Archive for September, 2007

Retro-Superstars

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

Here’s a great little video of Camp Lo freestyling up in the studio (apparently shot on the same day as HHC’s interview with the duo, or else they really need to change their clothes more often). At one point they even go over ‘Rebel Without A Pause’! Check it here.

Interview coming soon - and it’s possibly the largest Camp Lo interview you’ll ever see these days - but in the meantime here’s Geechie Suede’s guide to shopping at thrift stores:

“Thrift stores are a big part of my makeup. It’s all about the thrift. I know it’s like that for Cheeba too, but sometimes he takes a chill pill on it and comes back.

“Tips for shopping at them? Well if you like snug fitted wares then that’s the place to be ‘cos you ain’t never gonna find nothing quite your size! You have to make it work, but that’s fine by me.

“I think a lot of artists today are too quick to follow the look of others. Sometimes they try and dress ‘hip-hop’, and I think Fabolous dresses well in that style - but as far as switching it up, who’s really doing that?”

Huge Hair: Speaking His Clout

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

New issue of HHC out next week, but in the meantime here’s a tasty little teaser from The Beats’ latest boy wonder, Example, talking about the sort of upper class vixens he addresses on his album track ‘Posh Birds’:

“Posh birds? That started at university. It’s the noise they make when you’re fucking them, basically. I don’t like posh birds in general; I don’t like the spoiltness, a lot of them do my nut in. It’s more like I got enjoyment, felt like I was teaching them a lesson.”

Elsewhere in the issue, 9th Wonder drops his equally hard-hitting views on the merits of 80s pop music:

“I grew up in the 80s, and one thing about American kids who were born in the 70s and grew up in the 80s, we grew up in the age of MTV. So we were listening to Duran Duran, Kajagoogoo, The Pet Shop Boys, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Spandau Ballet.

“What’s that group [half singing ‘Safety Dance’ by Men In Hats] ‘We can dance if you want to…’ I probably know as many British rock songs as I do hip-hop.

“Everyone from that era, I love. I love the fun that they had on those records. Tears For Fears ‘Everybody Rule The World or Berlin ‘Take My Breath Away’ or the opening keyboards of ‘Jump’ by Van Halen had like an epic, euphoric feel that, with my own music and in my own way, I’ve often tried to capture.”

Trust us, the Bananarama cover’s just around the corner…

Fresh 2 Def

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Part of Newham’s ‘Music And Dance Month’, Fresh 2 Def takes place next Saturday September 29th with Skinnyman, L.Man, Killa Kela, Akala, Shameless and more stepping up on stage and grabbing the mic, plus HHC’s resident columnist and man about town Excalibah holding down deck duties.

Going down at Stratford Circus in London, you can cop tickets here.

Who’s Next?

Friday, September 21st, 2007

If you’re a dedicated Jay-Z fan then the announcement that Uncle Shawn is coming out of retirement again to drop a new album this November must sound like great news, but for anyone concerned about hip-hop’s health it’s pretty disappointing stuff - once more it’s a case of the same ol’ faces doing the same ol’ thing; a fact compounded by Papoose leaving Jive on the same day.

Likewise, XXL magazine’s next cover is a spread of supposedly up-and-coming artists to watch out for, but two thirds of the list are completely anonymous and blatantly devoid of star potential, with only Pap and Saigon standing out - two names that the combined powers of Atlantic and Jive records couldn’t even manage to release an album from.

In 2007 the last thing hip-hop needs is another out-of-retirement moment from Jay-Z. Here’s the first track from the album, ‘Blue Magic’, produced by Pharrell. But you’ve got to ask: If you never heard this track would it matter? Nope, and that’s why Jigga needs to stay retired.

Diesel U Music Awards 2007

Thursday, September 20th, 2007

Going down on Wednesday October 3rd, this year’s Diesel U Music Awards look set to be the biggest yet. Showcasing the best in unsigned talent, this time around they’re also being broadcast on Channel 4, with west London’s The Clik Clik repping the hip-hop end of things.

Check out more on the website here.

Also, if you’re in the mood for some after-party shenanigans, tickets for the bash are on sale now here - more details on the flyer above.

B-Boys Makin’ Noise

Tuesday, September 18th, 2007

Coming shortly on September 22nd, the Red Bull BC One will see the world’s leading one-on-one b-boy battle take place in South Africa.

With 16 of the best b-boys on planet rock competing, including 2006 winner Hong 10, it’s set be a scorching hot showdown.

Hit up the website here for more info.

It’s No Longer Smart To Be Dumb!

Monday, September 17th, 2007

In the artist’s own words:

“‘Go With Me’ is the next single off Wise Intelligent’s new classic album ‘Wise Intelligent Iz…The Talented Timothy Taylor’.

“If you ever wanted know what elements are necessary to create a Wise Intelligent, please listen to this track! The God takes you from knowledge to born and every place in-between, to give you a small taste of what it was like to grow up on the streets of Trenton, New Jersey.

“This track was exquisitely produced by Oh No (Stones Throw Records) for Disruption Productions. ‘Go With Me’ will instantly remind you of why you fell in love with hip-hop in the first place!”

Check it here.

The Free Way

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

One of the new generation of Rawkus representers, Hezekiah drops his full length on the label soon.

In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak of one of the highlights, ‘That Fillin'’, featuring that man with the wispy beard, Freeway. Enjoy it here.

Little Brother & Havoc Downloads

Wednesday, September 12th, 2007

More downloadable goodies masquerading as news, this time with a preview sampler for Little Brother’s ‘The Get Back’ and Havoc’s ‘Absolute Kush’ mix. Cop ‘em by clicking.

“Remember When Treacherous Three Controlled The Streets…”

Tuesday, September 11th, 2007

Great new video from the Freestyle Professors (partly shot at one of this summer’s Crotona Park jams in the Bronx) available to view here. Also make sure to check out their website for all sorts of goodies.