Wednesday, 22 May 2013
MTV IGGY: It’s Easy For ItsNate
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
ItsNate is a member of London’s cool posse and, along with the likes of Piff Gang, Catch’em, and a select few others, his aim is to push the hip-hop vibe of yesteryear to the forefront of the UK music scene. On his new track, Easy, which features skillful wordplay from Piff Gang’s Milkavelli, ItsNate drops smile-inducing rhymes about sex, drugs, and rap life – all over a trippy Sumgii beat. Listen…
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
MTV IGGY: Jamie Hustle Earns His Name
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Bassline/4×4 + house = jackin' house. Now, that’s an equation that I can get used to. The new sound has been making plenty of noise in UK bass of late, and one of its leading names, Jamie Hustle – a London-based producer signed to Champion’s Formula Records – will be releasing a two-track EP on June 10, featuring two tracks of gut-wrenching bass, drum, treble. Stream Pleasure Dome after the jump.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Friday, 17 May 2013
NME (Radar): John Newman
You may remember hearing John Newman’s soulful, gravelly voice on Rudimental’s chart-topping dance tunes, Feel The Love and Not Giving In. Now the 22-year-old Yorkshire boy has gone solo - no doubt hoping that his Plan B-influenced solo offering, Love Me Again, will catch on when it hits shelves on June 24.
Words: Joseph 'JP' Patterson
A version of this appeared in NME Magazine (May 18 issue)
Thursday, 16 May 2013
iRate: Merky Ace - 'All Or Nothing'
One of the younger bar-slingers in grime, Merky Ace continues to rep for the genre that he loves with the same hunger and energy he showed three years ago during the "new wave" explosion. If you're feeling All Or Nothing (above), produced by Faze Miyake, then be sure to cop Merky's mixtape of the same name on May 27 via No Hats No Hoods.
MTV IGGY: Mount Kimbie & King Krule Take Their Time
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
In our recent interview with King Krule, he mentioned how much of a fan he was of Mount Kimbie’s productions, and that he was working on a few bits with the British electronic music duo. Well, one of the finished products has finally arrived in the form of You Took Your Time. Krule’s moody, spoken word-style singing is met with a down-tempo beat, with just enough jazzy percussion and bass to keep you from floating off. Zone out after the jump!
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
MTV IGGY: Reggae Royalty: David Rodigan Drops New FACT Magazine Mix
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
David Rodigan MBE is held in such high regard in the UK and Jamaica for his work, and rightly so. The legendary DJ has dedicated most of his life to the promotion of reggae music, and he was one of the first to bring it to the British masses back in the 1970s with his Reggae Rockers show on Radio London. He’s worked at almost every worthy national radio station since, but now he sits comfortably at BBC Radio 1Xtra HQ every week – where he hosts one of the station’s most-listened-to shows.
Our friends over at FACT Magazine recently got Mr Rodigan to put together a free mix for the legions of old and new fans of the Jamaican-born genre. It features never-before-heard dubplates, as well as classic reggae jams. So click the download button below, get your bottle of rum out the cupboard (drink sensibly, folks) and enjoy the leading sound of the Caribbean islands.
Download for free: H E R E
Wednesday, 15 May 2013
MTV IGGY: What Is Love Made Of? Katy B Has The Answer
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Following the release of her feature-heavy dance-pop EP, Danger, last year, south London’s Katy B is back with a raving new tune called What Love Is Made Of. The underground music-loving songstress takes it back to the '90s dancefloor, laying her disco-style vocal arrangement over a euphoric house beat. Check it out after the jump.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Friday, 10 May 2013
iRate: Haze - 'Feel'
Not many UK rappers would've been brave enough to flow on such a beat, but Haze took the gamble - and won. Do you Feel this rap-meets-dubstep wave? I do.
MTV IGGY: DJ Q: Trailblazing His Way Through UK Bass
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
DJ Q’s presence in the British bass/underground music scene has been felt and appreciated for over a decade. Whether it’s his garage, grime, bassline/4×4 or house productions, his radio shows, or memorable DJ sets, the Huddersfield-born music maestro’s passion for all things bass has been evident from the very beginning and, today, he is looked upon as a major player in the dance music industry. "Music has always been around me," says DJ Q. "My dad was in a soul group, and I used to always see him do his thing. I started playing the saxophone and then discovered that I liked the digital side of music more, as well as MCing, producing, etc., so I just took it up." He’s carved a pretty decent career out of it, too.
You came up through the bassline/4×4 scene, which is still doing its thing in the North of England but is nowhere near as popular as it once was in other parts of the UK. What do you think went wrong?
I think that Niche closing in Sheffield was a big thing. It was the weekly bassline event where everyone was playing and getting booked. When that closed and people stopped getting bookings, I think they just lost confidence in themselves, and the scene. Eventually, people just moved to other scenes. Like, you see a lot of bassline heads making house now. Burgaboy’s even making R&B! It’s good to see that everyone’s still got passion for music.
Are MCs to blame for ruining it? A lot of people seem to think so.
At some point, MCs get involved with everything. The house scene is probably going to have MCs on it! Grime started as garage and then turned into grime as MCs got involved. Everything evolves.
In my humble opinion, I don’t think the house scene will allow MCs to do that.
That’s what bassline DJs said back in the day: ‘No MC tracks.’ Look at what happened! [Laughs]
True. True. So, you’re currently working with a few of the scene’s other well-known figures to put together a huge bassline/4×4 revival-type rave, but do you think it’ll do the trick?
To be honest, I don’t see a big bassline revival happening. It’ll come back, but maybe as something else. In general, music works in cycles. Bassline started off slow, got a bit faster, and now I think people are still making bassline-sounding beats but it’s slower again.
UK garage is back at the forefront of British dance music, and you’ve played a big part in getting it get there – along with Todd Edwards, Disclosure, Mike Delinquent, and the return of Artful. Is it here to stay this time, though?
I think garage will live on in other genres. If you listen to Disclosure’s stuff, they’re making stuff which sounds like garage. Naughty Boy’s new tune with Sam Smith, La La La, it’s a 2-step garage track. I don’t know if it’ll be like the Re-Rewind days, but I would love to see it come back like that. A lot of the house beats are sounding like 4×4 garage beats these days. People sometimes call my 4×4 garage tunes house, too.
How is your new weekly show on Ministry Of Sound Radio going?
It’s good, man. It’s getting a wicked response. I’ve got the freedom to play what I want, so I’m enjoying it a lot. I’ve always been in contact with a guy called Dan at MoS, for compilations. One day, I sent him a Todd Edwards mix and he said he wanted to use it as a special guest mix on the station. That went out and, soon after, they approached me about doing a show.
It shocked a lot of people when your BBC Radio 1Xtra show wasn’t renewed, seeing as you put seven solid years of hard graft in. From the outside looking in, it seemed like the show was extremely popular with listeners up and down the UK. Are you happy with online, or do you plan on getting another national radio show in the near future?
I think it shocked a lot of people, to be honest. I was under the impression that the show was doing really well. The response from people at the station and from listeners was wicked so it was a shock but, at the end of the day, things sometimes have to come to an end. It may sound stupid, but it seems like a lot more stuff has happened since I left 1Xtra: I’ve done the FACT Magazine mix, I’ve played at Boiler Room, and I’m playing in London a lot more, which is surprising.
Radio aside, you’re also signed to Local Action, which is run by FACT Magazine’s Tom Lea. How did that deal come to fruition?
I did the Brandy & Coke track last year and, originally, it was meant to be a free download but he got in touch, said he loved the track, wanted to put it out on vinyl and we’ve had a working relationship ever since. I sent him Trust Again, which is a 2-step garage record, and he said, 'Let’s do this!' He asked how I felt about doing an album, and it made sense. He loves the same scene that I’m part of, so it made sense to go with someone like him and his label. With the album, just expect the unexpected. It’s a DJ Q album, but it’s not totally what you’d expect to hear from DJ Q. There are lots of influences from all styles of music, not just bassline or garage. All being well, we’re looking at a September/October release. The second single, Through The Night, has just come out as a soft release, with the full release dropping in a few months.
Music aside, you’ve recently become an ambassador for CALM, the charity which aims to prevent young males from committing suicide. What was it about the charity that made you want to attach your name to it?
I was on Twitter and I read a news article that the number of male suicides had gone up. It kind of shocked me, because I didn’t think men had problems like that. I tweeted about it, the guys from CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) saw my tweet and got in touch. They told me more about the charity, gave me a couple of magazines to read up about it, and I instantly knew that I wanted to help out. If I can raise more awareness, then it’s a good thing.
You’ve achieved a lot in your career, and you’re still only in your 20s, but is there anything else that you’d like to get into down the line?
To be honest, I really don’t know. If I’m still doing the same thing I’m doing now in another ten years, then I’ll be happy. I want to carry on putting out music that people like and appreciate. We’ve got the Local Action album coming out, and I’ve also got an EP coming out with an American label called Party Like Us – which is run by AC Slater. The stuff they’re doing over there is similar to what we’re doing, so it makes sense to work together across the pond.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
MTV IGGY: Gorgon City Have Good Intentions With A New Single
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Black Butter Records' most recent signing, Gorgon City, return with new single, Intentions. The duo rope in the hypnotizing, soul-filled vocals of Nikki B, along with the help of the Clean Bandit musicians, to create their latest garage-tinged deep house bubbler. Fit for the summer days, Intentions is a brill follow-up to their well-received debut, Real.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
MTV IGGY: PREMIERE: Random Impulse – 'Holding Out Till Thursday'
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
North London’s Random Impulse has kindly given us the exclusive first play of the B-side to his Best Party Ever single, Holding Out Till Thursday. The guitar-strumming grime MC’s previous tracks may have had a slight indie edge to them, but he well and truly channeled his inner rock child on this head-banger. Air guitars at the ready!
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
iRate: Skepta Feat. Kano - 'Lay Her Down'
Lay Her Down is the first single from Skepta's forthcoming album, Konnichiwa. Featuring Kano, the two underground music stars get their grown folk game on over a funky, 80s disco-inspired production. Vibes #insideee!
Saturday, 4 May 2013
MTV IGGY: Grime 2.0: Instrumental Grime Continues To Lead The Way
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Joe Muggs is a name you’ll know well if you’re into British underground music. The writer, A&R scout and consultant has put together a 35-track compilation with Big Dada called Grime 2.0, which unites established and up-and-coming grime music producers who all have the same goal in mind: keep the genre alive by creating cutting edge, club-worthy music without the aid of an MC. For a little taste of Grime 2.0, which is out on May 6, check out DJ Cable’s tightly mixed minimix below. It’s time to get dark!
Tracklisting:
CD1
01. Footsie – Oh My Gosh
02. Tre Mission – Dollar Bill
03. Teeza – Rum and Coke
04. Visionist – Dem Times
05. Faze MIyake – 5000
06. TRC – Cartwheel
07. Chaos & Order – Logans Mind
08. Preditah – Vinyls VIP
09. Youngstar – Loop 29
10. Chimpo – Codeine and Dragon Stout
11. DECiBEL – Bend
12. Shy One – 927
13. Inkke – 927
14. J Beats – Shotta Krew
15. Matt Shadetek – Battery Charge
16. Juzlo – Nail Thrower
17. Major Grave – Like A G
CD2
01. Darq E Freaker – Trojan
02. Moony – Winner
03. Mr SnoWman – Frosty Lake
04. Mr. Mitch – Viking
05. Wiley – Logic Pro
06. MRK1 – Smash It Up Hard
07. Prettybwoy – Kissin U
08. Swifta Beater – Numb VIP
09. SNK – Mongrel
10. Royal-T – Space Cowboy VIP
11. Stenchman – Machine Molester
12. Sinden – Arcane
13. Slackk – Spray
14. Spooky – Moonlight
15. Starkey – Tunnel
16. TC4 – Lazer Riddem
17. Gumnaam – Desi Bullet
18. Threnody – Emergency
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
MTV IGGY: Amine Edge & DANCE’s 'Ima Read' Remix Is Mad Decent!
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Amine Edge & DANCE have gone and done it again! The French double-act’s latest masterpiece is a remix of Zebra Katz and Njena Reddd Foxxx’s Mad Decent underground smash, Ima Read, which receives a gritty gangsta house makeover – complete with a guttural bassline, and skippy hi-hats. It’s only a matter of time before this one takes off in clubland, so just remember where you heard it first…
This also appeared over a MTV IGGY: H E R E
Friday, 3 May 2013
MTV IGGY: MNEK: Pop’s New Wunderkind
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Name: MNEK
Where He’s From: London, England
When He Started: 2004
Genre: Pop
For Fans Of: Luther Vandross, Frankmusik, Craig David
Sounds Like: '90s soul with a modern pop twist
MNEK has brought a certain swag/urban edge to British pop music that has been missing for years. His voice: laden with soul. His songwriting: tugs at the heart. His productions: genre-defying. Basically, MNEK is single-handedly reviving the genre’s cool. "I’ve been doing music since 2004, and I pretty much taught myself," says the 18-year-old. "I signed my publishing deal with EMI in 2009 and, initially, I think I just believed my hype [laughs], but then I actually wanted to make great music."
Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, George Michael and Craig David are a few of the great singer-songwriters whose influence stuck with MNEK as he began to form his own musical identity. Like the aforementioned artists, the Londoner caught the writing bug at an early age – basing most of his songs on bad relationships – and he has since gone on to write some huge chart hits for the likes of The Saturdays, Misha B, Duke Dumont et al.
MNEK will continue to work his magic from behind-the-scenes for the foreseeable future, but expect more of him as a singer in coming months. Pop music has just found a new genius.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
MTV IGGY: Sinead Harnett Goes It Alone
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
She was helped up by Disclosure and Rudimental, but Sinead Harnett is now ready and able to stand on her own two. Out on May 26 via Black Butter Records, Got Me has the London-based singer’s melodic embellishments sitting pretty on Eats Everything & Lukas' bouncy house beat. Listen below.
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
MTV IGGY: Deen Burbigo: Changing The French Rap Game
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
Name: Deen Burbigo
Where He’s From: Marseille, France
When He Started: 2003
Genre: French rap
For Fans Of: Nemir, Blackapar
Hip-hop is a universal language and, regardless of which native tongue rhymes are delivered in, it’s a genre where emotion is easily relayed. Deen Burbigo is a rapper hailing from Marseille, France, and for him to switch his bars to English would just be "whack." "My native tongue is rich enough for me to dig into, and it’s the language I handle the best," says the 25-year-old. "I did write one or two verses for fun when I was in New York City, but I’ll never perform them in front of a camera."
Burbigo began penning raps at the age of 16, drawing influence from French crews such as IAM and Fonky Family, as well as hip-hop heavy-hitters like Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Boot Camp Clik. Now, he finds himself in the midst of a thriving hip-hop scene. "A new wave of MCs have been using a refreshing approach, and that’s not just in Marseille and Paris," says the former battle rapper. "A few old-timers are even coming back, so there’s some healthy competition right now."
Deen Burbigo is preparing his currently untitled debut LP for a 2014 release, with the first single and video dropping in September. But until then, catch him spreading the French rap gospel with his L’Entourage.
Stream Deen Burbigo’s Inception EP below:
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Friday, 26 April 2013
MTV IGGY: SION Impresses With His 'Gangster Walk'
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
20-year-old SION is the latest to be signed to Chase & Status' MTA Records, and his first release on the label is a strong one. The Welsh producer works his disco-tinged deep house magic on Nate Dogg's classic, Gangster Walk, and gives it a new lease of life. SION to di world!
Download for free: H E R E
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Thursday, 25 April 2013
MTV IGGY: Skilliam Brings You 100% Of Skepta
By Joseph 'JP' Patterson
"Man better mention me when they talk about grime," rhymes Skepta on the remix of Diddy’s Hello Good Morning track and, after the many years he’s invested in the scene, who are we to argue? Paying homage to the Boy Better Know MC and producer this time round is Rinse FM DJ and Butterz label co-owner, Skilliam, who brings us a well-selected 21-track mix of Skepta’s finest grime offerings. Listen…
Tracklist:
01) Bumbaclart Badman Remix
02) Private Caller
03) Fuckin Widda Team Vocal
04) Fuckin Widda Team Remix
05) Stupid
06) Red Bull Academy
07) ASAP Vocal
08) ASAP
09) Stageshow Rhythm
10) Tingles
11) Hench Remix
12) Sweet Mother
13) Dustbin Man
14) The End
15) Autopsy Freestyle
16) UFO
17) Dead
18) Reggae
19) Dark
20) Rockstar (Poomplex Edit)
21) DTI (MC VIP Mix)
Download for free: H E R E
This also appeared over at MTV IGGY: H E R E
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
