A pixie's everyday writing adventures
Rap Up UK return with another mini documentary this time looking at the Art Of Rap where they talk to emcees such as Jaja Soze, Political Peak, Fem Fel, Dru Blu, Pepstar, USG, Young Mad B, Yung Meth, Sho Shallow, Lyrican, Mike GLC, Pane & Yardz, Wholagun, Pound Sterling, Marger + More
Watch Pound Sterling‘s latest video the title track of his recent mixtape Last Man Standing.
I’m back after a week away sunning myself and sightseeing in Egypt and am ready to kick offThe Wrap Up‘s Rap Rundown again. I’m going to start with the man who excites most in the rap game; Mic Righteous. The Margate rapper released the visuals to ‘Up All Night’ taken off his recently released ‘Open Mic’ EP. The track is produced by TDH (Tom, Dick & Harry) and I like the grittiness of the video compared to most we see…
We caught a sneak peek of Sho Shallow’s new video ‘Bad’ as Rap Up UK released a behind-the-scenes video. The Brixton emcee reveals that this track was inspired by Wale’s ‘Bad’ because he liked the track and the concept.
Pound Sterling released his ‘Last Man Standing’ mixtape over a month ago and returned to drop a freestyle with a video spitting over Drake’s ‘5am In Toronto’ beat. This is one of my favourite freestyles I have heard as Pound Sterling sets some high standards with his flow and bars.
Paper Pabs from Bloodline took part in GRM Daily’s ‘Black & White’ where he talked honestly and openly about a few issues. One of the first things he questioned was “Is there even a grime scene? I think we need to rename it because I think UK rap is part of grime.” He went on to say they both need each other to balance and it needs to be renamed. What do you think?
USG’s founder Squingy released the video to ‘Rolling’ featuring Lefty. The instrumental draws you into the track instantly. The North West London collective are working on a USG album so look out for that coming soon.
As he gears up for the release of his new mixtape ‘King Of The Underground 2’, Joe Black drops a freestyle entitled ‘I’m Back’. You might recognize the instrumental from K Koke’s ‘I’m Back’ track. Joe Black’s tracks always sound effortless and as he says in this freestyle, he makes it look like ‘light work’.
It is bank holiday next week so there are lots of events going on. On Friday, J. Cole will be hosting LoveDough which will see Cashtastic and Yungen performing on the night which takes place in Proud, Camden.
Saturday sees Musicalize return to Indigo2 and for me it is the best line up I’ve seen from this event. Kano, K Koke, Tyler James, Sway, Ghetts, Scorcher and Lunar C will all be taking to the stage in this not be missed night.
Streetfest is one of my favourite events of the year and sees an emergence of street culture come together in a car park in Shoreditch; music, clothes, art, skating and more. This year the winner of iTunes ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year’ Oddisee will be performing, supported by Dot Rotten, DJ Vadim, DJ Nikki Beatnik, Livin’ Proof and Supa Dupa Fly.
Lastly, on Monday Link-Up TV will be having their first ever live show at XOYO in Shoreditch with a line-up so far announced consisting of Squeeks, G FrSH, J Spades, Yungen and Lady Lykez.
I’ll be at all or most of these so see you there!
Pound Sterling is back with his new mixtape Last Man Standing which sees a solid 19 track tape featuring some strong features including Skepta, Fekky and Jaja Soze. This is real, authentic rap showing his progress as an artist.
Download Pound Sterling – Last Man Standing here
I hope everyone has been enjoying the snow over the past few days; last week was pretty jam packed and we have a few good events this week to look forward to! It looks like Chip has been having a hard time with singers recently, as he tweeted last week: “Hollering at singers for hooks does get long after a while. Time to start singing them myself here and there. #onthescene #actionman #GDS”
The Grand Hustle signee also headed down to Madame Tussauds last week, releasing a video unveiling East Coast and West Coast rap greats, Tupac, Biggie, P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg. Alongside it he wrote, “I wasn’t really allowed Biggie or Tupac’s music as a kid. The first I think I bought Biggie Smalls ‘Ready to Die’ and ‘Life After Death’ at the same time, I bought both at an age when I was actually allowed to have them as music on my own.”
Last week saw more videos from the USG collective. One from the youngest member Geko, who dropped ‘Night n Day’ off his recently released ‘Voice Of The Future’ mixtape. K Koke’s visuals to ‘Real Right Now’ from the ‘Pure Koke Vol 3’ mixtape was also released, as well as the behind-the-scenes to his latest single ‘Lay Down Your Weapons’ with Rita Ora – the video for that is out now.
A track for the streets and a big collaboration is also here as Pound Sterling joined Jaja Soze to talk about being ‘Real OGs’. Sneakbo has definitely been putting in the work this year, as we saw him drop the third video from his forthcoming EP ‘Certified’ recently.
SN1 representative Gunna Dee also has a mixtape coming out on January 31 and gave us a video from it – ‘4 My Town’ features singer Loick Essien and is produced by Wizzy Wow. This is a banger and I look forward to listening to ‘Hustler By Nature 2’ when it drops.
Cashtastic is back with Steel Banglez, who produced most of his tracks for their first one of the year, entitled ‘One Day’ which features three great vocalists – Abel Miller, A.R.I and Akua.
Black The Ripper headed to Amsterdam to shoot the video for ‘You Will Never Know’ which is one for the smokers and the first track to be heard from his forthcoming EP called ‘Married To Marijuana’ – the EP will drop on January 31.
There are a few good events happening this week – weather permitting I will be down at I Luv Live tonight to catch Ard Adz and Sho Shallow, alongside singers Tom Prior and Bobbi Lewis.
Saturday will see Musicalize go down at the o2 where you can see Chip, Krept & Konan and Professor Green take to the stage. See you there!
Pound Sterling drops the video to Real OG’s with veteran in the UK rap game Jaja Soze joining him.
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