The company itself has a dope online operation which is supporting the underground Hip-Hop clothing labels and a few forever growing ones too. Built by an ageing B-Boy who is deep rooted in the true foundations of Hip-Hop you can find the dopest of designs which pay homeage to the true school.. so be sure to visit the website after this post, which is written to celebrate the release of the Rockfresh album ‘Superimposed Headphones’.

On a personal note it has been great to work with my brother Irn Mnky again after a short while, and then, there is working with the MONSTER Spida Lee for a second time, it’s always a pleasure and shorty the pimp does not let his standards slip one bit on this .. just listen in and check his opening line .. you ain’t touching the kool kat with more 90′s flavour than a 90′s raver.

After listening to the first 30 seconds of each track from this 14 track long player I was like ‘hey .. there’s some badass stuff on here’. So that in itself is the nod for all you people searching for a good summer Hip-Hop soundtrack to download this well thought out album from Bandcamp FOR FREE.

The 14 track tracks have some stand out names from the U.K. and U.S. and you are never far away from some sort of local heavyweights. Phili, Life MC, Dotz, Micall Parknsun, Verb T, Craig. G, Nappa plus of course the mighty Irn Mnky and Spida Lee.

Embedded Bandcamp widget below allows you to hit Play and listen to the album, but do your hard drive a favour and click through to download. But not before reading this short notice…

*CLICK HERE TO BUY CLOTHING FROM ROCK FRESH… SUPPORT THE SUPPORTERS*

Originally the front man for Alpine Movement and then vAndal supreMe, Christian Gregory has taken his personal and political lyrics, style and experience to new levels with his recent material which has seen him swap the bands for producers. At present he is working closely with producers IRN MNKY and LSK.

Like I said, I have known KINGHEADLOCK a long time, about 25 years, our lives have mirrored each others in some ways and been tested in others, we have been in the aforementioned bands, we have skated together for a long time, we have a ridiculous amount in common and I have always believed in his skills. He is a big doubter of the future and sometimes becomes a little disillusioned about what is possible, so I guess you may be thinking why haven’t I wrote about his massive back catalogue of work before. Well…

When we were in the bands it seemed impossible to actually get a track produced properly, one which would match the insanely good live performances we used to treat people to. Then when the core of the bands went their separate ways Mr. Gregory stood on his own two feet and had to find his style, not that he had no style but he was in front of a band, there is security when you have your friends around, but when you go solo everything you do starts and ends with yourself. Me and IRN MNKY found this out pretty quickly and when the dust settled KINGHEADLOCK did too.

His writing ability is off the scale and his talent with the pen and a pad lies in real life situations, taking raw subject matter and delivering it in a way which sucks you in, makes you hear what’s going on around you and on many occasion he gives you a window to his personal life. It is easy to blah blah blah your friends material but you have to wait for that gem, that one track which will bring everything together.. and I feel this is it.

‘Tenement Slum’ is the most recent material released by KINGHEADLOCK and I really feel that the sound he has found really deserves support and needs listeners talking about it. So now it’s time you click that switch,  turn your ears on and enjoy, analise and feel eveything this LSK produced banger has to offer.

I could write a book about this really good friend of mine who I admire for more than just his music, because from the cover of a Skateboard magazine to the stages of festivals and now on to his solo career which is picking up pace quicker than a tyre on Buttershaw estate, I have the utmost respect for my homie…

DJ esSDee

Not too long ago I got a drop from the man Akil via his friend Jamal Drew and I was made up, J5 are my all time favourite Hip-Hop group and to have a man from the 6 send me something like that just aired quality to those who knew at the festivals that year. Since then I have had some small chats with the family man Marc 7even and that has just about kept my fix for J5 hot potato and Nu-Mark & Cut Chemist beats satisfied .. I say fix because days, weeks, months and years are just not the same without these men who once split up with what I would call unfinished business to attend to.

It’s something that people don’t really know much about, there are rumours and there are lots of bullshit stories that always do the rounds when an unexpected split occurs but their back catalogue of dope, fresh and genuine Hip-Hop has more than covered any cracks that may have formed. Timeless material which sounds no better but just as good as the first time you rushed out for the vinyl or CD or copped it on your favourite radio show, I mean how can something sound better when it’s already the best it could be when 6 brothers from other mothers were on such a wave of creativity.

So as I said, unfinished business, the title of the 1989 EPMD album resonates in 2013 and has to be owned by Jurassic 5 more than any other artist or artists in this turbulent year where we need moments like these to help us realise that life ain’t so bad… I mean if you are J5 enthusiast, life don’t get much better than waking and hearing that you will see Chali 2na, Akil, Marc 7even, Soup, Cut Chemist and Nu-Mark once again rock the stage, whirl their screaching pipes (not them pipes), and as mentioned at the top ‘Hot Potato like only they and the Beastie Boys can’.

So the three UK Tour dates were publicly announced Tuesday or Wednesday by the collective across Twitter and Facebook with the UK Tour poster displayed to the followers and friends on Thursday 21st March.

The tickets which go on sale Friday 22nd March are going to sell pretty damn quick so advice from the top is ‘MAKE SURE YOU ACT FAST AND BUY YOUR TICKETS >>> BUY TICKETS HERE!

Jurassic 5 UK Tour dates are as follows:

• O2 ACADEMY GLASGOW – Monday JUNE 10th
• O2 ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM – Tuesday JUNE 11th
• O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON – Thursday JUNE 13th

Need to replace those Jurassic 5 CD’s that you have worn  out then STOCK UP ON JURASSIC 5 ALBUMS HERE

I could go on and on but you already know you want to be there so get on it, DO NOT MISS THIS.

See you in London people,

DJ esSDee

]]> http://djessdee.com/blog/jurassic-5-uk-tour-dates-june-2013/feed/ 0 http://djessdee.com/featured/spida-lee-fuck-you/ http://djessdee.com/featured/spida-lee-fuck-you/#comments Sat, 23 Feb 2013 12:37:20 +0000 Party Rocker http://djessdee.com/?p=1327 I’m back once again with some real original dopeness…

Spida Lee comes out pullin’ no punches with ‘FUCK YOU’. Brilliantly produced by Brutal Artistry with the video professionally created and glued together by BadLOOK Media.

Now, before you click play let me take you back a little way to a film called ‘Judgement Night’ which starred Emilio Estevez, Cuba, Denis Leary, Everlast and the mighty Jeremy Piven. Why? Because aside of the movie being dynamite the soundtrack which coupled it was something of a giant allowing the likes of De La Soul, Cypress Hill, Ice-T, Onyx and many more collaborating with metal/grunge bands Teenage Fanclub, Biohazard, Pearl Jam and other similar mighty rockers.

The coupling of these artists and bands helped build on something which was molded when RUN DMC and Aerosmith  got together to unleash Walk This Way on the unsuspecting public of the world, but it took it one step further and broke that mold by making the music harder so it remained underground.

Spida and Brutal Artistry collide in the same fashion… bringing a sound which is hard and original.

Spida Lee is a man built on real Hip-Hop foundations, the man has been and seen, he is influenced by everything I grew up listening to and drew inspiration from… great artists who came from the streets with hunger, desire and creativity driving them forward. He recognises that he has something, something different which will always see him standing tall even though his puffer jacket hugged frame is somewhat small. Mr. Lee also has good bones at his core, he’s a really nice guy who fills any room with jumped up party vibes even before he picks up a mic.

I saw a really cool side of Spida in 2012 which I really related to. Spida Lee, like me, gives fellow artists the kudos they deserve no matter where he gets to and no matter what his age may be. The moment I am referring to is when Mystro aka MysDiggi ventured up to play the launch party for The Country Gent opening. I was on the phone with him and he said ‘Thank you for putting me on, being on the same billing with Mystro is a massive honor’.

A massive honor… this from a man who has had a lengthy career himself, an artist breaking barriers and staying on the road of originality. I urge you all to not only watch the video where you see Spida representing West Yorkshire in a very different way but look into Carricou Jack’s back catalogue over at Don’t Talk To Strangers .. now .. go on.

DJ esSDee

As some know I entered the world of tattooing 5 months ago along with two great friends when we opened the now great studio ‘The Country Gent’. Me, Simon Caves and Jaroslaw Baka really went in on this venture but due to circumstances beyond my control I am having to step away and do what is right (although doing what is right isn’t always what you want it has to be done).

I say circumstances beyond my control because 13 years ago I chose this thing called DJing and pursued it, soaked myself in it and became it. It is in me, I am it and I cannot let it go… to get to where I am has taken 13 solid years of practice, working out music, understanding crowds, knowing products, networking with amazing people, building up a reputation and finally .. performing and playing gigs everywhere.

This dedication to improve and not only give people what they want, but what they should have is no different in tattooing, they are art forms which are ever changing, have many styles and require 110% effort to work and be better daily.

I must say that I thought it would be easier to get into whilst keeping the music flowing but it isn’t. I used to spend 5 hours every evening on my turntables way back when I started and music was my every thought throughout the day, tattooing is no different, it is a lifestyle just like Hip-Hop.

Now, the hardest part of knowing when something has to give is what effect it may have on you or others around you when you call it a day, and personally speaking, I feel like I am mourning .. not the death of the shop because Simon and Jarek will continue to rapidly improve and I will always play a roll where the shop is concerned because I will help market it in various ways and help it become the most recognised studio in the North of England.

No, I am mourning the loss of being around 2 artists, now friends, who I respect and admire greatly. Simon Caves is one of my best friends, a great guy who is seriously one in a million and he has showed me so much over these past few months, but it is way more than this, it is the understanding of each other, the openness in which we talk and the fact that we both live from the heart. I have seen a transformation in this man since his days of a studio owner in Leeds where his art suffered because of his responsibilities for others, he has flourished, his work is on another level and of all things I have experienced and witnessed it is Simon’s change which has stood out the most.

I mean here is a man who’s style leaned towards traditional and now he is taking on everything that clients throw at him with aplomb (except portraits, we will approach those later), which goes to show that when you take away pressures and unneeded responsibilities your creative flow flows naturally… add to this the fact that Simon works his butt off not only to improve but for his family then his accelerated improvements become a bit easier to get your head around.

I love this man, I love him and it hurts that I won’t be around him as often as I have been… but it will heal and I will always be by his side no matter what, so cross him at your peril.

Then there is Jaroslaw Baka:

When it comes to cool, this man is cool. He has everything going on.. I mean, Jarek is 11 years younger than me and I look up to him, he is art, he is naturally gifted using any medium and I would ask any man or woman not to be amazed by the quality of his realism work. His portraits are outstanding and he is proving to be one of the stars of modern day tattooing.

I will never forget how proud I was of him at Tattoo Jam when he scooped up ‘Best in Show’ for Saturday, ‘Best small Black & Grey’ for my Ice Cube portrait and then finally ‘Best Tattoo of the Convention’.

If I was starting tattooing 13 years earlier I would be looking at Jarek in the same way I have looked at DJ Z-Trip over the last decade, he is truly great at art, attention to detail and he is the cleanest and tightest man in Poland.

Jarek comes to the UK every 2 months for 2 weeks, is booked up daily, wows the clients, me and Simon included and when he leaves he leaves a gaping hole.

Jaroslaw Baka I love you and I will miss you, I will miss your weird tea and I will miss being in your company, YOU ARE THE BEST.

Lastly…

I am sad, I am beside myself inside and I want everyone to know that it has been an amazing 5 months laying the foundations for a studio which is already making waves in a great industry.

I am a DJ, I love this job, it is my passion.

DJ esSDee

p.s. Kosa… I love you my brother, I will see you soon and let me know if you want me to do you a website for your new shop, Big Love.

1. Appearing on Mister Jason’s ‘Son of Frankensteez’ E.P.

Yes, landing a part on this ‘Son of Frankensteez‘ slab of clear 10″ wax was a beautiful way to grace the year of 2012. Me and General Stoor go in on the track called ‘Dead’, Mister Jason’s ‘A to Z’ gets remixed by DJ Format to make it the most complex Hip-Hop track to have ever been concocted. DJ Revolution, K-No Supreme, J-Zone, Nabo Rawk and General Stoor feature heavily… a big THANK YOU goes out to the one and only Mister Jason of Porn Theatre Ushers who produces endless pieces of audio art, each piece different and stand out, a truly dope guy too, future workings would be more than welcomed.

2. Being involved with the Shadow Mix and being listed on Rolling Stone’s article

IRN MNKY was approached to create a mix which would accompany 4 others for DJ Shadow day on Eddy Temple Morris‘ show which airs on XFM. The MNKY man drafted me in for a scratch solo which sits on top of a sped up ‘Organ Donor’. The ‘Walkie Talkie’ and ‘I Gotta Rokk’ remixes which I feature on as well as ‘Inject the Beat’ were also included.

If that wasn’t enough Rolling Stone Magazine got in touch with the IRN man and asked a few questions as well as asking for a full track list for the mix which they embedded via Soundcloud. My name sits proudly within that track list, very proudly.

3. WY Clothing and Retreat Clothing Sponsorship

Between the 2 of these labels I have been blessed this year to represent what WY Clothing and Retreat Clothing do… what’s more they have clothed a brother which has lead me to be a walking, talking and performing 3D image of their ranges.

When I say that their garments, design and ethos all stand way above most others and that like me they have a positive direction in which they are going in it really makes for a good match all round.

With the 2013 ‘White Eyed Tigers’ tour happening and a commemorative Tee design being planned with Retreat you can expect BIG things in the coming 12 months.

4. Headlining ‘Oxjam Leeds’

2 main gigs for the Oxjam team and working alongside Matt Mackey was a real pleasure. A man with dope music in his heart and a strong head to take on the hierarchy which lead to the first Hip-Hop night supported by Oxjam.

For me performing with beatboxer Megamouth was the highlight of these 2 events and has lead to him being part of the ‘White Eyed Tigers’ performances that are planned for next year. We will also be performing again in the future as it was ‘that good’.

5. ‘The Country Gent Launch Party’

Now without the aforementioned Megamouth I wouldn’t have been able to pull off this event as smoothly as I did so a massive THANK YOU is extended.

Bringing together Mystro aka MysDiggi, IRN MNKY & Me (White Eyed Tigers), Asaviour, Spida Lee, Megamouth and a surprise cameo performance from UK Beatbox Champion 2 years running Ball-Zee was unbelievably brilliant… performing a DJ set with IRN MNKY for the first time since errrrr… 2007 ish was dope, DJing for my brother Mys was (as always), something to cherish.

Sharing the hosting duties (kind of), with Megamouth was a good stage show and the ripples we created for The Country Gent tattoo shop (which I opened in July this year with Simon Caves and Jaroslaw Baka), have been pulsing ever since.

Every moment throughout the event was hailed a classic and my heartfelt thank you’s go out to each and every artist whom I call ‘my friends’, it was a night many will never forget.

As always, these are in no particular order, they are all equally as good and meaningful.

DJ esSDee

1. Mystrogen

It was a long time coming from the turn of the year when Mystro’s ‘UK Rap Up 2011‘ dropped and made major sized ripples on the air waves but when it arrived firstly in    digital format it lit up the featured pages of iTunes, not just the Hip-Hop section but the main front page which greets us all when we click that little circular icon.

The album (a banger and massive success by way of musical and lyrical content), was then available on CD from September and pre orders were available through the website with supporters being rewarded by way of names printed in the cover.

A personal note from my brother MysDiggi inside the cover was touching and the feeling is mutual, Mys is an amazing human being, truly hard working to the bone and is there for me 100% of the way as I am for him. Visit mysdiggi.com/Mystrogen to buy your copy today.

2. Irn Mnky’s ‘Rolling Stone’ Feature

If it isn’t enough being the ‘go to man for a remix’ by the mighty legend who is DJ Shadow, he becomes the main man of Rolling Stone’s feature on Shadow’s hype around the greatest hits collection. Also nice to be credited twice in the content of this article.

As most know I am always working closely with my brother Irn Mnky and this year has seen us collaborate on a handful of projects including ‘Inject the Beat‘.

Stay tuned for the ‘White Eyed Tigers Tour’ dates which are being planned for 2013.

3. DJ Format’s ‘Statement of Intent’ Album

When Format released the album sampler using the medium of video I was like ‘whaaaaaaaaat the man is BACK’.

The album is a mix of previous albums ‘Music for the Mature B-Boy‘ and ‘If You Can’t Join ‘em Beat ‘em‘ with a Simonsound trippy twist added along with MC’s Edan, Mr. Lif and the supadope Sureshot La Rock.

Brilliant album and you have to hear it, BUY IT and support the man, the mate, the legendary UK beat maker.

4. HBS Music Archaeology Video Channel

Brad and Chris have become a weekly fix for me and REAL music lovers, DJ’s, diggers and shed appreciation societies around the globe.

From Indian music specials to guest DJ’s like Format, Thing and many more popping in for chats, favourite players and a cup ‘o’ tea. It’s a truly educational weekly show which has you writing down the on-screen track/album info for the time you next go for a real dig or even visit the online digital shop fronts which just might have the fix for your mix.

I am a big supporter of the show, the dudes and the hats… I will be in the ‘warm’ shed at some time this year I am sure, until then you can check the channel and listen to the flannel RIGHT HERE .. also follow them on Twitter @HBSMA

5. WY, Retreat and Ejectos Clothing

I have to put all 3 labels into one simply because, although they do a similar thing, they all do it very differently. It is their appreciation for stand alone identity which glues them together.

One is the brain child of a hard working graffiti artist and business man, one a label behind the ever growing West Yorkshire movement and the other a label which has it’s foundations in Hip-Hop, DJ’s, Skating, Performers and more. Go Find out more, buy and support their desire to be bigger, better and more powerful.

www.retreatstore.com
www.wyclothing.com
www.ejectos.com

The above are in no particular order, just fresh to def achievers who do what they do for the believers, make sure you click through the links and support.

DJ esSDee

Earn Your Ego Ejectos Hoodie

Such is the quality of my new favourite item of his (the ‘Earn Your Ego’ sweatshirt), you can now feel the fuzzy felt material of his gigantic head by stroking the inside of said garment. There are hats too… standard beanies, peeked beanies .. rolled beanies .. each with Ejecto tabs or branded leather patches sewn on (dependent on the hat chosen).

The collection wouldn’t be complete withoout winter t-shirts and vests .. yes .. VESTS! Now you will not be without that new vest at your winter BBQ when you are off your balls on whatever narcotic has you feeling too warm when Jack Frost is saying ‘come out here, I’ll cool you down .. get your vest on first though brojak’.

Head on over and get your order in, the stocks are dwindling fast… Happy Ejecto Christmas everyone.

GO BUY EJECTOS HERE!!

DJ esSDee

From collaborations with Afrika Bambaataa and Gill Scott Heron, to appearing monthly in the fashion sections of magazines and even better .. getting behind the right people to help push things further… this is a special brand with dope designs for every single body.

The celebration of Adam Yauch’s life through Retreat’s t-shirt design touched this DJ deep inside… a man after my own heart designed that tee and I instantly had a new friend.

The blog on the website of Retreat is something too .. Interviews with all kinds of musicians with the latest being DJ Shortkut.

Serious clothing, serious blog and serious man behind the design suite. www.retreatstore.com

Big up Sid you bad man,

DJ esSDee

Mister Jason ‘Son of Frankensteez’

The E.P. brought to the world by Mister Jason of Porn Theatre Ushers is released on 10″ ghoulish green vinyl and is packed with heavyweight names aplenty.

The man who brought 26 MC’s together all taking a letter of the alphabet which their names started with, and also the video which had horror movies alphabetically put together for each set of bars brings out this badass vinyl which needs to be a part of any Hip-Hop/music collectors plastic pile.

I have a massive amount of respect for this man and his production skills are so dope. Every track he does brings something different and I am privileged to be a part of this collectible piece.

Here is the track listing:

1. Mister Jason Has A Posse (DJ Format’s “A-Z of Classic Breaks” Remix)
2. King James (The Herbaliser Remix) featuring DJ Revolution
3. Shut Eye featuring Plastic Dinosaurs (Rain and K-No Supreme)
4. Humble Haters featuring Edo G. and K-No Supreme
5. Humble Haters (J-Zone Remix) featuring K-No Supreme, Edo G and CheckMark (from Skitzofreniks)
6. Bug Spray featuring Nabo Rawk and K-No Supreme
7. Dead featuring General Stoor and DJ esSDee