Interviews

Interview: James Gardin

James Gardin

James Gardin is the next guest in our new mini interview series. We’re back with another installment in our mini interview series and we’re joined by James Gardin. You may remember our feature on his new video, Joy. Well, he’s kindly answered our 7 questions for your perusal so enjoy! What is your favourite city …

Interviews

Interview: Imperial

Imperial

Imperial is the first guest in our new mini interview series. It’s difficult to find a balance between long form and short form writing. Long form is extensive but takes time to read. Short form is quick to absorb but might not offer as much in comparison. We’ll never cease long form content but we …

R&B

RKZ - Impossible feat. Sonni Mai

RKZ - Impossible feat. Sonni Mai

The RKZ/Handbook partnership serves up an “Impossible” delight with guest vocalist Sonni Mai. Understated imagery is a beautiful art form. The concept fuelled decades of art in the mid-20th century and minimalism is all the rage today. When RKZ and Handbook weave their musical threads, the finished product is indicative of that style. But with added …

Video

VIDEO: James Gardin - Joy

James Gardin - Joy

Joy’s visuals are enriched with melanin and youthful exuberance, with dancing choreographed by The iDream Dancers. We all know bravado runs through the veins of hip hop and its culture, from the roots underground to the top of the tree. But James Gardin’s accolade, The World’s Most Encouraging Rapper™, conveys regular improvement. It’s also a …

Hip Hop J Dilla

Thijsenterprise - Stepbacks & Setbacks

Thijsenterprise - Stepbacks & Setbacks

Barcelona-based beatmaker Thijsenterprise drops mammoth beat tape, Stepbacks & Setbacks, dedicated to some important people in his life. “Old school hip-hop with soul and jazz samples, dusty breaks and raw chops.” With a description like that, I just had to listen when this dropped in my inbox. Thijsenterprise (real name Reinier Thijs) is a producer from …

Hip Hop

Why I Love Madlib

Why I Love Madlib

Today is Madlib’s birthday. Here’s why I love his music and personality so much. In the mid-to-late 00s, I discovered a compilation by Zero 7. It was part of Late Night Tales’ mix series (then called Another Late Night) and it featured a song called Real Eyes by Quasimoto. I found it intriguing for many …

Sampling J Dilla Mixes

Samples from Jaylib's Champion Sound Played by VinRican

Samples from Jaylib's Champion Sound Played by VinRican

Power 106 Los Angeles got DJ VinRican to mix tracks from Champion Sound with the samples they used. It’s officially dope. Say what you want about WhoSampled but I’m sure many of us have searched through and marvelled at the samples used in our favourite tracks. I’ve done it with Jaylib before but there’s always …