UK Hip Hop Vinyl 186 Items

Vanguard captures the iconic Bristol Sound. The early days of the iconic Bristol Sound are captured in a new album including an exclusive re-release of the very first track from Massive Attack and tracks from Smith & Mighty, Purple Penguin and more. The curated tracks are also linked in that all were originally released with bespoke original covers from legendary Bristol street artists, including Banksy and Will Barras, tying its release toVanguard’s current exhibition Bristol Street Art: The Evolution of a Global Movement at M Shed, Bristol, running until October. Compiled by DJ Boca 45 (Scott Hendy), Vanguard brings together the seminal tracks that defined the rebellious era which saw the birth of the Bristol Sound for the first time. Featured tracks include an exclusive re-release of Any Love - the first ever track by Massive Attack released on Massive Attack Records in 1988, Smith & Mighty’s breakout hit Walk On, Purple Penguin’s downtempo classic Memphis and other trip hop classics. The LP celebrates the globally recognised Bristol Sound whose experimental breakbeat rhythms and influence still dominate the scene today. Along with classic tracks from the ‘90’s into the ‘00’s and beyond, the album uncovers lesser known cuts by some of Bristol’s pioneering musicians such as One Cut and West Country hip hop’s finest Aspects. The explosion of the Bristol Sound coincided with the boom in UK street art which led to fruitful collaborations between artists and musicians. Finding inspiration in each other’s work, street artists frequently designed rave posters, logos and cover art while DJs provided the beats to accompany street artists’ clandestine painting. Vanguard The Album pays homage to these relationships with a beautifully put together gatefold LP featuring iconic cover art designed by some of the biggest names in street art such as Inkie, Dicy, Will Barras and Nick Walker. These early works capture the boisterous energy of the era and confirm Bristol’s status as an extraordinary cultural melting pot. The double vinyl record also features extensive sleeve notes written by Bristolian writer and curator Jamie Hombre as he reflects on these ground breaking cover art collaborations.

Experimental producer Parallel Action - aka Jude Greenaway - continues to cement himself as a key player in the trip-hop resurgence with his cinematic, self-titled album. Released via his own label C7nema100, Parallel Action is a space for Jude to combine his passion for Trip Hop, Contemporary Classical and Future Jazz, with sonic storytelling. His unique style is married with collaborations ranging from soulful singers and spoken word artists to scratch DJs, taking the listener on a journey that speaks to the uncertainty of a society on edge. It’s a fascinating and cutting-edge body of work that seamlessly blends experimental Jazz drums with heavy Hip-Hop elements, allowing Jude the freedom to tell stories in his own beguiling way.

Experimental producer Parallel Action - aka Jude Greenaway - continues to cement himself as a key player in the trip-hop resurgence with his cinematic, self-titled album. Released via his own label C7nema100, Parallel Action is a space for Jude to combine his passion for Trip Hop, Contemporary Classical and Future Jazz, with sonic storytelling. His unique style is married with collaborations ranging from soulful singers and spoken word artists to scratch DJs, taking the listener on a journey that speaks to the uncertainty of a society on edge. It’s a fascinating and cutting-edge body of work that seamlessly blends experimental Jazz drums with heavy Hip-Hop elements, allowing Jude the freedom to tell stories in his own beguiling way.

Jester Jacobs on the mic Formz on the beats

This killer limited editon vinyl EP is a collaborative effort between Montreals Senz Beats & Roughneck Jihad (From Third Sight). Senz made all the beats and handled the scratch duties. Jihad held down the MC duties on all the tracks and there are no features. All vocals were recorded by Roughneck Jihad at Imhotep's Garden Studios. The cover art is by @misfitsleep and the project was mixed and mastered by Sqreeb.

Lex Neville is a 16 track album produced by Leaf Dog and Illinformed with guest verses from Datkid, Jack Jetson, King Kashmere, Leaf Dog, Smellington Piff and Verb T, cuts by Jazz T

Juga-Naut, a multi-talented artist, emcee, producer and chef with an international following. He creates every aspect of his music himself from concept to final product. He has gained major recognition with a prolific plethora of solid self released projects. 'Marble & Granite' is a gargantuan collaboration between Jugz & Jazz T. The sound is two mountains colliding with the classic Hip-Hop ethos and a modern flyness. The core of the track is sculpting beautiful art from the hardest materials, starting from scratch with raw talent, never stopping, constantly honing your craft to create a solid lasting legacy. Available on 7" vinyl with full colour artwork by Jugz and digital!

John Frusciante releases the first instrumental electronic album under his own name on Aaron Funk's Timesig label. The record is dedicated to his cat Maya who recently passed away, a fellow traveller in his otherwise solitary music making sessions. 'Maya' is inspired by John's favourite music: '91 to'96 UK breakbeat hardcore and jungle. It's a varied and personal take with sophisticated, authentic production balanced against John's acute sense of melody, an inspired blending of machines and samples infused with a joyful energy. "I don't have that interest in singing or writing lyrics like I used to. The natural thing when I'm by myself now, is to just make music like the stuff being released this year. I really love the back and forth with machines and the computer." The fun he's having on 'Maya' is infectious.

Rising star Kilder releases his 10-track debut EP ‘Don’t Hide’, taking listeners on a whirlwind ride through club music as heard through Kilder’s ears: emotive house, hard-edged bass and divine indie-disco bring the energy, while more cerebral ambient tracks wind things down. Although it’s largely club music, there’s a pop sensibility at play throughout, with punchy song structures and a keen ear for melody that poke at the pop zeitgeist. Guests on the EP range from established names like underground legend Trim and Japanese soulstress Friday Night Plans to art-school-upcomers Jasper Lotti, Lyzza, k_anti and Lyam. As a debut body of work, it’s a product of self-discovery and a bold first statement that speaks of big things to come. Kilder has released half the record as warmup singles, starting with the title track ‘Don’t Hide’ back in July which reverberated in underground circles and saw him featured by Dazed, Dummy, The Line Of Best Fit and The Independent in addition to heavy tastemaker playlist support across all DSPs. Since then, the producer has racked up over 2 million streams, received plaudits from Jack Saunders’ Future Artists show on BBC Radio 1 and was dubbed “one to watch” by Notion magazine. At just 20 years old, the Amsterdam based producer is an essential new addition to your record box and a thrilling new talent for 2021.

Limited Edition 12" Vinyl.” LP

Label co-founders Joey Deez & Doug (Remulak) had long discussed the concept of creating a compilation album in order to showcase the wide rage of styles that comprise the imprint's eclectic output.

In May of this year, the pair decided that the time had come to put their vision into action and began planning the compilation to be ready to celebrate the label's fifth anniversary in December 2020. Sadly, just weeks after the decision had been made, Joey Deez unexpectedly passed away. This compilation represents the last of the project that Joey had planned, and was curated and executed with his tastes firmly in mind.

The 21-tracks of the double vinyl release feature label favourites such as Funkonami, Aver & Move 78, Robohands, and Mr. Thing & Micall Parknsun, as well as label affiliates Evil Ed, Omas, and Fthmlss, plus a fitting debut release from one of Joey's best friends: Meridian Fold.

Label co-founders Joey Deez & Doug (Remulak) had long discussed the concept of creating a compilation album in order to showcase the wide rage of styles that comprise the imprint's eclectic output.

In May of this year, the pair decided that the time had come to put their vision into action and began planning the compilation to be ready to celebrate the label's fifth anniversary in December 2020. Sadly, just weeks after the decision had been made, Joey Deez unexpectedly passed away. This compilation represents the last of the project that Joey had planned, and was curated and executed with his tastes firmly in mind.

The 21-tracks of the double vinyl release feature label favourites such as Funkonami, Aver & Move 78, Robohands, and Mr. Thing & Micall Parknsun, as well as label affiliates Evil Ed, Omas, and Fthmlss, plus a fitting debut release from one of Joey's best friends: Meridian Fold.

15 track album by Bronze Nazareth and Leaf Dog.

incl. Poster and Lyric Sheet

Village Live Records are proud to present 'Time & Tide', the new album by Mancunian poet and emcee, D'Lyfa Reilly.

The 12-track album is entirely produced by Village Live artist Aver and is the last release to be overseen by the label's co-founder Joey Deez, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

D'Lyfa burst onto the UK hip-hop scene in 2011 aged 19. After releasing a slew of mix tapes and videos he gained notoriety across the UK, most notably being featured on BBC Introducing and Charlie Sloth's 1xtra national radio shows.

It was during this period that D'Lyfa befriended fellow Mancunian hip-hop producer Aver. The two had a shared vision of an alternative, no-nonsense approach to music and worked together for years on a number of projects that never saw official release. 'Time & Tide' is a combination of reworked tracks from this era and new music the pair created in 2019.

The album will be available on limited edition 12" vinyl in two colour ways: standard black, and the other an aquatic-themed transparent blue with white swirl. The digital version of the album, along with the instrumentals will also be available to stream/buy when 'Time & Tide' is fully released at the start of 2021.

Finally, here it is, the impossible to find 1993er “chapter one” demotape from 1993. Back in the days only about 30 copies of this tape have been made. Numskullz, Britcore Rawmance Records, Burning Anger Records and Mr. Tibbz joined forces to put together the whole thing in its most possible original format, coming as a 6 track 12inch Ep incl. an intro. Furious early 90ies classic Bristol UK HipHop History right here. Mastered by Rola himself.

All Artworks by Mr.Tibbz.

Once again off the back of another very productive year, Micall Parknsun is on vinyl again. Teaming up with the mighty Boot Records to bring you his brand new Extended Player, the "Back In Business" EP. This killer record consists of 5 tracks and instrumentals , 3 produced by the main man himself, 1 produced by everyone's favourite DJ, DJ Jazz T and 1 produced by Jazz T & Dr Zygote. With the only feature being Brooklyn's very own Napoleon Da Legend, this is a sure fire bit of wax you won't want to miss out on.

Seeing himself as a social commentator, Coops continuously draws inspiration from everything around him and is feeling more inspired than ever. Having signed to the label in 2018 he has already released 2 poignant albums and continues to create at rapid speed. The 8-track project - which was made in just 4 studio sessions - is unlike Coops’ usual 14+ track albums both he and his fans have become used to. Coops turned the album around in record time to ensure his music was released during this unparalleled time in history. The homegrown beats come from his close friend and long term collaborator Talos who has produced almost all his beats to date. In the opening track, ‘ Boom Biddy Bye’ Coops doesn’t waste a second in putting his fellow rappers through their paces. A block rapper with no one to please but himself, Coops professes that he barely listens to what other rappers release to ensure they don’t infiltrate and influence his own music. Highly appropriate for these times, title track ‘ Crimes Against Creation ’ is the stand out voice of this generation and his message to the world. ‘W arped perception, thwart connections, they force perfection, then claim the antidotes an injection...’ plays out and we begin to appreciate how the current situation is playing heavily on his mind. As the album progresses we get to see all sides of Coops’ personality with ‘Piss Poor’ reminding us of the raw gritty London lifestyle from which he has risen from, whilst ‘Profile’ demonstrates his softer more promiscuous side as well as touching on themes of fatherhood and online relationships. Coops’ musical entry point begun by making music with his friends, but it wasn’t until he really looked at himself and the world around him when he decided he needed to go it alone, opening his mind and his solo stream of creativity which hasn’t stopped since. A self-proclaimed hermit he embodies the essence of a true artist and only finds comfort in doing what he loves, not what he is told.

In uncertain times, hope and unity are important when moving through the unknown, so it feels like our latest release arrives at the perfect time. The title of the project is a handy mantra for these strange days, with the content serving as a reminder of what has come before, as well as a portent for what lies ahead.

Counting Trip-Hop, Ambient, West African High Life, Dancehall, Jungle, Folk and Film Soundtracks as his influences, there is something for everyone on this creative masterpiece.Predominantly instrumental but does have a handful of collaborations with vocalists Killa P, Jerome Thomas, RHI, Penelope Oddity and Chris Belson. ‘I Am Delicious And Cute. So I Will Go Buy Again’ is a meditative journey upriver, whilst ‘Wickedest Ting’ completely flips the switch with a dancehall barrage from Killa P. Another highlight is the apocalyptic jazz of ‘Greed’ which features the remarkable neo-soul vocals of Jerome Thomas.

During times of such uncertainty, music and its healing properties have become even more vital. ‘Boring & Weird Historical Music’ is a calming, curative and monumental 15 track journey through the mind of the enigma that is Telemachus. As he himself puts it: ‘the album certainly rewards a thorough and engrossed listen, but equally the general atmosphere is pleasant enough to play for your auntie when she comes for tea.’

This limited edition double LP comes in a premium gatefold sleeve, with exclusive artwork as well as the the story of 'Uncle Som', a peculiar parable, upon which the album is based around

Limited to 300 copies.

Counting Trip-Hop, Ambient, West African High Life, Dancehall, Jungle, Folk and Film Soundtracks as his influences, there is something for everyone on this creative masterpiece.Predominantly instrumental but does have a handful of collaborations with vocalists Killa P, Jerome Thomas, RHI, Penelope Oddity and Chris Belson. ‘I Am Delicious And Cute. So I Will Go Buy Again’ is a meditative journey upriver, whilst ‘Wickedest Ting’ completely flips the switch with a dancehall barrage from Killa P. Another highlight is the apocalyptic jazz of ‘Greed’ which features the remarkable neo-soul vocals of Jerome Thomas.

During times of such uncertainty, music and its healing properties have become even more vital. ‘Boring & Weird Historical Music’ is a calming, curative and monumental 15 track journey through the mind of the enigma that is Telemachus. As he himself puts it: ‘the album certainly rewards a thorough and engrossed listen, but equally the general atmosphere is pleasant enough to play for your auntie when she comes for tea.’

This limited edition double LP comes in a premium gatefold sleeve, with exclusive artwork as well as the the story of 'Uncle Som', a peculiar parable, upon which the album is based around

Limited to 300 copies.

Debut LP by Manchester hiphop crew Voodoo Black (Sparkz, Dubbul O, Ellis Meade & Cutterz)

All the instrumentals and cuts by Habitus
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Habitus at Dusty Sounds Studios.
Album produced with Akai S950 and Mpc 2500.

A download code is included. High Focus Records is proud to present TrueMendous’ first official release on the label, the highly anticipated ‘HUH?’ EP. This 7 track EP is the perfect introduction to TrueMendous - One of the most talented MCs from these shores whether it be her storytelling expertise, varied range or unrivalled flow. Taking reign as the first female rapper to sign to High Focus Records she is definitely one to look out for. With production from Chemo, Pitch 92, Illinformed, Winchester and Marcus Jakes this EP is going to make a serious dent in the scene. Featuring singles ‘That Don’t Mean’ and ‘O.T.Y.L Part 2’, the ‘HUH?’ EP sets the tone for TrueMendous’ future with unparalleled confidence.

The EP comes on single black vinyl, shrinkwrapped for extra freshness.

There are very few Mc’s in the UK rap game as engrained into the culture as Ramson Badbonez. Rising through the ranks as one of the most cut throat MC’s London had ever seen at 14, it wasn’t long before people started to take notice of the young talent, gathering London wide respect as well as getting recognition from UK Hip Hop godfathers Task Force. The rhyming machine has been a living and breathing embodiment of the culture ever since. By far one of the most prolific creators in the scene, Ramson Badbonez employs one of the strictest work ethics ever seen with over 12 full length albums to his name and showing no signs of slowing down.

On the 28th February, Badbonez will present his latest work, a brand new album, with producer & long time collaborator Mark Fear, entitled ‘Death Mask’.

Following his previous ‘Jason Bonez’ & ‘Mic Day The 13th’ releases, Badbonez has removed the hockey mask to don the Egyptian Death Mask, as he leaves the Jason Bonez moniker behind to focus on a much broader palette of concepts and inspiration.

With topics ranging from the mysteries of the afterlife, the energy crisis to the lasting effects of colonialism to the failings of modern language - Badbonez has left no stone unturned. Fearlessly launching himself into the deep end, covering new ground and constructing incredibly dense prose perfectly matched by Mark Fear’s diverse yet crisp sound.

Perhaps Ramson Badbonez’ most solid release to date, we expect ‘Death Mask’ to make a serious impact in 2020.

Sleaford Mods' third album now on red & white splatter vinyl.

This set features the original album plus Demos and Remixes, incl. Massive Attacks Remix of "Manchild". Three discs in single LP sleeves, housed in a rigid slip-case, includes original album remastered and two bonus discs of b-sides, remixes & extras
Also features the 48-page book

Remastered at Abbey Road, pressed on heavyweight vinyl, with download card included.

30th anniversary of Neneh Cherry’s classic hit album Raw Like Sushi (1989),“an unorthodox and brilliantly daring blend of R&B, rap, pop, and dance music”, sees the original album remastered and given the super deluxe treatment as a 3LP box set.

This box sets feature a 48-page 12x12 book packed full of iconic photos, new interviews, liner notes and memorabilia. The album features 5 singles - includes the worldwide smash hit single ‘Buffalo Stance’ (number 1 US Dance Chart) as well as hit singles – ‘Manchild’ produced by Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja, ‘Kisses On The Wind’, ‘Heart’ & ‘Inna City Mamma’. Also features rare mixes of key tracks by Massive Attack, Arthur Baker, Smith N Mighty, and more.One of the most important records of all-time. Listed as one of the "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die".

This is Vice Beats’ full-length tribute to legendary Jay Dee called “Dilla: The Timeless Tribute” where he is using Miguel Atwood-Fergusson’s Mochilla tribute “Suite For Ma Dukes” as the foundation. 14 tracks full of harmonies that are connected to one of the greatest. Features Greg Blackman, Audessey (of Soundsci), J-Dubble, Brotherman and many more. Tip!

Brand new Rag N Bone project 'Put That Soul On Me' produced entirely by Dirty Dike. Side A contains 3 brand new tracks one of which features Ronnie Bosh. Side B contains the instrumentals to the 3 tracks plus an acapella for the lead single 'Put That Soul On Me'.

This limited edition vinyl comes shrink wrapped with full colour sleeve.

19 tracks feat. Noah23, Icon The Mic King, Lady Daisey, Chefket and many more, rapping in English, Spanish, Dutch, Bosnian, German and other languages.

That new type of british rap … feat. Joe Goddard & Roots Manuva!

South London’s James Massiah returns to Jon Rust’s Levels imprint with the highly anticipated follow-up to the 2019 underground hit ‘Natural Born Killers’ EP. The six-track EP ‘True Romance’ is the artist / poet / DJ / producer's richest work to date, autobiographically charting the peaks and troughs of 21st century love, life and relationships. Massiah’s rap leanings ride over his signature neon productions, taking in an arc of influences including dancehall, dub, acid house, grime and left field pop. Gritty and shimmering in equal measure, this is essential for devotees of the Dean Blunt, Lord Tusk axis, or anyone switched on to the stream of rap bubbling up from the UK right now. Heavy rotations from Benji B, Jamz Supernova, Shy One & Scratcha DVA. A vital release for 2024.

Introducing Tvi051, a DJ-friendly Funk/Rap 45 featuring 2 emcees who appear more than comfortable with the flow and demands of up-tempo rhythms.

Hailing from Whanganui, New Zealand, Emcee, producer, DJ, and writer Nat Lover is an actively performing and recording artist within Aotearoa's Hip Hop culture. He collaborates with DLT, Raiza Biza, and Raw Collective, alongside his regular participation and creation within Indigenous Maori arts.

Joining Nat on the microphones is Buffalo, New York native Emcee, producer, DJ, Shuteyes, who makes up one half of the dynamic rap duo Anteek Recipes. With his solo work, he has collaborated with West Side Gun.

On production, Dirty Hairy lays down a neck-snapping b-boy jam on the Mpc60 for side A and a greasy chunk of 80s funk for some disco rap sensations on the flip.

Worldwide reknown for his unique Industrial North West New Town Retro Futuristic Philosophical Ignorant Rap Music from outer space, Lee Scott has recorded a live version of his latest self-produced full-length offering "There Is A Reason For Everything" in his living room. We're happy to release this unique take take on vinyl, with a brand new artwork by Jack "getarealjobkid" Rogers, housed in a beautiful screen printed thick cardboard jacket for all you collectors out there.

“Talk about a misfit, living in his own world…”

High Focus Records is delighted to announce ‘Art Thief’, the debut album from Renelle 893.

Citing Steve Jobs’ famous use of Picasso’s "Good artists copy, great artists steal” quote as central to the concept, ‘Art Thief’ is the culmination of Renelle’s wide-eyed appreciation of the river of influences that feed into the music he makes. From the trials and tribulations of life in the big smoke, to the grandiose cultural references that contribute to his style, the album is a triple distilled example of taking cues from the world and making them your own.

‘Art Thief’ is also a transformative listen, Renelle embarking on a profoundly personal journey across 14-tracks; addressing love, family, addiction, loyalty, pleasure and pain, each chapter expertly soundtracked by long-time collaborator Bay29. His expert production serving as the glue that binds the deeply personal with the wider narratives amidst a flurry of samples and signature breaks.

With guest appearances from Clbrks, Illiterate and HF’s own Nelson Dialect, ‘Art Thief’ is Renelle’s best attempt (to date) of transcending the rap game; this notion best represented in the album artwork which pays homage to Caravaggio's 'St. Jerome Writing', casting Renelle as both creator and masterpiece.

Written during a year of hedonistic isolation whilst exiled to a forgotten mining village, Alecs in Wonderland’ is the debut self-produced rap album by rap enigma and ‘one man band’ Alecs DeLarge.

Alecs navigates ‘Wonderland’ with a bulging backpack of references to 90’s Toonami imports, king skins and rap nerdology, multi-syllable boxing through beats in a smoked out stream-of-consciousness drawl. From the cartoonish braggadocio on ‘Scooby Snax’ and ‘AM To AM’, to proclaiming his love for his anthropomorphic MPC 2000 on ‘Girl Joint’, Alecs emphatically proving that he’s much more than just the man behind the boards. Merging classic New York rap sensibilities with sarcastic British humour, 110’s and Berghaus coats taking the place of Timb boots and Lo sweaters.

Musically Alecs draws inspiration from Quasimoto’s anything goes approach, feeding his sampler a range of ingredients from 80’s pop to private-press French prog. Grainy samples of VHS TV recordings warble atop rumbling 808s, diced up jazz and funk fragments punch their way through stuttering MPC drums, whilst guitar loops rock back and forth, all glued together by a loose narrative made up of cut up cartoon dialogue, movie trailers and adlibs.

Wonderland is Alecs’ custom built version of The Matrix, a perfect world created to escape the one outside his council flat window, idyllic living in Lynchian reality. A therapeutic outpouring of the lonely man’s psyche, or maybe just a slow descent into madness, polished and delivered to your ears

in Long Play form.

For the majority of ‘in Wonderland’, Alecs is the sole cast member. The first of the two guest spots going to the ever brilliant King Kashmere, reuniting with Alecs to ruminate the two sides of fame on ‘Megabus Dreams’, whilst Hpblk swoops in to drop a “stack on your conscious” on ‘Empty Pocket Posse’.

While most spend their days wading through the treacly undercurrents of a decaying hometown, Jam Baxter spends his days carving out on a new existence in the heart of Mexico City.

With a forest of rare succulents of house plants on his eighth floor balcony, a notepad in his back pocket (for lizard spotting) and a flea market typewriter primed in his writing room, Baxter affords himself the time and grace for his new surroundings to seep into him, watching his writing take on new life in the exchange; days and nights spent in quiet contemplation as he sharpens his skills in unpacking the universe.

Granuja has eschewed the at-times chaotic metropolis of Medellín for a quiet life in the hills of La Ceja, where he produces and writes (followed around by his pack of loyal dogs). Six years since his debut solo LP ‘Círculo Vicioso’ dropped back in 2017, Granuja has been steadily carving a name for himself in Latin America and beyond with a series of critically acclaimed rap releases.

Baxter & Granuja first met in 2020; the former taking an impromptu 2-hour taxi cab in thickest night to Granuja’s studio way up in the winding hills of Antióquia. As with all great creative endeavours, plans to record ‘a couple of tracks’ snowballed; a single became an EP became an album, the momentum fuelled by a new Jack Danz’ instrumental landing in Baxter’s inbox every fortnight.

Before sunrise the bones of ’De las Sombras’ were born.

There is no question that Granuja and Baxter bring out a different side of one another. The two artists hopping borders, barriers and time zones; switching languages as often as they switch flows across an album unified by an all-encompassing sense of doom.

At its core, ‘De las Sombras’ is a gothic listen. A haunting, swooning downward spiral. Blacks, whites, purples and greens bubbling a thick concoction. Life and death at loggerheads in the back-and-forth; expertly soundtracked by Jack Danz most haunting works to date and complemented by a series of curated vocal samples furthering the gloom.

We like to think of ’De las Sombras’ as an OST for the album artwork. The castle a picture perfect symbol of an album persistently flirting with the supernatural.

UK rap legend Verb T returns with ‘The Tower Where The Phantom Lives’, a mesmerising new LP that sits alongside the most enlightened and adventurous in his glittering discography.

Bound by a set of contrasting emotions and energies; fiction and fantasy wrestling with everyday curveballs, ‘The Tower Where The Phantom Lives’ showcases Verb T at his razor sharp best. It is the wisest version of Verb T to date; complemented by the wonderfully melodic production of Vic Grimes, the Canadian producer proving to be the perfect ally for Verbs to deconstruct the world at large, his magnifying glass growing more-and-more forensic as each track unfolds.

Mental exploration, self deprecating humour, didactic story telling woven together by haunting movie samples, ‘The Tower Where The Phantom Lives’ listens like an OST; each track / scene propping up a wonderful narrative arc; Verb T the lead role and Vic Grimes the composer of their very own psychological thriller, extreme highs and lows eventually settling into a contemplative groove on final track (and lead single) ‘Your Heart Deserves’.

Ghetts proudly presents new album, On Purpose, With Purpose. The record - which follows 2021’s epic Conflict Of Interest - continues the ongoing artistic evolution and unstoppable rise of one of the UK’s greatest rappers.



Ghetts returns sounding sharper, more unflinchingly honest and boldly confident than ever before, and is joined by several guests, including; Kano, Wretch 32, Sampha, Unknown T, Dexta Daps and Moonchild Sanelly.



As well as achieving dizzying new heights as a songwriter and rapper, On Purpose, With Purpose finds Ghetts expanding his sonic palette by reaching out beyond rap and incorporating elements of wider musical influences such as soul (Double Standards), R&B (Mine), gospel (Hallelujah), Afrobeat and amapiano (Gbedu, Blessings, Tumbi).

CoN and KwAkE are Confucius MC and Kwake Bass. They share long and entwined histories with saxophonist and Native Rebel label owner Shabaka Hutchings, and with many of the incredible London musicians and producers who have emerged over the last decade.

Eyes In The Tower, their debut album released one year ago, was the second release on Shabaka Hutchings’ Native Rebel Recordings, where he invites friends and family to RAK Studios improvise around sketches he’s written specifically for the invited artists. A uniquely London evolution of classic hip hop, it was brewed for over a decade before being made in three days.

Two tracks from the album have now been remixed to celebrate the one year anniversary of the album: 15 Minutes gets reworked by Daisuke Tanabe and Dance In The Dark by Anja Ngozi.

Confucius MC has been embedded in UK hip hop since the early 2000s. He was the support of choice for Mos Def, and recently toured with UK hip hop stalwart Jehst.

Kwake Bass is musical director for Sampha and Kae Tempest. Behind the kit he has become the player of choice for travelling US heavyweights, playing with MF Doom, The Roots and Joey Bada$$, as well as UK major players Lianne La Havas and Mica Levi.

Fresh from supporting Blur at Wembley Stadium this summer, Sleaford Mods are getting set for some of their biggest ever UK and Europe dates this autumn with the release of new six track EP, More UK Grim, on 20 October. Recorded at the same time as their acclaimed 2023 album, UK Grim, the freshly released songs not only continue Andrew Fearn and Jason Williamson's current dancefloor dominance, but with a mix of insight and wit, outrage and compassion, they critique and celebrate our turbulent times.à Lead single Big Pharma, shares a 'take no prisoners' lyrical approach with the band's recent album as it casts a doubtful eye down the 'truther' wormhole, although entwined around a slinky bass riff the track confirms the two-piece at their most dexterous musically. Big Pharma, which sets the tone for the More UK Grim EP, is accompanied by a sharply satirical animated video directed by Sean Sears, who has applied his distinctive, stylised 2D vision to examining the consequences of a health 'philosophy' that prizes drinking urine over carefully researched medical treatments.à "Big Pharma was written in the opening chapters of autumn 2022 when Covid kicked in again. It carries a lot of the normal Sleaford Mods absurdism but also looks at the ongoing fascination with trying to find truths in information wholly pushed by very questionable people," explains Jason Williamson. Alongside the lead single, the More UK Grim EP also features Under The Rules, Old Nottz, PO Crazeh and My 18hr Girdle, all previously unavailable.

Something a little special for the landmark AE Productions catalogue number Ae050. Recorded circa 2012 and intended for release on High Noon Music, Mr Fantastic and J. Todd’s follow up to their superb ‘All The Critics’ has sat in the vaults ever since. With AE’s 50th release coming up we arranged with the kind help of High Noon Music to release ‘Don’t Worry’ on AE as originally intended on 7” with the instrumental on the flip, albeit around 11 years later.

The beat starts with a nice slice of Funk guitar which leads into Mr Fantastic’s customary big crunchy drums and a booming 808 sub kick. The intro sample then doesn’t reappear as is but is chopped to pieces and replayed with all guitar and bass parts taking on an entirely new groove which sits on the drums perfectly and is augmented with additional sounds.

Milwaukee’s finest J. Todd graces the track with a nice aggressive pacey flow which works as a nice counter balance to the vocal on ‘All The Critics’ and giving the track a more hardcore underground feel. J. Todd’s freestyle and tongue in cheek braggadocios battle rhymes ride the beat with ease which provides an easy listen considering the tough feel of the track.

We dug out an image taken around the time of recording to keep it in keeping with the image that may have been selected at the time had it been released. The audio is the original master from 2012 so as to retain the original flavour of the track but was done by our mastering engineer of choice Rola @ Khameleon Sounds. We hope you agree that the wait was worthwhile.

10 years since their debut LP, Jam Baxter, Dabbla and GhostTown make their long-awaited return with 'Cherry Turbo / Death By A Thousand Cocktail Sticks'.

‘Cherry Turbo / Death By A Thousand Cocktail Sticks’ is available to Order.

Limited edition pressing on vinyl, full colour 350gsm reverse board gatefold sleeve. 6 track album. Shrink wrapped.

Tkay Maidza, the first female rapper signed to 4AD, releases her highly anticipated new album "Sweet Justice." The follow-up to her 2016 self-titled debut features production from Flume and Kaytranada. It's a shimmering and zeitgeisty kaleidoscope of current pop from an artist reaching for the stars to become one herself. The second album from Los Angeles-based, Zimbabwe-born, Australia-raised Tkay Maidza, is radiant, soulful and seductive, showcasing all facets of the irrepressible Tkay: her mordant wit and infectiousness, her unwavering belief in herself and her refusal to compromise. Maidza switches between styles, effortlessly overcoming genre boundaries - music without constraints, rules and guidelines

You know Krash Slaughta right? The man behind the recent wildly successful Doom/Sugacubes mash-up LP Sugar-Coated Doom, not to mention his unofficial remixes of the Wu’s K.R.E.A.M. and P.L.O. Style and collab. 45 with Phill Most Chill, Rebel Base? ‘Is he at it again?’ the monkey hears you ask. Yes, he is at it again, though the closest of the the three aforementioned releases to what he’s about to drop is the Wu remix 45. And what he’s about to drop is Diggin Deeper, not a single this time but a whole remix album of one of his (and the monkey’s!) all-time favourite hip-hop LPs – to wit, Niggamortis – more usually known as Six Feet Deep (especially in the U.S., though minus the best track under that name) by hip-hop supergroup Gravediggaz.

As many will know, this LP with its horror-movie fixated lyrics gave birth to a whole hip-hop sub-genre – that of ‘horrorcore.’ However, none of those who came after seemed to manage the lyrical humour of The RZArector, The Grym Reaper and The Gatekeeper (a.k.a. RZA, Poetic and Frukwan) and the only bit of production by The Undertaker (a.k.a. Prince Paul) that they seemed interested in was the sub-metal rap sludge of the shouty Bang Your Head – i.e. the LP’s one weak spot. But don’t worry, Krash isn’t interested in that sort of thing. Not only does he avoid rap-metal beats for Bang Your Head, he doesn’t use any on the LP at all – hurrah! What he does do is employ, arguably, as eclectic an array of sample sources as Prince Paul on the original – though with an entirely different end result. Bang Your Head with its apparently sixties garage band-derived beat for example is one of the standouts. The skeletal piano skank of 6 Feet Deep is another, while a beat featuring spaced-out eighties synths forms the new musical backdrop to Constant Elevation. Two more of the monkey’s favourites on this one are Here Comes The Gravediggaz, now underpinned by double-bass-led funk and the glorious inappropriately joyous bounce of Blood Brothers. The result? Your favourite cuts on this one might not be the same as your favourite cuts on the original. Two different versions of a much-loved LP, then; it’s why people remix hip-hop. All the vocal stems were created by Krash and the ultimate intention is to do a limited vinyl release. Cover art is by the Dead Residents’ Junior Disprol.

You know Krash Slaughta right? The man behind the recent wildly successful Doom/Sugacubes mash-up LP Sugar-Coated Doom, not to mention his unofficial remixes of the Wu’s K.R.E.A.M. and P.L.O. Style and collab. 45 with Phill Most Chill, Rebel Base? ‘Is he at it again?’ the monkey hears you ask. Yes, he is at it again, though the closest of the the three aforementioned releases to what he’s about to drop is the Wu remix 45. And what he’s about to drop is Diggin Deeper, not a single this time but a whole remix album of one of his (and the monkey’s!) all-time favourite hip-hop LPs – to wit, Niggamortis – more usually known as Six Feet Deep (especially in the U.S., though minus the best track under that name) by hip-hop supergroup Gravediggaz.

As many will know, this LP with its horror-movie fixated lyrics gave birth to a whole hip-hop sub-genre – that of ‘horrorcore.’ However, none of those who came after seemed to manage the lyrical humour of The RZArector, The Grym Reaper and The Gatekeeper (a.k.a. RZA, Poetic and Frukwan) and the only bit of production by The Undertaker (a.k.a. Prince Paul) that they seemed interested in was the sub-metal rap sludge of the shouty Bang Your Head – i.e. the LP’s one weak spot. But don’t worry, Krash isn’t interested in that sort of thing. Not only does he avoid rap-metal beats for Bang Your Head, he doesn’t use any on the LP at all – hurrah! What he does do is employ, arguably, as eclectic an array of sample sources as Prince Paul on the original – though with an entirely different end result. Bang Your Head with its apparently sixties garage band-derived beat for example is one of the standouts. The skeletal piano skank of 6 Feet Deep is another, while a beat featuring spaced-out eighties synths forms the new musical backdrop to Constant Elevation. Two more of the monkey’s favourites on this one are Here Comes The Gravediggaz, now underpinned by double-bass-led funk and the glorious inappropriately joyous bounce of Blood Brothers. The result? Your favourite cuts on this one might not be the same as your favourite cuts on the original. Two different versions of a much-loved LP, then; it’s why people remix hip-hop. All the vocal stems were created by Krash and the ultimate intention is to do a limited vinyl release. Cover art is by the Dead Residents’ Junior Disprol.

Following hot in the footsteps of his debut HF release ‘Cocoa Butter’, ‘Off The Grid’ sees Renelle 893 team up with producer Bay29 on a body of work that offers an escape route from the monotonous every day; the duo taking us further and further off the beaten track, marrying moments of purest hedonism with stark reminders that the real world lies in wait, just after sunrise, with no pause button in sight. Laying the foundations with summer anthem (and lead single) ’Spaghetti’, Renelle wrestles with the fleeting nature of youth, and his topsy turvy relationship with the finer things in life. The dynamic is both gritty and nostalgic as Renelle walks the fine line between Hollywood hedonism and slurry excess, his mood swinging between moments of invincibility and vulnerability, expertly scored by Bay29’s ethereal, bass dripping instrumentals. Another SE London / Brighton hook up, one of many on the label in recent years, Renelle utilised his late night train rides to-and-from Bay29’s Brighton studio as an opportunity to refine the verses that make up the bones of the project. Twelve-tracks; six vocal, six instrumental, ‘Off The Grid’ is the first in a series of new works from Renelle 893 & Bay29. A perfect scene-setter for what’s to come. As Renelle 893 explains… “Off The Grid is about soul searching and figuring out what kind of adult I am looking to be, navigating a world filled with distractions that will do everything to numb the pain as life inevitably passes you by…”

High Focus Records is proud to announce Verbz & Mr Slipz’ forthcoming album ‘Radio Waves’ set to drop on the 13th of November 2020. This record is the culmination of 2 years of hard work and is jam packed with absolute Heat, as we have all come to expect. With with their unrivalled chemistry, the dynamic duo have proven themselves to be some the most exciting artists on the scene, and ‘Radio Waves’ is going to cement their position at the top of the pile. Considering the calibre of Verbz' penmanship and the sheer density of Mr Slipz' production, this is going to make some serious noise.

"Radio Waves' limited edition double disc vinyl is limited to 300 copies only and comes in a full colour premium sleeve with a digital download upon fulfilment of your order. Classic black heavyweight vinyl