Archive for the ‘Hip-Hop’ Category

Fire-Tiger + Satwinder Birdi - G6
Fire-Tiger + Biti + Skiman - Ahka Saab Keh Gayia
Fire-Tiger + Satwinder Birdi - Jind Mahi 2012

Amit Mattu, otherwise known as Fire-Tiger is perhaps a name most won’t have come across till now and after hearing this gentleman’s production handiwork on his newly released EP, Fire-Tiger Presents, we’re confident the new British producer on the block will receive a fair bump in his follower count!

Signed to Karman Entertainment, Fire-Tiger has released a 6-tracker brimming with cutting-edge, contemporary Asian-fused sounds and manages to deliver different flavours throughout the length of the EP. What’s more, Fire-Tiger has championed female artists; an area of the music scene which is need of progression here in the UK and one that this EP attempts to address with the spine-tingling opening track Veh Vanjaria. The trio of Sabrina, Biti and Amrita of Enalay pool their complementing vocal talents on a heartfelt, piano-filled number with a subtle hint of autotune on the hook.

One track that is a gripping journey from  start to finish is the Drum and Bass beast G6. Satwinder Birdi, the flourishing voice behind tracks like DJ Sanj’s Mitran Di Jaan and Atre heads this one and is in imperious form on this white-knuckle, adrenaline ride! The rags-to-riches lyrics are quirky, synths imposing and a bassline nothing short of bludgeoning. Birdi further lyrically revamps the evergreen classic Jind Mahi with Fire-Tiger favouring a largely Hip-Hop feel with a smattering of Desi, Dub and DnB to send our senses into overdrive!

With a wealth of variety to pick from, Fire-Tiger has essentially released an accomplished product and his experimental, mainstream production style is bound to resonate with a diverse listenership. From Electronic to Soul, this debut has revealed him to be adept across an array of genres and has the vision to fluently incorporate cultural identity with resounding ease.

Support the artists and purchase this release via iTunes.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Two months ago, the emotional and deeply hooked Panchi Wangu surfaced on our screens to the delight of the fast emerging and growing D-Sarb fan base. Whilst we were all deliberating of what to do with our leftover Christmas turkey and spuds, D-Boy drops a special Boxing Day visual for his remix for Panchi Wangu which features the popular Raxstar and up and coming talents, KK and PW. Grab this dubstep, synth-filled, tabla-fied crazy remix now via the iTunes link below.

Reminiscent of the great hip hop violinist Miri Ben Ari, Raginder Violinder has been chipping away with his take on a couple of covers with a particular cover of Panjabi MC’s Mirza catching our ears a couple of months ago. A few hours have passed since his first mixtape was released titled Take One… which features stabs at Chris Brown’s Beautiful People, Panjabi MC’s Moorni and more surprisingly, Skrillex’s Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites. Hit up Violinder.com or click here to download the free mixtape directly.

Sometime in the not too distant future Asher Roth will release a mixtape entitled Pabst & Jazz (digging the artwork, above!), with the beats handled in the main by Chicago production outfit Blended Babies. The team’s first offering from the forthcoming project, Common Knowledge is one slick joint that’ll have your head bobbing before Ash even begins unloading bars.

The rapper’s delivery is on point and deserves credit for managing to eloquently name-drop Magnús Ver Magnússon… Yes, the four-time World’s Strongest Man! The rated ingenuity and range exhibited on the verses has also been provided with a deadly musical backdrop; rippling synth arpeggios bedded on the reverb-heavy, vicious breakbeat… Top-notch! The stripped-down, tempo drop on the hook works well and this effort has elevated my interest in checking Roth’s mic skills on his upcoming work.

Follow me on Twitter @HarkBhambra

Norway-born B-Magic released his newest offering D.R.E.A.M almost two years since his last presentation You Got It For Free Vol 2. Standing up to strong lyricism is an equally strong production effort. Talents such as DviousMindZ, Noyz, Dusty Loops, and KinG! stop by to lend their hand to the Brown Magician’s musical backdrop.

Getting it right from the start, Intro Those Who Slay lays the premise for what’s to come.

I close my eyes and see nothing but darkness
They want the fire but don’t tell me how to spark it
The park bench we were heroes, no Clark Kents
Street dreams from luxury homes to apartments
Give me a paddle and I will row
Just an Average Joe reaching out as far as I can to grab my gold

Complemented by his deep narrative, smooth flow, Magic shows he’s well versed in the affairs of street life. Who I am, Stick Up, and Chasing Pavements showcase this. Guest features are minimal but needed (including the appearances that you would probably expect, like Humble the Poet and excellent songstress Selena Dhillon).

Typical to regional hip hop, B Magic manages to preach from his own life experience, but comment on his surroundings in a way that becomes relatable to anyone listening around the world. No doubt about it, B Magic with D.R.E.A.M solidifies his status as an original Hip Hop talent. Check out B Magic’s Bandcamp page to download all his previous and this newest offering.

Fresh after his single reached Number 2 on the official charts, Labrinth records an explosive remix of Earthquake for Soulculture’s Co-Sign show. Armed with his guitar, extraordinary live band and none other than the finest rapper from the UK Kano, Labrinth tears up his own song which for me, has replaced the original. A work of genius.

Presented for RE:GENERATION, a documentary film that follows leading producers including Pretty Lights, The Crystal Method, Mark Ronson, and Skrillex who have been propositioned to recreate and re-imagine five traditional styles of music. First up is DJ Premier featuring Nas who have hit the project with one of the biggest bangs, an unbelievable fusion which creates something that can only be described as anthemic.

Taken from his forthcoming album The Deliverance, Sway releases his first track off the CD and my word, is it one hell of a banger. Excellently sampling the great 1989 classic Ride on Time by Black Box, the track Still Speedin’ has still more to offer as remixes with an unknown major US artist are planned as well as the popular remix with UK rapper Kano set to surface soon. Hope the track and Sway get the playlisting they deserve as he’s undoubtedly one of the best, both flow and lyrical content, rappers that reside in the UK.
BTW can you spot the disappearing act at 1:00 mins?

“They told me that the ends won’t justify the means and he told me at the end, it won’t justify the dreams that I’ve had since a child.

Let it be known that there was once a time when Hip-Hop was heralded for its storytelling. Well, The Roots are set to return with a new conceptual album entitled undun that does just that albeit with a ‘quirk’! The lead single, Make My, which hits iTunes November 1st begins the process of deconstructing the life of a character named Redford Stephens.

We won’t get too bogged down with the concept itself but suffice it to say the narrative is in reverse – Stephens attempts to piece his former life together and find out what led to him being undun. Pretty trippy, right?

Joined by fellow label-mate Big K.R.I.T, The Roots’ Black Thought drops verses about the woes of society. They’ve come up with yet another mellow, minimalistic number with a live feel to it with its snare drum. Also, check out those deep bass chords and synth flute pieces… Lush!

Out on the 17th July, Chase & Status’ new single received its very own visual today featuring man of the moment, Tinie Tempah. Some say its the best track on their album, some says its the worst, eff it, I still like it.

Watch out for the remix that includes Wretch 32 btw, should be sicka!