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Whae's Like us (its all yours Bonnie Scotland)
added 06.03.01 words
Riz
As the wind howls round the hills, the locals run for cover from the cruel Northerly winds. The rain beats off the roofs and pavements then darkness engulfs all. Flickering streetlights illuminate
traveler's paths temporarily, showing them the route to proceed before all is taken from them by an inky blanket of uncertainty. Population too few, unemployment too high, the standard of living is in a steep decline and crime is on a constant rise. It's the perfect breading ground. Welcome to Scottish Hip Hop.
The lion that always fought as an underdog to an invading oppressor is now once again rampantly standing on its feet in its Underground layer. The hills that hid Iron Age scribbling's have now transpired to inner city wall space, sporting Burners, Throw Up's and Pieces. The Highland Fling has evolved into a Backspin, the Bagpipes to Turntables and the Ancient Warrior Poet drops the Targe and Claymore to bellow his words into his new weapon of choice… the Microphone.
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2 Tone Committee
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From the long cast out shadow of Londidium, Scotland has distilled its talents, as have other cities who are only now beginning to sew their pattern into the patchwork of UK Hip Hop. From the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the smaller cities of Aberdeen and Dundee, headz are sitting in their houses and recording studios, perfecting a beat,
practicing that scratch, writing that killer rhyme, pulling off that deadliest move. The Scottish DeeJay is at his highest standard ever, without a shadow of doubt, ranked as one of the best countries in the world. The graff art that leaves the shores of Kings can be found all over the world and held in high esteem by all those that cross paths. The Emcees are now more than ever dropping fake accents to grasp pride in their own identity. As for the breakers … they have always shown they can battle with the best.
It can be argued that the Scottish Deejay has the highest advantage over its neighboring
elements, as after all, DeeJays talk with their hand's do they not. This leaves their skills open to a world-wide audience. Their hands know no boundaries and hold no accent, giving them an immediate advantage over their rhyming bredren. As an argument, you may find it hard to dismiss. Others ignorance over accents have led the Emcees down this Glen and as a show of defiance they aint coming back. Props must be given to these Deejays … Deejays such as Krash Slaughta, Ritchie Ruftone, Plus One, DJ A La Fu, DJ Extra, Bunty and so many more. The standard of the Scottish Deejay is so high now that DMC must look into this mater more. For example, only two representatives from Scotland can stand up and be counted in the UK DMC Finals. Yet in England you can have people coming from Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester and London, yes, every corner of England. As a result Scottish DeeJays make the trek South to enter the English heats, a trek that in the 2000 DMC paid off as Scotland had no fewer than four DeeJays in the UK DMC Final. Plus One (who was narrowly pipped at the post by the exploits of Mr Thing), also Ritchie Ruftone, Bunty and DJ Extra. This though leaves out many a talented Scottish DeeJay and leads others, worse still, to not even bother entering.
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Ever heard a MOBO nominee from Scotland?"
So what of Labels? If they are looking for a new act where they gonna go? Dam sure they ain't crossing the border to Scotland. London is the place if you are looking to sign a new artist. Ever heard a MOBO nominee from Scotland? No well… Questions again need to be asked. Due to the lack of label support, the Scottish scene has turned round, rolled its sleeves up and got down to business itself. Labels such as Kriminal Recordz, Powercut Productions, Oh-Eye Records and several others all produce, release and market their acts to an awaiting hardcore element of followers. Other Scottish artists can sometimes find themselves signed to an English Label, with little or no contact between the two parties. Labels, as we all know, can come in for a bit of stick, in Scotland though your label is your umbilical cord. A bond which cannot be broken. A bond that some labels south of the border take very lightly indeed.
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Eastborn
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Ever heard of a Scottish Hip Hop band who have sold over 30,000 copies of their EP and compilation releases. I have. Glasgow band Two Tone Committee. Better known in mainland Europe than in their own back yard. As were many before them and many after them will also be known. Two Tone Committee, comprising of Mista Bohze, Mista Defy and Krash Slaughta, first brought out "Hangman" in 1991, it was played on the radio by Pete Tong and was well supported by the UK's Hardcore Hip Hop scene. After that they were to go on to appear with Killa Instinct and Gunshot on two separate projects … and of course more than holding their own in the face of the UK's finest at that time. Two Tone Committee then went on to sign a deal which would have seen them tour Europe as they had done a few years earlier, when they signed to Dope On Plastic. For legal reasons I cannot divulge what happened next, for reasons of confusion Two Tone couldn't tell you either! Today Two Tone Committee live in name and no more, in Glasgow still ranked as one of the best Hip Hop acts to come out of Scotland. DJ Krash Slaughta DeeJays all over the globe for the likes of the Jon Carter, resident DeeJay in Fabric (London), has DeeJayed in Las Vegas for the Beastie Boys and played clubs from Iceland to Australia. On the home front he can be found in Glasgow's Club MIR, as well as DeeJaying for friend Eastborn and former band member Defy in the collaboration known as Pest Control.
Eastborn himself, signed to UK Rap Records, formally of Way Of Life Records is in the fortunate position of being with a label that understands his needs. They realise the importance of Europe and the focus that must be made away from home before returning the prodigal son. Eastborn, himself is born in Edinburgh and now lives in Glasgow and as a result fully understands the East coast- West coast rivalry which exists and has been able to tap into both channels with Edinburgh production from Nick Wong and West coast production from NC Epik in Glasgow. Also, he has DeeJays from both sides of the country working with him, DJ Switch from Edinburgh (originally a West coaster) and Krash Slaughta a West coaster and oddly originally an East coaster. He has been able to utilise all the contacts he has within Hip Hop and its followed media to end up promoting his material all over the UK and make several radio appearances and appear on National Television on more than one occasion. Eastborn was born out of the ashes of Thoughtz Of Mortalz, a Glasgow crew which received such a high accolade they even surprised themselves. They appeared in magazines and newspapers all over the UK and they never even had a record out! They were described by HHC as "serious title contenders to Heavy weights such as Blak Twang and Blade" They were also to feature on Disorda's "UK Hustlerz" tapes and volume one of "Mind The Gap", which was the best of unsigned British Hip Hop. As these things do though, anger and frustration from within the camp lead to them breaking up. This four-man crew, comprised of DJ Zef, Eastborn, NC Epik and DJ Waste, can still be found individually doing the rounds. Eastborn himself has supported
Roots Manuva, Ugly Duckling and so many more, on top of this he has played alongside the likes of Mark B, Blade, Goldie, Grooverider, Kela and a hell of a lot more! NC Epik and Eastborn can be found on Major Threats new 12" on a track called, "As the world turns" as well as Eastborn's new EP "Split Loyalties" scheduled for June 2001.
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Eastborn & Alien
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Major Threat are one of the oldest West coast crew which
have come through the wars battle scarred and weary yet still with that taste of
Hip Hop still fresh in the mouth. Major Threat has seen many faces come through
the mill but is now comprised of DJ Psycho D and Gladiator aka Big Div. Major
Threat are influenced by the old UK rap sound when it was going through its dark
stage, mix with a bit of Mobb Deep and sprinkle some production by Premier and
you have the Major Threat sound.
Staying on the West coast, Power Cut Productions are still turning out vinyl. From their stables they have released acts such as Damaged Goodz, Kim Wilson, Shoey Sho and the ever present Freestyle Master. All have new material to come out. The Freestyle Masters is probably the most anticipated as the last time round his album "The Journey" saw him bring Braintax on board and also gained The Freestyle Master TV appearances. This time round it is
rumored he will have Juice Aleem and Gamma on his album, which is still to be named. Damaged Goodz are also creating the sequel to their last release, "Keys to the City" which gathered a lot of radio play in Scotland. Steg G, the man behind the music is himself looking into a compilation album entitled "Natural Selection", which will incorporate all local talent and could prove to be a real eye opener.
"The Eye Drops Volume 1"
should by now be part of any UK Hip Hop Headz collection
Meanwhile over in the capital, the very seat of
Scottish power, Hip Hop is pouring down the cobbled streets. This is collected
in pools and piped to the taps of Edinburgh's finest, no more so than Reachout
and his own label Oh-Eye Records. Reachout, who was responsible for the UK's
longest running club "Seen" now puts all his attention in promoting
and running his label. Their last release "The Eye Drops Volume 1"
should by now be part of any UK Hip Hop Headz collection. Not only does it
feature Scottish talent from Plus One, Reachout, STS, Ritchie Ruftone, Nutty
Professor, Mr Jinx and Gael Force it also features international talent from
Africa Sam, Prevail (Swollen Members) and Farma G of London's Task Force. Oh-Eye
Records and Reachout have been lapping media interest from all over the UK,
Scotland on Sunday gave the album 4 stars as did Muzik magazine and Hip Hop
Connection.
Elsewhere in Edinburgh Scotland Yard are working away on material which is eagerly awaited.
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Reachout
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Many cities in Scotland see strange collaborations coming together, Eastborn and Kela, NC Epik and Major Threat, Two Tone Committee and Gunshot, Eastborn and Disorda, Reachout and Farma G. But non is more strange than Aberdeen's DJ A La Fu and his collaboration with San Diego's "Human Kind" to make "The Observatory Swivel". From the West coast of America they came, teamed up with Aberdonian Deejay A La Fu and performed as the support act for Gil Scott Heron, who along with the likes of De La Soul, Afrika Bambatta and the Arsonists they received the respect that they and all artist like them deserve. DJ A La Fu can be found on the Spine Magazines promotion events as well as clubs up and down the East coast of Scotland to the West coast of America … now that's a real Don.
But Hip Hop in Scotland aint all about the music. Too many times the world over, you talk about Hip Hop and you think of the Music. Scotland boasts some of the best Breaking crews and the best Graff artists. Who can challenge the skills of Mak One? Exactly, and that's why only a few months back he was living it up in New York running with non other than Cap himself! If you have been fortunate enough to see any of Mak Ones material you will see the sheer genius of his work. He is an artist. With his canvass ranging from walls and boards to even skin, Mak One is truly a master of his art and what's more there are others. Artists such as Dice, Elph, Dose, Daro, As One, Skan, Real, Gaz, Kemo … The crews: ANE, FSK, NBK, FCK, Fallen Angels, Easy Riders and many more. Scotland has a wealth of talent …. Why do you think the Romans built
Hadrian's Wall?
"...you could have ran a little town in the borders off the static created by the track suites..."
To all the breakers … Glasgow was the hub of excitement back in the day. Places like the Plaza (in Glasgow) were mobbed wall to wall, you could have ran a little town in the borders off the static created by the track suites that were sported by crews such as the Glasgow City Breakers. Today breaking is making a come back, thanks to people like Daryl in Glasgow, owner of number one Hip Hop shop "Style Wars" , Donnelly, Archie, the White City Breakers and many other crews in Edinburgh, Dundee and all over! For the first time in Scotland there will soon be an event that all Scottish Breakers have been waiting for… The All Scottish Breaking Championships hosted in Glasgow, in Club MIR. (See press for details).
In conclusion, it is not a case of… is there a scene there? Its more of a … What? You didn't know! Scotland doesn't need to compete with London. In fact it doesn't need to compete with anyone. It only needs to look at itself and support its own, promote from within and work round the problem rather than giving up or just not bothering. As Scotland moves into a new Millennium, with a new seat of Government, Scotland should be looking to the example set by French Hip Hop and German Hip Hop, promote Home Grown on the radio and not wait to be the next Five or worst still Westlife. It has been said so many times that its just not worth it and there's no money in it, but hey Rome wasn't built in a day, come to think about it Scotland was never even invaded by the Romans, and why team work and determination in the face of oppression, opposition and confrontation. Here's to us … Whae's like us?…
Clubs to check:
- Audio Psy Phi, Planet Peach (Glasgow)
- Club MIR, The Arches (Glasgow)
- El Segundo, The Bongo Club (Edinburgh)
- Scratch, The Venue (Edinburgh)
- Soulcialism, Estaminet (Aberdeen)
Websites to Check:
Artists to look out for:
- Eastborn
- Reachout
- Major Threat
- DJ A La Fu
- Gael Force
- Scotland Yard
- Krash Slaughta
- Pest Control
- Freestyle Master
- STS
For any more information on any of the above artists/events/releases … please contact
themessage@ukhh.com
Please.
- Riz
 
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