Located in the heart of Hoxton, the event takes place in the Macbeth. It’s not the setting you would expect to host such freestyle battles, but the classic-styled themed pub is more than adequate to deal with the crowd this event is now attracting,  who come from all walks of life, with one common denominator – their love of Hip-Hop. Freestyle cyphers are wedged between intermissions to keep the audience energy up, which helps to add to the already vibrant and positive atmosphere. Audience participation is encouraged too, with MC  for the night Leen asking the crowd to throw random words at the participants to rap about, making it more challenging for them.

All in all, it’s a great night, and if  the performances in the Lyricist Lounge are anything to go by, I see big things in store for the UK underground Hip-Hop scene. (Words: Bunmi Adigun)

The next Lyricist Lounge takes place on March 22nd – for more info,visit www.facebook.com/events/302921526433940

The post Somewhere you should go… Lyricist Lounge appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.

On fusing African music and hip-hop

I feel like African music has always been here and it has always been present and it has just been filed under the world category for so long that it became kinda like the alternative music. But African Hip Hop is becoming as important as any other kind of music. More and more artists have become way more African-centred and they’re using African music as the basis now. People are saying, “listen man, I’ll (include) the balafon, I’ll bring a kora,” things that wouldn’t necessarily be in the hip hop context, but once you introduce it, it’s fresh and it’s new.

On the perception of Africa

I feel like Africa has a stereotypical view – and most of it is negative, very few people think about the positive and it is necessary that I don’t perpetuate the negative and its necessary that I present a new Africa, you know which has always been here but unfortunately the media doesn’t care about.

On the future of African MCs

I think we haven’t even started this, I fell like that there are thousands of MCs back home who are just waiting for the few of us that are kinda in the belly of the beast, to open doors. I feel like there is going to be a flood. I saw it happen with the reggaeton movement, it took a few people to open up and the flood gates opened up. – and I think that regardless whether you’re a fan of the genre or not, it is very important that everybody’s voice is heard.

On Native Sun

With this record I’m diggin much deeper, into where it all started for me.. I’m going back to Osibi, I’m going back to Fela, I’m going back to the Miriam Makeba, I’m going back to music where it all started for me, Also I’m rhyming a lot in my native language, which I didn’t do much on my last album (Stereotype), so this is something new for me and I think people are going to be blown away by the sound. My real goal for this album is to emigrate African music in Hip Hop and I feel like I’m finally at the place where I can represent for African music and Hip Hop Music.

The Doctor’s Orders Present Blitz The Ambassador with The Embassy Ensemble & The Stepkids (Stones Throw) at Cargo on August 3^rd (with support from DJ Spin Doctor & Charlie Dark). Tickets are £5 in advance (£8 on the door) but for more info, click here. 

The post TCé meets: Blitz the Ambassador appeared first on The Cultural Exposé.