Music Video: Skepta - Man

So I bought the album yesterday (big up Tesco) but I haven't managed to listen to it yet, but I would advise you as I trust in Skepta that the album is gonna be bumped into the summer and beyond. Check the video for the single Man the buy the album - http://smarturl.it/Skepta

Skepta - Shutdown

Skepta drops the video for Shutdown on the release of the single which is out now. Now the question is when will we get that album Skepta?

Skepta - Nasty (Devilman Diss) x Devilman - Skepta Diss

Well this is warming up nicely, the latest twist in what started here. Sees Skepta reply with no warning what so ever. What I think is the ultimate disrespect, is not only what is said but the fact he just sits there throughout the whole 2:24 minutes. For all we know he could be on his iPad catching up on Empire.  

Fair play to Devilman he doesn't miss a beat, as he recorded a response within hours of Skepta's reply. Seems like blue is the in thing for videos nowadays. Another clash maybe? 

Why You Mad Sucka?!

A week ago today Yeezy took to The Brit Awards stage and became the talk of the night. He's got a solid track record of being the talk of award shows regardless if he's nominated or not and the same can be said in regards to performing. Thankfully he was performing at this year's Brits and Sugar Honey Ice Tea did he shut it down. Rihanna was originally booked for The Brits, but maybe she was too busy with the Wolf Of Wall Street and wanted to use that time to get cosy. So in comes Ye to save the day, now he could've played it safe and done a set which would have taken us back a few years when he last visited The Brits. Give those in the crowd what they want, those chart-topping bangers they sing in their car, at BBQs etc.

But Ye doesn't do safe, so instead we got the debut of the track the Hip Hop generation and anyone who has taste in music has been waiting for "All Day". Since that performance everyone and their dog has had an opinion on that performance. Seen everything from "Do Black Brits Need Kanye?" "Why has Kanye got our MCs looking like backup dancers?". Opinions are like..... well you know the saying. So I'm going to try and add some balance to the people who are losing sleep over Ye's performance and stage presence from some of the UK's MCs.

"Do Black Brits Need Kanye?"

In a word No, but lets see what Ye brings to the table ,"Tony Stars/Iron Man voice" Songwriter, Record Producer, Rapper, Director, Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur. What part of that list makes you want to avoid interacting with this guy if you're in any of the areas he's involved in? If that's not your thing but you're musician who makes music and aspire to win a Grammy award for your craft, the man so far has 21 to his name. 

Some of us have short memories when it comes to this music scene I swear haha. One of my favourite rap groups (UK & US) of all time S.A.S. already had Kanye tuned into the UK scene from way back. It doesn't hurt to have someone of Kanye's status showing appreciation to the UK scene.  Question for those losing sleep over it, I assume you'd rather our guys were at home or in the studio watching it on TV, instead of being part of a moment that had everyone people's attention?

"Why has Kanye got our MCs looking like backup dancers?"

So is it really the end of the world, that Ye asked some of the UK's finest to accompany him on stage? In what way does this action of sharing a stage with a global entertainer affect our guys? Would anyone have spoken about anything other than the song, if he flew in people from Chicago to take the stage with him? Who else that attended, was nominated and won at The Brits, was going to bring anyone of the guys on stage? Don't worry I'll wait........... 

He also shouted Skepta at the end of the performance, who shouted out anyone from the scene when they won their award, that's connected to the scene? Don't worry you've still got time. 

Many on social media were commenting how The Brits reflected this year's Oscars (aka white wash) but Ye comes along and has that type of stage performance and people switched it up and moaned "Oh look at those blacks on stage acting like thugs blah blah blah" get over it WE owned that night. Another one is "Why didn't he let one of the guys spit some lyrics?" Well at the end of the day The Brits requested Ye to perform. 

But why should our guys perform at The Brits for free? This award show which is clearly a more expensive and better produced in comparison to the MOBOs, don't care about our scene. Hence the invites sent out probably only included footballers and Tinie Tempah. That's not a knock on Tinie at all, just saying The Brits know who they want to have at their show. The ignorant reactions that came from this performance, which could be argued sums it up for alot of the middle class against it, can be found on Skepta's new banger: 

Whether those against the scene like it or not, Wiley & Dizzee are some of the leaders of this. You can pretend that you're only aware of them via the songs they make to raise awareness of their ability on the charts such as Bonkers, Wearing My Rolex etc...... but that's just another layer they've recent acquired due to understanding how it all works. 

Someone like JME fully understands how the industry works, but he's so aggressively confident in what he does, naturally you pay attention as his passion dedication and ability demands it. The scene is healthy and its back to where it was a few years ago. I'm not the biggest Grime expert and they're people better placed than me to comment on this, but I've been involved with many of the artists and contributed to helping the scene. Scene is best it's been for some time now, without any labels offering anything near to what they do for singers based over here. The scene is sustaining it's self with many artists capitalising on the boom of social media and allowing us to connect with them and resulting in more events taking place. 

Why can't the naysayers just embrace the fact that our scene is getting acknowledged in a very organic way (you may say social media has a part to play in this), without selling something watered down to do so? It feels like these same people who've got a voice in the scene, are indirectly upset that this is finally happening without them maybe? Why should some of the best artists the UK has to offer, be content with local recognition or letting guys who can sing be the only ones noticed internationally? Can we ALL just embrace that this is happening and long may it continue. These guys work hard in the scene to get their craft and skills noticed, let them have this moment and the many more to come. 

I attended and experienced Mr Bigz's debut headline show last week, and it was further testament our guys are taking their craft very serious and doing it their way. His performance wasn't just playing songs and rhyming over them. He presented a full band and engaged the crowd as all friends not random people filled in a room. He took full advantage of the intimate venue and used that in his favour.

So let the collaborations between both sides of the ocean continue, stop clowning Drake for watching Top Boy and appreciating the guys. Ok I'll admit I chuckle when Drake gives us the yardie voice mixed with uk slang mixed with whatever else he wishes to throw in there like West Indian cooking. To all the MC's, producers, video directors, fashion designers of the UK continue to do what you love and enjoy, don't let these small minority of naysayers who always have something to say when the US artists show appreciation bother you. Me personally I'm rooting for you.

Music: Skepta - Shutdown

We have to wait a little longer for Konnichiwa the album, but hey might as well #Shutdown the place in the meantime. The use of soundbite from someone who was shaken by Ye's performance at The Brits is slick. 

Video: Logan Sama x Skepta x Stromzy x The Square - Boiler Room Set

This is why I'm addicted to music!!!

Interview: P&P presents Skepta

Skepta gives some insight in the Grime scene presences in the US of A.

Music Video: Master Shortie x Skepta - Elvis Presley

Master Shortie has a new project called THEODORE, which is a 6 track EP. This song features on there with the ledge Skepta. 

Live: Boy Better Know - Too Many Man

BBK at 1Xtra live 2014 in Birmingham with the crew anthem.

Event: Big Narstie's x Noisey - Grime Karaoke

I love karaoke, I do a wicked version of Luther Vandross "Never Too Much" and a decent version of The Throne's "Otis". Big Narstie and Noisey have joined forces to bring us Grime Karaoke. Co-hosted by my girl Julie Adenuga and Big Narstie this event will be vibes and fun.   Now as karaoke goes it's all about classic or popular songs that people know and have the confidence to perform. So the good folks at Noisey have compiled a list of Grime tracks that are to be considered, and the top five voted will make it for selection on the night.

So head over to their Facebook page to add your vote for what songs make the event and get more information about this unique and hopefully reoccurring event Big Narstie x Noisey Grime Karaoke.

Music Video: Skepta x Young Lord - It Ain't Safe

It was promised and now it's here - Skepta x Young Lord - It Ain't Safe! Pre-order the single now. Konichwa the album is on the way.

Music Video: Skepta x Wiki - That's Not Me (US Remix)

Skeppy's recent banger to his long list of bangers gets a little US remix courtesy of WIKI.

Music: Skepta x JME - That's Not Me OUT NOW!!

Grime legend Skepta is back with a new single - “That’s Not Me” – featuring the lyrical talents of his brother and long-time Boy Better Know collaborator JME. The track sees the pair spitting stone-cold flows, trading verses and sharing their experiences of the music industry over a haunting instrumental.

Skepta x JME - That's Not Me

Originally teased as a freestyle in a documentary-style short film shot by Uzi, hype around the track has built quickly. A follow up official video features Skepta and JME performing the track over footage from the original film.

Given its first radio play by Rinse FM’s Julie Adenuga on her Drive Time show the single has already been playlisted by Rinse, 1Xtra and CapitalXtra with strong support over at Kiss FM too!

The above was the official press release for this banger, me..... I'm just going to say go get this single. It's 360 season, and Grime is back to where we all loved it to be. Skepta x JME - That's Not Me OUT NOW!!

Music Video: Skepta x JME - That's Not Me

2014 seems like my prays will be announced with an onslaught of albums from the Grime/Hip Hop scene right here. Ghetts has kicked it off nicely with a DOPE debut album, and another favorite MC of mine Skepta is about to take the brakes of and get busy......

Just to get us ready for what's coming in the near future from Boy Better Know, is this new video from Skepta and JME.

Music Video: Skepta - Icey

Brand new from Skepta, check out the garms in this video which will be part of the new clothing line "Icey".

Zombie Attack #ICEY Sweatshirts from Zombie Attack on Vimeo.

Music Video: Skepta x Jammer x Scratchy x Shorty x Riko x Wiley X JME x Frisco X Solo 45 - Green House

Skepta gets the whole crew to give us this brand new video. Konichiwa Skepta's forthcoming album is on the way.

Music Video: Jammer x Skepta x Lay-Z - Fast Life

#ThrowbackThursday: Skepta edition

What do you say about Skepta that hasn't been said already? He labelled himself 'King Of Grime' you might say that's cocky. But Jay Z calls himself the greatest rapper alive or the closet to The Notorious B.I.G. I respect Skep's confidence, and he has grafted long enough to make any claim he wishes. 

He has the ability to skip between a Grime flow and a Rap flow at the click of the fingers which is what impresses me most about him. From Greatest Hits to Doin' It Again, hits upon hits plus has given us some classic stageshow performances and freestyles:

Skepta - Freestyle

Skepta's last major project was the mixtape Black Listed. Currently working on his next album Konichiwa which will feature Lay Her Down w/ Kano

If like me your eagerly anticipating his new album, why not check out his latest line of Ts on ZombieAttack

Skepta - Private Caller

Skepta - Doin' It Again (Duppy)

Skepta x Giggs - Look Out

Skepta - Bad Boy

Music Video: Gunna Dee ft Skepta - Music Therapy

Music Video: Skepta ft Kano - Lay Her Down

Crazy just ended the show with this one, and the big man just drops the video. Shout out skepta and Kano on this one. Look out for Skepta's forthcoming album Konnichiwa .