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I had awaited this new UK Hip Hop video
with anticipation. It appears that UK Hip Hop is once again getting it
together. After the years of Third Eye and latterly Pioneers,
Darkncold hit us off with "UK Hip Hop Untapped". I must stress
straight from the offset that my copy is worn down already, its been passed
round my mates like a cheap Glasgow groupie and my VCR knows it word for
word, so yes before I go any further you should go check it out for yourself.
I must say though the let down was that
there was no commentary or no presenter. I thought we had an ideal candidate
in Skinny Man, who drops in after an intro by the Brummie boys
of MSI. Skinny trooped about Tuffnell Park in his first of many
appearances throughout the video, stopping to change the colour co-ordination
of his jacket. Skinny would have made an ideal presenter in this video
with his real life views and expression with the social commentary that
only he can bring.
Next up you are treated to what can only
be described as the best Freestyler I have seen in my chuff! In the form
of the man Reveal. He effortlessly drops in lines like making "crustaceans
cling to bus stations" and generally creates an atmosphere of pure conscious
lyrical content with his rhyme book the Dead Sea scrolls and his ink coming
directly from a burning spear dipped in the Holy Grail. I ain't going over
board, I thought that Erich Von Daniken was deep! Reveal clearly showed
why he was the FKO Raw Freestyle champion 2000. As if that wasn't good
enough the viewer gets a follow up by Chester P of the well known
Task Force and MUD Family collective, freestyling in Pete's
record shop. Both em boys are battle cats for true!
Then MSI step into the fray again, each
one bursting to take control and spit lyrics to the viewer at home. With
the introduction of Skinny Man again the video is well and truly warmed
up, Skinny rips it up good and proper leaving Nebula with the difficult
task of following Skinny's flow, which she does well to contain.
Now I must admit at this stage I get a bit
confused. I know I'm an up norf boy and all that but Ras Simeon
steps into the arena and I must confess I haven't never heard of him.
Answers on a post card please. I warmed to him instantly when he spoke
of the business development within the UK scene and blended it nicely
with what he was doing himself with MIB (Mission In Babylon). But
then he goes and blows it by saying how he appreciates why his stuff is
plays but others should get their chance, fair enough I hear you say,
but the reason he gets played, he goes on to say is because "…he is the
cream of UK Hip Hop"??? Say what? Before I have a chance to get too vexed
Mystro drops in with some sweet complex rhymes and loosens me up
a bit again. To complete my relaxation program Darkncold then treat the
eyes to their fashion show with scantily clad women and breakers, what
else do you need?
Shadow Cabinet and Uncanny
then show us their skills as well as their manor before we are moved onto
one of the best videos I have seen in recent years. Out Da Ville
show us their "Blood Sweat and Tears" video directed by Justin Wickam,
pity there was no interview or spoken word by Tempa, why? Erm..
no reason! Speaking of Spoken Words, that brings me nicely to the 57th
Dynasty, to be honest they are not really my cup of formaldehyde but
I was very impressed by 14 year old Lil Monsta, who will be one
to watch, another Rodney P in the making I hope! Planets then pop
into the shop to flow nicely and do what they do best, then there is an
unknown Emcee who I will mention as he never got one on the video, he
was just on before Fallacy and he dropped some of the nicest lines
on the video. The easily recognisable voice of Fallacy, however, could
not be ignored. My question to him though was… was he on his way to work
as a bouncer 'cos that's what it looked like, props all the same for not
letting the viewer down as his flow got you white water rafting!
Then comes Kelz, not
really my flavour but hey, I come from a country of Mars bar suppers.
Kelz flow seemed too dated for me and never tried to inject enough variation
and interest in his subject matter. Chester P is next up again with a
freestlye that you will rewind and listen to again and again "…even mute
people tend to mention me…"
Then without a shadow of a doubt the best
act on the video, flown in especially from the US to grace this video
and give it the credibility that it has on such Corinthian heights is
Fake Yanks, god these guys are good, I think I will sell up my
assets and sign them myself. V8 then give us a studio performance
which I wish they had put more heart into, as they clearly have talent
but just never seemed to beam enough effort into it as they seemed capable
to. Then I heard what is possibly the best line I have ever heard from
57th Dynasty, live in Subterania "..I've been raised and breast fed on
the tits of poverty". This comes of the tune "Still I rise" which was
delivered with such conviction I am appalled at the crowd reaction, which
is one of silence, must have been fear or shock.
The Exchequer of Shadow Cabinet then drops
a few home truths about how the industry is run here and who's to argue,
hell I'm 5"12 and I'd think twice. But no mater how many times you hear
it, it has to be said, the US gets too much love from these shores and
the home grown is put on the back burners while we starve.
You want videos they got videos, 57th Dynasty
well crafted video, produced by Charlie Parker and Directed by Merlin
Massara reminds me of early Youngsters material but shows clearly how
far the ambitions of UK acts have come and long may it continue. As for
the 1998 FKO Raw Champion, let me see how can I put this, who else entered,
I wasn't there and I am glad. Apparently Infinite Lives is a "rap singer"
well in his defence the backing beat never really helped him out to much
but blame must lie at his door for me spilling my tea on my knee when
he stared to sing after his first verse. (Don't let it be said I don't
give people a chance). I will continue to look for his material as I have
never heard of him and do not want to judge him on the strength of that
performance alone.
Finally, Fredi (How fucking big can
one person be) Kruga, drops in with some Ragga chat to take the
video to the credits. He finishes off well what is a well-put together
piece. In conclusion, this is a great video that all UK headz should own.
It's one for the collection. One you can look back at fondly. With the
news that Darkncold are quickly putting a new one together and are going
further afield with their exposure of UK Hip Hop. This is shaping up to
be a superb addition to UK Hip Hop.
The message is clear, get down Darkncold,
31 D'arblay Street, Soho, London. and buy the video, get the T-shirt
get the hoodie and get into your UK ish, you've got no excuses.
If you want more info on any of the acts
on the video or indeed the video it self contact: Info@dakncoldhiphop.com
or visit www.darkncoldhiphop.com
- Riz
© ukhh.com 1999 - 2001
Darkncold
Presents UK Hip Hop vol. 1
The viewer is then whisked off to the abode
of 12 Stone Production = Melanin Heights &
Breakaway Republic in Hackney. Some verses
are exchanged and views given on the scene. Although I am an admirer of
their work they tended to pigeon hole themselves by saying they were the
best in Hackney, well my grans the best cook in her neighborhood but
that wont get her a job in the Savoy or the Hilton.
What else can I say about this next man Rodney
P?? What can I say that has not already been said? This guy oozes
talent, from every excretion hole! Talking of shit hot, Skinny pops in
again to provide some Finsbury Park story telling. Shortee Blitz and
Big Ted then take us back to class with some Kiss education in the
music circles of the UK. Listen and learn why these boys are where they
are and how their heads are on so straight!
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