Thursday 31 July 2008

"Word to the Fly Sister Gail and the Clifford Hague House Posse Maxin-Relaxin"

Shout out to Fat Lace Magazine always coming correct with these classic Westwood moments. Here is a video straight from 1987 of the Big Dawg himself TIM WESTWOOD paying his dues on N Sign radio.

A.B.N - 'Who's Da Man'

B-More

I love Baltimore Bass or Club Music if you want to get pedantic, although that same drum loop can get a bit monotonous its heavy party music. I came across this video in memory of B-More Club Queen k-Swift over at Dot-Alt



Its a sad loss although I'm not too familiar, the video highlights the real atmosphere of Baltimore's party scene.

"It don't make sense, goin' to heaven wit the goodie-goodies"


Classic Biggie Album, this mixtape is alot. With extra verses and uncleared samples this is pretty much the un-mixed version of my favorite rap album 'Ready to Die'.

The Mixtape Marvel - Ready To Die (The O.G. Edition)

“Motown had the sweet but Stax had the funk!” - Rufus Thomas

‘Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story’

When all else fails to entertain I often find myself scrolling through the realms of the BBC’s iplayer. An abundance of missed opportunities arise out of its hidden depths of viewing pleasure. Without sky+ and the complexities of a dated video recorder I miss hours of television, either through sheer ignorance or a desire to visit the pub. So on a bored Wednesday night after failing to see Heath Ledger in his much talked about role as the Joker (a long story) I dug out the BBC 4 screening of an amazing documentary on the phenomenal R&B label Stax Records.



Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and told by those behind the music, both on stage and off it, the story of Soulsville unfolds. This epic tale of Soul music provides a narrative to the South and the complex political and racial nature of a nation undergoing revolutionary change during the 1960s and 70s.

Founded in Memphis by Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton, the label was in stark contrast to its city. In an era in which Memphis would rather shut its only public swimming pool than adhere to new desegregation policies, Stax operated an open door policy of racial harmony. A key feature of the documentary highlights how Stax in the 1960s epitomized the new feeling of liberal racial equality.



The real delight of this documentary lies in the plethora of footage of Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MGs and The Staple Sisters to name but a few of the classic Stax artists. I grew up in a household of Soul and Stax was very much at the forefront of the records played within the house. This documentary is particularly pleasing in that it provides a context to the music and a visual aesthetic of which was missing from the music my Father played.

For your viewing pleasure here are a selection of classic Stax videos:

Otis Redding - ‘Shake’


Isaac Hayes - ‘Stormy Monday’


Booker T & The MGs - ‘Green Onions’


Its a fantastic documentary for any avid music fan. Particularly interesting to those in the industry also as Stax really did revolutionize the Black Entertainment Industry. Producing classic Black Cinema in the form of 'Shaft' and responsible for unleashing Richard Pryor, Stax was a revolutionary label for a revolutionary time.

Wednesday 30 July 2008

Curren$y

Wasn't the biggest fan of his June mixtape 'Fear and Loathing in New Orleans' but Curren$y is coming strong since his split from Wayne's camp. I love seeing DIY videos by somewhat established rappers, it's kinda humbling, especially in the money driven video age. Check Air Assault below featuring FS Jets for some heavy N.O rap action.

Monday 28 July 2008

I need to...

Quit Smoking
Stop Biting My Nails
Get Fit
Get A Job
Save Money
Go On Holiday
Move Out

But where do I begin???

Thursday 24 July 2008

Grindin

Things have gone a little quiet in the last week, finished up at the Stank, big thank you to the whole team and everyone I met along the way. But I need to get my grind back on, had an interesting meeting today and I'm feeling somewhat positive about the future. So tomorrow, I'm going to the Mac shop - big up the mac team @ Brent Cross, they handle it right. Boosting my ram, getting my book cleaned up and gonna go at it hard.

So in light of my new found desire to "make it" lol and get back on my grind here is a little video from the king of the one-liners, annoying catch phrases and Palestine's number one export since the Keffiyeh - DJ KHALED!!! "WE DA BEESSSSSTTT!!"

Wednesday 23 July 2008

He Needs A Post All Of His Own

I think you lot are lazy... All 15 of you, the other 485odd views on here are by me constantly refreshing the page and basking in self-gratification and ego boosting voyeurism!!!

You might not take my word for it, but this guy is sick! Perhaps its cos i'm straight outta uni, or because i'm a white kid wanting to be a rapper LMAO!

So here are some visuals of my main man Asher Roth as you might not download the mixtape, take a walk on the wild side and view the following footage, you know it makes sense:







If my opinion doesn't count for much, which it pretty much doesn't! Take Rico Wade's advise and blaze a big fat ZOOT!

We're In A Nice Place Right Now

I've been listening to a couple of new rappers recently, and i'm kinda late on Kid Cudi but his mixtape 'A Kid Named Cudi' is pure fire! Can't get enough of it, it's a classic mixtape and has certainly wet my appetite for a full release. It's sponsored by 10Deep, I like the brand, was rocking a lot of it in the MIA last year. But the crazy hats don't seem to work in the same way in dreary London Town. Although the sun is making some what of a late emergence, who knows you could seem me sporting one again come August!



Download it here

Hip Hop is without a doubt in a good place right now, with Kidz in the Hall, Cool Kids, Wale, Kid Cudi and my latest find Asher Roth bringing back that swagger of years gone by steeped in lyrical talent. Its nice to finally have something to shout about. Not that my love for Hip Hop dwindled in anyway shape or form, but it certainly went through a slight lull in recent times.



So Asher Roth, who the hell is he you might ask? Well i've only just stumbled across him myself. Well what can I tell you about him? Not a great deal really, but his mixtape 'The Greenhouse Effect aka The Greatest Mixtape Ever!' is certainly something all hip hop heads need in their life. The blatant comparisons to Eminem are going to arise, in part due to his ethnicity and his candid wordplay sparking similarities. But he kinda reminds me of Edan, that might be at bit of a push. Roth is doing alot and with backing from Don Cannon & Dj Drama this tape is in good hands. He certainly isn't without industry backing, with Luda and Akon both showing support. I love his honesty and appreciation for those around him, check the videos of him below with Luda & Akon, this guy is refreshing and certainly has my support, admiration and backing for what its worth!!!

Download it here



Monday 21 July 2008

Straight Outta Newham

You're not ready for what the Newham Generals are about to do! I'm excited for them, its their time. Double and Foots have been putting in the work. Stalwarts on the Grime rave scene, Double was always a standout MC with his signature 'D Double Signal'. Footsie has come on strongly since the days of "bare right hooks", he is one of my favorite MC's right now, his Selassie lyric is too much! Foots is talented behind the boards proving his credentials forging some serious beats for Raskit.

Check that Selassie lyric here in this video of them killing it on Logan's show from earlier on in the year:



This is a little clip of them killing it at a showcase in Austin at South by Southwest. Chrome is singing on this one, you might remember him from a little cameo on a certain No.1 I was banging on about a few weeks ago!

Soldier - Newham Generals Ft Chrome


Shout out to the Dirtee Stank Family!

Wednesday 9 July 2008

Hold That Thought

Been so busy with the single release (that went to No.1 btw in the UK Singles chart) that I haven't had time to post anything in ages!! Fear not, a run down of the last few crazy weeks will follow shortly alongside the strange, weird and wonderful all for your viewing pleasure.