Funk, History & The God MC

Here is this months round up of interesting offerings from around the internet:

 

DJ Format - Hip Hop & Funk Mix

Thanks to Battlechaser for bringing my attention to this great mix by acclaimed DJ and produced, DJ Format.  A clever mix of Hip Hop and Funk that he put together to promote his live set with Simonsound on the 18th August.  Check it out.

DJ Format - Hip Hop & Funk Mix by Soundcrash on Mixcloud

Rakim - Mini Documentary

It's only 10 minutes long, but any amount of time with the god emcee is always an intriguing experience.  Some nice little clips of old freestyles on the streets of NY are included too.

Mixtape History

Unkut.com recently produced an interesting article that documents the origins and evolution of the mixtape.  Personally I never really gave a thought as to how the original mixtape came about, but having read Unkut's brief lesson in mixtape history, I've certainly had an enjoyable history lesson (which is more than ever happened to me at school).

I should make it clear, this isn't about the modern mixtape that unsigned artists use in an effort to get noticed, Think of the old Kid Capri and Ron G style of mixtape. 

Your lesson awaits you:
http://www.unkut.com/2012/07/40-years-of-hip-hop-tape-culture/

Rapping graffiti characters!

It's been a while since we heard anything from DJ Format, but he's back, and if this teaser video is anything to go by the album looks like it should be a corker.  Due out on 27th Feb, the album features contributions from Edan, Mr Lif, Phill Most Chill, Sureshot La Rock and more.

I'm loving the artistic creation in this video and the representation of the wider elements of hip hop culture.  The video was created using animated graffiti art by and filmed by Jeff Metal.  Innovative videos aren't new to DJ Format.  If you're not familiar with his earlier material then I strongly recommend you check out Vicious Battle Raps feat Abdominal from his 2003 album Music for the Mature B-boy.  It's a clever single-take video that adjusts to cater for Abdominal's variable speed of rhyming, and is laced with crazy background cameo's to compliment his playful rhymes.
It's good to see DJ Format back, and representing good UK hip hop.