Freestyle Season - Kyza

There are very few artists that I wait with massive anticipation to drop fresh material.  However, former Terra Firma member Kyza is at the very top of that list.  When he released his last mixtape, "S.O.S: Shots Of Smirnoff" a couple of years back, there was rumours that this was to be followed up by his second album-proper, "Brand New Same Old Me".  Yet despite the odd feature and various freestyles, this is sadly, yet to surface.

So imagine my delight when catching up with Twitter this morning, I discover that Mr Sayso (or Black Adam to use his his latest moniker) is offering a new mixtape as a free download; definitely the best way to start the day!  Mixed and engineered by No One Special, "Freestyle Season" is 11 tracks of Kyza putting his twist on a variety of tracks from the likes of Guilty Simpson, Common and Daft Punk to name a few.  Apparently, this is only part one of the series so the fact that there's potentially more to come make this release even more enjoyable. 

"Freestyle Season" finds Kyza at his best; effortlessly stamping his persona over the beats with the deep, metaphor laced lyrics you would come to expect from Smirnoff.  With music of this calibre, I would quite happily part with my hard earned cash so the fact that it's on offer for nothing makes it unavoidable.

Make sure you head straight to http://soundcloud.com/no-one-special/sets/kyza-aka-b-l-a-c-k-a-d-a-m/#zoomed-artwork to listen to the tracks and get your hands on this.  It's a must!

"Street Summer" on Channel 4

"This August, Channel 4 celebrates Britain's vibrant urban culture. From street dance, urban sport, street art and graffiti to rap/spoken word and hip hop, Street Summer explores the world of contemporary urban cool."

I'd heard little a bit previously but after seeing the advert this afternoon, it's looking like my TV set'll be locked to Channel 4 over the upcoming weeks!  Featuring a series of programmes such as Akala's documentary "Life In Rhyme", focusing on rap and spoken word,  the Idris Elba narrated "How Hip Hop Changed The World" and Banksy's brilliant "Exit Through The Gift Shop", the Street Summer season will hopefully broaden the horizons of the viewers and hip hop culture in the UK.

With features from Professor Green, Wretch 32, Ms. Dynamite, Faith SFX, Akala, Mz. Bratt alongside an epic soundtrack, the trailer alone is well worth a watch.  Make sure you keep your eyes on the TV guide or check out more at - http://www.channel4.com/programmes/street-summer/articles/street-summer



You Need Me, I Don't Need You - Ed Sheeran



Following on from the success of "The A Team", Ed Sheeran has released the video his follow up single, "You Need Me, I Don't Need You".  It's safe to say that without this song and his accompanying SB.TV A64 session, Ed Sheeran would be nowhere near becoming the household name that he deserves to be.  When discussing with my girlfriend that this would be his next release, we were both unsure as to whether or not the energy of this track would transfer to the commercial market.

Perhaps this was taken into consideration by label management as unlike "The A Team", the track has been reworked and given a new, somewhat processed feel.  On first listening, I was somewhat disappointed with the outcome and felt that the energy of what could easily be considered his signature track was lost in translation.  However, on review, as the track progresses and with the addition of the brilliant third verse (missing from the original EP release), the status quo is restored and helps to maintain the importance of "You Need Me" in Ed Sheeran's rise to prominence.

"You Need Me, I Don't Need You" will feature on his forthcoming debut album, "+",  due out on 12th September.  Pre-order now on iTunes - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/preorder/id448410899

Back To Business...

Sorry for the absence people, I've been having a little downtime in Spain but time to get this moving again!

At Your Inconvenience - Professor Green

After a highly successful 2010, Professor Green returns with new material from his forthcoming second album, "At Your Inconvenience".  Since his Jump Off battle days, Green to me has always been a punchline pro (apologies for the pun) and the title track from the album find him at his humourous best.  The infectious, head bopping beat is a winner and with his crude and often lewd social commentary, it takes me back to his "Lecture No.1" days.  The rawness of the production alongside PG's entertaining lyrics will surely quell the doubters who questioned the commercially tinged "Alive 'Till I'm Dead" and restore any lost faith in Professor Green.

The second album, "At Your Inconvenience" is due out this autumn.

My Soul - Lowkey

Due to the fact that he's probably my favourite MC period, I always get excited when I get to hear new material from Lowkey.  Once again teaming up with the guys at GlobalFaction to shoot the video, Kizzy maintains the extremely high standard that we've come to expect of him and drops some serious bars; ever the conscious, thought provoking lyricist. Coupled with the soulful, melodic beat, this is Lowkey in his finest form.  His album "Soundtrack To The Struggle" is well overdue and if recent tweets about final tracklisting and mastering are anything to go by, it should hopefully see the light of day very soon!

Follow him on twitter to keep up to date - @lowkeymusic1 

A64: Fast Car - Maxsta

Another A64 session, another cracking video from SB.TV. This time round it's Maxsta's turn in the spotlight with his take on Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car". Much as I love grime music, I definitely feel that it elevates to different level when you replace the stereotypical energy of the beat with the rawness of an MC and an acoustic guitar for company. You're simply left with the natural talent; poignant and honest lyrics with no distraction. It kind of reminds me of an old video below of Ghetts; it carries a similar vibe and to me seems much more powerful than him in his more traditionally grimey element.