UK Hip-Hop 2: Gunshot

[Latest update from October 2022, to fill a long-standing request.]
Originally from 06.

Despite my starting out with Son Of Noise, this crew here was actually the first I’d heard of. Gunshot put out their first 12″ in 1990 called “Battle Creek Brawl”. Its incredibly rough sound by DJ White Child Rix and the fiery delivery by Alkaline, Mercury and Q-Roc was like nothing I’d heard before. I’ve read that it was their music, together with Hijack’s, that coined the idea and sound of “Britcore”. They certainly did for me. At the time I didn’t even know where and how to get a hold of the singles that they were releasing, so I was stuck with a few hissy radio recordings (and the good thing was: with the crackling and the distortion they sounded even better!) A few years later, while Vinyl Solution was still their home label, French label Independance issued the group’s first singles as one Compilation. Instead of the cover for the compilation which I haven’t found, here are covers of the three 12″es included.

Battle Creek Brawl (1990)

Clear From Present Danger / Interception Squad (1991)

Crime Story / No Sell Out (1991)

Compilation Tracklist:

01 Clear From Present Danger (4:47)
02 Interception Squad (4:04)
03 No Sell Out (5:18)
04 Crime Story (4:49)
05 Battle Creek Brawl (4 Minute Warning) (4:42)
06 Battle Creek Brawl (Apocalypse Bass) (4:37)
07 Clear From Present Danger (Instrumental) (4:46)
08 Interception Squad (Instrumental) (4:03)
09 Battle Creek Brawl (Instrumental) (4:42)
10 No Sell Out (Instrumental) (5:18)
11 Crime Strory (Instrumental) (4:49)
12 Battle Creek Brawl (Apocapella) (3:21)

Gunshot – Compilation (1994)

And, from the same year, here’s another collection of singles, aptly titled The Singles. Some of the tracks are the same, but others are not. (Thanks, Wasteland Drifter.)

01 – Clear From Present Danger
02 – Children Of A Dying Breed
03 – No Sell Out
04 – Killing Season
05 – Social Psychotics
06 – Nobody Move
07 – Crime Story
08 – Interception Squad
09 – Mind Of A Razor (Remix)
10 – Battle Creek Brawl
11 – Children Of A Dying Breed (Burial Mix)
12 – Killing Season (Murder Kiss Remix)
13 – Colour Code
14 – Gunshots History (The 94 Lick)

.

In 1993, Q-Roc had left the crew by then, they released their first album called Patriot Games. White Child Rix’ production had become more sophisticated with more multi-layered tracks and a very effective use of vocal samples to add some catchiness. The flows had slowed down a tad bit so they could actually perform their tracks live on stage and the whole thing made for an amazing album full of bangers.
[anecdote] I remember one time in school camp, when I was in charge of preparing breakfast and waking up the other kids… I laid the tables and then popped in 25 Gun Salute turned on full blast in a tiny chalet up in the mountains… Talking about an early start… When you hear it, you’ll know how much they hated my guts for the rest of that day. Well worth it, though. [/anecdote]

1 Manhunt (1:29)
2 25 Gun Salute (3:01)
3 Gunshot History (3:49)
4 Reign Of Terror (2:58)
5 World War 3 (4:19)
6 Radio ? (2:10)
7 Day Of The Jackals (3:42)
8 Underworld Crime Soldiers (0:59)
9 Bombing In Five Minutes (3:08)
10 Patriot Games (4:25)
11 Mind Of A Razor (4:02)
12 The Cholo (0:25)
13 Year 2000 (4:38)
14 Bullets Entering Chest (5:10)

Gunshot – Patriot Games (1994)

By 1997, they had finally put together another album called Twilight’s Last Gleaming. So the murky theme was continued. Content-wise, they’d relaxed a bit with their guns, battle, soldiers and blood theme and turned a bit more introspective. I seem to remember that the album was received with a somewhat lukewarm applause. And that may well have marked the moment where Gunshot was beyond their peak for their audience. I’d still contend that the album is slept-on and that it’s actually very solid and listenable. On this one, Barry Blue made a guest appearance before he’d join the group as a steady member on the next album.

01 Twilight
02 Maths And Stats
03 Millenium
04 Mask Of Phantasm
05 G. S. Vibe
06 Ghetto Heartbeat
07 Roots And Reality
08 Die Hard
09 True Fist
10 Gunshot Forever
11 The Silkmaker
12 Return Of The Gunshot
13 Kingpin
14 Untouchable ft. Barry Blue
15 Inner Space
16 Postcards From The Edge

Gunshot – Twilight’s Last Gleaming (1997)

In the year 2000, the crew dropped their latest and last album so far with International Rescue. Personally, I was a bit disappointed by it. While the production was solid and sometimes quite good, the MCs were lacking some of the drive and dopeness they displayed on Patriot Games. Some of the verses grate on my nerves, others I find just a bit forgettable, but that’s probably just me. Yet I’m afraid the only reason why this album didn’t disappear completely off the radar was the English Patient posse track with illustrous guests such as Blade, Task Force, Huntkillbury Finn, Icepick and MC Mello.

1. The Saga Continues… (Intro) (1:00)
2. International Rescue (3:54)
3. Shanghai Badbwoy (5:26)
4. Rinse Out (3:55)
5. Construct Destruct – Demo ’91 (Skit) (0:38)
6. Pain (5:22)
7. Scream 3 (5:03)
8. Hail Mary (4:45)
9. Minus 10 ft. Huntkillbury Finn (4:11)
10. Bo Bo Bo! – Demo ’90 (Skit) (0:36)
11. Everyday (3:35)
12. Pressure (5:19)
13. The Long Goodbye (4:11)
14. Badman Walkin’ (4:50)
15. The English Patient ft. Blade, Task Force, Lord Barry Blue,
Huntkillbury Finn, Icepick & MC Mello (5:02)
16. Whilst My Guitar Weeps (Outro) (0:35)
17. Shanghai Badbwoy (Remix) (4:40)
18. Weep Again (Encore) (1:16)

Gunshot – International Rescue (2000)

It’s quite safe to say that Gunshot will not release another album under that same name. (Is it?) Even their website gunshotuk.com was taken down.

To get back to the English Patient track with its analogy playing on UK Hip-Hop as the sick patient that needs treatment, it’s rather ironic that Gunshot as one of the pioneer crews that lament the state of UK rap didn’t quite survive into the 21st century while there’s now a host of MCs and DJs out there on the islands that seem to be doing increasingly better. Gunshot certainly broke down a few doors, but it was the generation following them that got a foot in. Well, except for old farts like Rodney P or Blade, perhaps…

In the meantime, MC Mercury has met up with Blade for a great chat about the olden times. Peep it here.

MC Mercury’s Space
DJ White Child Rix’ Space
Barry Blue’s Space
Gunshot Discog
Gunshot on Wikipedia

Next up: Hijack

Peace, 9@home

 

Spelling “prolificacy”* with Gangstarr: Rarities A-Z

Re-post, you know why. Keith Elam is no more. Probably the one death in hip-hop that shocked me the most. I didn’t give two shits about Tupac, and Biggie had it coming, too. Then again the murder of Jam Master Jay was a real tragedy, without a doubt. Now the Guru was supposed to grow old and grey, wasn’t he? Rest in peace.

—

Keith Elam and Christopher Martin are among the rare cats that have had a career in hip-hop that spans more than 20 years. Most people fall off at some point, but these keep going. From the beginnings when they were the flagship for jazz-rap to the dirty, choppy, “classic” New York sound of the Nineties and Noughties that has been coined in great part by Premier himself, it’s pretty safe to say that this duo has left its mark on hip-hop music. DJ Premier’s magic beat formula has helped countless MCs to have their instant classic singles while Guru has guest-starred on tracks and connected with people around the whole world. Guru and Premier are the embodiment of NY City hip-hop, even though neither of them was born there, Primo being from Houston and Guru from Boston. Together, they’ve brought the Big Apple sound and style to every head on the globe.

This is a compilation (a bootleg, I guess) of the tracks they’ve done outside their Gangstarr releases, i.e. either Premier production/remixes or Guru guest spots as either an MC or a producer himself.

All in all, there are no less than 476 tracks, or 2.5 GBs that come in servings of about album-size, lettered from A to Z. The tracks themselves are in no particular order, but if you want to know what’s there to have, peep the tracklist here.

Peace,

9@home

P.S.:

*pro·lif·ic (pr-lfk)

adj.

1. Producing offspring or fruit in great abundance; fertile.

2. Producing abundant works or results: a prolific artist. See Synonyms at fertile.

---

[French prolifique, from Medieval Latin prlificus : Latin prls, prl-, offspring; see al-² in Indo-European roots + Latin -ficus, -fic.]

---

pro·lifi·ca·cy (--k-s), pro·lific·ness (-k-ns) n.

pro·lifi·cal·ly adv.

 

QN5 Music – Baby Blue For Pink (2008)

Released for Valentine’s Day 2008, this is a quick EP from my favourite peoples, the kids over at QN5. As usual, they manage to serve up a conventional theme like Valentine’s Day with a twist for your laughing muscles.

1. PackFM – “Plucking Daisies” [Prod by Deacon The Villain]
2. Session – “The Letter” [Prod By Tonedeff]
3. Cashmere The Pro – “Know I Do (RMX)” [Prod By Kno]
4. Substantial – “R Love Songs Gay?” [Prod By Tonedeff]
5. Mr. SOS – “Digital Video (f/ CunninLynguists & SunnyStylez)” – [Prod By Deacon The Villain]
6. Tonedeff – “Close” [Prod By Domingo]

QN5 Music – Baby Blue For Pink [EP]

 

Park-Like Setting – Craftsmen (2005)

John Smith, mcenroe and Yy, all from the beautiful provice of Manitoba, Canada. While being independently active within the Peanuts & Corn collective, they’ve also put out two albums as Park-Like Setting. Do not be fooled by whatever you think you know or don’t know about Manitoba, this album is a great listen. Some nice relaxed tongue in cheek lyrics and fresh production by the work-animal mcenroe who produces for damn nearly everyone on his label, besides rapping, artwork and whatnot.

1 Wax On, Wax Off
2 Cut Once ft. Pip Skid
3 Craftsmen
4 DFA
5 Short Pants Long Sleeves
6 Overrated
7 Eight Bars Each ft. Birdapres, Cadence Weapon, Evil, Gruf, Pip Skid, Satchill Paige
8 By My Lonesome
9 Bush League Psych-outs
10 Barbie Doll Eyes
11 The Five Year Plan
12 Church Of The Poisoned Mind
13 The Boss Of Me
14 Our Turn (Scratches by Hunnicutt)
15 Small Market Team

Park-Like Setting – Craftsmen (2005)

Park-Like Setting label site

Peace, 9@home

 

Nine Majesty (VA) – Mixtape Vol. 1 (2001)

And just one day before Narcy’s birthday on which his album drops, here’s a piece of  “early” Canadian hip-hop history that’s been missing in my book for a long time…

From the city boasting such ridiculous talent as The Narcicyst, D-Shade, Rugged Intellect, Loe Pesci, Maybe Watson, Oddeo, Prophecy and more (see Muzion, for instance) here’s a gem from their earlier days. Rugged Intellect and Prophecy had a group called Blitzkreague, D-Shade was still in Shades of Culture, Narcy, Loe Pesci and Apocalyptik formed Patrick Batemen, which was just before Narcy teamed up with his Iraqi brethren from another omm Habilis and Nofy (SandhiLL) to become Euphrates,  etc. etc.

Together, the above artists formed the Nine Majesty collective. And this “mixtape” compilation from 2001 offers an excellent cross-section through the buzzing Montreal underground scene of the early noughties.

01 – Oddeo ft. Don LoeFontaine – Nine Maj is… (prod. Oddeo)
02 – Nine Majesty – 6-Sick’s Verses (prod. SandhiLL)
03 – Blitzkreague – Stargate (prod. SandhiLL)
04 – Patrick Batemen – Aim at Building (prod. Apokalyptik)
05 – Loe Pesci – Gotta Eat (prod. Frankie-F&F Productions)
06 – Euphrates – Silk Robes (prod. SandhiLL)
07 – Watson – Arbuste de ma Connerie (prod. Pea-Why – Freudian Slippers)
08 – Loes & Oddeo – Dreaming Awake (prod. Oddeo)
09 – Rugged Intellect – Introduction to… (prod. SandhiLL)
10 – Euphrates – Iraqnaphobia (prod. SandhiLL, Cuts by DJ Xcape)
11 – Loe Pesci & Apokalyptik – Blackbook (prod. Apokalyptik)
12 – Watson & Proph – Showcases (prod. Watson)
13 – Euphrates ft. Rugged Intellect – Shalom Alaikum (prod. SandhiLL)
14 – Shade Of Culture – That’s Me (prod. Grand Theft)
15 – Rugged I, Narce, Prophecy, Watson – Impromptu (prod. Watson)
16 – Patrick Batemen – Imperial Vomit (prod. Vic Cabbage, Guitar by Dale Boyle, Sax by Brad Vines)
17 – Crux Mottolo – What’s Not to Love (prod. Classic Pesci)

Nine Majesty (VA) – Mixtape Vol. 1 (2001)

Peace, 9@home

 

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop – The Next Lesson Mixtape – DJ Sharp & DJ Icewater

I should not have to introduce you to Jeff Chang’s book of the above title cause it’s brilliant. Of the good dozen of hip-hop-related books I’ve read, this easily takes the cake and keeps the candles, too. Quite simply, if you know enough English and claim to be a hip-hop head, you should have read this or you will never know what the hell you’re talking about. ;)

Now, I’m not getting into posting e-books, but this is the companion CD to the book, basically a mixtape that takes you back into the history of hip-hop on an audio trip through soundbites and song snippets. Mixed by DJ Sharp and DJ Icewater, and narrated by Quannum Records’ own Chief Xcel, Gift of Gab, Joyo, Lateef and Lyrics Born.

PROLOGUE

1 D-Sharp Just Can’t Stop

SIPPLE OUT DEH

2 Kingston /73 – Lyrics Born

Zen’s in this time mix

3 Ballistic Affair – Leroy Smart

War ina Babylon – Max Romeo

Leggo – Jah Lion

Black Vest – The Upsetters

4 Dub Explosion – Lyrics Born

King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown

– Augustus Pablo

BLOOD AND FIRE, WITH MORE MUSIC

5 Bronx ’68 – Lateef the Truth Speaker

6 War and Peace – The Gangs of the Bronx

7 Ghetto Brother Power – Ghetto Brothers

DJ KOOL HERC MAKES A NAME

8 A Creation Myth – Joyo

D-Sharps Back to Sedgewick Mix

9 Fencewalk – Mandrill

I Wouldn’t Change a Thing – Coke Escovedo

You’ll Like It Too – Funkadelic

Son of Scorpio – Dennis Coffey

Give It Up Turnit Loose – James Brown

Kool is Back – Funk Inc.

10 Call Me Herc – DJ Kool Herc

Shaft in Africa – Johnny Pate

11 The Start of Something Big – Joyo

SOUL SALVATION

12 BAM POWER! – Pow Wow & Jazzy Jay

Bambaataa’s Theme – Afrika Bambaataa

13 Bam’s Faith – Afrika Bambaataa & Jazzy Jeff

14 Live at the Bronx River – Lisa Lee

FURIOUS STYLES

15 The Summer of ’79 at the T-Connection

-Grandmaster Melle Mel

16 Three Anonymous Rappers – Lyrics Born

Good Timing – DJ Icewater

17 Hip Hop on a records?!?!! – Chuck D

D-Sharp’s Hip-Hop on Wax Supreme B-Boy Mix

18 Rapping Ain’t No Thing – The Boogie Boys

Philosophy Rappin’ Spree – Super 3

19 Superappin’ – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

Rapping & Rocking the House – Funky 4 + 1 More

At the Party – Treacherous Three

Daisy Lady – 7th Wonder

Expansions – Lonnie Liston Smith

Dance to the Drummer’s Beat – Herman Kelly & Life

It’s Just Begun – Jimmy Castor Bunch

1982 ETERNAL

20 Worldwide Understanding – Crazy Legs

D-Sharp’s at the Roxy Mix

21 At the Dixie – Fantastic Five Freaks

Rapture – Blondie

Jazzy Sensation – Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force

Mt. Airy Groove – Pieces of a Dream

22 Going Downtown – Popmaster Fabel

23 The Reagan Era – Kool Lady Blue

Genius of Love – Tom Tom Club

Here Comes That Beat – Pumpkin All Stars

The Message – Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

THINGS FALL APART

24 The Other Planet Rock – Chief Xcel

Indio Danca Na Roda – Curumin

(Quannum Exclusive)

25 Cokane in My Brain – Dillinger

26 Rick’s Ready Rock – Chief Xcel

27 The Batteram (Commercial Version) – Toddy Tee

WHAT WE GOT TO SAY

28 The Ultimate Black Melting Pot – Chuck D

D-Sharp’s Whylin’ On The Island Mix

29 Strong Island – JVC Force

Pump That Bass (Get a Little Stupid Yo..) – Original Concept

30 The Name That Changed Everything – Bill Stephney

Don’t Believe the Hype – Public Enemy

Eric B. is President – Eric B. & Rakim

It’s My Thing – EPMD

It’s My Turn – Stezo

Rebel Without a Pause – Public Enemy

I Ain’t No Joke – Eric B. & Rakim

THE CULTURE ASSASINS

31 West Coast Poplock – Ronnie Hudson

32 Uncle Jam’s Army – Gift of Gab

33 Things Done Change – Gift of Gab

34 The New Blues – Gift of Gab

35 Murder Rap – Above the Law

Ya Better Bring a Gun -King Tee & Mixmaster Spade

Gangsta Gangsta – NWA

Rhyme’s Too Funny – Compton’s Most Wanted

How Ya Livin’ – Low Profile

Ruthless Villain – Eazy E & MC Ren

F– Tha Police – NWA

GONNA WORK IT OUT

36 Risking it All – Joyo Velarde

37 A Vision of Peace – Daude Sherrills

38 Peace Treaty (White Label Mix) – KAM

NEW WORLD ORDER

39 The First Coast – DJ Kool Herc

40 Revelation Time -Lateef The Truth Speaker

41 Cell Therapy – Goodie Mob

42 A New Generation – Lateef The Truth Speaker

Icewater’s Better World Mix

43 If – Maroons

44 Last Trumpet Remix – Lyrics Born

(Quannum Exclusive)

45 Cade O Mocoto (Essa Coisa) – Curumin

(Quannum Exclusive)

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop – The Next Lesson – DJ D-Sharp & DJ Icewater (2005)

Peace!

9@home

 

Positive Black Soul – Salaam (1996) (Senegal)

As announced, I’m going to hit you with a bunch of African albums. Some of them are full albums by one crew, others are compilations made by well-meaning organizations in Europe who try to introduce the non-Africans among us to this vast continent full of music. I’ll have to admit that I don’t know too much about all of them, but I just figured I’d pass on what I’ve got my hands on so you can go and listen for yourself.

First off, there’s Positive Black Soul from Dakar, Senegal (West Africa). This duo consists of Doug E. Tee (Amadou Barry) and DJ Awadi (Didier J. Awadi) and they’re probably one of the very first African hip-hop crews who had international success beyond their continent. Active since the mid-80s as leaders of rivalling gangs, they used to compete with each other musically till they found out they were the perfect match and formed a crew in 1989. Their first release on cassette Boul Falé never really made it out of the country. With some help by French superstar rapper MC Solaar (himself a born Senegalese) and musical legend Baaba Maal, they eventually got a record deal with Mango Records and their second album Salaam enjoyed international success, followed by a tour through West Africa, America and Europe. They have since become the godfathers of Senegalese and West African hip-hop, making sure younger crews get some shine as well.

The album is made in Wolof (one of the languages spoken in Senegal), English and French – to make sure they are understood worldwide. This album must be seen as one of the biggest milestones in African hip-hop, as far as its international recognition is concerned.

Positive Black Soul – Salaam (1996)

More links:
Benn Loxo Du Taccu (African music blog)

Peace, 9@home

 

African Underground Vol. 1 (VA) – Senegal (2004)

Upon request, another album from the vibrant hip-hop spot they call Senegal. The beats are surprisingly choppy, boom-bap ones. Cats rapping over them sport English and Wolof styles (I think… well, how would I know…)

01 – Intro
02 – BMG 44 – 44
03 – Omzo – Missalu Aduna
04 – Shiffai – Shiffai
05 – Las MC – Africans Don’t Wanna Understand
06 – Shiffai – Never Forget
07 – Simon (Bis Bi Klan) – Chagga
08 – Sul Suli Klan – Mbedd Bama Woo
09 – Slam Revolution feat BMG 44 – Begguma
10 – Sen Kumpa – Deglu Xel
11 – Abass – Abass
12 – Slam Revolution – Wax Degg
13 – Real Fight – Ndax Sa Melo
14 – Yat Fu – Art Attendan

African Underground Vol. 1 (VA) – Senegal (2004)

Peace,  9@home

 

The Corner (Miniseries)

If you enjoyed The Wire, you may want to get this.

The Corner is like the bud of what would later bloom into The Wire. Based on the book “The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood” by David Simon and Ed Burns, Simon and David Mills turned the story into a TV series. Made in mock observational documentary style it’s the portrait of a family and their friends and street buddies in West Baltimore, in the midst of drug-slingers, crackheads, crime and poverty. You could say that The Corner is one aspect of the many that later got incorporated into the big picture that is The Wire. And a lot of the actors from The Corner got different roles for The Wire again — and sometimes you wouldn’t believe the career steps they’d made in the meantime. 6 episodes of goodness.

You must see this.

Peace, 9@home

 

Muzion (Canada)

Muzion (pronounced mew-zigh-on) are Impossible, J. Kyll and Dramatik. They represent Montréal (Québec) and the fact that they live in a world where French and English are spoken side by side also shows in their lyrics which consist in great part of French, but with some very noticeable insertions of English phrases. – Just as they come out, it seems. On top of that, they draw on their Haitian background using Kreyol in their lyrics as well. The result is a powerful and heartfelt language mixture that just flows effortlessly. But that’s not enough. They also have quite a bit to say and it becomes clear that they take their time crafting their lyrics and arranging their beats that continue to win people’s hearts on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

01 – Pas un Jour Sans Une Ligne
02 – Rien a Perdre
03 – Le Soleil se Couche
04 – L’education
05 – Tel Pere, Tel Vice
06 – Rien Qu’une Simulation
07 – Noire Noblesse
08 – La ti vi Neg
09 – Mentalite Moune Morne
10 – Le Concept (Tome 3)
11 – Ghetto Genetique
12 – 666 Theme
13 – De Bonne Foi
14 – Ce Soir Encore
15 – Lounge With us (Rock On)
16 – Get it Right
17 – Ainsi Soit-Il

Muzion – Mentalité Moune Morne (Ils n’ont pas compris) (1999)

.

01 – Intro
02 – Le Concept (Tome 4)
03 – Démondialisation
04 – C’est Pas un Hasard
05 – C’est la Jungle Dehors
06 – Acceptez-Vous Les Frais
07 – La Classe Disparue (Hell)
08 – Nap Debake
09 – Men Malad Yo
10 – Les Sept
11 – Vous Pouvez Parler
12 – Ne M’en Veux Pas
13 – Ghetto Génétik
14 – J’rêvolutionne

Muzion – J’rêvolutionne (2002)

.

Muzion.com

Muzion’s Myspace

Peace, 9@home