hip-hop

Lil B - Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, Sun 6 May

22-year-old Berkeley rapper describes himself as ‘an art history project’

22 May 2012

It must be the Californian in him, but the BASEDGOD, despite his lyrics about eating white booty, his VIP lifestyle, and his resemblance to Jesus/Michael Jordan/Miley Cyrus and Paris Hilton, is basically a hippie. Top off, shades on, tiny muscled torso…

Breakin’ Convention 12

Hip hop dance festival featuring many groups from throughout UK

17 Apr 2012

There are so many things to love about Breakin’ Convention, from the pre-show action in the foyer to the charged atmosphere that fills the Festival Theatre. But perhaps the most inspirational aspect of this bi-annual hip hop festival is the way local…

Trailer from Ice T's Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap

New documentary marks new wave of hip hop films

16 Apr 2012

Hip hop, like most trends to grace the cinema, comes in waves. The last big one was in the early 1990s, with the likes of Boyz N The Hood, New Jack City and Menace II Society following the era-defining late 1980s releases of NWA's Straight Outta Compton…

Souls of Mischief - Electric Circus, Edinburgh, Tue 13 Mar

Hip hop pioneers refuse to rest on their laurels

28 Mar 2012

As creators of a classic 90s hip hop hit (‘93 til Infinity’), it would be easy for Souls of Mischief to tour on the back of that alone. However, the California-natives did not disappoint the sold-out crowd with a dull and lazy performance, like some of…

5 reasons to go and see OFWGKTA

Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All set to play O2 ABC gig

27 Mar 2012

1. We might find out what they are Are they an ironic comedy hip hop troupe? Or are they a wilfully nasty, relentlessly violent, misogynistic and homophobic throwback whose goofy nonsense just happens to distil the finest styles of rap created in the…

Sway, Studio 24, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Jan 2012

Crowd-pleasing night from the grime superstar

1 Mar 2012

Although not completely absent from the music scene, Sway (real name Derek Safo) has not released an album since 2008. This perhaps explained the semi-low turnout at this Friday night gig, which seemed unusual for one of the UK’s most successful…

GZA/Genius - The Arches, Glasgow, Mon 13 Feb

Disappointingly sluggish set from the cerebral Wu Tang Clan member

29 Feb 2012

There’s nothing more frustrating than ritual disappointment from someone you hold in high regard. First up there was GZA’s lazy, bonged-out mumble-athon at the ABC in 2008, then a ghost-like contribution to the Wu Tang Clan’s appearance in the Academy…

De La Soul want more universal hip hop tracks

Music Gossip

14 Feb 2012

De La Soul think people have trouble relating to modern hip hop. The rap group's Kelvin Mercer and Dave Jolicoeur have teamed up with French producers 2 & 4 - aka Chokolate and Khalid - to create First Serve, a concept album charting the plight of a…

David Guetta wants house to be as big as hip hop

Music Gossip

8 Feb 2012

David Guetta hopes he can make house music as big as hip-hop and rock music in America. The DJ and producer has been a key figure in bringing commercial dance to the US charts through his tracks with Black Eyed Peas, Akon, Snoop Dogg and Flo Rida…

Ed Sheeran - Tue 10 Jan 2012, HMV Picture House, Edinburgh

Unlikely chart-topping teen idol performs angsty ballads

3 Feb 2012

‘I have some news’, Ed Sheeran casually mentions amidst the screaming adoration, after a nice loop-pedal driven cover of 'Wayfaring Stranger'. ‘My album’s just gone triple platinum’. (More screams). Quite impressive, really, for the unlikely teen idol…

Five reasons to go see . . . The GZA

The GZA of Wu Tang approaches the Arches

1 Feb 2012

He’s a genius The Genius, to be precise. GZA, aka The Genius, (Gary Grice to his mum) is a founding member of Wu Tang Clan, along with his cousin, producer The RZA, and gravelly-voiced rap heathen Ol’ Dirty Bastard (RIP). The Clan emerged out of New…

Two Door Cinema Club's hip hop influence

Music Gossip

20 Jan 2012

Two Door Cinema Club's second album is influenced by hip-hop artists. The 'I Can Talk' group - Alex Trimble, Kevin Baird and Sam Halliday - are living and working in Glasgow on the follow up to debut 'Tourist History', and claim it will see them move…

Young Fathers - Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh, Fri 02 Dec 2011

Thought-out moves allowing for improvisation and spontaneity

13 Dec 2011

It was a night full of surprises. First off, early-comers were treated to a plate of chicken and rice, homemade by Young Father’s member Alloysious Massaquoi. As Jamaican street-party videos projected onto the screen and deep dancehall pumped through…

Professor Green – HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, Tue 29 Nov 2011

Confident and professional show from favourite Hackney rapper

13 Dec 2011

The majority of the Picture House crowd is screaming teenage girls and skinny chino-clad boys, eager to see their favourite Hackney rapper, Professor Green. Booty-shaking duo Rizzle Kicks warm them up with a fun, high-energy performance, featuring their…

DJ Shadow - O2 ABC, Glasgow, Mon 5 Dec

Stunning live show continues to break new ground

9 Dec 2011

For innovation and impact, genre-mashing LA turntablist DJ Shadow, aka Josh Davis, has never bettered his entirely samples-based 1996 debut Endtroducing... But his visually stunning live shows continue to break new ground, and prove DJ sets can be just…

The chart-topping ‘Read All About It’ rapper Professor Green - interview

16 Nov 2011

First record you ever bought The ‘Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini’ 7”. And what!? Last extravagant purchase you made A Balenciaga jacket. First film you saw that really moved you E.T. Last lie you told I’ve never lied.

50 Cent returning to hip hop roots

Music Gossip

15 Nov 2011

50 Cent's new album will see him return to hip-hop's roots. The 'In Da Club' rapper is currently finishing recording of his fifth album, and while he doesn't think it will be as popular as his debut 'Get Rich or Die Tryin', or its follow up 'The…

Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon?

25 Oct 2011

Ever explored a museum at night? Ever had a cocktail surrounded by thousands of years of history? Ever been to a silent disco with a Chinese dragon? Thanks to the support of RBS and The List, the National Museum of Scotland is bringing you an exclusive…

Jay-Z thinks hip-hop is mellow

Music Gossip

1 Oct 2011

Jay Z thinks marijuana has made hip-hop more "mellow". The '99 Problems' hitmaker believes the genre has changed over the years to become less intense, and thinks that is due to the drug consumption of some of his peers. He said: "Public Enemy…

Cheryl Cole working with hip hop producer

Music Gossip

29 Sep 2011

Cheryl Cole has been recording into the "very early hours" with producer Alex da Kid. The 'Fight for This Love' singer and the hip-hop hitmaker- who has produced tracks for Eminem and Dr. Dre - have been working at all hours to complete tracks for…

Sonia Sabri of Kathakbox - where Indian dance-meets-hip hop

The choreographer on shared musical and rhythmic roots

21 Sep 2011

Picture the scene – you meet somebody from a different country, you can’t speak their language, they can’t speak yours, but somehow you find a way to communicate. Well that’s exactly what Sonia Sabri has been doing for the past nine years, only for her…

Young Fathers, Liquid Room, Tue 13 Sep

Joyless hip hop show at odds with club setting

19 Sep 2011

Club night Zzzap! is squarely aimed at the fun-loving, party-hearty student crowd: there’s a booty-shaking combo of house and techno music, an easygoing atmosphere on both the dancefloor and the smoking terrace out back, and a name spelt with three Zs…

Example

Picture House, Edinburgh, Mon 15 Aug 2011

24 Aug 2011

As Mike Skinner’s sometime protégé it’s easy to pigeonhole London rapper Elliot Gleave as the new bearer of the crown soon to be abandoned by The Streets. Yet what he does is subtly different – where both men are outright crowd pleasers, Skinner’s…

Gary Barlow planning hip hop charity track

Music Gossip

10 Aug 2011

Gary Barlow is planning the first hip hop charity single for charity Children In Need. The Take That singer is planning to assemble a selection of the best writers, rappers and producers in the country including Tinie Tempah and N Dubz to work on…

Review - T in the Park 2011

All the rain, mud and rock action from Scotland's biggest music festival

8 Aug 2011

Saturday Ke$ha proves trashy entertainment with a set that refuses to take itself seriously. A party up glam stomp though a series of electro pop hits that while low on art is high on glitter and cheap thrills (and inexplicably includes a six-foot…

Interview - Mike Slott, Eclair Fifi and Machinedrum of LuckyMe

Glasgow DIY label set for Edinburgh Festival clubnight

8 Aug 2011

Mike Slott (producer) I met Dom [Flannigan] who runs LuckyMe in Borders Books. He was sneaking flyers into hip hop magazines. We got chatting, we liked similar music and in Glasgow if you’re into a certain kind of music, you bump into the same people…

Clubbers' Decktionary: B-more

DJ Hobbes guides us through clubbing's myriad genres

22 Jul 2011

B-more or Bmore, aka B-more Club, adj: Uptempo (120-140 BPM) hip hop/breaks originally from Baltimore, with an 8/4 time signature, using short, repetitive vocal samples – often call-and-response-style raps or chants – over old school drum breaks…

Wu Tang Clan - Legendary Weapons

New album from RZA, Ghostface Killa et al - or disappointingly not, as the case may be

21 Jul 2011

(E1) Were this legendary NYC rap crew’s identity not fragmented enough between their myriad solo albums and side-projects, there’s now apparently no such thing as a full Wu Tang Clan album anymore either. Legendary Weapons is the first ‘official’ Wu…

Richard Charter of Numbers - Full interview transcript

Innovative Glasgow club Numbers reaches eighth birthday

20 Jul 2011

How has this year been for you? A lot of things have been amazing this year. Being able to release new records from Redinho, Deadboy, Jamie xx and Lory D was a major thing for us because everyone involved put so much into it and the records really show…

Singles of the month: Blood Orange - Sutphin Boulevard

Radiohead, Seafieldroad, Bright Eyes, and more also reviewed

18 Jul 2011

It’s a good month for Scots musicians, both electronic and otherwise. Probably the best ever, in fact, for 24-year-old Aberdonian Emeli Sandé with ‘Heaven’ (EMI) ●●●●, her instantly recognisable, ‘Unfinished Sympathy’-like major label debut after…

Hugh's Jukebox is Coming to Glasgow

30 Jun 2011

In the spirit of festival season, Tennent's is tomorrow rolling out some Friday fun as Hugh's Jukebox - named after the lager legend himself Hugh Tennent - will be touring various locations in Glasgow to mark the 1 week countdown to T in the Park 2011.

Ms Dynamite, Yasmin, Niki & The Dove announced for RockNess 2011

Yet more names join this year’s bill

31 May 2011

Garage MC Ms Dynamite who recently collaborated with both Katy B and Magnetic Man (who also appear at this year’s RockNess) leads the latest additions to the line-up. Joining her is female British rapper Yasmin, Highland singer-songwriter James…

Beyoncé added to T in the Park 2011 line-up

The global pop star joins an already impressive bill at Scottish festival

5 May 2011

Pop sensation Beyoncé has been added to the T in the Park bill, which is taking place at Balado from 8–10 July. She will join a host of acts such as Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Arctic Monkeys and many more. Beyoncé is now one of the best-selling artists…

Preview - Compagni S'Poart: Na Grani

French choreographer Mickaël Le Mer to present his latest work at Glasgow's Tramway

25 Apr 2011

One of the dance world’s many attributes is its ability to cross the language barrier unscathed. Dancers let their bodies, rather than their mouths, do the talking – a form of communication that needs no translation. Instead, dance has its own language…

Kobi Onyame - Green Green Grasses

Ghanaian-Glaswegian rapper presents rought and ready album brimming with Scottish underground guests

25 Apr 2011

(iTunes) Formerly known as Jae P, Ghanaian-Scots rapper Kwame Barfour-Osei has returned here with a debut album under his new name which demonstrates ability as a vocalist and a songwriter, and real skill as a producer. Featuring a bunch of guest…

Laidback Luke, Derrick Carter, Andrew Weatherall, Beardyman, Nero and many more join 2011’s RockNess line-up

7 Apr 2011

Tons and tons of new names have been announced for this year’s RockNess. Laidback Luke, The Japanese Popstars, The Boxer Rebellion, Morning Parade, Twilight Sad, Nero, Skrillex, Beardyman, Sub Focus (live), Sons & Daughters, Broken Records, Chapel Club…

The Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon set for UK tour

The Wu-Tang Clan member comes to Scotland with new album

3 Mar 2011

Two years ago, when Wu-Tang Clan MC Raekwon announced the sequel to his acclaimed 1995 solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx …, you could’ve been forgiven for thinking it was merely some kind of clever ploy to stir up interest in a career that had…

Jay-Z's early lyrics a 'cry for help'

Music Gossip

1 Mar 2011

Jay-Z's early lyrics were a "cry for help". The 'Dirt Off Your Shoulder' hitmaker explained how his first raps were "defiant" in their message and designed to bring attention to his poor background and violent neighbourhood, the tough Marcy Projects…

Wonky features guests Dam Mantle and Asazi Space Funk Explosion

Hip hop, broken beat, dubstep, Afrobeat and drum & bass from Trouble

16 Feb 2011

Wonky is the latest club night to come from the Trouble stable, which also brings you Limbo and Devil Disco Club, and grows from its much respected, now defunct, Trouble night. ‘Devil Disco Club is a streamlined version of what we were doing at Trouble…

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Samples King Crimson, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver - justifying the hype

23 Nov 2010

(Mercury) In the two years since he recorded the singular 808s & Heartbreak, Kanye West has opened a couple of Fatburger franchise restaurants, designed a line of shoes for Louis Vuitton, played himself as an obnoxious drunk in a Spike Jonze short…

New Edinburgh club Soul Kitchen plays hip hop and soul

Hip hop, souls and soulful house on menu at Medina

19 Nov 2010

Edinburgh’s club scene isn’t as bad as its detractors might make out, but it isn’t thriving. Fewer good venues have been taking up the slack over the last decade, which is why anywhere that’s trying to do its own thing should be celebrated. Take compact…

Edinburgh hip hop showcase Breakin’ Convention returns to Festival Theatre

3 Nov 2010

Once upon a time, the hip hop dancers of Scotland could only look longingly down to London at the range of opportunities that the form’s annual festival, Breakin’ Convention, had to offer. So, too, the fans of this increasingly popular dance style. But…

Blaze fuses West End show and club night

Dance show set for Glasgow Theatre Royal

6 Oct 2010

Despite a history dating back over 30 years, hip hop still feels like the new kid on the dance block. Partly because it’s so fresh it could never feel old – but also because only now is it getting the recognition it deserves. Once exclusively…

Magnetic Man - Magnetic Man

6 Oct 2010

(Colombia) Newsflash: dubstep is still hot right now. Hence, we presume, this album from Magnetic Man – aka Benga, Skream and Artwork – a dubstep supergroup, if you will. Evidently aimed at the upper echelons of the hit parade (why else would…

Glasgow clubnight I AM reinvents Tuesdays at Sub Club

Mystery duo launch night playing electro, disco, Italo, hip ho and dubstep

15 Sep 2010

Residents: They go by the names Beta and Kappa. ‘We do a few things in Glasgow but we’d rather go with these faceless names, we might even perform in masks,’ explains Kappa. ‘It just gives you that chance to start from scratch and you know people aren’t…

Tinie Tempah - Disc-Overy

15 Sep 2010

(Parlophone) South London has just coughed up another gifted young MC in the form of Patrick Ogwugu aka 'Talk of 2010' Tinie Tempah. And Rascal needs to watch his back, Disc-Overy is a fiery first effort from the 21-year-old, packed full of…

Spotify Playlist: In Defence of Kanye West

Forget everything else, it’s all about the music

7 Sep 2010

Ever since it emerged, hip hop has sampled songs to create new songs. Be it a loop just a few seconds long or a reworked entire chorus, there’s no denying that samples are the lifeblood of the genre. The process of sampling is one that has fascinated…

Plan B

Rap and hip hop and deep heart-felt soul

7 Sep 2010

There is no doubt that Plan B's Ben Drew is an accomplished rapper and singer, but it's not until you see him live that you can appreciate how immensely talented he is. Many artists work across several genres, but very few have successful attempted…

Linkin Park's hip hop homage

Music Gossip

7 Sep 2010

Linkin Park pay homage to Public Enemy on their new album 'A Thousand Sons'. The nu-metal group have incorporated a number of political messages into the songs on their fourth album and guitarist and rapper Mike Shinoda paid tribute to the legendary…

Dizzee Rascal plays Edinburgh show

East London rapper set for Edge Festival show

14 Aug 2010

Fix up, look sharp. The East London rapper that Jeremy Paxman once called ‘Mr Rascal’ (he was a slightly ill-advised guest commentator on Newsnight’s Obama special), is coming to town. Corn Exchange, 08444 999 990, Thu 26 Aug, 7.30pm, £20. Part of…

Professor Green

Hackney rapper loves a Nando's

12 Aug 2010

Professor Green knows how to party. When his debut album, Alive Till I’m Dead, charted at number two last month, the East-London rapper let it rip: ‘I was so over the moon that I celebrated with a full chicken platter, two large sides and a refillable…

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Chicago fusion of jazz, hip hop and funk

8 Aug 2010

This nine-piece comprising eight horns and a drummer are not what you might expect at the Jazz & Blues Festival.

Tinchy Stryder to take over the HMV Picture House

The East London grime boy done good, and Third Strike is on its way

6 Aug 2010

If Tinchy Stryder’s second long-player, Catch 22, saw him vault the grime underground and snare the pop mainstream (number one hits, collaborations with N-Dubz and a Sugababe, the best-selling UK solo artist of 2009), you wonder what level of stardom…

Hip hop parodist Doc Brown

Sometimes laboured, but poignant, moving, and convincing

6 Aug 2010

There are three things you should know about London’s hip hop parodist Doc Brown. One: he’s superstar author Zadie Smith’s little brother. Two: he’s had several brushes with pop success, having toured with De La Soul and Mark Ronson. Three: more than…

Five hirsute gents tickling our fancies (and chins) this month

Look out for these bearded men at this year's Festivals

5 Aug 2010

Phil Kay Furry Fringe veteran Kay makes no fewer than four fuzzy-faced appearances this year. His kids’ show Gimme Your Left Shoe makes a welcome return; there’s a solo show in the evening called In Tweed; a late-night radio show titled RadioFree; and…

Headspin festival date to be its last

DJ Yoda date marks end of 12 years of clubbing

3 Aug 2010

As Headspin comes to an end, DJ/promoter Allan Dunbar talks to Henry Northmore about their final date and why they’ve booked DJ Yoda to play their last night.

Rhythm Drum & Dance

High-energy show comes to the Edinburgh International Conference Centre

30 Jul 2010

We needed a lie down just after watching the YouTube trailer for this one. A high-energy, high drama drum show which began as a 20-minute show in Berlin (and has since expanded to tour around Europe) – this is a celebration of rhythms. And the RD&D…

Snoop Dogg delivers a more intimate set at the Glasgow Academy

The rapper performed a series of newer and classic hits.

22 Jul 2010

What is this, rap week in Scotland? A few days before Eminem and Jay-Z landed at T in the Park, another superstar of the genre played what must count as an intimate set by his standards here. Even those other icons would have trouble outdoing Snoop…

Wu-Tang Clan set for 2010 UK tour

Five reasons to go see: Wu-Tang Clan

21 Jul 2010

1. They’re back and ‘formin’ like Voltron’ This is the first Scottish performance to feature ALL associated Wu members since 2007’s T In The Park. So expect RZA, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-god, Masta Killa and…

Will.I.Am's hip hop personification

Music Gossip

15 Jul 2010

Will.I.Am considers himself the "personification" of hip hop. The 'Heartbreaker' hitmaker - who is co-founder of the Black Eyed Peas - revealed he is "cool" with fellow artists and music magazines deriding him for not being hip hop enough, as he will…

Eminem - Recovery

7 Jul 2010

(Polydor) Originally intended as a sequel to last year’s Relapse, Recovery looks to re-establish Eminem as the strong, inescapably bratty voice of modern rap he once was. Fully embracing his struggles – drug addiction, loss and the mixed response to…

Deadly Hunta appearing at One Drop, Edinburgh

24 Jun 2010

Covering a broad church of complimentary styles, One Drop promise that you’ll hear reggae, dancehall, hip hop and more at their latest event. It’s a good thing, then, that their headliner is Brit MC Deadly Hunta, whose own CV is similarly…

Young Fathers play Sick Note Saturday

10 Jun 2010

Once again SN take advantage of their monthly weekend slot with alt.hip hoppers Young Fathers going live.

Make Sparks and Three Blind Wolves among highlights of T in the Park’s T Break stage 2010

19 May 2010

The acts for this year’s T Break stage have been announced, and there’s quite a few names to get excited about. Glasgow guitar-pop purveyors Make Sparks have been garnering a lot of attention recently, not least from the authority on such subjects, the…

Stanley Odd - Oddio

18 May 2010

(Circular) Stanley Odd are, with Young Fathers and Northern Xposure, part of a hip hop scene currently on the rise in Scotland. Rather than sticking to the gangsta-rap themes of guns, bitches and bling preferred by certain Stateside artists, the…

Krash Slaughta guests at one of the last nights of Headspin

14 May 2010

‘It was the video for [Malcolm McLaren’s] “Buffalo Gals” that first got me into hip hop,’ says Paul Smith, aka Krash Slaughta. ‘I remember it had The Rock Steady Crew breakdancing in it, and I loved that, so I became a breakdancer myself.’ It wasn’t…

Big Picture: Uffie

16 Apr 2010

Expect looping electro-heavy hip hop from Hong Kong via Paris rapper Uffie (aka Anna-Catherine Hartley). Signed to taste-making label Ed Banger and frequent collaborator with Feadz, Justice and Mr Oizo, she heads another Annie Mac special at Death…

Cypress Hill - Rise Up

15 Apr 2010

(Priority) Seriously. Although this is Snoop’s record label, even the Doggfather takes a break from the chronic sometimes. Despite (uninspired) contributions from Tom Morello and Daron Malakian, this is a one-note affair, too addicted to weed to let…

Stanley Odd

Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, Mon 22 Mar 2010

13 Apr 2010

As you might surmise from the name, Stanley Odd are quite separate fishes from the UK hip hop shoal currently gliding their way to mainstream chart positions these days. They can hardly be accused of jumping on the grimewagon led by the likes of Tinie…

Exposure: Egyptian Hip Hop

19 Mar 2010

This teenage Mancunian quartet – singer Alex Hewett, guitarists Louis Miller and Nick Delap and drummer Alex Pierce – are at the forefront of the new wave of bands emerging from their city, but don’t expect a history lesson from them. Miller brings us…

Skinnyman guests at Edinburgh's One Drop night

10 Mar 2010

Initially signing to Talkin’ Loud, his calling card was his debut album Council Estate of Mind, that summed up the reality of city life with sharp rap, grime beats and heavy bass. Describing his own productions as ‘rhythmatic urban poetry’ he…

Cincinatti three-piece Why? set for Glasgow date

10 Mar 2010

Humorously blunt lyrics accompanied by sumptuous melodies, tender harmonies and the occasional hip-hop edge – sound like your cup of tea? Us too. You may care to check out this beardy three-piece from Cincinatti – whose interracial lovelorn rap ballad…

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - The Logic of Chance

10 Mar 2010

(Sunday Best) Like listening to Russell Brand or Simon Amstell rapping about Britain’s flaws, and preaching about safe sex over uninspiring drum & bass beats. Painful polemics. Light years away from ‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’s glory.

Bonobo set for Edinburgh show at Departure Lounge

17 Feb 2010

Name Bonobo Occupation Soul, jazz, hip hop and electronica producer of note What kind of monkey business is this? OK, very clever. Bonobos are indeed a species of small Chimpanzees (which are apes not monkeys for the record) but the Bonobo…

Hogmanay clubbing 2009

Midnight culture

17 Dec 2009

We kick off our round up with two institutions. Firstly in Glasgow the Optimo Hogmanay Party ‘celebrating the end of the decade’ takes over the Fruitmarket promising ‘our most ambitious event yet’ with special guests Hudson Mohawke, Drums of Death…

Ojos de Brujo

Preview

13 Nov 2009

Walking out the lift of an Edinburgh Hotel, Marina Abad is pushing her baby son in a buggy. Pivotal singer, composer and the only woman in Europe’s most popular world music band – the Barcelona collective Ojos de Brujo. Renowned for their…

Mr Hudson - Straight No Chaser

4 Nov 2009

(Mercury) Enthusiastic endorsement from Kanye West and Jay-Z can’t stop this album of electropop slickness from feeling like the slightly underwhelming little brother to West’s 808s and Heartbreak.

Labels of love: Numbers

29 Oct 2009

Based in: Glasgow Roster: The first three releases will be by Lazer Sword, Redinho and Taz Buckfaster, with more artists to follow. Bosses: Jack ‘Jackmaster’ Revill, Calum and Neil Morton, Richard Chater and Adam Rodgers. Sounds…

Profile: Steve Lawler

The Ibiza superstar DJ does the duties in Edinburgh

15 Oct 2009

Name Steve Lawler Occupation King of Space King of Space? OK, I’ve heard of DJs with big egos but this is ridiculous We don’t mean he’s overlord of the cosmos. He’s been resident at Space, the award-winning house superclub in Ibiza, for the last…

Hitlist: Clubs

The best nights out this fortnight

15 Oct 2009

Definition, Soul Weekender, Men & Machines, Fortified, Pinup Nights, Come and Playdate, Kreep vs Bleep, Spectrum, Vegas

Rahzel and JS-1

Hip-hop on the decks at Cab Volt

15 Oct 2009

This fortnight Cabaret Voltaire welcomes a great hip hop double act: Rahzel and DJ JS-1. Probably the best known beatboxer of all time, Rahzel has been leading the scene for years, having brought the ‘fifth element of hip-hop’ to the world’s attention…

Music In The Digital Age

Technology's impact on the artform

2 Oct 2009

To paraphrase the Creme Egg adverts, when it comes to music, how do you hear yours? Streaming over the internet? Nicking stuff from torrents on the web? A bag full of goodies from Fopp? Crates of obscure vinyl from your local specialist…

Hitlist: Clubs

2 Oct 2009

Devil Disco Club, Mudhoney, Pulse, Telefunken, Sensu is 5, The B^stard Dancehall, Pest Control Records, Mount Heart Attack, Death Disco, Numbers, Ultragroove

Chipmunk - I Am Chipmunk

2 Oct 2009

The British grime scene is defined by its fury and bravado and Chipmunk rolls out a debut album that suggests there’s scope for having some heart too. After demolishing the charts with the simpering proto-Kanye ‘Diamond Rings’ (which features Glasgow…

Death Disco

A Glasgay special

2 Oct 2009

Glasgow’s favourite electro party joins forces with Glasgay! for an all out spectacular. There’s too many names involved but even the highlights should have you salivating at the electronic disco excess on offer. French tastemakers Ed Banger host their…

Who Are LuckyMe?

The people behind the music

1 Oct 2009

Who's involved? Who are you? Claude Speeed of American Men (along with Paul Carlin and Ali Lloyd). Where do you come from? We live in Edinburgh, Manchester and Glasgow, but Paul spends most of his life in various hotels and tour buses…

Hudson Mohawke interview

The LuckyMe man talks to David Pollock

1 Oct 2009

Where once Glasgow was known for bands comprised of skinny indie boys playing guitars, music and design collective LuckyMe is changing the face of the city’s music scene. The group of artists and friends (male and female) has been redefining Glasgow’s…

DJ Moneyshot

The Cardiff DJ comes to Glasgow

1 Oct 2009

Mixed Bizness features Boom Monk Ben upstairs in the Art School every Thursday, mixing all manner of electronic music with heavy bass. This month he has Cardiff’s DJ Moneyshot for company. An official DJ for Solid Steel Radio, Moneyshot has previously…

Simba and Kobi Onyame

23 Sep 2009

Hip hop double bill featuring Zimbabwe’s Simba and Ghanaian producer/artist Kobi Onyame. Now both based in the UK mixing R&B beats with rap lyrics, yet another reason why British hip hop is so exciting right now. Electric Circus, Edinburgh, Sat 26…

Why Mercury win for Speech Debelle marks return to award's roots

Unlike other big-budget nominees, 2009's £20,000 may actually mean something

17 Sep 2009

The sales of Elbow's fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, quadrupled after their Mercury Award in 2008. It's a safe bet that the winner of this year's accolade, Speech Debelle, will match at least that part of the Manchester's band's huge success: the…

Hip Hop Round Up

17 Sep 2009

Given the lightweight folly of his ‘comeback’ album, 2007’s Kingdom Come, the idea of Jay-Z adding a third chapter onto his already substantial Blueprint series promised much, but in reality, The Blueprint 3 (Universal) ●●● doesn’t deliver like the…

Hitlist: Clubs

17 Sep 2009

Cabaret Voltaire’s Alternative Freshers Week, Kinky Afro, Motherfunk, Pinup Nights, Weak at the Knees, Numbers & Fortified, Huntleys and Palmers Audio Club, Compact Disco, Streetrave 20th Birthday Party

Hitlist: Music

17 Sep 2009

Speech Debelle, Music Like A Vitamin, NME Radar Tour, Pixies

Fresher's week club nights

An evening's entertainment for student sorts

3 Sep 2009

Although Edinburghers might not notice it quite so much thanks to their fancy festival throughout the month of August, the clubbing scene does tend to go into a state of semi-hibernation over the summer. And there’s one over-riding reason you just can’t…

Exposure: Northern Xposure

3 Sep 2009

Feted by The Culture Show, name-checked by the urban music press, respected by an army of sometime tour-mates and artists they’ve played alongside (including Dizzee Rascal, Naughty By Nature, Estelle, The Roots and Amy Winehouse) and still based in the…

Exposure: Stanley Odd

28 Aug 2009

Still an odd paradox for some, Scottish hip-hop is only getting stronger. Acts like Young Fathers and Northern Xposure are bringing the spirit of South Central to the Central Belt, offering an alternative to the bountiful angular indie that's heard from…

Hitlist: Clubs

Where to go and what to dance to this week

20 Aug 2009

David Holmes, Modern Lovers, Elextric Frog Street Carnival, Million Dollar Disco, Club For Heroes, Eyes Wide Open, Tokyoblu, Melting Pot, Second CIty

Young Fathers – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, 15 Aug 2009

18 Aug 2009

Revelling in his simple but effective dance pop that narrows the gap between LCD Soundsytem and old school Nintendo theme tunes, local boy Unicorn Kid's support slot is very much a home-crowd affair – with his joy as genuine and bountiful as the sweat…

Flhip Flhop: Everything Happens on the Break

Comic theatre gives hip hop the brush off

16 Aug 2009

Given how the Fringe aspires to be a place for artistic cross-pollination and experimentation, should we be surprised when worlds collide? Well, what about the pairing of hip hop culture and painting and decorating? The white dungarees and paint soaked…

Mos Def - The Ecstatic

14 Aug 2009

(Downtown) His seeming impatience has always been Mos Def’s undoing. His debut 1999’s Black on Both Sides, remains a modern classic, but beyond that and his 1998 collaboration with Talib Kweli Black Star, his frankly patchy musical career has been…