October 12th saw a gig tipped as "Hip-Hop show of the decade" take place in London, featuring the two components of critically acclaimed duo Madvillain - masked maniac rapper DOOM and the extremely talented producer Madlib - supported by a number of heavyweights and up and coming artists from both sides of the pond, including J Rocc, Freddie Gibbs, Kutmah, Illum Sphere, Dels and Jehst.
In what was surely an introspective effort, the Yellow Album gave longtime Dom Kennedy supporters something quite different from the usual summer-released, Westside, Impala-riding music. In contrast to From the Westside with Love II, the Yellow Album utilized more synthesizers. 2011 summer classins like “Grind’n”...
The terms grafting, grinding and so on are so often thrown about in Hip Hop because anyone refusing to put in the work eventually falls far behind in the never ending race to remain relevant in the scene. Fortunately for respected DJ, Producer, label CEO and radio host Statik Selektah his non-stop efforts have secured his place amongst the small group of respected names across Hip Hop's wider market. From working with long term partner Termanology to hosting his own show on Shade 45, the East Coast resident has proven to be one of the more adequate jack-of-all-trades individuals in the genre. Still finding time to hit the studio, Population Control is the fifth solo release from Statik, where the now recognisable boom bap, claps and soul flavours of the beatsmith should be done justice by the various spitters on hand to bless each track.
It may be the summer holidays for many youngsters but class is once again in session thanks to the Hip Hop sensei Ski Beatz. Last summer, the seasoned producer rounded up a group of dope spitters and charismatic rhymers to cause havoc in the classroom in which he called the 24 Hour Karate School, an impressive compilation album which found newcomers and experienced lyricists slay a number of beats orchestrated by himself. After a hectic year which saw him work on projects with Curren$y, Terri Walker and even make a trip to the UK, the producer once again calls on students of the present and future stars of Hip Hop to provide the sequel to his spectacular first offering.