UK Hip Hop 324 Items

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.

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.

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.

Cappo, Nottinghams finest returns with this drum heavy hip hop banger produced by Doctor Zygote and Jazz T.

Limited vinylpostcard in collaboration with Postmanslove. The card features the track "Be Together" and shows art by 2econd Class Citizen himself aka Aaron Auguste Thomason. The card additionally features access to the Vinylpostcards app.

“Be Together” is the first single off of 2econd Class Citizen’s album “unlearn”. It is available digitally as well as a limited vinylpostcard in collaboration with Postmanslove.

A few more notes about the upcoming album:
Unlearn is the long awaited fourth album of DJ and producer 2econd Class Citizen. It marks the artist’s return back to the newly relaunched label Equinox Records. Their previous collaborations achieved high acclaim for their genre bending fusion of hip hop, electronica and folk to form a cinematic journey which is full of twists and turns.

Unlearn is an exploration of an artist journeying beyond their conventional confines. It is a musical adventure peppered with vintage samples concerning the perception of reality and our struggles with conforming to a broken society. It teaches us to discard rigid rules, to trust our instincts and to work mindfully.

Produced by Four Tet & Machinedrum!

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’.

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’.

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.

Village Live Records are proud to present ‘Phantoms / Subterranean’ (tvi038), the forthcoming new 7″ vinyl by Reading-based rapper, Ash The Author!

Featuring production from DJ Drinks & George Fields, with additional razor-sharp cuts from Mr Brown on the A-side

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

15 track album by Bronze Nazareth and Leaf Dog.

Leaf Dog returns with the hugely anticipated ‘Dyslexic Disciple’, his second solo instalment on High Focus Records.

1/3rd of The Three Amigos, 1/4 of The Four Owls, 1/3 of Brothers Of The Stone and one of High Focus Records very first signings, Leaf Dog has dedicated his life to hip hop music. Six long years have passed since ‘From A Scarecrow's Perspective’ revealed Leaf Dog's unmistakable voice to the rap world and he has left fans the world over pining for more ever since. The wait is over. Leaf Dog is back, and has returned with his best work to date!

Acrylic Snail’ is the fifth album from Dirty Dike. Following a three-year hiatus since his last solo
outing ‘Sucking On Prawns In The Moonlight’ and after a ream of production work for the likes of
Rag ’n’ Bone Man (‘Put That Soul On Me’), Ocean Wisdom (‘Chaos 93’) and Lee Scott (‘Butter
Fly’) during that time, Dike is back with a brand new 14-track album; his most personal release
to date and a body of work that shines a full-beam-floodlight on his formative years, but
moreover, the dreamlike transition between then and now.
Firmly anchored in a chapter of the UK underground before everything went to shit, situated a
couple behind this current grizzly chapter, the songs bounce off the walls of abandoned
industrial estates and whoosh by at breakneck speeds like trains through tunnels. The album
embodies the freezing cold concrete pours, twilight toe slaps and irregularly shaped ballast
banks of the network. In short, ‘Acrylic Snail’ pays homage to the things Dike saw in the very
farthest reaches of night that made him who he is today.
Featuring a roster of guests vocalists (Rag ’n’ Bone Man, Jam Baxter, Lee Scott, Dabbla, Leaf
Dog, Eva Lazarus, J Man, Ronnie Bosh, Inja, Killa P, Foreign Beggars) and production from a
team of music makers (including Dike himself) ‘Acrylic Snail’ is an AAA invitation to Dirty Dike’s
playground and further cements his hard-earned status as one of UKHH's greatest
torchbearers.

High Focus Records stalwart, Dirty Dike, not usually one to hold his tongue, is making a return to the airwaves this April without even saying a word. This time letting the beats do the talking for him, as he continues to gain as much respect for his production as he does on the microphone. After having produced Rag N Bone Man's critically acclaimed 'Put That Soul On Me' 12'' as well as one of the biggest breakthrough tunes of 2014, 'Walking', for phenomenal newcomer Ocean Wisdom, the second official installment of the 'A Dirty Dike Production...' series is upon us! This time around the outspoken rapper turned instrumentalist has enlisted none other than incomparable Northern lyricist supreme Lee Scott for a full length LP of that straight up unadulterated buttery Jazz Funk aptly titled 'Butter Fly'.
Following the tried and tested 1 producer 1 MC formula which has been responsible for some of Hip Hop's most classic and cohesive albums, the pair blend seamlessly together as both the production and the lyrics complement one another perfectly. Veering off from the thick soul sound of ‘Put That Soul On Me’ with Rag N Bone Man, Dike has opted to go for a more Jazzy approach. The album is densely packed with smoked out, nonchalant jazzy blends which provide the perfect musical bedding for an equally cool as a cucumber Lee Scott to deploy his effortless, hilarious and incisive social commentary to great effect. As Lee Scott puts it himself, he is that 'cool Daddy Boney M was going on about' and he always, always keeps it fly, totally money and utmost buttery.

Limited pressing!

Limited pressing!

Limited pressing!

Limited pressing!

Brand new 19 track album by BVA - The Dam Builder, which is entirely produced by Leaf Dog and features Benny the Butcher, Leaf Dog, Verb T & Ramson Badbonez.

Jester Jacobs on the mic Formz on the beats

Where the previous 184 & Big Toast album was a bluntly worded denunciation of the zeitgeist over a classic Hip Hop soundtrack, Who Shit in The Sandpit takes a sonic direction more akin to 184’s Trip-Hoppy electronic-folk collective, Button Eyes. With more

melodious production and a greater range in the vocal tones and styles of delivery, it sees the duo step outside of their comfort zones and attempt something less restricted by the confines of their genre. The title is an abstract and Toast-esque expression referring to how the world the next generation stand to inherit (the Sandpit) is being destroyed by the greed and stupidity of older generations (the shit). It is at least a partial departure from the nihilistic and misanthropic themes on previous projects, perhaps a consequence of Toast’s desire to leave a better world for his firstborn, who arrived during the making of the project. While no album which closes on a track about a nuclear holocaust can be described as light, Who Shit in the Sandpit? has moments of real humour, providing comic relief from the more pointed social and political statements elsewhere. Fellow Tuff Boy, The Strange Neighbour, joins Toast on “Anyone Order a Tough Guy?”, a verbal skewering of wannabe hardmen, and the offensively absurd “F.W.L.”. Sometime Sleaford Mods vocalist John Paul contributes his own unique brand of observational poetry to “Backpack” and Croydon’s Breezy Lee elevates every track she features on with her sumptuously soulful vocals. Halo Jones adds the finishing touches with his distorted guitar riffs,

providing further musicality to an already boundary- pushing Hip Hop album.

Cassette edition of Death Is Not The End's contribution to the Blowing Up The Workshop mix series.
"A trip across the frequencies of Bristol's pirate radio stations via cut-ups of broadcasts, taken from the late 1980s to the early 2000s ~ also a love-letter to my childhood, an audio document of the years I spent growing up in the city."

Connecting Swindle’s grime and dubstep roots with UK jazz, funk and soul, No More Normal was created over a three year period, and spans “strings-laden soul to voicebox-heavy p-funk – often in the course of one song.”

The 11-track album features MCs Kojey Radical, Ghetts, D Double E and P Money, instrumentalists Yussef Dayes, Nubya Garcia, Riot Jazz, and singers Etta Bond, Eva Lazarus and Kiko Bun.

Original AE co-founder Truck is back with a new album coming soon and delivers a taster with this lead off 7” single featuring fellow AE Productions recording artist and Hip Hop legend Phill Most Chill. 3,665 refers to the distance between Truck and Phill Most Chill’s home cities and the pair duel brilliantly over a heavy beat by Sir Beans OBE (The Aroma/Parlour Talk/Ruztik Records). No chorus hook nonsense here but Mr Fantastic supplies some sharp cuts to complement the MC’s.
The B-side is the ‘Raw Skeleton Version’ of Right or Wrong – a special stripped back version of a track from the forthcoming album produced by Mr Fantastic which will not to be released elsewhere. Truck flows effortlessly over the DJ friendly obscure Funk groove.
Available on black vinyl 7” in a run of 350 retail copies in full colour sleeve designed by Mr Krum.

Very Limited (120 copies through Srd) RED Vinyl 7” with Shepard Fairey artwork. Ree-vo Announce THE Release OF Their ‘spacebox’ Single ON 7” With Remixes BY Nøise AND Batbirds AND Stunning Original Artwork BY Shepard Fairey.