New York rap master Action Bronson will be revisiting the UK on June 7th for a show at Camden’s Koko. Expect tracks off the ‘Rare Chandeliers’ mixtape he release last year. Download it for free, you will not be disappointed if you are a rap fan.
Koko tickets go on sale this Friday.
With summer being a wash out so far, we decided you may need some fresh beats that are been dropping into speakers all over the world right now. Search through these mixtapes, videos and album reviews of what are officially Abjekt Approved and if you would like to contribute towards the next edition, then contact us.
TOP 4 MIXTAPES
Wiz Khalifa – Taylor Allderdice
Wiz Khalifa is back with a brand new mixtape, Taylor Allderdice, a nod to the name of his high school in Pittsburgh. The rapper found mainstream fame with his album Rolling Papers, but if the sugary nature of most of that album wasn’t for you, then worry not – Taylor Allderdice is a return to form, seeing Wiz vibe out again like he did on the brilliant Kush & OJ mixtape.
There are features from Juicy J and Rick Ross, production from Spaceghostpurrrp and Jake One as well as a Frank Ocean sample and plenty of weed references, of course. Sound like something you want to chill out to? Then grab it here.
Action Bronson & Party Supplies – Blue Chips
Action Bronson said he wanted to give something back to the people that have supported him over the past couple of years and what better way than some free music? The larger-than-life cook turned rapper has teamed up with producer Party Supplies for this mixtape full of references to food and women. What else was he going to rap about eh?
The beats aren’t always the most sophisticated, but they all hook you immediately and give Bronsolinho the perfect canvas to spill his guts, so to speak. You can just hear him grinning throughout the length of the mixtape and you’d be hard pressed not to do the same by the end. Get that get that.
Lute – West 1996
Lute is a new rapper on the block, coming out of Charlotte, North Carolina. Whilst it may not be the hotbed of rap talent, Lute comes out swinging, talking up his manor, proving that you don’t need to come from a coast or the dirty South to have skills. Technically, this may an album, rather than a mixtape, but either way it’s a thumbs up.
The beats are super throwback, as could have been guessed from the Nas-esque cover and that’s what makes it such a great listen. The drums snap, the samples are tight and the rapping is stellar. This might not be an instant bang-fest but give it a few listens and you’ll be sure to enjoy it. Stream it here.
Pete Rock – Portland Connection
The last offering comes from Indamix Records with the MY-G “Portland Connection” mixed by Pete Rock featuring 38 unreleased jumpoffs. Hopefully this will bring the sunshine to this rotten UK summer so far. You decide.
TOP TRACKS
El-P – The Full Retard
El-Producto is back with a new album, Cancer 4 Cure, out on Fat Possum right now. He released this and we got hyped. You should do the same as the album is amazing. Pump this shit.
Stalley – Everything New
Stalley’s latest project Savage Journey To The American Dream dropped at the end of March. Chad Hugo from The Neptunes produced this and we love it.
Yasiin Bey – Sunshine Screwface
Yeah yeah, we still call him Mos Def and he still rules. This track was produced by the always wonderful Dilla [R.I.P.] and sets us up nicely for the release of the next album, whenever that may be.
Killer Mike – Butane (Champion’s Anthem) feat. El-P
There are a few ways of getting my attention and making me love what you’re doing – one is to be affiliated with Outkast and the other is to have El-P giving you beats – Killer Mike fits the bill with both of these and as such it was with excitement that I listened to his new album, R.A.P. Music [Rebellious African People]. Read my full album review here.
VIDEOS WE LIKE
Joey Bada$$ & Capital STEEZ – Survival Tactics
Joey Bada$$ might not have the best name in the world, but considering he’s just 17, the dude has talent. He hooks up with his mate Capital STEEZ on this track where both rappers prove their worth. The video is cool, the beat is great and the MCs wrap it up nicely. Boom.
Schoolboy Q ft. Ab-Soul –Druggys With Hoes Again
Schoolboy Q’s album Habits & Contradictions has been getting some serious playbacks and this is one of the bouncier tracks, amongst the laid back, understated vibe of the majority of the record. With crew mate Ab-Soul riding alongside with him, it’s one to crank up high.
Flatbush Zombies – Thug Waffle
Likely to be next in line to win hipsters over, following in the footsteps of A$AP Rocky, Flatbush Zombies are a duo that sport gold fangs and smoke a lot of weed. Both of those things are fine with us, especially when they name tracks Thug Waffle.
Until next time…Abjekt.
Barfly, London
25.03.12
Such was the excitement at Action Bronson‘s debut in London that he had to add a matinee show on the day of his Barfly show to make sure everyone that wanted a ticket got to see him. Larger than life is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot, but when you see a man that can’t be taller than 5’8 and is as wide as he is tall, larger than life certainly seems apt.
Grinning throughout his set, Bronson was clearly having a good time from the second he stepped on the stage and past an equally large [and drunk] member of the crowd who continually wanted to hold his hand and chant “BRONSON, BRONSON” at the crowd. The MC invited the guy on stage before realising he had inadvertently taken on a belligerent hype man and ushering him back off.
With the Barfly heaving, Bronson stepped down into the crowd to get in amongst his loving fans, running through tracks such as Barry Horowitz and The Madness as the lyrics were enthusiastically thrown back at him before he waded back towards the stage. Taking a few puffs of a joint near the front of the stage, the grin got wider and he declared he was “tired as fuck yo” – not really a surprise to anyone in attendance.
After half an hour, it was time to wrap things up, though he did drop a couple of extra tracks, including an already fan-favourite tune from his Blue Chips mixtape – Hookers At The Point. It was too short a set, in reality, but for the half an hour or so that he was on stage, it was one hell of a fun evening.
Abjekt.