Organix - GET INVOLVED!!!

How it Works:

1) They provide a beat

2) They set topic for you to write 16 bars to.. (Topics so far have been 'Summer Holidays' Where Ya From?' 'The Wilderness' 'Punchlines' 'Pet Hates' 'Halloween' etc.)

3) You get roughly two weeks to write and record your bars and get them back to them.

4) They will mix them all together, and put a fitting video behind them, showing who is curretly spitting, and all other relevant info. Video Footage of yourself doin your thing is also very welcome and will be used in the vid.

When they first started off they had Just 8 people on the first episode, now with the word getting out the record has been 16 people, resulting in a two part video.

In their own words;

"We have already worked with 35 + rappers and beatmakers and are looking to carry on expanding, believing that this is beneficial to the movement. We do it purely out of the love for doing it (often means a lot of late nights and sacrificing free time but hey!) I Hope to see some new faces on this one, we are currently half way towards the deadline for Organix Part 10 - The Movement. Be sure to check the myspace for more info."

Bottom line is, they are always looking for for fresh heads to get involved

Check out www.myspace.com/organixhiphop (some vids are up there for you to see)

All other vids can be found on youtube (search for organix hip hop) or subscribe to the user 'simplesamples'

All updates can also be found on www.organix.ukhhf.co.uk (official Organix forum)

HHC Digital 005

Available now for free download, HHC Digital 005 is headed up by Rakim. Inside, the god emcee talks about Dr Dre’s studio antics, his first meetings with Nas and Jay-Z, Large Professor’s sample game, the day KRS-One put the blame for gangsta rap on him, the original 50 Cent and Killer Ben, the legend of The Rooftop, plus details the exact price of a pair of Timberland boots with Louis Vuitton patches from Dapper Dan back in the ’80s!

Elsewhere in the issue, Brother Ali talks about his independent streak, Esoteric looks back on the time he almost recorded a track with Eminem, Partners In Kryme go back in the vault for some Turtle power, we big up the Home Grown UK hip-hop exhibition, plus spotlight essential new albums and free MP3s from BlakRoc, Souls Of Mischief, Shafiq, Ralph Rip Shit and more.

Get it HERE

Beat Makers

Beat Makers is a documentary "that takes a look at the never-ending hustle of young producers trying to make it in the intensely competitive music business. The film taps into trackmasters at various stages of their careers, as they struggle to make (and keep) a name for themselves.It's a cool window into the birth of the beats that get our heads bobbing.” – Bside.com

"We want to make people aware of this documentary, that it is out there and available, however, we don’t have the kind of funding to finance a traditional marketing blitz. We hope that indie film sites will take the time to consider and review a true indie film.” - Producer; Eddie Singleton.

Directed by Laron Austin whose short film “B.A.M.” won audience awards and other accolades in 2008 on the festival circuit, the film covers an unhearalded segment of the Hip-Hop community - the independant, unsigned beatmakers who are doing what they love with the hope of one day being paid for the privilege.

The film opens by introducing us to several producers by name, who break down their names, how long they've been making beats for and these sequences really illustrate just how many of us do what we do.

The film then splits into several chapters that deal with topics such as equipment, ideas & concepts, inspiration and their opinions on sampling to name a few and at 1 hour 32 minutes in length - there's alot of ground covered.

The section where the beatmakers list their various equipment is my favourite. It could really change alot of peoples perceptions of what makes a beatmaker as i've seen alot of conversations along the lines of "if you don't own a ____ then you aint hip hop" and most of the time it's the MPC. But, here's a list of SOME of the equipment used by the beatmakers featured;

Fruity Loops
MPC
Logic
ASR10
Korg Triton
SP1200
Ableton Live
MPD16
Technics SL1200
Yamaha Motif
Reason
Recycle

The best thing about the documentary is the sheer scope of topics covered and questions answered. i also felt it they spent a rather equal amount of time speaking with each beatmaker which i imagine can often be difficult to monitor with a project like this.

It's a must for established BeatMakers and newcomers looking for an insight into the working lives of like minded individuals.

You can watch the video below in full screen at a higher resolution at YouTube

Melodiq - Straight From The Soul (Beats by Terem)

Straight From The Soul features Enz, Nelace, Kohndo, Stacy Vickroy, Dj Atom, Elodie Rama, and Just Brea (of Deep Rooted) and is available now at Melodiq.com and Amazon and is coming soon to Itunes and Rapsody, or River City if your in Japan.

Before we get to my thoughts on the album, check out the preview below;



You may also recognise the following track which resulted from a beatmaking video by Hocus Pocus producer 20syl*



*Please note that this track is not featured on this album.

The first track after the intro 'This Is What We Do' opens with some rising and falling horns before the drums and bass drop along with melodiqs voice;

"Un-phased by any competition that presents itself."

It is this sentiment that you should keep in mind while listening to the album because the style that comes across is relaxed, comfortable and effortless. I couldn't imagine hearing any of this album on the radio - not because it's bad, contrarily because it is good and as we all know - good music just doesn't get played on radio! Melodiq's voice sits on Terem's beats perfectly and on 'Worldwide" it's refreshing to hear some international flavour in the form of French MC Kohndo, staying fully true to his roots by spitting the entire verse in French (personally i love French hip-hop, even if i can't understand a f*cking word of it!) The beat is one of my favourites on the album - some really nice flutes, strings and bass.

"The Overseers Ft Nelace" is easily my overall favourite on the album, a really nicely flowing loop of a sample and the flow exhibited by Melodiq and guest MC Nelace is perfect with some nice lyrics like;

"Me, Melodiq and Terem, look at the hole that we tear em' - they got guns, they got power; still we don't even fear em - why? We got heart all the way from the start, so if they breakin ya heart we gotta take em apart."

Possibly my only criticism would be the choice of sample for "Brand New" - in my opinion, a Stylistics track that shouldn't be sampled. But that being said - Terem flipped it in a way that is much better than i would have expected prior to hearing it and it's a nice concept track with some beautiful vocals from Elodie Rama.

That aside - there is nothing i can fault with this album. Take my word for it - you need this in your life.

Head to Melodiq's website to buy the full album from Itunes, Amazon or Rhapsody.

In the meantime, feel free to download one of the following tracks as a freebie courtesy of Melodiq and Terem being such nice chaps!

This Is What We Do

Searching (ft Just Brea)

Soul Patrol (ft Enz)

The Overseers (ft Nelace)

Jai - On My Jais, The Prelude

On My Jais - The Prelude is a 14 track precursor to Jai's upcoming album, too good to be called a mixtape though.

From South West London, Jai insists that it was her inquisitive nature and challenging childhood that brought about her passion for hip hop, as well as an evident love for a wide range of music.

"I grew up listening to anything from Tracy Chapman to The Pogues to Bob Marley, I loved it all!"

She began writing at a young age, moving on from poetry to rhymes, culminating in her participating in ciphers at the Deal Real record shop in London. The respect she gained from here led to her presenting her own show on Invincible Radio called 'The Sicka Selektion,' showing that her talents can stretch even further.

After an intro type track to start with, Stop, look Listen - sampling a version of the well known Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye track of the same name sees Jai on fine form - the flow is on point, lyrics are nice and it's a perfect way to introduce this young lady's obvious talent.

The only thing putting this in the mixtape category as opposed to it being an album - as it could easily be, in terms of content and quality. is that there are a few used beats here, most notably track 7 - "Brother From Another" which uses Jay-Z's "Soon You'll Understand" beat. As i said though, content wise - this could be an album track, the lyrics go deep such as -

"4 days in ICU, 4 angels surround you/ lost your fight and you rejected life - tell me why?"

Track number 4 - "Movin" shows Jai's versatility as she switches up the flow over a quicker beat - a good idea on Jai's part to put this track on the first half of the album and keep listener's guessing for what's to come.

Track 11 had me laughing - "Swagger Jacker skit" takin the piss out of Lil' Wayne which is always welcome on my speakers!

i'm looking forward to seeing what Jai does in the future - will be keeping my eyes and ears sharp for when the album drops but i was very, very impressed with 'The Prelude,' with such a lack of promising talent in hip hop at the moment, and new artists that are actually deserving of hype and attention - it's really refreshing to hear something to get excited about, and not to sound sexist but even more so when it's a female MC! Not only that, but she's reppin' U.K. What more do i need to say?

You can buy 'On My Jai's' from ITunes and i strongly suggest you do. At £8 it's more than worth it.

For info, bookings, media appointments and other enquiries, please contact flyfirlproductions@live.co.uk

J.R - “Get Gully” / “Major League”

London based recording artist J.R will be releasing a series of exclusive material, and hints over an upcoming project in the forthcoming weeks. To kick-start the campaign, the double single “Get Gully” / “Major League” is available for free download with immediate effect.

J.R is currently signed to “Class A Entertainment”, which has been the breeding ground for various musicians over the past couple of years. Unquestionably the label’s most prolific artist, J.R has been identified as an upcoming talent amongst the ears of Wandsworth, and interest has been growing from the likes of radio, and online publications.

“Get Gully” / “Major League” is the brand-new double sided single which will showcase J.R’s commercial viability, along with his tongue for lyricism. After spending months of fine-tuning his style, J.R has not only written and recorded the singles, but entirely produced the track as well. It’s clear to see why the nineteen-year old artist is clearly talented.

J.R’s previous mixtape “A Stroke of Genius” was well received amongst critiques, and was hosted on various websites including Hip-HopKings.Com. With countless downloads and physical copies distributed around South West London, fans have been itching for new material, which is promised to be J.R’s best work to date.

Get Gully
Major League

Catch J.R on MySpace HERE

Jay-Z at The Roundhouse Camden - 17.09.09

See below for some pictures and a video i took of Jay live back in September;

Jadakiss live at the 02 + Skinnyman, Stig, Alias, Lakeside and more!

On Tuesday 22nd September, see the legendary U.S. Hip Hop star LIVE, supported by none other than Skinnyman, Stig, Syntax, Alias, Lakeside & Darnel Swallow, Clement Marfo and the front liners, Makeida and KHY

Hosted by The Hott2Deff Squad of 89.1FM Big City Radio - Birmingham.

Tickets are available now from TicketMaster priced from £25 upwards and there is a £5 discount available for all tickets purchased before September 11th

Milkman - Apollo 2

Volume two of Apollo from beatmaker Milkman is up for download today. You can get volum one HERE.


Volume two kicks off with a smooth intro and a 'Life's a Bitch' remix which is extra nice. 'Blunted' featuring Selph Concious is excellent work. I can't say i've heard the original but the beat on this one fits perfect.

Alot of the work showcased here by Milkman is the right side of simplistic, it's nice and smooth, easy to listen to and follow and above all - is very good. Some nice chops exhibited, good sample choices and nice quality mix.

It's good that he's decided to mix up the format a little and include remix's as well as straight instrumentals, i feel that alot of beatmakers tend to get bogged down in making beat tapes 30 minutes long with just instrumental tracks - it's nice to see a switch up, especially one where the quality of each type of track is just as good.

'Have You' is very nice, really smooth and flows well - easy to listen to all day.

'So High' is a top class track featuring 'JayP' who spits a nice verse effortlessly. The beat and MC fit well together.

I'm struggling for things to write here as 'Apollo 2' is simply a very good BeatTape - solid work, a good follow up to volume one proving that Milkman is capable and focused.

Worth getting basically. HERE

Not dead yet

Hey everybody. Just a quick post to assure everyone that the blog is still very much alive. Please continue to send your material to mashupfigment@hotmail.co.uk i plan to start posting regularly once again just as soon as i have something to post (thats where you come in) peace!