The Misappropriation of Hip Hop: Resurrecting the Eternal Priniciple of Hip Hop's Spiritual Significance coming soon

Has Hip-Hop Culture Been Misappropriated?

Coming soon...

Interview with Million Dan/Mike J The Legendary "Demon Boys"

Million Dan - Photo by Acer One TCF

Million Dan Interview


Demon Boys Logo

Million Dan aka Mike J first exploded on the scene as kid - as a member of the groundbreaking UK ragga hip-hop outfit The Demon Boyz Anyone who knows anything about UK Hip hop will tell you about legendary Tottenham crew The Demon Boys, the epitome of everything a new School London B-Boy represented. They rhymed in their OWN accent, dressed in their OWN way, plus coming from a Dancehall tradition, their flows were flavoured with sound system vibes. Coming up on North London based Saxon Sound; they successfully fused the reggae toast style with Hip hop MCing, a style that many US MC's made Millions biting!


Recognition Demon Boys 1st Album

Their first album Recognition released on Music Of Life, with its mash up of b-boy chops and Bashment riddims, stood up tall next the US classics of the time. Personally I feel it was as important as Ultramagnetic MC's first album Critical Beatdown, and like that crew, its now recognised that The Demon Boyz were ahead of their time also.


Original Guidance - Demon Boy's 2nd Album


Demon Boys 12" of the Rebel MC's Tribal Bass Record Label
Many people feel that this Album helped blend the UK Hip-Hop and the Hardcore/Drum&Bass genres in a relevant and genuine way.

After wining some of the industries most respected awards, huge singles, two albums and several years of touring, when The Demon Boyz went their separate ways, Million focussed on his dream of becoming a solo artist. It was a long journey of personal development that allowed him to travel all over Europe, Jamaica and Canada and truly come into his own as a vocalist, developing a huge following for his distinctive lyrical style.

In 2004, Million struck it big on the circuit once again with the massive club anthem "Dogz and Sledgez"; a tune that rammed dance floors across the globe, with an infectious energy that must be heard to be believed. Dogz and Sledgez was play listed on Radio and Music TV around the world and led to Million being nominated for several awards in the UK.


Million Dan, Skinnyman, Inja, Kela - Photo by Acer One TCF

Since then Million's progress has been steady and strong. He has been extensively touring with well-known hip-hop and reggae artists and assembled his own independent record label "Million Dappa Records". Million Dappa is distributed by Boombox Distribution and has already spawned a major hit through "Pull Up", one of Million's heaviest releases to date. The charging club anthem peaked at number 3 on the Radio 1xtra Worldwide Hip-Hop Charts.

InfraRed, Million's first ever mixtape is mixed by Daddy Skitz, and takes the listener on a journey through Millions influences from reggae to hip-hop, and sees his rhymes pitted against some of the biggest names in Urban music worldwide.

When he's not on tour doing shows with Skitz and Rodney P, he's ciphering with MC D or shocking out with fellow Junglist pioneers The Ragga Twins. So tracking him down can be quite a mission. Having had the pleasure of knowing Million Dan for a few years, I managed to spar with the big man for you all at ukhh.com. (He's also a Kung Fu Black belt… don't chuck it!)

Easy Brother please tell the people some of the exciting recent developments in Dappa-world?

Yes Shucks! Good to see you maan! Developments?!!! Where do I start?! 2006 has been the biggest year in my career so far man, it's consisted of big single releases, big video releases, big touring, and the BIGGEST thing... the birth of my own independent record company - MILLION DAPPA RECORDS. We joined forces with one of the biggest urban music distribution companies in Europe 'BOOMBOX DISTRIBUTION' and from the word 'GO' it has been success after success!

I've been following the success, but for the readers that may not know. Please tell them exactly what's been happening?

Our first release was the Million Dan single entitled 'PULL UP'. Also on that single was my groundbreaking 'DOGZ N SLEDGEZ' tune, and a new joint called 'TEK MICROPHONE', and of course the 'Pull Up Remix' (the mix featured on the Pull Up video). The Single went straight into the Radio One World Hip hop Chart at number THREE!!! The song instantly got play listed right across the Radio One network. Other radio station also championed the song, along with the biggest club DJs bangin' the tune hard on the dance floors. The Pull Up Video also had the same success, with the video being playlisted on MTV Base and Channel U, which is now the most viewed Hip hop video channel in Europe. Channel U ran phone in competitions for the Song and Video, and all together the whole project was a complete success. We're now really looking forward to 07

So what's the story with the InfraRed Mixtape man? Give us the low down?

During the summer of 2006, Million Dappa Records and our distribution company thought it would be perfect to drop a hot mixtape at the beginning of 2007. While having big success with the single, we then thought, "yo! Now would be a good time to debut my first ever mixtape to the masses." So that's exactly what we did! I jumped into the studio with my good bredrin DJ 'Daddy' Skitz - who I was touring with at the time. We went straight to work man. We took some of the biggest tunes, and assembled the biggest Hip hop/Bashment artists in the known Universe, then I said " Yeah, let me go in wid dem!!!" Even before the project was finished, word went around the industry like FIRRRE! I had niggaz callin' me at all time of the day and night asking me for early exclusive previews to dat shit!!! I was like yo man, you're gonna have to waaaait!!!

Siiick! On a more serious note though, just to get it correct people have to understand that The InfraRed Mixtape is more like a pre-album, rather than a conventional mixtape right?

Most definitely! It's a musical journey, which allows the listener to hear some heavy tunes, as well as get to know and understand Million Dan. It features some of the most talented MC's EVER to hold a microphone, and reflects Million Dan's musical influences, which range from Hip hop to reggae.


DJ Daddy Skitz


D2ed - Million D & MC D - UK Foundation Rocks! - Photo by Acer One TCF

I don't think people are ready!!! Can you give us an idea of some of your guests?

Infrared features some true heavyweights from around the world. To name but only a few, from the U.S. there are artists like Busta Rhymes, Nas and Mobb Deep. From Jamaica we've got Bounty Killer, Assassin and Sizzla. Last but not least, back to the UK's finest Demon Boyz, Rodney P and MC D. Of course to top it off, its mixed by the one and only DJ 'Daddy' Skitz from BBC Radio 1xtra. The InfraRed Mixtape is the beginning of a concept, of which the heavily anticipated 'Spektrum Ride' album will follow later in 2007.


Million D & MC D - Photo by Acer One TCF

You also recently had the big song and video "Devon Cream" with MC D, Rodney P and DJ First Aid. What's the deal with that?!

Yeahhh Shucks, that was the other BIG current news I knew you were gonna ask me about! Yo, I've played the leading role featuring on another smash tune hitting ALL the major, and pirate radio stations across the board. The song features me alongside two of the UK's finest RODNEY P and MC D. Produced by a bredrin of ours - DJ First Aid; this song is hurting everything in its wake! I had a strong feeling the Devon Cream song was going to do well. So prior to the release I asked the biggest Hip hop producer in the U.K right now BABY J and Baby Knotted Films his video production company to make the video. Baby J agreed and Baby Knotted Films then went on to creating one of the BEST urban videos of 2006. MTV BASE and CHANNEL U have also play listed the video.

It seems like you are not slacking off at all man! Put the listeners out of their misery, when is the album coming out and what can we expect?

Hahahah! The Spektrum album is simply gonna be an absolute show stoppin' killerrrrrrrrrr!!! The songs I have recorded for Spektrum so far, and the artists featuring on the album are gonna have people saying; "yeah, it's about time we've had a REAL album hit the streets." I'm still putting the finishing touches on the album, and believe me… It's gonna be a Juggernaut when it drops.


Million Dan on the Set - Photo by Acer One TCF

That I do not doubt! As a well travelled artist, could you briefly give us your thoughts on the state of reggae and hip-hop culture at the moment?

I love the growth and the development of Reggae music, and I am so happy that Reggae music has now become a new form of Pop music. Remembering that Pop music is simply short for Pop-ular music. When you look across the worlds music scene, alongside some of the biggest artists on the planet like Beyoncé, Eminem, 50 CENT, and even U2, Red Hot Chilly Peppers etc; you have names equally as big, like Sean Paul and Damien Marley. Hip hop Reggae the two genres that I was born and raised on, is the music that everybody NOW wants to be a part of. So yeah man… I love it.


Million & Family - Photo by Acer One TCF

Can you give us an impression of who are some of the artists out there you are feeling at the moment?

Yeah definitely, let me break that one down into countries...top three from each...


Sizzla Kalonji

Top 3 artists I'm feeling from the U.S right now are Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep and Talib Kweli
From Jamaica they are Bounty Killer, Sizzla and Assassin
From Canada JB (and the GCP Crew), Kardinal Offishall and Mc Nai
From U.K they are Taskforce, MC D and Rodney P
And from France they are Sain Super Crew, Sunka andMissill
There are more artists I could mention, but I'll leave it at that!

Where do you see your career going?

Upwards, skywards, elevation in its true form. Our moves in 2007 will simply speak for themselves. I want all my fans and supporters out there in the UK to keep there eyes firmly placed on this movement, ca biiiiig tingz a gwarn!!!

Anything else?

Lastly, I want to dedicate ALL of my successes to the loving memory of my mother and father - Phena Deleta Dunn and Hubert Dunn.

And to ALL myspace users, come and link us on myspace and our other various websites

The Infrared mixtape is released with the Spektrum Ride album out now. The Demon Boyz 'Vibes' re-release is out now on Suspect Packages with 'Recognition' being re-release on CD.

Interview by Shucks One
07.02.07
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Related Links:
Million Dan
Million Dan on myspace
Demon Boyz on myspace

Million Dan on Youtube
Boombox Distribution

The World is Yours - Lawrence Watson Music Photography Exhibition at The Book Club, 5th Nov.2009

Run-DMC

The World is Yours - 25 Years of Music Photography Exhibition
by Lawrence Watson



LL Cool J

His retrospective exhibition, comes back to
East London on 5th November - 5th December.


Chuck D & Flavor Flav - Public Enemy

Lawrence Watson is a British photographer with a career spanning many decades
photographing music legends from Morrissey and David Bowie to Run DMC and Snoop Dogg,
he is one of the most talented yet humble photographers that UK country has ever produced.

The Book Club - (TBC)
100 Leonard Street,
EC2A 4RH, London

All images are sole ownership of Lawrence Watson

Thanks to
Sonita Dowd
Reviews Editor
Catch 22 Magazine

www.myspace.com/catch22mag

Souls of Mischief Free Show Mon. 9 Nov. Carharrt Store Earlham St.

Launching the new promo campaign for their Prince Paul produced album "Montezuma's Revenge", Souls of Mischief interrupt their current European tour for one day in the UK only, Monday 9th November, at Carharrt, Earlham Street, London

Early show, free entry, so get there in plenty of time!
URBANELITE PROMOTIONS

Props!!! ATG/Graffiti.TK, HurtYouBad/Hip-Hop Battlefield Internet Love! Update

Thanks to the ATG family for the plug! They are London Graffiti Kings, and a creative collective of forward thinking Designers, Artists, DJs, Party Promoters and Recording artists, and they get cute girls too.


Their dope T-Shirts are now available from London's longest running "Urban clothing boutique" Mash on Oxford Street. We at The Kool Skool definitely support these guys and girls, and their bitter old azz haters are our haters!


found here


Thanks to Graffiti.TK they are "the internet home for UK graffiti since 2004" and focus on Graffiti info of today and document happenings in the scene. Their Forum is definately active check it out here


Groove Records Greek Street London 1986?
The guys at www.hurtyoubad.com kindly gave us a mention! Thanks for everyone who commented.
Photo kindly donated by Skire TNS
thekoolskool.blogspot.com/2009/09/uk-hip-hop-is-dead-part...

Support independent and real Underground UK culture!!!

Also from the U.S.!

The Hip-Hop Battlefield blog's Drasar Monumental from the "Vietnam" California Universal Zulu Nation kindly did a little feature on The Kool Skool's interview with West Coast Graffiti O.G. Slick.

Universal Zulu Nation -THE 35 ANNIVERSARY OF HIP HOP CULTURE

36th Anniversary of the Universal Zulu Nation

Come and Party with Hip-Hop's 1st Family Peace, Love, Unity & Having Fun

Interview with Lord Yoda X of the Zulu Nation Supreme Council, Crash Crew member, Hip-Hop Elder and Radio DJ

Interview with Community Leader, and member of Universal Zulu Nation, Blackwatch & X-Clan from excellent blog by Community Film Maker Carlos In DC He breaks down the history of the Zulus, the Mis-appropriation of Hip-Hop Culture, Gang Violence and Unity through Hip-Hop. "Get off your ass and get out there with the people! Show some love!"

False Profit Alert...

David de Rothschild photo that featured in a recent Observer interview
"David de Rothschild is a traveler and adventurer who also happens to be heir to one of Europe's largest banking family fortunes."



Jesus

It is very possible the photographer who took the above photo that featured recently in the Observer Magazine decided to frame Mr. de Rothschild as a Messiah figure, perhaps due to his apparent shunning of his "families values". But as he mentioned himself in the article, "Conspiracy Theorists" are suspect of his motives, and he even mentions that he is supposed to be a "Reptile". We ofcourse are not suggesting he is, or that he doesn't have the best intentions for his positive mission, but you would think his P.R. people would be a bit more careful with how he is being portrayed in the media.

"My brother wonders why I can't just throw an egg at the prime minister," says de Rothschild, "but we live in a world obsessed by events, and we have to create events to make people sit up and notice." - David de Rothschild***


The image of the Skull and Bones has become an extremely popular icon in the modern visual Lexicon recently, especially on clothes. Interesting choice for a man who is pushing life, and that it references the flag of the original "God's Bankers" - Knights Templar after being repelled from Jerusalem. Most likely a coincidence no doubt...


In recent years Rothschild has formed an organization to help raise awareness of global climate issues as well as green living and technology.* The logo for his organization Adventure Ecology features a very Pyramid like shape. Perhaps rising over the crest of the North Pole where he sponsored a trip.


Logo for the upcoming trip.
"His most recent project, Plastiki, is scheduled to set sail in April 2009 for a 7,500 mile sea voyage on recycled plastic bottles."*


Logo for the "Educational Series" with Adventure Ecology logo floating above the earth


"He's got the whole world in his hands..."


Mr. Rothschild sporting one of the signature Adventure Ecology watches


Jesus Preying


Nice bit of Eye of Ra imagery from the website thrown in for good measure...

"David de Rothschild is the scion of one of Europe's oldest banking families, but he has a different idea of wealth: a healthy planet. So he built a boat from plastic bottles to sail the Pacific in search of flotsam and wisdom"**

"David de Rothschild
Fast Facts
Full name: David Mayer de Rothschild
Born: August 25, 1978
One of small group who has traveled across the arctic and antarctic ice caps
Named as an Emerging Explorer by National Geographic in 20072
Founded Adventure Ecology" *

Looks like we are not the only ones who saw the similarity... http://forums.ukcolumn.org/showthread.php?tid=344

Many so-called "Conspiracy Theorists" claim that Global Warming is a "World Stealth Tax" by "The Banking Elite" and that the Earth is either naturally heating up or cooling down. Infowars.com & Prison Planet's Alex Jones interviewed David Mayer de Rothschild in 2007 and the alternative theories are expressed her and all over the web. Listen to the interview here


His guide on Surviving the forth coming disaster discussed here

*http://www.mahalo.com/david-de-rothschild
**http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_6_39/ai_n32164742
***http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200606/david-de-rothschild.html