Interview: Yes Boss

I caught Yes Boss down at their album launch party last Thursday for this interesting little interview. To put the thing in context, the boys had just got a 3 out of 10 in The NME and been sidelined by a plethora of indie bands at their own launch party. These circumstances plus alcohol made for a lively interview.

If you're yet to know about Yes Boss, then you've been missing out. Yes, they're from outside of London but don't let that put all you haters off, as they definitely bring something a little different to the UK Hip-Hop/Grime scene. I don't even wanna talk about the music for fear of selling it short, so do yourself a favour and head over to their myspaz for audio delights. Safe to say you'll hear a variety of sounds, Grime included of course, and some clever word play. A unique outfit.

Review: The Movement

The Movement came through with some of the biggest mixtapes of 2006, including the likes of Scorcher, Mercston and Ghetto. The thought of all these guys on one record should have had me drawing for the credit card as soon as Tempo Specialists dropped, but there was something about the chatter of chipmunk vocal samples and sanitised grime that put me off.

My mistake though, cos it's actually pretty hot. There are more than a few chipmunk vocals on here, but at least The Movement make the style their own. R 'n' G tunes are usually a mixtapes weakest point, but The Movement lads are on point with it here. Whisper is an interesting take on the ballardy end of the genre, dropping some original lyrics about taking a girl back to your mum's place...

Criticisms are the usual aimed at Grime artist's mixtapes and for a start there's not enough Grime. Most of the tunes sound like HipHop to me. As usual the diamonds are well lost in the rough and there's a fair bit of a fight to separate the wheat (Actual Artist, Whisper, Can't Go On) from the chaff.

Perhaps not up there with their best individual efforts, but worth a look despite the chipmunk invasion. Grab it off of Juno or UK Record Shop.

Interview: Plastician

It's been a while hasn't it? Well Hype!Hype! is back on track with a few posts n bits coming up over the next few days.

First up, this interview with Radio One's own Plastician, held backstage at The Fix Up last Friday in Leeds.

The city's quickly establishing itself as a outpost of the Grime and Dubstep scene in the wild North of England. Dubstep's already well represented in the city through producers and DJs such as Ramadanman and DJ Distinction together with nights like DMZ North and Flux. Still, with the student heavy population it's rare to get a night focusing on the Grime element rather than skanky gap year Dubsteppers.

The Fix Up proved a good antidote to the usual Dubstep heavy vibe, providing the descerning Leeds heads with a line-up coupling the best of the North with JME, Frisco, Skepta and Plastician from the big smoke. Not wanting to be outdone by Londoners, there was a rare show of cross-pennine cooperation in the form of Grime crew Nextgen which consisted of the best from Manchester and Leeds. Despite being faced with a crowd eager for Skepta and JME to get serious and draw for the tool they held it down well n got a few people moving. Boy Better Know all madness ensued when Skepta, JME and Frisco took to the stage infront of Plastician who span a blinding selection of Grime n Dubstep to a receptive crowd.

The music was all good, but maybe the most exciting thing about the night was the good vibe and lack of any madness. A good look for two double oh seven.

The interview first went out last night on Leeds' How We Do, Thursday 8 til 10 on LSRFM.

News: Aza T Podcast Part 4

It's all a bit quiet isn't it? At least it seems that way from the Grime blogs and radio playing the same old tunes.

Worth mentioning though is the fourth edition of serial ripper Aza T's podcast series which has just dropped and is worth a download. Look out for the Bashy and Wretch 32 track So Little Time, cos thats hot. Grab the full podcast, here.

More over the weekend...