Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Indelible Hip Hop Video Magazine Issue 2 Launch Night

Intro

Early Doors:
1979-1985

False Dawn:
1985-1990

Underground Years:
1990-1995

The Renaissance:
1995- 2000

The Future:
2000 & Beyond

Artists &
Discographies

Indelible Hip Hop Video Magazine Issue 2 Launch Night :: Notting Hill Arts Centre

Taking place at the small Notting Hill Arts Centre, this was set to be a fully hype night on a scale I had not really anticipated. Not knowing the club/bar, the only reason I didn't walk right on by was because just as I wnt past the door opened and a burst of Hip Hop blared out. I did an abrupt about face and headed for the source of the sound. The Arts Centre has an anonymous door that is only noticable because of the everpresent queue that forms behind the saftey barrier. Seems it is always there, just sometimes it is larger than other times. This time fortunately there was only a few people hanging out who weren't that interested in going in, so I just slid right up to the entrance and checked my name off the list and descended into the venue.

Upon entering the secne was completely different. I forget the time, about 8 pm I think, and the place was absolutely rammed already. A bit taken aback I moved in on the bar and got a suitably overpriced bottle of beer. Looking around this was yet another crowd full of heads totally unknown to me, possibly more of a skater crowd more than a straight Hip Hop crowd, and looking young too, but that is probably just me begining to show my age. Lots of long shaggy haircuts on the blokes was what struck me most about their appearance. Anyway, the music was pumping, a nice mixture of classics, and new tracks emanated from the system.

After an indeterminate time, I wasn't checking, everyone was called through from the bar to the big room where the stage and DVD projector were set up. Can't quite remember the order of things now I come to recall it, but the DVD was screened in two halves. To get everyone hyped there was a breaking display from Iron a member of the Rocksteady crew. He got everyone rocking, although it was hard to create enough room for him to perform in the small room. There was another couple of breakers in the crowd and together they to all took turns to throw down and put on a very energetic display.

Next came the first half of the screening. One of the Indelible guys got on the low stage and intreoduced the video explaining all the effort that had gone into making this. Originally slated for a January release, the date was put back again and again. First the 27th March was put back to the 30th June, then it was put back again, but it is out now and you just have to check it. The goal of Indelible Video Magazine is to chronicle the global Hip Hop scene through the medium of video and it has to be said they have succeeded in some style. Ady Le Roux and Diccon Mayfield are the creators of Indelible Video Magazine and they have tackled all aspects of production through their own multi tasking - but without the substantial help received from various peers, friends and family members this project could not have come to fruition.

The DVD has another peice featuring the kids body popping all over the tube and the other main sections of the DVD include:

Definitive Jux Tour 2002 – Indelible catches up with the boys from the label run by former Company Flow frontman EL-P, at one of their world Tour dates. The Jukies were subject to intense interrogation and even had a little energy left to rip the stage to shreds. If you are not up to date with the sound of underground hip-hop in the 21st Century then prepare yourself for the likes of Mr. Lif, EL-P and RJD2...

Battle of the Year 2002 – CALLING ALL BREAKERS! The Indelible crew jump aboard a Coach half full of people but laden with skills; from the likes of Joe Buddha (Producer to Rodney P, Dilated Peoples and many more) and Supernatural (NMS Freestyle Champion) to ‘The Enemy Squad’ (Hungarian b-boy team) and travel halfway across Europe to Hannover, Germany, where b-boys and b-girls seem to come off the manufacturing lines in their thousands. These cats break on the ferry, in the EuroTunnel, in hotel lobbies and even squash courts. Then we step it up another level for the crème de la creme of the world's Breakers, fighting it out for the White Cup in front of a stadium of people. Ever wanted to see a midget breaking?

The Mixoligists – Benny G and DJ Go take their battle to the woods for some armed combat ( you think im joking?) and show us why they became the UK DMC champs. Having worked with the likes of Killa Kela, Mark B and Blade, we find out some exclusive info on whats next… And if you've ever wondered what the best Technics/mixer setup is, The secret is finally revealed.

Masta Ace – The Music Man proves who the real masta is and shares his past, present and future. Indelible elbowed their way into a private studio session for Dynamic Recordings with the Juice Crew legend and Uk star Seanie T and Psychic Phenomena's Drew as they rock the EQ’s and tweek the peaks. This is some exclusive business for all you heads who love seeing professionals at work.

Killa Kela – Rocksteady Crew member, Killa Kela finally reveals the source of his inhuman beatboxing capabilities. Was he caught in a gamma ray explosion? Is he from another planet? Is his head the home to a tiny alien orchestra? You'll have to watch and find out...

The 36th Chamber – Like a ninja in the night Solo One takes us through his journey up the graf ladder. Watch as he hides in the shadows waiting for the right time to pounce and spread his spraying skills across the UK. Representing the spitkingdom crew we show where UK graf is at and where its going……

Other sections include –
*DJ Cash Money Live
*The Permanent Marker Tour
*Raw Graf with a Manchester based crew
*The Rock Steady Crew Breakers

During the intermission in the screening Killa Kela stepped up to the stage and did his usual mind blowing display of his beatboxing skills. For over an hour he entertained the crowd and drove everyone mental as he pretended to be various pieces of studio equipment, as he made the actions of turning dials and altering settings on various pieces of make believe equipment he replicated the effects this would have via his mouth and a mic. this was amazing as he altered the pitch, added reverb and instrument by instrument added more into the mix until he was performing full songs and you would hardly be able to tell the difference to the originals - female vocals included! This guy is simply mind blowing and he is moving beatboxing on the the next level. It is no wonder that5 he has fans outside his genre as he is simply awe inspiring, especially to the uninitiated.

After the second half of the DVD the uder 18 DMC champion DJ IQ stepped up to the decks and displayed his skills. Not having heard IQ play before I was interested to hear what all the hype about and it can't be denied that IQ has the abilities to rock a crowd. His selection of tunes went further back that his young age should have allowed and his slippery smooth mixing eventually gave way to a period where IQ got real busy and dropped his full arsenal on the listeners. Cutting and scratching he didn't miss a beat and as well as making me get up and dance he demonstrated why there is so much hype surrounding him right now.

Pro-Duck website

Not sure if I have ever been somewhere where all the speakers lasted the night, and this place was no different. By the end of the night there was at least one speaker which started going fuzzy on the bass. Big up to Kobi for getting me down there and all of the Indellible / Pro-Duck crew for a good night and for putting out quality product. This is no amateur VHS business, it is a very tasy DVD with a proper menu, nice editing and high production values. Volume 1 was great, this one continues the series being just as good. Lets hope that this project doesn't run out of steam and that it can go on to become a secure franchise, rather than a few dedicated heads busting their guts. The creators can't continue losing cash and doing it for the love, so get behind them and buy this. It is available form all the usual Hip Hop places, but should also be in your local HMV.

http://www.pro-duck.com
mailto:info@pro-duck.com