WAH MAGAZINE - Female focused PDF
Ha, you heard it here first. Wah Magazine has just launched their first issue this November. This is what they say: Wah magazine is a bi-monthly London based hip hop magazine for girls. We celebrate our culture & women who are making moves in the industry. It's a downloadable full colour PDF, but unlike most PDF magazines, this one is in hi-res, 53 pages & is seriously chockfull of articles & information. Interviews with Sarah Love, C-Mone, Elf Rock, Ethel, Renee Silver, Rahel & many more. They also seem to have a sneaker obsession. Which brings up the point of how I stumbled across the site. Check the other link below.

• Wah Magazine


Sneaker Fiend Website for the Ladies,
This is crazy. Even the girls are getting seriously busy with the sneaker obsession. Well I never. Nice site. Lots of bits & bobs to keep anyone, male or female, salivating at all the kicks that are featured. It's all run by a self proclaimed footwear nut named Lori. She's created an elaborate & personal site that has articles & interviews with fellow sneaker chicks & it makes for a great read. Well done.

This is the intro blurb:
What's a Female Sneaker fiend? You Are: If you are female and you've got some crazy passion about your sneaks! You might have tons of sneakers or only a few favorites. You might obsess about keeping them perfectly clean, lacing them just so, or having what nobody else's got. If your sneakers come first, this could be you… check it out.

• Female Sneaker Fiend website


• Here's a bonus Sneaker website - Freshness Very!!!

Solo album from UNIIKKI of KAPASITEETTIYKSIKKÖ.
This Finnish trio released their 3rd album Usko Parempaan last year, but this month comes a solo album from the youngest member Uniikki, with his solo release Aika ei Venaa Ketään. Helsinki based friends Andu, Tasis & Uniikki have been making music since 1997 & have even managed to reach the Top 10 in their country's pop charts in 2002 with their song Toisinaan from their 2nd album, Klassikko. Not sure how they fit in with the scene over there, but it's all quality to my ears. It's all in Finnish so beware.

Kapasiteettiyksikkö website
Rahina Records website

• Video: Kapasiteettiyksikkö - Usko Parempaan Real Player stream
• Audio: Kapasiteettiyksikkö f/ Elastinen - Pakko Saada Slut Real Player stream
• Audio: Uniikki - Yks Kierros ft. Iso H Real Player stream
• Audio: Uniikki - En Pyydä Muuta Real Player stream

Chilean writer ANDREA "ACB" BERNAL'S struck with cancer
In September, while painting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Andrea began experiencing excruciating pain in her abdomen. Her friends rushed her to a hospital where she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Doctors had no choice but to immediately operate. Andrea bravely underwent surgery to keep the cancer from spreading further. She is now with her family in Chile, remaining in high spirits and gaining strength for six months of possible chemotherapy. The treatments and medications will cost tens of thousands of dollars. In Chile, this is an astronomical amount of money that no one can afford. We have pledged to raise money so that Andrea, at age 24, has the chance to beat this.

ACB is an independent artist from Valparaiso,Chile, who works with young people and artists throughout Chile, Brasil, France, and the US. Collectively they work on mural projects that promote social justice and communal self-determination. Since first visiting the US in 2002, Andrea has also worked closely with a variety of grassroots organizations including: Sista II Sista, The Education Alliance, Voices Her'd, and The Point.

• Link: Chilean graffiti website - Mundo Feliz-ACB
• Link: Benefit Flyer Nov 17 - Showroom Gallery

DJ ROB SWIFT - Wargames
A DJ themed album with social commentary?
Well that is a first. Not too sure who this is aimed at or if it's just something that Rob had to do on a personal level. His liners notes display the effect that 9/11 had on his psyche. It obviously made an impact. Musically well below his previous excellent album, Sound Event, which would be a hard task for anyone to better. I applaud his intention, but muffle clap this result. It's just....well, a bit lacklustre. I can only see it really appealing to those who are turntablist freaks. And I do not really enjoy hearing George Bush's voice all the time. There are some guests, like Akinyele, Breez Evaflowin, DJ Quest, Melo-D, Ricci Rucker, Toadstyle & several more. Rob even tries to bring Large Pro back for Another Friendly Game of Baseball with mixed results. It's cool, but could've been so much more. It is a double disc with the other being a DVD. In the end I just don't think it works all that well. Another conceptual album that should have probably remained a concept in thought only.

Rob Swift website
• MP3: ROB SWIFT - Another Friendly Game of Baseball
From the album, Wargames. Coup de Grace. 2005 USA. Distributed by Stomp

NYPD Uses Digi-Tech To Take Down Graffiti
Author: SoundSlam. Nov. 15, 2005 - New York, NY

Recent reports have declared that New York City Police have made 2,230+ arrests for graffiti in 2005. This number is a steep 93% increase to last year’s 1,154 arrests made through the same point in 2004. Naturally, authorities are taking stronger measures to curb or deter individuals from marking public property.

This stronger measure introduces the idea of using digital technology in this ever-increasing technologically driven world to defeat illegal campaigns. Roughly one year ago, 150 digital cameras were given to precincts to document and survey the graffiti that is seen as vandalism. These cameras will be used in conjunction with a new program, Graffistat, to record arrests and verbal complaints according to locale and precinct.

Apparently, roughly 700 graffiti artists have been entered into the system according to moniker, or graffiti name, and samples of their handstyle. Additionally, when new “tags” and “pieces” are discovered by police, the graffiti artists can, in theory, be arrested for vandalism.

Even more, NYPD policy on graffiti has been altered from only taking mugshots of those artists that have committed a felony to now taking pictures of every suspect and making these available to all city precincts. On top of this, a list of the top 100 graffiti artists have been compiled by and for the NYPD to denote those individuals that may be causing the most visual raucous. These changes clearly represent the new focus that graffiti will receive from the NYPD.

Lastly, an 80 officer deep Citywide Vandals Task Force has been created by the NYPD to catch and arrest graf writers. This plainclothes faction patrols the streets and subways in an effort to find and catch graffiti being applied live.

Crackdown on graffiti to cost $1m
November 21, 2005. The Age.

A SPECIALIST police taskforce will be established to target graffiti hot spots around the city and push for convictions against graffitists in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games.

A graffiti database will also be set up. Its aim is to give police more information and help to secure convictions for repeat offenders, the State Government said yesterday. Police Minister Tim Holding said $1 million would be provided to the specialist team. Offenders on community-based orders would be required to remove graffiti, although not all would be graffitists. "The new police will basically target graffiti hot spots, places where we know graffitists are likely to go," Mr Holding said. "We will also be establishing a graffiti database to collect information and intelligence on some of our most notorious taggers so that we can get information on some of our most serious graffitists."

Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells said he was pleased that Mr Holding was taking steps to tackle the city's graffiti problem after months of calling for action.

J-Live in Australia. December
Hailing direct from Philly - J-Live is one of the most talented MCs on the planet. Fans familiar with the clever lyricist have grown to love his unique style of wordplay and his originality. At the forefront of New York's independent hip hop scene since the mid 90s, J-Live was one of the first artists to move a substantial amount of units without airplay or a major label push.
For years J-Live has remained an independent music icon taking his time to release quality albums working with artists such as DJ Spinna, Lifesavas, De La Soul & Jazzy Jeff. This year, joining forces with Penalty Recordings, J-Live prepares to drop what may be his most sophisticated, conceptual and complete album so far, The Hear After featuring Soulive, Dwele & James Poyser.

MELBOURNE SHOW: Sat 10th- December @ The Espy
• MNEMONIC ASCENT
• DANIELSAN - DJ set
• RU C.L.
• LOW BUDGET

SYDNEY SHOW: Sun 11th- December @The Basement
• 13TH SON
• BLAZE
• KAVI-R

Tickets available from : - inthemix.com.au, Moshtix, The Basement.
For more info check out: J-Live website

Japanese film, TKO HIP HOP.
Directed by Junji Hanedo.
The website is now active. Not sure about this. Looks like a comedy, but I've read that it is a drama based on a manga. It could be really stupid or it could be a laugh. Who knows. Whatever it is, it definitely looks like an oddity. Was released in Japan on the 1st of October. Not the kind of film that will get a distribution overseas, so I guess we'll have to wait for a DVD release. Provided it's any good of course. The trailer indicates that even though it's supposed to be about the underground scene, it looks incredibly flashy. Limousines, fur coats, nightclubs that kind of vibe. Music by Corn Head, DJ Amekan, Dangerous Original, Anarchy, Ryuzo, Dabo, Typewriter, etc...

TKO website
• Link: TKO HIP HOP - Trailer
• Link: Soundtrack available here - HMV Japan

ULTIMATE FORCE unreleased album coming soon???
If you take a closer look at the sticker on the recent re-press of their single I'm Not Playing you'll notice that it states that there will be a forthcoming album of unreleased music. Awesome news for anyone into the late 80s hip hop sound. Diamond D was an original member of U.F., as the DJ, but the crew split up after Diamond went solo. Read all about it with the P-Brothers interview on their Heavy Bronx website. I'm Not Playing was also included on Ego Trip's compilation, The Big Playback from 2000.

• Link: Diamond D interview - Heavy Bronx
• MP3: ULTIMATE FORCE - I'm Not Playing

CROWN CITY ROCKERS article.
Nice 2 page article on the crew formerly known as Mission.

Crown City Rockers
• Link: Article - Jam Base

DELARGE:
Brighton based Hip Hop/Graffiti/Skate based website
This well designed & comprehensive site is always worth a look from time to time. There's loads of images to look at in the extensive gallery section. As well as plenty of smart looking wallpapers to download. You can also download sticker sheets. They just recently uploaded a 2 min video of writer Odisie when he was painting their office.

DeLarge Website
• Video: Odisie - 2min timelapse

FREDDIE FRESH's new album out soon.
Diggin’ Up Ghosts is the third album on Howlin’ Records from electronic/hip-hop DJ/producer Freddy Fresh. This album is a compilation of various instrumental outtakes from upcoming rap album by Conductor Crucified's It’s sort of like Sweeping in the Wind on the MC’s new label Stark Ravin’ Records which is due to be released next spring. Freddie has relocated to Colombia where he lives with his wife, yet he he still constantly travels the world over playing records.
He is also currently adding more entries to his essential old school Hip Hop bible, Rap Records, so yes there will be an updated version in the future.

Website

daKAH HIP HOP ORCHESTRA
This a definite meeting of 2 worlds. An eye opener for some, a revelation for others. With an entire crew membership consisting of about 60 musicians & a couple of turntablists, it is unlikely that they'd be invited to tour outside of the USA. So I guess we have to be content with hearing them via CD only. Brass, woodwind, strings, vocals, percussion & guitars. The turntable part is proved by the supremo djs from Cali, Haul & Mason. Underground favourite Dr. Oop also jumps in on occasion for mic duties. Their latest release is a 2-disc version of Unfinished Symphony.

Website
• Link: Article - Paste Magazine
• Link: Haul & Mason - Website
• MP3: daKAH HIP HOP ORCHESTRA ft. GURU - Jazz Thing
From the album, San Francisco Debut. Kufala. 2004 USA. Available at Amazon

Melbourne's Herald Sun is on the attack again...
Graffiti City. 18 Nov 05

"MELBOURNE City Council is to be commended for pushing a zero tolerance policy on graffiti vandalism.

But the $6725 it outlaid on a report which canvassed the views of 41 graffiti vandals was money not well spent. Councillors sensibly ignored the report and will order a crackdown based on quick removal of ugly graffiti and so-called tags that blight Melbourne.

The council has perhaps realised something needs to be done quickly to clean up the city if we are not to be embarrassed at the Commonwealth Games. Those who classify graffiti as street art and argue there should be high tolerance zones where this moronic vandalism is tolerated are naive and have no understanding of the deep anti-social streak that drives vandalism of all kinds.

There is nothing artistic about graffiti and those who deface our city should be caught and forced to clean up their mess."

LARGE PROFESSOR interview
From Basementalism. "DJ Low Key is bringing you a soon to be classic episode of Basementalism. EXCLUSIVE interview with Hip-hop producer and legend Large Professor. This is the interview you won't hear anywhere else! Tune in as he talks about how he came up with Paul C, recording Illmatic tracks with Nas, finding the sample for T.R.O.Y., and more! Do not sleep on this one, LARGE PROFESSOR!!!"

Website
• Real Audio stream: 60min show includes Large Pro Interview

EQUILLS - The New Threat
Melbournes 3 man crew consists of Mantra, Whisper & Wax Vandal. Most of the beats are handled inhouse, though Weapon X does the 'club thing' for the title track & Bass Clef provides some new ideas with his beat on Ignite the Sky. My pick would be Jase's track, Pages, though Count Bounce's Rife in This with its flippity Spanish Guitar/castanet sampled track that tests the emcees flows had my attention. Musically they definitely have a penchant for strings. Lyrically they speak on life the shit that one has to go through to survive. Though occasionally they like to create a dark world of doom such as on Demonology. They are mates with the Awakenings crew, with Mantra recently hooking up with Chasm for the track, Cyanide Tip on his recent 7" vinyl release. This has been released independently on their own imprint.

• MP3: EQUILLS - Pages (The Rewrite)
From the album, The New Threat. EQUILLS. 2005 Australia. Distributed by Shogun

BEHIND THE BEAT
Photographic book on hip hop producers
160 pages, Hardcover. 320 color photographs
Put together by Raph Boogie of Mnemonic Ascent, Crookneck & Blank.

From publishers Ginko Press. "The revealing photographs found within the pages of Behind the Beat expose the creative spaces of top DJ's and music producers from the UK and US. This book is an open invitation to step into the private world of the hip hop home studio and discover its inner workings. Featured are the studios and equipment of some of the most influential music creators working today including: DJ Premier, Madlib, J Dilla, DJ Spinna, Skitz, Nextmen, Taskforce, DJ Swamp, E- Swift, Beyond There, Kut Masta Kurt, Fat Jack, Jehst, Beatminerz, DJ Shadow, DJ Design, Dan the Automator, Chief Xcel, Young Einstein, Numark, Cut Chemist, Thes One, J Zone and Mario Caldato Jnr.
Includes an Audio CD with tracks from featured DJ’s and labels."

Apparently the first print run has sold out worldwide. So whatever is in stock at various places is what is available with no mention of a re-press. So the advice it to get as soon as possible.

• Link: Review - Stonesthrow
• Link: Available online at - Amazon

DJ MUGGS & GZA - Grandmasters
Angeles Records. 2005. 12 tracks
Excellent team-up with 2 heavyhitters doesn't dissapoint. Both sound at the top of their game with Muggs bringing his interpretation of the classic Wu sound for the Genius to spit some straight-up hip hop dominated lyrical swordplay. A good combination that works well for both parties, though some of Muggs tracks are seriously stripped back & rely on simple loops for the production style. Not that I have a problem with that at all. If it works, it works. Don't expect many chops or tricky drum programming. It's all kept fairly un-cluttered & as the title suggest there is a definite chess influence combined with some mediaeval-like sampled dialogue to bring it all together. One highlight would be Advanced Pawns with Raekwon. Sen Dog, Masta Killa & Prodigal Sunn also appear on a couple of songs.

• Link: Interview with GZA on German Chess website - Chessbase
• Link: Video interview with Muggs - Dubcnn
• MP3: DJ MUGGS & GZA - General Principles
From the album, Grandmasters. ANGELES. 2005. USA.

RZA features in new film, DERAILED
Directed by Swedish filmmaker Mikael Håfström.
Vincent Cassel (La Haine) also stars & Xzibit also makes an appearance.
Plot summary.When two married business executives (Owen and Aniston) having an affair are blackmailed by a violent criminal, the two must turn the tables on him to save their families.

Website
• Link: The RZA - Interview
• Trailer: Quicktime - Derailed

The Book:
STENCIL GRAFFITI CAPITAL:Melbourne
By Jake Smallman and Carl Nyman
160 pages, extensively illustrated in color. Casebound
Just heard about this & am yet to see a copy, but looks like the business. It does seem as though Melbourne has a high stencil content. Wether you are down with them or not, at least they are another oulet for expression. So you can't knock that aspect. And the next graff writer I hear who calls them vandals & that they should be punished will be... Oh never mind. Ha!

Website
• Link: Related website - Stencil Revolution