Having built up quite a following both online and on the ground MR DRASTICK has been working the streets of London, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and actually pretty much the entire UK, selling his mixtapes to everyone and anyone! Building up sales figures that most established indie labels wouldn’t scoff at. He’s now set to release his first full length and has certainly saved the best 17 tracks till now! Its a solid release with guest appearances from YUNGUN, TB, STYLAH, IRON BRAYDZ and battle champ REIN.
Raised by his Ghanaian mother growing up between her native gold coast and London, MR.DRASTICK realised his love for hip-hop at the early age of 7. Taking inspiration from U.S artistes such as Lords of the Underground, Big Daddy Kane, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, De La Soul, Tupac, Slick Rick, and many others, MR.DRASTICK would emulate his favourite artists, by recording his raps on tapes, through a microphone on his mother’s Hi-fi system. Fast forward 14 years on (late 2005), a young MR.DRASTICK releases his first mix tape ‘The Gladiatorial Passion vol.1’. This release made significant noise, with the first single ‘They Swear’ being voted 1XTRA single of the week! And the mix tape itself scooping Mix tape of the week on DEV’S 1XTRA show.
Fast forward on again to 2007 MR DRASTICK emerged this time with the first two lead singles / video’s from THE GLADIATORS ANTHEM project, ‘REP DAT’ & ‘GIVE IT UP’ again well received:
‘Reppin’ the UK to the fullest………’ - (HHC)
‘No doubt you will be hearing a lot more from this gent….’ - (
Britishhiphop.co.uk)
‘One to watch for sure….’ – (247 Magazine)
‘Pick it up and drop it at any jam’. – (Big Smoke Magazine)
‘Excellent…’ - (DJ Magazine)
‘This is one UK rapper doing things on his own terms…’ - (The New Nation)
Never one to shy away from the spotlight, It would be fair to say that the proverbial lamp has shone or at least flickered upon this up and coming mc. With rumours of beef with certain, more established figures in the UK hip hop scene to allegations of full on brawls with some of our better known friends from across the water [G-G-G-G-G-UNIT!!], rumours continue to spread about MR DRASTICK.
But none of this is about to take his eye off the prize! With a countless number of free promo mixtapes in the bag, and many more planned, his work rate never ceases to amaze!! MR DRASTICK has also just teamed up with fellow underground hype, LUC SKYZ. Together they form super group ‘VALLEY OF KINGS’ look out for their brand new video for ‘Nothing Wrong’ hitting the box in a minute.
‘THE GLADIATORS ANTHEM’ is out on 28th APRIL 2008 from all good download / high st / online record stores.
‘HALF PAST CALM’ the debut from producer JON PHONICS is here. After first emerging onto our airwaves in 2006, having produced the underground street banger ‘REP DAT’ for MR DRASTICK & DOC BROWN. He’s since lent his talents to a number of projects including release from M9, VERB T & TEEF. ‘HALF PAST CALM’ is a collection of exclusive tracks that showcase what this remarkable producer has to offer and by every means sets the standards for whats to come.
The compilation includes 13 exclusive tracks, featuring some of the most prolific artists in the UK, with appearances from VERB T, SIR SMURF LIL (YNR), CYRUS MALACHI (TRIPLE DARKNESS), M9INE, MR DRASTICK, LUC SKYZ, T-BEAR, 9PLANETS, PHOENIX DA ICEFIRE, I VERSE & FLIPTRIX.
From the off the album has a rugged , organic sound which flows throughout, the open ing track ‘State of Hip Hop’ featuring M9INE & PROPHET, a hard hitting sonic dart laced with emotional flute, plucking harp and evocative keys, more that suitably kicks off the occasion. Despite the records sleazy soulful sound the tracks have an undeniably raw edge, which carries us on a journey through this versatile collection of gems.
The single, watch out for the video coming soon, ‘NOTHING WRONG’ is an up-beat anthem featuring Mc’s MR DRASTICK & LUC SKYZ. Both artists spit raw verses about their own come-up in hip hop over a soulful track draped in guitar licks and string stabs.
The story telling piano of 'THE LIONS DEN' (FEATURING CYRUS MALACHI of TRIPLE DARKNESS) and the haunting strings and distorted drum loop of FORBIDDEN CHAMBER with MC's NINE PLANETS show a darker, more direct side to JON PHONICS, where he finds himself more than at home.
Elsewhere on the record tracks such as 'CELEBRATE' with T-BEAR, 'IN THE ENDS' with SIR SMURF LIL' have more a subdued, reflective approach, laced with smooth funk basslines and rhodes pianos. The tracks sound like they could have been lifted straight from a 70's blaxsploitation soundtrack.
‘HALF PAST CALM’ is just a taster of what JON PHONICS has to offer, however don’t let that fool you, the quality of the tracks far out do most of his peers.
Having first been made available as an edited free download version, demand was such that the heads at ILL SMITH PRODUCTIONS decided to re package the project and offer it in its full glory to retailers and your wonderful self’s alike.
‘HALF PAST CALM’ is available everywhere from the 9th JUNE 2008
SKANDAL is an emcee you can hate, revere and be astonished by. He isn’t afraid to bring raw, gutter hiphop back to the table, yet occasionally throw in a party joint, because lets face it, thugs need recreation time too. Helmed, honed and pushed by rising producer CHEMO (JOE BUDDEN / KOOL G RAP / ROYCE DA 5’9), and fresh from collaborating with HALAL BEATS powerhouses BEAT BUTCHA (ROOTS MANUVA / PLAN B / KLASHNEKOFF / GHETTO) and THE LAST SKEPTIK (MF GRIMM / SWAY / STIG OF THE DUMP), SKANDAL is bound to be beating the shit out of your ear drums in 2008.
In this his first EP, SKANDAL projects his views over uncompromising electronic production. A fusion of hiphop, dubstep and grime set the scene for a vivid depiction of growing up in poverty, and the perils of street life. Without an official solo release under his belt, SKANDAL has already had extensive support on KISS FM, and performed alongside SAIGON, STYLES P, IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE and FOREIGN BEGGARS with his former crew CHAIN OF COMMAND.
