DIRTY FLIRTS I DO TWO FOR FIFTEEN

Flirta D was always the emcee I looked up to growing up in North West London. His noises, voices and dynamic flow were a match for D Double E from East London. There's this Youtube channel called The Grime Historian that has added quite a few Flirta and SLK tracks. Flirta definitely deserves his dues as one of the best emcees out of North West London. Get down with it!

Below are a few gems from Flirta's vast artillery of reload worthy verses, mainy from Grime Historian.

On New Mondie

Get Out, Get Out!

Pirate Radio

Shoot Em Up Bang Bang!

Riding Gype Riddim

FLIRTA D LOST TAPE

Sick footage of Flirta D spitting somewhere with Skepta and Jammer. He bodies the track so hard Skepta don't wanna spit! His verse about Sky channels and his rhymes at the end are too ill: 'Can't be me your makin a fool of, no I ain't takin my jewels off... I ain't foolin around 4 years I bin schooling these clowns'. Flirta D = NW Legend.

NEW OFWGKTA

Odd Future are still finding time to make swagged out music when they're not appearing on MTV and performing with Diddy at SXSW.

The first track above 'Less' by MellowHype (Left Brain & Hodgy Beats) features Casey Veggies one of my favorite rappers right now. Swag.

The second track 'Live' features Mike G and Hodgy rhyming over a Flying Lotus joint. I'm looking forward to hearing more from both of these swagged out Cali emcees.

LET ME RIDE

'Let Me Ride' by Dr Dre from his album The Chronic released in 1992 on Interscope Records. This video is ridiculously ill, it makes me want to move to California, buy a lowrider and cruise around bumping this very song. Classic West Coast, G-Funk material.

I love the fact that in Dre's closet all of his clothes are black, Ice Cube's Stussy t-shirt, the 2:40 long intro and the ill Parliament Funkadelic footage at the end.

2 CLASSIC SOUL RECORDS SAMPLED BY REDMAN

Isaac Hayes 'A Few More Kisses To Go'

As sampled on the Reman track 'Tonights Da Night' produced by Erick Sermon and Reggie Noble which appeared on 'Whut? Thee Album' released in 1992. The track also features a sample of the Mary Jane Girls 'All Night Long'.

The Heath Brothers 'Smilin Billy Suite Part 2'

As sampled again by Erick Sermon and Redman from the 'Muddy Waters' LP on the infamous track 'Soopaman Luva 3'. I'm pretty sure they didn't do very much to the the record, except put it on a turntable! I wish there was a music video for this song. Soopaman Luva is Funk Doc in full Slick Rick story mode. This is also the same sample used by Q-Tip on the classic 'One Love' by Nas from the album Illmatic. Red actually used the same sample 2 years later than Nas in 1996.

Redman 'Soopaman Luva III'

Bonus* Nas Feat. Q-Tip 'One Love'

TWO DOPE SONGS THAT WIZ KHALIFA SAMPLED

As heard on the Wiz Khalifa track 'Never Been'. Shouts to Don Silk on this one.

'Never Been'

Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose 'Since I Found My Baby'

From the song 'Who I Am'. Possibly one of my favorite Wiz songs. Shout outs to Relly for locating this.

'Who I Am'

CRACKHEAD DOES IMPOSSIBLE NINJA BACKFLIP OFF 50 FEET ROOF!

Need I say more.

NEW RICK ROSS VIDEO FEAT. WIZ & WALE - 'RETROSUPERFUTURE'

The Bawse is back, reclining like Jabba the Hutt smoking copious amounts of reefer. This time Wiz handles the chrous whilst Wale spits an okayish verse in comparison to the overweight Don. The track is from Ross' forthcoming Maybach Music album 'Self Made'.

3 SONGS TO PIFF TO IN THE WHIP

DRAKE - 'NOVEMBER 18th' DJ SCREW REMIX

PIMP C FEAT. DRAKE & BUN B - 'WHAT UP'

TERRACE MARTIN - 'ROLL UP' FEAT. WIZ KHALIFA & OVERDOZ

OM'MAS, TYLER & LEFTBRAIN IN THE STUDIO

Footage of Tyler, Leftbrain, & Hodgy goofing about with Om'mas from Sa-Ra in his studio in LA. This video shows Tylers talent on the keys as well as his ADHD. The track they start playing from about 1:00 in is very dope. Whether you're down with Odd Future or not, they are here to stay as Tyler & Earl have signed to XL Records. The crew also plan to release a slew of solo albums this year including Tyler's Goblin and Domo Genesis' Rolling Papers 2 unfortunately Wiz Khalifas new album is called Rolling Papers too, both rappers have similar styles. I'd be interested to see who's album is better. With the input of musicians such as Om'mas Keith and NERD, whom Tyler has been tweeting about spending time with in the studio, these are exciting times for good music.

BAD BOY MIXTAPES VOL. 1-4

The past two weeks I've been bumping the first three Bad Boy mixtapes repeatedly. They feature the latest tracks from Bad Boy artists such as Biggie, Craig Mack, Mase and others as well as the hottest rap records at the time from Redman, Methodman, Mobb Deep and Grand Puba to name a few. The tapes are reel to reel classic, banger and gem, from a time when these songs were brand new. Although Diddy's hosting style is questionable, it always has been. These are timeless, time capsules and great mixtapes. Download em below.

DJ Clue
Bad Boy Mixtape Vol. 1

DJ Doo Wop
Bad Boy Mixtape Vol. 2

DJ Stretch Armstrong
Bad Boy Mixtape Vol. 3

DJ S&S
Bad Boy Mixtape Vol. 4

AMALIA

The homey Bug put me on to this. Wow. The track 'All the Funk I Need', got me open. From the album 'Art Slave', well worth your hard earned. Fresh space funk, broken beat, nu soul izm. Available on iTunes or Tokyo Dawn.

NAOMI KLEIN ON RISK

Naomi Klein critiques capitalism in an extremely articulate and informed way. In this TED lecture she talks about the culture of risk in the financial sector and it's affect on society. One of the most interesting and inspiring talks I've seen in a while.

G. DEP: THE DEMISE OF A BADBOY

Alot of rappers have passed through the gates of Bad Boy over the years only to dwindle into obscurity: Craig Mack, Mase, Black Rob, Shyne, Loon and more. Whilst fucking over artists isn't an exclusive pursuit of Bad Boy, Diddy's rap sheet leaves something to be desired.

G. Dep is an ill rapper, he was bought in to Bad Boy by Black Rob, another rapper from Harlem.

Emcees who sign to Bad Boy don't seem to have the best of luck despite the image Diddy might portray.

The film above is part of a dope series called New York Minute directed by Gasface. The series has a hip-hop theme dealing with life in the rotten apple, check it out here.

G. Dep released his album to Child of The Ghetto in 2001 and failed to generate much of a buzz. Despite falling off from Bad Boy, G. Dep is a very ill emcee. The tracks 'Special Delivery' and 'Let's Get It' are straight classics. The track 'Head Over Wheels' which I first heard on a DJ Premier mixtape is an amazing record.

If you haven't seen this video, you need to check it. G. Dep might appear disheveled and even apprehensive to rap, the PCP can't have helped. But after missing the drop a few times, he actually delivers something special. Fast forward to (0:45) if time is of the essence.

3 DOPE G. DEP SONGS

Ghostface, Keith Murray & Craig Mack bless this.

Get slapped silly.

'Head over wheels'. I think this might be in my top ten hip hop records of all time. Flows is silly. Harlem swagger rap to bump in the whip.

The Making Of Act II

Jay Electronica in South Africa. Starring LaTonya Givens. Shouts to Jeymes Samuel.

Jessie Ware performs Nonsense by SBTRKT on the Boiler Room

Jessie Ware is really good live. Shouts to Martelo grinning in the background. Classic UK dance-floor, space dub anthem.

THE KID DAYTONA - 'AIR BORN' FEAT BUN B

Yeh Kid Daytona is very ill. He raps a bit like Curren$y. Bun B straight dons the track. Laid back, couch potato blunt rap.

WATCH THIS

If you want to know what's going in the world regarding the way war is reported by mainstream media outlets, then watch this. John Pilger is not ramping. A great documentary. Tell a friend to tell a friend, each one teach one.

MYRON - 'WE CAN GET DOWN'

This is that smooth ass sh*t you play when you tryna get your groove on: incense burning, candles lit and what not.

The UK Garage remix is classic material.

TWO BUSTA SONGS THAT MAKE ME WANT TO HEADBUTT PEOPLE

Live To Regret (Set If Off OST)

Turn Me Up Some (Produced By J Dilla)

UPLIFTMENTS

Couple of ol' skool uplifting jams to see you through the grey, grim harsh reality of inner-city life.

Kerri Chandler - On My Way

Tania Maria - Come With Me (Masters At Work Mix)

SWAGGIN' TO THE MAX IN MY LO BOOTS

As well as being a fan of that 'elohim, annunaki rap', I've recently developed a taste for ignorant music about Ralph Lauren clothes. These are two are of the latest:

Young Dro - 'Polo Down'

Shouts to the homey Gurnteam for swagging me out with the second track.

FATHER DOM - 'FLOSSIN'

Father Dom's overtly laidback ode to displaying one's wealth, sees the Oakland emcee talking nonchalantly about not loving females and living lavishly in 1996, when Wiz Khalifa was about 9.

TALKING WITH GODS

Grant Morrison is a comic book writer, artist and part time shaman. He has written comics for D.C and Marvel including Superman, Batman, Judge Dredd, The X-Men and many more. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed series of graphic novels 'The Invisibles', an esoteric, sci-fi, conspiracy adventure centered around an underground group of psychic rebels! The Invisibles is said to have inspired The Matrix. The main character in the Invisibles 'King Mob' a 'psychedelic dandy' is said to be based on Morrison himself.

Grant Morrison practices chaos magic which is simply described as the belief that any thought can become a physical reality. The above documentary talks about the occult and magic practices which Morrison is into as well as his successful career in comics post Alan Moore, the creator of 'The Watchmen'. An interesting watch if your into comics and magic.

www.nickbam.tumblr.com

I've got a tumblr now where I'll be putting up all my super fun pics from my life.

But I will continue to post music videos and rambling reviews on higherminded.

WWW.NICKBAM.TUMBLR.COM

WWW.NICKBAM.TUMBLR.COM

WWW.NICKBAM.TUMBLR.COM

ZHIGGE - 1992 POLO RAPS

I'm a Lo head, so the garms in these videos turn me green with envy. And the music is kind of hype too, these guys sound a bit like Leaders Of The New School.

RAEKWON - 'SHAOLIN VS WU TANG'

Directed by Konee Rok this video is very ill, on some Kill Bill anime, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Sin City type ish. Raekwon murders the track spraying poisonous lyrical darts, which is hardly surprising seeing as Raekwon has pretty much been murdering instrumentals since the age of 14.

BIG L REST IN PEACE

ZING!

Jake Davis directs a promo vid for Union. It features a semi-nude sexy woman, frolicking in a bedroom, trying on clothes and playing with a firearms.

IT'S A STICK UP

'DTA'- Tyler & Casey Veggies

Big Tune.

TYLER THE CREATOR: LYKKE LI'S ' I FOLLOW RIVERS' REMIX

Dope. Download HERE.

VALENTINES VIBRATIONS

SUPER DERTIE - 'CADILLAC EP'

There's not much UK hip-hop on this blog, because unfortunately I'm not feeling a great deal of UK hip-hop recently other than Giggs, P-Money, Lee Scott, Bill Shakes, Nate, Piff Gang and a few other bits and pieces. It seems like a lot of UK rap has really bad production or is really commercial. Whilst N-Dubz and Tinchie may be making it to No.1 their brand of pop grime is very debatable, their songs aspire to be US pop anthems from the likes of Usher or Blacked Eyed Peas. The best UK rap can be found dispersed amongst the UK grime scene and on SBTV videos on youtube.

Super Dertie's 'Cadillac EP' is a godsend, the production is off the chain, whether the samples have been cleared or not. And Super Dertie, has made something no other UK rapper has done that I'm aware of. He's made an R&B record. With echoes of Barry White and Big Daddy Kane, the 'Cadillac EP' was made with the ladies in mind. Like a UK Wiz Khalifa or Curren$y Super waxes lyrical about women, weed and of course automobiles. UK Hip-Hop emcees have a habit of trying to overcomplicate their rhymes and talking about things out of sci-fi novels, Super Dertie is a welcome break from this tradition. Super's buttery flow is gentle and well thought out, more Slum Village than Canibus. Super has brought the funk and soul back to UK rap. Super Dertie is in the rap crews Second Nature and Piff Gang and comes from a background of rapping over grime, garage and hip-hop tracks. Sometimes Super reminds me a bit of Phonte or Bushkin from Heartless crew.

Be sure to check out my favorite tracks: 'Cadillac' & 'De Ville Flowin (Ft. Dee)'.

Bump this at high volume driving your expensive vehicle, with your favorite companion smoking a large...

'DOOBIE ASHTRAY' - DEVIN THE DUDE

Classic smokers anthem. Produced by DJ Premier. I first heard this on the Kung Fu mixtape mixed by Sarah Love.

'RIDIN ROUND TOWN' - CASEY VEGGIES

Some more of that swagged out hype LA sunshine rap. Bump this in your system ridin' round town.

MOUNT KIMBIE

Visuals for South London production duo Mount Kimbie. Apparently the director Tyrone Lebon, asked to be able to spend the entire budget for the video on flying around the world taking loads of pictures. And that's exactly what he did. Mesmerizing.

Mount Kimbies - 'Crooks and Lovers' album was one of my favorite joints of 2010.

YONKERS

New track, 'Yonkers' from Tyler of Odd Future Wolf Gang from his forthcoming album 'Goblin'.

DUDLEY PERKINS - 'COME HERE MY DEAR'

Classic soul music. Dudley Perkins and Madlib. Lyrics, beats, vocals and MED's verse are all on point. Add this to your Valentine's playlist, it's a deal maker. From the album Expressions (2012 A.U) released on Stones Throw records.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY DEE

The other night I went I went to Scala in Kings Cross to attend the J Dilla tribute event put on by Spin Doctor, the Living Proof & Nonsense crew and various other members of the UK hip-hop/club community. I was surprised to see such a large turnout of people, I was also surprised by the type of people at the gig. Contrary to many hip-hop events I've attended before in the UK, the crowd wasn't predominately white! It was a real mix, with caucasians probably making up a minority, also it was really cool to be surrounded by people who are all into the same music as me. I believe that certain frequencies resonate with like-minded people.

Crowd analysis aside, the music left me feeling invigorated and ecstatic: a minor religious experience! I believe there is a quality in Dilla's music of positivity and love which can have an incredible energizing effect on a crowd instantaneously. Whilst of course this can be said for other musicians, it was amazing to hear classic after classic, hit after hit for hours on end all produced by the one man.

Below are a few of the tracks that I heard on the other night that particularly resonated with me.

Slum Village - 'Get This Money'

J Dilla - Make Em NV

Slum Village - Fall In Love (Remix)

Keith Murray - The Rhyme (Jay Dee Remix)

Jay Dilla - E=MC² (Feat. Common)

Slum Village - Raise It Up

JAY ELECTRONICA

It's strange that since Jay Electronica signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation, we haven't heard much from him. Is Jay-Z holding him back?

Anyway here is a healthy dose of that "elohim, annunaki" rap to keep you sane in the midst of all the Soulja Boy's & Lil B's out there. For those that don't know Jay Electronica was lauded as Hip Hop's saviour last year because of his particularly dope esoteric, conspiracy rhymes over tight, classic production on the tracks 'Exhibit C' and 'Exhibit A'. Jay reintroduced Hip-Hop to the concept of an intelligent emcee, a welcome breath of fresh air admidst the sea of main stream super ignorant rap.

This is a nice batch of some of Jay's tunes to keep you going until he does finally drop something on Roc Nation.

Download HERE.

Peace

PATIENCE

Enthralling, esoteric visuals from Nabil Elderkin for Nas & Damien Marley's 'Patience', aptly released nine months after their album 'Distant Relatives.'

The video depicts Nas as ancient African nobility/ruler complete with crown, medallion and robe and Damien Marley as a magi/priest rocking what looks like a very expensive red robe. Throughout they are juxtaposed against a backdrop of moving images and symbols such as pyramids, hieroglyphics, scenes of the motherland, planetary nebulae and star constellations, all of which allude to lyrics in the song. Visually this video is like a combination of Kanye's 'Power' and Flying Lotus' 'MmmmHmmm'.

D'ANGELO - VOODOO EPK

D'Angelo's 'Voodoo' is probably one of my favorite albums of all time. If you're unfamiliar with D'angelo this is a great introduction and if you're a fan this video is a gem. It has some dope footage of D'Angelo at Electric Lady Land Studios and in Brazil. The film features Q-Tip, Eric Clapton, Chris Rock and more. Enjoy.

The Lurv Tapes Vol.2

Henny Moan is back with another mix to keep your loins warm. Listen below or download HERE.

TheLurvTapesVol.2 by Henny Moan

STALLEY - 'SLAPP'

Stalley comes with some more of that Creative Control new wave, god rap sh*t.

ON MY LEVEL

Wiz first caught my attention last year with the single 'Mezmorized'. Since then he has steadily ascended into superstar status: soldout tours, making tracks with Snoop and releasing his own line of rolling papers etc. Khalifa has replaced Snoop, B Real, Red, Meth and others as stoner rapper No.1. He and Curren$y represent a new breed of rappers who have successfully combined pop elements of more recent R&B and rap with parts of old school hip-hop into a winning formula. They conquered the internet first and then the mainstream. What separates Curren$y & Wiz from other rappers such as Wocka Flocka and Gucci Mane is that their styles are original and they can actually rap, well.

His new song 'On My Level' featuring 'Too Short' is another laid back, swagged out club joint about Wiz's two favorite things: women and weed. Whilst the formula of the song: subject matter and vibe, are what we've come to expect from Wiz, 'On My Level' feels like Wiz is trying to nail his niche and perfect what he does. I look forward to his album 'Rolling Papers' which drops in March.

PLATO'S ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE

Dope animation of Plato's allegory of the cave, an important description of power and perspective.

BBC STEVIE WONDER DOCUMENTARY 1980

This Doc sees Stevie on the Hotter Of July tour, in which you catch a glimpse of the musical genius' backstage life on tour. The doc also focuses on Stevie's moving speech to an enormous crowd in Washington on Martin Luther King's birthday.

Sa-Ra Creative Partners – Episode II: Mission To Mars

New podcast of that futuristic, space funk, egyptron ish. Download here.

The Kid Daytona - 'On The Hill'

Laidback, aspirational, garment, swagger rap.

UNDER THE RADAR

Happy New Year!

Here's some music you might have missed over the last few months:

Funkineven and Fatima

Funkineven is a producer/DJ from West london who's futuristic beats are made largely using vintage synthesizers, inspired by Acid Jazz, House music and musicians such as Prince, Juan Atkins and Harold Faltermeyer, Funkineven has released several records on UK label Eglo Records. As has Swedish born vocalist Fatima who has collaborated with producers such as Hudson Mohawke, Dam-Funk and Shafiq from Sa-Ra. In 2010 she released her 'Mind Travellin EP', largely produced by Funkineven. Check the mix below by Lefto for a taste of the space-age funk the duo produce.

Casey Veggies

Sleeping In Class is the new album from LA rapper Casey Veggies. Featuring guest spots from the likes of Dom Kennedy, Tyler The Creator and more. Casey left his mark on the West coast hip-hop scene last year with the summertime underground anthem 'It's All Good'. If you fancy more of this head to the link below and grab the whole album for free. The tracks 'Ridin' Round Town' & 'DTA' are definitely worth a listen.

Download 'Sleeping In Class' here.

Henny Moan

London based producer Henny Moan, used to be one third of the East-end synth group Hounds Of Hate. His latest musical offering 'Slayer Of Gash 2' is a distorted instrumental reminiscent of West Coast G-Funk. Sit back and enjoy.

Hype Williams

Laidback, ethereal vibes from East London art group Hype Williams on their new EP Dior which you can download or listen to below. Hype Williams are well know on the East London art & music scenes for their forward-thinking music, weird music videos and art installations.

The Lover/ Flying Lotus Project

Futuristic nu-soul in the vein of J*Davey and Sa-Ra courtesy of Flying Lotus and Dana. All beats on this project were produced by L.A beat-smith Flying Lotus, who is down with Warp Records and Brainfeeder. All of the songs were written & arranged by Cali based rapper/singer DANA. Flying Lotus released the critically acclaimed LP 'Cosmogramma' earlier this year.

Download HERE

The Jet Age Of Tomorrow

The Jet Age of Tomorrow are down with the LA skate/rap crew Odd Future, who helped produce many of the tracks on this album. 'Journey To The 5th Echelon' contains echos of The Neptunes and Sa-Ra, Om'mas Keith actually appears on one of the stand-out tracks 'The Finer Things'. Listen below or download here.