Category Archives: Mixtape

2000s, 2004, BeyondThere, CDs, DJ Kam, Mixtape, Mr Bongo, Netgroove

DJ Kam – Ear Drum Medicine (Netgroove, 2004 Mix CD)

A 2004 CD Mixtape from the BeyondThere production team member and Mr Bongo record shop resident, DJ Kam.

This promo-only mix was released in a CD-single jewel case on his own Netgroove label and is filled with an often obscure and occasionally not-so-obscure, selection of Old School Hip Hop, some Independent Hip Hop he had been involved in making from the time, and a plethora of breaks and beats all seamlessly mixed and beatmatched.

Featuring: BeyondThere, Just Four, Grandmaster Flash, Spyder D, Kurtis Blow, Outlaw 4, Manzel, Fonda Rae, T-Ski Valley, Cotton Candi, Tom Tom Club, Soho, Kenny Dope and many more. No track listing was included with the release… so you will just have to figure that out yourself!

1980s, 1990s, 2006, Aroe, Aroe and the Soundmakers, CDs, Gunshot, Hijack, Mixtape, Sleeping Giants

Aroe and the Soundmakers – The Crown Jewels Vol. 1 (Sleeping Giants Recordings, 2006 Mix CD)

While much fuss is made about US hip-hop’s golden era, it’s very easy to forget that the British rap movement basked in similar glory around the same time. Quantity wise, the output might not have been equal – and understandably so, given the sheer size of the US and its obvious head start in the rap game – but in terms of quality, the UK had its fair share of recorded gems.

Taking inspiration from DJ Ivory’s Hear No Evil mixes, and more importantly the deliberate absence of a track listing, UK & Brighton-based Graff Legend Aroe, has forged an anonymous compilation of landmark classics, forgotten treasures and elusive rarities.

What unites each track is that they’re all culled from British rap’s back catalogue, a vinyl heritage that may prove more extensive than many would first realise.

Whether it sparks a sudden interest and new quests among the vinyl junkies with the will and the wallet to identify and acquire each record remains to be seen. Hopefully, what it does do is serve as a worthy salute to UK Rap history.

1998, BeyondThere, Cassette, DJ Kam, Mixtape, Mr Bongo, RADIO, Tommy Koi

Beyond There – Something From The Radio (1998 Cassette-Only Mixtape)

A 1998 promo-cassette-only release by the UK based production team “Beyond There”.

Made up of Kam, Tommy Koi & Huw Bowles of behind-the-counter-at-the-soho-Mr-Bongos-in-the-late-90s fame, this excellent 60 minute two-sided cassette was a mix that was originally broadcast on German radio station “93.0FM BTTB” (Back To The Basics) in November 1998.

The cassette cover artwork is by Graff legend Mode 2 (Chrome Angels / Crime Time Kings).

2005, CDs, DJ Flip, Itch FM, MCD, Mixtape, MUD Family

DJ Flip & Mr Ti2bs – Itch FM Presents The Lost City (2005 Mixtape)

#MixtapeMondays

DJ Flip (of Mud Fam renown) holds things down on the ones and twos whilst Mr Ti2bs handles the hosting duties on this truly excellent Itch FM Mix CD.

It features a veritable who’s who of UK Hip Hop underground heroes and up -and-comers of the era (2005) put together by Flip as a series of exclusives, remixes and freestyles. Featured artists include Klashnekoff, Kyza, Essa, Sway, MCD, Doc Brown, Verb T, Terra Firma, Asaviour & Supar Nova.

This is the second Mix CD in the two volume “The Lost City” series from Itch FM – the first is also on the Spines on the Shelves Mixcloud feed and features Skinnyman on hosting duties alongside DJ Flip.

Discogs Link: https://www.discogs.com/release/5457734-Various-Itch-FM-Presents-The-Lost-City-Volume-2

1997, 1998, 1999, Blak Twang, Bury Crew, Cassette, Flyers, Intenz, LIVE SHOW, Mixtape, MUD Family, Mudlumz, Skinnyman, Taskforce

Mudlumz – Live Recordings & Flyers

The mid to late 1990s saw representatives of the Mud Fam and Bury Crew come together in their love of MC culture, build a street team alongside their herbal healing retail business and start hosting a regular live UK Hip Hop showcase in a variety of venues around London.

Mic Hosting duties on the nights were generally handled by the various Mud Fam and Bury Crew members with Intense, in particular, being instrumental in the promotion and organisation of the night.

Alongside the regular open mics the shows would feature regular appearances from the likes of Skinnyman, Chester P and the rest of Mud Fam and Bury alongside established UK Rap legends such as Silent Eclipse (MCD), unknown local MCs, emerging talent from within the scene at the time, and soon-to-be heavy hitters doing the rounds at the beginning of their careers (Roots Manuva and Blak Twang).

Below is an ever growing collection of the flyers and recordings from those nights that I will add to as I continue to scour the internet for the remnants of these scene-building moments in UK Hip Hop History…

Mudlumz Live Cassette Tapes
Mudlumz Live 5 (Promo Cassette)
Mudlumz 1998