Friday 27 January 2017

25th Anniversary of Juice: Classic Samples

Vin


Once again, Power 106 Los Angeles' VinRican continues his #WaxOnly series celebrating anniversaries of seminal records in Hip Hop. This time he takes a look at the Juice soundtrack which turned 25 years old last week. There are some classic records on here including Eric B. & Rakim's "Know The Ledge" and Naughty By Nature's "Uptown Anthem" to name a couple.

The skit at the start of the video is a nice touch too. Check it below.

Jamiroquai - Automaton (Video)

Jamiroquai
Jay Kay

After a long hiatus, Jamiroquai return with a video for the title track off the upcoming album "Automaton". Despite the obvious futurism of the song (and visual), it thankfully isn't a massive departure from the band's usual sound that their fan base came to love and it's great to hear Jay Kay's unmistakable vocals again. It'll be interesting to hear what the rest of the project sounds like on its release March 31st.



Thursday 26 January 2017

Papoose - Back On My Bullshit ft. Fat Joe & Jaquae (Video)

Papoose
Fat Joe and Papoose

Papoose's new project "Hoodie Season 3" is incoming so he drops the banger "Back On My Bullshit". Joined on the track by one time enemy Fat Joe with a verse and newcomer Jaquae on the hook, Papoose blacks out quite frankly. Definitely underrated despite the work he's put in since the 90's.

Check the Eif Rivera visual below.

  

Children Of Zeus - Crown (Video)

Coz
Konny Kon and Tyler Daley


Following the drop of their free download of the single "Crown" at the end of last year, Children Of Zeus release a visual for the gospel draped track.

This can be found on the FirstWord Records compilation Two Syllables Vol. 13. Watch the Tarnish Vision produced video below.



Friday 20 January 2017

Unsung: Jon B. (Video)

JB
Jon B.



TV One continues their popular series Unsung with an artist who truly is just that; Jon B. After over twenty years in to his music career, Jon B. tells his story of where he started, the obstacles he's had to overcome and more importantly, what he's up to these days. Definitely a great show to watch to celebrate someone who has paved the way for a few people that I'm sure you're familiar with.  

Jon B. has been one of my favourite artists over the last twenty plus years whose music is still in rotation. Look out for his new album "Mr. Goodnight" which is due to be released this coming Valentine's Day.


Saturday 19 November 2016

Mobb Deep's Hell On Earth 20 Year Anniversary - The Samples (Video)

MD

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Mobb Deep's seminal album "Hell On Earth". Many regard this as one of the best follow LP's in Hip Hop. When "The Infamous..." is the former, I'd have to agree. In fact, personally, this is my favourite of the two. I play "Hell On Earth" much more anyway.

To celebrate this release, as he does with many other albums, VinRican of Power 106FM plays through some of the classic samples beside the tracks they ended up on. This is the latest in a long line of videos he's put together. Well worth checking out.

Watch the video below and peace to Havoc and Prodigy.

Friday 18 November 2016

Ka - Red Bull Music Academy Lecture

Ka
Ka with Jeff Mao

The modest, unassuming and hugely talented Ka sat with Jeff Mao for an hour long discussion of his work and upbringing for the Red Bull Music Academy in Montreal.

Speaking on his rise in Brownsville, the various crews he was a part of and his current situation in life and music, Ka brings a very poignant and enjoyable story to this particular lecture.

Watch the hour plus interview below and be sure to check out Ka's work on the usual platforms, including his latest album "Honor Killed The Samurai".

Eminem - Infinite (Remastered Remix) & Partners In Rhyme: The True Story Of Infinite (Video)

Em
Eminem

On the 20th anniversary of Eminem's first studio album "Infinite" being released, he drops a remixed and remastered version of the title track. The grittiness of the original is cleaned up and polished but it's still a great listen if you never heard the original.

To accompany the single, a short documentary has been put out with footage of Eminem with his first producers and early video of the emcee.

The single is available now and you can listen below and also watch the documentary.


A Tribe Called Quest - We The People (Video)

ATCQ

A week on from the release of their hugely anticipated final album "We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service", A Tribe Called Quest drop the video to "We The People".

RIP Phife.

Saturday 12 November 2016

Alicia Keys - Blended Family (What You Do For Love) feat. A$AP Rocky (Video)

AK
Alicia Keys

A week after the release of her latest album "Here", Alicia Keys drops the video to her single "Blended Family". After the messy to start to her relationship with husband Swizz Beatz and the fallout with his previous partner Mashonda, it seems like they've all managed to co-exist for the sake of their kids.

Assisted with a verse from A$AP Rocky about his own upbringing within a busy household, Ms. Keys delivers a great video with a lovely sentiment.

Check the video below. The new album is available everywhere now.

Monday 31 October 2016

More Bounce presents Diamond D vs. Large Professor

DLP

More Bounce once again bring legends to the basement of The Whiskey Jar as they host Diamond D and Large Professor on the Manchester leg of their "45 Soundclash Tour".

Two of the best producers on the mic will be in the city on the 10th November, so make sure you get your tickets and be part of another historical night. Check the Facebook event page for more details.





Anderson .Paak - Come Down (Video)

AP
Anderson .Paak

Despite the relative success of his "Malibu" album, Anderson .Paak hasn't gone overboard with the visuals to accompany it. Here we have his second music video from the LP for "Come Down".

This Hi-Tek produced funk banger definitely delivers on the vision I had in my head, even if it's over before you know it. A great video for a personal standout from the album. 

Check the video below and listen to "Malibu" in full if you haven't already.

Wednesday 21 September 2016

More Bounce Presents Slick Rick Live In Manchester

Ricky D
Slick Rick

After a massive turn out for Pete Rock & CL Smooth last month at Mantra Warehouse, More Bounce wastes no time in rolling out the red carpet for yet more Hip-Hop royalty. Slick Rick finally makes his return home for his first ever tour in the UK! The Ruler starts his 5 date run of shows here in Manchester.

Put Friday the 25th of November in your diaries and be sure to get your tickets when they drop this Friday (23rd September). Check the Facebook event page here for updates and more information.



A few of his classic videos follow.







Tuesday 13 September 2016

Tupac Shakur 20 Years On...

Pac
Tupac

September 13th 1996 was the day Tupac Shakur took his last breath in Las Vegas, six days after being shot multiple times in a still unsolved case. Today, in 2016, is the 20th anniversary of his passing and only seems like yesterday that it happened.  

Tupac was genuinely one of my favourite artists growing up and it was a really sad day for me when he died. I never get involved in the debate of who was the greatest rapper to do it because ultimately it doesn't matter and it all comes down to opinion. He was much more than just a rapper. I prefer to call him an artist and activist.

He was often contradictory with what he put in his music but he was always memorable. That's why his music still resonates today. Other than music, he was a great actor with a number of movies under his belt including Above The Rim and Gridlock'd which are personal favourites of mine. And of course there is Juice, his debut in movies. That is a classic.

Anyway, just a few words from me to note the occasion. 20 years have passed by so fast and this is an unfortunate milestone to mark it with. I'll always be a fan.

RIP










Friday 2 September 2016

Dr. Syntax & Pete Cannon - Downtime (Video)

DT
Dr. Syntax

After a busy summer on the festival circuit with The Mouse Outfit, Dr. Syntax returns with his partner in crime, Pete Cannon, with their new project "The Tonic EP". Their first single and video from the EP is "Downtime".

Synners walks the streets of Manchester pondering on the big wide world that's out there and how most of us are trapped in the system like caged animals. Everyone needs a break from the cycle!

Check the video below, shot and edited by Ellis Meade, and then be sure to cop the new EP which is available now over at Bandcamp. Also, the pair are on tour starting this month so be on the look out for a local date near you.