MCA is a hugely influential figure for me, in music, video, design, business, the lot. His passing is a very sad loos. I wrote about it on Dangerous Minds:
It’s still sinking in here that MCA-aka Adam Yauch- has died, and that, in effect, the Beastie Boys are no more. What a fucking bummer.
It’s an inescapable fact that the Beastie Boys are one of the bands that define my generation. If you were a child at any point from the mid 80s up until the late 90s you cannot have escaped their influence. And I’m not just talking about their music; their aesthetic reached everywhere, from film and music videos to magazine publishing and clothes lines.
I feel like my generation (and I use that term loosely) don’t have a singular iconic figure they can point too, like a Prince or a Bowie; you know, that one person that unites an entire age group through sheer talent and poise. Well, the Beasties may not have had the incredible album-a-year productivity rate of Prince or Bowie at their prime (in fact they were legendarily slow at making music,) but their extra-musicular activites more than made up for that, and meant that when their albums did drop it was a major event.
More than just the music on its own, more than the Grande Royale magazine and record label, more than fantastic the art work or the trend-setting X-Large clothing range, it was the Beastie Boys incredible videos that set them apart, and brought their diverse fan base together. They really knew how to work in different media while retaining their core identity, making them some of the first and most successful rap music entrepreneurs, and this placed them right at the centre of the 90s golden age of both hip-hop and music videos. And there steering the helm of most of those awesome Beastie Boys promo clips was Yauch himself, often in the guise of Swiss director Nathanial Hornblower.
I was blown away by 'Purple Naked Ladies', the debut album by The Internet (part of the OFWGKTA fam and featuring Syd Tha Kid, the openly gay female dj for Tyler The Creator). So much so that I wrote this review for Soundblab mag, mentioneing Stereolab, Martine Topley-Byrd, Organized Noize, Erykah Badu and more:
Don't you just hate it when your opinions are proved wrong? I mean you thought about them for like, an hour. Or maybe even less, say ten seconds. Even if you just read that shit somewhere else and thought "that'll do", it doesn't matter because those opinions are YOURS and define who YOU ARE and having them contradicted can be painful and confusing.
Well, I'll let you in on a little secret: I love that shit. I love feeling that confusion of "NOW what am I supposed to think?" Because you know what, when things are uncertain, unsure, when you feel like your mind is free-falling at great speed - that's when you feel most alive.
Being brutally honest: I had no great burning desire to hear The Internet, I just went into the Soundblab back room to grab a certain release for review and noticed that this album hadn't been claimed yet. The album I wanted as already gone (seconds after we were told it had come in!) so I grabbed PNL as it was just there and I thought "I can do a quick enough hack job on this, get some anti-OFWGKTA angst off my chest".
Holy shit.
Yep I gave the album a 9/10. I wasn't expecting to like this record, my reasons having a lot to do with my preconceptions of Tyler and OFWGKTA, and the process of mentalyl unpacking those presumptions is a big part of the review. Here's the video for band's "She DGAF":
Another updated version of an older tune, this time the hip-hop track "I Like To Dance" which now sounds like - guess what - 80's electro funk! Who'dathunkit? Featuring the excellent MC skills of Lester Greene and Tori Fixx, and soon to be joined by the Bigg Nugg himself:
L&G, we give you the township-funk ghetto rap supagroup AFRICA KWEEN! The look, the idea and the record sleeves are all done. Now we just need to write and produce some actual music.
Here's the cover for their first single, the club smash "Egypt" (ft Egyptian Lover remixes):
Here's the sleeve for their debut album "Kween Africa":
Here's a free promo shot (for press enquiries email africakweeeeeen@gmail.co.af):
So, have you sen the video for Kanye West's "Power"? And did you notice all the occult symbolism there-in? Come on, let's be honest here - you'd have to be a total fucking idiot not to.
I have commented on this kind of thing before (most notably Lady Gaga), but if you are new to the modern trend to read everything in pop music as being controlled by the Illuminati, then start here with a brilliant piece by the Fortean Times. Of course, written as it was about 12 months ago, it already seems out of date as it doesn't feature Kanye. But I'll come clean on all this "conspiranoia" fascination - I'm sick of it. I'm over it all. And why? Because the tables have turned - this is no longer about an audience reclaiming popular culture with fresh and bizarre readings. Now it's nothing more than a clever marketing gimmick. Conspiracists, KANYE IS TROLLING YOU.
Shunda K is one half of the awesome Yo! Majesty, who have been making some serious waves the last couple of years with their outspoken, openly gay, dancefloor-dominating hip-hop. This weeks sees the release of "I'm Da Best", the second single to be taken from Shunda's upcoming solo album, due out in January next year. I was asked to interview Shunda for the Lock Up Your Daughters fanzine (it appears in issue 5 which has just been released and is highly recommended), and they've let me reprint it here for all you Shallow Ravers. Dat's Wassup!
Where are you right now and how is it?
I live in Brandon, FL and the weather has been pretty wishy washy, sunshine in between the rain.
When is your album coming out?
My album, "The Most Wanted", will drop 1/11/11 and will have every genre from Rock to Pop, Electronic, R&B, and Hip Hop.
The album features over 11 collaborations with artist from all over the world including my wifey Ms. Tedra, Lady Lash, Tanisjah Matthews, SNAX, WeHaveLove, Raspberry Cocaine, B Coney (my lil cuz), The Real Fiasco & Flyy Git (a couple of my artists), and, of course, Cindy Wonderful of Scream Club and Shon B of Yo! Majesty.
With this album comes knowledge and wisdom about life, from the church to the club and everything else in between. It is a record that will encourage and inspire, raise questions and debates, and explain to the world who I be: The Most Wanted, The Best To Eva Came Grande Dame, Shunda K!
Who's producing on that?
Producers include Raspberry Cocaine, B Coney, Tha Pumpsta, DJ Flore, Tori Fixx, Les Gourmets, Chrissy, ElectroSexual, B.A.T.S., Deekline, PureSX, Sick Rick, SNAX, DJ Keshkoon, and Robots Are The Future aka Nerdz With Gunz.
When are you next coming to Europe?
Ill be back over to the UK headlining London's Lady Fest 2010 November 12th, so make sure to come out and witness nothing but the truth!
What are your main musical influences?
My life is my influence, the things I witness and go through and a daily basis. I have a lot to talk about.
Yo Majesty had such a distinct sound and vibe it makes me wonder what the music scene like in Tampa? Is it different from other parts of the States?
The music scene here is like the music scenes every where else. I've always stayed within my realm, doing me because being gay and bragging and boasting about it really didn't go over well in the late 90's early 2000's (as I started writing in '97). It's been a pretty lonely road I must say. How did Yo Majesty come together?
I formed Yo! Majesty as a solo artist in 1998. I met Shon B in 2000 and we met Jwl B in 2001.
After meeting Shon and feeling what she brung to the table, we agreed that Yo! Majesty should be the group name.
And if you don't mind me asking, how did it come to an end?
I walked away because everybody deserves respect and I wasn't getting that, even though I was the one carrying everything in many cases. And so moving right along, if I cant do what I love with others and be happy doing it, it's not worth doing it with 'em. So, Im keepin it movin!!!
At a time when the gay rights movement is having big clashes with the religious right in the US, it's very fresh and surprising to hear an openly gay AND religious performer. Do you have any trouble squaring off those two sides to your persona?
God is love and with that knowledge, I move forward with my head held high. The word of God says, to "study to show yourselves approved." It doesn't say that to encourage us jus to study for the book smarts alone, but we need to study the word of God so we can get an understanding of how God deals with His people, where we can apply these same principles to our lives. The word also says that "whoever believes and confesses the name of Jesus Christ will be saved." God says that everything He made is good and very good, so its all good.
My mission is to spread the truth about who God is and what His purpose is for us all. And so, because another human tells me that I'm not worthy to do that, I'm suppose to stop? Hell naw, the devil is a liar. I have peace with my maker and that's what we all need to be doing, making peace with Jesus so we can live our lives in the fullness and be happy. God loves each and everyone of us, so don't you let nobody else tell you He doesn't. Stop em right in their tracks.
Get to know the Lord for yourself and stop relying on pastor and this one and that one to lay hands on you to be healed. Believe and lay hands on yourselves. Pray for yourselves. Get up out of that pit you in. All excuses was nailed to the cross, so I cant use the excuse, because people don't agree with my life style, I can't be what I want to be. I'm free to do me, through the grace and mercy of God. We all are!!!
How is the whole Homo-Hop scene going over there?
I can only answer for myself and as far as I'm concerned, I'm doing dis!
Any fresh young talent you'd like to give shout outs to?
Stay tuned for some new artist coming up out of the GMEQCA camp. That's my label which is an acronym that stand for God's & Man's Eternal Quest to Conquer All. They include Blaque Pop, Fly Gitt, The Real Fiasco, and Ghetto C.
"I'm Da Best" is out now. You can buy it on iTunes, and you can hear it right now:
Well, since I went to London to work with Shunda K, she passed the I Came beat on to the other half of Yo! Majesty Shon B, who has also recorded a verse, and now the track is slated to be on their next album.
FUCK ME. That's pretty amazing right there - Y!M are easily my favourite hip-hop group of recent years, not just cos of their awesome music, but also all the awesome shit they stand for. I feel really honoured that they liked the track so much!! I am going to put some new beats together for them soon too, let's hope they like them too...
Here's the latest remix I've done - a G-Funk rework of lesbian icons Scream Club ft Beth Ditto. I don't think they're into it though as I have yet to hear back from them about it! :-D But it's all gravy, I am gonna be DJing at the next Lock Up Your Daughters party where Scream Club will be appearing live. Schaweet!
Up and coming post-crunk star DAM MANTLE was kind enough to do a promo mix for the NORAVE party too - he DJed an epic set of wonk-step and hip-hop after the bands were finished. We've put his promo mix up as a free download on our Soundcloud page. There's more info on Dam (Tom to his Mum), and details of his brand new "Purple Arrow" EP here: http://dammantle.com/. Check it out!
Fast Motion - Becoming Real (DVA's high emotion Remix) Fall Short - Ramadanman The Loot - J Treole (Sully Remix) If u want me - Deadboy nswl004 - Jam City Work Them - Ramadanman Simpatico - Anthony "shake" Shakir Back Home - Gold Panda space juke - DJ Rashad Madame Butterfly Act 2 - Puccini
I spent a day in London last week recording vocals with the wondeful Shunda K of Yo Majesty. That girl is fast, professional and very talented! We worked on a version of I Came that is sounding shit hot, hopefully we will have some male input on it too from a rapper we both know. Shunda's a great MC and I look forward to working with her again in the future. In the meantime, here's a remix I have done of her next single "I'm Da Best", and a dub version of that mix too.
Xpost form Shallow Rave - and yeah, I can't be arsed changing it back to first person.
Part 2 of Little Rock's 3rd birthday celebrations sees the Niallist drop his "I Came" mixtape.
"I Came" is the lead track on the upcoming "Lust, Caution" EP, and will be getting a full 12" release on Little Rock with remixes from the Niallist, DFRNT and Brassica. This 20 minute tape features both the male and female vocal versions, live recordings from Optimo (Espacio) and BBC radio, guest MC spots from Shunda K (Yo Majesty), Rel$ (Nail In The Coffin) & Cindy Wondeful (Scream Club) and an exclusive remix by Human Shield's Gold Blood. You can listen and download it through Soundcloud:
Happy Belated Patrock's Day everyone! I've been back in Ireland for a few days, I have managed to kill 3 birds with 1 stone - Mother's Day, Paddy's Day and Linkwood playing for It's Music in Cork. Sweet!
Here's a video we shot last year as a co-pro between me and Ce Camille. It's my first ever video and the feedback has been great so far. The song is about Che Camille, and the video was made there too. There's a lot models in it and a load of pals too - it was great fun making it. So check check check it out...
Long term readers of this blog will know that I've had a version of Missy's "Work It" kicking around for about 4 years. Well me and Julius Seizure have tarted it up for the new decade. It's gonna be on my next album "A.K.A.", along with most of the stuff I have been posting here lately (barring edits and remixes).
Yowsah! Some ACTUAL rappers on one of my tunes! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... And these guys are GOOD - I'm hoping to do more with these two in the near future. This track also features a special shout out verse to all the best clubs in Glasgow.
More hawt off the press action - this time it's a bangin' electro-frog-house remix of BIGG NUGG's Sexy Motherfucker featuring the one and only LESTER GREENE. So it's got rapping on it - kinda like hip-house for the 21st Century but in a heavy-metal-disco style. Think Justice making out with In Flagranti. And all the homo heaviness that implies. http://www.sendspace.com/file/yjr13g
WARNING! This track contains extremely explicit lyrics that are totally teh gay. If you're a pussy, or one of those boring "no singing in my set"-type DJs then as a special bonus here's the instrumental:
Cross-posted from Shallow Rave, words by Liam Arnold.
Over at Black Lantern, Texture's Aphasia EP has just dropped and has been getting heavy rinsage from Little Rock already. Stalking through the shadows cast by spoken word, hip-hop, dubstep and trip/hop electronica, Aphasia worms its way into the hindbrain and whispers dark secrets in dissambled language; pop culture is chewed up and regurgitated, reference points subsumed into the twisting mass of electronics and verbal acrobatics. Of the four tracks, two instrumental, two with vocals, my personal favourite is Impact, which sees Texture joined by fellow Black Lantern operative Harlequinade, with Asthmatic Astronaut on beats. The balance between Harlequinade's apocalyptic intonations; "will the clocks all stop at the moment of impact? / will we lacerate reality when we tear off these masks?", Texture's abstract lyricism, and Asthmatic Astronaut's feel for classic hip-hop bounce makes for a compelling and powerful finished product.
The rest of the EP sees the third member of Black Lantern, Morphamish, co-producing. Those that heard the now-defunct Double Helix project, or Morph's own material (posted a while back), will know what to expect; slick, rich production values, dubby swathes and heavily compressed synths EQ-d to perfection. It's a synthesis that works well, it's surprising to hear such richly engineered sound on 'net label releases; previous 'Lantern releases Big Whoop and Riders On the Conquering Worm were brilliantly lo-fi, and abrasive noise-core respectively. It's also refreshing to hear Morph trying more laid-back, groove-driven production, in comparison to the beasting dubstep of Double Helix.
Aphasia's still not easy listening; Texture's abstract, bookworm approach to MCing demands a intellectual fascination with density and obtuseness of (this is for fans of Doseone and ELP, not Kanye and Fiddy), and with such a combination of influences, it's doubtless going to alienate straight-up hip-hop heads. However,as the first of a trilogy of EPs, and Morphamish's own channel set to launch on Black Lantern next month, we're sure as hell going to be paying attention to Black Lantern.
And if you don't like it? "...when you question my theories, I say up, up, left, right, star, down continue, suck it up motherfucker, now the word virus is in you" Fuck Yeah.
