Leeds Hip Hop Scene » Feature

How SEO Will Get More Visitors To Your Music Website

Editor — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:55:32 +0000

ИконописИкониSearch Engine Optimisation is one of the most important activities any musician can do to get more visitors to your web presence. No doubt you’ve spent a lot of time and money getting a great looking blog/website designed and filled with excellent content, the problem is your getting less than a couple of hundred unique visitors a month to your site. As an independent musician you already have a good understanding of how important marketing is in order to sell your merchandise, music or get people to your shows; well that’s what SEO is about, getting traffic to your website.

Let’s be honest Google, Yahoo and Bing are the kings of the web search engine, they hold the largest market share and you need to understand how to get your website to the coveted number one positionИдея за подаръкикониикониПравославни иконииконописikoniсвети георгиikoniхудожник на икониИкони на светци

Why Not Just Lift One Finger?

Editor — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 12:05:31 +0000

From an article I read over at Sturban Clothing’s blog the other day I decided it was time I joined the “Lift One Finger” Campaign. Many years ago, Sturban Clothing did a t-shirt design based on the ancient Chinese symbol for “revolt and nationalism”. It was basically a clenched hand with the index finger outstretched, symbolising that great change could be brought about if everybody lifted just one finger.

So what are we revolting against? Everything! You can be what you ant to be you don’t have to follow the herd you are an individual with your own beliefs, morals and values and you can lift one finger and make a change.

All of this passes over to Sturban, and whilst many may look and see a clothes shop, just take a closer look. Why don’t they stock certain big selling brands? Why do they choose small independents? Why don’t they bandwagon jump on music scenes and artists? Why are they supporting the core, small underground labels, events and people? And think what all these people, brands and labels have in common – ATTITUDE. Does your multinational, corporate, suit-driven company really have that, or do they just follow the bottom line?

So, let’s all lift one finger for the ATTITUDE and support the individual that offers you choice and truth and is more concerned with how and why, rather than how much and how soon.

LIFT ONE FINGER NOW!

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Old Skool Sundays 3

Editor — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:12:21 +0000

So here we are again another lazy Sunday afternoon and some more old school hip hop to enjoy…

First up we have the legendary KRS-One and the second single from his debut LP “Return of the Boom Bap” “Sound of da Police” was later sampled by Fatboy Slim in his song “Mad Flava”…

Secondly we have the 1988 Electro HipHop classic from Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock “It Takes Two”.The song samples heavily from Lyn Collins’ 1972 song “Think (About It)”, using multiple drum breaks, the well known “Woo! Yeah!” sample, as well as the lyric sung by Collins which gives It Takes Two its title. The song has gone on to be sampled by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Black Eyed Peas and Gangstarr…

Last but by no means least the Wu Tang Clan have to be mentioned, the new LP from Ghost, Meth and Rae is due to drop in a few weeks and it’s only right we look back to where it all began… “C.R.E.A.M.” (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) is the second single from Wu-Tang Clan’s highly praised debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The song is produced by RZA with a sample from “As Long As I’ve Got You” by The Charmels.

The track was used a few years ago by local producer IRN MNKY to produce a great Johnny Cash Mashup “J.C.R.E.A.M”

JCREAM – WU Vs Johnny Cash

Old Skool Sunday 2

Editor — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:25:44 +0000

OK so I promised to post up a few Old Skool tracks every Sunday that I thought were key to defining the scene we are all part of today.

Today’s first track is a dedication to one of the UK pioneer’s Blade (Blade691) his first single, Lyrical Maniac (Raw Bass) recorded in 1989, soon brought Blade to prominence in the fledgling British hip hop scene….

Secondly we have another The Pharcyde classic “Passin’ Me By” released in March 1993 through Delicious Vinyl Records. The song was the second single released from the group’s influential 1992 debut Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde. The song, produced by J-Swift, utilizes samples from “Summer in the City” by Quincy Jones, which was also used by UK outfit Nightmares on Wax.

Finally I have decided to post up Dr. Dre’s mid 90′s classic “Keep their Heads Ringing” – sampling “Funk You Up” by The Sequence from their 1980 single.

The track is from the 1995 true modern classic movie “Friday”, starring Chris Tucker and Ice Cube.

See you next week…

Old Skool Sundays – Number 1

Chris — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 12:24:29 +0000

I’ve decided to throw up some old classics from the UK/US that I feel have had a notable influence on the Hip Hop Scene over the past couple of decades. I plan on doing this all through February and we’ll see how often it appears after?! Some you’ll know – some you won’t but I’m sure you’ll enjoy them…

First up it wouldn’t be J. Dilla’s birthday if we didn’t honour the great man… The Pharcyde – Runnin’ (Prod. Jay Dee) from their 1995 Delicious Vinyl album, Labcabincalifornia.

The song samples popular jazz artist Stan Getz’s “Saudade Vem Correndo”, from his 1963 album “Jazz Samba Encore”. The sample loops a small section of the track’s bridge, layering on additions from other sections of Getz’ song. Runnin’ is one of Pharcyde’s most remembered songs.

Second, we have Blackstar (Mos Def & Talib Kweli) – Definition is a response to hip hop’s fascination with death, and a dedication to slain emcees Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G..

As the chorus goes, “One two three/Mos Def and Talib Kweli/We came to rock it on to the tip-top/Best alliance in hip-hop, Y-O/I said, one two three/It’s kind of dangerous to be an emcee/They shot Tupac and Biggie/Too much violence in hip-hop, Y-O” – The chorus is also a play on Boogie Down Productions’ anti-gun song “Stop the Violence”. Big track from 1998…

Finally we have to pay homage to the Leeds legend and all round Mr Nice (Things) Guy – Breaking the Illusion, I can’t believe this track is 18 years old, I still have this on vinyl (a little tatty – but still plays very well). The main reason I chose this release is the significance it has for all UK heads – no only was this the most important release for Leeds but for the UK – “Where Will It End?” is Lowlife Records first ever release! Without this record Low Life records may never have being born and lot of the underground artists we take for granted today – well…..?

The Headspace Interview

Chris — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:37:53 +0000

We wanted to push for a line up that would excite UK Hip Hop heads, and have loads of exclusive tracks. At the same time we wanted up and coming artists to be sitting alongside established artists.

I briefly caught up with Vice from Basement Sessions about the Headspace Mixtape that will launch tomorrow, 5th February 2010, with a raft of UK Hip Hop Acts dropping exclusive tracks for this new project between Basement Sessions Podcasts, HipHopHypeDog, Sensei FM and Soapbox Clothing.

For our readers who don’t know who you are, can you briefly introduce yourself?
My name’s Vice. I run Basement Sessions, an online Hip Hop community which has been running for a year now. My partner in crime is Hype Dog, one of the best UK Hip Hop blogs around. Hype Dog’s pretty new in the game but doing things properly. We are just about to drop the first volume of the Headspace mixtape, which is supported by Sensei Fm and features graphics from ever fresh Soap Box Clothing.

What motivated you to release your mixtape? Can you let us know who features on there?

Initially I wanted to release a mixtape to celebrate a year of the Basement Sessions podcasts. I got at Hype Dog with the idea and we decided to join forces. There’s a lot of Uk mixtapes that come out each year and they tend to follow the same pattern, with similar sounding tracks, the same artists every time, and very few exclusives. We wanted to push for a line up that would excite UK Hip Hop heads, and have loads of exclusive tracks. At the same time we wanted up and coming artists to be sitting alongside established artists. Weve got tracks from TY, Stig of The Dump, Mystro, Jack Flash, Alphabetix, Prose, Brotherman, Lowkey, IQ and loads more artists from around the country.

Do you have a fave track on the mixtape?
ah man! I love all of the tracks on there. Every single track on there was picked because we were feeling the artist, not just on there because of their rep. I love Ty’s new track with Corey Mwamba, thats got a really nice vibe. There’s an amazing Akira Kiteshi remix of Asaviour & DJ IQ from the A-Loop Theory that gets your head nodding every time. I’m a fan of all of these artists so it’s really hard to choose. I guess one other track that I’m feeling is Jack Flash’s new track produced by Wizard, that’s a banger!

Where do you think the UK Scene is right now? Where would you like to see it go?
The UK scene constantly gets ripped apart by everyone. The ‘Golden Days’ of the early 2000′s is way behind us, and people keep on clutching onto that sound, with artists like Taskforce, Jehst, Moorish and alike constantly selling out venues. Those guys are still sick but there’s way more out there to discover. The UK Hip Hop scene has really crafted it’s own sound, and every city sounds different. From boombap, to soulful, to double time to wonky sounding beats there is everything you could ask for in a genre.

The one thing that is stopping the scene from blowing up is the clique mentality and every city being separate. London is always classed as the hub of the scene, but cities like Leeds, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Derby and loads more and pushing their music hard. So many crews in each city only except particular artists into their network, and as each city tends to have a relatively small scene, if you are a new artist it can be hard to push through. People need to switch their mentality and try and discover music from all over the country and across the British Isles.
There is no reason to be negative about UK Hip Hop, it’s an amazing genre with a great scene. I would just like to see it come together, and be more supportive of the artists who are really moving our country’s sound forward.

Are you cooking up any other ways to bring fresh ways of releasing music to this digitally obsessed age?
We’ve got some ideas! I think the key is to tap into that digital market but be sure double up with a physical format aswell. Headspace Volume 1 is strictly digital, but there’s some very different things happening for the upcoming volumes! For the next volume we will be bringing it to the people! We’d like to get more live shows on the go and some different ways of releasing the material.

Basement Sessions have recently began working on a series of 4 day events, the first took place at Knowle West Media Centre in Bristol in January called XLR. The event consists of Workshops, Film Screenings, Live PA’s from the best local talent and lectures. The whole idea is redefining Hip Hop. All of the footage will be uploaded and promoted, and live tracks sent out to shows and blogs, to route back to the ever growing digital scene.

Any Shout Outs?
The headspace mixtape will be available to download on Friday. Go to http://ukhiphopmixtapes.blogspot.com to cop it! Plus it will be all over the UK Hip Hop online circuit so you can check us anywhere! Particularly Hype Dog, Certified Banger, Hip Hop Chronicles, Leeds Hip Hop (of course!) and UK Allday
There’s too many! You can check the Basement Sessions podcasts at:
www.basementsessions.podomatic.com
We’ve got regular shows from myself in Birmingham, Jagos in Bristol and 456 in Ipswich, plus guest mixes and interviews with some great artists.
Our blog is:
www.thebasementsessions.com
www.twitter.com/basementsession
And you can join the Basement Sessions Facebook group at:
www.tinyurl.com/streetface
Plus check our You Tube channel:
www.youtube.com/basementsessionsuk

You can check Hype Dog at:
http://hiphophypedog.blogspot.com/
twitter.com/hypedog1
Also check out UK Hip Hop Mixtapes for a whole host of paid and free mixtapes and projects:
http://ukhiphopmixtapes.blogspot.com
twitter.com/ukmixtapes
And be sure to check them both out on Twitter plus check out their London Events page:
twitter.com/ldnhiphop

Plus be sure to check our supporters Sensei FM, who are home to tonnes of great online shows:
www.sensei.fm

And check Soap Box Clothing, who offer Limited Edition clothing with a difference:
www.soapboxclothing.co.uk

Homegrown Hip-Hop Exhibition @ Urbis Manchester (in Pictures)

esSDee — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:27:33 +0000

So on Sunday morning I decided to go and visit Urbis in Manchester to see their last ever display before they become the National Football Museum. This display closes on 27th Feb 2010 so get there quick before it’s all gone for good!!

www.djessdee.com

www.twitter.com/djessdee

Home grown hip hop recognised with new exhibition at Urbis

Editor — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 12:24:27 +0000

‘Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip-Hop’ – a new exhibition opened on 14th October at Urbis in Manchester. ‘Home Grown’ focuses on the wonderful, unpredictable story of UK hip-hop: a music and culture that dragged itself up from the streets – with a little help from some surprisingly eminent friends – to change the face of British music and style. From producing some of Britain’s most esteemed artists, to helping spawn almost every major British dance music genre of the last twenty years, it makes for a cracking story. But surprisingly it is one that has never before been told. The event closes on 27th February 2010 so make sure you visit soon!!

Co-curated by Urbis’s Andy Brydon in collaboration with hip-hop writer James McNally and artist / musician Kid Acne, ‘Home Grown’ will showcase never before seen photography from the personal collections of DJ Milo (The Wild Bunch) and DJ 279; rare film footage sourced directly from Malcolm McLaren and cult documentary director Dick Fontaine; and exclusive documentation from seminal early hip-hop clubs like Spats and the Language Lab, right through to influential latter day spots such as Deal Real record store. It also includes rare – and sometimes unique – audio, flyers, posters, clothing and unseen photographs from the private collections of artists, promoters, producers, dancers and photographers – including the legendary Beezer, photographer of the Wild Bunch before they became Massive Attack; the inimitable Normski and former Hip-Hop Connection lensman Richard Reyes.

Andy Brydon commented:

“British hip hop has never had the recognition and kudos it deserves. We have a wealth of talent in this country that has developed and grown in the last 30 years to become a respected musical force to be reckoned with and the artists that are consistently breaking through continue to push boundaries and take hip hop further. Many people are unaware of how British hip hop has evolved and of how influential it has been. Through this exhibition visitors will be able to trace the history of the UK scene before discovering what and who will be the next to make their mark.”

‘Home Grown’ is divided into seven sections, covering emceeing, deejaying, graffiti and breakdancing. They are:

• Origins of UK hip-hop, looking at the existing British black music culture of soul boys and reggae sound systems in the late 1970s
• The Early Years, focusing on the emergence of UK b-boy culture, the continuation of the sound system legacy, and the UK’s first hip-hop and electro records
• The Boom Years, zooming in on the media’s adoption of hip-hop as a new cultural phenomenon, setting the stage for a first generation of major label home grown talent such as Cookie Crew, London Posse and Hijack
• Broken Beats focus on UK hip-hop’s underground years as it became overshadowed by the emergence of club culture. This tension ultimately helped breed some of the most diverse and challenging mutations of UK breakbeat culture (from hardcore and trip-hop to jungle and drum ‘n’ bass) while hardening the UK hip-hop scene’s DIY values from within – most famously in the so-called Britcore movement
• The Renaissance, showing how the British hip-hop scene rallied around a new generation of acts – such as Roots Manuva, Blak Twang and Lewis Parker – championing their new British sounds, and bringing a fresh sense of optimism to the scene
• The Home Grown, looking at the consolidation of this success in an underground network of self-sufficient labels, shops and promotions, while new stars blew up on the mainstream
• Emergent UK Hip-Hop, showcasing new hip-hop from all of the traditional elements, as well as the best of the new artists about to break through – whether they’re incorporating elements of grime, dubstep and wonky, or just doing it straight, no chaser.

Pollyanna Clayton-Stamm, Head of Creative Programmes at Urbis said:

“This exhibition continues the ethos that underpins all programming at Urbis, to explore a broad spectrum of popular and often timely topics, reclaiming popular culture by covering sometimes uncharted themes that are not traditionally covered by other galleries or museums. It’s exciting to be highlighting a genre that has had such a huge impact on our culture, not just through music but also fashion, art and film; with this exhibition visitors will for the first time be able fully to understand and appreciate how and why British hip hop developed and where it goes from here.”

Contributors to date include Malcolm McLaren, Normski, DJ Semtex, DMC, DJ 279, Fallacy, Morgan Khan, Part 2, Greg Wilson, Jehst, THTC, DJ MK, Dreph, Andy Cowan, Vie Marshall, Beezer, DJ Milo, Tuf Tim Twist (Rock Steady Crew), Rising Styles (Hip Hop Festival), Contact Theatre. More artists will be revealed in the coming months.

Urbis is open daily 10am-6pm

Entry to Urbis and ‘Home Grown: The Story of UK Hip Hop’ is free, small charges occasionally apply for other exhibitions – Urbis, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester, M4 3BG

Tel: 0161 605 8200 www.urbis.org.uk

30 Tonne Slug Prepare To Make Their Mark

Wisdomtooth — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:14:41 +0000

30 Tonne Slug is the latest Leeds based label to stand out and proclaim it’s
worth to the Gods that are Hip Hop. If their debut EP Alphabitix Anonymous, out
next week, is anything to go by then they stand every chance of acceptance. I caught
up with Angel S and MrRis (the label chiefs) to probe their minds and find out
where they are, where they’ve been and most importantly where they intend to
go.

Meeting in the pissing rain over a Sailor
Jerry’s n Coke outside Hyde Park Pub, the conversation gets straight to hip hop
politics, a familiar and well treaded topic up north.

MrRis – One label does not make a scene and that’s why we taking things into
our own hands and releasing our own music and the music we love. No one is
getting pushed in Leeds. It’s a simple fact that you have to get out there and
do it yourself. Everyone knows each other in Leeds, we all collaborate but some
friendly competition is healthy and helps bring the scene forward.

Angel S – We’ve been doing this for long time now and were not naive. 30
Tonne might well run at a loss for the first few years, but you have to earn
respect in UK hip hop. Heads are loyal but we’ve all seen it where artists have
come out of nowhere and pushed themselves hard but have had nothing to back it
up. We have done the exact opposite.

Alphabetix have been sharpening their claws on the gig circuit for years
now. Building up a reputation for being able to get the crowd hyped at any
given night. Angel S is right of course. Instead of hauling all their efforts
into producing a studio album that doesn’t have an audience, they are now in a position
where heads are asking “when is the album coming? Where is it, Don’t you want
my money?”.

The rain finally clears and the sun pushes through onto the sodden pub umbrellas.
MrRis suggests we go back to 30TS headquarters for a preview of the EP. The mood
is full of optimism as talk turns to 30 Tonnes’ latest signing Verbal Contact. MrRis
genuinely gushing his love for Matter and Prys’ (Verbal Contact) vocal styling’s.

MrRis – Matter is one of the hardest
working heads I know and him and Prys just work so well on the same track. They’re
coming from the same place.

It’s obvious you are passionate about the people you surround yourselves
with, I say.

Angel S – The mandate is Artist first! Business comes second. Were fans as
much as anything, we wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t have love for the
music. That’s not to say that were ignorant to the industry. I have been
involved in marketing for Vadim and IQ in the passed and have built up my
contacts along the way.

As we reach 30TS HQ I ask them about their backgrounds. People either get
into hip hop as they are growing up, where they become part of its culture as
much as it is their own. Or they get into the ‘Scene’ as they hit Uni and
usually become a parody of it (excuse the cynicism, maybe I’m just getting old).

Angel S – I was into all the US stuff growing up back in York. Then I herd
Taskforce and was like this is DARK!

MrRis – We used to bump The Roots non-stop too. Back at Alexs’ (ABD) yard. ‘118
Soundsystem’ was the party house, we even put out our first 12” release under
it – Beached.

Alphabetix Anonymous is playing in the background. A polished mix of intelligent
vocals playfully weaving through a select choice of beats, from the likes of
Mike D and J Bravo to name a few. We sit over a brew and a smoke to absorb Verbal
Contacts ambitious and strikingly accomplished ‘Literary Vices EP’, then it’s
time to leave. They have a busy afternoon finalising artwork and contacting
promoters. I drive home with my advanced copies of Literary Vices and
Alphabetix Anonymous feeling good and even a little exited. The sun is out
and the fruits of the last couple of years of some of Leeds most respected
heads are on the horizon. Watch this space.

Urban in Ibiza

Editor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:02:00 +0000

8th – 17th August at Atzaro hotel in Ibiza

Prepare yourself for a visual feast this August as Grafitti sprays the sunny white isle with the anticipated arrival of URBAN IN IBIZA.

Never has Ibiza seen such a spectacular before with the world’s leading Grafitti artists displaying their work on the Island from 8th to 17th August culminating in a live art display by one of the UK’s most notorious graffiti writers INKIE.

Heralding from the infamous Bristol School of Graffiti, he has been identified as Banksy’s partner in crime. A dominant presence of over twenty years on the interational graffiti scene, Inkie’s trademark intricate imagery is uniquely striking with styles drawn from diverse inspiration, ubiquitous street signage, the architecture of ancient temples, Islamic geometry and currently resides as in-house artist at Jade Jagger’s West London Studios. Another urban art legend Chu will also be drawing live on the night too!

For Urban in Ibiza, Inkie has selected a cross-section of the UK’s leading street artists to show work of this kind in Ibiza for the first time including musical genius and Drum and Bass pioneer GOLDIE! Pioneer, cult status grafitti artist, drum n bass icon, DJ, producer and actor, Goldie is a total original and multi-talented complex shapeshifter. Goldie’s produced artistic works with 3D (Massive Attack) and provided pieces to Neneh Cherry, Noel Gallagher, Bjork, James Lavelle and Nellee Hooper to name a few.

MauMau, Chu, Dan MacMillan, China Mike, Mudwig, Pure Evil, Ryan Mcphail, Zeus, Mysterious Al, Eco, Fark FK, Finbarr, DAC, Nine-0, David Walker, Hush, Agent Provocateur, Grafter, Andy Council, and SHOK-1 will all show a selection of their work too from 8th – 17th August at the suitably glamourous Atzaro hotel in Ibiza.

On 12th August, Atzaro plays host to a celebration of the exhibition in their beautiful gardens with Inkie creating one of his master-pieces live over the stunning flood-lit pool, reflecting such a special event on the Island. This one-off piece will then be auctioned-off during the night. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by credible, infamous urban musicians Roots Manuva, (Live Show) DJ MK (Kiss FM) DJ Samir and Benji Boko. Entrance is free and this exclusive first ever Urban event will run from 8pm – 2am.

Urban In Ibiza was the brainchild of Dizzi Saunders, who started promoting parties in the 80′s, and then went on to buy the Velvet Room in Soho which boasted the likes of Carl Cox and Fabio and Grooverider. Dizzi Saunders then moved to Ibiza where he started collecting Urban Art and really getting into the scene. After an idea to bring more cutting edge art and music to the White Isle, Dizzi hooked up with his old friend Inkie to let the people of Ibiza know what is going on in the Urban Entertainment scene and Urban In Ibiza was born.

Celebrated fashion designer Dan Macmillan will be showing some of his rare pieces from his Zoltar label, whilst sexy Ibicencan Swimwear label Graffiti will be treating us to a fashion show around the pool. This is a night and an art extravaganza not to be missed.

http://www.urbaninibiza.com/