UK Hip Hop 105 Items

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.

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.

High Focus Records regular and member of UK rap super group The Four Owls, Verb T has joined forces with production wizard Pitch 92 for the new album ‘Good Evening’. Pitch, who has spent the past few years as the musical mastermind behind the award winning
Mouse Outfit collective has excelled himself on this release bringing to the table a delectable selection of funk & soul infused bangers serving as the perfect backdrop for Verb T to unleash his smooth brand of thoughtful lyrics and hooks.
Having spent 3 years writing for ‘Good Evening’ Verb T has put forward some of his most personal rhymes to date, delivered with a new found passion that sees the veteran build on a body of work that stretches back to the days of Low Life Records and now sees him as a major part of the ever expanding High Focus Records movement. The album features guest vocals from UK giants Ocean Wisdom, Jehst, DRS, Fliptrix, BVA, King Kashmere of Strange U, Sparkz, Black Josh, Rye Shabby, Confucious MC and Moreone.
Individually, Verb T and Pitch 92 have accomplished a huge amount, however with ‘Good Evening’ both artists have put forward arguably the best work of their careers. Built from scratch with the live show element in mind, this album really feels like a party, Good Evening! Enjoy!

‘A psychedelic induced hypnotic state, crossing over borders of the physical realm...’
Ramson Badbonez, one of the most revered MC’s in the UK underground is back!
In his last musical offering, Ramson Badbonez took us through the conceptual ‘Year In The Life Of Oscar The Slouch’, a gritty seasonal account of the harsh realities of London inner city street life. This June, the illusive skull clad lyricist makes his grand return to the airwaves with his brand new collaborative effort alongside producer DJ Fingerfood entitled ‘Hypnodic’. As the title suggests, this is a much more cerebral journey onto the astral plains of the mind of Ramson Badbonez. However, do not be mistaken, Badbonez’ signature gritty rapping style is still as prevalent and as sharp as ever and is a perfect match for Fingerfood’s ‘Hypnodic’ production style. The album is tied together with a string of esoteric vocal samples and interludes as well as razor sharp cuts provided by the dexterous hands of DJ Fingerfood.
In a day and age where UK rap music is diluted with generic concepts and weak lyrics, Badbonez is back to demand respect through his impeccable lyricism. With big hooks, lyrical jabs and stomping production amidst features from the likes of Leaf Dog, Res One, Gadget & MAB to name a few this album is set to get some serious rotation.
‘Hypnodic’ will be released on High Focus Records on the 16th of June 2017 on limited edition vinyl, CD, limited edition cassette tape, and all good digital platforms!

Limited edition for Record Store Day 2017! Legendary London Posse MC, Rodney P, teams up with London poet Lanre Sulola for this haunting backdrop to last year’s critically acclaimed BBC4 documentary, Hip Hop World News. Co-produced by the talented record label owner Max Cyrus and recorded in the Metropolis studios with Liam Nolan (previously worked with Adele & Jess Glynne) who oversaw the whole project. Available now first the first time on vinyl, Dinked Records and Max Cyrus Music have created a very special package for the 10th Anniversary of Record Store Day, featuring the track and instrumental on pure white vinyl with picture sleeve and photo insert.

I admit I wasn't familiar with this album, so many just pass us by, but as I sat back and listened, I slowly realised that this isn't just any soul LP, its a masterpiece, full of passion and tenderness, it was like a huge hug from long lost lover... Beautiful... Enjoy it.

Returning with their first full length record for Rough Trade, it will be fascinating to find out what Sleaford Mods made of 2016.

The title here refers to cuisine in a pub the pair visited that consisted of "half a scotch egg, cup of chips, pickle and a mini pork pie" - a menu that sums up the useless state of England, as viewed through the lens of lead ranter Jason Williamson.

Featuring all new songs recorded with Steve Mackey (Pulp), this is sure to be one of 2017's most-anticipated releases.

Stellar debut south-londons rising star Loyle Carner! No exaggerations, no fakin', just pure UK flavor. Tip!

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