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Sunday 5 August 2007

ICEKID ON WESTWOOD WITH WILEY AND CHIPMUNK








THE EPIC FREESTYLE FROM ICEKID AND CHIP, THE REAL ACTION STARS ABOUT 10 MINS INTO THE FOOTAGE... CHECK IT OUT. ALSO CHECK THE RWD ARTICLE ON ESKIBEAT.

FIPIZZLE

Sunday 15 July 2007

Bleepa is Back.....


and still round the blocks like council flats.....

NEW MYSPACE FROM THE MAN MACHINE BLEEPS -
WATCH OUT FOR BATTLE BLOCKS SOON COMING

GUTTA BOYS
GUTTA RASCALS

www.myspace.com/bleepa

3 new downloads

GLOBAL GRIME WAVE

The spread of Global Grime part 1

This month see the spread of global grime take shape in an article. This month’s featured arts come from Scotland, The USA, France and Sweden.

----------

Nonsense
With a name in a similar vein to Absurd (more about him later), Nonsense has developed very rapidly to being the leader of the new wave in his area. Who imagined Scotland was a hub for grime. Nonsense got into grime at the point where it had started going from the underground and becoming an entity in the public spotlight. He remembers tunes like “I can see u” and “I luv u” as being some of the first records that influenced him.


Even before hearing these beats, he had been listening to beats and “f**king” with them, before making links at the notorious axe fm. Pablo was the man that made the connect between Scotland and london solidify by offering the Artist then under the alias of “Stanley Blades” the names and contacts to emcees who were big in the game at the time. This was 2004.

Nonsense cites the fact he was from Scotland was a major point for him being accepted into the grime circle, the novelty factor must have been high on peoples list of reason to collab with him. Now fast forwarding to 2007, Nonsense and his Levels camp have done a dirty canvas rave and are doing regular raves in Scotland… so the rave scene is healthier in Glasgow than in London.

www.myspace.com/gallasone
www.ideal-music.com

other scotgrime –
http://www.myspace.com/pbluntzmusic
http://www.myspace.com/levelspromotions
http://www.myspace.com/hendyglasgow

---------------

keith P

http://www.myspace.com/keithviP

keith P is a DJ from the Dirty South, Texas to be exact repping a group of artists called Unit One. This is an interview from the winter of 2006. So it is a bit dated but there will be an update of the most recent conversations we have had.

I been playing garage since 2000. Started dj'ing proper at the first garage weekly in Dallas (Funkdays)...and North America as far as I'm concerned. From there I went on to having 2 residencies and various bookings. Just gradually went into grime from 2-step and 4X4. Still play my oldschool records from time to time Started raving in high school. Goin out to jungle raves mostly. I put out at least 1 or 2 mix cd's a yr. Always trying to introduce people to new music

What sort of music?

It’s always been garage oriented. It was once 2step and 4X4. Now its grime and a splash of hip hop

Ok, so your Texan.. How has that inf. ure sense of hip hop..?

I'm not a native Texan. I grew up by New York so I started listening to people like Tribe, Mobb Deep, Wu Tang, Lost Boyz, De La etc. when I was young. But Texas has its own hip hop scene and sound “Screwed and Chopped” has become a bit of an international phenomena. I appreciate it equally as much as any other form of hip hop

Screwed and chopped.. What would be an example of that particular sound?

Swisha House, Screw Up Clique. People like Mike Jones, Chamillionaire, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Lil Flip have given it a bit more exposure

Ok, so its not crunk, its screwed and chopped..

No its not. Crunk is a different vibe and attitude. I think Screwed and Chopped has more in common with grime than crunk to be honest. The scene in Houston is self sufficient like the scene in London. Whereas Crunk's shelf life comes from commercial sales

That is very interesting, how would a person who doesn’t really know about the sound tell the diff...

Screwed and Chopped is usually slow whereas crunk is fast paced.

Ok, I got you, which sound can you see outlasting the other..?

Well arguably screwed and chopped has been around longer than crunk so I don't really think there's much to touch on there.

That makes sense, where are the similarities with grime?

The self sufficient attitude. Tempo can be the same at times. "What" or "morgue" could be a screwed tunes if u wanted them to be.

There is already been crossover projects with crunk/screwed and grime, but is the US ready for larger projects?

On a commercial scale? No, grime won't work as a whole. Americans want to hear albums, not mixtapes. Well the general populace anyways. People like Sov have a chance because they have labels pushing them and screaming about how they're this "unique sound" etc. Thats all politics. Grime has the possibility to become a strong underground scene in the US though. I personally would prefer that to hearing Kano on radio

lol... I get you, but with that knowledge in mind and the amount of albums that have come out this year alone, would you say that there is a possibility of it getting played by the mainstream..?

A small one. I mean those albums have already gotten a lot of exposure and reaction already. When Dizzee came to Texas he had at least 500 people at his shows in Dallas and Austin. There were like groupie chicks and shit trying to get his autograph. I got pushed out of the way by some crazy chick while I was trying to talk to Wonder outside their tour bus lol.

ha ha ha, go on tell the story..

yeh its crazy man...I mean like all these people who have never heard of grime or garage are listening to Dizzee and Kano. I get people trying to talk to me when I wear my dizzee shirt out about him...but don't really have a comprehension of what Grime is. So there's the commercial possibility right there. As I said Americans wanna hear albums

That is something to pass on to the frat members then, in terms of your own experience who are you watching for this coming year..?

I think Slash will become one of the top producers. For mc's I'm watching anyone who is stepping their game up. I wanna see people become artists and really put an effort into what they're saying on records. The music needs a balance between rave lyrics and lyrics that make sense. Skepta, Doctor, Shizzle etc. Ruff Squad and Roll Deep still have things on lock IMO

People like L Man and Purple are setting the standard IMO. Taking a chance on tackling issues in their tunes. We need more people that do that

whats IMO?

in my opinion

for someone so far away from ldn you sound more educated than some of the folk here.. How and where do you get your news/dubs/media?

hmmm...well I order records from Rhythm Division and independence. Always clockin the rwd forums (even tho I don't use that as a way to determine how things are) Alot of my impressions of whats going on in london comes from talking to people like you, logan etc.

It seems the game is so small that its getting peer reviewed, if you can call it that.. are there any media streams/mags/etc in the states that you get info from?

Well anything that gets put in Fader or Vice I usually know about already

Those are the 2 mags giving grime the most exposure, not to change the topic but check out my xmas themed blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/soulfonik/

u'll like that

lol.. Sounds like vice and fader need to get you writing for them... now thats an idea..

Yeh if u put that in the interview...fader or vice editors take note;) lol.. i dont think they read my blog to be honest with ya! That blogspot is well different... i like it tho.. its jst mad.. im gona have to come bk to digest it a bit bit more, far too much to take in with out actually reading it..

At this point the interview then started to revolve around martial arts and sharp swords and other objects….

The last part of this months article comes from Radio - not featured on the map but you should be able to work out where France and Sweden are! Radioclit:Started out as a web radio in 2003, all for the sake of promoting music that we love dearly. Before that we were already involved in music through production, djing, rapping and throwing parties.

When we say 'we' we mean, Johan Karlberg and Etienne 'Dj' Tron, a Sweden France duo based in London. We have been very supportive (and well into) the whole bass culture from Miami bass, to bounce to crunk to Baltimore club etc.

we always tried to push that super hard and feel proud we played a part in the expansion of southern 'hiphop music' in Europe. Radioclit is definitely not just about hip hop though, its about rock, all kinds of club music, electronic music and of course types all quality pop music that keeps blowing everyday, all over the world.

we have been throwing parties in Europe for a few years now. for example we where the first people to throw a grime show in France, when we brought Jammer, Ears and d double E to Paris, April 05.

We got M.I.A and Diplo out in Paris before M.I.A blew. Recently we had David Banner playing at our london Vice residency and you know we're always down with our power pop homeboys One-Two, from Paris... u see we know some cool people and that is just the beginning of this shit! Basically, we always try to find and push the newest, freshest music.

Since January 06 were doing a weekly dj mix podcast called ghettopop which had 15 000 subscribers within 2 months. we just signed a deal for radioclit (as a production team) with Counterfeet records, a new label launched by Sinden and Dave Taylor of Switch and Solid Groove fame our first singles should drop pretty soon with a bunch of more to follow.

We 've done stuff with a whole bunch of talented folks including Tunde from Tv on the radio, Switch, TTC, Ears, Skepta, Tinchy Strider, Bonde do role, no surrender. its all our production with guests and collaborations.

We call our sound system Ghettopop, not because we come from the hood but because we were ghetto music specialists and have a ghetto/pop approach to djing and producing. Radioclit tours plenty and occasionally we have Ears come with us to spice things up.

Check our maturemachomachine track on Cuizinier (TTC) new mixtape thurr

Keep in touch with our latest music and parties on myspace subscribe to the podcast

get in touch for promos, collab, or feedbacks at mail@radioclit.com

Love

Johan & Etienne "dj" Tron

Wednesday 11 July 2007

THE LAST CON

KOEMI

The 'Speedos: 2nd Base' mix CD

The 'Speedos: 2nd Base' mix CD is out NOW!!! Buy directly from the 'Out Now
and Coming Soon' page on www.SpeedosSNR.com, RWD Shop, UK Record Shop.com,
Uptown Records, Dub Vendor (Ladbroke Grove), and all good underground record
shops.

Hear a advert for the CD by downloading / saving this link:
http://www.speedossnr.com/Speedos%202nd%20Base%20out%20July.%20www.SpeedosSNR.com%20for%20more%20info.mp3
(Right click the link and select 'Save As'. Clip shows 7 tunes and is under
6MB in size).

Catch Speedos at these radio and live shows promoting the CD:

9th Jul 2007 (Mon): Manic Fm 6-8pm
12th Jul 2007 (Thurs): Phat Beats Radio 11pm-1am
14th Jul 2007 (Sat): Axe Fm 7-9pm
17th Jul 2007 (Tues): React Fm 6-8pm
19th Jul 2007 (Thurs): Word Of Mouth, time & venue TBC
25th Jul 2007 (Wed) React Fm 8-10pm
4th Aug (Sat): Talent Show, Hackney. Time & venue TBC
18th Aug 2007 (Sat): Vinny's Night Club, 9pm-2am, £5 before 10pm
30th Sep 2007 (Sun): Fat Talent Time and venue TBC

Make a purchase and spread the word!


Speedos,
Speed Noodle Recordings.
www.SpeedosSNR.com

'Speedos: 2nd Base' mix CD,
'2000 & West' mix CD, & the
'Friendz?' / 'Can Do Now' 4 track vinyl
all out in shops under
Speed Noodle Recordings NOW!

www.SpeedosSNR.com for all release
and to buy directly...

Thursday 5 July 2007

GRIME IS SPREADING

THE LOST CON - G.Acheampong

Synopsis: After a near death encounter with an intruder in his house, James Turner, grandson of a legendary professional boxer, discovers that the man he has bound to a chair and overpowered was in his house for one reason and one reason only -to steal his most priced possessions. He had come armed with a side nine, to make sure nothing stood in his way. After finding a set of keys on the intruder, Turner realizes that they are the same set of keys he had given to his girlfriend. Caught in a state of turmoil, he fears for the safety of his girlfriend. Dreading the worst that could have happened, James Turner is determined to get answers off the rather silent intruder even if it meant adopting the most unconventional methods of persuasion. He had a beautiful plan. But sometimes the most beautiful plan goes wrong. Especially if you have carefully been chosen for the last con by a pair of cutthroat con artists.

http://www.myspace.com/qfproduction

Saturday 23 June 2007

SPEEDOS 2ND BASE

'Speedos: 2nd Base' is the latest release from Speed Noodle Recordings (SNR), a West London based label which has also brought you the likes of '2000 & West' and the 'Friendz?' vinyl with Speedos and N.A.S.T.Y Jack.


This is the follow up to the 'Speedos and Little Gussy: 1st Base' mix CD, so if you liked that, buy this! For those that haven't heard the first one, here's an AUDIO sampler for the 2nd
:http://www.speedossnr.com/Speedos%202nd%20Base%20out%20July.%20www.SpeedosSNR.com%20for%20more%20info.mp3

'Speedos & Little Gussy: 1st Base' was a promotional CD which was released under SNR in 2006. This time around however, 2nd Base is a industry standard mix CD with original grime and garage beats which will be released in underground record shops worldwide!

This CD will be released on the 2nd of July 2007, although stay tuned to www.SpeedosSNR.com to possibly get your hand on it before.

Front cover link:
http://www.speedossnr.com/Gallery,-2nd-Base-Front.gif

Back cover link:
http://www.speedossnr.com/Gallery,-2nd-Base-Back.gif

If you like what you hear and want to help support, you can ad this banner / advert to your myspace page and other websites which allow HTML (A picture that can be clicked on to hear audio from the CD):

>


Advert Link:
http://www.speedossnr.com/Speedos%202nd%20Base%20and%202000%20and%20West%20Ad%204%20net.jpg

www.SpeedosSNR.com and www.MySpace.com/SpeedosSNR for more info. Leave feedback / questions etc on

Speedos,
Speed Noodle Recordings.
www.SpeedosSNR.com

2000 & West mix CD out NOW! - http://youtube.com/watch?v=np_p4-WzWFY

www.SpeedosSNR.com for all releases and to buy.

Thursday 14 June 2007

ONE ROAD TRAILER

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2031158102

ONE ROAD

One Road is a short film made by Complexed Productions and FIP, which falls under the genre, thriller, as it is an urban film with a horror twist as it contains a grim reaper.


It features Jason Frederick Silent Witness and Eastenders (BBC ONE), also (Sugar Mummies & Fallout (The Royal Court, Sloane Square).


Complexed Pro. & FIP, be on the lookout for more upcoming films by these two companies.



Friday 25 May 2007

GOLD SEAL ASK U SOME Q's

LONDON QUESTIONAIRE:

WE ARE SHOOTING A MUSIC VIDEO IN LONDON N WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET A REAL 'PEOPLE'S VIEW' OF LONDON - IF YOU COULD FILL IN THE QUESTIONAIRE BELOW FOR US AND SEND IT BACK THAT WOULD BE BIG!!! IF YOU COULD FORWARD IT TO ALL UR LONDON BASED MATES N GET THEM TO FILL IT IN THEN WE WILL HAVE UR BABIES!!

THANKS

PLEASE REPLY TO STARVINGGEEK@GOLDSEALRECORDINGS.COM

ABOUT YOU/YOUR LOCAL AREA:

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

SEX? MALE / FEMALE

WHAT BOROUGH DO YOU/DID YOU LIVE IN?

WHAT ARE YOUR LOCAL LANDMARKS? (CAN BE ANY BUILDINGS/SITES – PUB/RESTAURANT/TAKEAWAY/STATUE/PARK ANYTHING U WANT)

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST SHOPPING CENTRE/MALL IN UR LOCAL AREA?

WHAT IS THE MOST TYPICAL THING THAT REPRESENTS YOUR BOROUGH? (CAN BE ANYTHING?)


QUICK FIRE / DON’T THINK TOO DEEP:

WHAT ARE THE FIRST 5 WORDS THAT SPRING TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF LONDON?

WHAT ARE THE FIRST 5 IMAGES THAT SPRING TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF LONDON?

WHAT ARE THE FIRST 5 PLACES THAT SPRING TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF LONDON?



LONDON:

WHAT LANDMARKS/BUILDINGS REMIND YOU OF LONDON? (ESPECIALLY LOCAL TO YOU)

MOST FAMOUS STREET/S IN LONDON?

MOST FAMOUS LONDONER/S (CURRENT)

MOST FAMOUS LONDONER/S (ALL TIME)

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE CENTRE FOR ‘ARTS’ IN LONDON

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE CENTRE FOR CLUBBING IN LONDON

LONDON RADIO STATION?

LONDON TV STATION?

TOURIST ATTRACTION?

BUSINESS?

PARK/GARDENS?

NIGHTCLUB/CLUBNIGHT?

RESTAURANT?

PUB?

SPORTS TEAM?

WHATS UR LONDON FOOD?

WHAT’S YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER?

ANYTHING ELSE U WANT TO ADD?

THANKS PEEPS, NOW FIRE THIS BACK TO STARVINGGEEK@GOLDSEALRECORDINGS.COM WITH ANY ABUSE/LOVE/FEEDBACK U WANNA ADD.

DJ KARMA DJ SET...

Hello, Apologies to DJ Karma as some of the info we used in our article was slightly out of date.
Here is an update along with a new download link for you guys.....

DJ karama is playing out at an event next week...
Fixation
Friday 1st June
@ClubSesto
254EdgwareRd W21DS

Deep/Soulful/Vocal House Music.....

With Dj's
Pollo(Peski Kids) -
Stateside(UnitedStatesOfHouse) -
Karma(Soul_Food_Sessions) -
Kmar&Lynx(W12KW Soundsystem)
& Ragusa(House Connection)

£5 B4 11.30
£10 After
for limited £5 all night guestlist email names to guest@icecoldfm.co.uk



House_Yo_Body Vol1. Mixed By DJ Karma

Tracklisting...
Put Your Drink Down - MrV
BabyBlue - Ok_Ma(LondonBounceMix)
Squire 4 Hire - Nathan Haines(Capricorn Mix)
Travelling - Quentin Harris ft.Cordell McClary
Fixation - Louis Bendetti
Son Of Dragon - Liquid People(Afromento mix)
Work(accapella) - MAW ft.Puppah Nas-T
Feel(intrumental) - Trackheadz ft Zaki
My Joy - Leela James
Wonderful Place - Blaze ft.Ultra Nate (Bobby&steve mix)
Sugar - Roy Ayers (Joey Negro mix)
Zamaleya - Copyright
Nekoosa - Audiowhores
Da Bump - MrV ft Ms Patty (Warren Clarke mix)

Link for download - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PGEAFPTR - send it to your friends, family and anyone else who likes to shake a leg!!

Tuesday 22 May 2007

GO TO SCHOOL, GET YOUR GCSES

OUT YESTERDAY!

It's been over two years since Dizzee Rascal released his acclaimed second album, 'Showtime', and four since his Mercury Prize winning debut, 'Boy In Da Corner'. For an artist as prolific as Dizzee, that's a long time to be away.


Now 2007 and 'Maths + English', his third, is finally ready (released June 4th). Preceding that is the new single, 'Sirens'. It's a breathtaking return (NME and The Guardian Guide agree as both made it their single of the week) and it has an equally unforgettable video. 'Sirens' is available on cd, download, 7" and 12".

Monday 21 May 2007

May showers Down

The last few weeks have been busy, hence why there has been no fresh writing since Easter…

Hoodstars are doing big things, watch this space. This month we have bits and pieces as the flavour starts to hot up for summer! We are about to diversify, a little bit.


The rave scene in the ends has changed up, west camp are having the first of many open air events in Acton Park next month. Hammersmith Palais has now closed down for good meaning that a lot of people are left with no where to go.

On the up side there is always Fulham, Chiswick, Ealing and Notting Hill Gate. Notting hill gate was the scene of the first “Be” – a two shoes promotion event. Before I go any deeper, I want you to stretch your mind as far back as Mac fm and ice fm. Think of the renegade boys, and think of Goodness. Not hard is it.

I hear you asking why? Goodness is half of the promotional outfit; the other fifty percent is DJ En-I from Uptown records. Anyway. More about that in a while.

This month I got to sample the free mixtape from young dots myspace, an O.G. sampler courtesy of NE, a DJ Karma funky house mix picked up at BE and a mix cd from Dilemma aka Dile M for danger (Artila). Alongside this we got a taster of Wolf’s “You will go blind if you look in my head”. Watch out for volume 2 coming very soon. Hoodstars also graced Dj Sketche’s show on manic.

On the subject of radio shows, the Legacy show is set to return later on this month with full force. That’s SKFM.ORG.UK. Thursdays 8 till 10 baby. So without further ado – lets get onto this months mixtape madness.

DJ Karma –


http://www.mediafire.com/?ejemzgoxjnw

Above is a link for a Summertime funky house mix by DJ Karma, its another free download so get your hands on it as quick as possible. If you like it then you can catch this guy on myspace at www.myspace.com/thegoodvybesessions.
For those who don’t know about DJ Karma, he is a under rated DJ from the west of London. He describes himself as young and focused with a musical age beyond his natural age.

DJ Karma has been digging in the crates, car boot sales, and second hand records shops since the age of 14. The first pair of decks to grace this djs hands were a pair of soundlabs, DLP32s to be exact (I can relate!).


He began his career in the industry at a local record shop on askew road, otherwise known as “face the music”, then went on to play at house parties, school events, and obviously pirate radio sets. Karma has since moved onto a pair of 1210’s now at the age of 20 he is becoming a dj to watch out for in the underground house scene.

Like any other type of karma you get what you give back, so the Karma must be feeling the “good vybe”.

DJ Karma
Every Thursday
22:00-00:00 GMT
http://www.icecold971.com

MYSPACE.COM/ICECOLDRADIO

Two shoes are better than one.



By now you should be fully into the first few mixes from karma, So while you are up and away, ill take you to the first of many events from a new promotions company called 2Shoes or twoshoes.

Notting Hill Gate is the upmarket uptown between the central london area and the rest of london, it is also home to the Blag Club. Slightly small but homely, with enough space for 150 people. Slightly small but homely, with enough space for 150 people. 2 shoes had us wall to wall, then there was the tombola.

Music policy was as urban as you can get with old school garage, hip hop and funky house on rotation from both En-I and Goods delivered the goods and keep the crowd moving till home time.


The promotions company are running more than nightclub events; watch out for the PROEVO6 soccer tournament coming soon to west London. As well as this the company is looking for confident, presentable, positive people to run guest lists for forthcoming events.

If you think you can bring high numbers of positive people to '2 Shoes' events, get in contact via the myspace - www.myspace.com/2shoesevents

Oh yeah, the pictures from the night will be up soon enough.

GLOBAL WARMING WARNING




Y.D.O.T This Is The Beggining Mix Cd.zip

Track listing –
1.Cats on my line
2.Think you’re a top mc
3.Over and over
4.I violate cause im a sinner
5.Dirty south salute feat
6.Ride or die feat
7.Don’t chat shhhh
8.Top gangsters
9.If I while out
10.Get out the hood
11.Got my head screwed on
12.I ve been broke for so long
13.I have to stay strong


If you don’t know Young Dot, then you may have been asleep for the last few years or just unaware of some of the beats that he has provided to the scene. Rewind back to practice hours II and catch him on the essentials section.

One hundred percent Jamaican, this is the Doctor Dre of South London, hailing from SW9 area and parring in Stockwell and Brixton. Dot is the newest member of the hoodstars movement. This piece of work is prior to his official inception into the group, but is by no means a lesser work.

The line up includes Hoodstars from the south London area such as Doctor, Zero, Little Dee, AsherD, Jendor, Fugee and many more.

The track selection is a good example of what Young Dot has to offer as both an emcee and a producer. From a production point of view, the favourite tracks in the office were – (in no particular order) if I while out, Cats on my line and Get out of the hood. Lyrics-wise, Get out of the Hood and Cats on my line were the to favourite tracks along with I been broke.

As a hood emcee, Dot seems to be torn between a benevolent force and a less positive energy, I violate, contrasts with the message put across by get out of the hood as do dirty south salute and got my head screwed on. However, even through the slightly mixed message Dot seems to be calling out to the Hood, the ends, the bits, asking them to be more aware. Its not a message saying be as righteous as you can, but it is saying wake up and become conscious.
What is FIP?

Original Gangsters



The term OG is probably best known as the tagline of ICE-T’s studio album from the early ninties (get to know). OG’s are a collective of artists mainly from south london including members of the old essentials line up such as Jendor, Dot and NE. as well as this we have a host of other hoodstars such as Blacks, Stormar, Pro and Big philly.

I managed to link up with Jendor and NE at the last dirty canvas, and I picked up a sample cd with some music from the OG’s.

This is one of the tracks off the sampler – http://www.mediafire.com/?7lx4mzpssmx

the rest are at the myspace
http://www.myspace.com/theogmovement - more to com from these guys later on next month.


Sketch'E ft. Hoodstars

(17-05-07) Part 2.mp3

Hoodstars hit a DJ Sketche set on maniac last Thursday, the audio is up already. The audio quality leaves a bit to be desired but apart from that it’s a good set, you can find it on the rwdmag forum, but if you cant here is a link!



Urban Tales

Urban Tales

was written with the intention of grasping a piece of lower working class U.K. society and putting it in writing and pictures so that people can really see the conditions that individuals such as my self and some of my peers are living in on a daily basis and the mind state that some of the younger individuals have because they see it as a means of escaping the burdens and problems of their everyday life.

The areas that Urban Tales focuses on are crime, drugs, love, political propaganda, teenage pregnancies, unemployment and everyday situations not only in the black communities but in many lower working class households in the inner cities up and down the country but is written from my time living in London and Birmingham. I feel as much as racism is a problem in this country that does not seem to be going away no matter how many innocent people are killed or how many campaigns the government put out, however it is the divide between the classes that is the main problem.

The rich seem to be getting richer while the less fortunate seem to be stuck in a position of “sink or swim” to maintain a suitable position of living for themselves and their families.

With the recent emergence of excellent talent that the U.K. is showing both with musically with Grime, Indie, RnB, Rock, U.K. Hip Hop and films Urban Tales is a window of insight.

from Koemi

Bringing Buff back

http://www.buff.uk.net/

Last year we brought you news of a film festival that would break all boundaries, This year it is back bigger than ever… BUFF is the British Urban Film Festival. The showcase behind BUFF Enterprises Ltd:

If you are an independent filmmaker in the UK this festival is a perfect place for you to showcase what you do. BUFF was created to increase the amount of opportunity for the next generation of filmmakers in the UK. The company has created a whole brand around the word BUFF….




The website is a lot more detailed and even gives a history of the word Buff, from the original meaning till today’s street slang. In addition, it tells you how to get involved in “the search for Buff” – an urban sort of mr and miss universe.

As well as this the film festival is backed by serious names and filmmakers including Julius Amedume (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Amedume) and British actors including Asher D & Troy Titus Adams. As well as these names the ITV are involved in the project and this has helped the more educative and charitable side of the organisation to grow. 4front gave manor-logs a national screen and as well as this FFISH is a programme in schools to promote filmmaking and media.

Keep checking the website and the myspace for regular updates….


http://www.buff.uk.net/
www.myspace.com/britishurbanfilmfestival
http://www.myspace.com/thesearchforbuff


The Search For Buff

Add to My Profile

Wednesday 14 February 2007

Natz - Model behaviour....




21 year Natalie Leona, hailing from the South Eazy ends met up with FIP for an interview on the good old MSN. Apart from being a legal secretary, a mother, and an artist manager, the illustrious Natalie is also a model.

Being a model is not easy, well not as easy as it looks. Its not just catwalks, make up artists, flashing cameras and tantrums. A model is someone who sets an example for others to follow. Don’t believe me, look it up in a dictionary.

For Natalie being a mother is sometimes like a tug-o-war, which she has just learnt to perfect... it was not easy. It’s been one of her major pressures and has pushed her career. Like all of us Nat been influenced by others in her arena. When I asked to name figures she has found an inspiration from, we ended up talking about Rachel Ritfeild. Another young woman who has accomplished a lot in a short space of time. just like our Natz.

"boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, i think people think being a model is posing for pics and skinning out in vids and you are a model, na its more than that ".

Being the co-manager of the label she is signed to, has given Natalie the perfect perspective to analyse the game from. The game is too small, and there is not a lot of opportunity for the average model in England. We compared the music game and the modelling game, surprisingly there were striking similarities, down to the point where the two worlds collide... (Check Natalie out in Stryders new video).


Natalie remarked that the models that have been in the music videos so far could in most cases have been shown in a better light than they have. The word "skinning" came up again, (these kids and their slang, eh..). Natalie’s advice is try not skinning out in every video because it can make or break your career. But it depends how you would categorise yourself if you are going for high calibre image then being a model is a way of life, its the way you carry yourself on and off the job and being able to perform at all times. so all the "skinning" out can just carry you in one direction.

Going back full circle, we talked about how her career came about after coming out from a controlling relationship to becoming a model for Black hair and beauty and being spotted at the show. This is where it really all began for Natalie. She remembers always being told to model because she had the height for it, more recently she gets comments about her eyes... and we all know that eyes don’t lie.

“Boi! this all im always being told about my eyes, everyone use to tell me to model because of my height”.

Reading about Natalie is great, but if I didn’t tell you where to find her, I'd be teasing... you can hear Natalie’s voice on genesis radio (91.6 fm) from 2-4pm every Monday talking hot topics interviews music debates all sorts so please do lock in to the radio and also genesis radio myspace. You can see Natalie in Tinchy Stryders new video "breakaway". In addition, those of you who are serious about working with her can find her on the web at www.myspace.com/diplonats, and also at the company she co manages, www.hotgirlent.com.

Lastly but not least Natalie would like to big up all the HGE Model Management ladies Jay, Kam, Katrina, Helen, Jennifer, Nicola, Nicole, it goes on a and my partner and CEO TigerLee, oh yes and Hoodstars and her girl Marsha.


Read the full interview on the myspace.
FIP

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/FIPMAG

Thursday 1 February 2007

The M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T


The M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T
Top 3 selected crews in the game.


Since the commercial success of So Solid, the “crew” has been the functional unit of our emcee based format in grime. Each era of grime has been braced by a new click, from Pay As You Go, to Heartless, Roll Deep, to SLK, and so on.

The M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T are closer to the streets than any other click in the scene; the raw element they possess is often breath taking. But are they the best individually? Or is their crew status that has catapulted them into the forefront of the scene?

Funnily enough, this group do not see themselves as a ‘crew’, and seem to have conformed to this structure because it is the set standard for the UK right now…

Like most, the M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T is a group of like-minded people who came together through a mutual cause. The inspiration lay with scorcher, the phone calls were made, the meetings were set up, and the rest is history.

“scorcher had an idea for us to unite and become 1, we spoke about it on the phone decided who we thought would be good in the team; we then had a few meetings and became the movement.”

The M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T is an apt name. ‘Movement is defined as a group, a progression or a transfer… The ethos behind the group fits the name…. They are all about progression, raising the levels of music in the UK, and raising the balance of their bank accounts while getting more recognition.

At this moment in time, the supremacy for the best music unit in the UK music scene is being vied for. The pace seems to be set by the ‘Boy Better Know’ team (Headed by JME) and the M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T. You can get a copy of Logan Sama's war report and make your own mind up. If you are fan of grime you would have noticed that in the second half of 2006, there was a feirce battle between the two camps (Similar to the beef between Roll Deep and SLK).

These battles seem to define the scene and move it on. For SLK, the battle may have been the nails in the coffin. This may not be the case for Boy Better Know (BBK) and The M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T.

Recent words from Wretch show that the beef was just musical. Logan Sama has been playing tracks with both camps on, the hatchet has clearly been buried. Both camps have even done a tune together portraying a very strong message; this was either a publicity stunt or just friendly competition. Either way it has brought the scenes leaders closer together.

"Well I would say we are tempo specialist, this is because we can control any tempo we choose to".

For those who don't know, the members of the M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T are as follows, GHETTO, WRETCH 32, SCORCHER, MERCSTON (FREE MERCS, possibly April), LIGHTNIN, DEVLIN, DJ UNIQUE AND CAMERA MAN RSKY. This is an impressive CV. Each emcee/artist is a trendsetters in their own right. They define their sound as tempo specialists, meaning they don't just do grime, or the typical BPM people associate with grime. ‘Tempo Specialists’ is also the name of a collective mixtape, which was released late last year (2006) not surprisingly featuring the movement camp members over a range of tempos.

The grime scene, or UK scene, seems to have the most influence on them, as they cite the people that have gone clear such as Kano, Sway and So Solid. However, they also rate the new bloods in the scene. In terms of production, they see Magic Fingers, Terror Danger, Da vinche, Rapid, Naughty Boy, and Scorcher as people that are moving the sound of grime forward.

"What are your ambitions as the M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T? We wish to continue to raise the level of the UK music scene, until we get a lot more recognition as well as money."

Everybody knows you can not make a movement with no money, so like most other crews, they are all working on their solo projects and using the momentum of the group to push their personal movements forward. Getting paid seems to be on their minds, but the issue of majors versus independent routes is something they are not decided on… But don't worry you will be getting a M.O.V.E.M.E.N.T album, funded or unfunded.

"Also watch out for solo projects, mixtapes, DVDS, and a few surprises…"

Last but not least the crew wanted to shout out Living Production and also the whole of the music scene. LET’S RAISE THE LEVELS!!


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Myspace madness
http://www.myspace.com/ghettomc
http://www.myspace.com/rsky_riskyroadz
http://www.myspace.com/wretchclart
http://www.myspace.com/mercston
http://www.myspace.com/lightninmc
http://www.myspace.com/devlinot
http://www.myspace.com/scorchercb

Discology
Simply The Best – Scorcher
Learn From My Mixtape – wretch 32
2000&Life – Ghetto
Tales From The Crypt – Devlin
The End of the Beginning – Mercston

Written by HOG

A version of this also appears in JWG.

Make sure you get you copy NOW!