Saturday 31 December 2011

Early Happy New Year post!



2012 is nearly here! I said it before but, I'll say it again. Hip-Hop has been mixed this year. We've had the dance-type tracks and we've had some good albums.

Look forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for the Hip-Hop world and I'm excited to see Underground artists change their music, get it out to everyone and really make people listen and say "This is some fresh sh*t!"

Want to say a HUGE thank you and shout-out to my homie, Hired Gun - much love going out to him for letting me listen to his new project and just generally supporting me all throughout the whole, HipHopInformant process and I look forward to hearing "Nice Guys Finish".
Shout-outs going to all my people all over the world, and of course to you guys - the readers my Hip-Hop heads!

Have a great New Year - have fun and stay safe and I'll be back here soon.

I'm going to leave you with a few new tracks, some old just a collection of some stuff I've listened to. I will have "The Evolution of Hip-Hop Volume 3" up here soon, had a couple of technical difficulties with it.

Peace.

HipHopInformant - Let's do it BIG in 2012!

Elemint - Portraits In The Sand:



Nio Tha Gift & Tajai (SOM) - Freestyle:



Blaktrix ft. Ralph Rip Shit - No Drama:



Kasha - Fire In The Booth (Charlie Sloth) :



And of Course:

Why This Kolaveri Di:



HAPPY NEW YEAR! R.I.P Heavy D.

Thursday 29 December 2011

My Fellow American - Pledge, Support & Change!





What's good Hip-Hop heads! As you may know I've been supporting the My Fellow American project and wanted to let you know about some information and hopefully get you to pledge your support and spread the word.

Now for those of you that are asking what this project is all about, let me tell you. Islamophobia is still a problem in America. It has increasingly been used as a way to victimize Muslims in America. Now after certain events in the world this has increased, and the perceptions that "All Muslims are terrorists" is not true.
This project aims to change those perceptions and say that Muslims are Americans too, we are all equal. This is something I strongly believe in. You should not be picked-out or abused in the street because you follow a different faith, you wear religious clothing or you are a different colour.

So guys please pledge your support, spread the word about this project and spread this blog post and the link around and let's make some changes.

It may even change your perceptions too.

Here's the link: www.myfellowamerican.us



HipHopInformant - Peace.

Monday 26 December 2011

Enjoy these Tracks & Happy New Year!



What's good Hip-Hop heads! Apologies for not posting for a while I've been so busy with a lot of projects and Uni stuff I havent been able to post. I'll try and get some regular posts on here in the new year.

This is a just a quick post to tell you that this year's been mad. The Arab Uprising, Occupy Movement and the London riots have all made headlines and changed the way the world operates and even challenged people's perceptions of the world. Remember WE can make a change, we are all revolutionaries.

Happy holidays, be safe and have a great new year. Here are a few tracks to inspire you for any new year's parties or just to expose you to some new tracks. Enjoy these and the holidays!

Sway featuring. Lupe Fiasco - Still Speeding Remix:



Basic Vocab - Our Day In The Sun:



Clement Marfo & The Frontline - Overtime:



Jay Electronica - Exhibit C (prod. Just Blaze):



Gappy Ranks featuring Russian & Collie Buddz - Tun Up Remix:



Let's do it BIG in 2012 - HipHopInformant

Friday 7 October 2011

Full Spectrum Vol. 3 Mixtape Free Download!


What's good people! So, as I've said before, Hip-Hop is worldwide. We have artists in every part of the world and we need to make sure that all artists are given a platform, to show their talent.
People believe that Hip-Hop is only prevalent in the U.S but, it is a worldwide movement.

Here's a free mixtape for all of you guys that really shows that and it features Hired Gun's track : Real recognize real - which can I say never fails to amaze me, the lyricism, delivery and production just leaves me speechless and this is what I mean when I say REAL Hip-Hop.

Take this link, spread it around and let's get this music heard!

Click the pic or click the link below to get this mixtape!



HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives, Works & Plays Here!

Friday 30 September 2011

A sit down with the Cornel West Theory by Mikal Amin Lee



What's good Hip-Hop heads! So apologies for this rather sporadic posting - been extremely busy. Just to keep you update, I'm working on some Interviews and trying to finish off "The Evolution of Hip-Hop Volume III" Mix-tape so look out for that and before I post the link anywhere you guys will get it first! I have some real Club-Bangers on there and then some Hood- Classiks and I hope that you do all enjoy it.

My very good friend Hired Gun did an Interview with Cornel West. Now for those of you that don't know, Cornel West is a Civil Rights activist, Actor, Philosopher, Author and Critic. He often delves into topics that are not freely discussed and is a very interesting man.

Peep the exclusive and enjoy this amazing Article:



A brand new theory on the shape of Hip Hop….A sit down with the Cornel West Theory

By Mikal Amin Lee

Most of the time (probably 99 percent of the time) when you think about Washington D.C. you think of one thing, Politics. If you do happen to know the rich history of D.C.’s cultural and musical legacy, you may drift to Punk (Bad Brains), or maybe Jazz (Duke Ellington) or GoGo (Chuck Brown). But Hip-Hop? Not really. Despite technically being a part of the “East Coast” and “Down South” as well as being the home to noted artists such as Asheru, Oddisee, and now Wale, D.C. hasn't been acknowledged for its rap music.

On the rooftop of a Sheraton Hotel nestled on the crossroads of SoHo and the West Village I spoke with the group that could change all of that; The Cornel West Theory. Most of the group, (minus Yvonne Gilmore) including Dr. West were in town to promote their second release, “The Shape of Hip Hop to Come” and perform later that evening at the famed S.O.B's. The group founded in 2004 consists of Sam Levine (Drums), Rashad Dobbins (Vocals), John Wesley Moon (vocals/production/percussion), Tim Hicks (Vocals, Composition), Katrina Lorraine Starr (Vocalists/percussion), Yvonne Gilmore(Vocals) plus their friend, mentor and muse Dr. Cornel West.

Their name ultimately was co-signed as Dr. West tells it when Tim Hicks approached him at a book signing in D.C. and asked him if it was ok to use the name. “I said I'd be honored, humbled, delighted and full of joy for such a group, if in fact that group preserved the dignity of poor people, working people, oppressed people, and was sensitive to the struggle of black folk in America. Then he preceded to lay out a group that met every possible criteria I could have had”. Problem solved. The group's sound can't be labeled or named, (an often overstated claim of music nowadays...but in this case, the truth) which makes sense as they rattled off influences that ran the gamut of human existence, from the Wailers to Ornette Coleman to Eric Dolphy to physics. “What if (Sam) Beckett Rapped? What if Frederick (Douglas) Rapped?” were questions Rashad Dobbins asked himself in his own personal journeys as a lyricist. John Wesley Moons broke it down further, “Its not just musically inspired. We're inspired by literature, film , dance, it all just kind of leaks in, it starts with us having great conversations about things, and then that unites us to say, let's try that musically”.

All in all, the make up of the group while being diverse (I'll let you look up which one is an ordained minister, and no its not Dr. West) is not only bonded in their eclectic taste, but their tough love relationship with their hometown of D.C. .The group having grown up inside the beltway has experienced all of its many phases, and perspectives. It is a place that is misinterpreted, misunderstood, and underestimated. The seat of power for the country is what Katrina Starr calls “The Eye of the Storm” where multiple worlds and language codes exist. To simply survive in D.C. you develop a new double consciousness not simply to defend yourself but also to thrive. “The Shape of Hip Hop to Come”, their second album reveals that consciousness to the world in their own way, and the group wants to make sure they get it right...”Suffering is not a secret and it is not a celebration” she continued “I want to be very careful with the music I'm putting out, I don't want to celebrate that I'm coming from a low place, because that's not necessarily true. Coming from a low place even if that is true doesn't validate your perspective over someone else. Its not something to be celebrated but its not something to be ignored” . “D.C. is a big illusion, it is a beautiful coffin” added Tim Hicks “We're trying to reflect that D.C. is not just the white buildings that you see with the Roman Greek architecture its not just Capital Hill, its people's waking up every morning figuring out how am I going to survive.”
“We Love D.C., its the city that made us” John continues “Our families are there, its where we went to school, there's a lot of love there. We want to be a part of the legacy that comes out of that city. We want to show that D.C. is not dead that it is alive, it is vibrant, it has beautiful people in it and we're a part of that.” Its within this crucible that you begin to understand the drive of this group whose first record was as Dr. West puts it, “Hip Hop's first album in history about America as an empire”.

The answer to that album (Second Rome), is why we were all sitting atop the Sheraton looking out over the skyline of a Post 9/11 New York City. A city in its own right that has multiple personalities, with a degree from the school of hard knocks as well. The look and feel of the individuals in front of me was as powerful as their sound; warm, inviting, but all business. If their first album, “Second Rome” was a critique of the American Empire, their latest offering, “The Shape of Hip Hop to Come” could only be encapsulated by Dr. West's description, “You have an album that is a critique of the imperial state of mind ”. The group's self awareness, the challenge of coming out of D.C. as a sonically innovative, socially aware hip hop group while offering up gemstar sharp commentary on the most powerful city in the most powerful country in the world isn't putting them under pressure. John puts it in his own terms ”For me, no one is taking chances, there is such a lack of courage, this is how I want to say it, this is how I want to present it, regardless of the audience. Taking chances, being courageous, spreading out the spectrum of what things can sound like, what can songs be about, where can songs actually go.”


In a time where what passes as “revolutionary” often is dressed up in high end designer brands, or whittled down to thirty second vulgar shock value sound bites (like screaming rape in a crowded women's dressing room or eating bugs) The Theory wants to give you that weight. Soul by the metric ton with an eye on the future, an ear to the past and their foot on the gas (and the other foot probably in a politician's ass). None of this is lost on Dr. West, who sums up The Cornel West Theory profoundly “As an Older Brother for me it was what Marvin Gaye explained from the depths of his soul. Save the babies. And What's going on. We're not going to save the babies unless we bridge the gap”.

The Shape of Hip Hop to Come was releaed in July, 2011. For more info on the group check out http://www.thecornelwesttheory.com.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

R.I.P DJ Mehdi - Good Music, Great DJ, Awesome Artist.



What's good Hip-Hop heads? So, how have you been guys? Been working on "The Evolution of Hip-Hop Volume Three Mixtape" and hopefully will have it finished and up for you soon!

So today I heard the sad news that an amazing DJ has died.
DJ Mehdi is an amazing DJ who's worked with artists such as Chromeo and Daft Punk and produced some awesome tracks and an awesome album called, "Lucky Boy" out on Ed Banger Records and will be missed.

R.I.P DJ Medhi.

Below are some of my favourite tracks of his:

DJ Mehdi - I Am Somebody ft. Chromeo:


DJ Mehdi - Signatune (Original Mix) - (A favourite of mine):


DJ Mehdi - Pocket Piano - (Love this track):


DJ Mehdi - Encore Et Encore (Instrumental):



Monday 29 August 2011

My Fellow American Project- challenging perceptions...



What's good Hip-Hop heads! Been a while since I posted again, apologies been really busy. Working on getting "The Evolution of Hip-Hop Volume Three" completed. Received an E-mail from someone from My Fellow American. She sent me a link to a video that shows how Muslims are stigmatized as being terrorists. Narrow-minded people feel that it's OK to label normal, hard-working people with this term because of their religion. It's an interesting project and I think the aim is to try and stop this labeling and show that Muslims are like you an me, well of course they are, they are people with families, they are Lawyers, Doctors, members of Society like you and me. I think this is a great idea and I hope it does change and challenges the perceptions of people that think Muslims are "bad" or are terrorists.

What really gets me is that the fact that "Ignorance breeds fear" how can people fear something they know nothing about? Is it because of the media? Is it because other people are doing the same?

Here's a video that Russel Simmons created together with the project :



Here's the My Fellow American video:



Here's the link to the site, have a look, pass it around : http://myfellowamerican.us/

Enjoy, spread the link around and maybe challenge your own perceptions too...

Peace.

HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives Here!

Sunday 21 August 2011

Few Things for you and Update...



What's good Hip-Hop heads! Been a while since I posted something so I apologize for that. Been working on "The Evolution of Hip-Hop Volume 3" will post that to all of you well before I sent id around so stay tuned for that.

Here's an Interview I did with an amazing artist from the UK called Brotherman, click the picture to read the Interview in full :



Hope you enjoy that, remember to rate it!

Picked a few videos for you too just a few things that I've been listening to and that have been floating around, enjoy these and I will try and post as regularly as I can for all you guys.

Watsky - Show goes on (Lupe Fiasco mini-mix)



Not exactly Hip-Hop but, Gappy Ranks is an amazing artist from the UK and I'm feeling this track. It's a summer tune so enjoy this.

Gappy Ranks - Girl Next Door (Dutty Romance Riddim)



Amazing Video and amazing lyrics with this one.

The Grouch - ARTSY



Lastly a Soulful track by a guy I recently discovered. This guy is talented.

We All Try - Frank Ocean (Sid Sriram Cover)



Peace.

HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives here!

Thursday 9 June 2011

Luc Skyz & Mr Drastick - Nothing Wrong video (UK Hip-Hop steps up)



HipHopInformant is back in action! Been very hectic so hopefully I can get back and give you a good dose of Hip-Hop excellence.

In Hip-Hop the UK doesn't get recognized as a formidable force but, there are artist the rep the UK to the fullest and thanks to "Fire In the Booth" (Thanks to Charlie Sloth and BBC Radio 1Xtra) I've come across some amazing artist that have the talent that is needed to show that the UK, possesses some real strength in the Hip-Hop game.

Check this out and enjoy.

Luc Skyz & Mr Drastick - Nothing Wrong:



HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives here.

Saturday 7 May 2011

Nine High- Cookout (M-Phazes Remix) Official Video!



Exam season is here!!! So I wont be here for a while, got some stuff for all you Hip-Hop heads, homegrown Hip-Hop!

Enjoy-Keep revising it'll be over soon! I'm in the same situation, keep at it!



HipHopInfomant - Few more months then it's all over!

Friday 22 April 2011

Yauncey - Why'z Talk Pt. 2 Video!



What's good people! So I've been studying and studying, which is why I haven't been able to update this but, when I have some free time I will update it properly.

Found this thought I'd share it with you going to try and hook up an Interview with this dude so stay tuned for that - for all those studying, revising - stay in there a few months then you can chill, relax and listen to some real Hip-Hop!

Peace.


Friday 18 March 2011

French Hip-Hop - France has the Game on Lock!




What's good people! So, Yeah I know I havent been around for a while, just been really busy seriously. So, some people may know that the HipHopInformant has been listening to some Hip-Hop from France. These artists have some serious skill and the production of the tracks is done with precision and yeah the tracks just got me hooked.

So I encourage you to go check out some of these artists on Youtube. Some names to search for are; Carnardo, La Fouine, Hocus Pocus, Nessbeal...Hip-Hop is worldwide remember it's not just confined to the US, the US are the main players in the Game but I think we need to show them that Europe has got the game on lock and we will continue to grow!

So here is a track by Hocus Pocus, I may post some others in the week depending on how much time I have. Enjoy!

Hocus Pocus - recycle:



Hocus Pocus - J'attends:



Canardo - Petit Enfant Soldat:



Hocus Pocus - Malade:


Sunday 27 February 2011

Some thoughts...




Wow a whole month since I hit you guys with anything related to Hip-Hop, my bad guys been really busy with things but, I'm going to give you a track and some really good thoughts by this guy on youtube so hope you enjoy it. Look out for some Interviews with artists from the UK with a LOT of talent.

Lyricism and Capitalism:



Jay-Z ft. Lil Wayne - Summer In Brooklyn:



HipHopInformant - We Live Hip-Hop!

Tuesday 1 February 2011

Poetic Pilgrimage ft. Mohammed Yahya - Silence Is Consent Video!



Good evening Hip-Hop heads! So, I'm all sure you've seen what's been going on in Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia. It's bad situation for the people to be in but I stand with Egypt and Yemen and Tunisia and Palestine and any othe country that is fighting against injustice.

Poetic Pilgrimage have relesaed a video called Silence Is Consent and here it is.

Here is what they had to say about the video: We are very excited to announce that our second video shot by GlobalFactions is out now.

Silence is Consent is a collaboration with Mozambican Hip Hop Activist Mohammed Yahya, this hard-hitting political anthem ‘Silence is Consent’ addresses the failure of our so-called leaders throughout the world to serve and protect the people.

From Egypt to Tunisia, Yemen to Saudi Arabia, Somalia to Bahrain and everywhere else where injustices take place daily.



HipHopInformant - People of Palestine, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan wherever you are we got you!

Saturday 29 January 2011

Mohammed Yahya - Beyond Conflict album FREE download!



What's good Hip-Hop heads? An amazing artist from here in the UK called Mohammed Yahya is giving away his new album called Beyond Conflict for free, so I'm sending you the link and stuff, I've had a listen to it and it's pretty dope so make sure you get a copy and send the link around!

Here's what Mohammed had to say about the project: This 14 Track project is a compilation of unreleased material as well as some released songs and it features collaborations with internationally respected artists such as M1 from Dead Prez, Sean Price (Heltah Skeltah), Faith SFX, Kyza, UK Apache, Poetic Pilgrimage, Masikah and many more.

Click on the link or click on the pic to download the album also check out the Interview we did with Mohammed here: http://hiphopinformant.blogspot.com/2010/02/mohammed-yahya-hip-hop-gets-conscious.html

Album Link:
http://mohammedyahya.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-conflict



HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives here!

Monday 17 January 2011

B.McCoy- Chicago native bringing Hip-Hop back!







B. McCoy (Brandon Cassidy McCoy) a Southside Chicago native is the top of his age bracket. As an artist with a will to compete, grow, and financially expand, he plans to change the minds of those who say HIP HOP is DEAD. From the streets of Chicago and valleys of Cali he plans to take over and SHOW EVERYBODY HOW IT’S DONE.

Wednesday 12 January 2011

B. McCoy Shout Out and EXCLUSIVE 16 BARS!




Another post for you guys, I recently did an Interview with B. McCoy and he did a shout-out for the blog and also did a quick 16 Bars for us check the exclusive video and look out for the Interview which will be up soon.

Peace.



HipHopInformant - 2011 let's get it...

Land Far Away - Poetic Pilgrimage (Video)



What's good Hip-Hop heads! Happy New Year. To start off the new year I'm going to post a fresh track from some of the realest artists in the Hip-Hop Industry and I hope I can get people to understand what I mean when I say -

"Anyone can be a rapper, it takes talent to be a Hip-Hop artist."


So check the video and enjoy, also check out the Interview we did with Poetic Pilgrimage here:

http://hiphopinformant.blogspot.com/2009/12/hip-hop-its-lyrical-art-form.html




HipHopInformant - 2011 let's get it...

Sunday 2 January 2011

B McCoy - Gone Now (Dope Track!)




HAPPY NEW YEAR HIP-HOP HEADS! Hope you had a good start to the year.
So, I looked up this dude last year (sounds like a long time ago now), and I thought this track was so on point seriously. I had to share it with you guys, so look out for an Interview with this dude soon hopefully and a review - enjoy the track.

B McCoy - Gone Now.



HipHopInformant - Hip-Hop Lives here! (Happy 2011!)