Last year, I visited Indonesia and Malaysia. During my incredible visit, I was impressed by the ever-increasing writing on the wall throughout my trip; with particular focus on the scene in Jogjakarta. Indonesia‘s second city is remarkably chill in comparison to thebig durian that is Jakarta and their thriving arts scene is testament to this. I met some wonderful people there, kicked back at the city‘s newly opened, boho chic, Oxen Free bar and the next day I trekked up to the magnificent Borobudur stupa for a spectacular sunrise. Jogja is also home to some talented musicians -from electro through hardcore and hiphop. Sydney MC Rima Le Drifter was able to point me in the direction of some of the local rap talent and I have included 2 fresh tracks in the video below by Rotra and Dumbstah respectively:
Some months ago INFX featured a short tribute mix by DJ Dexxx1 to the late Gangstarr MC Guru. This time we return to the turntable maestro(and beatboxer/ drummer) on a lighter note; to check out the skills our man was droppin‘ during a practice routine back at his place last night.
One of the true underground hip-hop DJs on the West Coast, Los Angeleno DJ Dexxx1 AKA DJ Dexterity is a keen fan of the late JDilla, and frequently drops Dilla‘s beats during his sets and routines all about L.A. Dexxx says of Dilla‘s productions that “the type of rawness on the beat among others shows you not only does Dilla have that Neo soul,The Ummah, SV type soul on lock, but he also has a dark rugged steez as well in his repertoire. Rip to in my opinion the illest beat maker in hip hop history...” and you can hear it as he tells it in this mini-routine right here:
Mash-ups are always a gamble, especially when taking songs from well-established musicians. They have the potential to be brilliant reinterpretations of beloved fan favourites, or disastrous clashes that were better left alone. Fortunately, Tom Caruana is well aware of this risk and has carefully produced yet another outstanding mash-up album of two legendary forces in black music – Jimi Hendrix and the Wu-Tang Clan. Having received widespread online acclaim for his previous releaseWu-Tang vs. The Beatles: Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers, this latest offering on Tea Sea Records, titledBlack Gold is a unique reawakening of two timeless artists, infusing Hendrix‘s warm and dusty guitar riffs with the ferocious verses of the Wu; all complemented by original, solid beats. Though perhaps not as hooky as its predecessor, this release is just as inventive, and serves as a warm welcome back to the roots of some of the world‘s finest rock and hip-hop music. I anticipate that there are big things on Caruana‘s horizon.
December againbrings the 2nd annual War of the Walls live graffiti battle back to Collingwood. Last year‘s winner, the industrious ADNATE is also back to present the event, fresh from a tour-of-duty in Berlin. He joins industry judges alongside the definitive Crowd Vote that holds a lamp to the current batch of writers; 5 graffiti up-and-coming Kings comprising RAD 11, Ohnoes, Mr Reliable, Eltoasto, and Broes. The 5 finalists will compete in an epic 2 hour aerosol battle, with hip-hop and soul breaks on the make by DJ Tom Showtime.
From 7pm atThe Void, 1-35 Wellington St Collingwood Saturday 3rd Dec.Tickets: Click Here.
This is one of the fresh, hip-to-the-game, young tings runnin‘ tings in Mexico City. ‘Monk Ey recently featured in Mexico‘s Street: Active Lifestyle magazine,mapping out his musical and contemporary cultural endeavours. He has achieved notoriety as the founder of Square Root Of Pi, known officially as √π and along with thePiposse, they‘re lording it over the underground scene in Mexico.
I caught up with the mad monk in between his DJ gigs and the cutting edge live band, hip-hop and electronic music ensembles that √π is renowned for:
INFX:What kind of tunes are you working into your DJ sets at the moment? ‘Monk Ey: Old Chicago House, House, Disco, Acid And Techno, Basically.
INFX:What do you make of the club scene in Mexico City, And how do you fit in? ‘Monk Ey: It‘s Kinda Bizarre. It‘s Not Merged, It‘s Not United, It‘s Not Going Anywhere. Most Of It Are Playing The Same Tracks (Psycho Dubstep @ 160 BPM), It Sucks. It‘s Difficult To Push The People To Other Style Of Music. Some People Love My Sets, Others Hate Them. 120-130 BPM That, For Me, It‘s The Best.
INFX: Seems like they prefer the Happy Hardcore - When was the last time you dropped Acid in a club? ‘Monk Ey:Actually, A Month Ago. The Results… Everybody Loves It, Nobody Knows It For Real. When I Play Acid It‘s When The People Go Nuts Dancing And Screaming Like There Is No Tomorrow, But They Aren‘t Aware Of It. It‘s Like Acid Is A Party-Only Music.
INFX: It‘s a fucken party alright. Finally, though, tell me: Do you know of any mad real cocktail recipes? ‘Monk Ey: Indeed, I Do! A Friend Told Me About “Mascara De Gas“, Or In English, “Gas Mask“. It‘s A Drink With Vodka, Whiskey, Tequila And Fire. They Mix Up All, Put Flames On It And, Keep The Gas In A Glass Upside Down, You Take The Shot And Then, You Breathe All The Gas On The Glass, Then… You‘re All Dizzy. Ha!
Well, no doubt my man ‘Monk Ey will be busy gettin‘ dizzy all weekend. Big Up‘s to the monk, and stayed tuned for an upcoming exposé on the √π crew. Meanwhile, here‘s a sneak peek of ‘Monk Eyand the team in action:
The Tom Tom Crew present a tour-de-force of hip hop culture, acrobatics, beatboxing and contortionist curiousities that leave you gripping your seat and chanting for more!
I‘d only just got the chance to see them at The Forum the other night; and the show has been running since the 4th October. It winds up on the 23rd too so there are only a couple of shows left. The crew is headed up by Tom (beat-boxer extraordinaire and established graffiti artist). They formed at the 2006 Woodford Folk Festival and became an instant hit. You get the impression that there was a hip-hop & breaks crew warming up alongside an acrobatics and trapeze troupe; and they suddenly realised “let‘s mix both acts together“. Since their inaugural show, the crew have toured globally, from the Adelaide Fringe to Edinburgh, London, New York, Berlin, Taipei, NZ, Belgium, and the Netherlands; as they‘ve criss-crossed the world in the last 5 years. This is a truly epic performance show, and a lot of fun. If you get the chance, they‘re well worth seeing.
Mother Hubbardpresents DJ Rob Swift: Live! The Documented Movement. This hip-hop documentary offers an unparalleled exploration into the contemporary hip-hop and breaks scene. Held atCinema Nova on Saturday 17th September, this special screening features an appearance by Rob Swift himself -there to answer any questions about the doco.
The documentary traces the advent of Rob‘s4th studio album The Architect. The film pays tribute to Rob‘s past as a member of the now legendary X-Men, through to his development as turntablist-composer. The film charts his work in the groundbreaking turntablist crew X-Ecutioners (Roc Raida, Total Eclipse, and Mista Sinista) and collaborations with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Dan The Automator and Cypress Hill. It also documentshis appearance on Mike Patton’sPeeping Tom;with new albumThe Architect released on Patton’s Ipecac label.
The absolute in Graff and Street Culture showcase hits town this weekend.
With an outstanding line-up of artists of multiple persuasions turning out en masse for parties & workshops, Carbon also features talks by industry stalwarts including Futura, The Hundreds, Noah Callahan Beaver,and local heavy-weights Tristan Ceddia & Dan Preston. Hosted by Acclaim Magazine, this primo event promises relentless insight and privledge to those that fork out for the rather outlandish ticket prices. However, it is also set to offer unprecedented access to all your favourite street art and associated customary endeavours.
Be sure to catch a glimpse, even just for a day -and we‘ll be there to check some of the action if you cannot.
Check it fo‘reals: This weekend, April 29th ‘til May 1st at Federation Square.
Last night brought the noise in theMelbourne Series 2 Semi-Final for Secret Wars.
Pierre Lloga this time went head-to-head with his sometime contemporary nemesis and the Round 1 champion, Scale. Despite the fact that the two share a notional bond with one another; Scale held no fear in depicting Pierre as pathetically imprisoned within his hand-written, pencil-pushing cell: A caricature buffeting itself with cat icons; typical of Lloga‘s work. In the meantime though, Lloga invoked a graveyard-inspired defiance to see to it that Scale in turn was illustrated as the last of the graffer; as encrouched upon by Pierre himself, with the aid of a chainsaw!
In all earnestness: This battle has exhibited the best of art I have witnessed in the series so far.
So without further adieu, please do visit a video of the late evening:
Just over a week ago, some friends and I witnessed Public Enemy live (again). Although this concert was a long way from the grand expanse of The Forum in Kentish Town, North London, the gig was rabble-rousingly intimate atThe Cornerhotel in Richmond. This time round the militia were pumping their tour of 1990‘s Fear Of A Black Planet. Although they gave the show a lot of effort and their skills were there to thrill -it was all too clear in my mind that these guys had long since fallen asleep at the wheel. Or, to be sympathetic: are now well past their prime. However, they fronted up for over 2 hours and gave us all a thrilling set. Apart from catching Flava Flav lip-syncing every now and then; everything else was overwhelmingly enjoyable -the fresh set list complete with crowd participation, political spiels, guests (including members of 2 Live Crew) and a tight freestyle battle between Chuck D and Flav that pretty much clinched the value of the $90 ticket, or therebouts. All-in-all, it was a brilliant show for the die-hard fans and certainly no staggering disappointment for the rest of us. And then there were the ageing Aussie homeboys: but that’s another story entirely.
Round Three of Melbourne Series 2 was upon us tonight, with the heavyweights pulling some hefty punches upon one another.
The crowd favourite was Deb as she brought the house down with a fascinating ‘novel‘ piece that could be said to reflect an aversionary character synthesis; or such.
Ken Taylor was the certain victor, though: his skullduggery hastily enduring the whitewash. Without further adieu, do view the photography, and stay tuned for the next exciting instalment in 2011.
Thursday evening saw Japan’s No.1 DJ hit the decks and fx down at The Corner in Richmond. Reverberating the venue (I refrain from suggesting dubstep) with what could be described as down-tempo tech breaks, the set rocked to the bemusement of the crowd. I must say I could really dig this vibe and it was fantastic to hear Krush in the now; throwing down new, unique and thumping sounds. However, after half time he realised the crowd were, let‘s say ‘traditional‘ fans and thus Krush‘s appeasement then ensured that the rest of the set reflected the mediocrity of the Mo‘ Wax back-catalogue with a tweak or two on the side.
The video below features half a dozen short clips that give a fairly broad overview of the set.
Binkis Recs is a vanguard of the true underground hip-hop. The label hails from Atlanta, Georgia in the States. Their websites boasts the label “was created due to a lack of creative and honest Hip-Hop music. The mission is to express original, honest and fun music” and they do it hard and heavy-hitting. I recently scored an interview of epic proportions with one of the founders, the main mang Flux. See this transcript for details…
RTB: Hey Flux, I’m Rock The Boat from INFX FLUX: What up Champ! That’s a dope long name! HAAAA! I bet the ladies love that!
RTB: Great to meet you too FLUX: Good to meet you as well. Appreciate you wanting to write up this article on yours truely and the Binkis Fam! FANG, FANGGG! SPRAGGGGGGG!!!!
RTB: Binkis is the real underground hip hop, rockin the crowds down Atlanta -but it wasn’t always that way… Where did it all begin?
FLUX: Well damn… that’s a long trip. HAAAAAA! BINKIS was started in 1997 between Jax and I. He told me he wanted to start a record label. We already was building a T-Shirt company but at the time… I think he made his career change. He was into Business management and I’m a Graphic Artist. We was also part of a crew called NEBLOS from 1994 till the present so our rhyme game been in effect for 4 years at that time. So The label at the time consisted of Jax as a Solo Artist, Me (Fluxwondabat) as a Solo Artist, The Old Souls (Spice the Black Hooded, Mike Self, Dj Drama), Lumbajak, Werd Da A.O.S, Rob Sloe and Vertigo(NEBLOS). We put together a compilation and Got our first show through Dres the Beatnik with 4Kings. Killed that show and it was on ever since. However… that show wasn’t until 1999 so it took us a while to build our sound. HAAAAAA!
RTB: Binkis was formed by yourself and the late Jax -how did Killa Kalm and DJ Mafioso get on board?
FLUX: Binkis the Label was formed by me and Jax but BINKIS RECS the group wasn’t formed until Killa Kalm came aboard. This was after a time where other members of the label went to deal with their lives. HAAAA! Cats was following their dreams so some had other careers to make actual instead of rappin’. My man A.O.S. bounced back to B’More. Killa Kalm was with us before Binkis as well as everybody else in NEBLOS. We were crew. Killa was the only one left out of Vertigo and still wanted to do it. Me and Jax stayed recording and Killa would slide through. Jax had the idea that it was just gonna be us 3 and The Group would be called BINKIS RECS. Naturally he fit. It was nothing different than what we always have been doing. This was like 2002. We was using different Dj’s and one show where we didn’t have one Mafioso was spinning. He filled in for us and dude was FANGTASTIC!!!! He didn’t even know our songs and all the drops was on point and the blends. By the time Me and Jax got to the rest we was like… Maf was dope. Like real on point. He was the Dj for MurdaOne and after they went their separate ways, Jax step to him about being our dj. This was also around the time we was working on “The Reign Begins” Album in which we recorded at his studio. We just clicked and that was it. A Spanish kid and 3 black guys! HAAAAAAA
RTB: A lot of your clips, raps and associated gear is dedicated to the late Jax -I’m sorry hear about his death last year
FLUX: Yeah it was a tuff thing to deal with. This was our brother. I knew Jax since 1990. My best friend. We all watched each other grow and just when we was getting back into a rhythm. He goes. He was about to have his wedding Celebration later that month. Him and his wife didn’t even get to live the married life for a month yet. We did a lot of tributes in 2009 cause it was well deserved. People needed to understand how he effected the community. More than some realized. We still spreading the word in 2010. More to come.
RTB: How does crime and street life relate to your music and what do you think of that way of life?
FLUX: Crime and Street life only relates to my music specifically my music on a level of seen experienced. I’ve seen a few things. Know a few people that did things but for me… I realize the emotions behind it all. Some things are done smart and some are not. People make their own choices and it’s nothing I would suggest. Everybody has their own path to walk. Crime goes way beyond street Life though. This society here in America that began with the European immigrants was found on crime, lies and Death. In some cases continue to be corrupt on levels the average person wouldn’t believe because it’s so deep. They call it conspiracies. HAAAAAA!
RTB: That’s it, man. Who are your biggest influences as far as rapping, producing music and the development of the label go?
FLUX: Of Course the greats had a heavy influence on me as far as an MC but it was always people that I was close to that inspired me. Early around 88/89, it was some brothers aaround my blocks that got me interested in writing. # to be exact. A brother by the name of Billy and two others… Junie and Jermaine. The later 2 was always kicking verses and freestyling and that shit was amazing. Then the dude Billy was writing a rhyme and I inquired about it. Told him that I thought about writing one and he said “Do it!” That’s all it took. I only wrote a couple just to see if I can do it. After a minute… I just put it down. The second time around it was because of another trinity(HAAAA), Jax, Uncanny/Silver Sterling and Paydues(Universal). That was about 93/94 and I just stuck with it. Started to become theropy. HAAA!
Production wise… It was 2 dudes, Nic @Nite and The Crow! The main producers in the Crew called NEBLOS. Both of their styles was way ahead of time. I mean… These cats was incredible. Nic @Nite taught me how to put a beat together and Sample. It was like 95. When Binkis Got our own equipment in 97, Jax Started producing and it was on right there. We started the Binkis Sound. HAAAAAA!
Record label… You gotta say Rawkus and Co Flow(Def Jux). We just wanted to do our own thing. We was both bent on controlling our situation. Plus… before a record label, we had a T-Shirt company so we always wanted to running shit! HAAAAA! This just felt better being that we was in the mist of a lot of musicians.
RTB: Who do you admire most, either as family or in the public sphere?
FLUX: Funny, I admire a lot of people. All for different reasons. Some for their perspectives, Others for strength, compassion, selflessness, and courage. A lot of them are friends and family. I guess because I know them personally.There is never like one person that I admire most.
RTB: Binkis Records (or Recs) states that you aim to please the ‘real fans’ and wake up the public -how has this mission gone?
FLUX: The Mission is going well because it’s contiuous. Whenever we perform somebody is getting BEAT IN THE SKULL CAP! Or hear us on the radio or hears us on someone else’s CD. There is always someone who doesn’t know so the opportunity is there. People recognize what we bring into the field especially stage wise. A lot of energy and fun energy at that. We enjoy ourselves on stage. We Pride Binkis on that. You never know what we gonna do but you know it’s worth seeing. HAAAA! So things are going real well. When we get the new music ready to present, we’ll have more chances to get busy! FANGGGG!
RTB: Can you elaborate on what you want the public to be ‘woken up’ to?
FLUX: Definitely! Wake up to yourself. Find the glory in expressing yourself and enjoy it. That’s what BINKIS has always been about. Celebrating the individual as well as the whole. You don’t have to be a certain way. Make your own way. Have fun. Not all things are serious. Everybody doesn’t have the same path. Be yourself and be proud! Of course you may need to be aware of things but who said you have to go about it like Jay Z. Who said you have to be Huey P or Malcolm X for that matter. Lauryn Hill or Lil’ Kim. Obama or Kobe. You don’t have to do it like none of them. Sure they can be inspiration but look into your own self for some of that. Not all Hip-Hop music is ghetto shit. Not all Mcees are ignorant, players, or thugs drug dealers or whateva people tend to classify it under. It’s that and more. Just because you may entertain… doesn’t mean that you lack intelligence to achieve any thing else. There is so much more but we’ll be here forever. HAAAAAAAA
RTB: Are there any new acts that you’ve signed up or looking at taking in?
FLUX: Not really. I know me and Jax had a plan before he passed but right now it’s about getting the latest music out Then we can take it from there. All this was unexpected! HAAAA!
RTB: Thanks for your time, Yo
FLUX: No doubt boss. I appreciate you taking the time to inquire about the brothers this way. As well as wanting to share your opinions about us with everyone else. Anytime! FANGGGGGGGGGG!
RTB: All the best for the future
FLUX: You do the same. Look out for more BINKIS music later on this year. Videos Interviews etc. SPRAGGGGGGG, BOKAP, BOKAP, FANG< SPRAGGGGGGGGGGGGG! TING!
Check the link amongINFX Cohorts to sample some of the goodies…
We ventured into the Richmondia district to check this mad freestyle rapper and stalwart of Quannum, Blackalicious and various solo and collaborative projects. Although expecting an ensemble of guests and a setlist direct from the forthcoming Escape 2 Mars album, the disappointment dissipated somewhat when the Gab started to spit 2 times for your mind with some nice sounds thrown out from DNAEBEATS. The 2-Piece brought a host of classics including Paragragh President, Deception (Don’t Let Money Change Ya), and Make YouFeel That Way among other new hits Lightyears and El Gifto Magnifico from Mars that certainly rocked the crowd well.
Although the hour passed far too quickly; Here is a short freestyle that was bestowed upon an insatiable crowd:
Braving the storms of a previously excessive foray into the night until morning, I was joined by some outrageous and tender-hearted friends to check the Producers Showcase at Roxanne.
Although arriving after Cinderella got home from the ball, live art was still in effect by the “insanely talented” Otis Chamberlain and the mad bass of hip-hop fused dubstep was on the make. Featured producers included Dizz1, Sean Deans, Cosmo, Mike Kay, and Chopper whom were “showcasing their latest creations and unleashing their unreleased beats …the future sound of Australasia’s beat heads” Obey, Ableton Live, and Jazz Crimes presented the freshest dope music-makers dribbling beats and boinks in an ensemble of the next musicological greats. Check the art below by the crafty and guilely Otis Chamberlain, complemented by breaks from ITF Champion and X-Ecutioners DJ Total Eclipse on the night:
Yes,
It is Friday evening here in the Antipodes and although I’ve been quarantined amongst the Digital Cinema Compliance appendages, I have dug up a lovely musical event for you all to peruse and enjoy. Dim the lights, Maestro!
Kid Koala (AKA Eric San) is a native of Montreal; he writes graphic novels and narrates them with his scratch-sonic soundtrack. He’s a turntablist and producer, debuting on Ninja Tune with the 2006 release Your Mom’s Favourite Dj. He was integral in the production of Deltron 3030 alongside Del the Funky Homosapien and in Mike Patton projects Lovage and Peeping Tom.
He’s touring currently -playing in Melbourne this Wednesday night at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. He is presenting ensemble act THE SLEW; of which his website alludes to “a puppet musical about a robot who works at a cookie factory (complete with turntable orchestra pit), a quiet-time headphone / beanbag tour for the non-dancing listeners, and a hilarious Roller-rink tour which should be fun for the whole family” (kidkoala.com).
Vale to the late Guru; reputable MC for Gangstarr and hip hop visionary.
The rapper died a few days ago after a long struggle with cancer. He had been in a coma since late February this year. Guru stands for Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal; a title that references the Nation of Islam. Guru (or Keith Elam) rocked the East Coast scene, ever since teaming up with DJ Premier and Mark the 45 King in 1985. Their greatest release Hard To Earn is an essential hip hop classic and Premier himself regarded as one of the best hip hop producers of all time.
Featured is a short tribute mix by Los Angeleno Dj Dexxx1.
