Thumbnail image for Beats: Ed Sheeran ‘Little Lady’

Beats: Ed Sheeran ‘Little Lady’

January 14, 2011

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart It a strange thing when you feel genuine pride and excitement for the achievements of a musician you don’t know personally. I’m talking about being sincerely happy for someone as if you knew them from back in secondary school. So when it happens, you might as well embrace it. [...]

Skepta

Beats: Skepta ft. Chipmunk ‘Big’

January 8, 2011

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart If you’re talking top tier UK Grime artists then it’s a given Skepta’s name will crop up. Repeatedly. Just ask Diddy. Puff’s recent attempts at proving to himself that he still matters in hip-hop have seen him beg friends with a number of rappers. People like Jay Electronica, Wiz [...]

Blu & Exile

Beats: Blu & Exile – Seasons

December 17, 2010

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart Considering as I tap away at these keys it’s reaching blizzard like conditions in London City, the visuals for this week’s featured track seem only too fitting. Having already given a solid nod to Blu and Exile as two of LA underground’s finest a couple of weeks ago, it’s [...]

Thumbnail image for Beats: Chima Anya – Feel Us

Beats: Chima Anya – Feel Us

December 10, 2010

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart Easy people. You know last week I was talking about a certain Compton native named Kendrick? Well one thing I didn’t mention, as it didn’t fit in with the hilarious old vs. new narrative I was rolling with, is that the good Dr. Dre is actually fully aware of [...]

Thumbnail image for Beats: Kendrick Lamar-Michael Jordan

Beats: Kendrick Lamar-Michael Jordan

December 3, 2010

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart Bare with me for a second. Quick pop quiz ting. Name me a rapper from LA. Snoop Dogg? Cool, that is correct. Name me another influential figure from LA hip-hop history. Dr Dre? Boom, two from two. You’re on fire. OK, how about someone who hasn’t been around for [...]

Thumbnail image for Beats: Kanye – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Beats: Kanye – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

November 26, 2010

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart Following the pattern of the first two ‘beats’ posts we’ve once again got both a banger and a momentous occasion to celebrate. I know, you’re probably creaming yourself at the prospect. Since when have you had it so good? For those who took my final words of advice from [...]

Jay Electronica

Beats: Jay Electronica – Shiny Suit Theory

November 19, 2010

Words by Jos Smart | @JosSmart Last week the spotlight was firmly on J Cole and his ability to release a mixtape so sought after it gave the internet heart palpitations. This week we move from Roc Nation’s first signee to the newest addition to the roster. An MC who shares Cole’s ability to make [...]

J. Cole Friday Night Lights

Music: J. Cole Sets Friday Night Alight

November 13, 2010

Words by Jos Smart/@JosSmart For anyone paying even the slightest bit of attention to rappers on the come up, a young man by the name of J.Cole should be firmly on your radar. Over the past couple of years the Fayatteville, North Carolina native, and former baller, can put a tick next to a few [...]