"I'll Start Smashing Up Your Mixing Desk...Until It Can't Be Repaired"

After last week's white powder proliferation, and Logan geared up for radio only to be denied access like an MC turning up to Marcus Nasty's funky show, I was cruelly denied my weekly fix of Next Hype. I locked in last night, fighting off lingering tiredness, only for the instrumental to pop out its grinning face with mere minutes remaining.

Still, this wasn't an ordinary show, and last week's postponement inadvertently highlighted the point.


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Rapid (Feat. Ghetto) - One Way Road (Radio Rip)


Rapid continues to dabble with autotune, following from Bring Your Click and Superman, but as an MC he's added intensity and beginning to make a mark on tracks. Hopefully his album arrives soon.

Badness (Feat. God's Gift) - Jump Off (Radio Rip)


I never used to rate Badness, but he's been doing impressive things for a good few months now. This is a great track, almost like a more credible Message Is Love. His album is due for release next month, and it might be worth a look.

Dot Rotten & Brutal - I'm A Professional Remix (Radio Rip)


The original, from my favourite mixtape last year, 'R.I.P Young Dot', was a straight skip. I like the remix though, and Brutal continues to improve every time I hear him. Hopefully it's not too late for another attempt at '10% Effort'.

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DJ Spyro was the guest, only the second after his good mate DJ Mak 10. He wasted no time in making a brave stance against the Sama monarchy, hastily proclaiming that he's mixed for three years longer, despite being four years Logan's junior. Been mixing since he was eleven, apparently. When I was eleven, I was just trying to get home in one piece and avoid beatings from the olders at school.

Spyro even used to pratise on the kitchen table, which raised faint memories of December 4th on Jay-Z's 'Black Album' and a young Carter knocking on the table, rapping.

"At four, he taught his-self how to ride a bike; a two-wheel at that. Isn't that special?"

I can appreciate a mother's pride, as well as a precocious, wide-eyed Jay-Z careering down hills and wallowing in his new-found, two-wheeled freedom but, to be fair, the mix was arguably more special. Every mix wasn't flawless, but just the novelty value was enough.

Maybe next time if Logan and Spyro did it on unicycles, with perfect mixing throughout. That would be special, as I'm sure Ms Carter would agree.

Download the set here.

'I Duppy Careers Don't Tempt Me... I Only Emcee 'Cos Certain MCs Can't Emcee'

I'm still sceptical as to whether '10% Effort' was really deployed but, despite the misnomer, this is a solid collection of tunes from emerging East London MC Brutal. The beats have been drawn from the hard-drives of Rude Kid, Skeamz, Silencer, and Dot Rotten, resulting in a big and bold production which suits Brutal's simple style and content, including numerous sends for Chipmunk and his 'Rental Flows'.



10% Effort is now available for free download, forming a new section to Brutal's ever-expanding archives of freeness and complementing his School Days series. While downloads without charge convey a good message, as well as being appreciated by fans, they arguably lend to a disposable music culture which has a limited life span. Listening to this, it's something that would have been worth the cash and it's a shame that Dot Rotten didn't release his half since, bearing in mind what he is capable of, 10% Effort could have been one of the best releases of the year.

However, Dot is moving in a determined direction, leaving Young Dot in the dust. RIP Young Dot is the title of his forthcoming release, and it has shot straight to the summit in the mental list of 'must-buys' in regard to projects that are due to land in 2008. He shone on OG Season, whether on the buttons or around mic, and he surely made a weighty contribution to a CD that was full of good songs with decent hooks. Expectations are high and, if This is the Beginning was the finest hour for Young Dot, there is no reason to suggest why RIP Young Dot can't be Rotten's defining moment.

RIP Young Dot Freestyle


RIP Young Dot is available from July 14, exclusively from UK Recordshop. Grimestore should also be stocking limited copies so pre-order now.