Jazz Cafe – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should see… Ty at the Jazz Cafe, April 10th

Laura Thornley — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:59 +0000

Bog standard hip hop gigs come and go, but if you are looking for something a little bit different, say an international rap artist, producer and curator who performs killer live shows? Then, we will no doubt see you at the Jazz Café on April 10th. British Hip-Hop artist Ty is launching his new EP A Kick Snare and An Idea and we reckon it might just go off.

Ben Chijioke, aka Ty, has been making music for 10 years. He has made three albums and collaborated with fellow musicians from Tony Allen, De La Soul and Damon Albarn to Terri Walker, Scratch Perverts, Afro Reggae and Estelle. His second album Upwards was released on Big Dada records, the label that also works with Roots Manuva and the album’s success earned Ty a Mercury Prize nomination in 2004 alongside Amy Winehouse, The Streets and Franz Ferdinand.

Despite these years of wall-to-wall musical achievement, Ty has also found time to run workshops in schools and beyond; a practice he has continued since his involvement in the Ghetto Grammar Organisation in the mid-90s. As an artist known for his wise lyrics and engaging mix of articulate wordplay and politics, Ty has also spared some time to appear on the BBC 2’s Daily Politics Show. Need we go on…?

So cue the Jazz Café turned Hip-Hop Haven, filled with art, culinary delights and a few undisclosed surprises to boot. This party is sure to be something else. (Words: Laura Thornley)

For More info, visit: www.facebook.com/events/158427924314206

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Somewhere you should go… Jean Grae at The Jazz Cafe, January 31st

Laura Thornley — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:40 +0000

With a career spanning two decades and a very successful jazz pianist father, this South African female rapper has proved herself to be quite the legend. Moving through different monikers along the way, first as a member of Natural Resource and then as ‘What What’, Jean Grae has always been at the top of her game. Through the years she has managed to team up with the biggest talents in Hip Hop such as The Herbaliser, The Roots, Mos Def and Pharaoh Monch. Since 2005 she has been signed to Talib Kweli‘s Blacksmith Records – who rightly deems her to be ‘one of the last true MCs left’.

Being the renegade she is, Grae’s career came into dispute back in 2008 and there has been some to-ing and fro-ing with retirement. However this was all put to rest in 2011 with the release of a free mixtape titled Cookies or Comas, no doubt a taster for things to come. So considering this in an artist who truly does things differently, this gig isn’t to be missed. And if that isn’t enough to tempt you then, how about the incredible supporting act Chima Anya? The rapping doctor – physician by day and rapper by night (I guess art really can save lives). (Words: Laura Thornley)

For ticket information, visit www.hmvtickets.com

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Somewhere you should go…Slum Village (feat. Illa J) at Jazz Cafe

The Cultural Exposé — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:00:44 +0000

It’s been five years since J Dilla lost his battle with lupus in 2006, leaving the hip hop community reeling. Since his untimely death, his work has been given its plaudits, especially by Erykah Badu, Q-tip and Questlove who continually pay tribute to him – dedicating songs, crafting new music to his unheard work; tweeting about him. His jazzy and intricate beat loops began shaping hip-hop in the early 90s via A Tribe Called Quest, D’angelo, Common, Janet Jackson to name a few, while he was still a member of Slum Village. Although the group notably went separate ways to pursue solo careers, had line-up changes and lost Baatin last year under mysterious circumstances, the final Slum Village album was released in 2010. The Villa Manifesto album is a testament to their legacy, featuring unheard Dilla beats and new vocals Baatin laid down for the project. Surviving member of the Detroit trio T3, says he will continually honour the group’s memory and in his mission, will be joined by Dilla’s brother Illa J to perform live at London’s Jazz Cafe on June 6th. (Words: Selina Ditta)

For more details visit the Jazz Cafe website.

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