape ‘Fuck This Generation (Outro)’. He talks about women, and his life in general, thanking God for another year lived with his family. It showcases his lyrical ability well, and his depth by being able to speak about issues in his generation.

Along with the releases, MoStack also announced his first headline show at the 02 Islington Academy on Thurs 14th April. It will be a night to remember for UK rap fans and will see some very special guests joining him on the stage. Buy your tickets here.

Konan – Last Night In LA

Konan the South London rapper and one half of the rap duo Krept & Konan dropped one of the hottest freestyles ‘Last Night In LA’ as a follow up to Krept’s ‘Last Night In Lagos’. Konan hits us with pure passion and aggression, and of course it’s packed full of wordplay and punchlines. It’s great to see Konan really rip into the track, in one of his coldest to date. To take it all in you may have to rewind the video a few times.

Ocean Wisdom

Out this week is Ocean Wisdom’s debut album Chaos 93 on High Focus Records. It’s produced completely by Dirty Dike, and features from some of UK hip-hop’s finest; Foreign Beggars, Klashnekoff, The Four Owls, Lunar C, Edward Scissortongue & Remus. It’s due to cause some serious damage and be a turning point for hip-hop in the UK. Head over to iTunes now to buy it.

Skrapz

Another show that was announced and one to put in the diary is Skrapz’s ‘The Beginning Of The End’ secret show on Thurs 7th April with support from Nafe Smallz, Mist, Trapstar Toxic and hosted by A Squeezy. See you there!

 

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February 21, 2016

The 10 best mixtapes, according to @Bonkaz

Bonkaz showcases his steadfast love for hip-hop with a list of his favourite hip hop mixtapes..

IMG_9705-2_750_1124_75_s

Read a list of the best R&B and rap mixtapes, according to Bonkaz.

Bonkaz is part of a new generation of artists who came onto the scene with a DIY attitude towards their craft, allowing them to push boundaries and limits into a new sphere. Growing up when grime was birthed was influential to his own musical journey, and he spent his youth listening to artists such as Kano and Dizzee Rascal. This was pivotal to both his creativity and outlook on music, schooled by grime’s ingenious and inventive journey.

Growing up in Croydon, he watched artists such as Krept & Konan and his good friend Stormzy break boundaries in UK rap and grime. Bonkaz knew he could do it too: he had to use same mentality as them, but break his own boundaries in an individualised way.

Bonkaz’s sound cannot be defined: some of his tracks are undeniably grime, whereas some are rap. He is a creator of his own sound by refusing to be boxed into a genre. Bonkaz is becoming a brand, and these are the lessons he has picked up from grime and his peers along the way.

After gaining a rep via UK music platforms such as SBTV and Link Up TV – who showed early support to him – he signed to Danny Weed and DJ Target’s label Pitched Up, an imprint of Sony. He released We Run The Block on it as his first single, which was the track that propelled him into the limelight. Keeping the track off the internet for as long as possible and only performing it live was solely his idea – a brilliant marketing plan, and one that solidifies his rising status as a future visionary.

Last week saw him release ‘#MixtapeOfTheYear’, an 11-track project with only three features – Stormzy on And Dat and Blade Brown and Yxng Bane on Outside. The remainder of the tape is just purely him and his lyrical intellect. Naming it mixtape of the year in February just shows Bonkaz is confident when it comes to his ability, and that he’s just shut 2016 down with 11 months still on the clock.

In light of his new release, we asked Bonkaz to compile his favourite mixtapes and ranging from Chance The Rapper through to Giggs, the list showcases his steadfast love for hip-hop.

01. Chance The Rapper ‘Ten Day’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJPtq3laocU

Bonkaz: “This was actually the first mixtape from Chance but the second one I heard. Apparently it’s called ‘Ten Day’ because he recorded it during a ten 10 suspension from school. Some of the best lyricism I’ve ever heard and very experimental. Chance is one of my favourite artists!”

02. Giggs & Dubz ‘Ard Bodied’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x0QMQSENkA

Bonkaz: “Completely dominated the UK rap scene for a long long time. So many fire tracks. A lot of them went on to be classics such as ‘Pain Is The Essence’. It was that project you play on the way to and from school!”

03. Rick Ross ‘Rich Forever’

Bonkaz: “Ross was on fire when this dropped, completely dominating the game. This mixtape is incredible, even better than a lot of albums. He had John Legend on the title track, and John Legend on a mixtape is a big deal!”

04. Nipsey Hussle ‘Mailbox Money’

Bonkaz: “This mixtape is full of super sick tracks! The release was super innovative also. He offered an option to download the tape for free, a pay what you like option and also a $1000 option. He sold all 100 of the $1000 options. Jay Z also bought a few as a way of commending his level of innovation.”

05. Lil Wayne ‘Drought 3’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLDFF9AE12D6BFBA11&v=AXjbXUvLyXA

Bonkaz: “Wayne was absolutely untouchable when this tape dropped. In terms of lyrics he couldn’t be beaten, this is around the time he started referring to himself as the best rapper alive (rightly so imo). He was also on just about every big R&B tune at the time.”

06. Drake ‘So Far Gone’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLB7E80B2F70A9A8CD&v=_iXN2sKr91s

Bonkaz: “The first I ever heard from Drake. Super relatable and just completely genuine music. Every track felt so personal, very ambient music.”

07. Sza ‘Z’

Bonkaz: “Not sure if this was a mixtape or an EP but it was incredible. My first listen to Sza and she became the soundtrack of that summer. Such a great sound with thought provoking lyrics.”

08. PartyNextDoor ‘PartyNextDoor’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLI6lPkyCBI7QE_6aPKh7ZpQLUJe0G8SUV&v=JXChU1g5iUs

Bonkaz: “This was the soundtrack to the summer before I heard Sza. One of the originators of the sound that he brought. This mixtape changed a lot of things within the new R&B type stuff, great project.”

09. The Weeknd ‘House Of Balloons’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6a9WDRgLhk

Bonkaz: “What a project! It was almost like a step by step guideline to anybody that was out getting drunk and being young at the time (as I was). Some of the most honest lyrics I’ve ever heard and a completely new and original sound. This along with ‘House Of Balloons’ and ‘Thursday’ were all combined to make Weeknds first album, ‘The Trilogy’.”

10. A2 ‘Once Too Many’

Bonkaz: “A2 was the first person I ever heard to bring that street R&B sound. Before I heard Bryson Tiller or PND. I personally believe he created it. A completely unskippable project, with great tracks from start to finish. Such an ambience, such relatable lyrics. This may be my pick of the bunch.”

‘Mixtape Of The Year’ is out now.

*Published on Dummy Mag 15.02.16

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February 14, 2016

Pixies Tracks Of The Week @Heavytrackerz @LayZ_Music @Skepta @DDoubleE7 @Prez_T @JammerBBK @RaxOfficial @KingPMoney @bignarstie @Example

The Heavytrackerz ft. Lay z – Freak You

Lay Z has gone all sentimental on us for Valentines Day proiving there is a softer side to him. Teaming up with The Heavytrackerz who have laid down a smooth beat, sampling Usher’s ‘Nice and Slow’ for Lay Z to lace his soulful and gripping vocals on allowing the vibrations of the slow bass to be heard. It’s something completely different from the Boy Better Know Grime MC, but we definitely approve! This is only available via Red Bull at the moment, but will be available tomorrow to share….listen by clicking here

Skepta ft. A$AP Nast & D Double E – Ladies Hit Squad

Another one for Valentines Day, this time from the tracksuit mafia. ‘Ladies Hit Squad’ premiered on the radio on OVO Sound and then the video dropped in full effect today. The dreamy production is produced by Skepta himself, and features a verse from Grime legend D Double E and the hook is courtesy of A$AP Nast. The Grime ladies and men will definitely be banging out this tune and it’s sure to be a hit.

Rax – Money Bee ft. Zino Brown, Dee Pee & Bonkaz

South London lyricist Rax premiered his brand new track ‘Money Bee’ on Pigeons & Planes this week after taking a short hiatus from music. His new one sees a strong return from him, and is taken from his forthcoming project ‘Just For You’ that will showcase Rax’s diversity musically and his lyrical ability. ‘Money Bee’ features Zino Brown, Dee Pee from Section Boyz and Rax who are some of the best MC’s around right now. It’s full of tough bars combined with an eerie beat.

President T & Jammer – Best In Britain

Wooooaaahhhh this is hard! President T has made a HUGE comeback with latest release ‘Greatest To Ever Touch Down’ and now has announced news of his album ‘Stranger Returns’ which should be dropping this year. ‘Best In Britain’ a hype track, samples Grime classic ‘Rhythm & Gash’ and is produced by one of the best Zeph Ellis. It has braggadocio bars from President T & Jammer who can do it because they some of the best…

P Money, Big Narstie & Example ft. Takura – Access Denied

Huge riddim from P Money, Big Narsite and Example who go back to back with some heavy duty bars with all three showcasing their different flows and lyrics. With a hook from Takura and the production from Darq E Freaker this is one of the best tracks I’ve heard from this year.

 

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February 11, 2016

Kurupt FM presents Champagne Steam Rooms – Koko 04/02/16 @KuruptFM

West London stand up! Or should I say Camden stand Up?

Kurupt FM the pirate radio station crew known for their comedy show on BBC Three People Just Do Nothing with its second series complete last year, took to Koko for their headline showChampagne Steamrooms. With shows up and down the country, they returned to their home of London on Thursday evening to a sold out show.

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Foundation (Sticky & Scott Garcia) kicked off the night, warming up things nicely with a rotation of some of the most banging Garage tunes known to mankind and host DR. Psycho bringing the energy to the half full crowd who had turned up nice and early, getting their positions ready for the main act.

Big Narstie the bass controller was up next and got the crowd bubbling nicely with his hyped bars. He performed tracks such as ‘Gas The Pipe’ and new track ‘When The Bassline Drops’ ft. Craig David. The DJ also dropped classic tracks such as ‘Rhythm N Gash’ by Rebound X.

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Chabuddy G appeared on the screen on stage, and then popped up on the balcony to the left looking dapper in an all-white suit and obviously a bottle of champagne in his hand. He announced that there was going to be a special guest, making everyone wonder who, then introducing himself as the special guest. Only Kurupt could get away with this! DJ Steves was another funny arrival as he swung down from the ceiling above the stage, quite comically on a broken harness. Steves took to his spot behind the decks and began dropping some heavy duty Garage tunes and the whole crowd started to rave.

The Dancehall set in the middle gave a nice, relaxed feeling after the Garage tunes and skanking out (yes by me too), and allowed our weary feet to rest a bit. Decoy did a good job of curating the set with Damian Marley’s ‘Welcome To Jamrock’ playing and the crowd chanting “Welcome To Camden” with what seemed like every single person in the crowd getting involved.

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The highlights of the night were when the special guests started to arrive on the stage. Garage favourites DJ Luck & MC Neat appeared first performing classic tune ‘With A Little Bit Of Luck’. Grime Gods Newham Generals were next with timeless track ‘Hard’. After Grindah’s own attempt at performing ‘Shut Up’, Stormzy came to take the weight off his shoulders and bring the energy bouncing about on stage.

The boys ended the night with everyone from the night who performed joining them on stage for a crowded performance of ‘Get Out The Way’, packed full of energy and vibes.

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Kurupt FM have proved again that even though they are every bit comical, they need to be taken seriously. They have risen through the ranks and portrayed a culture to places unseen before. They aren’t just doing it for themselves; they are doing it for everyone involved.

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