Copywrite Vs Asher Roth

Now some of you may already know about this, but I've got to admit that it's news to me!  Asher Roth isn't someone I pay particular attention to, but I've loved Copywrite's material ever since I heard 'Holier Than Thou' back in 2002.  So it came as a surprise to find that he'd had an EP out in 2009 called Ultrasound The Rebirth which went completely under my radar. 

It's a 9 track EP with some tight production, that's much slicker than Copywrite's usual style, but it doesn't distract from his clever rhymes and fluent delivery.  There are guest appearances from Sean Price and Royce 5' 9", but it's his solo effort on the track entitled 'Cremation' that really struck me.
He goes straight for Asher Roth's jugular, no holds barred.  He's even sampled some kind of funeral service music and looped it throughout the track, and to great effect.

I don't know what sparked this (if anything), and to be honest I don't really care for hip hop beefs, but I do like the track and thought the EP might have passed others by too.  Check out the video for Cremation.

Merry Xmas

What better way to celebrate Christmas than with some Christmas Rappin' (sorry, I couldn't resist it).

Anyway, it's taken a while to get this blog up and running but at last.... we're here, and things are really picking up!!!  I want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has been involved and given advice, and thanks to all the readers and followers, it's you that we do it for and who make it all worth while.  So - Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to you all.

In 2011 we will bring you much, much more including many rare gems from hip hop's past.  But for now, enjoy what is probably hip hop's most classic Christmas single from one of the all time favourites.

Shock G - Talks about every Digital Underground LP incl. 2Pac's debut

Legendary producer Shock G talks to Vibe about the last 2 decades of his career and gives an unprecedented insight into the early days of Digital Underground and how it all began. 
He talks about each and every album, the influences, the problems, the whole lot, and some of his tales will come as a surprise. 

To think that Doowutchyalike came out in 1989 kind of shocks me now.  Pretty much everything else at that time (except the odd love song by Big Daddy Kane) was so hardcore and street, it makes you wonder how it ever happened.  In fact, Kane should have a took a leaf from the Digital Underground book when they released Kiss You Back, a cheesy love song that actually worked and was fun.

Hats off to Shock G.  One of the true legends in the game who is still bringing us dope beats.

http://www.vibe.com/photo-galleries/full-clip-shock-g-runs-down-digital-undergrounds-entire-catalogue-2pac

Sing-A-Song - Part II

Whilst downloading the Nottingham's Finest mix from Dominic Owen's website (see post below), I noticed that he'd got scans from an old copy of Hip Hop Connection magazine.  HHC was pioneering, it was operating before other magazines like The Source and in it's early days it was an incredible publication, let's face it there was no other publication representing us UK B-Boys.  How things have change at HHC since the late 80's....

Anyway, I have this issue somewhere, along with a couple of other classic issues, and I was well chuffed to see it again.  This particular issue meant a lot to me as it reviewed the Sing-A-Song artists, some of whom I knew personally at that time.  It's a trip down memory lane seeing youthful photo's of them again. 

Many of you will better know The Rapper Groove under his later pseudonym Blue Eyes or you will probably have attended one of his legendary events, the most notable being Fresh 97 and 98.

To all of you old skool UK Hip Hop fans, enjoy a flashback to how HHC once was.

Sing-A-Song (Updated)

In the late 80's and early 90's, Sing-A-Song Records was the prominent Hip Hop record label in Nottingham (UK). At that time, the Nottingham scene was second only to London, and Sing-A-Song Records were representing many of Nottingham's major artists.

Dominic Owen has uploaded a selection of the best Sing-A-Song tunes from that time called 'Nottingham's Finest 88-92' (although it probably should have been called 'Sing-A-Song's Finest' as there were many other decent Nottingham acts that are not included here because they weren't on this label).
Look out for the tracks by Twice the Trouble which features the K.I.D. (best known for his hit Hey, Hey, Can You Relate - possibly my all time favourite UK Hip Hop track).  Also check MSD's - It's Too Late, another classic from that era.

Over the coming months I'll be uploading some of the original 12"s along with many of the artists missed from this compilation, but for now this has got to be one of the best collections of Nottingham Hip Hop from this era. 

UPDATE - December 2012
When I wrote this post 2 years ago, I thought I was providing something that was pretty niche and only a handful of readers would properly appreciate.  I never thought it would become one of the most consistently popular posts or that this album would be downloaded hundreds of times.

Since then, I've also had conversations with Dominic Owen/DJ Quick, who has now uploaded a better copy of this album to his website.  I've therefore updated the download link so that you get the better version.
But Dominic hasn't stopped there.  He's also uploaded a number of classic photos from his personal archive that include many of the acts that feature on this album. This is a rare insight into a significant part of UK hip hop history.
If you're feeling this album then I'd really recommend that you take a look and enjoy the nostalgia - http://dominicowen.net/nottinghams-finest.

Download the LP here (320 mp3).

Check out my follow up post on Sing-A-Song here:
http://www.fearofawackplanetblog.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/sing-song-part-ii.html

Akala Freestyle

I've never really given much attention to Akala as the early tunes that I heard didn't really make much of an impression on me.  However, as he's Ms Dynamite's little brother I should have known that some of her consciousness and intelligence would rub off.

Anyway, my friend sent me this link and I was pleasantly surprised, so thought I'd share it with you too.  Props to Assassin for the link :)

Cico - World Record Attempt

B-Boy Cico (who is known for his power moves) attempted to break the world record for the most 1990's (he needed 19 to do it).  Unfortunately his attempts failed, but his efforts were pretty impressive and this clip shows his best effort when he acheived 17 rotations.  So close, but yet so far....

Still, it wasn't all bad news for Cico as he also attempted another world record (although I can't remember what this move is called, so someone will have to tell me).  This time he was successful and in true Guiness World Records style there was someone there ready to give him his certificate (it kind of reminds me of when Roy Castle was gracing our TV screens on Record Breakers).

UK B-Boy Championships 2010 - The Final (HD)

It's taken me longer to post this than I expected, but here it is, the final battle from the 2010 UK B-Boy Championships.  Vagabonds (France) battle Top 9 (Russia) for the title.  It's a hot battle and both crews certainly went all out to get it, but there can only be one winner....Vagabonds! 

Vagabonds certainly deserved it, they just had the edge when it came to aggression, creativity and originality, and their routines were better.  Plus, its the first crew final in several years where the audience didn't boo the judges decision.

This clip is shot in 720p HD and is an exclusive to FoaWP, so please give credit if you post it on your blog etc.

Download Links (1.7Gb each):
Part 1
Part 2

Eazy E - The Life and Timez of Eric Wright

This DVD is a bootleg rarity and took me a while to source, but maybe that's because it isn't as good as it should have been!  I'm not a massive fan of Eazy's, but let's not forget that he was one of gangsta raps pioneers and back in the day he was a real character, he was like the ol dirty bastard of NWA.

With this in mind, the DVD should have chronicled much of his success and achievements, but instead it seems to focus on his death and subsequent funeral.  There is a fair bit of exclusive footage and many famous west coast affiliates appear in tribute to Eazy (Above the Law, Yella, Bone Thugs & Harmony etc). 

One bizarre thing I noticed was that he had a gold coffin which looked like something only a gangsta rap star would have, but then he has the most understated headstone going (a small plaque laid flat on the ground).

Download Links (200mb each):
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

3rd Bass - Gas Face - Live on Arsenio Hall 1990

No doubt fresh from an argument with De La Soul, Arsenio Hall presented 3rd Bass performing Gas Face during which Serch dances in a manner that hints he may not have arrived earlier enough at the studios to visit the boys room.

Download Link (16.5mb):
Video.

Uptown - Dope on Plastic

Uptown's - Dope on Plastic was an absolute classic in 1989, belting out of almost every boom box and getting heavy rotation on pirate radio.  It's one of those tunes that takes you straight back to the era and floods the mind with memories of the good ol days. 
This is a copy of the full 12" including the B side 'It's My Turn' and the Plastipella and Dubstramentals!

Download Link (31mb, 192kbps):
Part 1

Public Enemy, Eric B & Rakim and LL Cool J - Live in Amsterdam 1987

Okay, the title mentions PE (and there is about 10 minutes of them at the start of the recording), but this is mainly a Rakim and LL performance. 
Eric B & Rakim take us through half an hour of highlights from their first album - which in 1987 would have been the freshest thing on the streets. 
LL Cool J then headlines the show for an hour long set (it should of been the other way round if you ask me!) and performs all of his classics from that era.  This is a fine piece of memorabilia and a poignant reminder of the good old days.

Download Link (140mb, 192kbps):
Part 1

Duke Zero One

If you dig a little deeper you'll find more to UK hip hop than grime!  Dwyzak The Elevator and Duke Zero One have put out their latest offering - Release The Kraken.  If you're feeling this, then check out Dwyzak's YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/dWyZtRoNiK. 

Blade - Reflections

There aren't many MC's in the UK who have been performing constantly, and consistently, for more than 20 years, in fact right now I can't think of another :)
Hopefully there's still some more gas in the Blade fuel tank and more gems like this one to look forward to.

Wild Street 2

Here at FoaWP our graffiti knowledge isn't our strongest asset, but we do try to represent all elements of Hip Hop and this DVD is certainly worth a look.  It focuses on a variety of Mexican graffiti styles and has a nice backing track of hispanic influenced Hip Hop.

Download Links (350mb):

Part 1
Part 2

Lilou vs Flying Buddah

Ok here it is, the battle between Lilou and Flying Buddah for the 2010 Solo B-Boy title.  Unfortunately my memory card filled up just before the end, but I'm sure this will still give you a good idea of how it all went down.  The judges decision seemed to be slightly controversial with the audience, but I'll let you decide for yourself.

Download Links (500mb):
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

UK B-Boy Champs 2010

Last night was the crew battles at Brixton Academy, and what a night it was.  Nelson contraversially beat Salah in the popping finals, Flying Buddah beat Lilou in the Solo Finals and Japan were knocked out of the crew quarter finals by Top 9, much to the crowds dissatisfaction. 

But the highlight of the night was Vagabonds quite rightfully beating Top 9 in the final, their moves were better and the routines were slicker.  Top 9 started to look like they'd run out of steam towards the end, but lets not forget it's their 3rd final in as many years.

I've also got to mention the UK's Soul Mavericks.  They reached the semis and it was good to see a crew with a strong B-Girl.

I'll upload the HD video in the next few days, including the solo and crew final battles.

Swedish Hip Hop

In recent years Looptroop have produced a number of great tunes that seem to have been slept on.  This funky little number might just provide some motivation to check out their albums.

Apathy - The Winter (Feat. Blue Raspberry)

The legendary MC from the Demigodz reminds us that it's coming to that time of year again. A classic track from a few years back, but how can you resist that chugging beat and bassline...

MC Duke Interview

A short interview with MC Duke from the BBC2 series Behind The Beat. Behind The Beat was one of the BBC's early attempts to cater for the ever growing Hip Hop culture and led onto the bigger (but not necessarily better!) Dance Energy.

R.A. The Rugged Man - Uncommon Valor

R.A.'s verse is incredible on this (it's just a shame Vinnie Paz wasn't there to complete the track!!!). R.A. has certainly upped his game in recent years and the new album should be something to look forward to. Could R.A. be the only person to put an album out less frequently than Dr Dre? Anyway, enjoy....

New Masta Ace & Edo G Video

In the begining...

It's always good to know your roots, and MTV is no exception. Before the mass commercialised television network that exists today, was a semi commercialised network! However, once MTV had understood the power and importance of Hip Hop, they embraced it by creating the legendary Yo! MTV Raps. Here is the first episode of Yo! MTV Raps, the quality isn't quite as good as you might like it to be, but you can imagine the type of VHS tape that originally captured this and remember that it's from August 6th 1988!!! 

Yo! MTV Raps was still airing in some European countries until quite recently despite the US show ceasing transmition in 1999, but nothing compares to the early episodes and the raw energy that it had.

Download Links:
Part 1
Part 2