UK Rap Up 2011 - Mystro

It's that time of the year peeps.  Premiered on Charlie Sloth's show this morning, MysDiggi's back once again to recap on the year's events.  It pretty much does what it says on the tin so if you've been living under a rock or just have an awful memory, make sure you kick back and get your ears around this.  Proper visuals should be on the way soon, keep it locked...

Xmas Freebies From LDZ, The Quaranteam, Ghetts & Tinchy Stryder

Christmas seems to bring out the generous side of the music community, with no less than four different artists dropping projects free of charge for your listening pleasure.  Starting off the festive festivities is the "Catfood LP" from the LDZ (London Zoo) family.  Weighing in at a hefty 22 tracks and features from the likes of Stig Of The Dump, Dubbledge, Jam Baxter & Verbal, the genre-spanning sextet drop musical delights throughout and add another enjoyable offering to their already versatile discography.  If you don't know about LDZ already, get to know! Check out http://ldzmusic.bandcamp.com/

Following swiftly on it's heels is "#TheQuaranteamEP from funnily enough, The Quaranteam. Consisting of Loudmouth Melvin, Pyro Barz, KNite13, Mentalist & Skillit, their 8 track EP is a perfect showcase for their lyrical talents and is a massive indicator that these guys are definitely a collective to keep your eyes on.  Check out http://q-team.tumblr.com/ for more music from the team.

Kicking of a double dose of Grime is the much anticipated project from one of the scene's stalwarts, Ghetts.  The latest in a line of UK artists to collaborate with US mixtape veteran DJ Whoo Kid, "Momentum" finds Ghetts at his aggressive and energetic peak, verbally attacking each and every of the 19 tracks on offer.  Unlike the artists who have tried to pander to American audiences with their US hook-ups, Ghetts sticks to what he knows and does the best; raw and gritty music.

Wrapping it up is everyone's favourite pint-sized popstar, Tinchy Stryder, returning to his roots with his 8 track EP, "The Wish List".  With features from his Ruff Sqwad cohorts on their ode to anti-establishment on the brilliantly titled "Mario Ballotelli", alongside the statement track "Grime Veterans" with the aforementioned Ghetts, Stryder's latest project proves the point that those artists that 'emerge' from a thriving underground scene to perhaps water themselves down for the mainstream, always make better music when they stay true to their beginnings.

Click the relevant artwork for the downloads.  Merry Christmas peeps...

Don't Flop - Uno Lavoz V Lunar C

Short & Sweet.  As a little crimbo treat, the team at Don't Flop have finally dropped the visuals for Uno Lavoz versus Lunar C.  This is probably the best, funniest and most debatable battle I've seen from DF.  Make sure you check this, definitely takes the league to a new level.

Instrumentals Vol.1 - Show N Prove

New beat tape from one of the finest beatsmiths around right now.  Volume One consists of 10 tracks that have been vocalled by the likes of Lowkey, Skinnyman, Ghetts and Tinchy Stryder to name a few.  Show N Prove never fails to impress with his production prowess and this free download is ideal for aspiring MCs to put their spin on a host of audio delights.  Check the sampler vid and the download link below.

Download Show N Prove's "Instrumentals Vol.1" here: http://www.mediafire.com/?hxcsquaxforpi08

Essence - Logic & Last Resort ft Big Frizzle



On the eve of the release of their LP "True Talk", Logic and Last Resort team up with the GlobalFaction team to drop the video for "Essence".  Featuring Big Frizzle on chorus duties, it's the duo's ode to the origins of music's finest genre.  Feel good Hip Hop at it's head-nodding best.  Keep it locked over the next couple of days for a review of the new album and from midnight, make sure you head to iTunes and download "True Talk" - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/true-talk/id477199020

Montu Arts - Cyclonious

I love it when I check my inbox and there's some fresh music waiting for me!  This time around, it takes the form of East London based Cyclonious and his free EP, "Montu Arts".  Admittedly, I hadn't heard too much from this guy before but this is definitely worth a download, it's head-nodding Hip Hop in it's prime.  The fact that he's been co-signed by GlobalFaction in the shape of the video for "Don't Sleep" should be more than enough encouragement to take note; those guys know good music when they hear it!.

"Montu Arts", produced by DJ Vital, is a well selected blend of dope beats and thoughtful wordplay and acts as somewhat of a prelude to Cyclonious' debut album, "The Revival", which is due out early next year.  Follow @Cyclonious to keep up to date and download "Montu Arts" here - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QBOGBSI7

Happy Birthday EP - Tinie Tempah

New EP from Tinie Tempah, entitled "Happy Birthday".  Available free of charge, the 9 tracks feature artists from home and across the pond. It's definitely targeted more towards enhancing the appeal in the states as it's somewhat lacking that homegrown vibe that Tinie came up on.  Regardless, it's a decent listen.  Catch the download link after the tracklisting.

1. Happy Birthday
2. Mayday - ft Chipmunk & Soulja Boy
3. Leak-a-Mixtape - ft Giggs
4. Like It Or Love It - ft Wretch32 & J. Cole
5. Till I’m Gone (Remix) - ft Wiz Khalifa, Pusha T & Jim Jones
6. 100K - ft G-Frsh, Tinchy Stryder, Krept & Konan
7. Lucky C**t - ft Big Sean
8. F**k It I’m Gone - ft J. Warner
9. You Know What

Download "Happy Birthday EP" here: http://www.djbooth.net/index/mixtapes/entry/tinie-tempah-happy-birthday/ (You need to click the "tweet to download" button.  You don't need to post anything; once the box pops up, close it and  the button should now read "download").

My Truth - Genesis Elijah

This is deep!  Genesis Elijah is back with a video for his undeniably heartfelt track, "My Truth", taken from his upcoming EP "Painkillers & Pilkington".  I rate Elijah massively and genuinely believe that he is one of the most gifted and creative social commentators around right now.  Follow the man himself on Twitter for more release info and general realness - @GenesisElijah

Soundtrack To The Struggle - Lowkey

When Lowkey drops a video these days, it's pretty much guaranteed that the folks at GlobalFaction are responsible for the visuals. This time around it's the intro, title and one of the standout tracks from his latest LP. I needn't add anything else, it speaks for itself.  Enjoy...

The Digital Revolution Vol.6 - UK Runnings

UK Runnnings have dropped the latest instalment of their "Digital Revolution" mixtape series, this time around with Skribblah DanGogh taking up the role of host.  Featuring remixes from his brilliant "The Little White Dot" LP, alongside tracks from the likes of Stylah, Kyza, Dubbledge, Genesis Elijah, M9, Farma G and Cyrus Malachi to namedrop a few, Volume 6 shapes up to be one of the best yet.  Once again, it's available for your listening pleasure free of charge.  Check the tracklist and the download links below.

1 – Skriblah DanGogh – Intro
2 – Skriblah DanGogh – The Little White Dot
3 – Kingpin ft Kyza, Manage, Stig Of The Dump, Dubbledge – Fire (Remix)
4 – Ray Vendetta ft Cyrus Malachi, M9 & Teknical Development – Whistle Stop
5 – Late ft Jabba Tha Kut – Enter The Sector
6 – Skriblah DanGogh – Welcome to the Real World (Remix)
7 – Iron Braydz – DMC
8 – Phoenix Da Icefire – Back To The Essence
9 – Big Cakes & Raggo Zulu Rebel – Come Around
10 – Big Dutty Deeze – I Rep Mine
11 – Sir Tomz ft Nih’illi – What You Know About
12 – Stylah – Mad
13 – Lifescarz aka Mic Terror ft Farma G – Its So Hard
14 – Skriblah DanGogh – SOS Remix
15 – Ms Tempz – Realize
16 – Genesis Elijah – Crazy World
17 – Supar Novar – No Favours
18 – Ruthless – Given Up
19 – Big Ben – Tomorrow
20 – Skriblah DanGogh – Outro

http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/f3y519
http://www.downloadamixtape.com/?page_id=195&mixtape_id=2611
http://www.datpiff.com/mixtapes-detail.php?id=291449

You Alone (A64) - Tyler Daley

The latest A64 from SB.TV comes in the shape of Manchester's Tyler Daley.  Perhaps more recognisable through his moniker Hoodman or his stint as Warren in "Dubplate Drama", Daley drops an acoustic version of his new track, "Baby You Alone".  I didn't realise that he sang, let alone as smoothly and soulfully as he does here.  Daley then proceeds to compliment his singing with some deep, thought-provoking bars.  Stripped-back, conscious music at it's finest.

HF TV - Dirty Dike, BVA MC & Leaf Dog



First off, I've got to massively big up High Focus for sticking my reviews and posts about "The Four Owls" on both their website (http://www.high-focus.com) and their Facebook page. Much Respect!!  If you're either musically challenged or just plain lazy and haven't yet got a hold of "Nature's Greatest Mystery", then make sure you do pronto!  As for the video in question, two of the four Owls; BVA and Leaf Dog, accompanied by Dirty Dike, take turns to deliver some serious bars in this HF TV freestyle session.  These guys never fail to drop lyrical gems and the accompanying visuals act as a small indication of the rapidly expanding pool of talent that calls High Focus headquarters home.

Here I Am - Supar Novar

Just a quick heads up here folks.  After dropping his instrumental EP a couple of weeks back, Supar Novar returns with his latest mixtape, entitled "Here I Am".  Once again a free download, it features the likes of Dappy, Big Ben, MCD, Ragz Sweet Jones and boasts production credits from Farma G, Show N Prove as well as beats from the man himself.  Novar rarely fails to deliver and as it won't hurt your pocket, download "Here I Am" from http://www.mediafire.com/?0lk8ycksyydqv2x

Lonely Are The Brave (Album Sampler) - Maverick Sabre

I've been a massive fan of Maverick Sabre for some time now. His distinctive sound has complimented several genres, showcased in his brilliant "Travelling Man" mixtape and "Lost Words" EP, resulting in features for the likes of Chase & Status and Professor Green.  After a brilliant reception for singles "Let Me Go" and "I Need", Mav is set to release his debut album, "Lonely Are The Brave", on 6th February next year.  Including a couple of tracks from his earlier mixtape, alongside his chilling rendition of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come",  I'm adamant that 2012 will be the year that Maverick Sabre becomes a household name and receives the recognition he rightly deserves.  Check out the interactive sampler for "Lonely Are The Brave" below and pre-order the LP from, amongst many other places, here: http://www.play.com/Music/CD/4-/19475987/-/Product.html



Steamrolling - Jack Flash & Wizard/ Don't Flop: TT9 - Jack Flash V Depths

Got some up north niceness for you guys, courtesy of Huddersfield's Jack Flash.  First up is the video to one of the tracks from his upcoming project with production genius Wizard, the brilliant 'Steamrolling'.  He dropped this a couple of months back but having enlisted Paul Cockcroft to assist with the visuals, the levels are well and truly upped!  Following swiftly on is Flash's Don't Flop debut against Glaswegian MC, Depths.  I don't want to spoil the outcome so make sure you watch this as there punchlines galore and far to many quotables for me to even fathom highlighting; it's one of the funniest I've watched for a while.  The Jack Flash and Wizard LP "Progression" is due out on 31st January.  Keep it locked for more info...

Rappertag UK #4 - Rodney P

So maybe he wasn't as quick to respond as the other participants but the Rodney P adds his instalment to the Rappertag chain.  The Riddim Killa lives up to his name (albeit an acapella session!) and once again, raises the stakes with his choice of who to pass the metaphorical 'baton' on to.

Connect The Spidf - Buggsy ft Jehst & Farma G

Another piece of the South West for your listening pleasure.  Although taken from his debut album "The Great Escape" which was released back in May, St Paul's Buggsy has dropped fresh visuals for "Connect The Spidff".  Conveniently whilst Buggsy was visiting the Northern boroughs of London, Farma G and Jehst were sharing 'tea and condiments' together one evening and ended up jumping on on the track. Check the video and all the bullshit will make perfect sense!  Whilst Buggsy holds his own with the two veterans, personally I think Farma absolutlely kills it.  If you wanna hear more of "The Great Escape", head to iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-great-escape/id436207159 and for more from Buggsy and news on a potential project with Joker, follow him on Twitter -  @Bugnum1

Nature's Greatest Mystery (Review)- The Four Owls

I may have been a little slow on the uptake in learning of this project and despite that being just under a month ago, I can't think of an album that I've waited for with as much anticipation as "Nature's Greatest Mystery" from The Four Owls.  With a stellar line up consisting of 'Big Owl' (Fliptrix), 'Bird T' (Verb T), 'Deformed Wing' (Leaf Dog) and 'Rusty Take-Off' (BVA), the LP ran the risk of four established and undeniably talented artists vying for a spot in the limelight.  However, High Focus' parliament of poets juxtapose and compliment one another perfectly in order to craft quite possibly one of the best albums of the year.

"The Owls, we're like a colony, we bring the real music back like it's supposed to be.."

"Nature's Greatest Mystery" takes the listener somewhat of an aural expedition.  After a brief introduction with the emphatic horn laced, Phone Shop sampling mockumentary (A OWL!!), we embark upon an eccentric journey; taking in the energetic highs of "Lights Off", "Betrayal" and the Q-Unique featuring "Champions"; through the mellow, head-nodding come downs of "Original", "Three Hits To The Dome" and "Burning Vapour"; stopping at the reflective "All My Life" and "Life In The Balance" with Jam Baxter and out the other side with the brash, Dirty Dike assisted "Much Too Much".

Due to production credits being the sole responsibility of Leaf Dog, the underlying current throughout remains the quartet's relentless lyricism; with all employing their unique sound and delivery to verbally desecrate each and everyone of Deformed Wing's 14 epic instrumentations.  It's apparent that any potential egos that may or may not have existed have been cast aside and the collective have been, to excuse the pun, highly focused on producing a hip hop masterpiece.

Ultimately, it goes without saying that "Nature's Greatest Mystery" is a more than valuable addition to any true head's collection and it's a snip at £5.99.  Hit up iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/natures-greatest-mystery/id479945454 or if you're wanting a physical copy, check out http://www.high-focus.com/home/shop/thefourowls/ or http://www.suspect-packages.com/artists/r-t/THE_FOUR_OWLS.php

Clear My Throat - Klashnekoff

Klashnekoff is back on the scene and repping the West Country (brrap!!) with the video for his latest track, "Clear My Throat".  Shot in Weston-Super-Mare, K-lash takes The 45 King's "The 900 Number" and stamps his trademark energetic flow all over the old school classic.  Taken from his upcoming mixtape, "FTLT" (Fuck The Long Talk), it's simple yet effective and showcases that K-lash is still one of the finest lyricists around right now.  Big up South Blessed for their work behind the lens. Make sure you check out their community channel for everything South West related at http://www.southblessed.co.uk