Now in its 4th year running, the 10-day Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival smashed up the UK’s London-by-the-sea, music lover’s favorite, Brighton. Rising Styles threw together all sorts of exciting elements and colorful people: artists, dancers, rappers, graffiti artists, filmmakers, photographers, b-boys and b-girls, hip hop lovers and enthusiasts. From breakdance battles to freestyle open mic to a massive all day festival on the beach, there was a lot to get into.

Festivities kicked off on Friday 4th July, with a private view of the 3-dimensional graffiti sculpture exhibition featuring the works of legendary NYC hip hop graffiti artist Mare 139 and UK’s Zeus, on display at the store-front-esque University of Brighton (Grand Parade) art school site - followed by the Rising Styles Festival Launch Party at Positivity at the Loft.

Carlos ‘Mare139′ Rodriguez at work on his 3-d sculpture. Photo from Rising Styles website.

Mare 139 (Carlos Rodriguez), who appeared in the 1982 graffiti documentary “Style Wars”, was commissioned to create a 3D sculpture, which he’s been working on all week in super tough, ultra thin steel.

Carlos is a lovely guy, doesn’t look a day over 29, and when I met him, looked a bit overwhelmed by the jetlag and buzzing crowd who turned up on the night to enjoy the art, hip hop, free wine and of course the chance to meet the legend. Later in the week he gave a talk about his work and process at local film development agency Lighthouse.

Brighton blew up on Sunday 6th July when b-boys and b-girls descended from all over the country for the festival’s annual Battlejam, in association with All Elements, where individuals and crews went head to head. The day started with a screening of “Inside the Circle“, a feature-length documentary about a breakdance crew from South Texas (courtesy of Black Soil from Holland), followed by a day of beatboxing, MCing, druming and rapping battles. There was some insane moves and crazy energy, with heats in popping, locking, crew battles and bonnie and clyde.

On Monday 7th July, there were film screening of “Rappers of Senegal”, “Whole Train”, “Inside the Circle” and shorts. On Tuesday, Brighton’s monthly open mic/decks rap night, Slip Jam B led the freestyle spirit of hip hop. The night was hosted by Hinesy Hines and Richie Cunningham and included special guests Dr Syntax and Ramblers Association (Vecks and Herbie Dragon). This night is a Brighton institution - the place was PACKED with people - it was hot, sticky and sound! On Thursday, there was a slam poetry night Hammer & Tongue, another Brighton institution. The night featured a battle between poets and…you guessed it, rappers!

Friezebox. Photo from Rising Styles website.

All through the week graffiti artists painted the FRIEZEBOX just outside the Brighton Jubilee library. Artists included Snub23, Sinna1 of Grafik Warfare, Sri, MNKY, Pinky, Mishfit and The Osh.

Yesterday (Saturday 12th July) was the hip hop festival finale - the Rising Styles Block Party!!! The forecast was shitty cloudy skies with a splattering of rain, which for summer in England is pretty good going, but by about 3pm the sun was out, people were pissed, and the place was buzzing.

This year’s line up included hiphop acts from the US, all over the UK, plus local talent from the Brighton hip hop scene: Kidz in the Hall (USA), Sway, Emmanual Jal (Sudan), the Infomatics, Blak Twang, Skinnyman, Jehst, Skilf & band, Serocee, Percy Filth, Kosyne, Soweto Kinch, Floriginal, Million Dan, Special School, Dizreali, Longusto, Witchdoctor Wise, Southern Suspects, Koaste, Enlish and loads of special guests. Plus aerial hip hop performances from Bandbazi and live samba from Baruhlio.

All of the artists were on top top form, but the camera crew & I were especially enamored with Million Dan and his crew, who were just totally lovely people & really got people bouncing - and who our photographer called Millionaire Man Dan (nice one Els!). Million Dan, who’s just come out with an album called Spektrum, is most well known for his collaborations with the Freestylers - does “Dogs and Sledges” ring any bells?

Emmanuel Jal was also a total sweetheart. He raps with conviction about the state of Africa and the hell he endured as a child soldier, and off stage was so appreciative to be there with everyone. He’s going on a 15 city tour this autumn, showing his documentary at universities followed by a Q&A. It was great to catch Kidz in the Hall - you could feel the NYC/Chicago ‘more bounce to the ounce’ flavour bursting off the stage.

The only drawback to the day was Blacktwang getting their set cut off half way. The programme ran over (technical difficulties) and the Council said if the power wasn’t cut, people would lose their licenses. Fair enough but - everyone was like “what?” Blaktwang were really cool about it, but I know production crew felt shit. And then, right at the very end, Skinnyman lost his rag with the crew over food and threw over the entire table. That was a major downer, and I sincerely hope he does some major apologies to the main organiser (Indy of Kala Phool) & crew, who all worked their asses off for free to put the festival together.

Yesterday - Sunday 13th July - was the last day. Mare 139 unveiled his commission at 3pm - an intricate graffiti design crafted out of thin steel, with the shit shined out of it and back-lit with invisible lights. The design splintered off into directional arrows, “weaving in and out of the wall” - the sculpture appeared on either side of the wall and to see it properly you had to stand in the doorway.

The crew were recovering from hangovers from the late late hip hop party at a local pub (Full Moon), but otherwise in good spirits. We had our final farewell celebration at Wagamamas followed by drinks at Riki Tiks. I’m tired today, but it was definitely worth the effort to be part of a great celebration of hip hop.

I’ll post a bit more photos and footage shortly, but in the meantime, cut your teeth on these fine UK hip hoptracks, which form the Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008. They were featured as a free giveaway with the July edition of Hip Hop Connection and pulled together by Rising Styles and DJ Excalibah.

UK HIP HOP!!!!!!!!!! You may not have heard much, it’s a bit more intelligent than the US counterpart, but hip hop is hip hop isn’t it??

Rising Styles Hip Hop Festival Soundtrack for 2008

Blak Twang - ThumbzUp (http://www.blaktwang.net)

Young Kof ft Rukus - Represent (http://www.myspace.com/urbeatzkof)

Sonnyjim - The Next Generation (http://www.myspace.com/sonnyjim01)

Aviation - High & Windy Day (http://www.myspace.com/howsaviation)

Blaktrix - Tektime (http://www.myspace.com/blaktrix)

Koaste - Drop Somethin’ (http://www.myspace.com/koaste)

Jid Sames - Pull Your Socks Up (http://www.myspace.com/jsames)

Gentleman’s Club - Hold Up Your Head (http://www.myspace.com/elementalmrsimmonds)

Diversion Tactics - No Collaborations (http://www.diversiontactics.com)

Chris L - Better Than You (http://www.myspace.com/chrisleese)

Multifinish - Minor Swings (http://www.myspace.com/multifinish)

Lady Lykez - Tryna Get To Da Booth (http://www.myspace.com/ladylykez)

Scizzahaz ft Dr Syntax & Kosyne - Directions (http://www.myspace.com/scizzahz)

Influx - Step One (http://www.influxproduction.co.uk)

The Last Skeptic ft Kashmere - Yin + Yang (http://www.myspace.com/thelastskeptikmusic)

Illustrate - Do What You Like (http://www.headcountrecords.co.uk)

Skrein ft Micall Parknsun & Smife - Poverty’s Paradise (http://www.myspace.com/skrein)

Gatekeeper remembers the time when horror films had brilliant scores that were just as crucial to the film as cinematography or costume design. An era where John Carpenter was creating some amazing films and amazing music to accompany them. Where Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells“ could conjure nightmares or Fred Myrow & Malcolm Seagrave’s “Phantasm II- End Theme“ would set off an anxiety attack.

Gatekeeper is a Chicago based duo that obviously borrow elements of that era and expands on it. While of course elements of horror music have been already been used in songs like “Phantom” by Justice and record label “Italians do it better“. Gatekeeper also mix in bits of early industrial and hints of house and techno. And by referencing the past they have created some amazing and fresh music. Then the music is backed by an actual live performance, with lights and synthesizers, not a dj set like many production duos are choosing. The live performances create quite a bit of energy and buzz with audience, making them move and dance from first note to last. With every show getting more and more packed all through word of mouth and strength of the Gatekeeper live performance.

The boys were also kind enough to send some tracks our way and told us that new music is on the way and a ton of live shows to follow. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Gatekeeper - Wave Design

Gatekeeper - Mirrors

Have you ever been to PNAU’s site? I got stuck over there the other day shooting all the colored balls trying to save the strawberry. If you’re in the mood for some fun and amateur video game playing, then head to PNAU’s site. After saving the strawberry and having a flashback to 2007 listening to their mega hit “Baby“, you’ll remember one of the reasons why you came to love PNAU. Then you’ll end up wanting to hear the superb disco feel remix that Breakbot gave to “Baby”.

Since 1999, PNAU have been making music that over the years, has brought them high praise in the dance music world and created many a loyal fan. Currently living in London, the Sydney-based duo consisting of Nick Littlemore (Sam Littlemore’s, aka Sam La More, younger sibling) and Peter Mayes, are gearing up to push their third single “Embrace“, featuring the lovely Ladyhawke. With the release (drops 16th August 2008) comes a glorious remix by two of our faves, Melbourne’s Miami Horror and the brilliant Fred Falke!! This one is MEGA!!!!!!!

PNAU feat Ladyhawke - Embrace (Miami Horror & Fred Falke Remix)

PNAU - Baby (Breakbot vs PNAU)

And some more PNAU… Love this video!!

Gosh has it really been since September 07 that we last spoke of the doe eyed Heidi Cannon and John Bourke of Trash Yourself?! They were picking up momentum for some time, their MySpace comments were plastered just about everywhere and then they kinda left us for a few months. Seems they’ve been busy working on the goods!

They’re back and bringing the jackin guitar fueled noise with their latest track “Fuck The Police” which really blows our minds!! This one is full of chaos with sirens going off in the background, giving you the sense of being on a high speed chase! Who doesn’t love a tune that you can scream along and pump your fists to?! Hear “Fuck The Police” on the latest Buffet Libre mix as well.

Trash Yourself have also teamed up with Brooklyn’s hit man, AC Slater for a remix of “Touch” (here the original on our previous post of them). Catch AC 1 August as he heads to Chicago to party with the Trash Menagerie crew at their 2nd Taxidermy bang-off at Debonair!!!! Trash Yourself are in the studio working on their debut album, so expect some more tunes to hit the airwaves in the coming months! And get to know a bit about these Oklahomans in an amusing interview from this past WMC, Miami, where they say they’re “making people dance by saving the world.” Nice one kids.

Trash Yourself - Fuck The Police

Trash Yourself - Touch (AC Slater Remix)

Many people have been endlessly asking me, “What about the Portishead remix album? What about the Portishead remix album? When is it going to be done?” Well it is finally done and ready for consumption. For those who dont know, The Noise/Floor Crew, started by Lady Foursquare, Angel Alanis (my partner in War Games) and myself, has been in the process of remixing the entirety of Portishead’s “Third” since about a month before it came out.

It began as one critically acclaimed remix of “Machine Gun” that was begging for more drums and snowballed into an all out reinterpretation of Portishead’s minimal masterpiece. Most are by NFC but we enlisted a couple of other producers, namely Flufftronix, 12th Planet, ASiH and A. Black, to round out the album. A few tracks were left in a somewhat recognizable state but most were torn to shreds and reassembled into an almost unrecognizable form. The individual tracks cover a broad range of styles from house to electro to minimal to maximal that all came together to make one hell of an album.

Is it better than the original? Am I allowed to ask that given my involvement? I guess it depends what you’re into, but our take certainly brings it out of the lofty art-rock realm and without dumbing it down. Anyways, I’ll quit talking it up and let you be the judge. As this is not a sanctioned remix album, I’m curious to see what Portishead will say about this since, in the past, they’ve been so staunchly against remixes of their own music. Below is a link to the entire album in a tidy .zip along with a lengthy (tl;dr) description of who Noise/Floor Crew really is. I thought I’d also give it to you track by track as well but I’d recommend listening to it as a whole album. And be sure to go to somewhere besides itunes (damn the man) and buy Portishead’s album as well.

Third Floor - Portishead’s “Third” Reimagined by The Noise/Floor Crew (ALBUM ZIP)

1. Portishead - We Carry On (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

2. Portishead - Nylon Smile (War Games Rmx)

3. Portishead - Magic Doors (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

4. Portishead - Threads (Guest Mix By Flufftronix)

5. Portishead - Machine Gun (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

6. Portishead - Plastic (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

7. Portishead - Silence (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

8. Portishead - Small (Guest Mix By ASiH + A. Black)

9. Portishead - Hunter (12th Planet of N.F.C. Remix)

10. Portishead - The Rip (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

11. Portishead - Deep Water (Noise/Floor Crew Rmx)

You say you’re searching for that perfect summer tune?? Well here is a lush edition to your pool of summer favorites. “Walking On A Dream“, by Empire of the Sun, remixed by Aussie producer/Dj extraordinaire, Sam La More has pure golden summer splashed all over it.

With this tune comes a long history with remixer Sam La More (Sam Littlemore), a man who has had his hand in countless productions over the years beginning with his 2003 club hit “Takin’ Hold” on Underworld Records, which brought the label much attention earning them “Label of The Year 2003″ by DJ Magazine. 2006 took shape for his project Tonite Only with partner Groove Terminator (Simon Lewicki) and two notable remixes “All This Love” for The Similou and “Pictures” for Sneaky Sound System landed them on everyone’s playlist.

Sam has produced and remixed music for a whole gang of artists that include P. Diddy ft. Kelis, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, The Similou, Robbie Williams, Princess Superstar, Potbelleez, Sneaky Soundsystem, Ladytron, Darren Emerson (Underworld), GusGus, Black Eyed Peas and many more. He is highly recognized for his production along with Nelle Hooper on Gwen Stefani’s 2004 single “What You Waiting For”.

Currently living in Sydney working on solo projects, as well as writing, producing and performing for younger brother Nick Littlemore’s (who is also part of Teenager with Pip Brown) fantastic Australian electronic act PNAU. Love that bouncy sun icon on their profile page and the rest of the happy characters! Sam just played a gig for the lovely folks at DURRR and will be supporting PNAU along with Operator Please this August on The Embrace Tour in Melbourne! He has also remixed this years Ministry of Sound’s The Clubbers Guide to 2008.

There is little info on Empire of the Sun, aside from the fact that the group is comprised of Nick Littlemore (PNAU) and Luke Steel (Sleepy Jackson). Sam has remixed the first single off their LP which is due out September. Other mixes are expected from Vanshe Tech and Hong Kong Blondes as well!! For now, let the proggy “Walking On A Dream” take you into the heat of the summer!!

Empire of the Sun - Walking On A Dream (Sam La More Remix)

With a mutual love for old school bikes – the tricked out sort like BMX, Haro, Hutch and Skyway, it was only natural that Leroy Washington and Sevenfive chose Tuff Wheelz as the moniker they would use to create their music. “Skyway made these incredible colored plastic wheels called Tuff Wheels. That’s the reason of our name,” adds Sevenfive.

2007 marked the year Leroy and Sevenfive joined forces for the French label Discolor as the official label Dj’s and decided to team up as Tuff Wheelz. But by no means are the duo new to the music industry. With a long run as a top French D&B Dj, Leroy has been in the grind for over 10 years and Sevenfive producing electronic music since 1997.

Leroy is the curator of the monthly ‘Let Me Bang’ parties in Bordeaux along with Kazey and has played with Dj Funk, Para One, Surkin, Bobmo, Strip Steve and Dj Gero. Sevenfive is the co-founder of audio/visual collective, Neurosystem and has been edited by such labels as Soulseek, GC recordings and Digital Kranky. He has gigged with Modeselektor, Jean Nipon, Danton Eeprom, Ovuca and Yuksek.

Offering up a good dose of 90’s, acid, deep and filtered house, baltimore, electro and techno, Tuff Wheelz deliver a fine mix of flavor. They’ve edited Davina’s house classic “Don’t You Want It” and have done remixes for Purple Crush, “Fuck The DJ“, The Shoes “Knock Out” and Strip Steve “Ready Steady“. Check out their latest track “The Ride“, featured below!

Tuff Wheelz are currently working on a track for Damaged Good$ out of Texas and have some new original productions in the works. They’ll continue to provide bouncy music in the country of wine and cheese at their ‘Keep On Pumpin’ monthly in Bordeaux and they’ll be playing with the EATDISCO crew who will be celebrating their 1st birthday 11th July at The End in Newcastle Upon Tyne!!!!!!!

Tuff Wheelz - The Ride

Strip Steve - Ready Steady (Tuff Wheelz Remix)

The Shoes - Knock Out (Tuff Wheelz Remix)

TM’s favorite bass boys, Trouble & Bass, have been quite busy lately and have a massive string of various releases and compilations forthcoming. To mark their latest release of Math Head’s “Turn The Music Up” EP with Palms Out, hitting online stores and limited vinyl, they provided us with a sample from the EP in the form of the heaviest, bassiest tune from the T&B camp yet. It makes Proxy’s Dance In Dark sound like a nursery rhyme.

And since they are so generous they’ve also given us yet another remix of Drop The Lime’s biggest hit to date “What I Need” this time from Top Billin’s Sharkslayer from Finland. He remains in the same heavy bass vein but with a taste of garage and a think break. DTL’s four track digi-EP “Like Thunder”, containing “Good Inside”, “I Love New York” and “I Want 2 Know”, will do wonders to your brain. Be sure to check Drop The Lime’s Fabric mix on Trash, here.

‘Turn The Music Up‘ and ‘Like Thunder‘ are available for purchase! Limited edition full color vinyl coming soon! We’ve taken care of the search for you, choose your buyer, click a link below, drop $’s and enjoy.

Turn The Music Up – Turntable Lab, Juno, Beatport
Like Thunder – Turntable Lab, Juno, Beatport

Upcoming Trouble & Bass Releases:
Curses! What I Need (Sharkslayer Remix)
Baobinga “State of Ghetto Jackin”
Blackfinger “Fearless”
Drop The Lime e.p.
Mikix The Cat “Freeze”
Little Jinder
Heavy Bass Comp
T&B Artists Comp ‘No Escape From NY’

Math Head - Get Hype

Drop The Lime - What I Need (Sharkslayer Remix)