Sunday, 16 November 2014
The Beatstreet
These dudes are not your average buskers - they're getting live with the MPC beats in the street ... I guess that's why they're called THE BEATSTREET. Dope stuff.
Thursday, 13 November 2014
A Message to the 45 Haters
Well it looks like I'm back up and posting on the regular again after a long time away from blogging. As more and more hip hop related websites sprung up over the last 5 years I felt my job was done as far as bringing a slice of authentic hip hop culture to the interweb. I started this site in 2007 primarily because of the lack of real deal hip hop info online, but the tables have now turned (pun intended) and there is a plethora of great places to go online for your daily fix of b-boy information, whether you are into breakin', beatdigging, graffiti writing, record collecting, turnablism or whatever. There is no longer a gap in the market.
HOWEVER, I will still be popping up from time to time to share with you any treats I think you need to see or know about, and to reminisce on good times long gone. And maybe every so often to voice my opinion (for what it is worth) on some of the bullshit that surrounds the culture. I think this may be one of those times...
So, here is my message to all the 45 haters out there. Yes you know who I am talking about, those dudes who get all hot under the collar when they see some of the prices rare rap 45s are making at the moment. And not just rap 45s, but any 45s (especially those that have received a little hype lately and are in high demand). First of all why you are concerned with how the next man spends his money is kinda alien to me - each to their own. But Ive been quiet for awhile now and I think it's time I shared my opinion on the subject. After all, I'm one of those guys who has many of those rare 7" records they are referring to. But there ain't no shame in my game, and here's why....
Firstly, I've always collected hip hop 7" singles. I started buying records as a small child on the 45rpm format (99p from Woolworths) so anything on this format is always gonna be dear to me. So, over the years I have always picked up any little hip hop records I have seen on my diggin' missions. They never cost me a lot, and it was always surprising what records were available on 7", especially the European labels who released some classic hip hop tracks on 45rpm not available in the US market. Now obviously hip hop records were all about the 12" format during the 80s and 90s, so it is no surprise that the US market didn't always put out a 7" version, and if they did it was mostly a promotional tool or jukebox single.
By the turn of the millenium, I already had a nice 2 crate collection of rap 7" singles, including some rare titles like ULTIMATE FORCE's "I'm Not Playing" and JUNGLE BROTHERS' "Because I Got It Like That" (Original Version) and I was always hungry for more. When digging online became the goldmine that it is, almost every record collector in the land realised they could find records online that were never gonna be found in their regular physical shops and boot sales. That's when the online boom began. Postage was inexpensive, the choice was endless and ever changing, and the only effort needed was a little bit of knowledge and an internet connection. I mean ... the records even came delivered to your front door! What more do you want? There is no shame in digging online, and anyone who says they don't do it is either a liar or a philistine.
Ten years on, we've all stocked up on random rap, bought that missing LORD FINESSE record from our collection, and almost completed our TUFF CITY 12" discography. Classic Hip Hop 12"s saw a boom in prices initially and as the collectors out there filled in the gaps so things began to level off. It's not rocket science, but buying trends are exactly that. Trends come and go as in all aspects of life.
So now 15 or so years after the online explosion, people are feeling the grip of the economic crisis, and we have all learned to tie our belts a little bit tighter, and carefully watch how we spend the pennies we earn. At the same time, the cost of postage from continent to continent has sky rocketed (globally with few exceptions), and now a 12" single or LP can cost in some cases $20 just to be packaged and sent to you. Gone are the 12" bargains, even if the record only cost you a single buck or pound or Euro by the time it arrives at your front door it's become costly (and that is before any customs charges if you are unlucky enough to be hit with one). All of a sudden it is not such a cheap hobby finding 12" records online and having them posted.
So is it really a big surprise to people that the 7" 45rpm format is getting some well deserved attention right now? Does it really shock you that a DJ will pay over a hundred for this or that promo rap 7" that very few people own? The 7" format is convenient, concentrated, easy to carry, cheap to post, and gives you that dope track you wanted with no filler or wack remix which you probably hated anyway. The have always been of interest and always will be. So if you're late to the party and wanna have a gripe about who or what record is being bought for what price, maybe I can suggest you worry about your own game and let those 45 fiends worry about theirs. If you wanna worry about money being spent in the wrong places maybe you should check out what the Government does with your taxes, why major labels push violent gang-promoting rap music, or how corporate corruption if feeding the rich whilst depriving the poor. Don't focus on some record collector paying over the odds for a rap 7". That shit is unimportant to you.
(Edit: Oh .. and if you're thinking "another rap blog going on about trendy rap 45s" then check out the 2nd post ever on DAILY DIGGERS from July 2007 HERE. Nuff said.)
HOWEVER, I will still be popping up from time to time to share with you any treats I think you need to see or know about, and to reminisce on good times long gone. And maybe every so often to voice my opinion (for what it is worth) on some of the bullshit that surrounds the culture. I think this may be one of those times...
So, here is my message to all the 45 haters out there. Yes you know who I am talking about, those dudes who get all hot under the collar when they see some of the prices rare rap 45s are making at the moment. And not just rap 45s, but any 45s (especially those that have received a little hype lately and are in high demand). First of all why you are concerned with how the next man spends his money is kinda alien to me - each to their own. But Ive been quiet for awhile now and I think it's time I shared my opinion on the subject. After all, I'm one of those guys who has many of those rare 7" records they are referring to. But there ain't no shame in my game, and here's why....
By the turn of the millenium, I already had a nice 2 crate collection of rap 7" singles, including some rare titles like ULTIMATE FORCE's "I'm Not Playing" and JUNGLE BROTHERS' "Because I Got It Like That" (Original Version) and I was always hungry for more. When digging online became the goldmine that it is, almost every record collector in the land realised they could find records online that were never gonna be found in their regular physical shops and boot sales. That's when the online boom began. Postage was inexpensive, the choice was endless and ever changing, and the only effort needed was a little bit of knowledge and an internet connection. I mean ... the records even came delivered to your front door! What more do you want? There is no shame in digging online, and anyone who says they don't do it is either a liar or a philistine.
Ten years on, we've all stocked up on random rap, bought that missing LORD FINESSE record from our collection, and almost completed our TUFF CITY 12" discography. Classic Hip Hop 12"s saw a boom in prices initially and as the collectors out there filled in the gaps so things began to level off. It's not rocket science, but buying trends are exactly that. Trends come and go as in all aspects of life.
So now 15 or so years after the online explosion, people are feeling the grip of the economic crisis, and we have all learned to tie our belts a little bit tighter, and carefully watch how we spend the pennies we earn. At the same time, the cost of postage from continent to continent has sky rocketed (globally with few exceptions), and now a 12" single or LP can cost in some cases $20 just to be packaged and sent to you. Gone are the 12" bargains, even if the record only cost you a single buck or pound or Euro by the time it arrives at your front door it's become costly (and that is before any customs charges if you are unlucky enough to be hit with one). All of a sudden it is not such a cheap hobby finding 12" records online and having them posted.
So is it really a big surprise to people that the 7" 45rpm format is getting some well deserved attention right now? Does it really shock you that a DJ will pay over a hundred for this or that promo rap 7" that very few people own? The 7" format is convenient, concentrated, easy to carry, cheap to post, and gives you that dope track you wanted with no filler or wack remix which you probably hated anyway. The have always been of interest and always will be. So if you're late to the party and wanna have a gripe about who or what record is being bought for what price, maybe I can suggest you worry about your own game and let those 45 fiends worry about theirs. If you wanna worry about money being spent in the wrong places maybe you should check out what the Government does with your taxes, why major labels push violent gang-promoting rap music, or how corporate corruption if feeding the rich whilst depriving the poor. Don't focus on some record collector paying over the odds for a rap 7". That shit is unimportant to you.
(Edit: Oh .. and if you're thinking "another rap blog going on about trendy rap 45s" then check out the 2nd post ever on DAILY DIGGERS from July 2007 HERE. Nuff said.)
B-Boy Bionics
My fellow VINYL VETERAN MAC MCRAW's new 12" on the COLD ROCK STUFF label is now available to buy, so if you're a fan of that gritty SP1200 sound then get yourself over to the COLD ROCK STUFF website and grab a copy.
MAC is no rookie when it comes to releasing sureshot Hip Hop music, and began his vinyl career as a member of UK hardcore outfit SEVERE CARNAGE in the early 1990s. He also ran the revered PUMA STRUT label and recorded under the name BEATHOVEN. However my first encounter with MAC was many years ago when I heard the name WILDSTYLE BOB NIMBLE mentioned on a late night hip hop radio show, and thought to myself "that name is fresh ... who is that dude?". It wasn't until 25 years later when I got down with the VINYL VETERANS crew in Brighton that I realised that MAC MACRAW was actually WILDSTYLE BOB himself. That's a quarter of a century later and we are BOTH still obsessed with Hip Hop culture. That speaks volumes on how much Hip Hop grabbed the attention of us kids in the mid to late 1980s.
Nowadays MAC is the VINYL VETERANS head honcho, organising a thoroughbred team of enthusiastic vinyl lovers who share their musical passion with the club going crowds of Brighton town and beyond. If you've ever attended a VINYL VETERANS showcase then you know exactly what I'm talking about.
COLD ROCK STUFF proudly present MAC MCRAW's latest release "B-boy Bionics" b/w "Dust" featuring AUDESSEY (SOUNDSCI) and guest rhymes by none other than OXYGEN (VINYL VETERANS USA). THE PROCESS (JOHNNY CUBA & OLLIE TEEBA) have supplied a kick arse remix and once again MAC came to the DAILY DIGGERS and asked us to flip a little remix for "Dust". We have obliged and are proud to be involved once again with such a highly skilled team, in fact most of the time we don't feel worthy. Thanks MAC for getting us involved.
Here's some soundclips below of all tracks on the 12" - get yours before they're gone like hot cakes!
MAC is no rookie when it comes to releasing sureshot Hip Hop music, and began his vinyl career as a member of UK hardcore outfit SEVERE CARNAGE in the early 1990s. He also ran the revered PUMA STRUT label and recorded under the name BEATHOVEN. However my first encounter with MAC was many years ago when I heard the name WILDSTYLE BOB NIMBLE mentioned on a late night hip hop radio show, and thought to myself "that name is fresh ... who is that dude?". It wasn't until 25 years later when I got down with the VINYL VETERANS crew in Brighton that I realised that MAC MACRAW was actually WILDSTYLE BOB himself. That's a quarter of a century later and we are BOTH still obsessed with Hip Hop culture. That speaks volumes on how much Hip Hop grabbed the attention of us kids in the mid to late 1980s.
Nowadays MAC is the VINYL VETERANS head honcho, organising a thoroughbred team of enthusiastic vinyl lovers who share their musical passion with the club going crowds of Brighton town and beyond. If you've ever attended a VINYL VETERANS showcase then you know exactly what I'm talking about.
COLD ROCK STUFF proudly present MAC MCRAW's latest release "B-boy Bionics" b/w "Dust" featuring AUDESSEY (SOUNDSCI) and guest rhymes by none other than OXYGEN (VINYL VETERANS USA). THE PROCESS (JOHNNY CUBA & OLLIE TEEBA) have supplied a kick arse remix and once again MAC came to the DAILY DIGGERS and asked us to flip a little remix for "Dust". We have obliged and are proud to be involved once again with such a highly skilled team, in fact most of the time we don't feel worthy. Thanks MAC for getting us involved.
Here's some soundclips below of all tracks on the 12" - get yours before they're gone like hot cakes!
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
More Cold Rock Stuff
There is another COLD ROCK STUFF release about to drop any moment soon. MAC MCRAW brings more SP1200 12-bit grit to the table alongside vocals from AUDESSEY and a guest appearance from that good dude OXYGEN. And the reason that your eyes are popping right now is because MR KRUM has done it again with the sleeve design. Oh ... and did I mention there is a DAILY DIGGERS remix. More details soon...
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Guttersnypes Unreleased Pressure
The GUTTERSNYPES have some unreleased pressure (as Tim Westwood used to say) due to drop on a 45rpm 7" single in the very near future. Back in '94 the TRIALS OF LIFE EP was released and became a firm favourite here at the DAILY DIGGERS HQ with both myself and the BEAT DETECTIVE. In my opinion the music on that EP was one of the most competent UK productions I had heard at that time (and possibly to date). The samples had been so carefully selected and well blended with crispy drums so eloquently that it gave the best US producers of that era a good run for their money! It is only later in life that I have come to know SIGHER himself (the man responsible for the beats) and it was only then that I realised that his skill lies mainly in the fact that he has a finely tuned ear (no pun intended) for hip hop samples and that his beats are 90% produced within his head before he even presses any pads on the drum machine. Impressive stuff.
SIGHER has now decided too bless us vinyl junkies with some unreleased material from the GUTTERSNYPES posse. CEL ONE is once again shining like a real star on the microphone and hopefully we will have some PRIME CUTS turntable action on there too. Stay tuned, I'll bring you details as soon as I have them.
SIGHER has now decided too bless us vinyl junkies with some unreleased material from the GUTTERSNYPES posse. CEL ONE is once again shining like a real star on the microphone and hopefully we will have some PRIME CUTS turntable action on there too. Stay tuned, I'll bring you details as soon as I have them.
Monday, 27 October 2014
Danny Spice - Live At The Throwdown
DANNY SPICE'S new vinyl is ready to hit the streets and features vocals by EMSKEE, OXYGEN, SADAT X, AUDESSEY, CAPPO and 90s underground favourite FINSTA BUNDY. The caliber of the emcees on this release is matched by the punchy beats and DANNY'S trademark ASR-10 sound delivers as much boom bap as your ears can possibly handle. We were lucky enough to be treated to a little promo of the EP at a recent VINYL VETERANS jam in BRIGHTON where I shared wheels of steel duties with DANNY, and believe me when I tell you that this shit kicks! The old school artwork comes courtesy of MR KRUM, and there is even MR THING ripping the turntables to shreds on "Do It For The DJs". Well ... what are you waiting for? Get the scoop right HERE.
Saturday, 25 October 2014
From BX to LDN: Jazzy Jay
Saturday October 18th 2014 was an evening I will remember for a long time. For more years than I can remember I have been rockin' original break doubles trying to emulate the sound of the deejays that helped spawn hip hop culture in the 70s and 80s. And none more so than Bronx legend JAZZY JAY. So to be on the line-up at a JAZZY JAY warehouse jam in London was a dream come true if I'm honest with you. B-BOY DOCUMENTS crew (along with the help of PRITT KALSI) had flown JAZZY in from NYC to bless the wheels of steel at another high profile B-BOY DOCUMENTS event (following on from their superb month of events back in 2013).
The event was held in a multi-storey car park (yes you read that correctly) in Belsize Park on the evening on Saturday 18th October. If you never witnessed a warehouse jam back in the 1980s then this is as close as you would ever get to that "bolt crop the padlock and wire up the system" feeling. A whole host of original UK heads were in attendance on the night, in fact more than I could possibly list in full. The B-Boys were goin' off all night long, and JAZZY JAY treated them to a no-holds-barred breakbeat set to make you wanna get down. And when they said the event would run til the break of dawn they weren't joking! Thanks to the B-BOY DOCUMENTS crew for having me spin alongside a personal hero of mine.
...and luckily they recorded the audio for the whole night, so you too can enjoy the sounds that made them all get down. Stay tuned and I will share it as soon as it is available.
The event was held in a multi-storey car park (yes you read that correctly) in Belsize Park on the evening on Saturday 18th October. If you never witnessed a warehouse jam back in the 1980s then this is as close as you would ever get to that "bolt crop the padlock and wire up the system" feeling. A whole host of original UK heads were in attendance on the night, in fact more than I could possibly list in full. The B-Boys were goin' off all night long, and JAZZY JAY treated them to a no-holds-barred breakbeat set to make you wanna get down. And when they said the event would run til the break of dawn they weren't joking! Thanks to the B-BOY DOCUMENTS crew for having me spin alongside a personal hero of mine.
...and luckily they recorded the audio for the whole night, so you too can enjoy the sounds that made them all get down. Stay tuned and I will share it as soon as it is available.
The Vendetta Continues...
MF GRIMM & DRASAR MONUMENTAL are back on wax with part 3 of their "GOOD MORNING VIETNAM" series of real deal pull-no-punches trooper music. If you are easily offended by raw, gritty hip hop music from the trenches then this is definitely NOT for you. If however you are a serious trooper yourself then don the camo and tighten up your boot laces and hit the frontline....
Check out GOOD MORNING VIETNAM 3: THE PHOENIX PROJECT right motherf#ckin' HERE
Check out GOOD MORNING VIETNAM 3: THE PHOENIX PROJECT right motherf#ckin' HERE
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Goei Trax Volume 2
And here is GOEI TRAX volume 2 for your listening pleasure. DJs MAUZ and DROPPA taking no prisoners when it comes to rocking the funky breaks and beats. They got STAX OF WAX!
Caught You Sleepin'
Those heavy diggers from Belgium DJ DROPPA and DJ MAUZ, aka STAX OF WAX, are back with another fun-packed mix for your loudspeakers ... "CAUGHT YOU SLEEPIN'". If you don't dig this then there is something wrong with your earholes and I suggest you make a doctors appointment immediately. Also check their GOEI MIXES on their Mixcloud page as these are some of my most heavily rotated mixes right now.
DJ DROPPA MIX
DJ MAUZ MIX
DJ DROPPA MIX
Caught you sleepin' (Droppa mix) by Staxofwax on Mixcloud
DJ MAUZ MIX
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Jazzy Jay in London Oct 2014
B-BOY DOCUMENTS crew proudly present the return of JAZZY JAY to the UK for a one-off special show featuring many of the original heads from the UK hip hop scene. Check out the list of names and make sure you get to North West London on October 18th.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Diggers Dozen Live Sessions
Thanks to Max for asking me to drop a choice vinyl selection at his DIGGERS DOZEN night in DALSTON, East London on September 25th. I hope everyone who attended enjoyed the selection - if you missed it in the flesh then here is the recording from the night. Have a look on the DIGGERS DOZEN mixcloud page to see which DJs have blessed the wheels over the years at Max's events, there is too many to mention.
My selection is dedicated to FISH PWS (ANTISOCIALMUSIC), a regular here on DAILY DIGGERS who sadly passed away late last month just before this DIGGERS DOZEN event took place. Rest in paint FISH, I'll miss both our chats and your unwavering support over the years for which I thank you mate (including the dope DAILY DIGGERS graff logo that you and KELP organised).
My selection is dedicated to FISH PWS (ANTISOCIALMUSIC), a regular here on DAILY DIGGERS who sadly passed away late last month just before this DIGGERS DOZEN event took place. Rest in paint FISH, I'll miss both our chats and your unwavering support over the years for which I thank you mate (including the dope DAILY DIGGERS graff logo that you and KELP organised).
Kid Dyno - Diggers Dozen Live Sessions (September 2014 London) by Diggers Dozen on Mixcloud
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)