Ashton James Brown takes a look at “SumoTreats”, the latest and greatest from London-based jazzy-hop supremos, SumoChief. The DNA of hip hop has been imbricated with jazz since its birth in the 70s. From the raw drum beats and relentless energy to the intrepid spirit of improvisation, hip hop has both tacitly and overtly sampled from its forbear …
Ashton James Brown brings us an interview with Taelor Headless, the mastermind behind Headless Flywear. We first encountered Headless Flywear way back in February of 2014. While that may seem like a relatively short expanse of time, in this internet age where information is exchanged at breakneck speed, a little over two years is akin …
East London based wordsmith Richie Saps joins forces with Leicester based producer Scott Xylo to deftly regale us with a tale of his immortality… The relationship between producer and emcee has been an integral part of hip hop since its nascent days. On rare occasions, the artistic understanding between these two individuals can be exceptionally …
London based jazz/hip hop quartet SumoChief have enlisted the services of High Focus beat-wizard 2Late to deliver an intriguing reinterpretation of “Gator Season”. The pursuit of musical complexity can sometimes be futile, as it is often done at the expense of the overall “vibe” of a track. When there is a perceptible lack of this …
Ashton James Brown interviewed the exciting jazz/hip hop quartet Sumochief and discussed their origins, their thoughts regarding London’s vibrant music scene and how music technology is incorporated into their creative process. The UK hip hop scene has an abundance of talent when it comes to emcees and producers, however live hip hop bands are few …
Scott Xylo offers up a mesmeric piece of nostalgia, with the release of his latest project ‘2003 // HeERO Scott’. Concept albums are often attempted but poorly executed. The idea of basing a project around one central theme allows for it to be far more sonically cohesive; something prominently lacking in LPs/Eps of thematically unrelated …
Leicester based producer Scott Xylo serves up a cut from his forthcoming EP, ‘2003//Heero Scott’.
High Focus label boss Fliptrix delivers some visuals for Duppying The Style, a track taken from his new project ‘Out The Box’. 2014 is shaping up to be a monumental year for High Focus Records with their release schedule containing some of the most intriguing hip hop albums of the year. In just 4 years, …
UK wordsmith Jack Jetson drops some visuals for his new single Wonderberry.
Ashton James Brown gives his own insights into what made Madvillainy so special, 10 years after its release.
Ashton James Brown opens our new feature, “The Sampleface Museum”, with an examination of the influential E-mu SP-1200. Welcome to The Sampleface Museum, a new series of articles where we take a look at various iconic samplers, synthesisers and drum machines. We discuss their functions, the role they’ve played in shaping the sound of hip …
London producer Greenwood Sharps teams up with Edward Scissortongue to provide some visuals for his remix of Fluids. High Focus’ magnificently bearded doomsayer, Edward Scissortongue, has received the remix treatment and a new video from London based producer Greenwood Sharps. Fluids is taken from Scissortongue’s 2012 album Better Luck Next Life and clocking in at …
We interviewed High Focus Records’ BVA about his early influences and his new album, “Be Very Aware”. Today sees the release of one of the most anticipated UK hip hop albums of the year so far, BVA’s Be Vary Aware. The emcee, who is signed to UK juggernauts High Focus Records, drops an odyssey full …
Ashton James Brown interviewed Edward Scissortongue and talked about his hip hop origins, his grandfather’s advice and his upcoming release “THE THEREMIN EP”. (The interview was originally conducted on the 13th January 2014.) From something we missed to someone we interviewed, Edward Scissortongue is now firmly in our sights as someone to stick with in …
In our latest edition of Dapper Rapper, we focus our attention on UK brand Headless Flywear. Initially conceived in 2009 by Taelor Headley aka Taelor Headless, Headless Flywear is a London-based clothing brand spearheading the larger Headless movement. The brand’s rebellious style has far reaching appeal with underground artists such as Shystie, alt-R&B crooner Jordan …
In the latest edition of WUBU2, we take a look at High Focus Records, who in the space of 4 years have become one of the most respected labels in the UK hip hop scene.
In our latest How Did I Miss That, we shine a light on Edward Scissortongue and his dark tale of Spastic Max.
New York based emcee Grandmilly serves up “Willie’s Message”, a track from his recently released project, The Miseducation EP. We’re seeing a lot of music becoming transatlantic affairs, with musicians coming together from both sides of the pond. Grandmilly’s latest track “Willie’s Message” is no different as the NYC rapper has joined up with enigmatic …
Guest writer Ashton James Brown aka Ashterisk the Beat Reaper addresses black music representation on British radio and asks whether we have more choice.