MethodsNYC Podcast

Here's a podcast from our mates over the water in NYC they go by the name MethodsNYC this is a mix of music ranging from Jungle to Dubstep to Hip Hop and back. There will also be interviews with some interesting people in the underground community!

This podcast features a new Mix from Dj Odi, If you don't know Odi is one of the nations best dnb dj's With over 17 years in the game. Having played across the hemisphere 2009 sees Odi taking the next step and going international with a tour planned for the spring in South America and a European tour planned for the fall.
Heres the track listing for his newest mix!

1. Witchdoctor - dj fresh
2. Bambaataa - shy fx - Break Remix
3. Breath & Stop - Xample
4. Run Off - Break
5. Franky Mountain - Icicle & nymfo
6. The Sun - Phesta & Shock one
7. Streethawk - Crystal Clear & Cabbie
8. Music Club - Chase & Status
9. Altitude Remix - Stakka & skynet Feat. Kemal & rob data - Gridlok remix
10. Borrowed Time VIP - TC & Subfocus
11. Make some noise - Dj SS & Peshay
12. Sidewinder - Special Forces - Infiltrata & hoochi Remix
13. Stigma - Noisia
14. Angels - Mampi Swift
15. Soundguy- Subfocus
16. Feel no way - Strider
17. Pjanoo - Eryc Prydz - high contrast remix
18. Oh yeah - Jonny L

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Redeye from East Anglia Chonic Redeye speaks

Where are you from and what was it like growing up there?
Growing up around Norwich was cool, the city itself is the same as any other - it runs on the same vices, but you’re never too far from the countryside so there was always outdoor parties and other craziness to get into.

How did you get your name and is there a story behind it?
Our crew name Chronic Redeye came from the 2 original members DJ Chronic and myself, Redeye. Chronic got given his name by the DestaNation reggae crew in Oxford. He used to live with them and got the name due to how much sticky green he burns! I used to write Redeye as my tag as a yout’ but i guess it still originates from blazing high grade haha

Was there a situation or a person who inspired you to rap?
Going to Exodus festivals in Luton and hearing mans chatting on a big sound system inspired me get on the mic, but even as a little kid in 1990 rapping along to ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ I was inspired to write rhymes.

Tell us about your latest release.
Our new joint is called ‘Knowledge Is King’ and its 15 tracks of raw, stripped down boom bap served with reality rhymes. Most people can notice the reggae sound system influence in our work and I think we got the balance right between serving bangers and the more thought-provoking tracks. Our fam Lyrical T and Franko Fraize feature heavily plus we’ve got guest verses from Main Flow, Bronze Nazareth, Conman, Manage and Syanyde. We did most of the production ourselves but we’ve got guest riddims from Tricksta, Mr. Laws, Dillijence and Fudalwokit.

What do you prefer; playing live, recording in the studio or battling?
Playing live is the biggest buzz and you can’t beat that feeling. I love building in the studio just as much but it’s not the same adrenaline rush as getting a crowd hype! I haven’t got much time for battling, it’s like since 8 Mile everyone wants to be Rabbit haha! I respect that battling has a place in hip hop but I’m a grown man with more important things to deal with than calling someone a wasteman!

How would you describe your personality? What do you enjoy doing?
I’d say I’m laid back but focussed – I like to have a joke and a spliff but I still wanna get things done, I haven’t got time for dreamers! I enjoy going out raving and staying up for days afterwards talking shit and running tunes on the decks

How did you go about setting up independently?
We got hand to hand sales of our music up to the point of registering ChronicRedeye Music as a company where each release builds funds for the next. We keep it going by also having a record shop in Norwich upstairs in Ali Bongos the bong shop.

What’s your favourite clothing label?
Champion

Forget the budget, what would be your dream collobo?
Premier, Rza or Necro beat with the hook sung by Sizzla and all my crew catching wreck alongside B Real, Skinnyman and Killah Priest


With so many artists out there, what are you doing different to get heard?
We’re mashing up stages and raves and that’s the best way to get heard – live and direct


Now is your chance to get something off ya chest! Anything getting you down or any opinions you need to voice?
Tight jeans are wrong.

Okay, before you go please give us you’re My Space details.
Chronic Redeye

More clarification on the phrase Urban Clothing

At the start of the decade, hip-hop was on fire. Record sales were booming, chart-topping artists seemed to pop up daily and the music generated a whole new fashion look. Musicians and producers like Jay-Z, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Beyoncé Knowles and 50 Cent were eager to extend their brands into apparel, spawning labels such as G-Unit, Rocawear and Sean John. The result was what seemed to be a newly formed urban clothing sector, boosting the industry's revenues by millions.

Today, record sales are plummeting and many music artists' lines are struggling. As hip-hop's popularity has dropped, so has that of the clothing brands that rode the wave, rapper 50 Cent and Marc Ecko parted ways on the G-Unit brand, and independent urban clothing stores have either shutting or being scaled down.

Perhaps part of the reason for this is that hip-hop had to become more mainstream in order to grow — focusing less and less on urban clothing stores and more on department stores and retail chains. That in turn alienated those consumers who wore it because the look was considered to be cutting edge. Now, once-notorious rappers like LL Cool J are doing collections for. Even at their height, these brands often wrestled with the "urban" identification, fearing it would turn off consumers and insisting on being called "streetwear." Now even that is seen by many of them as sneering, as they recast themselves as contemporary brands.

Yet some brands are still growing the secrets of success are clear — they've evolved with their customers, integrated themselves into the mix of other brands in department stores and changed with the trends. And that gives vendors and retailers hope the urban market hasn't gone away but is simply smaller and more focused — and going by another name.

The key to success in the industry as a whole, said David Strumeier, vice president of marketing, licensing and new business development for Wicked Fashions, is to constantly evolve and grow with the customer and he added "Urban today is a lifestyle. It is not just assigned to the 'hood or inner-city anymore. It is a lifestyle that has been accepted by Gen-X and Y. It encompasses celebrity, entertainment and sports. There has been a massive shift over the past 15 years from an inner-city image to an entire lifestyle transformation. We have been working to ensure that our product represents that transformation."

Streetwear a trade perspective

We recently wrote a post entitled “Urban Clothing, Street Wear or Street wear, I'm confused” well there was a nice little article written in a trade magazine recently which shed some light on the subject. The article was basically talking about how boardsports companies are repositioning themselves or not has the case may be to align with the “new” streetwear phenomenon.

Steveb Vogel recently wrote a book entitled Streetwear and in it he defines streetwear has “a combination of attitudes, aesthetics and activities, that binds a group of people together.” He could have said it’s sturban clothing nah that’s far to egotistical of us, but we do try and be all that and more. Vogel goes on to add “it isn’t something that can be analysed from the outside, learned, reproduced, packaged – it’s essential to have been involved in the subculture in the first place.” I think I agree with that in that many high street names do try and cash in on trends and whilst some buy in to it the real core audience would probably prefer to buy “real” brands from shops like sturban clothing.

So now days they are also saying that a customer may not just be interested in skateboarding or surf but will be multi-influenced in to skate, surf, moto-cross, wakeboarding, snow, graffiti, design and maybe above all music. Did we really need a trade magazine to tell us that? Maybe I know I have spoke with many marketing managers who have recently told me that they are trying to associate their brand with Hip Hop or Indy music, sometimes it’s very difficult to see the while picture when you are so close to something.

The real task for any brand though is to retain it’s core credibility whilst growing and selling via fashion or streetwear outlets. That’s always been the case which is why brands pop in and out of fashion or popularity.

Digital Advert

For a while we have been asking if anybody had an video clips we could use, music and even if anybody could produce us a short video, well the response was massive and the outcome can now be seen.

The whole thing was to create a digital advert for a new art magazine that is being launched. So we created these rough categories i.e. hip hop, streetwear, artist clothing and skateboarding which is something we don’t really like to pigeon hole stuff but it does help at times. Anyway take a look at the page, the video clips and listen to the music and the is even a bit of art on the page. Personally I quite like the page and how it works it’s sort of a minimal home page.

Digital Advert

‘In The Heat Of The Night’

DJ OPHAX & TRICKSTA Present - ‘In The Heat Of The Night’ (Hosted by NATIVITY & RELOAD)

More evidence of Team AFF Europe doing big things. Here we see Ophax & Tricksta team up for a nice UK/USA mix that really hits the spot. Ophax gets the ball rolling nicely with some killer cuts from Nativity, as well as some killer bars from some underground cats such as Billz, D-Dash, Big Skeem, Switch and The League. Tricksta comes in with Reload the host for his section and it sees Saigon, Beanie, Geolani, A-Pinks, Lil Wayne, Hell Rell, Dino West and 10Shott all kill the bars alongside some killer cuts from the man they call Reload. This mix is a good selection of tracks and is put together so well. Make sure you go and cop this. This mix is available for free download at datpiff so make sure you check for that now!!!

Dj Ophax / Tricksta / Wolftown Recordings / Team Afficial

Review by Brendan Deane

‘War & Peace’

WOLFTOWN Present PAPOOSE - ‘War & Peace’ (Mixed by LATE & TRICKSTA)

Wolftown really are the leading force in the UK for Hip-hop music. Without a doubt they do more work in one month than most UK labels do in a year! Now head-honcho’s LATE & TRICKSTA are back with a mix hosted by non-other than Brooklyn’s number one ryhmer Papoose. Twenty-seven tracks deep this CD showcases a whole bunch of Papoose tracks and collobo’s that a lot of people would not have heard before, as well some killer tracks by NYC acts that are on the same tip. Watch out for St. Laz, Geolani, Hot Rod, Termanology, Red Café, Saigon and DV Alias Khryst who all murk it as do UK heavy hitters Jai Boo, LATE, 10Shott, Conman and Reload. This CD is a massive release and something you need to get up on. Big up Papoose, straight bars everytime!

Papoose / Wolftown Recordings / Tricksta / Late

Review by Brendan Deane

‘The N… The Resurrection Of Hip-Hop’

TAPEMASTERS INC. Present NAS - ‘The N… The Resurrection Of Hip-Hop’

These boys have to be one of my favourite mixtape collectives. Their mixes are always well presented with sick artwork, the tracks are already rare and above all the mixes are all delivered nice with no weak recorded blends or freestyles! Tapemasters is a guarantee of quality, so I knew this Nas mixtape would be ill. I was right too, it’s absolutely heavy. Even to the extent of me saying you might have the ‘Hip-hop Is Dead’ album but trust me you need this in your collection too. For a start you get thirty-five tracks including some unreleased material, interviews and collobo’s. Its proper heavy and the fact that Jay-Z, Big pun, Reakown, Ghostface, Ludacris, Doug E. Fresh, Busta, Kool G Rap, Clipse, Biggie, Pac, Diddy, Cee-Lo, Lauryn Hill, Common and many more feature is a pure bonus too. This is something that Nas fans need… trust me, I been buying records with Nas on since ‘Live At The BBQ’ and this is essential!

Tapemasters Inc

Review by Tricksta

‘Living Off Experience’

TAPEMASTERS INC. Present THE LOX - ‘Living Off Experience’

Straight outta Yonkers comes The Lox a.k.a Jadakiss, Styles P and Sheek Louch. True masters in the game, these D-Block hardhitters come deep with this mixtape from Tapemasters. It features the likes of Jadakiss, Styles P, Sheek Louch and J Hood all give up all some hefty bars over thirty super deep bangers. Peep the ‘Take Everything’ joint produced by Clinton Sparks, ‘Hands Up’ produced by Bassheadz and the awesome Mick Boogie remix of ‘Hate It Or Love It’. Styles P comes really good on his solo efforts too ‘The Black Out’ and ‘The Old To The New’, and Jadakiss kills it on ‘Problem’. This is one serious mixtape, make sure you try and grab a copy! Bigness.

Tapemasters Inc

Review by Tricksta

White Mike

Where are you’re from and what’s the scene like there?
I'm from Pleasanton, California. The scene here is wack as hell, unfortunately. But I live in the Bay Area, so there are some big cities around where I can perform. There is one place in Pleasanton, Club Aura, where I perform. That place is always cool.

How you get the name White Mike?
I've always hung out with a lot of black folks. One day my friend's sister was talking about me and called me White Mike. From there it just kinda stuck. It's funny because a lot of white kids in the underground scene hate on my name being White Mike....maybe they think its racist or something. They're just trying way too hard.

What artists inspired you to get into making Hip-Hop?
I'm just glad that through hip-hop I finally found a way to express myself. I always played sports and stuff like that, but nothing lets you really tell how you're feeling like making music. I've been into hip-hop since I was a kid, listening to everything from N.W.A. to Gang Starr.

You won an award in 2004. Let’s talk about that for a minute.
In 2004 I won the award for "Independent Hip-Hop Artist of the Year" at the Los Angeles Music Awards. I was ripping people up at a battle in Riverside in California and got noticed by someone who was collecting music to be judged for the show. I ended up getting lucky and winning.

What is your biggest achievement in Hip-Hop to date?
So far, the L.A. thing was the biggest award. But I think my biggest accomplishment has been putting my new album "Famous" together all on my own... From the production to mailing CD's to all of the radio stations, almost all of it has been on my shoulders. I've been a part of every little detail, and that's been really cool.

How would you describe your music?
I call it "slapmusic that attacks every human emotion." It has a West Coast flavour. My music is funky and soulful, with a lot of live instruments being played. I want my stuff to bang in the club and also just be good music all around.

‘Famous’ seems to be creating a buzz in the UK with some good DJ support. Did it get a lot of attention back home in the West Coast?
Yeah it has been getting a lot of support out here. People are definitely feeling it. That song is really powerful and always gets the club going. That's probably my favourite song to perform too.


What’s the most popular track you’ve made?
I would say it's a toss-up between "Famous" and "The Real World." I'm really proud of the production on those two tracks and I always get a lot of positive feedback on them. "Famous" was the title track of the album so I had to come hard with that one.

What do you love about being a rapper?
I love everything involved with the music. Writing the lyrics, making the beats, live shows...

What do you hate about being a rapper?
Nowadays everybody's thinks they're a rapper or producer. Just cuz your mommy and daddy bought you Pro Tools it doesn't automatically make you a musician. This stuff takes a lot of hard work and dedication. People like that just make the hip-hop game so watered down with the same bull. Everyone wants to be rapper but no one wants to be an artist and do something new and innovative.
To date what have you released?
Up until now I have released two albums. The first one was self-titled and the second is "Famous."

Can you buy it on-line?
You can buy it in the store section at whitemike.com. Payments are made through Paypal, so everyone's info is secure.

What record label are you on?
My label is Sav'd Out Records (pronounced like SAVAGE).

Interview by Tricksta

Bangin On The System - Adam Tensta

Adam Tensta may not be a familiar name in the UK but he’s just finished two European tours this autumn opening up for Saian Supa Cru, Promoe and Seed. The Adam Tenstas myspace is one of the most visited Swedish hip hop.

He has a new track out “Bangin On The System” the track is produced by US producer Kajmir who have produced for Dipset. Adam Tensta is set to release his CD, “It's a Tensta Thing” late Feb 2007 through Swedish independent label RMH Ent.

Now you have a few fact why not give Bangin On The System(give it chance to download it's a 6 Meg file) a listen make you own mind up and if you like it get more music from Adam Tensta free on his myspace

myspace.com/AdamTensta