Thursday 27 August 2009

Juice Aleem talks music & watching women from afar!






The HipHopInformant met up with UK Hip-Hop legend, Juice Aleem to talk about music, playing with his beard and watching women from afar... Peep the EXCLUSIVE!


HipHopInformant: Tell me about your new release on Big Dada “Jerusalaam Come” does the album have a message, what was the concept behind the album?

Juice Aleem: I can't keep away from a good concept. It’s about a lot of things, mostly the city of old and new Jerusalem in an historic and religious sense. The city that’s founded in peace yet so many die and kill over it and make claims on it (like Hip Hop). The new city that's coming from the sky in the book of Revelation to take the last survivors who stayed on the path, off to live in its crystal walls. Its about a return to the tradition of studying your craft or not surviving, being able to still be standing when the smoke clears because you stood for something in the first place. Its big, black, heavy, wide and goes deep.

HipHopInformant: What is your definition of REAL Hip-Hop?

Juice Aleem: Real Hip Hop is something that’s made with honesty and true expression of self. I don't even like the phrase cos it's usually said by people who only want it their way. REAL Hip Hop is the music I listen to and feel. If you have to go around saying its 'real' all the time it probably isn’t. Under or over ground, samples or synths I don’t give a shit as long as I feel it.

HipHopInformant: How long have you been involved with Hip-Hop?

Juice Aleem: Since the early 80's. That whole wave of Graff, Breaking and DJ culture that became a tsunami. Its been a while .

HipHopInformant: How are the crowd’s reactions when they hear something different from the commercialised Hip-Hop that they’re used to?

Juice Aleem: It depends on which crowds, which clubs and which country you’re in. Overall people have been brainwashed to like the same thing over and over so it can wake the more grounded person up or have them open jawed as they try to figure out what’s going on. Mostly, it’s a good reaction where people come and ask questions such as who am I, where can they get the music? Are there other artists out with a similar vibe?

HipHopInformant: How do you view the music industry as a whole?

Juice Aleem: From a very odd angle. There’s two words in the phrase 'Music Business' and I’m great at the former and not so good at the latter. Man coming up now don’t really talk about the music they talk about getting into the industry. Now the whole thing is folding and trying to regroup you'll see who is into this for real. The music industry is a con though. A bunch of guys patting themselves on the back and handing out Ivor awards to their friends. Its a game for the business men and Life for the musician.

HipHopInformant: What do you like to do to unwind and relax?

Juice Aleem: Watch films, hang out with my seeds, read anything I can get my hands on, play with my beard and watch women from afar.

HipHopInformant: How has Big Dada been to work with? (They haven’t kept you in the basement most of the time have they?) Lol.

Juice Aleem: Big Dada are cool. As I say though, its an industry and things have changed so the reins are tighter than ever. As far as the everyday dealings they are good people to work with despite being kept down here for so long and being fed nothing but raw beats.

HipHopInformant: You’ve worked with Amazing talent how has it been to work with, Hexstatic, Adam Freeland and Coldcut? (Just a few)

Juice Aleem: It’s exactly that, amazing. To think that these guys came to ME to record or work with them is even bigger. Its great being able to watch the process of some of these type of guys to see how and where they operate. From thousands of screaming Australians to mad small art exhibits and festivals on the Danube river or royal castles in Morocco it’s been a mad journey and I’m glad these kind of calibre of artists have helped bring me along for the ride.

HipHopInformant: Where did all these names come from in particular where did, Alpha Prhyme come from?

Juice Aleem: They come from my head after I zone out for a while. I hear the names in my own voice before I say it. Alpha Prhyme is an alter-ego of one of my other alter-egos, an alien to here just trying to understand humans and the weird things they do. That’s what a lifetime of comics, films and even crazier people will do to you. Most of these names are actually variations of the same name..Alpha was the first.


HipHopInformant: Are you performing at any events in Summer?

Juice Aleem: Working on that right now. I just got back from Glastonbury and had a pretty mad time on the Arcadia stage. Looks like some giant space-craft. Jets of fire blast out of the top and the sides every now and then with ladies spinning from ropes hanging from the sides. They must have known brother Juice was coming for his people.

HipHopInformant: What can REAL Hip-Hop heads look forward to you in the future?

Juice Aleem: More and more music. more shows more flows. It’s a work in progress, we got workshops, music, production and a bunch of surprises for those who have been watching close. I’m already working on the next LP.

HipHopInformant: Finally, can I get free tickets to your next show in London?

juice Aleem: Depends on how this interview goes I guess. Let me know when you wanna reach.

Peace.


Check the Interview on britishhiphop.co.uk too!


HipHopInformant- WE LOVE THE OLD SKOOL!





Monday 17 August 2009

Dopeness on youtube!




Found this DOPE Video which features some of my favourite artists from back in the day! Artists that brought meaning to their lyrics, artists who experimented with music, artists who represented what I call REAL Hip-Hop!



HipHopInformant- WE LOVE THE OLD SKOOL!

Sunday 9 August 2009

Evolution Of Hip-Hop Volume 2 is here!





OK So, Here we go again! We present to our loyal Hip-Hop heads, the EVOLUTION OF HIP-HOP VOLUME 2! The mixtape does not have a cover so this cover will have to do (sorry about that!)
The tracks are from a few artist who contributed to the first mixtape (EVolution Of Hip-Hop Vol. 1) and some FRESH, NEW and EXCLUSIVE talent also!

Click on the pic to download the mixtape or click on the link below and enjoy, then pass the link along to friends, family and whoever else likes REAL Hip-Hop!

Link: http://www.zshare.net/download/63777605a2609732/

Tracklisting:

1. Simple Samples Drop

2.777 Remix- Simple Samples ft. Baby

3. I Remember- Mike Faceless ft. E from the L.O.S.T

4. Unforgivable Blackness- Hired Gun

5. Play Me- Hired Gun

6. Articulate Drop

7. The New Street Kings-Wordsmith ft. Articulate & Black Knight

8. Bullet Drop

9. Mr Robotic- Bullet

10. Sha Stimuli Drop

11. Gotta Get $- Sha Stimuli

12. Hit em Up- Sha Stimuli

13. Candy Thang- Natureboy Rowe ft. Pimp C

14. When I Roll Up- Natureboy Rowe

15. Gotta Get It- Natureboy Rowe

16. London Drop- Falken August

17. Guns On Safety- CAUSE

18. Authentic Bros Drop

19. Angels & Demons- Authentic Bros

20. Power- Authentic Bros

21. Beginning Of The End- Poetic Pilgrimage

22. Intergalactic Sol- Poetic Pilgrimage

23. Ghetto Amerikkka- Lottery

24. Girls Gone Wild- Natureboy Rowe

25. A Day In The Life- Simple Samples

26. KM Drop

27. Knock You Down Remix- KM

28. Casanova- Yung Kurt (Bonus Summer Track)





Monday 3 August 2009

R.I.P Baatin of Slum Village...





Hip-Hop group Slum Village is remaining resilient despite dealing with the sudden death of 35-year-old group member Titus “Baatin” Glover.

Baatin was found dead on Saturday (August 1) on Anglin Street in Detroit.
Police confirmed today (August 2) that the rapper’s death is not being treated as a homicide and there was no trauma found on his body.

While the cause of death has not been released due to pending toxicology reports, a source close to Baatin told AllHipHop.com the rapper may have died from a crack addiction or from complications related to crack cocaine use.

While funeral arrangements have not been set as of press time, a public remembrance is set to take place tonight at 5 E Gallery.

Despite Baatin‘s death, Slum Village took to the stage yesterday during the Rock The Bells Festival at Deer Lake in Vancouver, Canada.

“It's actually quite amazing," Rock The Bells founder Change Weisberg told the Calgary Sun. "I don't know that I'd be on stage right now. I might be back home with the family, but they're committed. It's probably the best thing they could do right now to keep their minds off things."

Cypress Hill has been flown in to give the second Calgary Rock The Bells stop at Shaw Millennium Park a boost of positive energy, as rap fans across the world mourn Baatin’s untimely death.

In addition to Cypress Hill, Nas, Damian Marley, Big Boi, The RZA, Reflection Eternal, Tech N9ne, Slaughterhouse and The Knux will perform today (August 2).
Article from Allhiphop.com.

We at HipHopInformant want to send our condolences out to Baatin's family and friends.

R.I.P To an AMAZING MC who's words won't be forgotten.

Slum Village stay strong and ROCK THE BELLS FOR Baatin!