Back in 2009/2010 I met Tha 4orce who took part in the king of the beats event held at London’s Vibe Bar located in Brick Lane. He soon joined the team, helping with the events. Off the back of the events I started the record label, pressing 45s from artists that came through the event and the king of the beats films. For some years The 4orce had worked on a instrumental project titled Setting Standards for which he put out him self.
He then went onto run the Mind tha Gap Radio Show which he featured nothing but new music from here and across the pond this lead him to return back to the project 4Orce wanted to make it a vocal version featuring UK artists that he was into and were of the moment. This project was lead and funded by him self. Any one that knows him will say that he is prolific worker, who is always on his grind, self motivated and very focused on his music. Through his network he was able to make use of the talent around him to create videos and execute his own plan. Every month to release a digital single launched with a video ending the year with a Vinyl pressing of the lp. Money earned from the digital releases goes towards the pressing of the limited edition UK Gem.
4Orce supported me and my projects since the time we started to work together and on this weekday visited me to help me shoot my piece for the Diggers Project. I thought it would be good to shoot a piece about him breaking down his project and his aims.
If you are feeling this please and want to support home grown artists please share and support the Setting Standards Project.
From way back when, long before this thing was called Hip Hop back in the very early 70’s this thing called DJing took a turn that changed the way DJs play music forever.
It birthed the Turntablists, DJ’s who manipulated the soundscape and arrangements of the recorded piece changing the way we were meant to hear the music. It became something else. Dj’s all over New York went crazy looking for sounds to manipulate, it birthed the Breakbeat DJs. One of the greatest of all time is the man featured here Jazzy Jay.
From Bronx River Jazzy Jay like Charlie Chase, Grand Wizard Theodore and DXT was of a generation that went all out on this from not just buying and searching for records but becoming exceptional Skilled on the turntables. Their tapes and performances have influenced millions of people across the globe. Held in High regard I’ve seen it my self people still be asking him what was this track you played at this event or this track on this tape.
It’s these DJs that inspired the members of DITC to coin the term Diggin in the Crates. I’ve known Jazzy for many years now and we have shot many videos together, he never fails to surprise me. When you see me and Jazzy put something together you better believe it’s going to be special and honest.
Recently I got to tour along side Diamond D and Large Pro doing the 45s sets, these men them selves Diamond especially will tell you that we was all mentored by Jazzy. Diamond you can see where he is at when he cuts 45s. the way he cuts them. Its not easy at all, but h makes it look easy as he came from a time and place where that is all it was and the only way to do it, it was competitive as almost every block had DJs that were all working/ practicing hard to make a name, to be hailed as one of the best.
I was in NYC for 4 nights to work with Large Pro and Main Source documenting the 25 year Anniversary of Breaking Atoms. One of the greatest Records ever made across all genres of music. I took one day off to be with Jazzy to see him and his family. On the Friday joined by Large Pro and King of Chill we got into the spirit of creativity and few beers leading me onto persuade Jazzy to cut some 45s for me and let me shoot. This was not rehearsed or prepared, but you can see here what we captured, a man who cutting up 45s is a walk in the park.
Jazzy Jay is available for shows. Info on the video.
for all those that know about the king of the beats events and 45′s Tha 4orce had dropped 2 singles on the label and has been a long time associate since taking part in one of the events held at London’s Vibe Bar. It came to a point where he began work on his solo Album Setting Standards, as the producer the Album features many of the UK most talented up and coming artists.
This is the first single from the project, ‘More to it’ ft Confucius MC. Attached to The Hip Hop Movement the album project featuring artists Dubbledge, Cyclonious, Jae Mann, Gee Bag, Poynt Blak, King Kashmere, Wan-Cee, Arise King David, Ray Vendetta and Lady Sanity’.
Written by: Confucius MC.
Produced by: Tha 4orce for Mind Tha Gap Recordings.
All Instrumentation, cuts and scratches by: Tha 4orce.
Mixed and recorded by: Morfius and Tha 4orce for More for us Media.
Executive Producers; Tha 4orce & Pritt Kalsi for King of the Beats Records.
Available at all online digital outlets: Apple iTunes, Rhapsody, eMusic, MediaNet, Inprodicon, Tradebit, GreatIndieMusic, Amazon MP3, Groove, iMusica, Spotify, 7digital, Deezer, 24-7, Google Music Store, iHeartRadio, Rumblefish, Slacker Radio, Shazam, Yandex, YouTube Music, Tidal, Akazoo, SoundExchange, 8tracks, Synchtank, Kdigital, Kuack, AWA, Kkbox, Pandora, Line Music, Bandcamp
A great way to kick off your 2017 with this footage from Diamond D and Large Professor’s late 2016 UK tour. Notably two of the greatest hip hop producers of all time they have embarked on journey reverting back to a time long before they started making music, a time where as children they were fully taken by this new and exciting culture called Hip Hop.
Where Djing was thing. This new art form required two turntables and mixer. A bunch of 45s and to these guys and many alike them they had to find 2 copies of each record. They came in at a time where people where still discovering holly grail breaks. Very Exciting times.
Not only did you have to scrimp save and find these records you had to perfect and master the skill of cutting them up on the turntables not an easy thing to do. Competition was high so it only forced you to practice hard, if you didn’t have the skill on the turntables you made up for it with your selection. This is how great DJs made their name and found recognition.
Both these men mastered all the elements above. This later lead them into them becoming some of the greatest Hip Hop producers, Don’t ask me ask Kanye West who although i’m not a fan of him, even he when it comes to his piers will humble himself to name the two men featured here.
I was privileged to join the men on some of their tour. Although I filmed much footage over 4.5 hour of them just cutting up I put this selection together not just to showcase them but as piece of document to preserve this element of the culture.
Available to pre-order now, shipping date from July 1st. Limited edition 300 only colored vinyl from DJ Moe Love from the Legendary group THE ULTRAMAGNETIC M.C’S. One of the most significant groups that played a massive part in sampling innovation and creativity. A group that helped forge the golden era sound.
Moe Love presents the first album from the series of lps from the film Looking for the Perfect beat, a collection of beats that came from his vault, this album spanning a period from 93 to 2015. Mastered from tape this album is a must for your collection and a must for any of you DJs that cut up doubles for M.C’s.
For those that know the history of the group, they was one of the first bronx crews to get their hands on a SP 12, Ced G mastered it and along side Paul C and the group consisting of Kool Keith, TR Love and Moe created and put together the classic ULTRA LP CRITICAL BEATDOWN. This was a group that were Innovators and a inspiration for many of the great producers that came after. Followers of the blog will know that since 2013 i have been working on my film Looking for the Perfect Beat, as it gets closer to completion i decided to relaunch my label with a bang. After having to shut down all operations whilst getting divorced and being left broke again.
It is through a passion and dedication from the team, my self 4orce and the artists who took part in the film that this is coming together. This is your chance to own a fantastic LP from one of the greatest yet most underrated producers of this Genre. I would like to thank those that were part of this project and know journey its been to becoming a real product. Moe Love, Marc Davis, TR Love, Beanz and Tha 4orce not forgetting Chris Malbon.
Order your copy here : MOE LOVE ALBUM
Some years ago I worked on a project with one of my idols DJ Supreme from the group HIJACK. If I remember rightly it may have been DJ Woody that put me onto him. I was working on my film, ‘THE MEN & THEIR MUSIC’. This was in the early 2000’s.
Living in Zurich now Supreme sent me some footage over for my project. He later saw the film I was working on alongside the trailer that I had made public at the time. Some years later he asked me to work on a film with him depicting his experience / life and musical journey. For those that may not be familiar with DJ Supreme’s legacy go ask any member of the Skratch Piklz about his influence.
Soops as he known played a massive role in the development of DJing and scratching styles. He and DJ Undercover turned scratching into a language. Most of us got to hear it via the records that came out by them via the group HIJACK. A group that certainly spearheaded alongside the likes of Blade and gunshot the sound Europeans coined Britcore. A term that I really hate.
Why well in those days buying records there was no UK section or USA section. In specialist shops there was the import section, but in those days you would find a hijack record next to Public Enemy record and so forth. The record was measured by weather it was good or bad, and Hijack for me was in the good end of the spectrum of Hip Hop music.
The film was really to mark the departure of supreme from the music scene so that he could go forth and work on new challenges. Instead it sparked a new interest in him and telling the stories of some of contributors to this culture.
One of things I have spoken about many times with the artist I have worked closely with over the years is this thing called ‘Artist’. I have always worked with or been fortunate to be around some people who fall under the title of ‘True Artist’. For me this is not about doing something because it’s cool or because it’s the in thing its where individuals or parties share this common will and calling to create. No matter how old you get or by the media how unpopular you may be today these artists will always have a uncontrollable urge and desire to create.
I think this was the challenges that supreme ended up facing once again. This lead to him working on the recent 25 years Anniversary project putting out the HIJACK LP. Although I was not part of that I watched closely. Me and Soops was working on a project together and in the middle of that I got caught up into a terrible personal situation that I had to leave and deal with. Supreme in that time also faced some personal issues, he was being called and drawn back into making music. A year ago he played me some of the material. I heard the song with Curoc from the group Son of Noise another group that came in the height of British hip hop. I instantly said that if I would a video it would be for that song.
One year later. Supreme took me out with fader and gave me a call and we discussed about the possibilities of making this video. Right now I’m caught up in rebuilding my home. Living in a building site but still this song is something I wanted to do.
We fixed a day and met up in London to shoot. I would say 2 weeks of planning went into this. Tomsta and Curoc in London picking out some locations. There was some picture I had seen of Supreme and Curoc in Europe wearing the classic double goose a jacket that I have talked about before. A jacket that represents the ultimate golden era image of hip hop. It is a jacket associated with real street credentials. This is jacket that sadly many lost their lives over. So knowing its history I wanted to use this jacket to make a statement. With the right people wearing it, I think viewers will feel the power of these two heavyweights in Hip Hop music and that we could create an iconic image that has been missing for many years in this scene.
My vision was to create a wakeup call for a scene that just felt dry to me, maybe because its my age. I grew up captivated by Hip hop culture; it was always exciting to me, I’m pretty sure for those that also came up in it the same time know what I’m talking about. Those times were times of innovations in sounds, sampling, mixing and scratching. Radio and the press was in your face. The social climate of the time played a huge factor. In the early 80s to have £15 to buy a pair of Nike Bongos was something very special you had to wait a long time to get them. Now people have no hesitation in spending stupid money on Nikes.
It was a time of real crews, posse’s and firms. Hijack always had this image that like Ultras gave you the impression that they were ‘top boys’, not to be messed with. This is what I aimed for in this video. For me the success of this video is owed to the song first, music by Supreme, scratches by Supreme, Renegade and Mada all who were part of that golden age and repped that south London sound, Curoc’s performance played a huge part of this video success, although he was slightly unaware of what was capturing. He delivered the best performance in my opinion for the last 15 years captured on any hip hop video. I have said I challenge anyone to post a video equal to that capturing that gut feeling and iconic imagery of that golden age period and make it now without it looking like it’s a retro video. Everything in this video is right for me. The combination of myself, Supreme, Curoc the right song and additional help and support from Andy Higgs and Tomsta. I cannot forget the cameo’s. Featuring members from Son Of Noise, HQ, Hardnoise, Katch 22 and Standing Ovation this video pays tribute and salutes those that were part of that fantastic sound.
One of the details Im happy we executed was the contrast between the 2 main characters Supreme and Curoc and those stood behind them on the Bridge shot. It’s the little details one should pay attention too. Although very still everyone in the shot apart from Curocs son is a made man. Shaka Shazaam practically caught my eye. When you think back to the 80s and early period of the 90s fashion played a massive part in hip hop culture. This didn’t mean spending lots of money on outfits but creating a look that identified your character or what you was into. The UK in those days had its moment and lead in the way of urban hip hop style. Shaka proved that here in the UK and our 40s that we can still create have very British urban style and have integrity. The contrast between him and the main performers donning the double gooses only helped amplified what I believe will become noted as an iconic performance by Curoc.
It’s a real shame that we do not have the machine or thing industry we once had in this country. The printed press or the magazines like HHC too support projects like this, sadly i feel that’s significant moments likes this will pass unacknowledged by the media. It was a great pleasure directing and editing this video. It was a greater pleasure that it’s been so well received and has lit a fire in so many. I can say for sure this is could be the first page in a new chapter in British Hip Hop.
My part in this project is dedicated to my good friend never forgotten Mark B RiP
Today after reading a post on facebook talking about the Octopus Breakbeats , the DJ tool that later became the Ultimate Breakbeats. I thought Id write this. The significant impact of these records alone did not only change the face and wave of Djing throughout the 80’s they still to this day play as much as an important role as they did when they first came out.
Here in the UK the Mix tape culture of New York played a vital role as did DJ’s such as Cosmic Jam who had first hand experience of what was going on in NYC when Hip Hop was being conceptualized. The DJ played the most important role in this movement. As you saw in the Diamond D post previous, the art of cutting up breakbeats was born in the Bronx. Dj’s like and ill pick one, BAMBAATA would dig through a wide range of Genre’s of music to select grooves and what we know as breakbeats. These records would be played at the Jams and certain tracks would shine, later becoming the holy grails of breakbeats.
BreakBeat Lenny a record dealer who would go to the jams, caught onto this movement leading onto the development of the Octopus breakbeats. With his team of Diggers and Editors. Break Beat Lou and TR Love lets not forget, they would search out records for these compilations. Lou also known as Louis Flores was the man behind the edits on the records. Lenny the financier.
In the 90s I was filming on VHS the things me and my crew would get up too. I should rephrase it, it was Spara’s Crew. We followed him. This lead me to pursuing my passion for film and things creative. Now long before there was a Facebook, Myspace or even dial up internet and even Serato I would be shooting film. Ive been consistently doing this for over 20 years. One of the very few people to do so, and probably the one person you never hear of. I never get interviews nore press, I don’t get sponsorship or funding I do it my self.
As I discussed with my brother in arms Dexter Thibou of the Beatminerz only last week. I created my own lane. Fuck You if you do not give me a chance or believe in my ability or vision. I’m still here. I was into the Zulu Nation ideology, especially in the late 70s and early 80s I liked that. I loved Public Enemy and BDP’s inspiring music. I wanted to become empowered. When the world is against you or you feel like so, you got to stand up and fight for your beliefs. This is my DNA and time has proved that and I still carry the same values.
Shame on all those that read this and the ones that turned there backs on me on the past, if you got a problem see me.
Anyhow what matters is that the real artists, my piers I looked up too believed in me. I want to thank all those that welcomed me into their homes and allowed me to film them.
Above is an extract from one of my early films shot here in the UK and USA. The topic the Ultimate Breakbeats. The impact and influence they had here on us and the impact they had on DJ’s in Mecca New York.
I will say here in the UK, in those days information to us was very limited. This was shot well before Break Beat Lou and my self befriended each other. He has since cleared up some of the stories behind the records. I do have that film too.
Break Beat Lou will be in the UK over August 2015. If you are interested in booking him – Feel free to contact me.
Enjoy a rare piece of film by my self. I would ask in respect do not go ripping this footage. Big thankyou to Jazzy Jay, Grandmaster Caz, Charlie Chase, Grand Wizard Theodore, Afrika Bambaata, DJ Pogo, Billy Biznizz, Cutmaster Swift & Casz
Another year and here drops another holy grail of Hip Hop. Last year on Record Store Day saw the previously unreleased Paul C edit of Ain’t it good by the Ultramagnetic M.C’s. 1 year later take me out with the fader…..TR Love & Black Pegasus Records return with another classic. Available to purchase tomorrow 18.04.15 at 10:00 am UK time via www.blackpagasusmusic.blogspot.com. This is limited edition only 300 Orange Vinyl copies so get your before there gone.
My personal involvement and contribution to the projects has been to create the artwork, logos and create the videos, behind the scenes i played the roll of helping co-ordinate with label owner Marc Davis and TR Love. It’s been a very interesting experience. I look forward to being involved in a few more projects. On a personal note, I love working with Trev, he’s charismatic and passionate about music, and it comes across on camera really well.
Flashback to 1990 and UltraMagnetic MC’s are back in the Bronx after an incredible show at Brixton Academy in London, U.K. where they introduced there newest member Timothy “Tim Dog” Blair to the die hard cult European audience. Tim Dog’s mega buzz from his opening debut verse on Ultra’s “A Chorus Line” put him on the A&R radar from everyone from Def Jam’s Russell Simmons, Andre Harrell at Uptown to Chris Swartz at Ruff House.
Tim Dog’s hunger to prove he was more then just one verse landed him and “producer of the year” Ced-Gee and T.R. Love “The Ultra-lab technician” back in the Ultra-lab studio to record Tim’s demo. This demo not only secured the “hardcore Master’s” record deal but it show cased the dynamic “Fuck Compton” which eventually gave the west coast a super kick in the ass and ignited the legendary east coast vs west coast hip hop war!!
This obscure demo also housed two very dope innovative tracks, “Suckers Never Play Me” and “It’s My Time”!! These two butters are the latest Black Pegasus’ Ultra 7 release, BP702. In classic golden era fashion the masters of the SP 1200 Ced-Gee and T.R. come with uptempo break beats topped with saucy groove chops and a pinch of hardcore cuts and scratches courtesy of DJ I-Roc and T.R. Love. “Suckers Never Play Me” a revved up fast song that borrows a quote from Chuck D. Of Public Enemy for the chorus, while Tim Dog spits braggadocio triple cadence metaphor letting wack MC’s know he can’t be fucked with! The flip side “It’s My Time” uses the park jam break “Assembly Line” by the Commodores finds Tim Dog slaying his lyrical competition as well dropping positive life lesson jewels!!
This 300 copy limited edition, orange vinyl 7inch release is by far Black Pegasus best release to date!! The real Tim Dog and Ultramagnetic heads now have another classic to add to the crates! Tim Dog may be gone in the physical but his musical catalog is immortal!!
Without a shadow of a doubt working with Jazzy Jay has opened some doors for me, especially when it comes to the crew DITC. Over the last 5 years I had built a friendship and relationship with one of my all time idols Diamond D.
Going back to the release of his first solo album. Like many people I was totally blown away from the amazing music and his rhymes. It was an album that fully embodied and represented this Music we call Hip Hop, not only did it capture its time but it gone on to stand the test of time to be known as one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time. It became the benchmark for all aspiring producers to one-day reach.
I was one of those aspiring digging in the crates every week producers. I was in a crew made up of me and Mike Richards called ‘the Butcher Shop’. Birmingham City Legend DJ Sparra, former DMC champion, was mentoring me. He was part of a crew called Rerun. Their lead MC was known as Juice, Juice Aleem as most people know him. Leaving Sparra’s home we was discussing Diamond D, 1992 Album ‘ Stunts Blunts and Hip Hop’. This is where I want to be I said, unless I’m this good I cannot put a record out.
Fast forwarding some 18 years later. In which over that time I become more known for film making and documenting this culture. I got to meet Diamond in London. Although our meeting was brief, Diamond become familiar with my work and what I represented. This lead to me shooting a few things with him that maybe in the near future we will put out in the public domain. A couple DJ sets beautifully shot.
Diamond then took part in my upcoming film ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’. Whilst I was shooting the movie, I had painted a portrait of my NYC father Jazzy Jay that Diamond had seen. He liked it and wanted a painting by me for maybe a future record release. Returning back to the UK, I got busy editing the film. Then Diamond announced he was working on his new album, and there was opening for someone to do the album cover. I submitted some artwork, which got selected, leading to Cover artwork of his 2014/15 album THE DIAM PIECE.
Returning back to NYC to try complete filming my project past November 2014 Diamond asked me if I had time to shoot something for him. He asked if I could do something for the track featuring one of the greatest punch line M.C’s Granddaddy I.U. ‘THE GAME’ personally my favorite track on the album had fallen at my feet. For it production value I love the open space D created, the drums are not hard but lyrics, cadence and voice of DADDY I.U give it all the power it needs to be a very big sounding track.
The evening before the shoot, we all coincidentally met at the 41stZulu Nation Anniversary held in Harlem. Along side Daddy I.U, Black Rob, Minnesota , Fred Beanz and Break Beat Lou. Diamond informed me that he had booked out a bar for the shoot and that was to meet 3pm in the Bronx.
The following day joined by Fred Beanz and Breakbeat Lou we met up in the Bronx for the shoot. We had got there before Diamond and crew and arrived at the venue. THE LEGACY BAR where we was met by the owner who was an fantastic host and went out of his way to help and support the shoot.
In classic me style I recruited Fred Beanz to assist me with the shoot and gave him about 10 mins training. Hence his 3 times cameo appearances, a thank you for his efforts and sorry for dropping you in it on my part.
Let take into account that we started the shoot at 3 pm and NYC gets very Dark early that time of year. Time was very limited. To a certain extent Diamond gave me some freedom to try a few things. Some worked some didn’t. Anyhow as a back up plan I met up with I.U to shoot some out door shot very very early one morning.
Returning back to the UK I had done a rough of the video I think the first week I got back. Unfortunately some things happened and I was out the picture until the start of this year. The whole week alongside Diamond we worked together fine tuning this video.
So for all those that have a passion for things creative, keep doing what you do, never give up your dreams or goals, patience is a virtue. Even when things get tough things can happen. Karma.
