Professor Green
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Fink, aka Fin Greenhall, is a musician with an impressive CV.  He's an accomplished singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and DJ.  Signed to the record label Ninjatune, Fink has built up his acoustic blues/folk music into critically successful array of albums for his hordes of fans. On a crackling phone line, Fink chats to Soul Culture’s Philip Javens about his latest album, Perfect Darkness; graffiti artist Banksy; working with the late Amy Winehouse and rap artist Professor Green; and his philosophy on making music - "the better the music, the better you’re going to do..."

If 2011 has taught the members of #TeamUK anything it's that the 100 metre race they initially thought they were running is actually as long distance event. The early successes which many had achieved have now become a memory as the pressures to maintain such standards becomes harder. Longevity in music has always been linked to acclaimed albums - and battle rapper-turned-UK phenomenon Professor Green takes on the arduous challenge of producing the ever cited 'difficult second album'. At Your Inconvenience follows on from a very successful year for the Walthamstow rapper, claiming plaudits both from commercial and specialist platforms. Balancing the two has never been more difficult, so it's a just matter of whether the professor chooses to favour one of the two markets or remain persistent in creating the anecdote for gratifying both masses.

As the name suggests, Perfect Darkness takes on the chiaroscuro effects it evokes, and forms a deep thunderous catharsis with the voice of a melancholic baritone acoustic singer called Fink. Fink's fifth album sounds like a broken man who’s torn away the passions of his heart and laid it to rest onto this CD – it feels like a modern day Greek tragedy. Produced by Billy Bush (Beck, Garbage), Fin Greenall and his band produced this album in the space of 20 days.  Recorded in Los Angeles, the Brighton-based singer/songwriter wanted to capture the raw, organic urgency of fear onto his album - and from the opening number, I can safely say that Perfect Darkness well executes their conception with heart-throbbing accuracy.

A weekend of events celebrating hip hop at the Southbank Centre in Central London kicked off on July 14 with a presentation by UK rapper and poet Akala breaking down the musical history and origins of hip hop music,joined by Sona Jobarteh who is a member of one of the five principal kora playing, also known as Griot families from West Africa and the first female kora player to come from this prestigious musical family.

On 25th January MTV brought their Blackberry sponsored Brand New for 2011 project from the TV and internet screens and live to North London’s KOKO. The first night of the MTV live shows, the sold-out concert featured an urban line-up with Tinchy Stryder headlining [pictured above]. I’m continually impressed with how many mobile phone and technology companies are beginning to understand the real commercial prowess their technology can enable. Blackberry, who’ve long-recognised that their unique selling point is communication, invited audience members to add the event’s special Blackberry Messenger pin to send messages, which appeared on a big screen between performances. Performances were also segued with VTs of the Brand New for 2011 candidates, which include two of the night’s acts, RD and Jessie J.

Tinchy Stryder has always claimed to be on cloud nine and in 2009, he very much proved that the sky is the limit. The number one selling male artist in the UK was just one of the many accolades which came from the young superstar, whose early Grime days seem like a lifetime ago. Striking a fine balance between stylish verses and big, dance anthems, the Stryderman now finds himself courting the attention of an audience made up of raucous teen fans, respected industry figures in the UK as well as a certain Head of Roc Nation. So what does that mean for his third album Third Strike? Will the prying eyes of all these interested parties force the Golden boy to take a more predictable route? Or does a young man who has gained so much musical power, use it to his advantage to squeeze out a differing sound altogether?

The new guns of Hip Hop may believe that producing a solo mixtape will immediately lead to instant success. Maybe so - but believe it or not, there was a time when a rapper had to earn their stripes by battling on the underground circuit - just like Professor Green. Creating a buzz thanks to his humorous and character-stripping assassinations on the mic, Pro’s success elevated him into the category of the ‘next big thing’ but  a near fatal incident put any domination plans on hold for a year. Losing none of his wit and wordplay the Professor finally drops his anticipated album which hopes to make up for lost time. Kicking off with a funky opener in “Kids That Love To Dance” [featuring soulful UK rising talent Emeli Sande], Pro Green still displays a precision in his quick lyrical outputs, even briefly mentioning the horrendous attack he encountered; “I’m back in effect/ Got shanked in my neck now I’m back from the dead”.