UK Hip Hop Vinyl 250 Items

close to NM. Original inner sleeve

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Tkay Maidza, the first female rapper signed to 4AD, announces details of her highly anticipated new album, Sweet Justice. The follow-up to her 2016 self-titled debut will be released on 3 November and includes the recent Flume-produced earth-shuddering single ‘Silent Assassin’. Today, Tkay shares a blistering new track, ‘Ring-A-Ling’ and official video directed by Jocelyn Anquetil.

“I’m never choosing compliance,” a defiant Maidza utters ‘Ring-A-Ling’; a warning from the Zimbabwean-born, Australian-raised, Los Angeles-based rapper, singer and producer and a mantra for Sweet Justice. Produced by Two Fresh, Tkay says of ‘Ring-A-Ling’, “I wanted to make an empowering song that tells others that my biggest focus are my goals.”

The result of a dark night of the soul—and ensuing epiphany—that led to a series of professional and personal reckonings, Sweet Justice isn’t a revenge album, but it does stem from a profound sense of karma. In a traditional sense, it’s a breakup record: about Tkay splitting off from her self-doubt and warped sense of self; the toxic figures that populated the last chapter of her life; and the idea that she should stick to any one lane.

After severing ties with old friends, she found some new ones on the same creative wavelength: Canadian producers Stint and Kaytranada, and fellow Australian Flume, all of whom contribute production. Sweet Justice is an album that embodies the beautiful contradictions of Tkay’s art: it’s a coming-of-age record by someone who’s mastered the game; an album about karmic justice and accountability that’s bright, breezy and incredibly fun. In Tkay’s mind, it’s a rebirth album, a record about harnessing the feminine power that was innate in her the whole time.

Tkay Maidza says, “Sweet Justice was a way for me to channel my emotions from what I’ve experienced in the last two years. It’s a diary of things and thoughts I’ve kept to myself. Making the record was a healing experience and I’m grateful to have worked with producers who have inspired me throughout my career.” Sweet Justice follows the 3-year-long, 24 song-strong genre-bending Last Year Was Weird trilogy exploring Maidza’s own African-Australian experience. The project earned her a 2021 ARIA Awards win for Best Soul/R&B Release and an NME Award for Best Solo Act From Australia in 2022. Following on from tours with Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, Tkay is currently in the southern hemisphere for arena shows with Lizzo with her own headline shows to be announced soon.

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’.

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.

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’.

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.

Uluru is back with a Reggae Hip-Hop future classic. Following the teaching of masters like J-Star, Dj Maars and L'Entourloop, Dj Dibba makes is own solo debut on vinyl with 2 heavy weight dancefloor killers, meticulously assembled in Rome, Italy. Fusing rocksteady with hip hop, spicing it up with dub influences and modern drum beats, this 7” will definitely give a shake to the reggae hip-hop scene.

Pull up guaranteed!

Pressed on high quality black and yellow/orange vinyl (48 gr.) Edition of 500, cut it loud and fat, highly recommended for big sound systems.

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

Due for release on July 28, 2023 on High Focus Records, a new collaborative LP ‘Sight Beyond Sight’ from the powerhouse trio of producer Mr Slipz with rappers Verbz & Nelson Dialect. This new LP is a continuation and culmination of the sounds heard on their previous records. The dynamic rhyming partnership of Nelson Dialect & Verbz going back and forth with relentless wordplay over the signature hard hitting drums & jazzy samples of Mr Slipz production. Showcasing a variety of moods throughout the record from neck snapping, classic rap joints like 'Strike Back’ & the album title track 'Sight Beyond Sight’ to more reflective & personal songs about loss and relationships heard on 'Homecoming’ or 'Beside Me’. To vivid storytelling and conceptual cuts like 'Cause and Effect’ Verbz and Nelson communicate the aspirations and the choices of young artists in the modern world like a roadmap any individual can reference; ‘Sight Beyond Sight’ truly offers something for every listener. There are notable features on the album including the deeply reflective cut 'Homecoming’ with Hiatus Kaiyote back up vocalist Jace XL on the chorus. There is also the blistering posse cut 'Starting 5’ featuring UK Hip Hop legend King Kashmere, NuphZed & Renelle 893, who recently signed to High Focus. Having already released critically acclaimed albums on the cult UK Hip Hop label High Focus, the anticipation is brewing and stage is set for another landmark release for the label from this exciting new trio with ‘Sight Beyond Sight’.

Due for release on July 28, 2023 on High Focus Records, a new collaborative LP ‘Sight Beyond Sight’ from the powerhouse trio of producer Mr Slipz with rappers Verbz & Nelson Dialect. This new LP is a continuation and culmination of the sounds heard on their previous records. The dynamic rhyming partnership of Nelson Dialect & Verbz going back and forth with relentless wordplay over the signature hard hitting drums & jazzy samples of Mr Slipz production. Showcasing a variety of moods throughout the record from neck snapping, classic rap joints like 'Strike Back’ & the album title track 'Sight Beyond Sight’ to more reflective & personal songs about loss and relationships heard on 'Homecoming’ or 'Beside Me’. To vivid storytelling and conceptual cuts like 'Cause and Effect’ Verbz and Nelson communicate the aspirations and the choices of young artists in the modern world like a roadmap any individual can reference; ‘Sight Beyond Sight’ truly offers something for every listener. There are notable features on the album including the deeply reflective cut 'Homecoming’ with Hiatus Kaiyote back up vocalist Jace XL on the chorus. There is also the blistering posse cut 'Starting 5’ featuring UK Hip Hop legend King Kashmere, NuphZed & Renelle 893, who recently signed to High Focus. Having already released critically acclaimed albums on the cult UK Hip Hop label High Focus, the anticipation is brewing and stage is set for another landmark release for the label from this exciting new trio with ‘Sight Beyond Sight’.

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…”

The adequately titled ‘The Album To End All Alien Abductions’ sees UK stalwart King Kashmere and producer/rapper extraordinaire Alecs DeLarge unite for a 24- track ride through an epic space age boom bap odyssey. “F**k with your boy Judas Ascariot, who came back swinging - whipping the super chariot” declares a triumphant King Kashmere on the album opener ‘Angel Strike’, proving he hasn’t lost a step since his last full length rap project, #lp4080 dropped back in 2017. Thematically Kash’s lyrics are routed in sci-fi and Jack Kirby era comic lore, but on cuts such as ‘Old Earth’ (an ode to his Mother and coming of age on a North London council estate and ‘House of Cards’ (an exploration of mental health) the Iguana Man shows a rare glimpse into the man behind the freshly pressed super suit. Several cuts also see Alecs stepping from behind the boards to join Kashmere on mic duties, a pairing best displayed on the dusty bubbler ‘Most Blunted’ in which the duo trade verses in a puff puff pass of lyrical spliff boxing.

Got dust? Krash Slaughta has. In fact, for him, Everything’s Turning Up Dusty right about now. Surely this can’t be his brand-new double-vinyl LP journey into sound which finally realises an ambition to create a cut n paste opus held since his pre-turntable days of pause-button mixes? It certainly can! The project comes in four parts corresponding to four sides of 12″ vinyl which weigh in at approximately fifteen minutes each and each side of which took around a month to make! Man, that is epic! When did he ever get the time and concentration to put such a beast together? Wait – are we talking about yet another Krash Slaughta lockdown project? We are! And this bad boy stitches together vintage vocal loops, rare breaks, library records and obscure samples along with remixes of Stetsasonic, O.C., Tanya Winley, Jurassic 5, Edan, Nas, ODB, Gang Starr, Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud (any one of which would be straight fire on 7″or 12″) along with pretty much whatever the hell else he wanted to put on there. Pressed at 45 rpm, this one features two differently-coloured slabs of wax: one mauve and one blue while even the centre labels and cover art get in on the cut n paste vibe having been created by hand by Krash homie Saleem Andrew McGroarty. As with previous such efforts from the KS camp, there will be no re-press! Sleep at your peril.

This year Natty Wylah has been cementing himself in London’s rich contemporary music scene with festival performances at Glastonbury, We Out Here with Silhouettes Project and a headline Southbank show as part of Nabihah Iqbal’s ‘Glory To Sound’ series. As well as contributions to Rhythm Sections, compilation ‘Shouts’ all in the run up to his next EP, Willowisp. Moth Wings / FB Trap is the perfect introduction to Natty’s world where magic, slime and reality all mix together. With his cinematic lyrics on MothWings, Natty conjures up the imagery of celestial moths, who when seeking the moonlight end up stuck chasing flickering artificial light bulbs. The track features the unmistakable characteristics of Natty’s sound: traipsing across hip-hop, the psychedelic and punk, all adorned with ethereal vocals and woozy synths from Poppy and Finn Billingham. Moth Wings/FB Trap are the first tracks available to listen to from his debut EP, Willowisp. Taking its name from a painting by Jamaican artist John Dunkley based on the myth of Will-’o-the-wisp, a ghost light seen by travelers over bogs and swamps at night that often led them to their demise. This world of light and dark is expressed by Natty throughout the EP, questing through the unknown forest in the dark, wet air and moss, in order to move past constraints and to find freedom.

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.

2 Years since the drop of the aptly titled 'A Fleeting Now' Capriisun returns to Group BraCil to flex that dexterity over glistening grand piano and Spanish guitar

laden beats we know him so well on, in fact he demonstrated this expertly on his recent collaborative project with Group BraCil family and affiliates Verbz and Mr Slipz ('Pass Thru'), yet on Calliope we have some surprises. On the latest release Cap opts to show off his more suave and brash side. 'Calliope' is a more of a series of themed paintings than a collage like the album proceeding it, less dense , more like scenes from a european film noir than excepts from a chunky holiday novel. Attune to his work on Clbrks x Morriarchi's "Bonito", Cap is out the garden and firmly on the bustling strip, and with both the aforementioned artists appearing on the project, its definitely a continuation of Cap's more mischievous persona.

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.

We are delighted to unveil TrueMendous' sophomore album ‘Great. On Purpose’. ⁠ Sporting 15-tracks of evolutionary music, ‘Great. On Purpose’ is without question True's most ambitious body of work to date.⁠

Since sharing the unrelenting lead single 'Talkk' Feat. Mysdiggi, and after a double serving on follow up 'Really Wanna Love' x 'Still Don't Wanna', the album is a rollercoaster ride. Just listen to her most recent single 'Yourself or The World?' featuring the almighty Skinnyman if you're in need of anymore proof.

Featuring a heavyweight lineup of guest appearances from the aforementioned Skinnyman and Mysdiggi, but also including Janel Antoneshia, Vaddy, Princess, Ashley Allen, and DJ Sammy B-Side, complemented by Illinformed, GhostTown, Pitch 92, Forest DLG, Muckaniks, Mark Fear and Bear on production duties - ‘Great. On Purpose’ is Stacked from top-to-tail.

'Great. On Purpose' is available to pre-order on a Super Limited run of 2 x 12" Sunset Splatter Vinyl (250 Copies Only). Never to be repressed in this colour way again, be sure to secure yours now!

‘tr3b’ is a collaborative 7-track EP from expert lyricist King Kashmere and visionary producer Letherette.

After performing at the same Boiler Room a cool decade ago and connecting through a love of the same genre-blurring sonics that have defined their respective careers to date, King Kashmere and Letherette were always destined to make music together.

It was only a matter of time.

And space.

As an artist who champions a dozen or so sounds, rooted in gripping pop culture aesthetics, genre-smashing production and impeccable versemanship, King Kashmere’s quest to perfect the unperfectable has seen him carve out a unique (and ever-shifting) point on the rap map. Letherette are a duo; two school friends from Wolverhampton, with a rich release history spanning Ninja Tune and beyond, however, their current form fluxes and shifts with each creative endeavour (depending on where either they find themselves at any given fork in the road).

King Kashmere x Letherette’s collaborative EP represents something of a distillation process; avenues of thought and feeling presented as ‘tr3b’; a 7-track EP that feels more like a tapestry than a record, weighted in the experiments of the aforementioned decade, expertly presented for 2022 and beyond.

Limited TO Only 250 Records -

Renelle 893 & King Kashmere spent the Summer cooking up brand new music.

The result is ‘cocoa Butter’, a 10-track EP comprising 5 x vocal + 5 x instrumental tracks that have us Reminiscing on the sun kissed months that saw the UK scorched to within an inch of its life.

Simpler times.

‘cocoa Butter” sees Renelle 893’s effortless charisma extend track-after-track; it also reminds us of just how brilliant King Kashmere is on both vocals and on the buttons. Entirely produced by KK, and wonderfully consistent as a result, the project is the first in a long line of releases from Renelle and Kashmere (both collectively and individually) across 2023 and beyond.

Psych-rap enigma Onoe Caponoe returns with his fifth studio album ‘Concrete Fantasia’ on High Focus Records.

In crystal clear communication with the mothership; littered with striking references to fantastical realms and uncommon lore, but very much anchored in the inner city blocks and smoggy roadsides that inform his everyday, ‘Concrete Fantasia’ is a dark fantasy tape that expertly blurs the lines between genres, tones, moods and character profiles.

Of this world and out-of-this-world perfectly poised; Onoe offering up escape portals, before quickly pulling the listener back in with wave-upon-wave of catdelix riptides. ‘Concrete Fantasia’ is something of a tug-of-war; peppering movie samples, vignettes and complex go-betweens tickling the senses, combining with a cacophony of mind-bending lyricism resulting in a singular journey, with Onoe confidently filling the shoes of both author and narrator.

Pinocchio ducking feds in the hood, an Ice King ruling over a frostbitten kingdom, The Cheshire Cat trying to clean up Alice’s act, sweet serenades to off-shore mermaids, the trials and tribulations of life in a haunted trap house, big booty witches, flying carpets and beyond, ‘Concrete Fantasia’ is a real trip through the imaginative mind of Onoe Caponoe.

With an eclectic line-up of featured artists and productional talent propping up the fictional cast, ‘Concrete Fantasia’ has all the makings of an alt-rap odyssey for the ages.

Speaking on the album, Onoe Caponoe explains…

“I wanted to create a record that offers up an alternate space for the listener to escape while still commenting on the highs and lows of city life.”

"Every album is a reflection of where I am currently; reflecting on the past, projecting to the future…”

Fliptrix earmarked a nine album run when he released his first solo offering back in 2007. The highest numeral has always played a significant part in Fliptrix’s appreciation of the universe, so it always felt a fitting number to aspire to.

Fast forward sixteen years and Fliptrix finds himself where he always hoped to be; gearing up to reveal his ninth album ‘Mantra No. 9’ to the world.

As an artist committed to spreading positivity, sharing light and love through his music, and with a clear focus on inspiring his fans to achieve what they want in life through the messages he champions, ‘Mantra No. 9’ is as potent an example of these driving forces from Fliptrix to date; written and recorded in his new studio, off-grid, deep in the Portuguese mountains he now calls home.

After a year long break from writing, ‘Mantra No. 9’ sees Fliptrix more focussed and reactive than ever. Contemplating his immediate and speaking on the profound impact his new surroundings have had on him as both a person and musician, the album is truly from the source; interwoven by escapism, solitude, nature (and the chaotic world events that saw him embark on a new life chapter in the first place).

In celebration of the journey, ‘Mantra No. 9’ sees Fliptrix reconnect with the classic sonics that defined his earlier output, calling upon an all-star list of production and feature talent from the High Focus roster to help him on his way.

18-tracks, showcasing the evolution of the artist, each reaffirming why Fliptrix is regarded as one of the most valuable and forward-thinking voices in the hip hop movement today.

As a long time player in the UK Scene with the likes of The Mouse Outfit, Voodoo Black, and Levelz - We’re sure that most of you will be familiar with Sparkz by now.

Coming in strong with his debut release on HFR, Sparkz brings the heat with a series of unforgettable bangers that are guaranteed to liven up even the dreariest of functions.

Self-produced, written, and recorded by the man himself, ‘Overload’ is a testament to the years in which Sparkz spent honing his multi-disciplinary skillset.

‘Overload’ is available to order now on a limited run of 250 black vinyl, as well as available to purchase digitally from the HF shop, and across all digital platforms.

Opening with euphoric keys and soothing birdsong, Jman & The Argonautz’ debut LP ‘Therapy In Session’ feels like a seminal moment. Not just for the band (it’s not everyday you reveal your debut album to the world) but also in the HF canon.

As a label founded on emcees and breaks, the notion of releasing a fully fledged Live studio album, crafted by a 6-piece of likeminded and deeply connected musicians makes for a hugely refreshing kink in the arc, at a time when championing true art has never been more important.

The thing we love most about ’Therapy In Session’ is the sense of togetherness that runs through the album. From the aforementioned opening notes to the very last cymbal, every member bringing out the very best in one another as the track list unfolds. Everything poised and perfectly measured, Jman’s lyrical dexterity and Maddy’s accompanying melodies offering up a rich assortment of emotion and mood for the band to blanket in warm arrangements.

Above all else, ‘Therapy In Session’ represents catharsis for both Jman and The Argonautz; each track a deep dive into the highs and the lows, fears, lessons and regrets that life too often throws at us; 16-tracks, each eloquent and razor sharp at every turn.

“Mantra No. 9 is about finding freedom by reconnecting with nature. Unplugging from the matrix and focusing on becoming as self-sustainable as possible, and in doing so, creating a positive future for us and generations to come.”

After a 2-year hiatus since ‘Light Work’ dropped back in 2020, Fliptrix returns better than ever on the Super Limited 7” pressing of comeback single ‘Mantra No. 9’ and accompanying ‘Eden’.

Pressed on Eco-mix wax, a sustainable process that guarantees no two vinyls are the same, the hand numbered offering sees Fliptrix reconnect with the classic sonics that defined his earlier output, and after many experimental chapters over the years, it is both a refreshing revisit and welcome return.

Mantra No. 9 does many things. At the very top of the list, it showcases the evolution of the artist, inviting the listener into a brand new life chapter. In doing so, it reaffirms why Fliptrix is regarded as one of the most valuable and forward-thinking voices in the Ukhh movement today. ‘Eden’ is equally testament to this; an ode to Fliptrix’s new life surroundings and his interconnectedness to them and beyond.

‘Mantra No. 9’ produced by Elliott Revell

‘Eden’ produced by Illinformed

The incredible follow-up to an magnificent predecessor. Now on vinyl. This is the regular white edition.

Down The Local is the latest album from one the UK’s newest up and coming record labels. Certain Sound Records has been dropping releases from some of the UK’s finest artists since 2019.

This latest release is around the theme of the good and bad trips down the local boozer, it features an impressive line-up of some of the UK’s top Hip Hop artists, this includes Deeflux & Miracle, Louie G, Barry Manalog, Cappo, Luther Andross, Ash The Author, DJ Chud (Steel Devils), Gee Bag, Mysdiggi and Chrome.

Heavyweight sound 45rpm 7” from London’s Sister Marion Ft. Mass aka James Massiah (Babyfather), with an absolutely deadly version on the B side produced by Sister Marion featuring John T. Gast. Don’t sleep on this. Comes in a PVC sleeve with download code and photo insert.

Boot proudly present Micall Parknsuns 6th studio LP "Still..." on limited edition single black vinyl. With killer features from Kyza, Scriblah, Joker Starr, AyePee, Josiah and Naughtz. Produced by Micall Parknsun, Aypee and Apollo with cuts by Jazz T. Killer artwork by Glen Stone. Includes the smashes "Still... "and "Kept Going"

Referencing the cult alien sitcom from the turn of the 80s, ‘Mork Calling Orson’ is Jehst’s sixth album reaching a typically supreme standard of syllables and similes bearing a red-eyed hue.

Featuring the tracks ‘Daily Planet’, ‘One Horse Town’, ‘Wild Herb’ and ‘Autumn Nights’, and with Confucius MC, Eva Lazarus, Lee Scott, CW Jones and SINDYSMAN guesting, Jehst continues to unlock his superpower of making the melancholic incisively slice through all before him.

His partiality for provocative references to the fore, and sloganeering that “you hear the voice of God when I rock the mic”, “Jehst for president” and “I’m Nas in that ‘Illmatic’ phase” without either irony or pretence, ‘Mork Calling Orson’ begins as drowsy, clouded and dry-mouthed, occasionally letting light peer through the curtains, otherwise at peace with self-imposed exile (“ain’t no sunshine, regardless of climate change”). Nostalgic soundbites are interspersed with namechecks of Audio Two, Vanilla Ice, Daley Thompson, Mayor Quimby and Aloe Blacc, and Keor Meteor and Beat Butcha provide subtleties of assistance on production.

The classically 90s, NYC beats of ‘Footsteps’, and ‘Lonely World’ mutedly following its lead, have Jehst rising up, alert to self-examination and the outside world. Returning to familiar sticky green comforts on the G-funked ‘Wild Herb’, is a trigger for the album to find strength and leave its shell, with the subsequent ‘Doctor’ and soft rock lineage of ‘Daily Planet’ and ‘Flight to L.A.’ allowing for streams of consciousness and the sort of word association and reactions to reality that have been Jehst’s hallmark for decades.

The lullaby of ‘One Horse Town’ is the album’s centrepiece, gently ascending and fighting any previous pessimism, before Jehst retreats behind the ‘Front Door’ and on the graceful ‘Skyline’; a fractured soul conflicting his previous status of “mentally irate, physically primate”, stays eloquently, edgily tack-sharp to the last.

Produced by Sonnyjim (1/2/12) Jehst (3/5/6/11) Sam Zircon (4) Mr Brown (7) Beat Butcha (8) Keor Meteor (9) Taharka (10)

Hit plus 2 unreleased tracks

The album is completely produced by illinformed and features 1jack, All Hail Y.T, Babylon Dead, Bil Next, Bill Shakes, Bisk, BVA, Chris Skillz, Crossbow T, Datkid, Dirt Platoon, Eric The Red, Frek 1, Gaza Glock, General, Inja, Jack Jetson, Jay Nice, Leaf Dog, Left Lane Didon, Lisaan'Dro, Pertrelli, Res One, Ruste Juxx, Sean Peng, Sk!nt, Smellington Piff, Tony Broke, Verb T, Wish Master & Wyatt Earp.

Axel HolyandMarka Sandeliver three songs off their first collaborative effort, the Chess (ep), available on limited 7" vinyl. "Strange World," "Parlez Vous," and "Chess," are the first offerings from the pair's EP.
All 7" include a free download code for the full EP.
The full6-track features six original tracks with an incredible amount of depth: grime, hip-hop, and trap. Axel Holy delivers gritty UK grime vocals over Marka San's dark post-apocalyptic atmospheric soundscapes.
Bouncing nitty gritty beats and rhythms between Ljubljana and Bristol, Axel Holy and Marka San's goal of a small EP quickly turned into 20-plus songs. The duo handed the songs over to their label,rx:tx, to finalize the track list of what would become theChess (ep).
Make sure you check out this exclusive 3-track release from Axel Holy and Marka San's upcomingChess (ep). Don't miss out, get yourself a limited vinyl while supplies last!

London producer SusTrapperazzi has been busy making a name for himself with productions for the likes of frequent-collaborator Novelist (inclding the pairs latest track 'Mercy'), K-Trap, Bxks & Tiny Boost, viral production videos, live sets alongside D Double E, not to mention his EP for German label Illan Tape. Here, SusTrapperazzi lands on London label Astral Black with 6-essential instrumentals in the form of his 'Rationale' EP. The sample at the top of EP opener 'Gospel Trappin' asserts the listener to "Listen to this!" before the prolific producer flips an anthemic gospel sample into a mesmorising trap instrumental. Elsehwhere on 'What's Wrong' - the producer stitches a a triumphant new jack swing sample together into a Houston-inspired pop ballad. Meanwhile on tracks like 'Through To You' & 'Gold Rain' Sus sits well and truly in his bag, fusing together all the elements of his sound into expertly crafter 808 laced trap instrumentals. SusTrapperazzi's 'Rationale' EP kicks off the labels 10 year anniversary which is set to see a string of releases ncluding a EP's from Jossy Mitsu (Rinse FM), Bruised Skies (Hoover Sounds) & NigelThreeTimes (Fractal Fantasy) as well as sample warper Eahwee's follow up to his 'Solitude' LP & a collaborative LP from prolific producer Samuel Organ & folk crooner Laucan.

Limited to 500 copies.

Young Fathers - Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and G. Hastings - announce details of their brand new album Heavy Heavy. Set for release on February 3rd 2023 via Ninja Tune, it’s the group’s fourth album and their first since 2018’s album Cocoa Sugar. The 10-track project signals a renewed back-to-basics approach, just the three of them in their basement studio, some equipment and microphones: everything always plugged in, everything always in reach.

Alongside the announcement ‘Heavy Heavy’, Young Fathers will make their much anticipated return to stages across the UK and Europe beginning February 2023 - known for their electrifying performances, their shows are a blur of ritualistic frenzy, marking them as one of the most must-see acts operating today. The tour will include shows at the Roundhouse in London, Elysee Montmartre in Paris, Paradiso in Amsterdam, O2 Academy in Leeds and Glasgow, Olympia in Dublin, Astra in Berlin, Albert Hall in Manchester, Trix in Antwerp, Mojo Club in Hamburg and more (full dates below)

To mark news of the album and the tour, Young Fathers today release a brand new single, “I Saw”. It’s the second track to be released from the album (following standalone single “Geronimo” in July) and brims with everything fans have come to love from a group known for their multi-genre versatility - kinetic rhythms, controlled chaos and unbridled soul. Accompanied by a video created by 23 year old Austrian-Nigerian artist and filmmaker David Uzochukwu, the track demonstrates the ambitious ideas that lay at the heart of this highly-anticipated record.

Speaking about the title, the band write that Heavy Heavy could be a mood, or it could describe the smoothed granite of bass that supports the sound… or it could be a nod to the natural progression of boys to grown men and the inevitable toll of living, a joyous burden, relationships, family, the natural momentum of a group that has been around long enough to witness massive changes. “You let the demons out and deal with it,” reckons Kayus of the album. “Make sense of it after.”

For Young Fathers, there’s no dress code required. Dancing, not moshing. Hips jerking, feet slipping, brain firing in Catherine Wheel sparks of joy and empathy. Underground but never dark. Still young, after some years, even as the heavy, heavy weight of the world seems to grow day by day.

Oh shiiiii - we're back in again with more unreleased joints from NJ producer Mixture. Some killers on this one, including a sick unheard 1995 demo from Massive Staff. Plus we also have an unheard banger from the Outsidaz 5 years before they dropped for the first time! Wow!!



There's also a dirty version of a previously radio-only track by obscure NJ act Sunz of K.O.S.S. (Kleptomaniacs Of Savage Society) as well as 4 unheard demos all produced by the man like Mixture. Amazing material for the heads!!!!

Glow In The Dark Vinyl Edition