Blog

So in my journey man adventures in the world of Thadboogie and Big Promo I have frequented the legendary Jazz Cafe venue situated in suburban north London several times over the recent fortnight.

The two gigs that jumped out to myself were both seasoned New York City rap duo’s Capone & Noreaga (Monday Oct 20th) and Dead Prez (Wed Oct 29th)

Having worked in record shops and being a Club/Radio DJ for two decades now (yes I have the elixir of youth) it’s with fondness that I remember the east coast of America and in particular New York City for being the prominent force in the culture around the period commonly referred to now as the noughties.

The queue outside had to be around 200 deep and inside the audience for the Capone & Noreaga show were keen to pitch up for priority viewing for one of New York’s seminal rap duos with cult status who seldom grace the UK coast with their presence.

Hosting and DJ duties were duly supplied by a stalwart member of the UK Hip Hop community , namely Kiss Fm’s Shortee Blitz.. He took us on a nostalgic ride from 80’s classics to modern day club bangers.

Working the packed audience and industry tastemakers into a Hip Hop frenzy whilst tastemakers Djs, artists etc congregated upstairs at Jazz Cafe with DJ royalty Tim Westwood interacting on camera duties.

Alas the performance stage time was delayed by 90 minutes, forcing an already hype crowd to become even more boisterous. Finally gracing the stage to a chorus of annoyed boos Capone & Noreaga went through a catalogue of hits from their critically acclaimed War Report & ‘The Re- Union’ albums (‘Superthug’ ‘N.O.R.E’, ‘T.O.N.Y’, Phonetime, L.A.) Literally three songs into the show, the whole audience was won over!

My hunger for lyrical boom bap took me back to the Jazz Cafe on a still surprisingly warm October evening for the Dead Prez show, I was made aware of Dead Prez in my a&r days at Universal Music and their Sony Music debut album ‘Let’s Get Free’ holds a special place in my music collection, I was an immediate fan of their political story telling (ironically I later met and managed UK super producer Baby J who had lived with them during his stay in New York city)

Fortunately for the waiting crowd, my Itch FM colleague DJ Russ Ryan played a dope set and got the crowd amped just before Dead Prez and their DJ hit the stage on time and kicked off the show to thunderous applause and cheers. The stage backdrop to their set being in tune with their African ancestry and messages of political awareness. M1 and Stic Man continued to deliver a frenzy packed energetic performance with mood changes throughout. They embraced songs from their three albums with good storytelling and encouraged the crowd for audience interaction as much as possible, standout moments being when original Saxon Sound member General Levy jumped on stage and performed a song with Dead Prez and of course performances of (‘Mind Sex’, ‘Hip Hop’, Propaganda, ‘I’m An African’)

UK Afrobeats artist Martel B has teamed up with Mr Bigz, Frisco and Young Spray for the huge remix of his single “Badda Dan Dem”, produced by Malawian beatsmith Sean Focus, and set to be released on December 1 via indie label Sagsco. http://www.sagsco.com/

Emerging out of London’s burgeoning UK Afrobeats scene, Martel B is creating his own individual and unique lane, with a very distinctive style, lyrical dexterity and trademark smooth vocals that set him apart, as is evident on “Badda Dan Dem (Remix)”.

Listen to Martel B Feat Mr Bigz, Frisco & Young Spray -“BADDA DAN DEM (REMIX)”

MARTEL B :- @OFFICIALMARTELB
BIGZ :- @MRBIGZOFFICIAL
FRISCO :- @BIGFRIS
YOUNG SPRAY:- (@YOUNG_SPRAY

Later this month, Punch Records bring together pioneers of British hip-hop for a free seminar featuring Rodney P, DJ 279, DJ Phoebe One and Spin Doctor.

DJ ThadBoogie picks his seminal tracks from the UK scene. Read more at http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/blog/2014/10/playlist-the-best-in-uk-hip-hop/

For those with a penchant for that real lyrical, George The Poet is a spoken word performer, public speaker, writer and recording artist from North-West London, who indulges in the art of rap/spoken word to a high calibre.

Signed to Island / Universal Records his new EP The Chicken & The Egg soon to be released via Chris Blackwell’s Palm imprint is a journey into palatable, emotional and everyday life issues; set amidst melodic and journey some ambient Hip Hop beats.

A long time collaborator with label mate Nick Brewer, George will be performing and co-headlining at the Island Life Showcase event on Oct 13th at Scala, Kings Cross

Listen to George The Poet – The Chicken & The Egg EP here :-

So if you’re a true fan of this here Hip Hop Culture, you’ll be more than aware of a ‘new’ rapper on the scene.

Your Old Droog announced his presence to the world only about 3 months ago, his debut body of work entitled ‘Your Old Droog EP’ was shrouded in secrecy with just album artwork and no photo.

His rhyme flow reminiscent to a hungry and lyrically probing Queensbridge MC Nasir Jones, aka Nas Escobar, There were a few moments on Droog’s EP where even a learned rap scholar could have mistaken him for Compton’s The Game. Tastemakers and fans alike waxed lyrical and engaged in forum chats, conspiracy theories, debates etc.. as to WHO IS YOUR OLD DROOG ?

Worldwide DJ’s en mass embraced tracks from Droog’s EP, Gunsmoke Cologne (produced by DJ Skizz) and Nutty Bars seem to be of the most popular.
He has learnt from one of the best, honed his craft, has good diction, and humour in his verses.
In Rhythm & Blues (R&B) it is seen as a compliment when vocalists are compared to the greats; Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston etc.
Not such a similar ethos in the world of rap, understandably influenced by rappers growing up, Action Bronson sounds like Ghostface Killah, and YES ‘Your Old Droog’ does sounds like Nas.

Droog, slang term used for “friend.” is a young, 19 year old white kid from New York City who had his debut show at Webster Hall a few weeks ago, packed to the rafters with fans, media and tastemakers alike.
He was unveiled to the world and the story continues..

Listen to Your Old Droog EP

Listen Your Old Droog’s new track Secondhand Gunsmoke (Gunsmoke Cologne – Superblack RMX)

Watch Your Old Droog spit

Poet and Craig Mitch headed to Sundown Festival to test out the loud speaker on Xperia E1 from Sony to see how the sounds match-up with one of the best festivals of the summer. Taking their handheld sound system around the site, Poet and Mitch tested the speaker on festival-goers and artists alike with the likes of M.O, Hatty Keane and Riva witnessing the phone’s awesome power.

Little Simz, a UK rapper with ferocious talent and word play at the tender age of 20 is a force to be reckoned with in the international rap game, a mean feat achieved by few female rappers. She has already released four mixtapes dating back to 2010, her style is anywhere from hip hop to futuristic trap music. The most recent offerings being E.D.G.E and Age 101 :Drop 1
She’s has her own click of MC collaborators called Space Age and has already been in the studio getting them hits ready for Age 101 :Drop 2

Little Simz is currently promoting her European tour Age 101 :On The Road
Check where you can catch her performing :

Watch her video : – Little Simz – The Hamptons

Listen to Little Simz Soundcloud rite here

A gifted artist, having already released 4 album projects, a mixtape and many features over the last decade.
Check out the new Joe Buhdha presents Terri Walker single ” Feel Right” forthcoming on Greenmoney Recordings …

The release is part of a 6 Track EP in conjunction with Can’t Stop Won’t Stop and we plan to announce a killer remix package soon.

Check out her lyric video right here:

Sony Music have announced the release of the legendary “lost” debut Blak Twang album ‘Dettwork SouthEast’ on Monday 22^nd September. An un-released British masterpiece that has reached almost mythical status, and undoubtedly the holy grail of UK hip-hop, the album has been re-mastered and includes a brand new 2014 bonus track, ‘Dettwork London Revisited (Dettwork SouthEast Remix)’.  The revisited version now features Jehst, Rodney P and Samson AKA Black The Ripper – each repping their corner of the city over a new Harry Love production. Already receiving early support from BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Sloth, Itch FM DJ’s and the Hip Hop scene in general  ‘Dettwork SouthEast’ has been met with widespread excitement.

Considered an all-time classic of the genre, ‘Dettwork SouthEast’ (a pun on the rail company Network SouthEast) was ranked at No.3 in the Hip-Hop Connection list of the Top 50 UK hip-hop LPs, even though it never got past an initial test press and small promotional-only (not for sale) run on cassette for journalists in advance of what should have been its official release in 1996. For what later became an album of scarce availability amongst music aficionados, its influence upon the UK hip-hop scene is undoubted. Both singles from the album, ‘Real Estate’, and the title track, ‘Dettwork SouthEast’, gained widespread recognition upon release, which served to only further fuel the cult-like status the album is now known for; an absolute lost gem.

However, at last ‘Dettwork SouthEast’ is finally set to be given a full UK release with its original track listing and packaging, including collaborations with Roots Manuva, Seanie T and Fallacy plus the aforementioned bonus 2014 track ‘Dettwork London Revisited (Dettwork SouthEast Remix)’.

“For the ‘Dettwork SouthEast’ album to finally get a release now, as it deserved when it was first recorded in 1996, is quite incredible. The reason this has been possible is really due to the fans, who have been the never-ending fuel that have kept the fire blazing and the engines running.  It was the genesis of my career and really defined what I’ve gone on to achieve since then, so for everyone to get behind this project and truly believe in it has been amazing!” – Blak Twang

Dettwork SouthEast will be available on CD, 2LP vinyl and digital download on September 22, with a launch party on the same day at The Jazz Café in London, with the host DJ Big Ted and DJ Sarah Love supplying added Hip Hop vibes !!!!!

Poet, Maya Jama and Craig Mitch hit SW4 Festival…

Poet headed to SW4 Festival last week to test out the Xperia E1 from Sony and enjoy one of the festivals of the summer. Catching up partners in crime Craig Mitch and Maya Jama, the trio grabbed selfies with Mike Skinner, Becky Hill and Wretch 32 while putting the phone’s incredible battery life to the test.

Previously: Video Exclusive: Poet Checks Out The Xperia Z1 Compact From Sony at SW4 Festival

WIN AN XPERIA E1 – THE PERFECT FESTIVAL SMARTPHONE FROM SONY