The Hip-Hop Appreciation Week W/O - Best of British May 12 '02    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line British hip-hop is still struggling in the underground, and these artists have helped the scene grow in stature through creativity and talent. For this... i thank them. Pre-Ramble When madtheory sent me an email inviting me to contribute to the Hip-hop Appreciation Week (May 13-20), I understandably jumped at the chance. What is this all about? Well it's a week that calls upon anyone connected with hip-hop to help promote the positive image of Hip-hop and to try to reverse peoples's often negative impressions of hip-hop. Having just returned from a School Trip from France I was dying to get back to my immense hip-hop collection and start listening, so I wasn’t short of inspiration. Having said that, it’s been a bit of a struggle to think up of a suitable topic for such a prestigious write-off. I’ve been toying with numerous ideas. I really wanted to link in this write-off with British hip-hop – keeping in theme with my pledge to expose as much UK stuff to the world as possible. Hip-hop is often unfairly seen as something that is an “US exclusive” music form, by many people in all areas of the world. Some of my friends who are not really into rap barely know that there is somewhat of a blossoming underground scene “over the pond”. Ok, so there are many UK acts who simply copy the popular gangsta rap acts of the US… and instead of injecting their own heritage and culture they simply go all “thugged out” on us, which doesn’t really help the profile of UK hip-hop. While a couple of these groups are half decent (P.O.T for example) the majority are simply weak. Since the theme of hip-hop appreciation week this year is ”gratitude”, I thought I’d write a little piece on the British hip-hop artists that have helped enhance the quality of the British scene, for the right reasons. And i have to thank them for this. Roots Manuva has got to receive loud acclaim as the best British emcee to come any where near close to breaking into the mainstream. Roots is a brilliantly British emcee. He’s got a distinctive, growling voice that doesn’t fail to get attention when he drops a verse, and his distinct lyrics and languid yet dextrous rhyming style has won over the rap purists as well as UK groupies. Roots' debut album Brand New Second Hand" was a brilliant, brilliant slice of UK hip-hop, and established him as an original (check out my review). It says a lot that most of the American hip-hop heads on Epinions know Roots all know of, and some have purchased Roots’ albums. Definitely an emcee who I’m thankful for – he’s helped buoy the UK scene. … ALbums Released: ”Brand New Second Hand" - 1999, Big Dada Records. ”Run Come Save Me" – 2001, Big Dada Records. Info: http://www.rootsmanuva.co.uk And now I move on from the current “leader of the pack” to the fierce, up and comer Blak Twang. This boy has the skills, the charisma and the presence to really blow up. He just needs the backing. Blak Twang is like the UK version of Pharoahe Monch or Ras Kass – an underground lyrical force, who has a sharp tounge combined with thoughtful and intelligent lyrics. With his debut album released in 1998, BT really caused a storm in the British hip-hop world. He’s collaborated with US acts like The Wu-Tang Clan (yeah that’s right), Talib Kweli and Common. Not only is he a lyricist of some skill, he can produce as well! Man. Anyway, if Epinions ever complies with my requests to get his reviews into the database I’ll bring you more info then. Blak has had two excellent solo albums released (and still hasn’t blown up!!!). If you’re into hip-hop, check him out! Albums Released: ”19 Long Time – Live from Da Big Smoke” - 1998, Bad Magic ”Kik Off, 2002, Bad Magic Info: http//www.Blaktwang.net Having established these two emcees as the "Emcee of the moment" and the rising star, Blade is undeniably the leading veteran of the British scene. He’s been around since the very early 90’s, releasing both EP’s and full-length albums as both a solo artist and as part of the rap duo Mark B & Blade. Blade first surfaced around 1989/1990 with several 12” singles, as well as the good EP “Survival of the Hardest Working”. This title is rather symbolic of Blade – he puts a lot of effort into the UK hip-hop scene. His rough, tough and uncompromising rapping style has won him plaudits over the years, and his street-smart poetic lyrics add a dimension of depth few emcees have. One of the hardest working emcees around, and a helpful figure for the scene. Albums Released: ”The Lion Goes From Strength to Strength” - 1993, 691 Influential ”Planned and Executed” - 1995, 691 Influential Info: http://www.markbandblade.com Lewis Parker is probably my favourite British emcee around, and is arguably the most technically gifted emcee in the British game (yes, even better than Blak Twang). His high speed, rapid-fire delivery is reminiscent of my man Kurupt (one reason I like him), but his socially conscious, intelligent lyrics combined with a harder edge really put this cat a cut above the rest. While he’s not a recognised star yet, he has won many plaudits for his inimitable rapping style and lyrics. His solo album “Masquerades and Silhouettes” was also one of 1998’s brightest moments for UK Hip-hop – it being a sweeping combo of grand orchestral backing and top-notch lyrics. Definitely someone to check out. Albums Released: ”Masquerades and Silhouettes” - 1998, Melankolic. Brain Tax were originally a duo from Leeds, now based in London as a solo artist, who I have to pay respect to. A producer/DJ-emcee combination, Braintax has been known in the game for roughly 10 years. The critically acclaimed “Fat Head” EP was released in 1992, and this is the work that Braintax is frequently judged by. Through the next 10 years, Braintax released several well received EP’s and 12”s, and finally released his long awaited full length debut “Biro Funk” in November of 2001. The album was well received, and I have to say it is an intelligent, slightly surreal funk odyssey that was well worth the purchase. Anyway, Braintax is a intelligent emcee who successfully combines surreal humour and social commentary with a dense, funky soundscape. Albums Released: ”Biro Funk” - 2001, Low Life Info: http://www.lowliferecords.freeserve.co.uk/braintax.htm Finally, the London Posse are kind of like the UK version of The Wu-Tang Clan. This duo consisting of Rodney P and Bionic, from inner London, have had an amazing efficiency rate – turning out EP after EP, and 12” after 12”. However, they’ve only ever managed to release one album, and that is ”Gangsta Chronicle”. This was one of the most consistent and impressive debut UK hip-hop albums, and it stands as both a landmark and a classic to which many UK hip-hop albums are still judged. Rodney P and Bionic also have the unique "claim to fame" of watching legendary US luminary KRS-One record the classic "Bridge is Over" single. These two are real innovators, and a group who have survived for over a decade (a pretty impressive feat). Albums Released: ”Gangsta Chronicle” - 1991 (re-released in 2001), Wordplay. Info: http://www.Londonposse.com End-Ramble So that’s it. You’ve just read a list of some of the most influential and talented hip-hop artists that occupy the fair isles of the UK. While this is by no means a complete list, all of these artists or figures have in someway had a very positive effect on the UK hip-hop scene. For that I thank them – because it’s a difficult thing to be able to succeed in a minority music form such as hip-hop over here in England. Sorry, I retract that statement…. Hip-hop isn’t a minority music form over here. It’s all over the place – Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit and The Wu-Tang Clan all frequent airplay and TV regularly, not to mention record sales. However, notice they’re all major American stars. American hip-hop is a major music genre. British hip-hop is a minority music genre. Which is sad, because there’s a wealth of talent over here just dying to get out of the underground. So once again, i can't state how much i'm grateful for the above artists... imagine the difficulties the UK scene would face if all the artists were generic clones of their US equivalents... the scene just wouldn't "blow up", wouldn't have any individuality and could not be seen as "British". These boys up top are all their because of their orignality, their creativity and their talent. They're British and they're proud of it * God knows what UK hip-hop would be like without them. And scarily, this little article is only the beginning of my coverage of British hip-hop on Epinions. I think I must have won the award for sending the most emails to Epinions asking them to add this and that to the database... most of it revolving around UK hip-hop. But rest assured, I'm striving to give the scene the exposure it deserves. Even when EPS don't comply with my requests, I'll find some way to publish my reviews. Thanks for reading. And please check out the other participants... ----------------------------------------------- More info on British Hip-hop… http://www.ukhh.com…. The king of UK hip-hop sites… reviews, artists, news – everything! http://britishhiphop.co.uk… another informative UK related site. ---------------------------------------------- Can I also take this moment to thank madtheory for hosting this Write-off. His consistent knowledge and application of the art of hip-hop on Epinions has been exemplary... it's just a shame I've gotta knock the king off his throne... or not ;-) And finally, I’m warning you to read all of the other participants… otherwise I’ll set Cletta1201 lose on you… and that’s a fate I wouldn’t force on anyone! :-D madtheory (host) LessThanNick1 Roheblius MagnumForce cletta1201 tigger500 ekidd911 DVON paulyoungotti (myself) gamblinfamily

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