More Bounce presents Homeboy Sandman & Edan (Live in Manchester)

More Bounce come through once again with the ill live Hip-Hop! On Thursday 7th February, Joshua Brooks in Manchester host the duo of Homeboy Sandman and Edan. Both no stranger to touring, with each having previous appearances solo in Manchester, the pair join forces in support of their Stone's Throw released album "Humble Pi".

Catch them very soon with support from local group The Bluntskins. Early bird tickets have sold out, but additional tickets are still available at Skiddle. Find full information on the Facebook event page here.

Check out a couple of videos from "Humble Pi" below.

Let It Play Radio Show

I haven't been posting on this blog as regularly as I'd have liked recently so thought I'd take the opportunity to let you know about my new radio show "Let It Play".

Currently I have two shows under my belt and will continue on the first Thursday of each month from 7pm until 9pm. The new radio station MCR Live have generously given me two hours to play with monthly.

I'll be playing a mix of new music, old classics and favourites of mine, mainly in the scope of Hip Hop, R'n'B and soul. I'm sure there'll be plenty of other genres squeezed in there too though.

The first two episodes are up on Mixcloud to listen to at your leisure on demand. They can be found here on my MCR Live resident page. I've also embedded them below for your convenience. Hope you enjoy the music!

More Bounce presents Diamond D vs. Large Professor

More Bounce once again bring legends to the basement of The Whiskey Jar as they host Diamond D and Large Professor on the Manchester leg of their "45 Soundclash Tour".

Two of the best producers on the mic will be in the city on the 10th November, so make sure you get your tickets and be part of another historical night. Check the Facebook event page for more details.

More Bounce Presents Slick Rick Live In Manchester

Slick Rick

After a massive turn out for Pete Rock & CL Smooth last month at Mantra Warehouse, More Bounce wastes no time in rolling out the red carpet for yet more Hip-Hop royalty. Slick Rick finally makes his return home for his first ever tour in the UK! The Ruler starts his 5 date run of shows here in Manchester.

Put Friday the 25th of November in your diaries and be sure to get your tickets when they drop this Friday (23rd September). Check the Facebook event page here for updates and more information.

A few of his classic videos follow.

Dr. Syntax & Pete Cannon - Downtime (Video)

Dr. Syntax

After a busy summer on the festival circuit with The Mouse Outfit, Dr. Syntax returns with his partner in crime, Pete Cannon, with their new project "The Tonic EP". Their first single and video from the EP is "Downtime".

Synners walks the streets of Manchester pondering on the big wide world that's out there and how most of us are trapped in the system like caged animals. Everyone needs a break from the cycle!

Check the video below, shot and edited by Ellis Meade, and then be sure to cop the new EP which is available now over at Bandcamp. Also, the pair are on tour starting this month so be on the look out for a local date near you.

More Bounce presents The Beatnuts *CANCELLED*

JuJu and Psycho Les

*UNFORTUNATELY THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES*

Friday the 5th of August sees the return of The Beatnuts to Manchester for the first in over a decade. More Bounce continue to add to their amazing line up of events that have seen the likes of EPMD, Camp Lo, The Pharcyde, Cormega, Large Professor and Masta Ace among a host of others. Not to forget, More Bounce host Pete Rock & CL Smooth this September.

Up next though, more Hip Hop royalty in the form of JuJu and Psycho Les aka The Beatnuts. The 'Nuts have a number of classic records and bangers for days and are always a firm fixture in many set lists across the globe. Check a few of them below if you've forgotten or don't know.

In support on the night they are joined by local favourites The Bluntskins (Pro P, Cheech and Bill Sykes) who will drop some homegrown boom bap to warm things up. You can check them out over on Bandcamp. More Bounce DJs will lace the night in between acts.

Definitely not one to miss. Tickets are available via Skiddle . Also, check the Facebook event page for any updates or announcements.

More Bounce & The Remedy Sessions present DJ Boogie Blind

DJ Boogie Blind

Back in Manchester once again, More Bounce and The Remedy Sessions present DJ Boogie Blind. The DJ for Pharoahe Monch, Lord Finesse and current member of The X-ecutioners will be playing live at The Live Room on December 11th. Definite party starter.

He'll be supported on the night by Mikey DON, DJ Omas and El Statiko. Tickets and information over on the Facebook event page.

Also, check Bloc2Bloc's footage from the last time he rocked Manchester below.

Skyzoo in Manchester

Skyzoo (Photo credit: Joey Amandola)

On November 20th, ShedTheLight welcome the debut appearance of Skyzoo to Manchester. This show has been a long time coming considering the length of time Skyzoo has been around and putting out music.

The Brooklyn native is fresh off the release of his latest long player, Music For My Friends and a busy schedule promoting the project. This follows last year's collaborative album with his partner in rhyme Torae with their Barrel Brothers album.

Originally slated to appear at the Q Cavern in Piccadilly, the show has been moved to The Mint Lounge on Oldham Street in The Northern Quarter. You can check the event page here on Facebook for further information and tickets. Support on the night comes from Room2 artists Dubbul O & Pro P and also DMC finalist El Statiko.

In the meantime, check a couple of Sky's latest videos, both solo and with Apollo Brown and Torae. Also, be sure to watch an interview/concert he did for Brooklyn's BRIC TV below.

Black On Both Sides - A Hip-Hop Time Machine

At the end of August for the bank holiday, a new Hip-Hop night is being launched at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester. "Black On Both Sides". Taking the name from the classic album from Mos Def in the Rawkus years, the night looks to transport us back to the summer of 1999 when the LP was released.

Using this record as a starting point, expect to hear Hip-Hop that was prominent at the turn of the millennium. The 1's and 2's are in the capable hands of DJ Lee Majors (More Bounce), DJ A-UP and Agent J with Bedos (In The Loop) on hosting duties.

Read the flyer above (or below) for details and a closer look at the theme of the night. Links for mixes from DJs on the night can be found here Lee Majors and here In The Loop. Hope to see you all there!

DJ Lee Majors

Bedos, DJ A-Up & Agent J (Photo: Air Adam Photography)

Jay Z - B-Sides Concert (Full Show)

Jay Z

After being announced several weeks ago, Jay Z took to the stage of Terminal 5 in NYC last night to perform a selection from his vast catalogue. Streamed exclusively via TIDAL, this "B-Sides" show was a chance for Hov to go back and revisit some of his album cuts and various verses that he seldom plays out these days. There are a few obvious hits in there too but it's great to see if you're more than just a casual fan.

There were a few surprise guests too but you can see for yourself. I doubt this will remain on Youtube for long so watch it while you can.

Afrika Bambaataa x Scor-zay-zee x DJ Woody x Heavy Links Live in Manchester

At the end of November, More Bounce welcomes one of the Godfathers of Hip Hop, Afrika Bambaataa to Manchester. The city will see this living legend as part of his "Hip Hop History Tour". Rarely do we see an artist of such pedigree in a venue as intimate as The Roadhouse.

Joining him in support on the night is our own UK legend Scor-zay-zee. After the recent success in crowd funding his debut album "Aeon: Peace To The Puzzle", the Notts emcee will be at The Roadhouse to let loose on the mic with this new material and I'm sure a bunch of classic tracks too.

It doesn't stop there. Also on the bill is turntablist extraordinaire DJ Woody. Quite fittingly, Woody will be displaying his live AV set "40 Years Of Hip Hop". Nothing but good things can be said about his live show. Time and again he's brought something new and unmissable. Here's your chance if you haven't seen it yet.

Rounding out this already packed line up is East Midlands crew Heavy Links. Bringing that boom bap Hip Hop we all love with a UK seasoning. Habitat, El Tel The Dopeness and Donnie Propa will be on deck to rock Manchester.

Check the flyer above for details. Not a night to be missed.

Ticket link - Skiddle

Sean Price in Manchester

More Bounce have done it again. This time Sean Price will be on his way to The Roadhouse in Manchester in October. Nothing more to say other than BE THERE. Details on the flyer below and event page here. P!

A couple of choice videos follow.

Mr. Thing on Crate Diggers (Video) / In The Loop: The Final Cypher Session

Mr. Thing is one of the best DJs I've witnessed over the years. I've seen him quite a few times and he never fails to bring an amazing party to life. This is most likely down to his wealth of music knowledge and pretty impressive vinyl collection to choose from.

Check out the latest episode of "Crate Diggers" for Fuse TV with Mr. Thing in the video below.

Incidentally, Mr. Thing is the guest DJ at this month's In The Loop on the 20th of June. It's sure to be a special one as it is in fact the last night that Agent J, DJ A-Up and Bedos will be hosting. Be sure to look at the event page and get down if you can. It's a free event so you have no excuse to miss The Final Cypher.

Method Man & Redman Live In Manchester

Finally! Yesterday it was announced that one of Hip-Hop's illest duos will be hitting up Manchester on July 18th. Method Man and Redman will be making their return after a long time away from the city when they take over The Ritz.

Personally, I've been waiting forever for this as I missed them perform here previously and Method Man was absent at the Wu-Tang show I attended a number of years back. The Ticallion Stallion and the Funk Doctor Spock on my doorstep! Can't wait.

Tickets are on sale now through Skiddle here.

A few of their many great videos follow below.

  

DRS & Marcus Intalex - Mid Mic Crisis Mix for FABRICLIVE (Download)

As a warm up for Friday the 16th's Soul:ution invasion at FABRICLIVE, DRS and Marcus Intalex have put together an hour long mix to get heads ready. If you're in London on the 16th May and drum 'n' bass is your thing, this isn't one to be missed.

Check the event page here, their website page for the mix here or stream/download the mix direct below.

Pete Cannon & Dr. Syntax: Killer Combo Album Launch

This Friday in Manchester, Antwerp Mansion hosts the "Killer Combo" album launch from Pete Cannon and Dr. Syntax. The album is already available but the duo are now touring. Expect a high energy performance as well as a heavy supporting cast.

Also there on the night will be Voodoo Black (Dubbul O, Sparkz, Ellis Meade and DJ Cutterz), producer Sivey and additional DJ support from Andy Peek with host MC Soft J completing the line up. Not one to be missed.

Check the flyer for details and below for a few videos and sounds from artists on the night.

Will Not Be Televised Live Mix by Andy Peek on Mixcloud

In Conversation: Nas and Michael Eric Dyson (Video)

Last night at Georgetown University, sociology scholar and professor Michael Eric Dyson joined Hip-Hop legend Nas in conversation. The discussion included how Nas' "Illmatic" has impacted the genre over the last 20 years and a look at how Hip-Hop is today.

Check the in-depth video below.

 

EPMD & DJ Scratch in Manchester

Unless you've been hibernating under a hefty rock for the past week or so, you'll have heard that the legendary EPMD are to perform in Manchester. Alongside them will be the incredible DJ Scratch.

More Bounce have managed to make another excellent booking for the heads in Manchester so I suggest you get your tickets quick as it's in only a few weeks time on Saturday the 5th of April at Gorilla. Details of ticket sellers can be found on the flyer below and physical tickets can be purchased at various shops in the city centre. Check the Facebook event page for more info.

A few classic videos can be found after the flyer.

Pharrell Plays New Album G I R L (Video)

For those of you with an hour and a half to spare, you can watch and listen to Pharrell as he plays his entire new album "G  I  R  L" for Red Bull Studios. He also talks about the album and tells a few stories.

Capone-n-Noreaga and Onyx Live In Manchester

Big news for Manchester. This Is Hip Hop have landed two of Hip-Hop's most iconic and celebrated groups to hit the city on May the 17th at Club Academy. Capone-N-Noreaga and Onyx!

"The War Report" by CNN is widely regarded as a classic as is "BACDAFUCUP" from Onyx. Of course both saw continued success with multiple hits on subsequent albums both as groups and with solo albums (most notably N.O.R.E.).

This is definitely not one to miss. Tickets will be on sale from the 13th February.  Tickets available now at See Tickets and Ticketline! 

Check the official flyer below followed by a couple of videos to remind you!