Tagged ‘Music’

WIN TICKETS TO PHAROAHE MONCH IN LONDON

The New York rapper is set to tear the Scala apart this Friday

That’s right – the man like Pharoahe Monch is touching down in London to play the Scala in Kings Cross this Friday in support of his new album: ‘W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)’. Not only that, but we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky winner. Find out more after the jump.

Black Star reunite for London show with help from De La Soul and Rakim

BLACK STAR IS BACK. Well, for the moment anyway, as Mos Def and Talib Kweli reunite for a one-off show in London this May – 13 years after they dropped their cult debut album: ‘Mos Def & Talkib Kweli Are Black Star’. Pretty much an unmissable show as it is, but throw in De La Soul, Rakim and a ton of special guests (The Roots? Q-Tip? Common?!) and you’re in for the show of your life.

Over the last couple of years David Kennedy, better known as Ramadanman and, increasingly, Pearson Sound has been busy cementing his position as one of the principal figures in the burgeoning bass music scene. The precocious twenty three year old’s Hessle Audio label, which he co-runs alongside Ben UFO & Pangea, continues to go from strength to strength, whilst his own cuts remain as fresh and forward thinking as ever. Therefore it comes as little surprise that Kennedy has become the latest in an illustrious line invited to offer his touch to the FabricLive series.

True, great hip-hop albums are thin on the ground in the mainstream these days. God knows what Kanye’s doing. Jigga’s latest record disappointed. Even Lupe – renowned for his insightful lyricism and dope beats – didn’t quite satisfy on his new album. So, we turn to the trusty underground, and one of rap’s most celebrated and revered wordsmiths: Pharoahe Monch. The rebelliously titled ‘W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)’ is the New York rapper’s third solo outing to date, and thankfully it’s everything you’d expect it to be (how could it be anything else?). That means: complex, rip-roaring wordplay; equal doses of militancy and soul; and some truly killer production from the likes of Exile, Marco Polo and Brainfeeder’s very own Samiyam (Monch takes on production duties too).

Animated simians set to release 'The Fall' on vinyl for Record Store Day

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So, your favourite animated band released ‘The Fall’ as a Christmas gift last year – there was only one catch though: you had to be a member of their fan club to receive it. And you have to pay to be a member of the fan club. Non cool. Anyway, good news for the rest of us – ‘The Fall’ is set to be released on vinyl for Record Store Day on 16th April, with a release on CD and download to follow on 18th April. Put it in your calendars. Haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, but it was recorded during the Gorillaz 19 date North American tour last autumn – ON AN iPAD. Pretty nifty.

Over 40 international artists band together for Japan disaster relief effort

You don’t need me to tell you about the crazed events going down in Japan right now. What might be worth bringing to your attention, is that a slew of international artists – many of whom have featured on Brainer at some point – have banded together to produce the Nihon Kizuna compilation in aid of the Japan disaster relief effort.

French electro dons hook up with Adidas for star-studded commercial

God I love Justice. Check out their new tune – ‘Civilization’ – featured on Adidas’ killer new commercial. Features a ton of superstar cameos (of course). Directed by Romain Gavras. Epic.

‘Civilization’ is out 4th April. Gotta say, Adidas are giving Nike a damn good fight with their recent campaigns and commercials. Remember the Originals House Party campaign?

When I think of the Wu-Tang Clan, I’m instantly reminded that Cash Rules Everything Around Me, and I can’t watch a random kung-fu flick without the infamous yellow W symbol flashing in my mind. In truth, rapper Raekwon isn’t the first thing that pops into mind. Even though being one of the founding fathers of the infamous group that unarguably redefined hip-hop in the nineties, it’s the late and legendary Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the production pusher man RZA, and the dynamic duo Method Man and Redman that resonate more strongly. But in his most recent solo release ‘Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang’, Raekwon tries to take the stage by standing front and centre.

New record from Brooklyn rap trio imminent!

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No more waiting! After announcing in 2009 that Beastie Boys member Adam Yauch (MCA) had a cancerous tumor in his left salivary gland, the Brooklyn rap trio’s new record, ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part One’, was put on hold. And then we were told that he was on the mend and that they were going to release the follow up to that album, ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part Two’ first, and that it would have the exact same tracklisting as ‘Hot Sauce Committee Part One’. Bananas – but who’d have it any other way right?

It’s that time of the year; you think you catch a glimpse of the sun but it’s just someone shining a torch in your face. And you know full well that the only tan you’ll be getting any time soon is via a sun bed or straight from the bottle. Note: fake tan not shot of Jack. But fear not! For a taste of the summer days that lie ahead is at hand with this collection of remixes from Will ‘Quantic’ Holland et al’s 2009 funk-filled LP – ‘Tradition in Transition’.