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.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Interview: Yes Boss
Friday, February 16, 2007
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.
Monday, January 1, 2007
2006 Re-rewind
2006 seems to have been the year of the mixtape. Here's a quick little top 5, and some recommendations.
5. JME - Boy Better Know Mixtapes
JME's been working hard in double oh six. He spent 2005 bubbling under but really came through with some good material this year. The Boy Better Know mixtapes were peppered with classics, and he finished off the year by dropping Tropical as an example of things to come. The Boy Better Know T-shirt revolution has to get a mention too.
Duppy
4. Mercston - Da End of Da Beginning
The Movement were the breakthrough of the year. Mixtapes dropped from Ghetto, Scorcher and Mercston, Mercston's being the most consistent. Totally captured the summer vibe, with wicked tracks like Good Old Days and Summertime. The release was kinda overshadowed by Mercston being taken to court on charges of rape. Hopefully The Movement, heavily involved with Logan and his War Report, will keep the drama lyrically based in 2007.
Good Old Days
3. Ruff Sqwad - Guns and Roses 2
The failure of Roll Deep to truly cross over in 2005 kinda harmed the commercial prospects of Grime for the subsequent year, but that didn't stop Ruff Sqwad breaking through with a commercial quality release in the form of Guns and Roses 2. Guns and Roses 2 is stuffed with Ruff Sqwad classics and has quality artwork to match. The strength in terms of both production and lyrical content are astounding, with some of the overspill going onto Tinchy Stryder's Lost and Found and Slix's Down Vol.1.
2. Wonder - Welcome to Wonderland
Not strictly a mixtape, but definately the best Grime LP of the year. Rather than the rambling nature of a mixtape, Wonder edits his tracklist down to a near perfectly formed 14 tracks. Collaborations involve the likes of Kano, Sway, Gemma Fox and most effectively Nio on the track Best Foot Forward. Welcome to Wonderland is a good blueprint for future Grime "artist" albums. This gives me some hope for Skepta, Dizzee, Newham Generals and all the others dropping proper albums in the new year.
1. Wiley - Da 2nd Phaze
It would be hard not to put Wiley at Number 1 given the amount he's done for the scene this year. He's clashing everyone in the scene and he's got Tunnelvisions coming out of his ears, but it's the quality of Da 2nd Phaze that's really impressed. Even the best-intended Grime compilations couldn't put together as many stone cold classic tracks are the Eskiboi does on Da 2nd Phaze. Eskiboy, Gangsterz, Johnny Was A Badboy and Friday Night are worth entry price alone. Here's hoping he doesn't spread his talents too thin in 2007.
