Political Peak releases another video off his Dream 2 Reality mixtape, this time Asking Why featuring Jaja Soze and singer Ruby Smith, a deep track questioning life in the hood.
January 4, 2013
MTV The Wrap Up – UK Rap Rundown: The 2012 Round Up
It’s been a good year, especially for UK rap – we have seen it grow and reach some great heights. I have only been writing The Wrap Up’s UK Rap Rundown for six months, starting in July when I reported for you from L.A for the BET Awards. Now that it’s the last UK Rap Rundown of 2012, I guess I should do what everyone else is doing and give you guys a wrap up of the year. But I’m not going to do that; I’m going to give you some of my personal highlights – you may or may not agree, but this is what is what caught my attention and went down for me…
A female that has really impressed me this year is Shystie; from working with Azealia Banks to her videos and mixtape ‘Gold Dust 2’. This lady has really been putting in the work, proving even though she’s been in it for a while she’s still strong and here to stay.
South London’s windy music duo Ard Adz and Sho Shallow really caught my eye this year. Releasing their ‘P.U.S.H’ mixtape, putting out many videos and also being nominated for MTV’s Unsigned for 2013, these two are destined for big things.
Genesis Elijah has also had an outstanding year. Being a more established name in the game and one many look up to, he just keeps evolving and getting better. He released a few mixtapes such as ‘I Ain’t Even Charging Bruv 2’ and ‘An Emcees Worst Enemy’ – a standout track for me was ‘Underground King’.
Let’s look at some other mixtapes that deserve a mention. K. Koke’s ‘Pure Koke 3’ is the last in the ‘Pure Koke’ series which started with Vol 1 in 2010. Vol 3 saw a mixture of new and old tracks, with a standout track for me being ‘I’m Nice’. We also have the ‘I Ain’t Perfect’ album to look forward to from Koke next year.
Political Peak’s ‘Dreams 2 Reality’ caused quite a stir when it was released. He also put out many visuals to some of the tracks, including ‘Times Have Changed’, ‘Tables Have Turnt’ and ‘Tears In The Rain’.
Dru Blu has had a good year, releasing his street album ‘ This Is Don Strapzy’ and recently releasing a mixtape ‘Best Of Dru Blu’ – along with a flurry of videos and tracks to keep us entertained throughout the year.
Margate rapper Mic Righteous is definitely destined for big things in 2013. At the beginning of the year he released his second mixtape ‘Kampain’ which thoroughly impressed me. He also had the infamous beef with Tim Westwood, releasing a diss track to him called ‘Sack City’. Look out for the ‘Open Mic’ EP, coming early next year.
‘Wretchercise’ was definitely a big one this year, with Wretch 32 being many people’s favourite rapper. He definitely showed us why he was worthy of this title, as he gave us a first class 17-track deep tape.
Ratlin’s ‘Crown Me’ mixtape which was released in December and had a heavy buzz; with a solid two years in the game, Ratlin has quickly cemented his position in the UK rap game. Squeeks ‘Call Me Squeeko’ caught my attention from the beginning till the end, with ‘I Got You’ being my favourite track refixing The Weeknd’s ‘Rolling Stone’.
Melanin 9 aka M9’s album ‘Magna Carta’ is one we can’t miss; the album is a firm favourite for UK hip-hop heads. Mystro’s ‘Mystrogen’ was a cleverly crafted, witty debut album from the emcee that reflected his full range of skills, including wordplay and social commentary.
Blade Brown’s ‘Bags & Boxes 2’ made it high in the iTunes charts, as an independent artist this showed Blade’s progression and for me, he became the king of UK trap. Skepta’s ‘Blacklisted’ is another one we can’t miss out, with standout tracks ‘Ace Hood Flow’ and ‘Castles’.
There we go guys – my personal highlights of the year. Unfortunately I couldn’t mention all of them, but regardless I hope you have enjoyed my updates in UK rap for the past six months. Happy New Year – I’ll see you on the other side!
October 31, 2012
MTV Wrap Up: UK Rap Rundown [News]
Winter is officially here! The clocks have turned back and the weather last week was unbelievably cold. Myself and The Wrap Up’s editor Maz braved the cold on Monday for Clement Marfo + The Frontline’s show in Camden, where they were supported by Charlee Drew and Josh Kumra. The collective are known for their rowdy shows and this was one of the rowdiest I have been to yet! The audience got soaked as usual by Clements water throwing antics and there was a big moshpit before Clement tore off the ‘no stage diving’ sign and jumped off the stage…
On Wednesday night I was invited to Tzar’s listening party for his new joint project with VersA Beatz, ‘XO.VS’ at a luxury penthouse in Westminster. We were treated to drinks and a spectacular view as everyone including rappers Bigz, Smiler, Mega and Mayhem sat down and listened to the full-length project, which is an ode to the high life and true love for luxury possessions. The two are already working on a follow up to the project, so watch out for that.
Benny Banks warmed up for Pusha T last week, and although I wasn’t there, he performed his new track ‘Trouble’ which is currently floating about online.
The video to K. Koke’s first official single was released – and what a moment it was. The video was more like a mini movie, a tale of struggle which showed Koke’s ability to appeal to a more varied audience but without losing his authenticity. Rappers can learn a lesson from this, as he shows you don’t have to compromise who you are.
Steel Banglez got the first play of his new track ‘Wafey’ on DJ Target’s show last week; of course it featured Cashtastic who works with the East London producer on a lot of his own tracks. We also hear some bars from Margs.
Young Don and Fekky had a few releases last week. Young Don released the video to his collaboration with Fekky called ‘ Gwup Boyz’ from ‘The Weather Man’. The 13-track mixtape was released last week and features UK rap peers such as J Spades, Squeeks, Ard Adz, Sho Shallow and more. Fekky also dropped the video to ‘No Worries’ featuring Slic Vic – look out for it.
Political Peak released the video to ‘Times Have Changed’ featuring Tayong off his ‘Dreams 2 Reality’ mixtape that also came out last week. The 19-track free download includes features from DVS, Jaja Soze and Exo and is definitely worth a listen.
Until next Monday!
October 28, 2012
Political Peak – Dreams To Reality – [Free Mixtape]
Political Peak releases his free 19-tracks downloadable mixtape Dreams 2 Reality with features including DVS, Jaja Soze, Exo, Kerz, Tayong,J Alexadra, Shaun White and more.
October 25, 2012
Political Peak – Times Have Changed ft Tayong [Music Video]
Political Peak is back with another expressive track featuring a hook from Tayong.
October 16, 2012
MTV Wrap Up: UK Rap Rundown [News]
It’s been a busy week for me as I headed to various events that were happening around London, one of which being RWD’s 11th birthday party on Saturday. Room 1 saw sets from DJ Target, Logan Sama, Fonti and Bushkin as well a live set from Boy Better Know. Room 2 saw a hip-hop takeover as DJ Semtex and Shortee Blitz and others spinned the decks. I saw a few familiar faces in the crowd, including Clement Marfo and Roll Deep’s Manga…
In news, it seems that Wiley has signed another album deal for his upcoming album ‘The Ascent’, which is said to be released in February next year. Tracks on the album will include his hit No.1 single ‘Heatwave’ and second single ‘Can You Hear Me (Ayayaya)’ featuring Skepta, JME and Ms D. Standout features on the tracklist include Emeli Sande, Angel, Kano, Chip, Ice Kid and a mysterious line up of seven grime MC’s – I wonder who will make up the magic seven?
Fans were disappointed when Giggs delayed his video release by a day for NY who released her album yesterday, proving what a good friend he is. Watch out for the video ‘What N****s Want’ tonight at 8pm as it will be released via Rap City TV. I know I’m excited to hear what Giggs has in store, are you?
Charlie Sloth recently announced on his BBC 1Xtra show that he had a meeting with the MOBO’s bosses and they had agreed to let ‘The UK Rap Anthem’ be performed live at the award show. This reminds me of the epic moment when Tinchy Stryder’s ‘Game Over’ was performed for the first time there. ‘The UK Rap Anthem’ was made to celebrate the power and variety of the UK rap scene in 2012 and unites rappers from across the UK together on one track. It includes Mic Righteous, English Frank, Madhat McGore, Shotty Horroh, Flow Dem and more.
Rap City released ‘The Trap’ movie, a 48-minute piece written by Arnold Jorge, aka A Squeezy. It features UK rappers J Spades, Dun D, Margs and Fekky. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a watch.
Joe Black surprised me with a mixtape last week! I didn’t expect there to be a ‘Realionaire 1.5’; I expected the north London rapper to jump straight to number 2. His first ‘Realionaire’ mixtape caused quite a buzz last year and I can’t wait for the next one. In the meantime, check out the free 20-track mixtape featuring some of rap’s heavyweights including Blade Brown, Squeeks, Margs and Fekky.
In other news, Dru Blu told everyone why you can’t mess with him and his ‘Clique’ as he spat some heavy bars over the original G.O.O.D Music instrumental. We also saw two other videos be released recently; one was Cashtastic’s ‘Alarm Clock’ and the other saw Political Peak release the video to ‘Jump Off’.
Until next week!
October 15, 2012
Political Peak – Jump Off [Music Video]
Political Peak released the video to his track Jump Off which is about “bad girls getting treated like good girls.” The track is taken from his forthcoming mixtape Dreams 2 Reality.
October 9, 2012
MTV Wrap UP: UK Rap Rundown [News]
Nas was in London last week to play three intimate shows and brought Wretch 32 and George the Poet for support, which saw them both perform at one of Nas’ shows in Shoreditch, showing the exceptional lyrical talent the UK has to offer…
Meanwhile, one of UK raps most talked about artists at the moment will soon have something new for us; J Spades is hitting the studio tonight as he announced on Twitter that he will be finishing off an exciting new track: “Studio tonight to finish up that new @REAL_JSPADES and @WackaFlocka tune! #Bricksquad #MMMP! #MMMP2 coming soon!” As he mentioned in the tweet, his new mixtape ‘More Money More Pagans 2’ will be coming real soon.
Chip also took to Twitter to tell us when his anticipated mixtape ‘London Boy’ is due out and also revealed details on the next project that he has in store for us: ”#LondonBoy 25th December !!! FREE MIXTAPE #PizzaBoy feat. @MeekMill up next… Shutting the clubs DOWN!!!”
I previously filled you in on Rapper Tag UK; an online cypher that started with Mystro. The last one ended with M9 aka Melanin 9; their latest video is up now and sees Hackney MC Cyrus Malachi spit some bars. It is also Rapper Tag’s first birthday – we wish them many more years to come!
As well as K. Koke’s ‘Pure Koke Vol. 3 ‘dropping last week, the USG rapper also got airplay for his debut single ‘Turn Back’ featuring soulful singer Maverick Sabre. The track is about his struggles and samples Sting’s track ‘Shape Of My Heart,’ which Nas also used on ‘The Message’. The video will be dropping soon.
USG boss Squingy was joined by members Exo and Lefty to bring us the theme tune ‘Money On My Mind’ to the forthcoming movie ‘Fedz’. The soundtrack will also include tracks from J Spades, Giggs, Margs, DVS, Joe Black and more.
South London’s Colours Miyagi has returned from a short hiatus to bring us a brand new track ‘Burn’, showing us that even though he has been away, listeners are “locked down now I’m back”. His lyricism and flow has developed into something more special; other rappers can learn a thing or two from this one.
Political Peak has dropped two tracks this week in the lead up to his ‘Dreams 2 Reality’ mixtape. ‘Wise Up’ was the first one to be heard featuring Ard Adz and Blacker. The next was ‘Dreamin’, an emotional track featuring former Sugababes member Keisha Buchanan who add a nice touch to the song with her strong vocals.
Until next Monday!
October 6, 2012
Political Peak – Dreamin ft. Keisha Buchanan [Audio]
Political Peak gives us another taster as he unveils another track Dreamin off his Dreams 2 Reality mixtape.
October 2, 2012
MTV Wrap Up: UK Rap Rundown [News]
He has been one of my favourite rappers for over a year now, since the release of ‘Yob Culture’ and my first meeting with him last summer at the filming of the UK BET cypher. Mic Righteous has announced that he will be releasing an EP called ‘Open Mic’ in January and after his immensely impressive SB.TV session last week, I know this may well be the best we have heard from him so far…
He has also asked the True Tiger boys to remix his first single ‘Ghost Town’, which I expect will have a dubstep sound.
Cashtastic was busy on Saturday night as he shot the video to his new track ‘Alarm Clock’, tweeting: “Gunna wake the game up wid #AlarmClock both song and video”, he tweeted this along with pictures from his Instagram account to give his fans a taster of what is to come.
K. Koke had a special surprise for fans last night as he had them guessing on Twitter what his ‘#KokeSurprise’ was. He then released a net video to a track called ‘Warning’, announcing that he would be releasing ‘Pure Koke Vol 3’, writing: “THE LAST PUREKOKEVOL3……… AFTER THIS IAINTPERFECT 2 D WORLD USG ATEAM RCA/ROC”. The last of the Pure Koke tapes will be out tonight at 8pm, so make sure you look out for it.
Last week we heard a bit more of what was to come from Giggs – I know I am definitely excited to hear some new music from him soon. He tweeted last Monday: “WHEN WILL IT STOP” still coming soon…” He also shot a new music video last Monday, so we should be hearing and seeing some new material from him in the immediate future.
Political Peak gave us a video of the behind-the-scenes action for his forthcoming video ‘Jump Off’ and then released the audio to the track. The club banger comes from his forthcoming ‘Dreams 2 Reality’ mixtape.
I spoke to him about the track, which sees him take a different approach his usual style: “A producer from Philadelphia came over to London to work with me. He showed me his sound that he’s got going on out there – then ‘Jump Off’ was created. The song is basically about bad girls getting treated like good girls.”
Youngs Teflon has been working hard and recently released the ‘Wrapping Ain’t Dead’ video from his ‘Tr!ll!n’ mixtape. The south London rapper has called on some UK heavyweights such as Skepta, NoLay, Joe Black and Squeeks to help him out with the free 16-track mixtape
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