Jay-Z has announced details of a one-off London gig.
The rapper recently played a sold-out show at London’s Roundhouse and followed up with a support slot for Coldplay on their recent dates, will be playing Alexandra Palace on November 4th. Tickets go on sale this Friday [9th] and are sure to go fast!
Crossfire homies Doomtree recently hit up B96 radio station in their hometown of Minneapolis to throw down some freestyles.
The crew are making big moves with members P.O.S. and Paper Tiger currently wowing crowds in the UK, so if you’ve not checked them out already [we interviewed them 3 years ago, come on people!] then hit their myspace now.
Big Boi has released a new song online.
For Your Sorrows is taken from his upcoming solo album Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty and features George Clinton and Too $hort. Rumours claim that there will be appearances from Andre 3000 and Mary J. Blige. Check out the track below:
Hip Hop suffered another death last week.
Pioneer Mr Magic died of a heart attack at the end of the week. The New York DJ was thought to be the first commercial radio station rap DJ and was a huge influence in the pushing of hip hop into the mainstream. So influential was his show that he was mentioned in the classic Biggie track Juicy amongst others.
R.I.P.
New Found Glory have posted the Making Of for their new video Don’t Let Her Pull You Down online.
Check it out here:
London pop-rock upstarts Wall Street Riots are fast rising on the underground scene with their raucously infectious tunes and vibrant live sets. Having released their debut – an EP titled ‘Playground Politics‘ – back in May, the band is back with a bang and new single ‘One More Ride‘ which is out now.
Make sure you catch the band at their sporadic London and regional dates in between time spent writing and recording new material. Make sure you check out their MySpace [above] but in the meantime, read what vocalist Charlie Cosser had to say to Crossfire below!
What did you guys set out to create with Wall Street Riots?
We aim to write good songs, play sweaty live shows and have a laugh.
How did you all meet?
Karnig (guitaritst) and I met at school at the age of nine and started writing together in a series of awful bands. Mike (bassist) joined when we were 15 and Rich joined us three about a 2 years ago. Shortly after that we became Wall Street Riots.
What happened when you first put your musical skills together?
As I said before our early bands were terrible! We played a series of pop punk and nu-metal covers in our early teens which were admittedly a lot of fun. Eventually we got better and better at our instruments and started putting half decent tunes together.
Any advice to bands who are just getting together for the first time? How do you know when the chemistry is right?
Rehearse and never stop writing. When we first started out we were desperate to tour and play as many shows as possible without knowing what we were doing. You have to know you’re ready before showing the rest of the world. At the same time live experience did us a hell of a lot of good – but it’s important not to rush.
What is the best show you’ve played to date?
A lot of the underage shows are serious fun. The kids go crazy and give us an awesome reception. RAR at the Albany Theatre was great.
Where would you love to play at some point in your career as a band?
We want to travel the world and play in as many weird places as possible. I know for me Japan and Australia would be amazing. But also venues like Brixton Academy and the 02 would be sick.
What are your goals over the next year or so?
We are currently writing our debut album so the plan is to get that done and do some more touring.
Who are your heroes – musical and non-musical?
Musical: Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, Silverchair, The Police
Non-musical: Mickey Rourke
Which other new bands out there are worth checking out in your opinion?
I’m loving Passion Pit!
What have been your favourite records of the year so far?
The latest Friendly Fires, new Black Eyed Peas and Biffy Clyro.
What’s the new single ‘One More Ride‘ about?
It’s about relapsing on addiction or even a silly vice. The moment where you give into temptation and do something you shouldn’t and the 30 seconds of euphoria you get before the guilt kicks in.
Have you got any particularly interesting or unusual topics that are on your list to write about when creating new material?
Well we’ve already conquered some, for example Dr.King is all about a guy we knew who lied about having a brain tumor to get the girl, which is a true story. But I’m desperate to write about the time Mike (bassist) was kidnapped and thrown into the back of a car at knife point. We might have to co-write those lyrics…
How would you like people to describe your sound?
It sounds like a really good pepperoni pizza… or chicken.
Do any of you skate? If so, what would you like to say to all the skaters reading this?
My mum used to say: “Wear you helmet otherwise you’ll have a head like a squashed tomato”. I sucked at skating.
Banquet Records
Kingston
30.10.09
With Never Better, P.O.S. has recently one of, if not the, album of the year. The rapper came over to the UK to support Bouncing Souls earlier this and converted many punks to the ways of hip hop with his passionate yet fun-loving delivery.
This time around Stefon Alexander is supporting the Kings Blues on their upcoming tour but took time out to head to Banquet Records in Kingston for an intimate in-store.
With a line stretching right down the road in anticipation, P.O.S. and his DJ, fellow Doomtree member Paper Tiger, proceeded to get the crowd waving arms, singing choruses and smiling. The rapper, who stood on a chair throughout so he could see his audience, ripped through the bangers from the new record including Purexed, Low Light Low Life [produced by Paper] and Graves [We Wrote The Book] with the old golden oldie thrown in for good measure [Yeah Right [Science Science] will never, ever get tired], before finishing off with the unrelenting Drumroll [We’re All Thirsty].
The 20 minute set was over all too quickly but the banter and interaction both during and after the set made it all the more enjoyable. King Blues fans better get ready for something special.
Abjekt.
Gogol Bordello have posted the trailer for their new live DVD online.
The DVD was filmed in 2007 in New York and features live performances are well as a CD of unreleased tracks. Gypsy punks doing it big!
Enter Shikari have announced they will play two shows in early 2010.
The group, who begin their UK tour next week, will play the following dates:
February 6th – Blackpool Empress Ballroom
February 12th – London Hammersmith Apollo
Check out Crossfire’s own James Sherry’s footage from Reading to get a taste of what to expect.
Brother Ali, who recently ripped the roof off the Barfly in London, has hit the road in the States with fellow Rhymesayers Bk-One, Evidence and Toki Wright.
To celebrate the Fresh Air tour, a theme was written, peep it below and get that fist pumping: