'Bad Meaning Good' UK Hip Hop Dcoumentary from 1987!

'Bad Meaning Good' first appeared on the BBC in 1987; Capturing many classic moments in the formation of UK Hip Hop it provides a genuine insight into the origins of Hip Hop Culture in the British Isles. The documentary features Tim Westwood, The London Posssee and Trevor Nelson and is highly reccomended to anyone interested in the early days of Hip Hop in the UK.

South African Graffiti Styles

Resistencia: Hip-Hop in Colombia

'Resistencia' was produced in 2002 by Faction Films (UK). This trailer gives you some insight into some of the Hip Hop that was being produced in Colombia around that time. More information regarding this film and other Faction Films releases can be found HERE..

Captain Crunch (UK) - IDA Technical Battle Entry 2009 Entry

Orphans of Cush - 'White Noize'

Orphans of Cush (London,UK) dropped this video a while back; reminds me of some US stuff like sunz of man.. check it out. Orphans of Cush are M9, Cyrus Malachi, Masikah, and Kyza Smirnoff.

DJ Babu: Duck Season 3

It came to my attention today that the third installment of DJ Babu's infamous duck season series had dropped.Remember Classics such as THIS from previous installments? If not I reccomend check out Volumes 1 & 2. The tune below is one of my favourites from Vol.3 (MF Doom + Sean Price!)

ILL Bill (LCN/ Non Phixion) Interview on Bulgarian TV

Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx - 'The Exxecution'

In my opinion Marco Polo's 'Port Authority' set was one of the best albums released in the second half of this decade.. he is a seriously good producer; bearing this in mind its very exciting to hear that him and Ruste Juxx are working on an LP together. You may have heard Ruste Juxx on various duck down releases (in particular on Sean Price / Heltah Skeltah projects). Juxx has a sick delivery and you can expect a good product from this Brooklyn MC.

Scorzayzee - Nott's Rap at it's best

Scorzayzee (of Nottingham, UK) has experienced a much higher level of exposure this year largely due to his invlovement in Shane Meadows' ( of 'This is England' fame) Le-Donk and Scorzayzee project. Anyone who has followed the Underground Hop Hop Scene here in the UK for the last eight years or so will be familiar with some of his earlier output. If you have not seen Le-Donk and Scorzayzee I reccomend you do. Look out for Scorzayzee's debut EP dropping early 2010; support this people.. It would be a good thing to see some one who has put in the work rise to prominence in an era of euro-pop synythesised cack-hop.. Also massive Big ups to Cappo (Also a Nottingham resident) for his latest release 'Needle Drop'; which aslo features Scorzayzee (Check that out here)...

Homeless G-Funk Beat Boxer; Serious Skills

Genesis Elijah - I'm Doing It

Genesis Elijah, the south London MC who rose to prominence through the DJ Awnser F.T.P Mixtapes & his song Jah Bless (Feat. Klashnekoff) is back. For those liking this track; check his myspace

'Fresh Coast' Documentary - 10 Minute Preview

Anyone that follows the Grind Time Battle Leagues may find this video intresting. The documentary "Fresh Coast" was released in October 2008.The Documentary covers the rise of the West Coast battle circuits that paved the way for current leagues such as Grind time and KOTD. Mc's featured in the film are Lush One, The Saurus, Illmaculate, Iron Solomon, Poison Pen, Madness, Nocando, Passwurdz etc.

'Dinner Time' - Royce Da 5"9 f/ Busta Rhymes!

'Dinner Time' is taken from Royce Da 5"9's new Album 'StreetHop' which is out now!

Blacastan 'Me against the Radio' - FREE MIXTAPE

Blacastan of Hartford, Connecticut has just dropped a Free Download. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Jester Jacobs - Blap! Official Video

DOWNLOAD JESTER'S ALBUM 'MENTAL DISORDER' HERE!(FOR FREE)

Pierre - 'That's just me innit!'

If you like this you can DOWNLOAD PIERRE'S EP HERE

GRIME Française: Introducing GRIME SIN CREW

Grime is huge in London and much of the UK but seems to be spreading further afield.. I Spoke to the French Grime Collective 'Grime Sin' to gain further insight into how such sounds are being received and adapted in France..

First of all introduce yourselfs; what's the history behind 'Grime Sin' as a group?

'Grime Sin' is a collective of french MCs & beatmakers, most of us are coming to grime from other musical backgrounds  and we're all still involved in our solo projects; We came together because all of use were experimenting with Grime as a  side project, thats how we met. This crew is essentially a way for us all to quench our thirst for faster styles and its also like an escape valve, a world that allows us to throw up our darkness and make fun of it and with it, surfing on it, but never falling  and flood us or our listeners into it!

The whole collective is :

DJ ROULEZZ : (Producer, DJ, Beatmaker)
MESH M18 : (Lyricist, Beatmaker)
TITINEBOY : (Lyricist, Beatmaker)
TOMAWOK : (Lyricist)
SPAN : (Lyricist, Beatmaker)
WIRE : (Lyricist, Designer)
JENNY K : (Lyricist)
H.P.S, STAYA, SAM UZ & TONY-O : (Beatmakers)
Dr SAMSON, VALREQUIN & FLOWAGAL : (Dancers)

For live shows, the minimal crew is 1 DJ + 3 MCs, the max we did was 1 DJ + 6 MCs and 2 Dancers.  It really depends on the stage's capacity and the promoter's wishes!

At first, DJ Roulezz & I just wanted to make only one street cd called "Grime Sin" with the aim of introducing such music to French people.The idea was to mix UK Grime anthems with some strong, fast french lyricists. After we recorded the first tunes for the project, we quickly decided to keep 'Grime Sin' as the name of the crew  instead; this is because we had realised that we all wanted to continue to work together in this way and we needed a name!haha.When we finally released the tape, we called it 'Serial Sinners' because its built like a thriller movie about mysterious murders of whack MC's. The funny thing is that some of our friends are the official french  dubbers for the famous TV series "CSI : Miami", millions of people here know their voices and we made them talk on the interludes/ skits of this CD, investigating on the mysterious death of these whack mc's, lol.

We are now working on our first LP, entitled "Peur sur la Ville" (Fear on the city) which will feature only exclusive content from the best French grime mcs and fresh wicked riddims! (Should be available in February or March).

'This crew is essentially a way for us all to quench our thirst for faster styles and its also like an escape valve, a world that allows us to throw up our darkness and make fun of it and with it, surfing on it, but never falling  and flood us or our listeners into it!'

How and when were you introduced to grime? Have you previously been fans of other music such as drum 'n' bass coming out of the UK?

Thanks to friends we had the chance to get the first tunes that people such asDizzee & Wiley were putting out in the early 2000's, then little by little we became familiar with the work of other artists like Kano, JME, Skepta, and so on..Weve never stopped following the evolution of Grime in the UK, and as listeners all of us have always been fond of other UK sounds (Junglist & d&b, Dubstep, etc..) 

'We are now working on our first LP, entitled "Peur sur la Ville" (Fear on the city) which will feature only exclusive content from the best French grime mcs and fresh wicked riddims! (Should be available in February or March)'

How much of a grime scene is there in France? Is there any city in particular where the sound has a strong following?

Around 2003 Grime started to become popular in parisians clubs, it was like the new hype phenomenum.  But then some other styles like Dubstep, booty or bassline quickly took hold and grime took a back seat. Since 2005, except for a few live shows from UK artists, it has been impossible to find any Grime parties. Its not really respected as an autonomous music anymore and always seems to be played down in parties and mixed with other genres. Tho its not really associated with violence.

In terms of French MCs it was very difficult to find new ones to spit on our last tape! Almost all of the good French Grime MC's weve discovered are now part of the Grime Sin Collective. I know there are probably other able mcs out there but I dont know them and I'm still lookin for them ! 

'Around 2003 Grime started to become popular in Parisian clubs, it was like the new hype phenomenum.  But then some other styles like Dubstep, booty or bassline quickly took hold and Grime took a back seat'

In terms of rapping what is your background? did you originally spit to Hip Hop?

Most of us MCs are coming from Old School French & US Hiphop and / or Rub-a-dub, Dancehall, Singjay..  The common point/ uniting feature of all our flows is that we all love fast styles. Apart from that we are fans of "Chanson Francaise" (old french singers & lyricists like Jacques Brel, etc..), and I feel this gives us a special melodic & lyrical touch, especially when we sing.

'Weve never stopped following the evolution of Grime in the UK'

Have you had the chance to visit the UK? If so did you check out any grime when you were there? 

Some of us have been to London and enjoyed a few grime shows from crews like Ruff skwad, Neckle Camp & Roll Deep. However that was only ever during hollidays and weve never been to the UK to perform or to meet and work with artists (YET!). This is something we'd love to do !!

What topics do you cover in your lyrics? are there any grime artists in particular that have inspired you to start creating this type of music?

 We cover the same type of topics weve dealt with in solo projects (outside of Grime); We just cover them in a different way, focusing on our hardcore definition of them, and most of time with (sick) humor. Our favorite topics are against all types of Wack Mcs & Soundbwoys, we also talk about girls (who don't?!) and do "egotrip" stuff. Thats for the "easy" side of things. When it comes to "serious" things we usually talk about the weaknesses and evils of the human soul..
 . We also have a few "social" lyrics.

In terms of our favorites grime artists, I'd say we've been inspired by so many UKG artists! However we all feel that Wiley was the first one to drive us crazy with his Eskimo beats!! ;)  

'Wiley was the first one to drive us crazy with his Eskimo beats!'

How easy is it to pick up the latest records where you live? are there any record shops or websites in particular that you would like to big up?

In recent years (sadly) many music shops have been closing!. This means that we almost buy everything on-line and sell our records on-line 
with Toolbox & Stamina records. 

Members of the Grime Sin Crew are involved in a variety of musical styles outside of Grime

Are you involved in promotion at all? do you run your own nights? if not do you plan to?

Yea Grime Sin is for the moment 100% independent. Its not easy to manage everything, but it is very constructive and interesting! We are about to release our first real LP with 100% exclusive riddims and lyrics, so we plan to  look for a distribution contract for that release.

Where do you see the French Grime scene in 3 years time?

Thats the most difficult question! Because its hard to talk about a French grime scene. It doesn't exist yet! haha, so my hope is to see a real French Grime scene in 3 years ;)

I understand that you have played in Barcelona? where else outside of France have you played? do you have any plans to play in the UK?

All of us have played outside France (almost everywhere in Europe) as solo artists (reggae, hiphop).  and as Grime Sin Crew weve done several shows in Spain. However most of our shows have been in Paris & other French places.  Of course we are all excited about the prospect of playing in the UK! hopefully someone will read this interview and book us ;)

And finally are there any shout outs youd like to give?

Yeee big up all grime fans, VMDeluxx, tHC, EGO6 crew, Youn-y-timat, Amkoullel, Absurd, Youthman, Bigred..
And a special shout out to all grime fans and to you man !! Thanks a lot for the interest ;)

MESH M18 for GRIME SIN

LDZ (London Zoo); The Puppa Murc EP

This release is well worth checking out.. 

Dope tunes from 2002; this decade is almost over!

With so many people banging on about hip hop's golden era its easy to overlook some classic material which has dropped this decade.. DONT SLEEP

Styles Infinite of the Mountain Brothers dropped this in 2002. I never thought this got as much playback as it truly deserved (even back then)..

Ninja Tune have been putting out top quality music for a long time; This is a good example of such music.

Edan is a true master, anyone one who has seen him live knows what im talking about. If you havnt seen him live make sure you catch him when possible; he is one of the best hip hop acts ive ever seen live.

RIP Camu Tao - An amazing talent with a style and delivery which was truly his own...

Stig and Skadal spitting bars..

Some of the UK's best on some B2B Cypher beeznahz!

R.A The Rugged Man = A Living Legend

Any well informed Hip Hop fan will tell you that R.A is one of the illest out there.. he has been for quite some time..

R.A The Rugged Man is back with a new release!

Watch out for R.A's new CD 'Legendary Classics Vol 1'. Although its not a new album as such It does feature some new material.. and if this is anything to go by its gonna be something special.. 

Felt 3; Aesop, Murs and Slug Callabo Project!

Anyone whos a fan of the US Independent Hip Hop scene will be getting excited about the imminent release of FELT 3 on rhymesayers. Check this videos oyt which shed some light on the details surrounding this release..

The Suspect Packages Radio Show!

Infinite big ups to Disorda whos been running SUSPECT PACKAGES since 1996 and spinning dope Hip Hop in the UK for longer than that..

You NEED to check out his online STORE and RADIO SHOW if your not already familiar with them ( again I know that all UK heads will be well aware of these). shafe!

Watch UK flow in Music | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

APOLOGIES!...

This blog is not dead! Apologies for the lack of updates in the last few weeks. Just started a new job and it has proved to be knackering. However this wont happen again and you can expect regular updates to commence again as of now! Check this video out, all the UK heads will know of Mystro but others may not. Basically hes a sick MC whos been smashing it in and out of the UK quite some time.. Safe

Ralph Rip Shit and Stophe; "OCDC Vol 1": FREE DOWNLOAD

Ralph Rip Shit (Associated Minds, Wales) has just put out a real solid free download. Get that here

Highly reccomended!

For those not familiar with Ralph's work.. check these... safe

(Ralph is 5th to spit on this..)

Scratching on the MPC

More features up soon people.. in the meanwhile check this video out.. good to see people exploring the capabilities of the machine thats has for so long been a staple feature in hip hop production..

Breakage Feat Newham Generals - Hard

The music does the talking on this one..

Wu-Tang International; Shaolin Worldwide!

Wu-Tang are one of the best things to come out of Hip Hop. This is common knowledge. Check out some of the international collabarations that they've dropped over the years..

I Am Feat Sunz Of Man, Royal Fam - La Saga (France)

DJ Tomekk Feat GZA, Prodigal Sunn - Ich Lebe Fur Hip Hop (Germany) 

RZA - Boing Boing Feat Skinnyman, Blade & Mr Ti2bs (UK)

RZA Feat Ghostface Killah & Saian Supa Crew - Saïan (France)

If you enjoyed these check this album out.. RZA needs to make a sequael to this..

The World according to RZA features Hip Hop artists from all over the world..

Stateside Grime: UK music in an American context...

ManVsMachine are a production crew out of the Bay area, California. After stumbling across a mixtape they put out in 2008 my eyes were opened to the formation of a Grime scene across the pond. 

Please take a few minutes to read my interview with them. Safe

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OK, First and foremost, introduce yourselfs and let me Know how Grime music was bought to your attention...

MBZ: I go by MBZ which came from people calling me M-Beezy from back in the day. I've always been a fan of Drum & Bass and Jungle, especially the MC aspect of it. I especially remember Wiley's "Pies" video, and also hearing certain Dizzie Rascal tracks.

The One: Im The One, and I been in the music scene for a long time producing various styles of music mostly hiphop and rnb. I got into electronic music in the late 90’s and was a major fan of drum’n’bass. I got real bored of hiphop and saw it had no more direction. It wasn’t until 2005 when I came across a show on 1xtra and heard a different kind of uk urban music. After hearing singles from Wiley and Dizzie, I searched to see what other artists were making that kind of music. Since then I been hooked.

'After hearing singles from Wiley and Dizzie, I searched to see what other artists were making that kind of music. Since then I been hooked'

ManVsMachines remix of Tempa T's infamous 'Next Hype'

To what extent is there a Grime / Dubstep scene in America? Is there any state or city in particular where the music has a strong following?

MBZ: Yes, the Grime/Dubstep scene is growing very much. There's are growing scenes in New York, Houston, and also in the Bay Area (San Francisco).

The One: I think the biggest scene so far is in Los Angeles right now. Pure Filth and Smog throw huge dubstep parties at the moment and I totally respect how they do their parties. As far as the Grime scene in America, there is the First City crew in New York, and our mc’s and producers in the Stateside Grime Movement here on the west coast. I am the only all-grime dj here in America.

What Grime artists are you feeling from the UK? Have you had the chance to see any of them live?

MBZ: Wiley, JME, Skepta, Tinchy Stryder, and many more. Haven't been able to see any of them live.

The One: As far as producers and mc’s, im feeling Dot Rotten, Terror Danjah, Wiley, Skepta, Ghetto, Rude Kid, Maniac, Griminal, Frisco, Silencer, D.O.K., Jendor, P-Money, Wolf, Vener Reamah, Crayzee Banditt, Kano, Rapid, and theres plenty more but the list will go on forever if I continue. Off the top of my head that’s who I can think of.

Is there any regular Grime events in California?, if so let us know the info..

The One: Not at the moment, but I am planning on starting a monthly under our ManVSMachine label and bring out Grime Dj’s and Mc’s.

Do you see Grime as an extension of genres such as Hip Hop, Garage, Dancehall etc or do you consider it to be a genre in its own right?  

MBZ: Yes and no. Even Hip Hop, Garage, and Dancehall were extensions of other genres of music, until they developed into their own. So has Grime in a big way.

The One: I feel Grime is an extension from Hip-hop. I heard may people argue that it is its own genre, and I heard people say it came from garage. But when I listen to it, its simply beats and rap at a different tempo from a different region, like Crunk, Hyphy, etc. I never liked garage and I really cant point any similarities to Grime. Garage sounds like its mopre for the rave, when Grime is for the hood.

'I feel Grime is an extension from Hip-hop. I heard may people argue that it is its own genre, and I heard people say it came from garage. But when I listen to it, its simply beats and rap at a different tempo from a different region, like Crunk, Hyphy, etc'

Have you (or do you have plans to) collaborate with any Grime artists from the UK?

The One: Me and Wiley have talked about collaborating and other ideas to push grime in the states and its still in the works. I also talked to a few other Mc’s such as P-Money, Germz, Desperado, and Durrty Goodz, but its hard to get in the studio WITH them being we are halfway across the world. As far as producers, I have spoken to Maniac, Ratchet, and Silencer about having them produce some American mc’s. There are many things in the works and we would love to work with more artists however way possible.

'Me and Wiley have talked about collaborating and other ideas to push grime in the states and its still in the works'

How would you respond to those that condemn Grime on the basis of its negative subject matter? 

MBZ: First of all, not all Grime has negative subject matter. Individuals who feel that way probably haven't taken the time to explore the genre and realize that it's more positive than negative.

The One: Its nothing new really. HipHop has been portrayed as negative from the beginning. Anything we do will always get hated on if it involves a rapper on a mic. People need to wake up and realize that they watch movies that are far more worse than most music today.

'People need to wake up and realize that they watch movies that are far more worse than most music today'

What are your musical backgrounds outside of Grime?
MBZ: Hip Hop, R&B
The One: Jazz, HipHop and Rnb

In terms of production , what do you use to build Grime tracks?

MBZ: FL Studio, Cubase, Reason.

The One: Cubase Sx, a lot of samples and a lot of hardware and software synths.

Living outside of the UK, how do you keep up to date with the latest Grime releases?, are there any websites you check reguarly?

MBZ: Most Grime releases are easier to access now that it's becoming more recognized. I usually check Grime Forum, YouTube, Myspace Music.

The One: ukrecordshop has all the latest, that’s where I buy all my releases from. Other than that, Grimeforum and youtube is how I keep up to date on everything.

Any shout outs that you'd like to give?

MBZ: Bri, Patrick

The One: I give a shout to Nane, the ManVSMachine crew, Bookz, Kush, Sam XL, Skurge, Konkrete Jungle, JadaMane, Logan Sama, Dj Limemight, Wiley, 12th Planet, Photek, ASC, and the whole world!

Poland to NYC! ; O.S.T.R and Craig G

Big up to Poland's Asfalt Records; Check out the new video fro O.S.T.R (Lodz, Poland) featuring the one and only Craig G (NYC). Check back soon for more cross continental nangness! enjoy

Also check out this footage of Craig G dropping a freestyle at a show in Nairobi, Kenya..

Ulan Bator stand up!; Mongolian Hip Hop

Tatar are a Hip Hop group from Mongolia's capital. Here is their video 'Esreg Udur'. Im not sure what the MC's in this viedo are talking about but the beat is nice and I like how the group don't seem to take themsleves too seriously...

Big Cakes!..

'Big Cakes' is one of the most promising MC's on the Underground Hip Hop circuit in London.. Check out his 'Lets get some' video here..

Introducting... 'Garion'

Garion are an Underground Hip Hop group out of South Korea. This is their 2004 single 'Ancient Tale'.. tight production, cool video...

90's US Hip Hop Favourites...

Heres some of my favourite stateside Hip Hop videos from the 90's. Apologies for my lack of updates over the last week. Got a few good things in the pipeline... safe

Da Bush Babees - We Run Things (It's Like Dat)

Lord Finesse - Hip 2 da game

King Tee - Dippin

Funkdoobiest - Rock On

Gravediggaz - Diary of a Madman

Lords of the Underground - Chief Rocka

Fu-Schnickens - Breakdown

Original Flavor- Here We Go (Pump It Up)

Caparezza - 'La fitta sassaiola dell'ingiuria'

This is one of my favourite Italian Hip Hop Tunes..

Grime in Germany!

I came across this video a while back.. Its interesting to me to see how Grime is being received an adopted outside of the UK. Look out for a feature on the development of Grime in Germany here soon. The artist in this video is 'Telly Tellz' (of Hamburg).

'Dub-Hop'?

Check this out - Murs (of Def Jux fame) has tried his hand at spitting over some dubstep. Plastician (UK Dubstep DJ) is set to release a mixtape soon consisting of similiar dubs. Look out for a detailed feature on the U.S Grime / Dubstep scene (including interviews) in the not too distant fututre...

Hip Hop in the PRC!

My first proper post reagrds the Issue of Hip Hop in mainland China. As a resident of the UK this is a topic that I have had minimal exposure to. China is a vast country; home to a myriad of different languages and cultures, a country which is experiencing rapid growth and constant change. To gain an insight into the standing of Hip Hop in the country in question I contacted an artist known as 'XIV'.

'XIV' (aka Jonathan Johnstone / lǎo.zhèng) arrived in Beijing, China from the USA in 1999 to pursue further education and quickly became involved in the Chinese Hip Hop scene. 'XIV' went on to form one of China's most prolific crews 'Yin Ts'ang' alongside MC Webber.

Yin Ts'ang became the first (non-commercial)  Rap group in China to have a top ten hit with their song 'In Beijing'. This song really caught my attention when I heard it and it seems it did the same to the Chinese audience upon its release.

Yin Ts'ang rose to the attention of the Chinese audience with thier 2003 single ' In Beijing'.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank XIV and Yin Ts'ang for agreeing to do this interview and for providing such an interesting insight into Hip Hop in mainland China. Here it is! :

OK, first and foremost, who are Yin Ts'ang and how did you come to be? 

Yin Ts’ang originally consisted of MC Webber(PRC), Sbazzo(CAN), Dirty Heff(USA) and myself: XIV(USA) and was formed in 2000. Webber and Heff left the group in 2004 to pursue other goals. Yin Ts’ang has only ever had one goal: to make dope hip-hop using Mandarin Chinese.

What would you say has been the highlight of your (group /solo) careers in Chinese Hip Hop?

A few of the highlights that come to mind off the top: having the first “un-commercial” hip-hop song in the Chinese top ten charts; writing theme songs for the primetime tv series “Dazzled; being featured performers on the 3rd annual International Kung Fu competition at Wu-Tang Mountain; Winning best group at the 1st annual Chinese hip-hop awards; and just watching the grassroots hip-hop scene grow from literally no-one to hundreds of new artists in 10 years time; its been a wild ride.

Yin Ts'ang perform live at the 2008 Kung Fu Festival at Wu-Tang Mountain, China.

'Yin Ts’ang has only ever had one goal; to make dope hip-hop using Mandarin Chinese'

Your group was bought to my attention through your song 'in beijing'; could you tell us a little bit about the song (i.e. the lyrical content etc), I understand that it was very succesful song at the time, what factors do you think were the key to the songs success?

“In Beijing” kinda surprised us all with how well it was received by the local audience. Its just basically a really simple song about the places you might end up at in Beijing. I think its success was its commercial applications, the fact that foreigners and locals were talking about the city they lived in kinda showed a glimpse into the future. Back then Beijing wasn’t near as ‘globalized’ as it is today, maybe that song made people realize that times were changing. Maybe the Chinese audience felt pretty amazed that a foreigner would take the time to should out Beijing like that... I dunno, but we still making money off that song today.

As a country which is so culturally and linguistically dynamic China has the potential to birth many different varieties of Hip Hop. In what ways does hip hop vary in China? ( province to province / city to city)

Honestly there is nest to no support for local hip-hop here in China. I have heard from so many record execs and local industry insiders that “rap music should be performed by black people from the west” or that “the Chinese language isn’t suitable to write raps” or that “local hip-hop just isn’t very high-quality when compared with songs from the west”, so the music over here just hasn’t really been given proper soil to grow in. The potential for some amazing styles is definitely there but no-one can manage to persist long enough to reap the first harvest. Right now everyone still records at home over downloaded beats and either tries to imitate gangsta artists from the west or just shouts swear words without care about the rhymes.. I think its still too early for definitive styles to evolve.

'The potential for some amazing styles is definitely there but no-one can manage to persist long enough to reap the first harvest'

Is there much interaction between Cantonese speaking Hip Hop communities and their Mandarin counterparts?

I mean we all know each other and when we’re together its all good but most everyone is busy with their own grind and the languages are so far apart that there isn’t much room for cross overs (especially when no one is making money). Basically Mandarin and Cantonese is like French and German, worlds apart.

Can you think of a particular city or area which is home to its own stylistic approach to Hip Hop in China?

If you are insinuating something like the Dirty South of China there really aren’t any well defined stylistic boundaries like that yet. You have to understand that Chinese hip-hop is only like 10 years old and most of those 10 years have been under the influence of what I like to call the ‘american pop machine’ which means that the scene was never really a chance to develop its own identity. Most rappers in China are still working towards discovering how to make the words work correctly with music. I hope to see the day where Chinese hip-hop can have an identity like Reggaeton where they develop a style that is recognized worldwide. I mean there are Chinese people everywhere and they’ve got the biggest population on earth... it should be self-evident.

Do you know of any Hip Hop being made by Chinese citizens in one of the countries many minority languages?

I got a bunch of peoples in XinJiang, which is China’s westernmost province and they are doing it big in their own language mainly because they are really unified as a people. In the mainland most every rapper I know who grew up speaking a dialect at home is gonna drop one or two tracks in their dialect just cuz you get a lot of respect from the locals for doing it that way. The problem is that there are so many dialects that if you are trying to rap in one of the lesser tongues then you just limit your audience to your hometown. I cannot see the day where there is a non-Mandarin mainstream hit song, the gubberment just isn’t gonna let that happen, they are trying to unify the nation under one language, so much so that they are systematically erasing the smaller dialects from useage. Aside from a couple mixtapes in Cantonese and Shanghainese and a lot of music in Uhiger and Mongolian, I haven’t heard anything else completely in a dialect coming from the mainland.

As a well informed source on the Chinese Hip Hop Scene, who would you reccomend to look out for?

It really depends on what you’re looking for. In all honesty most every decent rapper that I know is pretty disheartened, either by being f**ked by a label or a company, or ‘hated’ into retirement, or lazy, or just plain disillusioned. Especially with the whole internet download thing.... I foresee that Chinese hip-hop is gonna have to die before local heads realize what they lost. In short, I can’t say look out for anyone cuz I don’t know of anyone else seriously working on material right now. Look out for me...

What projects are you working on currently?

I just finished a mixtape with this crazy dope producer from Azerbaijan called Dojo Shaolin. My boy Young Kin and I put together a compilation EP for our new label Yin Entertainment, featuring us the artists we are putting our money on, and me and Sbazzo are just getting to work on the 3rd Yin Ts’ang studio album. Plus I’m always doing as many collabos as I can, since I am still experimenting with flows and styles, I make it a point to try to jump on just about everything. 

I understand you are involved in promoting regular hip hop events in Beijing (?), could you talk us through past nights you have promoted and tell us a bit about the impact they have had upon the local / National Chinese Hip Hop scene.

Recently we’ve done Mobb Deep(Havoc and Noyd), Skyzoo, and DJ Shortkut. Basically it’s like this, these shows aren’t really helping the local scene, they are making us capital to help the local scene. Of course you can pack out a club to see an artist but only like 5% of the local kids there can even understand what they are talking about so what is that really doing for the scene. It’s not like these artists are coming over here and holding workshops or trying to collabo with local artists (aside from Saigon who was all about helping the locals when he came thru, big ups) or even sitting down trying to understand whassup with local rappers, nahmeen? We still try and get a local act to open the set and hopefully start to make the locals realize that they got dope MC’s right here in their city. But at the same time I feel like it makes local rappers even more stressed cuz the audience is always comparing the them with the western MC’s, it’s a tough act to follow (or precede). The foreign DJ’s aren’t doing much to help either, they aren’t taking back Chinese hip-hop to give to their asian friends or playing asian hip-hop in the clubs back home. Right now everyone is just so consumed with making money that the whole idea of a hip-hop ‘community’ that looks out for one another and helps each other grow is pretty much dead and gone. 

As a foreigner making Hip Hop in China, how welcoming was the local scene upon your arrival? How do you think the scene has changed since youve been in China?

The local scene didn’t exist when I came to China in ’99, aside from a couple foreign DJ’s playing hip-hop nights in tucked away clubs. Now all the big clubs are playing Western hip-hop and acts like Kanye West and Common can play to sell out stadium crowds. What does that mean though... the locals have accepted foreign music (as they always have and always will) but the local scene hasn’t really gone anywhere. There are definitely a lot more kids out there trying to grab a mic but there are still no opportunities for local acts... Local pop stars still want an english verse in their newest song and local clubs don’t let their DJ’s play Chinese Hip-Hop. There is still a long way to go. 

'Right now everyone is just so consumed with making money that the whole idea of a hip-hop community that looks out for one another and helps each other grow is pretty much dead and gone'

Unreleased album artwork intended for an early Yin Ts'ang release.

How prominent is mixtape culture in China? have Chinese MC's / DJ's embraced the mixtape format?

Not prominent, there are probably more mixtapes put out this month in the USA than there are total mixtapes in China after 10 years. There are a handful of MC’s who have embraced the mixtape format and have made some dope products but the whole market has pretty much been pulverized by the internet and the whole download thing. Kids are just like ‘why would I spend all that time making a mixtape when I am not gonna get anything from it?” They gotta record it themselves, mix it themselves, do the artwork themselves, then go print it or post it online and then what.... some people listen and that shit is tumbleweed. Local DJ’s don’t wanna mess with Chinese hip-hop cuz they are afraid of the audience, and 9 times out of 10 the audience thinks that local hip-hop is cheap, childish and ‘farmer’. Plus the stores are scared to put unofficial music that hasn’t passed through the ‘Cultural Bureau’ onto the shelves, so you can’t really push product yourself. More or less people here still do what they’re told. They listen to what the radio plays, they watch whatever the TV airs and they wear what the magazines advertise, all of which are controlled by the powers that be.

Has the Hip Hop scene experienced mainstream recogniton in China?

There is a difference between the ‘hip-hop’ that comes directly from the minds of the kids on the Chinese streets and Chinese commercial ‘hip-pop’ which is usually a choreographed dance troupe doing super moves coupled with sing-song raps written by a team of 40y.o.+ industry flops who weren’t “sexy” enough to get their own career off the ground and now write “hits” under contract by Universal or BMG for millions of dollars while the artist acts only as a heartbreak figurehead robot for 16 y.o. girls. The first kind hasn’t achieved any mainstream recognition, the second kind is all over the airwaves. Turn on any radio station in China and you will hear exactly what I am talking about... What’s even more unfortunate is that the superstars who make millions off hip-pop don’t even extend a hand to help the talented street MC’s, so the problem is self propagating. I mean pop culture is fine and I totally understand and appreciate what it takes to create pop music but over here they have made the division so great that there is no middle ground. You’re either rich and superfamous or you are employed by the rich and superfamous or you are doing shows for $20 a night in a bullshit karaoke bar. There is no middle class. 

Is there much of an underground hip hop movement in China? What seperates those who have acheived mainstream succsess from those that are doing Hip Hop at a more grass roots level?

It’s all underground now, because no MC from the streets has came up and achieved mainstream success. No one in the Chinese hip-hop community has made more than just enough money to keep themselves alive and making music at best. I don’t consider any of the supposed hip-hop(pop) artists here in China involved in the scene in any fashion, they don’t care about the local hip-hop scene and I personally feel that they are scared of the artists who write their own music and make their own beats cuz it means that their illusion is about to fall apart, nahmeen? Wayne, 50 and Jay-Z are hip-pop artists too but they give back to the community to keep things exciting, they know that they got their game right and they want to see new kids come up, over here it’s like the exact opposite.

XIV's 2006 single '50 Questions'.

Where do you see (or where would you like to see) Chinese Hip Hop in 5 years time? Do you consider the scene to be in its infancy or do you consider it to be at the same sort of stage as other global hip hop markets? (i.e. uk hip hop is often said to be '10 years behind' whats being made in the states in terms of style , attitude etc, is this sort of observation relevant in the context of Chinese Hip Hop?)

Man, this is always the hardest question and the answer is “I DON’T KNOW”. There are so many variables going on here that anything could happen. I mean personally, I have been telling myself “this year we’re gonna blow, no doubt!” for like five years in a row but nothing ever happens. We get like one big gig a year and then we try to piggyback that shit and use all our marketing tools and friends to keep the ball rolling but shit always fizzles... We just don’t have the capital or the ‘relations’ to keep bribing the right people to continue promoting our material. There is one thing outsiders gotta understand about China, the culture here is all about hate. They hate themselves, they hate the west, they hate when people come up, they hate that they can’t do better, this is the underlying social current in Chinese society. There is even a common saying about it “Laugh at those with nothing, hate those with anything” And this just keeps everyone at a very low level, both creatively and spiritually. I know so many kids who come out with a couple hot songs and drop it cuz they get hated on so much. If one MC starts making some cash then the other MC’s start spreading rumors and tryin to get him off his pedestal not cuz they are better MC’s or wanna be in his shoes, just cuz they don’t wanna see him getting his and they don’t wanna hafta work harder, they don’t wanna put in extra work to make new tracks or work on new flows. Now everyone reading this is probably thinking “that is the way it is everywhere”, but its not, because here, in China, there isn’t much internal critical thinking going on in people’s domes, heads are so used to getting fed information that they’ll listen to whoever talks the best game and has the most to back it up, whether that be cash, or stories, or women, or whatever. Chinese Hip-Hop is like NYC in the early 80’s without the love or unity or mutual respect. So yeah, it’s in its infancy but it’s also got some awful parents... Honestly I don’t see any change in the next 5 years cuz you’d have to change the mentality of a cultural sub-group and I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Where I would like to see things go is a totally different direction. I would like to see one or more artists from the streets, who write their own rhymes and have put in the work, see some real commercial success. I would like to see those artists then go on TV or radio and confidently say that they listen to and support local hip-hop music. I would like to see them tell the people that there is a lot of good rappers that need room to grow and develop, and convince them that they should believe that they can make a mark on the world with their own culture instead of being a bunch of followers doing what they are told. I would like to see a Chinese music label like Death Row or Rockafella that can supply the local pop machine with an alternative to ‘songs that all have “love” in the title’. I would like to see the Chinese version of Reggaeton hit the world scene and leave a mark. But you don’t always get what you want, you feel me?

'Chinese Hip-Hop is like NYC in the early 80’s without the love or unity or mutual respect. So yeah, it’s in its infancy but it’s also got some awful parents...'

Who are you feeling (and why if possible) at the moment outside of Chinese Hip Hop? Do you listen to much Hip Hop from other countries?

I usually have high hopes and get let down almost every time. Western mainstream hip-hop seems pretty much manipulated by big business and continuously promotes a message that is eating the listeners up from the inside. Underground artists feel like they have to fit some mould or have something to prove and end up rapping in some dictionary fashion that only proves that they spend a lot of time on making their rhymes seem intelligent. Every song has got to have crazy punchlines at the end of every bar about how good the MC is in comparison to everyone else in the universe. Sometimes I feel American hip-hop really is dead and being an MC I usually don’t wanna listen to hip-hop that I can’t understand cuz the lyrics are for me what carry the song. I listen to everything from Jay-Z to Joel Ortiz to Aesop Rock, Lil Wayne to Papoose to Canibus. Basically I try to listen to everything that comes out hoping that one day someone will reignite the furnace. I was excited to hear Eminiem’s new album, he always pushes the package lyrically but at the same time, with all that power in his hands and with millions of people listening, he chooses the topics of child molestation, drug abuse and mass murder. What does that say about the world...nahmeen? Aside from hip-hop I listen to world music, a lot of piano jazz, anything that helps me to find new flows and ways to break shit down, I still like a melody.

What is it about Hip Hop that you think has captivated the minds of many young people in China?

I don’t wanna sound like a tyrant or an imperialist or a communist or whatever but the longer I am here the more I feel like the American Media machine has captivated the minds of the young people in China, not Hip-Hop. It just so happens that right now, the American Media machine is pushing hip-hop as the hot thing. The big super companies are so powerful and so well versed in mind manipulation and ‘crowd control’ that they can force whatever they want onto the minds of the youth around the world. Here in China it’s even easier, cuz they’ve got no faith to begin with. Dazzle kids with flashy cars and women throwing money around the interior of your private jet while sipping on champagne and you pretty much have captivated the minds of the neo-commie children, money rules the minds of the new generation of Chinese. Actually it’s really genius if you really analyze how hip-hop has been used to change the world... meditate on that shit for a while, seriously! 

Thanks so much for doing this interview. are there any shout outs you wanna give? What websites should our readers check out to stay up to date with your music and Chinese Hip Hop in general?

Check us out at www.yinent.com or google us: Yin Ts’ang or 隐藏. You can find our blogs and all that on myspace and if you really interested in Chinese Hip-Hop go do that research for yourself because I probably don’t know what the fuck i’m talking about. Shouts to my team, Sbazzo, Young Kin, Lone, M2, Dojo Shaolin, Snow. Also shouts to the real grinders in this piece: Brassface, Young Cee, Lil Ray, FK Moses, Cheffy & all them kids at Dragon Tongue who got f**ked, Dragon Lee, IN3, Webber, Raph and everyone else who lives hip-hop instead of wears it on their T-shirt. 
Respect...XIV

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