Skyzoo in Manchester

Skyzoo (Photo credit: Joey Amandola)

On November 20th, ShedTheLight welcome the debut appearance of Skyzoo to Manchester. This show has been a long time coming considering the length of time Skyzoo has been around and putting out music.

The Brooklyn native is fresh off the release of his latest long player, Music For My Friends and a busy schedule promoting the project. This follows last year's collaborative album with his partner in rhyme Torae with their Barrel Brothers album.

Originally slated to appear at the Q Cavern in Piccadilly, the show has been moved to The Mint Lounge on Oldham Street in The Northern Quarter. You can check the event page here on Facebook for further information and tickets. Support on the night comes from Room2 artists Dubbul O & Pro P and also DMC finalist El Statiko.

In the meantime, check a couple of Sky's latest videos, both solo and with Apollo Brown and Torae. Also, be sure to watch an interview/concert he did for Brooklyn's BRIC TV below.

Kendrick Lamar Interviews N.W.A. (Video Interview)

Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar, MC Ren & DJ Yella (Photo: Billboard)

Kendrick Lamar recently had the chance to interview the four remeaining members of N.W.A. for Billboard magazine. DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and MC Ren were all present to talk about all things N.W.A.

They talk about the start of the group, the artists they listen to nowadays, Eazy-E, the group's legacy and the bond they have to this day.

Watch the full interview below.

Onra - Anything feat. The Doppelgangaz (Video)

Onra

Paris based producer Onra returns with the second video from his 80's inspired album "Fundamentals". This time he enlists The Doppelgangaz on the track "Anything". When it comes to women, they aren't picky. All they ask is that you have a pulse and no wedding ring...

Check the video below. "Fundamentals" is available now.

Finale - Odds & Ends (Album)

Finale

Today sees the release of the anticipated new album from Detroit's Finale. After a long absence between projects, Finale has linked with Oddisee who produces "Odds & Ends" in its entirety. Released through the always trustworthy Mello Music Group, you can add another title to the already impressive discography.

Stream/buy below and also available on iTunes.

Black On Both Sides - A Hip-Hop Time Machine

At the end of August for the bank holiday, a new Hip-Hop night is being launched at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester. "Black On Both Sides". Taking the name from the classic album from Mos Def in the Rawkus years, the night looks to transport us back to the summer of 1999 when the LP was released.

Using this record as a starting point, expect to hear Hip-Hop that was prominent at the turn of the millennium. The 1's and 2's are in the capable hands of DJ Lee Majors (More Bounce), DJ A-UP and Agent J with Bedos (In The Loop) on hosting duties.

Read the flyer above (or below) for details and a closer look at the theme of the night. Links for mixes from DJs on the night can be found here Lee Majors and here In The Loop. Hope to see you all there!

DJ Lee Majors

Bedos, DJ A-Up & Agent J (Photo: Air Adam Photography)

Sean Price 1972 - 2015

Sean Price aka Ruck

By now, I'm sure most of you will have heard the awful news of the passing of Sean Price of Boot Camp Clik. The only details that have been disclosed are that he passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Saturday 8th August. He was only 43.

It's taken a couple of days to digest but I wanted to share a few words of my own. An influx of tributes and words about Ruck flooded social media over the weekend and rightly so. It seems whenever any artist is taken so soon that nothing but positive things can be said about the individual. This time it's legit.

Sean Price was loved. His music was and is remarkable but this time it's more than music. Anyone who knew him personally or met him at shows or in interviews will attest to how charismatic, hilarious and humble he was. He definitely wasn't humble in his rhymes though!

I was lucky enough to meet him at his show in Manchester late last year and spend some time with him on his early morning trip back to the airport. I tagged along to make sure Didjit didn't fall asleep at the wheel! Although P had little to no sleep after his show, he was nothing but gracious and funny the whole time. I'm happy I had those few moments with him.

He made amazing music, was a top tier lyricist, had a great live show and had the big personality to boot. I think many would agree that he is a massive loss to Hip-Hop and the friends and family he left behind. Rest in peace, P.

His new mixtape "Songs In The Key Of Price" is due to drop in a couple of weeks which makes the timing even more tragic. Check Peter Rosenberg's Real Late tribute mix below.

Manage - Soul Root (Video)

Manage

I've definitely been lacking on the posts as of late. I don't really have an excuse other than lack of inspiration to publish any new content. Maybe that's more of a reason than an excuse.

Anyway, I was snapped out of that funk yesterday when I was treated to the new offering from Manage. As a member of Caxton Press and before that, Chain Of Command, Manage has come through with the goods. Classic UK music.

Check out the new video for "Soul Root" as Runone delivers a throwback soundscape for Manage to let loose on. Love this track.

Bodega Brovas on Sway In The Morning (Video)

Headkrack, Keynote and Travii

Sway

Finally, after the disappointment of not all the group making the show a few months back, the Bodega Brovas made their first appearance on Shade 45's Sway In The Morning. All three members were present to discuss how they balance their work in radio along with a music career and also talked about their live shows. Having seen them perform a few years back, I can agree with Sway when I say they are impressive.

Headkrack, Keynote and Travii also performed a live version of "In The Sky". You can also get a free download (for a limited time) of "Rising" here which was premiered on the show.

Watch the interview and performance below. Also, look for the new LP "L.G.A." coming in September. #BelieveInBodega

Voodoo Black - Day By Day (Video)

Ellis Meade, Dubbul O and Sparkz

Voodoo Black return with a new video from their current project the "OutSauced EP". Pete Cannon delivers a nostalgic banger while Sparkz, Dubbul O and Ellis Meade drop a verse each respectively.

As mentioned, this track can be found on the "OutSauced EP" which is available for a 'name your price' amount on their Bandcamp.

Check the video below and take a look at Room2 Records for a slew of other releases from Voodoo Black and the rest of the roster.

Magnum Opus: The Making of Gang Starr's Mass Appeal (Video)

DJ Premier and Guru

Once again, Complex add another great episode to their series of web episodes "Magnum Opus". This time they take a look at the classic record "Mass Appeal" by Gang Starr. DJ Premier himself, Jadakiss, Fat Joe, Stretch Armstrong and Lil Dap all add their stories and memories of the record among others.

RIP Guru.

Watch the episode below and check out the video for "Mass Appeal" beneath that.

Skyzoo - Luxury ft. Westside Gunn (Video)

Fresh off the early release of his anticipated new album, "Music For My Friends", Skyzoo drops the visual to his single "Luxury". With a beat familiar to A Tribe Called Quest's "8 Million Stories" and Buffalo's Westside Gunn on the chorus assist, Sky continues to add to his collection of videos and great discography.

"Music For My Friends" is available everywhere now.

The Doppelgangaz - Parts Unknown (Free EP)

As a thank you to the Shark Nation, yesterday The Doppelgangaz dropped a brand new EP for free. "Parts Unknown" is available to stream below and download here.

Levelz - LVL 09 (Video)

Manchester's very own Levelz crew return with an absolute banger. All bias aside, this is something else. Nobody sounds like this lot right now, or before to be honest. Definitely taking the music and their city to another place. Check the amazing visuals below. Then get the free download on their Bandcamp.

The Doppelgangaz - Scintilla (Video)

Matter Ov Fact and EP

The Doppelgangaz return with a new track from an as yet unknown project with "Scintilla". Keep an eye (and ear) out for new music from Matter Ov Fact and EP in the coming months.

eMC - Signtology ft. Dion (Video)

Words, Stricklin' and Ace

eMC collective Wordsworth, Stricklin and Masta Ace return with another visual from their latest project "The Tonite Show". With production from KIC beats and vocals from Dion, the trio take a smoother approach on the track "Signtology".

Set in the always splendid backdrop of NYC, they deliver a great video to accompany one of my favourite cuts from the album. I'm not mad at the ladies starring in the video either!

"The Tonite Show" is available now.