Well,
it's here! The biggest independent British Hip Hop event in the country,
UK Takeover is back to wreck shop once again with the fourth instalment.
As anyone who's been to a Takeover before (or seen any of the DVDs) can bare
witness to, the SureShot Entertainment team, this time also
wholeheartedly supported by the mighty 1Xtra as part of their first
annual Homegrown Holiday and more than ably assisted by the good
people at Detonate Promotions; assemble a number artists to perform
on the one stage - some big names, some up and comers but all from the broad
spectrum of British Hip Hop.
Established in late 2003, the UK Takeover events were the branchild
of SureShot Entertainments head honcho and producer Joe Buhdha
(Estelle, Klashnekoff, Rodney P, John Legend,
Talib Kweli) as something that could bring the all too distant and
widening factions of British Hip Hop together. Performing across the UK with
co-d and now 1Xtra deejay MistaJam, the pair noticed that depending
on whoever else was on the bill with them, the audience they were playing to
appeared to be segregated across lines of race, colour and class. To put it
bluntly, at some spots it would be spot the white guy, while at others it
was spot the black guy… however, the music that was played was the same. A
big tune was a big tune.
They set about putting together an event that would appeal to the student
kids at the same time as the road mans; the backpackers at the same time as
the new-era cappers; the die-hards at the same time as floating fans. The
blend of big names and up and comers all representing their part of the
broad spectrum of British Hip Hop on the one stage has worked to help bring
the people together and strengthen the scene. 3 successful Takeovers later
and they’re going from strength to strength; and this year’s event is bigger
and badder than ever.
This year’s Takeover takes form as 2 days of British Hip Hop taking place
over Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May culminating in the main event:
an all-dayer from 6pm at Nottingham’s legendary Rock City on Bank
Holiday Monday 29th May. This year’s bill continues the tradition of
something for everyone and reads like a who’s who of British Hip Hop in
2006:
Kano – whether you feel he’s a just a grime emcee or one of the most
versatile and talented spitters we’ve got, there’s no doubt that Kano has
earned his spot on this year’s Takeover after selling over 80,000 copies of
his debut album ‘Home Sweet Home’ and flying the flag and tearing up stages
from New York to Paris to Germany and back home again. Recently voted the
Greatest Lyricist Of All Time within his genre on 1Xtra, Kano will be
smacking it on UK Takeover 4.
Sway – you dun know the story: Sway’s not just a business man, he’s a
business, man! His long awaited album ‘This Is My Demo’ finally hit the
stores in February. Since then, Little Derek has consolidated his rep with
more TV and Radio appearances than Paul O’Grady & Westwood put together and
a Europe wide tour. The one man hype machine finally touches down on a
Takeover stage on UK Takeover 4.
Klashnekoff – fresh off ‘Focus Mode’, the black Russian hits a
Takeover stage for the first time in 2 years. Will he perform new material?
Will he bring the rest of the Terrafirma with him? Wait and see. One thing
is certain…“it’s gonna be Murdaration!” with Mr K-Lash on board.
Jehst – from 1979 to High Plains Drifter to Falling Down to Nuke
Proof Suit, very few artists in the British Hip Hop scene have been able to
remain as consistent with their output as Jehst. More than just a rapper, he
also runs his own YNR record label and also produces tracks under the
moniker Billy Brimstone. He’ll be hitting Takeover alongside partners in
crime Asaviour and DJ IQ.
Dirty Diggers – Max & Pat Stash first met in University in Brighton a
few years ago and finding they had a common love for Hip Hop, created the
Dirty Diggers. The diggers bring their golden-era reminiscent laid back
breaks filled style of Hip Hop to the Takeover.
The Poisonous Poets – comprising of established artists in their own
right, Hip Hop ‘supergroup’ Poisonous Poets aka double P will be touching
down on a Takeover stage for the first time. Takeover will also be the first
time that Reveal, Doc Brown, Lowkey, Stylah,
Therapist, Tony D & crew DJ and producer DJ Snips perform
together outside of London. Expect hit after hit, lyric after lyric and an
unbelievable performance from the dream team.
Professor Green – after narrowly missing out on a $10k emcee battle
prize to Jin at the Powersummit in the Bahamas in 2005, Professor Green is
finally putting the battle mic down and embarking on his recording career.
Sparking a bidding war in the US & UK after his near win, Pro Green opted to
sign to Mike Skinner’s The Beats record label and has since gone to work on
his debut album. To bridge the gap, he’s recently released his mixtape
‘Lecture #1’. He hits the Takeover fresh from touring with Mike Skinner and
The Streets.
C-Mone – former Out Da Ville representer, “femcee”, Dark Whisper
records boss and part time model; she first hit the scene as a member of Out
Da Ville but gained notoriety for her appearances as Mike Skinner’s
girlfriend on The Street’s album ‘A Grand Don’t Come For Free’. After
recently releasing her long awaited debut album “The Butterfly Effect” to
great critical acclaim, C-Mone hits a takeover stage for the first time on
UK Takeover 4.
Tor & DJ Mentat – This is a little Takeover special! After
working together in the studio on Tor’s forthcoming album, producer and part
time deejay for Skinnyman DJ Mentat (who has also worked on tracks with
Durrty Goodz, Roots Manuva and the aforementioned Skinnyman) and one of the
UK’s premier female emcees Tor whose recent single ‘Strivin’ has been
supported by any HipHop DJ worth their salt and her recent performance as
part of the groundbreaking ‘Urban Classic’ event had even The Guardian
heralding her as one to watch; Tor and DJ Mentat have put together a little
exclusive showcase strictly for the Takeover stage.
Broke N English – Manchester’s finest Strategy & DRS
first started out as accomplished emcees in their own right – Strategy
working with Mikey Don from legendary Manchester Hip Hop crew Krispy 3,
Jenna G and Roots Manuva and DRS earning his stripes on the D&B scene as LTJ
Bukem’s right hand man. They hooked up when DRS invited Strategy to join him
on his weekly pirate radio show and through their live freestyles and choice
cuts, Broke N English were born. Their recent reintroduction mixtape “Terms
And Conditions” has been released on their own label Estate Recordings to
critical acclaim. Broke N English come to tear up the Takeover and rep
Manchester to the fullest!!
Quality Control (Loudmouth, Smasher, Fumin,
Mentalist & Silent) – up and coming ones to watch for the future,
Quality Control is less of a crew and more of a statement. The loose
collective of emcees from East London recently came together to put out the
underground hit mixtape “Quality Control” which has connected with
traditional Hip Hoppers and new schoolers alike.
The whole thing is hosted by the legendary Riddim Killa himself Mr Rodney
P and 1Xtra and SureShot Entertainments own undisputed overweight
champion MistaJam.
As well as all the emcees, this time there will be a second room where the
East Midlands finest turntablists will all battle it out for a chance to
reach the DMC DJ Championship finals, hosted by Cutmaster Swift and
MC Trip (and there’ll be a showcase from 2xDMC Champions C2C)
plus the legendary Blade will be hosting the 60 Second Assassin
Emcee Battle. Last year, UniVERSEon won beats from Skitz
and Joe Buhdha – who’ll win this year and what will be the prize?
On top of that, HHC will be representing hard as UK Takeover
will be the official party for HHC’s 200th issue, as will 1Xtra - UK
Takeover 4 is being broadcast live by the home of new black music as the
pinnacle of their first annual Homegrown Holiday. 1Xtra will also be hosting
a free industry seminar & forum prior to the main event at The Broadway
Cinema from 3pm. Plus 1Xtra are hosting a number of FREE coaches from across
the UK to reach the Takeover. Places are limited so make sure you check the
Takeover website for pick up points.
For those of you budding and up and coming artists, there’ll also be chances
for you to shine too! Not only will there be OneMusic demo drop boxes at the
1Xtra seminar but also on Bank Holiday Sunday 28th May at The Golden Fleece
in Nottingham, they’re hosting the Takeover Mic Check 1,2 Open Mic event.
Holla at the website for more info & how to register.
Tickets are on sale now priced still just £15 plus booking fee and are
available from
www.ticketweb.co.uk or from selected outlets across the country. For
more info, check the website.
All crews represent & spread the word…the takeover continues.
-
Delbwoy
Related
Links:
UK
Takeover 4