The new album “The Swashbuckler” presented by Man Bites Dog CEO RML and producer Kount Fif drops on the 27th March.
The label, who have just signed Roc Marciano for his new album due out in September 2012, put together this special release after many years of development. Working with Fif, they have drawn from their own influences of 90’s hip hop to put together a record which represents the spirit of the time.
The album includes features from Karniege, Torae, Killah Priest, Planet Asia, Inspectah Deck, Royce da 5 9, Louis Logic, C Rayz Walz, Copywrite, Cappadonna, Vast Aire, Planet Asia, Outerspace & Heltah Skeltah and is produced in the main by both Kount Fif and fellow MBD labelmate Jason Rose.
They have just released this special bonus track “Bullets Travel” featuring Jason Rose, 2Mex and Empuls
ahead of a new single which will be due out shortly.
Look out for an extensive number of video releases from this album over the coming months
New Hip Hop Single & Video – Entertainment is Personal ft Awol One
This is the first single from a new album “The Swashbuckler Vol 1 : The Viking Wars”
The album is the brainchild of Man Bites Dog Records CEO RML and producer Kount Fif, and has been nearly 6 years in the making.
Using Wu Tang’s “36 Chambers”, Mobb Deep’s “Infamous” and Heltah Skeltah’s “Nocturnal” as the blueprint, they were inspired to create an album which would reflect their own influences over the years and stand up to the classics over time.
The methodical approach has been worth the wait. The mainstay of the album has been produced by Kount Fif, credited with production on Killah Priest’s “I Believe”, Heltah Skeltah’s “Never Ending” & Gun 4 Gun ft Killah Priest & Nas. He is joined by fellow MBD labelmates Jason Rose & RML with further contributions from Bronze Nazareth, Brinknam, Melodious Monk and on the debut single “Entertainment is Personal” by Brycon ft Awol One.
The album, out on 27th March on Man Bites Dog Records, includes features from Royce da 5 9, Planet Asia, Heltah Skeltah, C Rayz Walz, Karniege, Cappadonna, Roc Marciano, Copywrite and many more well respected in the hip hop world.
FULL TRACKLIST
1. Early 90’s ft Double A.B., Karniege & Torae (Prod.By Kount Fif)
2. Dead End Street ft Killah Priest, Steven King & Sunny Seeza
(of Onyx) (Prod. By Jason Rose)
3. Year of the Hustle ft NINE & Planet Asia (Prod.By Kount Fif)
4. Year of the Gun ft Gillie Da Kid, Inspectah Deck, Royce 5’9
& Bronze Nazareth (Prod. by Bronze Nazareth)
5. The Crusaders ft Killah Priest & Empuls (Prod.By Kount Fif)
6. Six ft Redd Mudd & Copywrite (Prod.By Kount Fif)
7. Out of the Darkness and Into the Light ft Akrobatik
(Prod.By Kount Fif)
8. Entertainment is Personal ft Awol One (Prod. by Brycon)
9. Media ft Louis Logic, C Rayz Walz & Jason Rose (Prod. by Brinknam)
10. The War Chant ft Killah Priest, Lord Basis, Jason Rose and
Diabolic (Prod. by Brinknam)
11. Reality Wrap ft Copywrite (Prod.By Kount Fif, Jason Rose)
12. Change My Fate ft Cappadonna, Killah Priest & Jason Rose
(Prod.By Kount Fif)
13. Crocodile Smile ft Copywrite, U-God & Planet Asia (Prod.By
Kount Fif, Jason Rose)
14. Arkansas Toothpick ft Copywrite, Planet (of Outerspace),
Roc Marciano & Jason Rose (Prod.By Kount Fif)
15. Berserker (Hard Body) ft Outerspace (Prod.By Kount Fif)
16. Never Ending ft Heltah Skeltah (Prod.By Kount Fif)
17. Light on Time ft Planet Asia & Vast Aire (Prod.By Kount
Fif, Melodious Monk)
Copywrite “Golden State (of Mind)” ft Casual, Evidence, Roc Marciano produced by Vanderslice
Ohio’s Copywrite continues to smash it with his new album God Save The King.
The Stateside version drops on 28th February on Man Bites Dog Records, while the UK version, featuring many hip hop heavyweights from the British scene is released on 30th April.
Taken from both versions is this absolute banger, “Golden State of Mind”, featuring Hiero’s Casual, Evidence and Roc Marciano. Production is supplied by Eric Vanderslice.
Meanwhile, the full tracklisting for the UK release has just been announced :
1. Post-Apocalyptic Request Box prod by Jason Rose
2.Year of the Gun ft Killah Priest, Inspectah Deck & Bigz Flygerian
3.Crooked Coppers ft Crooked I & Iron Braydz prod by Surock
4.A Public Service Announcement from DJ Sarah Love
5.Keep Troopin’ ft Sean Price & SAS prod Kount Fif
6.Ghost in the Machine ft Context prod by Jason Rose
7.OverDose ft Royce 5’9″ & Genesis Elijah prod by Curtiss King
8.J.O.Y. ft Torae & Jason Rose prod by Jason Rose
9.Got Myself ft Gillie the Kid & Sinista Daniro prod by Jason Rose
10.More Sorrow ft Illogic & Don Jaga prod by Stu Bangas
11.Blue Ribbon prod by Bronze Nazareth
12.Yo! Mtv Raps! (Money for Nothin’) ft Jason Rose prod by Jason Rose
13.Synesthesia prod by RJD2
14.Golden State (of Mind) ft Casual, Evidence & Roc Marciano prod by Vanderslice
15.a Lil’ Logic from Illogic
16.Opium Prodigies ft Illogic prod by Marco Polo
17.Arachnaphobia ft Killah Priest, Lord Basis & Melanin 9 prod by Jaguar Skills
18.Starter Hats ft Sonny Seeza (Onyx) & Akala prod by Kount Fif
19.G$k ft Dru Blu & Jason Rose prod by Stu Bangas
20.Still Pickin’ Up ft Sean P,Mystro & Dom prod by Kount Fif
21.Got to Make it ft Tage Future (MHz) prod by Stu Bangas
22.A Talk with Jesus prod by Poetiq Beetz
Look out for news on US and European tour dates coming over the next few months.
New UK Single & Video – Jamieson – Ways To Get Ahead
Kilburn’s Jamieson, now based in the South Bronx, NYC, follows up his tribute to his hometown “London Freestyle” with the new single & video “Ways to Get Ahead”.
Taken from the final instalment of his Mixtape Trilogy “I Came I Saw”, the track chronicles the journey he’s taken from his days as part of UK hip hop duo Twisted Thoughts with K.I.L.L.A.G.R.A.M. to his move over to the States and the work he’s been putting in since arriving there in 2007.
From the launch of his Foreign Exchange mixtape hosted by DJ Whoo Kid, he’s enjoyed regular support from DJ Booth, XXL, 2 Dope Boys, This Is 50, Hip Hop Dx and a wide range of other key tastemakers across the country. Working with artists Joell Ortiz, Sean Price, Skyzoo and receiving co:signs from Yelawolf, RZA and B-Real, there’s little doubt this London born & bred MC has been packing in a mountain of work, and “Ways To Get Ahead” documents the grind.
The mixtape launches soon ahead of his brand new single “I Get Busy”, set for international release in the
Spring
Been a year in the making, but now Ohio’s Copywrite gets set to release one of the biggest international albums of the year, God Save The King on 30th April 2012.
The Columbus based MC first came to prominence as part of the group Megahertz. His work with producers RJD2, J-Dilla, Cool & Dre, Illmind and collaborations with artists such as Royce da 5 9, Killah Priest, Sean Price, and Dilated Peoples soon established his position on the international hip hop scene through a series of releases including The High Exhaulted, Ultrasound and The Life and Times of Peter Nelson.
Earning a reputation as a battle – hardened MC with punchlines for days, and having just picked up “Best Lyricist” at the Ohio Hip Hop Awards 2011, Copywrite has created an exceptional album. The title is part inspired by the features on this record with some of the best that the UK and US have to offer, and follows previous collaborations with the UK’s Rhyme Asylum, Loudmouth Melvin, Skillit and Sam Khan.
The release includes contributions from some of the most respected MC’s in the UK game, including recently Radio 1 playlisted Context, Mystro, Genesis Elijah, Iron Braydz, Melanin 9, Eurogang’s S.A.S. and Bigz Flygerian, Akala, and USG’s Don Jaga. Standing shoulder to shoulder with them are US heavyweights Royce da 5 9, Killah Priest, Illogic, Crooked I, Sean Price, Casual, Evidence, Roc Marciano and Sonny Seeza (Onyx).
Also look out for a special guest appearance by the 1st Lady of Hip Hop, DJ Sarah Love.
Copywrite is on top of his game throughout with his unique flow and rhyme skills, complimented by production from Kount Fif, Stu Bangas, Jaguar Skills, Marco Polo, RJD2, Bronze Nazareth, Surock and Illogic.
This is an album for fans of the real deal – lyricists and MC’s of the highest calibre spittin’ fire over bangin’ beats. Copywrite reinforces his position as one of the most skilled wordsmiths around today while producing a record which showcases the true essence of hip hop from both sides of the Atlantic.
First out the block is the title track G$K, produced by Stu Bangas and featuring Jason Rose and Lewisham’s Dru Blu, currently making huge moves on the UK scene right now with his new single “Living the Dream”.
The video was shot in the United States and in London, the latter courtesy of Dirty Media and Despa of Stay Fresh Digital. Stu Bangas also produced last year’s “English Troops” with Dru Blu and English Frank. Both Copywrite & Dru Blu go in hard on this joint with some choice cutting provided courtesy of DJ Drastik.
The album God Save The King releases in the UK on 30th April 2012 on Man Bites Dog Records, also home to Megahertz, Vast Aire, Kount Fif, Dub Sonata and more. Look out for much more news on this release over the coming months including plans for a future UK & European tour later in the year.
Sister Elements launches a brand new hip hop night “Grandma’s Party” on Friday 30th March with a mix of live performances, dj sets and a short film world premiere
Performers
Fresh from a support slot with Souls of Mischief at Manchester’s Roadhouse on March 7th, Sister Elements, aka Sarah Sayeed, headlines by performing tracks from her new upcoming album. Described by BBC Asian Network’s Bobby Friction as “a 360 degree conscious artist & fearless lyricist”, she previously released her video .”Contentment”, and has since performed all over the world.
Further live sets on the night come from Manchester’s James Gill, some cool hip hop & funk sounds from female rapper Rain Freedom and a special performance from Ella Mesma, quoted by The Times as “Hip Hop dance’s ongoing potential for deeper expression”.
DJ Sets
Two of the UK’s hip hop heavyweights will be on dj duty. Sarah Love, fresh from supporting Aloe Blacc’s tour in December, and her own tour of Australia in January will be bringing you the real hiphop flavas she’s famous for since her days with Kung Fu, MTV and BBC 1Xtra. A new video interview with The Hip Hop Chronicle has just gone live where she speaks on the early days and her views on the scene today.
Excalibah is well known to the heads as an award winning dj for his Tales From The Legend BBC 1Xtra radio show where he gave early national airplay to artists such as Estelle, Pro Green, Sway and Plan B.
Film screening
There will also be the screening of the short film, “Hip Hop Had A Dream”. While researching his book of the same name released in 2008, the UK’s Damien Morgan interviewed a number of renowned names including Sugarhill Gang, Ty, Bashy, Ghostface Killah, Joe Budden, Professor Griff, Chuck D & Skinnyman for their views on the culture of hiphop, their early influences and the journey it has taken from the early days to now.
These interviews were documented in film and have just been edited together in a short 15 minute documentary set for its worldwide premiere at Grandma’s Party
Big night for lovers of Tru Skool hip hop & the emergence of another regular event showcasing the best in new UK talent.
Two of the UK’s heavyweights in the hiphop scene met up recently in London to produce this new video just gone live tonight
Sumit from The Hip Hop Chronicle has established himself as the premier online blog for hiphop news from the UK and overseas over the years with content featured on BET, MTV and shared widely on the internet by all the top online media outlets in the United States.
DJ Sarah Love established her position as the “1st Lady of Hiphop” from her early days performing sets at London’s famous Kung Fu events, to helping set up MTV Africa, smashing sets for MTV Europe parties, presenting for MTV UK’s The Lick and spearheading the only hiphop show on BBC’s Radio 1Xtra up until 2010, which drew an un-equalled international audience.
Most recently she was the offical tour dj for Aloe Blacc’s series of dates in the UK during December 2011, and has just returned from a month long tour of Australia where she supported Pete Rock and Immortal Technique
They sat down in London to discuss Sarah’s early days, her rated albums and artists over the years, and also her thoughts on the hiphop scene in the UK today. Look out for Australian producer M-Phazes in the background who also has an interview coming soon on The Hip Hop Chronicle.
DJ Sarah Love is a regular on the international hiphop club circuit, but UK heads can next expect to see her perform in London on 30th March along with another ex BBC 1Xtra stalwart DJ Excalibah at Rich Mix on Bethnal Green Road….although check back here for possible earlier dates….
Both The Hip Hop Chronicle and DJ Sarah Love will be at the launch of a brand new club night launching in London on the 27th April which will be the only one to celebrate and fully represent the traditional 4 elements of hiphop. Details to follow
During her support tour in the UK with Aloe Blacc and Maya Jupiter in December, London’s DJ Sarah Love dropped in on some old fam in Nottingham, and was interviewed for online tv Press Play Entertainment as part of their “Introduce Yourself” series.
Also present was UK MC Scorzayzee, and she spoke of her past with Kung Fu, BBC 1Xtra, MTV, Beatminerz Radio, supporting acts such as Wu Tang, KRS-1 & her background in music which includes starting off as a drummer…though she passed on the oppo to give us a quick Buddy Rich !
Currently on tour in Australia until the end of January, she will be at Oxford Art Factory, Sydney on the 12th, supporting Immortal Technique at the Metro Theatre Sydney on the 19th and at the city’s Red Room on the 21st.
A regular on the international hip hop circuit, look out for a few more UK dates in the early Spring being announced soon.
Its become a tradition around Xmas time. Like apocalyptically bad tv schedules, running battles with relatives or 80% discount pre-sales sales signs going up…just before the “to-let signs”…at least the day is brightened up by west London’s Hip Hop MC Mystro’s annual appearance on BBC Radio 1Xtra
His UK Rap Up covers the world of entertainment and events with his usual dry humour and on point production from Colin Emmanuel, aka Black Einstein
One of the most respected UK MCs, 2012 will see his new free EP “What Type of Drug is Mystrogen” dropping ahead of his long awaited debut album “MYSTROGEN”
London’s DJ, producer & artist DJ Enme is the latest UK talent to go international.
While running his own Sumting New / Blitz organizations on the home front, he is signed with California’s La Dubstep Nostra imprint, making him labelmates with the legendary Cypress Hill & Soul Assassins producer DJ Muggs.
Currently working on a new dubstep album planned for global release in 2012, he also draws on his background in hip hop, rap & grime, best represented here in the single “Hustler”
Originally released in October 2011 with remixes from El-B (dubstep), Nterpol (breakbeat) & a special re-work from Los Angeles’ 6Blocc, this special 2012 refix sees London heavyweights Dot Rotten and Ether L Banks joined on the mic by one of the biggest movers in the UK Asian underground scene, MC Shizzio.
