NINE HIGH TOUR PART 1

Felony are Loco are documenting their month or so over here with a video diary, here's part one, watch these couple of chiefs getting pissed up on the plane. Part two will have some Ghostface show footage

PLANET URBAN REVIEW

Another good review, still waiting on the inevitable bad one from somebody : )

Okay now I have to admit I’m not big on UK Hip Hop. I respect it and its artists for doing their thing and such, but let’s just say you normally would not find any UK Hip Hop on my iPod – period. Yet I’ve recently reconsidered my stance on this upon hearing Nine High’s eponymous debut album. I feel like The Scrooge getting visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past...telling me my music collection will not be complete without this.

Comprised of Brit trio Scotty Hinds, Felony and Fraksha, the group hold the honest approach to Hip Hop, by speaking their minds, telling a story, getting your ass moving or getting your head vibing by any means necessary.

A perfect example of this is Cookout. Weaved together with low xylophone keys, this is about (yep, you guessed) cookouts, barbecues, shindigs and the like. Even if you’re a hardcore vegan, you’ll still appreciate the selection of such a cross-cultural yet rarely touched-on topic to which all can relate. The only way to define this joint is pure, unadulterated FUN!

Driff Banger contains a speedy, loud, heavy beat (produced by Driff), and it is only right that these boys rap fast over it. However, the beat itself does quickly become a chore to listen to; perhaps what saves this track is how well the first verse is executed with Bone Thug-like flow. Unfortunately, though the battle lyrics of all three emcees here are above par for hard, the second and third verses just don’t keep up with the first flow-wise, bringing an inconsistency to it which makes it skippable after the first verse.

Now, when you find sequels to artists’ songs it is usually inter-album – Nine High have broken this tradition by including Life in parts 1, 2 and 3 spread out through the album, and the real shocker is the hat-trick really works, as each one is a total win! Life Pt.3 is a personal favourite of mine, chiming in with Oriental strings sent from the Far East that carry the beat. Content-wise, this contrasts Parts 1 and 2, as it is a generally darker and a tad more melodramatic retrospective outlook on life, which only accentuates how versatile these dudes are. Also peep out the piano-laden Alone Time if you vibe with this.

Some will relate to Nine High more than others but by no means is that supposed to stop anybody from enjoying it; after all, we don’t all relate to crack, cash, cribs and Cadillacs either. Though their flow can at times seem to not lock in as tightly as you would want, if you can objectively appreciate flat-out honest lyricism, you sir and or miss, are most certainly a fan of Hip Hop and should therefore go out and cop this album.
http://www.planeturban.com.au/album_reviews/nine_high

SOME FRIDAY FLICKS...

Flicks from Fridays show @ Hi Fi bar courtesy of Hayley @ Mayoress
http://mayorettes.com/blog/2009/06/29/got-it-covered-muph-plutonic/

DKTV EPISODE ONE

Big up to Natso on this one. First episode from DunknoTv is a Wobble special.

NEEEED MORE REST!!!

The weekend was epic! I'm feeling pretty scattered right now, but a quick summisation would be:

Thursday - Ghostface...far far too many people in the venue, shit sound, but its Ghost! Impossible not to enjoy it still. 'Incarcerated Scarfaces' was the jumpoff! and hold tight the skank's haha, honestly do these girls think they're gonna get treated with respect or something!

Friday - Supported Muph + Plutonic at The Hi -Fi...this was our first show since September '07! Felony and Loco landed in Melbourne from London at 6am, had a few hours kip and then straight on stage, troopers! Took a bottle of vodka in with me and proceeded to wipe myself out. Great nite, moved to First Floor after which was rubbish, walked for what seemed an age to a house party, more drinks, woke up in my wardrobe at 5am very confused!

Saturday - Supported Ghostface @ The Espy...had an absolute ball at this one! Smashed our set, got bare love from the crowd! Everything came together perfectly i thought for the 2nd show in 2 years and reminded me why i love performing! Sold loads of CD's + T-shirts, signed numerous autographs (which i find very odd still, but there ya go), watched a dude pass out while walking which resulted in the worst faceplant i've seen in a while, saw loads of old faces i'd not seen in a while, watched Ghost's set from behind the stage which was sick, had too many people trying to spit 'lyrics' in my ear - PLS DONT DO THIS!, thought Phazes smashed his set too, bounced to Favela Rock, multiple agwa's in quick succession, saw Soph stumbling out as i arrived, multiple ATM trips, left half the crew going to strippers while i went to KFC, munched on chicken, walked home, zoot, sleep!

Sunday - Bed

GOT ME COVERED!

The lovely ladies over @ Mayoress have been so kind as to let my ugly mug feature on their site for a quick interview you can check out here http://mayorettes.com/blog/2009/06/28/got-it-covered-fraksha/

They also asked me to choose a tune for their regular Monday music section, so i took it back a few years with grime's biggest tune, 'Pow'. Not a soothing Monday morning tune i know, but it should wake you up slightly! http://mayorettes.com/blog/2009/06/29/monday-music-49/

Big shout to Hayley and the gyaldem!

SMASHBROTHERS w/MEXI - HEAVY INNIT!!

This is part one of the Heavy Innit!! promo's for this month with a studio set from Smashbrothers with Mexi on the decks. I suppose this is the first proper grime shit out of Australia really, everyone smashes it on this!

Heavy Innit Mix Jul 2009 by Mexi - Part 1 by Heavy Innit

MEXI PROMO MIX - HEAVY INNIT!!

Got some heavy new stuff here for you, this time from Mexi dropping part 2 of the promo mix for Heavy Innit!! Some massive tunes on here so go grab it

Heavy Innit Mix Jul 2009 by Mexi - Part 2 by Heavy Innit

Tracklist:

01. Jahdan Blakkamoore - The General (Original Mix)
02. Desto - One Ting ft. Mindman
03. Caspa - The Takeover feat. Dynamite MC - Original Mix
04. Bar 9 - Murda Sound (Riskotheque Remix)/Team Shadetek feat. 77Klash and Jah Dan - Brooklyn Anthem (acapella)
05. Babylon System - Get On Up
06. Skream - The Shinein
07. HD4000 - Sound Boy Killer
08. Rusko - Sound Guy Is My Target
09. Skepta - Sticks 'n' Stones
10. DJ Madd - Rizla Dub
11. HOT S.O.A.P - Big Toon (Vocal Edit Feat. Werd2Jah)
12. Tempa T - Next Hype
13. 501 - Hidden Worlds
14. The Widdler - Lady Dub
15. 77Klash - Pressure
16. Bassnectar - Art of Revolution (Original Mix)

SOME MAINSTREAM LOVE

They played our video on Rage the other night apparently, check what sort of company we're in :)

LOCO PROMO MIX

Our boy Loco has done a heavy launch party promo mix before he flies over next week. You can grab it here http://soundcloud.com/heavy-innit/nine-high-launch-promo-mix-by-loco-uk or here http://www.sendspace.com/file/03ax4e

Tracklisting

1. Skepta - Sticks & Stones
2. Davinche - Rider (Instrumental)
3. Marga - Not Like This (Prod. by Loco)
4. Chase & Status - Eastern Jam
5. Killa P - Real Talk
6. Kid D - Lash (Instrumental)
7. Wiley - My Mistakes (Acapella)
8. Wiley - I Was Like You (Prod. by Maniac)
9. 501 - Mind Control
10. Dot Rotten ft. Brutal - That's How Life Goes
11. Tempa T - Next Hype (Instrumental)
12. Byron - Doubt It (Acapella)
13. Frisco - The Elite (Prod. by Merlin)
14. Cobra - Jump
15. Kano - I Like It (Prod. by Davinche)
16. Smasher & Lewi White - Exodus Remix
17. Killa P feat. Panic Phaze - Far From Simple (Prod. by Loco)
18. Sharky Major - Shark Attack (Prod. by Skepta)
19. Don Goliath - No Soundbwoy No Cry
20. Wiley - Race Against Time (Prod. by Maniac)
21. Dr. Sin - Chasing Shadows
22. Devlin - From The Bottom To The Top
23. Joker - Digidesign
24. The Streets - Blinded By The Lights (Nero Remix)
25. La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream Remix)

CANING IT THRU THE CITY HAS NEVER BEEN SO MUCH FUN!

Forgot to post this when i got it, but how sick is my new bike!

10 WEEKS...

And i'm back in the manor for a couple weeks!!!

Now i love living in Australia, wouldnt move back for the world! but theres definitely some things i miss...

JD Sports

DUN KNOW!!! Buying shoes is hard work over here i swear. JD is the crep palace!


English summer

It doesnt last long, but boy do we make the most of it. Its hard to top London in the summer!


People like this

I know you definitely got your fair share of them over here, but theres just something about English pond life


and of course, Notting Hill Carnival

The main reason i'm going back this time of year!


I'm landing on August 27th and have a gig that night @ Mango's in Reading. Will stick up a flyer when i get it!

YAAAAAAAAWN!

I normally do about 5 hours sleep max and i'm cool, but was asleep by a dumb 10pm last night too courtesy of the magical lemon! Now feel like i've not slept in weeeeks!

MELBOURNE LAUNCH PARTY!!!

ANOTHER REVIEW...

From 'The Place' Streetpress...

LAST NIGHT ON TRIPLE J

I was on Triple J last night on Hau's (below) Hip-Hop show to plug our new album, check the audio below from about 36 minutes in.

http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hiphop/

Remember the album's out now at all good stores! (iTunes very soon)

BUY BUY BUY!!!

This is jokes! Check M-Phazes plugging his new drum CD (and wearing a Nine High T-shirt off course)

SOME ALBUM REVIEWS

Nine High have produced a remarkably polished debut, one that should separate them from the crowd.

Editorial Review
Release date: 6 June 2009 (TAOS)
Nine High are a three-man hip hop group from the UK. Well, they used to be from the UK. Two of the members have since settled in Melbourne and there has been much international travel in recent years. But that UK background means their take on hip hop is a little different to both the local stuff and the US. While the lyrics and flow are both top notch, what really sets this album apart is the old-school approach to production. In a nutshell, the LP has a soul you don't find in many hip hop releases these days - regardless of origin. It's infused with the spirit of early 1990's boom-bap and brings to mind classic releases from KRS-One and Lord Finesse. Okay, Nine High don't sound like either of those acts, but they have the same reference points and their music will have your head nodding.
Fugs Need Hugs is the first single, but you should probably ignore that. It's okay, but it tends to stray a little too close to the formula. You could say the same for the first few tracks. For some bizarre reason it's only in the second half of this album that the guys really come alive. Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed. This is a remarkably polished debut.
Mikolai, June 2009
http://melbourne.citysearch.com.au/music/1137668782933/Nine+High%3A+Self+Titled

I have to be honest here – I didn’t expect to like Nine High. When I put the CD into my stereo, I cringed as I pressed “play” and had already started planning clever ways of saying “cliché” and “piss poor”. I’d read the words “hip hop”, “Oz” and “UK” in the same sentence and I’d made up my mind.

Everybody knows that only on the rare occasion does good hip hop come from anywhere but the US, and sometimes, rarely, the Brits create something worth listening to in that genre, and as for Australia, well we’re still treading that “well it’s not making my ears bleed, so that’s good” line. But Nine High, they’ve managed to prove me wrong. Their self-titled debut album is an impressive offering which is sure to launch them into the mainstream. It’s not phenomenal and it’s not likely to have any sort of significant impact on the music scene, but it’s most definitely a good record which will make a few people happy to realise that not all hip hop nowadays is not actually hip hop but gangsta rap which actually isn’t gangsta rap but either a series of incomprehensible noises (think, Lil' Jon, Soulja Boy...) or egomaniacal, capitalist obsessive wankery (Kanye West, etc).

Nine High divide their time between Australia and the UK but they’re all British and the accents add a nice touch to the songs. The beats don’t stand out particularly but the lyrics are fantastic and delivered really well by three skilful and captivating MCs. They rap about everything from the music industry and all its imperfections to ethics within the hip hop scene/community to laws restricting the growing of hydroponic to growing up troubled. Their lyrical style is clever and very amusing at times so you won’t be tuning out halfway through – they’ll hold your attention right through the 15 tracks on the album.

This is an at times serious and intense album but it’s overall fun and witty and I would recommend any hip hop, rap or grime fans to give it a listen. If you don’t like any of it, you’ll surely at least be amused by the opening track – Fugs Need Hugs. http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/nine_high_nine_high

NOW GO GRAB A COPY!!! AND IF THEY SAY THEY AINT GOT IT, THEY'RE PROBABLY LYING AND ITS IN A BOX OUT THE BACK!!!

ITS FUCKING COLD!!!

Yep its Baltic right now! Unfortunately it dont look like this below though. I've never been to the snow before - we get a few days of black ice in England and thats usually it - but i think i'm gonna have to try and get some this year. Oh the irony, come to Australia expecting Summer Bay and instead it feels like i'm Amsterdam in December! And if i hear one more person say to me, 'oh you should be used to it, you're from England'!!! Cold is cold dickhead no matter where you're from!

GRAB THE ALBUM ONLINE

While we're waiting for iTunes to get their act together, you can pick the album up at this spot i just noticed
http://chaos.com/product/nine_high_4232514_1847040.html

A COUPLE LITTLE THINGS

Me and Scotty took over Rosco's Top Billin' show on Triple R last Friday for an hour to drop some album stuff and whatever else we fancied. I had spent the few hours beforehand smashing back multiple Jagerbombs and so was pretty wasted on air. I've not listened to it yet, so i may have to take it down once i do (jokes), so have a listen here


I've also just noticed the first review of the album which you can read here.
http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/nine_high_nine_high
Obviously theres a couple things i would disagree with, but overall, for a review from someone who doesnt seem like much of a fan of hip hop i'd say it's quite a successful review.

NEW VINYL

Out June 22nd here http://rhythmdivision.co.uk/vinyl/grime/earth-616-maniac-e-p/prod_680.html the first release from Logans Earth 616 label featuring Maniac's sick production.

Check out the sampler below and future releases from Wiley and J Sweet

NEW INTERVIEW...

Planeturban.com.au have just stuck up a new interview with us talking about the album. Check it here http://www.planeturban.com.au/features/interview_nine_high

SATURDAY'S LAUNCH

A few pics from Saturday...cheers to everyone that came down Wax Museum and had some beers and picked up a CD! I would have taken more but i was battered!

TONIGHT AND TOMORROW

Dont forget tomorrow our album is released - apparently theres an issue with itunes and it wont be on there for another two weeks, but what would a hip hop release be without drama's! And if you're in Melbourne tomorrow dont forget to come down Wax Museum from 1.30pm for a bit of a listening party...AND if you're around a radio tonight me and Scotty are being handed the airwaves from 10pm on Triple R for a bit of a Nine High takeover...expect tunes from the album, professional shit talk and whatever big tunes we're feelign recently. I will be drunk by the time 10pm arrives (and maybe in pain...my new bike arrives today and drunken riding is always alot!) so it should be interesting!

Ps - keep forgetting stuff...i'll be spraying some bars on Cammo's set tomorrow night from midnite at Heavy Innit (Miss Libertines)

THINGS I HATE TODAY

1. Jordans - These make me sick...actually pretty much any basketball trainer is nasty! Maybe its 'cos i'm English and we didnt really get into basketball in the huge way you ozzies did. Obviously some people were rocking these, but rolling up in moonboots like these at school would have got some strange looks...anyway, Reebok classics were much easier to run away in when you did something naughty!

2. Dunks - Pls take them away from me

3. People typing in blogs in using words they would never use in real life - 'word is born peeps' lol...and who says 'homies' really outside of yanks???
4. Team meetings!?!?!?

5. 'Deep' dubstep (Sorry Georgia) Dubstep is at its best when channelling the energy of grime, but with slicker production. Or maybe its just that i hate that the grime scene is non-existent in Australia pretty much and so i hold on to hope that the dubstep nights will turn grimier!

THIS SATURDAY!!!

So this Saturday see's the album release finally. If you like what you've heard so far pls go and grab a copy and if you're gonna be in Melbourne on Saturday we're having a little listening launch party type of thing so come down!

WAX MUSEUM RECORDS
Shop 2 Campbell Arcade
Degraves St
Melbourne, 3000

THIS SATURDAY

Bad news, unfortunately Goth-Trad cant play (immigration issues). Good news is i'm still playin' :) and our album drops same day so expect a fun night (i'll be posting details of a listening party Saturday afternoon in the City real soon)...anyway, here's Baddums spiel on the night...

Due to unfortunate circumstances we must announce that the Goth-Trad(Japan) tour of Australia has been cancelled.

The good news is that HEAVY INNIT!! will still go off this Saturday at Miss Libertine.

With an all-star line-up of local DJs including Fooishbar(Too Much), Buick(Too Terrorble Tablists – Canberra), L-J(Sub FM), Camo-Tree(Bass High) ft. Fraksha(Nine-High), A13 and Riz-One(Low Def), we still promise you seven hours of heavy dubstep and glitch-hop damage at one of Melbourne’s most popluar city clubs.

As cancellations like this are costly, you may appreciate that we need your support to ensure that our monthly event continues. We’ve reduced the door tax to $10 but as a special offer to our loyal regulars we’d like to invite you to email us at heavyinnit@gmail.com to join our $8 VIP list.

Here’s a peek at the playing times:
9-10 Fooishbar
10-11 Buick(Canberra)
11-12 L-J(Sub FM)
12-1 Camo ft. Fraksha
1-2:30 A13
2:30-4 Riz-One

So the party goes on. We hope to see you there!

And then next month we will have this below featuring our boy Loco from back in the UK who will be here for a month to do shows with us in support of the album.

BRUNO'S ARSE IN EMINEMS FACE

Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen in his Bruno character getting his nuts far too close to Eminem's mouth...dont look like he took the joke too well huh