THE BEAT SHEET

2006-10-01T19:31:00.000+01:00

Phuturehype finalists release debut single

The five finalists of the 2006 Female Rapper/MC Competition have joined together to release the debut single Phuture Journey.

The track, a brainchild of the music company Phuturehype, gives the five finalists RdotC, VdoubleE, Lexus, Oracle and Lioness the opportunity to exercise their lyrical skills.

Production is provided by upcoming producer CockTailMixer, whose musical arrangement of the rappers is done well demonstrating the promising future she has. The sound borders a mellow grime sound at a steady pace, it does not over power the rappers and sits well with each verse.

Throughout the track each rapper drops a rhyme about their own journey or poignant memories from their lives.

RdotC opens up the track with a crunching verse: "I'm from a place in Brom that they say is no good, drugs are wiping out people like a powerful flow. Sick of gettin' stereotyped, been classed as thug, people looking down their nose cause my ways is hard."

They all belt out on the chorus: "Boys bes' be steppin back cause we 'bout to attack, females dominating the mike blowin' up on a track/respect to Phuturehype."

This is a strong effort from the Phuturehype team and as a debut release this is certainly an alarm for what is to come from the makers at Phuturehype.

The track is available for download at: >>www.putitonline.net - Phuture Journey

The Phuturehype 2006 Female Rapper/MC Competition will take place on October 7, 2006 at the Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG.

For further information visit: www.phuturehype.com

2006-07-21T20:57:00.000+01:00

Live message of 'love music hate racism' hits east London schools
Words: Samantha Watson

A great show of live acts thrilled youngsters at a school in Dagenham last week.

Supported by Love Music Hate Racism, pupils of Jo Richardson Community School were entertained on July 14 with performances from Fade 2, Edutainment and dance group Advant Garde.

R&B trio Fade 2, from Liverpool, had everyone gagging with laughter as they turned the story of how they came together into a combination of music, comical sketches and dance routines.

The group consisting of Zain, Juelz and Matty B incorporated slick dance manoeuvres and singing into their performances bringing roars and cheers from the audience.

Zain, 20, said: “The whole thing about Love Music Hate Racism is that it’s trying to raise awareness of racism which is why we are here, because people don’t realise just how big this form of hate is.”

Fade 2 who make up a culture background mix of Arabic, Malaysian, Jamaican, Bajan and Indian ties have been together for three years. They rapped and sang over their songs Mersey Beat and Oh No, a reggae track fused with pop and Indian beats.

A special performance was made by school pupil, Oyin Olugbode, 15, who sang I’m Going To Be Ready. Oyin, who has been singing since the age of six, said she was a little nervous but enjoyed performing in front of everyone.

She added: “Today was really good because in a way it’s helping to stop people from hating against different races through music.”

Towards the end of the show the youngsters including teachers were treated to more songs and dance from Edutainment and Advant Garde.

Youngsters watched on as they were entertained by the innovative dance sequences displayed by Advant Garde, a group who have danced for the likes of Usher and the Suga Babes.

The show finished on a high note when talented singers of Edutainment put the audience into the spot light when they hand picked a pupil and began serenading her.

Zain of Fade 2 concluded by saying: “We come from a ruff area too and its important we help continue to kick start this important movement.”

*******
A report by Carolynn Hansen on the Barking Abbey visit featuring Ms Dynamite can also be read at: www.lovemusichateracism.com

2006-07-18T00:25:00.000+01:00

Free Mumia Abu-Jamal

130 distinguished UK lawyers have signed a letter to the US Court of appeal challenging the conviction of Mumia Abu-Jamal, an award winning journalist, who was convicted in 1982 for killing a policeman. He has been on death row for 24 years.

"The letter, initiated by Ian Macdonald QC highlights the racism in the original trial and subsequent hearings of Mr Abu-Jamal."

"Mumia Abu-Jamal is an award-winning journalist who, in the years leading up to his December 9, 1981, arrest, had actively exposed police corruption, racism, and violence against Black people and other people of colour. Despite severe restrictions on contact with the outside, including how much written material he is allowed, he continues his work from inside prison, recording weekly Dispatches From Death Row, incisive radio commentaries, which goes out on 100 stations. He also writes for other publications. He has written five books while in prison including: Live From Death Row and most recently We Want Freedom: a Life in the Black Panther Party."
Read more: www.blink.org.uk

PRESS CONFERENCE
Wednesday 19 JULY, 6.30pm
GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS,
57-60 Lincoln's Inn Fields,
London, WC2A 3LS

Visit:
www.mumia.org
www.mumia2000.org

2006-06-19T02:04:00.000+01:00

Lets get lif-ted...

Okay so you may remember that I recommended Murs (Murray's Revenge)to you all, well from the same arena you have to check out Mo' Mega the second album from Mr. Lif.

Produced by EL-P the album features Aesop Rock, Akrobatik, Murs & Blueprint.

www.definitivejux.net

2006-06-14T18:27:00.000+01:00

UNITED COMMUNITIES PROTEST MARCH

Newham’s Muslim and non-Muslim communities, are united in our anger and frustration at the anti-terrorism raid in Lansdown Rd, Forest Gate. >> Read More

PROTEST MARCH ON: SUNDAY 18th JUNE

Assemble: 12 noon at Plashet Park
Plashet Grove, London E6. Tube: East Ham (District Line)

2006-06-12T00:45:00.000+01:00

La Bruja

Many people's first taste of La Bruja may have been as an artist on Def Poetry, but now she has dropped her debut mixtape entitled 'Brujalicious' and she's ready to blow.

Consisting of 18 tracks and containing a wonderful and unique fusion of poetry, rap, and reggaeton, it has a distinctive Latin flavour and is mixed to precision by DJ Precision.

The mixtape features a healthy list of guest appearances from rap artists such as B-Real, The Jungle Brothers, Jadakiss, Tony Touch and Hurricane G who help La Bruja represent her Puerto Rican background to the fullest by reciting and spitting in both English and Spanish on potential club bangers like 'Olvidate' and the reggaeton remix of 'I like it but I don't need it'.

Stand out tracks are 'Trick or Treat' - “we get it going from dust till dawn / you make me wanna be your baby moms” featuring Hurricane G; and 'Beso Peligroso' - “My kiss is dangerous / it’s contagious and s**t /I’m famous for this / I spit flames from my lips” featuring Jadakiss. All in all it’s a good mixtape – 3/5

Words: David Alexis.

For more information on La Bruja visit: www.labrujanyc.com

2006-06-04T21:07:00.000+01:00

Read between the lines

For those who want to know and see beyond what is in front of them:

* ID cards are a threat to the media (And everyone else) - (The Government begins assembling data for the ID system, the most invasive ever implemented anywhere in the world, as early as October, when biometric scanning – irises, faces and fingerprints – will become part of passport renewal.)

* Band censored for not dancing to Blair’s tune

* BBC sleepwalks into a new crisis over Iran

Read more here: www.stopwar.org.uk/documents/MWAWJunelow-resA4.pdf

"The government's identity scheme includes a huge database to keep tabs on everyone, a massive infrastructure to collect peoples' details". For more info on the danger of ID cards visit: www.no2id.net

2006-06-04T20:45:00.000+01:00

Street Credentials

This is one of the most insightful documentaries around on underground hiphop.

The DVD has well over 2 hours of footage and features Kool Keith, Saul Williams, Aesop Rock, Pee Wee Kirkland and others...

For more info visit:www.insomniacmagazine.com/

And for those who like the works of Kool Keith look out for his alter alias "Mr.Nogatco" out now.

2006-06-01T14:44:00.000+01:00

Stranger in a Strange Land: Encounters in the Disunited States

Before I came to America from England, I asked an American journalist in London what kind of reactions to expect. “Well, when they hear an English accent Americans usually add twenty points to your IQ,” he replied. Recalling that the authors of The Bell Curve had claimed that black people have an IQ fifteen points lower than whites, I was heartened to think that even in the eyes of the most hardened racist I would still come out five points ahead.
—FROM STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND

For further information visit: www.thenewpress.com

2006-06-01T13:46:00.000+01:00

Has British black music lost its politics?

There will be a major seminar debating whether political issues are being expressed in today's songs.

The event will highlight whether there are contemporary artists out there who match the engaging politicism of the likes of Marvin Gayes, Stevie Wonder among others.

Panellists will include Marc Wadsworth (community activist), DJ Excalibah (DJ), Glideascope (musician), Kerri Parke (LMHR), Aki Nawaz (Fun-da-mental), and chair Kwaku (BMC).

The event takes place on Saturday June 3 at City University, Northampton Square, London EC1 0HB at 3pm.

For more information visit: www.bbm-on.net

2006-05-19T11:52:00.000+01:00

Panelists shed light on decades of UK music and the industry

(Guest panelist Aitch)

LAST night at an exclusive music seminar industry representatives shared their thoughts on the progress the UK has made in Soul, R&B and Hiphop.

The seminar, Looking Back To Go Forward, brought large numbers of young artists, producers and entreprenuers to Stratford Circus eager to discuss how to get themselves out into the music industry.

Those who attended appeared to be inspired and enlightened by the discussion that looked at music forms in the UK that had developed through the 70s, 80s, 90s to present day including Soul, Reggae, Jungle, Garage, Grime, Eski among others.

Panelists on the night included the producer, Fusion, Mick Clark (A&R Higher Ground, Ten Records), Aitch of Soul 2 Soul, Rob Luis (Tru Thoughts Records & Zebra) and Soundbwoy (Artist/producer).

Aitch of Soul 2 Soul talked about the energy that brought Soul 2 Soul's music to the forefront. He said: "There was a unity, we were heading in the same direction, we had similar ideas of what we wanted the sound to be and where we wanted to go. I guess we did that by ceating our own form."

The meeting became heated when the seminar shifted to the stuggle that many artists face to be heard, approaching big record labels as well as the lyrical content some artists use in their work.

Mick Clark claimed: "The biggest challenge for any artist is balancing their integrity and being commercially viable."

One of the key points that all panelists stressed was that you can make it without a major record label and to never stop loving your music.

On a final note Aitch of Soul 2 Soul advised: "Respect and love the art of what you are dealing with." He added: "Believe in yourself and be prepared to learn, master it to the highest degree and be prepared to work hard."

2006-05-16T14:43:00.000+01:00

A bold move from The Independent

The front page reads: "Just 6,500 Africans died today as a result of preventable, treatable disease. (HIV/Aids)"

2006-05-15T12:28:00.000+01:00

Who said US hiphop was dead?

Murray's Revenge is a breath of fresh air. Murs brings realism and word play delivering an honest and introspective album.

Despite this being a short album it is definitely worth buying. And 9th Wonder on production is a joint bonus.

For all those sick and tired of hearing the usual clickty clank clickty clank junk then may I suggest that you take your good money and get your hands on Murray's Revenge.

2006-04-28T12:59:00.000+01:00

Use your vote...

"The BNP are standing over 350 councillors and are seeking to make gains on May 4th . They only get elected on a low turnout – by raising awareness and turning out the vote, you can stop them." (www.blink.org.uk)

You may think your vote is not needed but it is. The BNP are attracting a whole spectrum of people - People who do want to read behind the hidden agenda or who are just taking the party at face value - You need to dig a little deeper.

Although the flyer states that the Cons (Conservatives) are representin' the people I don't think they really do. Cons, however, is the right word for them.

But this is about stopping the BNP so use your vote carefully.

The choices:
Labour, Lib Dems, Respect, Green and others - May 4th!

2006-04-26T13:59:00.000+01:00

Why we need to vote Labour...

Yesterday night an Asian woman knocked at my door and asked whether I was going to vote for Conservatives at next month's local election (She is a conservative candidate). I told her no I will be voting Labour.

What I regret not asking was why she herself had decided to become a conservative.

I would never want to associate myself with this party and so I find it puzzling why others from ethnic minority groups would want to affiliate themselves with them.

I recently saw Labour's ad campaign. It used a chameleon (representing David Cameron, Conservative party leader) riding a bicycle. In the campaign the chameleon changes its colours which I believe is used to identify the other parties. If you look at this closely you can see the underlying issue a chameleon can change its colours etc but it can never change its thoughts and opinions. So people need to realise that whatever image David Cameron is portraying to the public he and his party are wholely right-wing! - This I have to say was a good PR ad.

What is even more worrying is the rise of the British National Party (BNP):

"A Sky News poll has revealed widespread public support for many of the BNP's policies."(Sky News)

"Nearly six out of 10 - 59% - who did not know it was a BNP plan, said they would back the idea."(Sky News)

"Pollsters say if the BNP changed its image, it could do very well in the local elections." (Sky News)

Let's wake up people!

But considering I've started this post by saying vote Labour I also have to wonder what Labour's intentions are. The fact that their immigration laws and Identity Card proposals appear to be right-wing thinking.

I'm thinking to myself who the hell out there can I vote for?

2006-04-17T20:30:00.000+01:00

The Harder They Come on Stage...

I need to make some time to drop by the Stratford Theatre Royal to watch this 70s reggae classic.

About: "Country-boy Ivan leaves home in the Jamaican countryside and travels to Kingston , his head full of songs that he hopes will earn him fame and fortune. But fortune is hard to find as Ivan is ripped off by shady record producers and corrupt cops. He does find the fame he craves - but for all the wrong reasons."

2006-04-13T00:53:00.000+01:00

Are we really a nation of free people?

I'm fed up with UK and US government officials saying where you can and cannot live.

This world belongs to everyone and I believe if someone wants to leave their home country to better themselves and prospects they have the right to do it.

US plans to criminalise illegal migrants is a disgrace. I hope they decide to drop the bill.

2006-04-13T00:19:00.000+01:00

Yolande Beckles still continues to grab headlines...

Since the first show of Don't Mess With Miss Beckles! nearly everyday the newspapers have been having a feast grabbing every bit of dirt they can get on her.

Today one newspaper revealed she was sacked from a children's charity after it was alledged that she gave herself an unauthorised £5,000 loan and misused a credit card - BLAH BLAH BLAH the list does go on.

Despite all of this her heart is in the right place, for someone who wants to encourage unruly teenagers performance in schools, she should be praised. Many of these youngsters do fall by the waste side without the necessary support.

I do feel sorry for the purple diva (damn does she love purple - purple shoes, purple rings, purple clothes!) But one thing is for sure managing money is not her forte!

2006-04-11T20:41:00.000+01:00

It's been 25 years since the Brixton riots...

Last night a documentary charted the events which led to tensions between the black community and police in 1981.

Tensions were hightened when the Metropolitan Police introduced Operation Swamp 81 (using the Sus law - basically they could stop and search anyone), as a result a large number of black youths were being searched in Lambeth. The increase in police activity led to an explosive riot sparked by news of police brutality against a black man.

To this day there is still racial conflict in south London for example, news of 'ethnic cleansing' in Southwark, where black and minority ethnic businesses were closed down to make way for yuppie flats and businesses.

2006-04-11T19:44:00.000+01:00

Not the best way to start off another blog but news of the death of rapper Proof is spreading like wild fire.

The rapper from the group D12 was shot outside a club in Detroit in the early hours of this morning.

I was never much a follower of D12 but his death is tragic and what is increasingly tragic is that this kind of beef (which I'm presuming is the cause of his death) is still prominent in Hiphop and will perhaps continue to be.