New Joint – Kinetik

Kinetik – “Number 3” (Kinetik.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

The talented UK emcee proves why three really is the magic number on this Preme-produced track from his forthcoming release “The Kinesis Thesis Vol. 3”.

New Joint – Maffew Ragazino

Maffew Ragazino – “Amaretto Sour” (Lafayette / 2012)

Hypnotic Sha Banga-produced track lifted off the Japan / US collabo project “City Survival Mix Vol. 2” from DJ Kenta and Teddy King.

Album Review – Grand Papa Tra

Grand Papa Tra

“Lost In New York”

(GrandPapaTra.BandCamp.Com)

If you grew-up listening to Hip-Hop during the Golden-Era of the 80s and 90s, then you’ll already understand why the five boroughs of New York City will always hold something of a special appeal to rap junkies worldwide. Over the years, artists such as Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Run DMC, KRS-One, Nas and many others all painted pictures of their respective Rotten Apple stomping grounds that became embedded in the domepieces of Hip-Hop fans everywhere, ensuring we knew the names of subway stations, streets and local figures in places such as The Bronx and Brooklyn as if we lived there ourselves.

So it’s no surprise that, ever since Hip-Hop first exploded out of NYC, many out-of-town producers and emcees have attempted to succeed in, or at least be acknowledged by, the Mecca of the culture. The latest travelling man to seek to contribute to the legacy of the city that never sleeps is Switzerland-based producer Grand Papa Tra, whose new project “Lost In New York” is the result of relentless networking, accumulated air miles and hours spent stomping NY streets to numerous studio sessions, with Tra choosing to record face-to-face with his hand-picked collaborators rather than exchange MP3 files over the Internet.

A succinct mix of vocal tracks and instrumental cuts rooted in the heritage of East Coast boom-bap, “Lost In New York” pulls together a selection of both veteran Empire State representatives and newer voices who’ve emerged from the city’s concrete jungles in recent times.

After the brief, ominous “Lost In NY” intro, the unmistakable voice of Brand Nubian’s Sadat X sets the album off properly on the head-nodding anthem “Gotham City”. Over a dense piano-led soundscape punctuated with police sirens, the Wild Cowboy gives his own personal overview of his beloved hometown, referencing everything from the crack explosion of the 80s, to back-in-the day Hip-Hop hot-spots and the terrorist threat of the new millennium. Meanwhile, old Queens running partners Royal Flush and Mic Geronimo unite to drop some typically boisterous New York straight talk on the funk-fuelled “Space Ship”.

The organ-driven “Hip-Hop Is Back” finds Nutso and Punchline attempting to uncover a stolen microphone with the fictional assistance of various NY rap icons, whilst “1 Of A Kind” features female emcee Debonair stirring up memories of self-assured 80s microphone queen Antoinette, delivering sassy, sharp-tongued verses over Tra’s thumping beats.

Clearly a dedicated disciple of the traditional East Coast drum-heavy, sample-laden sound, Grand Papa Tra does a good job throughout “Lost In New York” of respectfully paying homage to his sonic influences whilst still demonstrating his own individual production flair.

As 90s NY favourites Blahzay Blahzay might say, when the Swiss are in the house…oh my god…danger!

Ryan Proctor

Grand Papa Tra ft. Sadat X – “Gotham City” (GrandPapaTra.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Microphone Fiend – Roc Marciano

OutDaBoxTV interview with Strong Island’s Roc Marciano speaking on childhood memories, early rap influences and working on his modern-day classic “Marcberg”.

Part One

Part Two

NY To The Chi – Grav

Brilliant FifthElementOnline.Com interview with Chicago-based emcee Grav who dropped one of my favourite underground albums of the 90s – “Down To Earth” on Correct Records – here Grav discusses his early days growing up in Harlem, working with a young Kanye West in Chicago and more.

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Will Rap For Change Documentary Trailer – Life / Stig Of The Dump etc.

Trailer for the forthcoming Dean Huson-directed documentary “Will Rap For Change” featuring Rodney P, Brother Ali, Life, Stig Of The Dump, Evidence and others debating underground status and mainstream appeal.

NY State Of Mind – Ka

PurpleTapePedigree.Com interview with Brooklyn emcee and former Natural Elements member Ka who recently dropped the quality “Grief Pedigree” album and is currently working on the Metal Clergy project “Piece Be With You” with Roc Marciano.

There Is Only Today Album Trailer – Muneshine

Canadian producer-on-the-mic Muneshine answers some questions about his forthcoming album “There Is Only Today” which will feature beats from Buckwild, M-Phazes, Illmind and DJ Spinna.

New Joint – Infinito 2017

Infinito 2017 – “Don’t Do This To Yourself” (Infinito2017.Com / 2012)

Produced by France’s The Geaux and taken from the Chicago emcee’s album “Conquest Of The More Vol 2: Everything Changed”.

New Joint – Silent Someone / Craig G

Silent Someone ft. Craig G – “Change” (RealPhreshMusic.BandCamp.Com / 2012)

Title track taken from the Bronx producer’s new EP – this ish is niiiice.

New Joint – LMNO & Kyo Itachi

LMNO & Kyo Itachi ft. Dubs One – “Born Again” (UpAbove.Com / 2012)

Title track from the collabo album from the West Coast emcee and French producer.

New Joint – The Doppelgangaz

The Doppelgangaz – “Schemes” (Groggy Pack Entertainment / 2012)

Infamous NY duo EP and Matter Ov Fact return from the shadows with this first single from their forthcoming “Beats For Brothels Vol. 2” project.

New Joint – Homeboy Sandman

Homeboy Sandman – “Mine All Mine” (Stones Throw / 2012)

Taken from the talented wordsmith’s new EP “Subject Matter”.

New Joint – Ghettosocks / El Da Sensei

Ghettosocks ft. El Da Sensei – “Invincible” (Ghettosocks.Com / 2012)

Brilliant video for this Fresh Kils-produced track from the Canadian artist’s upcoming solo album.

New Joint – Domingo / Kool G Rap / Action Bronson / Necro etc.

Domingo ft. Marley Marl, Kool G Rap, Nutso, Rugged Intellect, F.T., Ras Kass, Action Bronson & Necro – “Men At Work 2020 – Remix” (Domingo Beats / 2012)

Immense reworking of the 80s G Rap classic produced by NY’s Domingo and featuring a huge array of lyrical firepower.

New Joint – A-Class

A-Class – “So Filthy” (BrakeFastRecords.Com / 2012)

Visuals for the recently leaked Tom Delay-produced track from the Baltimore emcee’s EP “Deathsuit”.

New Joint – Creature

Creature – “Do It To Yourself” (Coffee Grind Media / 2012)

Originally recorded in 1997 this Fred Ones-produced track is included on the NY emcee’s new EP “Deja Taboo…Graffic Art” – that cover shot is nasty.

New Joint – Tha Soloist / DJ TMB

Tha Soloist ft. DJ TMB – “True Labor” (ThaSololistRPR / 2012)

Symponik Bang-produced track from the New Jersey emcee.

New Joint – M-Phazes / Brown Bag Allstars

M-Phazes ft. Brown Bag Allstars – “What’s It All About” (Coalmine Records / 2012)

Taken from the Australian producer’s “Phazed Out” compilation album.

New Joint – Boog Brown

Boog Brown – “Shine – Nick Tha 1Da Remix” (Mello Music Group / 2012)

Taken from the Atlanta-based lyricist’s recent “Brown Study Remixes” project.