|
|
Every time I listen to a UK track I can’t help but wonder what an American hip hop fan would think listening to it, and it’s rarer than I like that I’d think “yeah, they would go crazy for this”. This is one of those rare times.
Initially I was put off by the auto-tune laden hook we hear as the track opens, and I had put it down to a typical experimental track by Kano, but don’t let it put you off, skip to 1:16 if you have to. Kano spazzes out and sounds hungry, which follows from his previous instalment of this Not 4 The A List weekly multimedia series by him and Mikey J. Wiley follows it with a decent verse, though the lack of his presence hinders it somewhat (the “INSERT WILEY HERE” lettering in this vid is poignant). What also hinders Wiley’s verse is what follows from Wretch 32, which by even his standards is an extremely high quality Wretch verse, with the Mayweather lines a particular highlight. The approving look Kano gives Wretch as he closes out his verse genuinely made me laugh out loud. Scorcher finishes the track off with his verse and you can’t help but feel this is a passing of the torch moment (it can’t be denied that he hasn’t seen the same level of success that the other 3 artists have done so yet).
An excellent track which is available for free by heading over here and giving them your email address.
 3 people like this post.
Arguably the best track on Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch The Throne, Wiley is the first big name to jump on this terrific production as he throws a verse in alongside th0se on the original version for an unofficial remix.
A fairly decent verse too from Wiley as he brings a solid flow with on this bassy production, alongside flashes of quality with his lyrics, although they would have surely benefitted from a more emotional, intense delivery to add some real credence to a few of his more introspective lines. Still, it’s an enjoyable contribution to a fantastic track and certainly doesn’t affect the natural progression and momentum of the track.
Jay-Z and Kanye West-No Church In The Wild Remix ft. Wiley and Frank Ocean
1 person likes this post.
From Wiley’s upcoming Wiley Presents Jay Weathers ‘The Producer’ project, this is a very enjoyable all-rounder with OTU favourite Ed Sheeran tagging along with some vocals.
Huge fan of the production here, with an atmospheric yet isolated vibe that lends itself to the introspective raps of Wiley, as well as the relative desolation of the Kingston-shot video. The video is a great fit for the track, with Wiley’s loneliness in the bright sunshine being poignant, particularly amidst scenery changing from nature to grittier images, almost mirroring the diversity of this very track’s harmonic production and honest raps.
Those raps are enjoyable from Wiley, and for all his various misdemeanours away from the mic, it’s difficult to dislike his product when he comes through with such solid, well-delivered bars. Ed tags along with some soft, mellow vocals that synergise with the entire package of raps, production and video to round off the track superbly.
2 people like this post.
From folk to grime, Ed Sheeran’s experienced and performed it all, emerging as one of the most well-rounded artists in the UK scene at a young age.
When a rare and homegrown talent of this quality arises, there’s an air of inevitability that he’s going to be one of the UK’s better artists in the coming years. Hence, for us here at OTU it’s best to get on the bandwagon now, as it’s going to be pretty hard to find room on it very soon: welcome to an Overrating the Underrated exclusive interview with the wonderfully-gifted Ed Sheeran.
Indi caught up with Ed to discuss a range of topics, including his thoughts on the No. 5 Collaborations EP, his upcoming album, and much more in a very in-depth interview. Huge thanks to Ed for being so friendly, and to Gully and Sian for putting this together.
You can read the script of the interview below (including a bonus question not on the video!), and of course the video interview is available up here. If, for whatever reason, you’d prefer to view the video (in 2 parts) on Youtube, you can do that here and here.
→ Continue Reading OTU Exclusive Interview with Ed Sheeran
18 people like this post.
I received a press copy of this about a month ago, and it’s a testament to how good the EP is that I’m still listening to it now. The quality of the EP and the incredible hard work Ed Sheeran and his team have put in have paid off, as this has bolted up to #2 in the iTunes download chart! I’m told it even had top spot for a brief time last night too (and when competing with Rihanna, this is no mean feat).
So who is Ed Sheeran? And how did someone whose main influences include the likes of Bob Dylan & Damien Rice come to collaborate with some of grime’s best artists? The 19-year old hails from East Anglia, first picking up his guitar and making songs in 2002. He got his big break appearing on SBTV, exposing Ed’s music to a whole new scene, resulting in contact with the artists who feature on the EP, amongst others (like Example, who enlisted Ed as tour support). Click on below to read our review of this EP.
→ Continue Reading Ed Sheeran-No. 5 Collaborations Project [Review]
9 people like this post.
Finally we get the official video to the 2011 version of a grime classic! This track seems to have run of steam as of late, which is why it was a little frustrating waiting for them to get this video out there, but maybe the buzz will build up again now.
As you can see from the behind the scenes video (click here), all these guys had a lot of fun filming this and it’s great to see the genuine rapport they have. One disappointment was that Wiley didn’t come through and make an appearance for whatever reason (I’m going to assume time constraints!). Each artist has their own little role in the video and it’s certainly a vid that enhances the song (which some people were originally underwhelmed with).
Enough talking, go watch the visuals to the left of this post, and if you like what you hear go grab the audio from clicking on this glorious bit of red text.
2 people like this post.
Another huge Grime track that dropped last week on the radio which also features a big line-up, with the likes of JME, Wiley, P-Money, Ghetts & Kano being highly rated here at OTU Towers.
The original Pow came out back in 2004 and was an instant classic in the genre. A fair few people have been disappointed with this new version of the track, which is understandable considering how epic the original was. There’s a lot of good quotables on this track though and is certainly one I am enjoying. Hell, I can even respect Chipmunk’s verse on this. Set to be released in December, (Christmas #1 anybody?) expect a video to drop soon. CDQ of this track available below.
Lethal Bizzle – Pow 2011 ft. JME, Wiley, Chipmunk, 2-Face, P Money, Ghetts & Kano
Be the first to like.
Some new music from Wiley for your ears. Grime fans rejoice, this isn’t a mainstream pop-type track.
Wiley – Tell Ya For Free
Be the first to like.
Kano, one of the U.K.’s best bar-for-bar MC’s new album will be entitled Method To The Maadness and is scheduled for release September this year. KA is offering fans a unique opportunity to go to the listening party for which tickets can be picked up here.
Kano’s Get Wild has been floating around for about a month now which features Wiley and Aidonia. Last night he exclusively premiered the uplifting Upside which Michelle Breeze offers vocals on the chorus. Get both of these below to wet your appetite.
Kano (feat Wiley & Aidonia) – Get Wild
EDIT: Bumped because I’ve now added the CDQ version of Upside below.
Kano (feat Michelle Breeze) – Upside
1 person likes this post.
Got my hands on UK (Manchester) MC Wrigz’ recent mixtape The End Of Da Beginin (free download) which dropped a few days after you may have noticed him appearing on some of Wiley’s Zip Files.
Really impressed with what I’m hearing so far and I’m pleased to have found this ‘hood video for one of the strongest tracks on the tape.
I understand Wrigz is also working on a joint project with the grime godfather Wiley himself too. The lead single for which can be viewed here. Although it’s got an all-star UK lineup, I wasn’t too overwhelmed with it so I’m sticking with the underground ish for now.
Wrigz (feat OG) – I Feel Good
Be the first to like.
This is a certified hit, I don’t know who the singer is but she delivers a superb chorus here, so good in fact that we don’t even need any of the verses. One for the clubs for sure, some nice eye candy in the video too.
Roll Deep – Green Light
Be the first to like.
Keeping with our recent commitment to bring you the best in the UK urban scene I’m bringing you a rare collaboration between foes Dizzee and Eskiboy.
So we’ve seen how the two fell out, now it’s time for us to see a time when they were buddies. Lifted straight from Dizzee’s classic Boy In Da Corner we have a grime-infused track laced with undeniable chemistry between the two. Although there are a few more joints with both MC’s teaming up (various Sidewinder parts for example), this is pretty much the only proper, official track where they can be found together.
This joint, like the album, was so ahead of its time. It was born at a time where ‘grime’ was still a word only used to describe something dirty and not only the UK scene, but also the U.S., wasn’t quite sure how to take it. Dizzee spits his characteristic, punchy rhymes whilst Wiley delivers one of his most memorable verses with irresistible hunger. It pioneered a whole industry which was only beginning to emerge and is held amongst the grime community akin to how U.S. hip-hop holds Illmatic.
Dizzee Rascal (feat Wiley) – 2 Far
Be the first to like.
“I jus want everyone to know I make music day and night.” Is how Wiley simply puts it, and he certainly proved that last night where he himself leaked almost 200 of his own tracks that he’s made….for free. That’s right, after sacking his manager on Twitter last night which led to the label no longer wanting to support his upcoming album, Wiley zipped up all of the tracks he’s done for them and uploaded all of them for all of his followers on Twitter to have, for free. Around 11 zip files in total, you’d be mad not to take advantage of this.
This has caused a lot of frenzy on Twitter and the media today, the question is, is Wiley insane? Or a marketing genius? Probably a bit of both. Two different links below that have the full story and links to all the zip files of his music for you. Seriously around 200 tracks, legitimately for free – what are you waiting for!?
TeamSupreme Music
I.Am.Organix
Be the first to like.
Right. I’ve wanted to do this for weeks now, but it’s just been about finding the time to do it. It’s been the most difficult HITNL I’ve written to date because although there are rumours and stories around how the beef came about, there is not one universally accepted point of view. Therefore not only have I had to use my knowledge I have collected over the years, but I had to do extensive research in order to supplement and fill in the gaps.
To the U.K. Grime scene, this was our version of the Jay/Nas beef although we are still waiting reconciliation from the two. Wiley has taken strides to repair broken bridges, but more about this later. Let’s get into things.
→ Continue Reading Hate Is The New Love: Dizzee Rascal vs Wiley
4 people like this post.
I’m on holiday for the next two weeks so you’ll have to put up with the rest of the OTU team (unlucky). However…I have found time to collect together a silly amount of tracks over the past week or so for you guys to tide you over while I’m away.
So click on for a mainstream hip-hop fix from the likes of Joe Budden, Royce Da 5’9″, Bun-B, Young Jeezy, Nipsey Hussle, Wiley, Sean Kingston, Drake, Young Buck, Tinchy Stryder, Devlin, Giggs, Tinie Tempah, Jay-Z & Jim Jones.
→ Continue Reading Something Of A Megapost
1 person likes this post.
Some new Wiley here, he seems to have carved out a good career for himself moving from grime to a more dance type of music. In fairness he’s doing it well as this video shows.
If you like what you hear grab the mp3 for this below.
Never Be Your Woman ft. Emile Sandé
1 person likes this post.
|
Upcoming OTU Live Events None right now!
|
Recent Comments