Scottish hip hop

Scottish hip-hop is the Scottish manifestation of the hip hop culture, comprising the five elements of MCing, DJing, beatboxing, graffiti and b-boying.

History

In the 1980s the elements of hip hop culture had spread to Scotland. Hip-hop and electro music reached Scotland and was adopted and developed locally by DJs and later MCs.

From the inception of Hip hop culture in Scotland, and possibly due to the universal nature of the element, break dancing has been popular. Scotland has had a number of strong breaking crews over the years, such as Glasgow City Breakers, Lazer City Crew(LCC), Ayrshire, Skywalkers, Floor Freaks, White City Breakers and The Clan.

The country also has a strong history of DJ talent such as DJ Sonny from Edinburgh, Aberdeen's A La Fu playing far and wide overseas solo and as part of the Big Dada roster, DJ Plus One (ex-world DMC champ), Richie Rufftone (Scratch), DJ Krash Slaughta (II Tone Committee, Monkey Mafia), DJ Bunty and others.

Due to the underground nature of the graffiti element many artists have not been able to showcase their talents to a deserved level. However artist such as Glasgow’s Mak1 and Edinburgh’s Elph have managed to cross boundaries into the mainstream and have worked overseas in America and Europe.

Throughout the 1990s the popularity of hip hop culture spread outwards from the city to the coast, with groups appearing from further afield, such as All Time High and Speech Therapy. Contemporary Scottish hip hop is often overlooked due to the dominance of the English, and specifically London, rap scene. Contemporary Scottish acts that have managed to gain attention beyond the country's borders include such acts as Eastborn who has toured the world and recorded with Sunz of Man, Canibus and other major US artists, Two Tone Committee, NorthernXposure (on extensive tours with Skinnyman [Mud Fam]), the ICARUS (who's track 'Longing for Reason' was used on a 'Bones' TV advert worldwide), Steg G and the Freestyle Master, Big Div, Mr Jinx Scotland Yard Emcees, CatchKlick Emceez, Madhat McGore, Loki, Respek BA, Werd (S.O.S), Bigg Taj and All Time High whose " 68 n i owe ya 1 " track was picked up by Jurassic 5's DJ Nu-Mark and used on his worldwide released "Hands on " LP, a nice little achievement for a Scottish group.

Battle Scene

Many people who contribute to Hip Hop in one way or another feel battling is a very important part of Hip Hop Culture. The most recognized Battle Emcee in Scotland is Respek BA from Glasgow who competed in numerous Jumpoff.tv street battles. Soul Biscuits a Hip Hop night in Scotland have hosted battles/competitions for Breakdancing, Graffiti Art, Beat Making and most notable 'The Soul Biscuits Emcee Championship'.

The UK Battle scene's top promoter Dont Flop hosted its first event in Scotland on the 6th March 2010. The event was successful in showcasing upcoming talent and established artists skills in this format.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh hip hop artists include: Reachout(Seen/Oh Eye Records), Werd (S.O.S), CatchKlick Emceez (Fader, Monolith, Cyrical C and Mr.MacKenzie), Skinny Malinky aka Sleeze, Capitol 12 12 (Fly T and Profreesor Fresh), Hex Co. (Sandman/Charlie Chong/Captain Howdy) S.T.M (O.D.G Records), Adam Holmes (Perfect Practice), Silver Toungue (Perfect Practice), D.S.G, Stonez The Riddlah' (UV Beats), Mr.Jinx (Yard Emceez)Scotland Yard Emcees, Depths, S-Type, Dave Gunn (DKM), Def Bone (TapeDekRoc), Madhat McGore (MCFR), Simba (Rush Music Group), Kontempt and DJ Sonny (Perfect Practice), Anounce Dj Blaze and Elmi tha Mos'hi (Rymsplitaz).

The Capital City's hip hop scene is much the same as any other. It relies on the club promoters to book the big acts, then giving the local acts a chance to perform in support. A lot of Hip Hop club nights have come and gone but a few like Soul Biscuits, Milk, Pass The Vibes and Noizteez have managed to maintain a regular slot in clubs like Cabaret Voltaire and G.R.V (formally Octapus Diamond)and more recently Medina still pull the crowds in. MC Profisee (Clokes x Daggers) who has always played an active role in the emerging Hip hop scene since his Dark Paragons/Scotland Yard days has recently been mixing flavors of Dub-Step, Electronica and Grime into his style, playing a big part in the success of club nights like Volume (Termite, G Mac) and Big n Bashy (Deburgh, David George).

Glasgow

Glasgow Hip Hop crews such as II Tone Committee Krack Free Media (Kryptic & D.J.Science), Steg G & the Freestyle Masta, Eastborn, Major Threat, and The Being built reputations as quality groups. Groups like Gail Force Crew (GFC) whose roots are based in Hip Hop are still releacsing new material and performing at show's have stepped it up another level by using live instruments bring a different vibe to the growing Scottish Hip Hop scene

In recent years Scotland, and the city of Glasgow in particular, has been the home of aqua crunk. Aqua crunk step, or Glitch hop as it is sometimes known, is the latest offshoot in the continouly evolving world of hip hop. Notable pioneers of this musical development are Rustie, Towny James and Hudson Mohawke of the Luckyme collective. Another Scottish act who have been releasing records and touring recentley have been Capitol 1212-2 djs/producers aka Fly-T and Professa Fresh. Selling records across Europe, America and Asia they have built up a following with Collaborations with International artists such as ED OG, Jungle Brothers, and Grandmaster Caz under their belt.

Outer Glasgow artists such as Gangland Authentic have also been garnering attention for themselves in recent years.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Hip Hop artists such as Granite Emcees, Ekizel, Cheeens and Shy & DRS are just a few of the acts that bring light to the City of Aberdeen in Scottish Hip Hop music culture.

The Aberdeen Hip Hop scene is very different to others in Scotland. Due to lack of club and dj Support from the City. Most of the Acts have made way for themselves by video marketing and Album/ep Production. The first group to make noise this way was Granite Emcees in 2005. Although very rough in their approach, they were the one act to open many doors for more successful artists in the City. Most notably "The Emcees" who also released a video in the same way in 2006. This group put together by Local producer Ekizel seen two of currently the more successful Scottish groups/acts of the year 2009, they are Shy & DRS and Cheeens.

Shy & DRS being picked up by AWE records and releasing their debut album "behind closed doors" in January 2009 (including a single release and two music videos) and Cheeens releasing his debut EP "My Miind in Rhyme" (including release of his single/video "For So Long) in September 2009. Both these releases featured Production from Aberdeens most well known producer Ekizel producing most of both releases and all video tracks. Ekizel working with the likes of Loki, Mic assassin, Syanide, Eastborn profit as well as Putting Cheeens, Shy, DRS, Granite emcees and more into the forefront of Aberdeens Hip hop music scene opened many doors and cemented Aberdeens place in the Scottish Hip Hop music scene.

Successful DJs from the City like DJ A La Fu have brough different sides and angles into the Aberdeen Music scene with big name feature tracks and Live shows at his nights in Club Snafu make him one of the Best loved DJs in his field.

Inverness

Inverness is perhaps the most overlooked area of Scottish Hip Hop though acts such as Spit-Dis and T-E-C. Twety (Duff) is an upcoming MC with recent tracks "Recession" and "Watching me". Spit-Dis consists of Brude (Glass Cage), John-Boi (Focus on the Day), KD (Life is a Game) and Sherbit (Hip-Hop). The members of T-E-C, Mgoff and Paul Scotti are perhaps most recognised for their tracks "Don't Doubt The Flow", "These Parts" and "The Movement". In an area disproportionately dominated by traditional Highland music and Rock bands, these groups are particularly influential in the local and national scene in a way which was previously unassociated with artists from this area.

References

External links