Dan Bull - Safe

Dan Bull is a hip hop musician from the UK.

Musician really is the best way to describe him as the album see's him dabble in acoustic guitar, drum programming, rapping and singing, this is not a man to be confined by genres.

'Safe' is a concept album that tells the story of a young man who attempts suicide during a global thermonuclear holocaust and awakens in a new, ambiguous nirvana. Along the way, Dan Bull covers such topics as summer sunshine, friendship, love and loss, alienation, politics, death, religion, suicide and insanity.

Described as ''The Streets meets Morrisey'' Dan covers a wide range of topics throughout the album with a competent flow that is easy to follow but impressive nonetheless, over music that ranges from dramatic orchestral strings on 'My Catharsis' to upbeat guitar melodies and vocals on ''Cut'' where the arrangement switches from this upbeat moment of Dan realising love to a more reflective rap section where the newfound love seems to fall apart. I was impressed at the attention to detail, especially at moments like this where such effort was put in to make the music and words follow eachother and alter the mood.

"Misfit" is a dark, introspective track which sees Dan pondering his place in the world over a simplistic drum track and equally simplistic but haunting melody.

"Afterlife" was another stand out track for me where Dan effortlessly describes the processes of Algamortis and Rigormortis with the foundation message of ashes to ashes, dusk to dusk.

Overall - dark and relentless, at times 'Safe' can be hard going but lighter tracks like 'Summer' elevate the mood. I would recommend this album to anyone bored of the usual music marketed at the moment - hip hop or otherwise and i would definitely be interested in hearing anything else Dan Bull comes out with in the future.

So if you're curious to hear what talent sounds like, or if you want to provide your ipod wth a welcome change;

Download the album HERE

More info on Dan can be found on the Freshnut website

Check him out on MySpace HERE

Kid Konnect - The Epic

Beatmaker 'Kid Konnect' has just finished his first beat tape "The Epic'' and let me just start off by saying well done, because For a first effort, it's a good lesson to beatmakers looking to do the same. Konnect has kept it short and sweet, blessing us with only 5 beats - not enough to give too much away and just enough to leave us wanting more.

It's hard to define 'The Epic' or confine it to any one genre of instrumental. All you need to know is that it bumps from the outset. The fact that a beat tape consisting of only 5 beats can have this effect as it's so diverse - is another acheivement in itself.

01. "My Lord" - I knew this was my favourite before i heard any of the others. A great way to start the beat tape off, with a banger of a beat. The samples chopped really nicely and has contrasts between really hard hitting sections and some nice jazzy George Benson style guitar bits in there too. First class beatmaking right here.

02. "I'm Sure" - So nice. The sample is so nice and the drums fit perfectly over it. Impressive that a beat this smooth can follow one so hard and still be just as hot.

03. "Knocks" - switches it up a little here with something more synth sounding. This one probably won't be for everyone but it's a good piece of Hip-Hop all the same and nice as a change of pace.

04. "Never Hear" - starts with some really nice vocals and kicks in to yet another banger. Drums are nice and tight and the bass compliments everything perfectly. I recognise the sample as it's from quite a recent track (i think) but i would never have thought of flipping it like this. Perfect.

05. "Smoker's Delight" - another smooth joint (excuse the pun) which i could honestly loop forever. The bassline is perfect with a westcoast feel to it.

If you're an emcee looking for a beatmaker to get at, download it.

If you're a fellow beatmaker/producer/dj/whatever - download it and take notes.

If your neither of these. Download it.

Get it HERE

"Prohibition Gangster."

Yea, i know i'm VERY late with an American Gangster remix, but i hate doing shit when everyone else is doing it.

The idea behind the project is basically American Gangster remixed with new beats sampling 40's jazz and with a more old school gangster feel.

I was going to remix the whole album but i've since changed my mind and decided just to do the tracks i really like. (I already cut out Nas' verse on Success)

So, yea. Just to let you know what's droppin soon.

Merry Freakin' Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone, the blog hasn't really been going long enough for me to say 'thanks for the support' e.t.c but i will anyway. Thanks to anyone who has spread the word of Strictly Independant, to everyone who has sent me stuff and to anyone who has since added a link here to their own blog/website. Here's to another year of independant goodness!

The Earlier Escapades Of Willo Wispa

An early christmas present for you all. As a warm up for the Wot's Willo On!?!' LP, scheduled for release in early 2009; associated minds provide us with a much needed Wispa fix.

'The Earlier Escapades' is a great introduction to Willo's flow and style for those who are not familiar, and a reminder for those who are.

As one fourth of London's supergroup 'The Colony' alongside Sir Smurf Lil', Conspicuous The Coroner and Grimlok, Willo has formed his legendary rep over the years featuring on various acclaimed and sold out vinyl releases, as well as killer cameos on a few notable mixtapes.

Associated Minds have been digging around other peoples archives to pull out the roughs and rares of tracks that kinda deserved to get out there more - but are either sold out on vinyl or seemingly lost on peoples dead equipment. They describe The Earlier Escapades as 'tip of the iceberg stuff' but it gives the world the start of the experience that is listening to Willo Wispa.

Track Listing -

01. Mars To The Manor
02. Rider Music Freestyle (Featuring Cobane and Ophkea)
03. Cark
04. What Kind Of Girls
05. Razor Blades (Evil Ed Switchblade Remix) feat. Sir Smurf Lil, Ophkea, Dirty Kitchen & Conspicuous
06. Real Eyes Dub
07. Exalibah Dubstate
08. 2 Pounds
09. I Wanna

Get it HERE

Figment - Floor By Floor

So...FINALLY i get around to posting my album.

I finished it a few months ago but it took a long while to get to the point where i could say 'finished.'

It's 13 tracks, i made all the beats and wrote all the verses.

Featuring other local artists - Blokey Chinners and Skrabl.

Tracklisting -

1. Floor By Floor
2. Rumours And Lies Ft. Blokey
3. Trapped
4. It's All Over (Casanova)
5. To Be A Star Ft. Chinners
6. The 21
7. Love And Marriage Ft. Blokey and Tik-A-Tek
8. Grind
9. S.H.E Loves Me
10. Malice Ft. Skrabl
11. All About You
12. How You Living Ft. RTS
13. The 21 (Alternate Version)


Give it a download, give it a listen.

Get it HERE

***If you were having trouble downloading the album from this link - please try again as i have re upped it to a different server now***

Certified Banger Presents: On The Radar

Certified Banger, a blog (almost) dedicated to the art of Hip Hop in the UK proudly presents this 21 track compilation of some up-and-coming artists and their music. Taking in many different angles of UK Hip Hop 'On The Radar' attempts to bring some new music to your ears, all for the princely sum of nothing.

It features 'never heard befores,' 'heard before but hard to get hold ofs' and tracks already available on the respective artists own pieces of work. With 21 tracks, you're bound to find something you like, and for free, you can't go much wrong by downloading it and giving it at least one virtual spin.

Once you've heard it, be sure to check out www.certifiedbanger.blogspot.com for more features on, and free downloads from the artists involved. Check the 'comments' section in the song tags for the artists website addresses and give them a shout. Drop Certified Banger a line at certifiedbanger@gmail.com and let them know how you feel about this (wonderful) release.

Why are you still reading? Start clicking. HERE would be a good place to start. Still reading? Click HERE instead then.

Track Listing -

1. Queens English - Mind The Rap (produced by Skinnista aka Nu Balance)
2. Safron - Nightbreed remix ft. Kyza, Jehst & Klashnekoff
3. emceeKillah - The Guns of Britain (produced by Zoutr)
4. B'tol & Jagos - Finish This (Rassclat Rappers) ft. Da Herbalis of FDB
5. JVF Clique - Those Dudes (produced by Pappa Doc)
6. Spee 69 - Lemonade (produced by Jay Large)
7. Grimlok - Magic (produced by Shears)
8. Revilo - Mr. No Names
9. TLG - Let Me Be ft. Reggiimental, Ras Supa, Biggaman,S.C, Joe Gutta & Rukus
10. Skillit - Talk of the Town (produced by Cable)
11. Conman - Streets Unsafe (freestyle)
12. Loudmouth - Real Talk (produced by Loudmouth)
13. Manny Moscow - You Can't Tempt Me ft. Shepherd
14. Size8 - Watchin Me (freestyle)
15. Skandal - Venom (produced by Chemo)
16. Truth - Been a Long Time (produced by Prolifik)
17. Late - The Villain Man (freestyle)
18. Antmysta - Taste of Ink (produced by Shadowville)
19. Beit Nun - The Music (produced by Illskilz)
20. Reps - Spit ft. Jid Sames (produced by OSTR)
bonus track: Uncle Dicky - Neighbourhood Star remix ft. Witchdoctor Wise


Add Certified Banger on MySpace

Lowkey - In My Lifetime (Featuring Wretch32)

In My Lifetime is the first official single off Lowkey's new LP Dear Listener and features Wretch 32 of The Movement.

The track is produced by Quincey Tones one of the UK's most prominent Hip Hop producers, best known for his recent collaborations with US underground mainstays EMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth etc…) and internet hit Ma Money feat L'il Wayne, Talib Kweli and Royce Da 5'9.

Lowkey and Wretch 32 are widely regarded as two of the UK's most gifted lyricists so sit back, relax and enjoy them telling you about their lifetimes and look out for the video coming at you sooner thank you think!

Also check out Wretch 32's current single Be Cool and his new album Wretchrospective.

Get the track HERE

His first official album, 'Dear Listener' is an extremely honest and distinctly fresh project, laden with world class production from SCRAM JONES (MARIAH CAREY / G UNIT), STYALZ FUEGO (CHAMILLIONAIRE / BUSTA RHYMES), Q-TONES (LIL WAYNE) and more. Lowkey's unique charisma acts as the saccharinely sweet delivery for the powerful, political messages that are delivered within many of the songs on the album. From the captivating story of 'Relatives' to the banging reggae tinged 'Tell Me Why', 'Dear Listener' is sure to be a late addition to be a classic. The incredible 'Revolution' hints at the collaborations to come, with an entirely beatboxed instrumental from FAITH SFX and guest vocals from JON McCLURE of REVEREND AND THE MAKERS.

You can buy the album 'Dear Listener' HERE

Keep your eyes peeled Lowkey's involvement in a supergroup band project named MONGREL. With Lowkey as the lead emcee, the band also includes members of the ARCTIC MONKEYS, BABYSHAMBLES and REVEREND AND THE MAKERS.

Chops - Chops Derby

Buy the 12" at Fat City Record Shop or Picadilly Records

MySpace HERE

Snappa and Savage

Snappa and Savage are two MC’s from the UK, hailing from one of the roughest areas of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire called Deighton.

There is no full product as such on offer here today, i.e. - an album/single/ep but i do have the link to ehir myspace, which should definitely be checked out.

They have attracted interest from several record companies and Savage has appeared on a track with ‘Natural One’ of the Troubleneck Brother’s from New York. Snappa has appeared on several tracks produced by L.A. based producers, although these tracks have yet to be released. They have appeared on a compilation album that was sold across Europe, USA and Japan. They have also featured on one of the biggest radio stations in Europe, BBC Radio 1 Unsigned and Pulse rated radio station broadcasting several of their songs on Sky satellite TV throughout Europe, one of which made tune of the week, they also featured in their exclusive section called hot trax where they pick the best 5 songs reviewed that week from all artists worldwide from all genre's.

Savage Says “Musical integrity means more to us than pound notes, people forget that we have to live with the music we put out, not just for that moment but forever. We don’t try to do the style of music that is trendy now because as soon as you try to mimic today’s music, you are already working on yesterdays”.

Snappa comments “In the past, people close to us tried to be helpful and tell us what type of tracks we should be making. We sometimes took that advice on board and although people liked those tracks, we were disappointed with ourselves, we felt unfulfilled and it just wasn’t us. Looking back it actually helped us because that was our learning curve. Everybody goes through that. Now, we only make tracks that we would like to hear, no compromise, hopefully there are people out there who feel the same as we do and can appreciate what we do for our own style. We can’t be like anybody else we only know how to be like us”.

As i said, there's no full product for me to review but the myspace is worth a look. I suggest you add them and keep your eyes peeled for anything they do.

Myspace HERE