If you had been waiting for this next instalment then sorry just got caught up but hey I am back and got to let you know about Ice T’s new film Something From Nothing – The Art Of Rap. It’s so heavy, so dope that I watched it twice and I could definitely watch it a third time.

Ice T has created a film that will undoubtedly go into hip hop folklore as a piece of cinematic joy that you have to watch for an understanding of rap, its origins, the culture and of course the luminaries that helped to spawn a music that fought against the system and won.

Some of the biggest names that founded hip hop and indeed the culture appear in this tour de force that embraces and warms you to your core with blasts from some of the biggest hip hop classics to delectable aural free-style extravaganzas from names like Rakim, Nas, MC Lyte and Bun P. I have to mention Joe Budden. He has never been an emcee that I particularly rate but he is now firmly situated on my radar. His free-style was overflowing with emotional depth and on point observations it was fucking phenomenal, even the directors said that this particular rap made them cry but the star in many respects of this awesome film was the old skool cat Grandmaster Caz.

Caz is rightly respected as a lyrical behemoth. He actually penned the lyrics (in part) for Rapper’s Delight (1979) and was controversially (he claims) never given any royalties; either way in real time Caz writes a rap from scratch and he gives a window of insight into his processes when producing a sixteens-it’s a great. While the freestyle was heavy it was his engaging charismatic self that sole the scene-there must be a spin off show with the no tobacco, blunt smoking, Caz-“Chilling With Caz” you know where you heard it first!

Of course let us not forget the soundtrack to the film which is hot. For those of us that remember massive classics like The Wrath Of Kane (1989) http://youtu.be/YpHQngP8w_Q or Sugar Bear’s Don’t Scandalize Me(1988) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I6suxtyN3s  it is like being bathed in olive oil and fed the food of the gods (ambrosia)-go to the following link to download the album- SOUNDTRACK AVAILABLE ON SONY MUSIC

Anyway stay locked for my interview with Ice T coming soon to your copy of HYPE.

Quelle

Anyway so let us go in with the first artist that just has to be rated, Quelle whose genre would be best described as electronic hip hop. He is a Detroit based rapper, singer and producer that I definitely love for his smooth rather intelligent rap that has a real soulful edge without being too soulful. He is rather like Flying Lotus (in terms of production) he is kind of ethereal, anti-commercial hip hop -obscure samples and sounds are the order of the day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbki-e6Mq8Q&feature=youtu.be

Coming from Detroit we would have to expect that he would be a high calibre emcee, after all Detroit is a bedrock of some of the biggest emcees in the game, notable of course is Eminem. Quelle is definitely a great talent in all the different guises he is so proficient in. Perhaps the word proficient does not signify how good this guy is work with the notable and huge House Shoes  who has worked with J Dilla is just the tip of a very large  Titantic  sized  resume(check  his  album  out  Live Alone Die Alone). http://quellechris.bandcamp.com/album/quelle-chris-delicious-vinyl-dtv-session-5

Very soon he will be dropping a next album which has no name as yet but it will feature artists like Guilty Simpson, Oh No, Black Spade, Crown Nation and Stones Throw artist John Wayne. Also check out his minimal electronic group Awesome in Outer Space on U-tube.

http://quellechris.bandcamp.com/
http://picsofjesustupacandquelle.tumblr.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CrownNAtionable?feature=watch
@QuelleChris on Twitter

Mic Righteous

Now we hurtle from Detroit to the UK with this London based emcee that is shooting down the English language with his AK47 delivery http://youtu.be/T_veQXwufDA

Born in London but with origins from Palestine, Mic has gone from a little known name to a young emcee that really has London standing up. He has set himself apart from your usual run of the mill braggadocios lyrics about being the best emcee in the world and he actually really has something to say! http://youtu.be/5tc3-nXWj9w

Controversially maybe his wish to talk about issues relevant to him regarding Palestine has caused a bit of a stir but I like the fact that he is doing this-we must never forget that despite the commercialisation of hip-hop that this is an art form that was based around giving people a voice to say something against the system and this is exactly what he does.

Of course always wanting to ‘say something’ would be truly boring so no fear Righteous does rapid fire ante it up bars just as well. Importantly whether Righteous is talking to you or just merely hyping you it’s all done with a hundred percent emotional investment and I love that. With copious amounts of material out check out this UK emcee-let me know what you think!

www.micrighteous.com

twitter.com/MicRighteous

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mic-Righteous-Official/113875408688177

Atstreetlevel-who would win in a fist fight….

between Nicki Minaj and Azealia? This is a close one because while she maybe a Barbie I reckon Minaj could still give a can of whip ass having said that, Azealia looks pure street-hopefully we can add some mud to that fight!

Atstreetlevel–beefer of the year.

Got to go to Azealia – she’s only really reached the heady heights of rap super stardom in the last year or so and she has already beefed with three rappers; Lil Kim, Nicki Minaj and TI. Now come on Azealia who’s next – Justin Beiber?

Atstreetlevel-from rage to riches and back

Beanie Siegel is apparently on the edge of destitution after being imprisoned for tax evasion to the tune of a million dollars-you can run but you can’t hide-the government always want their taxes!

Atstreetlevel-got to give respect to…….

Grandmaster Caz we salute you like a motherfucker!

Atstreetlevel whispers

Which female rap star who used to be hot is trying to make a come back but her entourage don’t know how to say to her that she is far from hot and is in fact buck ugly now furthermore her lyrical flow is far from on point!?

Remember please holla at me on twitter @atstreelevel1 if you have music you want me to hear I will definitely get in touch peace!