No idea when It's hitting the UK (I keep it kicking and pushing like I was Lupe). Sorry about the random Chiddy Bang quote, but Kanye has co-signed them. Points if you can name the song that line is from!
On 31st May 2010, Cokobar London, will be holding a special concert dedicated to the memory of the late Da Grin - a signee of Edlyne records - who was originally scheduled to perform. The line-up includes the likes of DJ Zeez, Wande Coal, JJC and Bracket, along with comidian Basketmouth and others.
Not only should this be a great evening of entertainment but, this year, a percentage of the proceeding will be going to Da Grin's family. Tickets cost £25 or £50 VIP. You can book tickets here or at tocketmaster.co.uk
Nneka performs tomorrow night at Scala in London. If, like me, you're not going to make it for that, you can take a behind the scenes look at her tour diary instead. There's six episodes so far, here's the first two...
The vibe at her concerts looks crazy; actually quite gutted I'm missing it. Nneka has definitely got her own kind of swag!
"The only way I'm able to acheive, is by doing what I have to do with love and passion. So whatever you do in your life, whatever it may be, do it with passion, do it with love, and if you're not doing it with love...stop'"
I have to admit, that until yesterday, I had heard very little of Olaitan 'Da Grin' Oladapo's music. It was however, with deep regret, that I heard that he had passed away as a result of being in a car crash.
It's always a sad day when someone passes away, but when that person had such a promising future, it is often even harder to accept. All we can hope is that like 'Pac, Biggie and now Guru before him, his legacy lives on long after he is gone, through the music he made before he left.
So, if like me, you don't have a great knowledge of his music, make it your next move to enlighten yourself on the man and the music.
NaS and Jr. Gong have been hard at work, filming the video for As We Enter of off the upcoming, and highly anticipated, Distant Relatives album.
The video is directed by Nabil - who has also directed videos for the likes of Common and Kanye - and was shot in down town LA.
Needless to say I am very hyped to see the final outcome. Everything about this combo is just so exciting, album; videos; tour...I hope I'm not getting my hopes too high.
Olubowale reps his Nigerian routes by jumping on Naeto C's legendary Kini Big Deal, which he posted on twitter yesterday...
Kini Big Deal
With any luck it will at least get people curious about the origional, and about Naija hip hop in general. So, if you don't know the origional, or about Naeto C...go find out now! It will definitely be worth your time.
It would be easy to make comparisons between the trend-setting ways of Run-DMC's adidas-fulled era, and Diggy Simmons own style-forward thinking. However, like his music, it's clear that the second Simmons son - who recently signed a record deal with Atlantic - is doing fashion his own way.
The star of Run's House recently gave more sneaker sneak previews of the new trainer range from his own brand Chivalrous Culture; whilst filming on Ustream. From what we can see so far, the range seems to reflect the grown-man; fitted style that the 15-year old quite often portrays in the way he dresses.
No doubt these will take a while to hit the UK; with a US release scheduled for August. But I think they'll be popular when they do.
Check out the Chivalrous Cultureblog for all other news about upcoming releases.
Given that the first Gyptian track I heard was Serious Times this is a bit of a jump. Ms Minaj gets on Hold Yuh (Remix) and successfully delivers some bars in the way, and with the content we've come accustomed to from Young Money's first-lady!
You can finally get tickets for the Nas & Damian Marley Distant Relatives tour date in London. Go to ticketmaster and get them now; I'm sure they won't be around for long and this is a show you don't want to miss.
The duo play London on the 20th July at HMV Hammersmith Apollo.
I had to put this photo up; it's just too genius not too! Mr Tempah put this up on Twitter and it seems they had a good interview, with Alan Carr responding "...you're a gent - see you at V"
Here is the video for Drake's new single Over. The track was produced by Jamaican-born Boi-1da, who also produced Drake's '09 hits Best I Ever Had and Forever.
I'm still undecided as to how much I really like Drake, but the production from Boi-1da is on-key. The 23 year old fellow Canadian also features in the April edition of XXL's 'Show & Prove'. Rumour has it he is working on Dre's 'will-he-wont-he' Detox album.
This dropped last night but I didn't have my laptop on me. Best believe it's the first thing I'm doing when I get home. But everyone else; you need to go and download this asap.
Most of the tracks on this mini-mixtape, were apparently written during their long trips to London, and comes as a follow up to The Swelly Express. I haven't listened to Air Swell yet, but I have high hopes. I still don't think there are many rappers that can even touch the lyrical aptitude of Proto (Chidera). The success of The Opposite Of Adults was, in my opinion, well-deserved and merely the beginning of the success yet to come.
Photo taken at Notting Hill Arts Club
Chiddy Bang are also working on their debut album.
See Chiddy Bang LIVE: Scala, London Thur 27th May 19:30.
Having seen them live at the Notting Hill arts club earlier this year, I can tell you this will definitely be money well spent!
Earlier today, Nipsey Hussle announced on his Twitter page the first leak from his new "project". It's a Run This Town freestyle, and you can download it here
It's been no secret of late, that West Coast O.G. Ice Cube, has little time for these future West Coast vets. However, when Cube's been off doing his thing, guys like Nipsey have been keeping the streets warm.
I think they love Cube as much as I do; so lets hope he shows some love back!
I'm really not on that 'New West Vs Old West' thing. As far as I'm concerned, Cube shouldn't be worrying; he's already set his position in West Coast history. However after a bit of dry-spell, the West Coast is being represented well again by the likes of Nipsey Hu$$le and Jay Rock (who I've featured as my "mixtape of the month"), there's room for both right?
Well, either way, Cube isn't going down without a fight. On Saturday - at the Paid Dues concert in Cali. - he performed the first single off of his soon-to-be-released album I Am The West.
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