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Its Oh So Quiet

Its damn quiet here in the office today, so for once I thought I’d take some time out to pop a little summin’ summin’ up on here for a change. I threw up the Scarface video earlier today – if you’re hating on that track, you’re obviously a joker, so jog on. Not much has been moving on the hip-hop front down here in the South Easy. No big shows of any size, and nothing seems to be on the radar either. This time of year is always a quiet one as the students start drifting back to their famalams, and the cold weather seems to stop people wanting to travel further than is strictly necessary in search of a good night out.

If you haven’t heard it yet, go check out the new Wu Tang long player – 8 Diagrams. Aside from a few minor irritations (I’m not a big fan of some of the singing up on there) its definitely a return to form for the crew from the 1-6-Oooooh. There are some on fire verses from Meth and Ghost – fuck it, all of the Clan bring the heat during the course of the LP, obviously dedicated to the man ODB (Rest in peace Ol’ Dirty!). So go find yourself a copy and get into that kung-fu frame of mind. Wu-Tang Clan still ain’t nuttin’ to fuck wit’.

Anyway, its time for the random Fantana Reports Top 10. On fire my good man.

1./ Girl You Know - Scarface
2./ Posse From The Bronx – Camp Lo (Black Hollywood LP)
3./ I’m So Hood Remix (yes, really) – DJ Khaled feat. Jeezy, Luda, Busta, etc.
4./ Ego Trip – Dubbledge ft/ Skrein (Richest Man in Babylon LP)
5./ Weak Spot – Wu Tang Clan (8 Diagrams LP)
6./ Prove Me Wrong – Rick Ross ft/ Devin The Dude
7./ We Gon Ride – Saigon ft/ Tru Life
8./ Stop, Look, Listen – Statik Selektah ft/ Styles P, Termanology & Q-Tip
9./ Get Naked You Beezy – The Federation
10./ Popos – Turf Talk ft/ E-40 (West Coast Vaccine LP)

And a big special shout to my man 184 who has put the finishing touches on his remix of my track Ill Padrino, as well as G-Petz laid down some ill chops in the hook. I’ll link it up on my myspace as soon as I get a second.

F

Scarface ft/ Trey Songs: Girl You Know

Big Big tune from Mr Scarface...

3 Lions In The Dirt

What a pile of shit. What a completely inept 93 minutes. That Isle-of-Wight haired twat can go and collect his P45 along with Del Boy Venables. The FA can fuck off too for taking the cheap option and promoting Second Choice Steve instead of going all out to secure Big Phil Scolari or someone who has actually done something worthwhile in football. You desk jockeys better get it right next time. The players can fuck off too. Except for LA Becks and Ten Foot Tall Timmmmmehhhh, who actually showed some passion. So much for the Gerrard/Lampard debate. I can now settle it once and for all. They are both a pile of shit. Earlier today, I ripped the shit out of a work collegue who dared to announce he'd put money on England losing. Now, I wish I'd put some scrilla on. 7 to fucking 1. I'd be able to afford to go out and drown my sorrows now if I had. Put them in a big fucking sack with some bricks, and throw it off the pier. I guess if I'm going to have to look on the plus side, my liver might be saved a good caning in the summer next year, 'cause I doubt I'll be spending it in the pub watching football...

DJ Khaled - I'm So Hood RMX

Featuring Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross... Boom.

Dubbledge Instore @ Rare Kind Gallery, Brighton

Lowlife emcee Dubbledge touched down in Brighton at the Rare Kind Gallery yesterday to promote his new album The Richest Man In Babylon, and a fantastic number of local heads turned out to support. The live procedings were kicked off by Last Minute Records' Salvo, after Daps had bumped the vibe up spinning some hot joints for the crowd who had ignored the shitty weather to represent. Salvo's been making noise recently, winning freestyle battles up in the Smoke, and over his brother 184's beats he definitely comes off well.

Next up was 'Edge, and he didn't disappoint, blasting through tracks filled with that trademark swagger and the odd story about a tramp shitting in a bin. Nasty. From Ego Trip to Da Work Out, there were some definitely big tracks on display here. Now I hadn't heard too much of Dubbledge before yesterday, just the odd guest verses I've heard on Foreign Beggars tracks and various other places, but I was impressed enough to hand over some hard earned scrilla to bag myself a copy of the LP, and it should get some heavy rotation in the coming weeks. If you get a chance to see him live, or pick up a copy of the album, then do it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Big big love to Das @ Rare Kind for sorting this out - rumour has it that there could well be another instore from someone else in December, so keep your eyes peeled.







Photos courtesy of Damian Jennings

Black Grass back @ Cargo

This Saturday - (10/11/07) - Brighton's finest, Black Grass, touch down at Cargo again for the second in a 6-month residency. Support comes from Infinite Livez, and a few other people, who I must profess never to have heard of... Anyway, come down, have a drink and a dance, and get rowdy.

New Funkdoobiest Single

Yes yes. Funkdoobiest have always been one of my favourite crews since I first threw Which Doobie U B on the stereo back in my school days. They've just announced a new LP, which should be big, if thats the kind of thing that you might be into.



Anyway, here's a link I've hijacked from Oh Word to their new single, Hip Hop. Original title I know, but look past that, and this is a pretty big slab of latino boom bap.

Hip Hop

Funkdoobiest's Myspaz page

Weng Weng

Fuck me. I've never heard of this dude Weng Weng before, but I'm pretty glad I have now. With a rap by Canadian hip-hop crew The Chuds, here's a little montage of the Filipino midget James Bond... Weng Weng Weng Weng - 2'9", He'll kick you in the nut-sack from behind... Ahem.

Slack Fucker

Yes yes yes... I know I've been slack as a slack-jawed motherfucker, but I've been mad busy down here at the Heights getting shit ready to hand to the label for my debut solo release. Got two big tunes ready and raring to go, featuring beats from the mighty Mex of Black Grass and Tom Caruana, and that shit should be going to the press for the new year I'd imagine, so you're gonna have to keep patient for the time being. Been working on a load of new stuff for various projects, keeping myself occupied with only my pen, pad, and copy of PES 2008 to keep me company. Yes yes, I know that Pro Evo ain't conducive to a fruitful productive period, but hey, a mans gotta have his outlets...

Anyway, I promise I'll get some new bits up here to keep you going real soon.

Black Grass Soundcrash the Party

Yes yes yes... that's how to throw a party. The first of the Black Grass Soundcrash nights at Shoreditch's Cargo nightclub blew away those cobwebs like a housefly suicide bomber. Big shouts out to everyone that got involved, from other artists, the organisers, to the people throwing shapes on the dancefloor.

The show got underway with a great cameo from Kid Acne and Clev Cleverley, bringing a northern spin to procedings. South Yorks, South South Yorks! Following them, came Burnley's favourite son, DJ Woody, bringing chaos to the dancefloor as arms and legs spazzed out everywhere, and the alcohol imbibed started to take control and throw flammable liquid on the fires of inhibition. The next section took on a more leftfield US steezo as NYC's Beans, formerly of Anti Pop Consortium blazed his way through a series of crazy-ass beats, paving the way for the Black Grass crew. Mex's eclectic selection of tunes brought out everyone's inner skank, and I assisted on the mic in the only way I know, and gave a first airing to some of the new tracks off the forthcoming album 3, dropping in February on Catskills if everything runs smoothly...

Anyway - if you missed out on this months, then get down to the next one. I'll post up details closer to the time for sure. After catching a quick glimpse at the flyer, the treats lined up for you in November include Infinite Livez, U-Ziq, The Shadow Orchestra and, of course, Black Grass once more... I have to admit I'm not familiar with every one of the artists, but this time next month, things will be different...

Fantana aka K-Sleazy over and out...

PS - Didn't get many decent photos from this as I hit the bottle a little too hard. I'll try again at the next one...

Black Grass & Koaste @ Soundcrash

If you're in the capital this Saturday night, get your ass(es) down to Cargo in Shoreditch for Soundcrash, this month featuring Ex Anti Pop Consortium emcee Beans, former ITF World Champion DJ Woody, and Brighton's number one eclectic party rocking outfit Black Grass, featuring none other than Koaste aka Benny Fantana on mic duties, alongside the ever present Mex behind the ones and twos. Its gonna be a big night for sure, so unless you have some other pressing matter to attend to, your presence is expected.

And in the immortal words of seminal chart dirge MN8, I've got a little something for you. And it's in the form of a video featuring DJ Woody's Flutine Routine. Chow down then bow down.

Under The Patio w/ Last Skeptik

My man Last Skeptic is letting his caustic wit leak out all over himself once again, and ruining his new t-shirt in the process. You'd better raid your dad's old shed at the bottom of the garden, ignoring all the grot mags from '82 -'84 and find yourself a sturdy trowel. Then get over and help digging, because thats the only way you'll find out who's been bodied and is currently flat sharing with Earthworm Jim under the patio...

Under The Patio

Waxheds ft/ Koaste Review

Available at Suspect Packages, Rare Kind and other reputable outlets now, the debut release from The Waxheds featuring Brighton veteran Koaste has been getting a steady stream of good reviews including this one from UKHH:

Here’s a name that will be familiar to a few of the old UKHH regulars, Koaste! This has got to be the first ‘solo’ work I’ve seen him do for years and it would appear that teaming up with The Waxheds (a production crew from Surrey) was a good little move.

The first track “Ill Padrino” is produced superbly for the title, with some rustic Italian samples immersing you in the theme of the track. The second “Menace II Sobriety” is more rowdy shit, with what sounds like some mashed up prog-rock organ thing going on. On both tracks Koaste shows his ferocious skill on the mic, dropping more footie references than I’ve heard in a minute!

On the basis of this release, two things are clear. Waxheds are a dope duo who promise great things in the future and Koaste has still got the skills to hold a track down lyrically.

Where Are They Now Pt.1

Ah... the wonderful world of myspace. Everyone's got a page. From the hottest new acts, to some of, well, the more obscure artists from rap's back catalogue. Its also a great place to check for new material from those who haven't been heard from for a while, or who did most of their best work on other people's shit.

Anyway, here's three of my personal favourites from the late 90's, with links to some of their new tracks which in my opinion are sounding dope as fuck.

1./ Lord Have Mercy

Usually found residing on various releases from the Flipmode Squidad back catalogue, LHM aka Hip Hop's Joseph Stalin was best known for his deep voice, which his fam told him sounded like the voice of God - hence the name. His track with DV Alias Khryst (see below) on the first Lyricist Lounge LP was fire.

2./ DV Alias Khryst

Located on records ranging from Smoothe Da Hustler's first LP Once Upon A Time In America to various Non Phixion releases such as Make It Happen, DV's trademark flow always seemed to add a little summink summink to spice up an otherwise average track. He's got some ill new stuff up on his page, so go chiggedy check that shit.

3./ Nine

Nine Livez was one of the first albums to really grab my attention and shake me around a bit back in my teenage years. With a voice that sounds like he's been gargling with sand after chowing down on wall cavity insulation, you'd have thought he'd have permanently ruined his voicebox by now (especially since my drunk impressions at ciphers usually end up with me coughing my guts up for the following 45mins). Anyway, I'm pleased to say he's still going, so visit his page, and sign the petition for him to record another track with Ribbit Froggy Frog*.

*This petition may only exist in my head.

This Week I Shall Mostly Be Playing...

Just got this for the 'Station. Its dope. Full stop. If anyone else is playing, drop me a comment, and we'll battle...

CongratulationsTo My Man Snuff!

Big, big congratulations to my man Pauly Snuff and Nahoko on getting married yesterday. Drove down to Somerset with G-Petz and Doc Synners, and made it to the church on time, despite the best efforts of learner drivers and a Romahome to delay our progress with <40mph speeds on the spaghetti like country roads. The service was a classy affair, and the couple and their fam were driven to the reception in some seriously macked out Bugsy Malone type whips.

The reception was dope - everyone drank enough wine to wipe out a small army, and the only disappointment was that the rumour that the first dance was going to be to 2 Live Crew's Shake That Ass turned out to be false. Either way, a great time was had by all, and mad props go out to Syntax for his rock and roll smash the room up antics back at the hotel.

A'way - mad congrats again to the happy couple!

Dr Syntax & Koaste @ Hip Hop Kemp 2007

Another chance to check the footage of Syn Diesel and K-Slugs from the Czech Republic

A Dose Of Godzilla Slang - Dr Syntax

Pack Mentality - Dr Syntax & Koaste