http://www.bigdada.com main news feed from big dada en webmaster@ninjatune.net Thu, 17 May 2012 16:46:23 Dummy have premiered Dobie's track "State Of Flux", taken from his new EP Nothing To Fear. Head here to listen to the track, and here to buy one of five hundred limited edition 12" vinyls, each label hand-stamped, sleeves screenprinted in metallic silver and individually numbered. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:03:01 There's been much excitement over the new 4 track EP from Dobie, Nothing To Fear. For one, it's an absolute banger - four tunes covering four very different flavours but all ABSOLUTELY BRUTAL. For another, we've done a limited edition of five hundred vinyls, each label hand-stamped, sleeves screenprinted in metallic silver and individually numbered. It's a thing of beauty and is on general sale now. To ensure you have a copy, order from the Ninjashop for a bargain price of £6. Go! Mon, 14 May 2012 11:53:29 [sic], the debut album from Elliott Egerton aka Bang On! is out and available in all good shops, webshops and castle-in-the-sky download stores as of RIGHT NOW. A really stunning debut, jam-packed with lyrical brilliance, political barbs, drugs, off-colour jokes and dirty surrealism, [sic] also has enough bass to wobble your sternum and a rough-edged, homegrown originality you'll fall in love with. Not content with wowing the NME ("Ruffneck production and a funny-furious flow… a breath of fresh air") Mr Egerton was also lauded to the skies in this weekend's Financial Times ("an electrifying debut"). Now that's what we call diversity. We know you don't trust us, so follow this link to hear the album in full - with lyrics, too! [sic] is out now on CD and DL, available at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Fri, 11 May 2012 15:46:16 Bang On! has been confirmed to appear at Liverpool's Sound City Festival 2012.He'll be playing the music and media festival on 19 May, appearing at the Artrocker night alongside Ghostpoet, Cadence Weapon and Thunderbird Gerard - more info here.The single Fars Yer Whop is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Bang On!'s debut album [Sic] is released next week, and can be pre-ordered now. Thu, 10 May 2012 15:01:08 Bang On! is in session for Coldcut, Ninja Tune and Solid Steel's radio show on Strongroom.fm TONIGHT between 7-9pm - listen in and enter a competition to win a copy of the Liverpudlian wordsmith's debut album [sic], out next week! Mon, 07 May 2012 10:36:13 Ahead of the release of his debut album [sic] next week, Bang On! releases the single Fars Yer Whop - and it's a complete, city-destroying monster. First we need to talk you through the beat. Aberdonian producer and close Bang On! associate Cruicky has fixed up a low slung speaker-mangler of a rhythm, all giant bottom end, snapping snares and thundering kicks. Over it, Bang On! drops the kind of lyrical gems which have him marked down as a true street wordsmith.A tune with a clear social message about how struggling to survive can lead you to do stupid or dangerous things, and a truly original voice with his own unique musical sensibility (which he's described – tongue a little in cheek – as “post retro punk donk dub hop”), Bang On! brings us a very different, very raw view of his city and nation. Fars Yer Whop is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. [Sic] is released next week, and can be pre-ordered now. Thu, 03 May 2012 16:16:24 June 5th sees Big Dada take over the Boiler Room. The internationally-renowned live stream music session thing will be welcoming a whole heap of BD artists through its doors for four hours of music and MCing. Expect performances from Roots Manuva, Sticky, DELS, Dobie, Offshore and Bang On! with more to be confirmed. Should be massive. Thu, 03 May 2012 14:13:56 This week is Cystic Fibrosis Week. "What's Cystic Fibrosis?" you might ask. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK's most common life-threatening genetic diseases that affects over 9,000 British citizens. Caused by a faulty gene that around 1 in 25 people carry, CF mainly affects the lungs and digestive system (along with the host of other symptoms). Each week five babies are born with CF and while there has been vast improvements in the treatment of CF, only half the CF population will live past 41. Heavy stuff, we know.  To help raise money and awareness of the disease, we've decided to auction off some rare and limited edition goodies found in the Ninja Tune & Big Dada warehouse. With 100% of the money raised going to The CF Trust. Here's what is up for grabs:Andreya Triana - 'Lost Where I Belong' (Signed LP)Diplo - 'Florida' LP (Limited Edition Screen Print Cover) Mr. Scruff - 'Ninja Tuna' (Signed CD)New Limited Edition Ninja Tune Tote BagNinja Tune: 20 Years Of Beats & Pieces (Book)Roots Manuva - '4everevolution' (Signed CD)Spank Rock - 'Bump' (Well Deep Edition 12") Spank Rock - 'Sweet Talk' (Rare 10" Single)Speech Debelle - 'Speech Therapy' (Signed LP)Check these links for more information on Cystic Fibrosis and CF Week. Wed, 02 May 2012 15:27:07 Our man in Berlin, Infinite Livez, is as busy as ever and has released a seven track EP called Geez! Learn Cantonese through the good people at Marathon of Dope. Even better, said EP is utterly FREE. So follow THIS LINK and get it. Now! Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:12:07 The Liverpudlian wunderkind known to his mother as Elliott Egerton and most of the rest of the world as Bang On! is about to release his debut album with us, '[sic]'. If you get the title, then you're probably already on your way to understanding that behind the tales of drugged up, dole-ite despair, petty criminality and all that goodness, lurks an MC of rare intelligence. Or if you're a bit too thick, you'll maybe have to take our word for it? Well no, not quite, because if you follow THIS HANDY LINK, you'll find a miniature site where you can listen to some of the tracks from the album and study Bang On's lyrics at the same time. Funny, clever, harsh and self-deprecating, we think this kid is up there with the finest wordsmiths we've ever put out. So go and check it now. It's like 'A' level English Lit, only fun.[sic] is released 14 May, and can be pre-ordered now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:35:53 Taken from 4everevolution, widely held to be the best Roots Manuva album in at least a decade, comes this superb re-work of one the record's standout tracks. Featuring young singer and multi-instrumentalist Rokhsan on chorus duties, Rodney Smith hooks up a shuffling, contemporary beat with bubbling bass and his usual vocal mastery. An ode to the importance of not becoming distracted or tempted by the glittering bollocks life flings at you, no one has ever managed to make staying straight-edge sound so attractive and, yes, psychedelic. Feel the funk, set your mind free... The Path (Revocal Radio Edit) is available now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:36:47 Bang On! recently recorded a live session for Line Of Best Fit - check out his performance of "MUNNYS", from his debut album [sic], here.[sic] will be released 14 May on Big Dada. Available on CD and download, pre-order now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:35:30 Roots Manuva will be appearing live at this summer's Strummer Of Love Festival. Taking place on the weekend of 17-19 August, the one-off festival will commemorate the 10thanniversary of the death of iconic Clash frontman Joe Strummer and will be held at a beautiful, secret location in the middle of the Somerset countryside.Strummer was a tireless community activist and remains a powerful and inspirational force whose art, convictions and energy spans the decades and unites generations. The festival will see Roots alongside The Pogues, Billy Bragg, Don Letts, David Rodigan and many more - all info and tickets here. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:15:29 The new single from Wiley, Evolve Or Be Extinct b/w Skanking (The 2 Bears Remix), is out now.Title track “Evolve Or Be Extinct” is one for the grimerati – 88 straight bars of unadulterated flow, jokes, boasts, observation and metaphor from one of the most recognisable, rhythmically-sophisticated and straight up fucking marvellous MCs the UK has ever produced. “I'm Skanking” on the other hand, takes one of the funniest moments from the Evolve Or Be Extinct album and, in the hands of the marvellous 2 Bears, turns it into dancefloor gold. The 2 Bears take the quirks of the original and transform them into the catchiest, most rock solid piece of hip-house you've heard in decades.Evolve Or Be Extinct b/w Skanking (The 2 Bears Remix) is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes.Watch the videos for both "Evolve Or Be Extinct" and Wiley's next single "Only Human" feat. Cashtastic below. Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:31:34 Back with a blast, it's the Big Dada Podcast, irregular and precious as the April sunshine. With brand new music from Roots Manuva, Wiley, Speech Debelle, Dobie and the brilliant Bang On!, it's not the cruelest month after all. The legend that is Sticky makes a guest appearance in our regular feature, the name of which has never been clear but which involves choosing a track that was a formative influence. Needless to say, he's picked a good 'un. All of this and more is effortlessly weaved into one seamless whole by the one and only A La Fu. He even finds a chance to get all Aberdonian on your derriere. Get it quick.Download on iTunes Download MP3 Thu, 05 Apr 2012 15:05:12 Looking for a way to kick off your Easter weekend? Wiley will be live at FWD + Rinse FM's massive Fabric night tonight, with Boy Better Know, Plastician, Marcus Nasty, Roska and many, many, many more - head here for the full lineup and all info.Wiley's latest album Evolve Or Be Extinct is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. A new single, Evolve Or Be Extinct b/w Skanking (The 2 Bears Remix) is released 16 April, pre-order here. Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:49:02 The founders of the GetIntoThis (GIT) Award have posted a fantastic artist profile on nominee Bang On! - read here.Bang On!'s debut album [sic] will be released 14 May on Big Dada. Wed, 28 Mar 2012 12:25:31 Bang On! has been nominated for the inaugural GetIntoThis Award, celebrating "the best of the future crop of Liverpool bands who may go on to do what Scousers have been doing for more than half a century - changing the course of history." Read more about the award here.The winner will be announced later in Spring 2012. Bang On! will release his debut album [sic] on 14 May on Big Dada Recordings. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:01:42 This Saturday is the last chance to catch the 'South London Black Music Archive' exhibition by Barby Asante at Peckham Space.Featuring past works from Big Dada amongst many others, the exhibition space "will be transformed into an 'open archive' mapping objects which represent and explore the personal stories which comprise the fascinating history of the influence and evolution of black music in South London."All info here. Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:19:34 Roots Manuva has been announced for this year's Shambala Festival, held 23-27 August near Market Harbourough, Northamptonshire.Roots will be bringing his full live band to the festival, supporting his latest album 4everevolution, alongside sets from Toddla T, Luke Vibert (Wagon Christ / Plug) and much more - all info and tickets here.4everevolution is out now on 2LP, CD and download at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:43:21 Offshore returns to London this month as part of the Tempo Clash collective, who are readying an almighty night at Corsica Studios on Saturday 24 March.You can see the lineup, including residents as well as the likes of dBridge, Lone and more, above and get all info and tickets on Facebook. See you there! Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:00:57 Bang On! is featured on the soundtrack to the new film Project X, in cinemas everywhere now - check out the video for the track, along with all the other music featured in the film, here. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:08:38 Kick off your weekend with DELS at The Nest in Stoke Newington, London tonight! He's playing along with Joker, Royal T and more, all info / tickets (just £7) here. Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:38:10 Roots Manuva will be playing this summer's Electric Picnic Festival 2012, held between 31 Aug-2 Sept at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois, Ireland.Manuva will be bringing his full live band to the festival for the set, all info and tickets here.4everevolution is available now on 2LP, CD and download from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:40:35 “sic - used in brackets after a copied or quoted word that appears odd or erroneous to show that the word is quoted exactly as it stands in the original” Bang On!'s debut album [sic] is released on Big Dada on 14th May 2012. Tracklist: 1. Teeth 2. Suttin Like Dat 3. Got IT 4. 'ands 'igh 5. No Lifts, No Ladders 6. Your GAY 7. MUNNYS 8. Huztlin' 9. Punk Donk Soundclash 10. D'n'D 11. Fars Yer Whop 12. Fuck Everybody 13. The WingeIt's pretty hard to walk your own path in rap music this late in the day, to remain true to where you're from and to the roots of the music you love while honouring your own intelligence and creating something original. On his debut album, [Sic], twenty one year old Elliott Egerton achieves just that. Slamming together a raw mix of contemporary sounds that he describes as “punk-donk-dub-hip-hop,” then colliding this with the mercurial, hard-hitting brilliance of his lyricism, Egerton has made a debut album which sounds both true and new. Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:06:33 DELS made it down the recent Ninja Tune takeover of the Boiler Room recently, to perform a blistering 18 minute set. Micachu DJ'ed for him, and the whole thing was quite thrilling, as you can it here on boilerroom.tv Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:25:19 What better way to start your weekend than with a brand new video from the inimitable Wiley? Look above for the official video for "Evolve Or Be Extinct", taken from Wiley's latest album...Evolve Or Be Extinct. It's out now on 3LP, 2CD and download, buy below.Buy at the NinjashopBuy at AmazonDownload on iTunes Fri, 24 Feb 2012 16:44:41 Looking for something to kick your weekend off? (along with the aforementioned Wiley video...)Sticky plays Heritage at Hidden, London TONIGHT - all info and tickets available here. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:49:22 Juice Aleem features in Greatcoat Film's new documentary short film, The Fitz-Caymen Experiment, to be screened this Friday, 24 February at Enterprise House in Hackney, synopsis below. Juice will also perform live at the screening, along with Mad Flow And Psykhomantus.The year is 2018. The scientific world is on the cusp of revolution. This is the story of one of the most controversial experiments ever attempted. A fascinating glimpse into the mind of a man about to change the course of history. The Fitz-Cayman experiment will place Professor Maximilian Sykes alongside Galileo and Newton as one of humanity's greatest scientists.All info can be found the film's website, or on Facebook. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:06:39 Hot on the heels of her sophomore album Freedom Of Speech, Speech Debelle releases her new singleI'm With It today as a digital download, backed by remixes from Lapalux, Leo Zero, Louis La Roche and Cooly G.I'm With It is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes, watch the video for the track below.Speech kicks off a European tour supporting Freedom Of Speech with a headline gig and launch at London's Jazz Cafe on 23 February 2012. Tickets are available here, with a full list of European tour dates available here. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:29:05 The new album from Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle is out now (21 Feb in NA).Freedom Of Speech sees her with a new look and a new direction, turning from introspection to face and engage with the world around her. Still brutally honest, yet a more mature and exciting record with lyrics to match, the new sound was shaped in collaboration with Kwes.The album is a sonic declaration of independent control over rhyme and reason. Speech's lyrics pack a powerful punch, punctuated with moments of arch perception and even hilarity. Her playfulness teamed with bouts of fiery attitude is a celebration of female power and identity, and as a result the album is self-referential without sinking into contrived introspection. Honest, uncompromising and ambitious, the unabashed lyrics come from a woman who sounds like she's emerged from the emotional cocoon of her first album and come out fighting, more powerful than ever.Freedom Of Speech is released out now (EU) / 21 Feb (NA) on 2LP, CD and download, buy at the Ninjashop and iTunes.The single I'm With It follows on 20 Feb, featuring remixes from Lapalux, Cooly G and more. Pre-order at iTunes, and watch the new video for the single below. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:21:58 Ahead of Freedom Of Speech's release on Monday (21 Feb in NA), Speech Debelle spoke to the Guardian Podcast about the influences behind the record, social commentary and more, head here to listen.Freedom Of Speech is released 13 Feb (EU) / 21 Feb (NA) on 2LP, CD and download, order now at the Ninjashop and iTunes.The single I'm With It follows on 20 Feb, featuring remixes from Lapalux, Cooly G and more. Pre-order at iTunes, and watch the new video for the single below. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:54:16 Thanks to everyone who came out for Roots Manuva's UK tour! Just in case you forgot your pounds on the night of the gigs, the man himself now has an online merch store for all your Manuva garment needs.Head over to backstreet-merch.com to pick up a new t-shirt, hoodie or lighter/bottle opener combo now, just in time for Valentine's...perhaps.4everevolution is out now on 2LP, CD and download at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:35:56 Speech Debelle recorded a live session for The Fly magazine recently, performing "Studio Backpack Rap", "Live For The Message" and upcoming single "I'm With It" backed by acoustic guitar and double bass - watch the session here.Freedom Of Speech is released 13 Feb (EU) / 21 Feb (NA) on 2LP, CD and download - pre-order now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:55:38 MTV recently asked Wiley his opinions on their Best of the Best: UK MCs 2011 list - watch what he had to say on their picks here. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:25:50 DELS recently recorded a live session for Focusrite and Novation - check out his performance of GOB track "Moonshining" below.GOB is available now on 2LP, CD and download at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:26:33 Dave Sitek has just uploaded a track to his Soundcloud featuring DELS, DOOM and Jneiro Jarel, taken from a forthcoming Sitek mixtape - head over to Soundcloud to hear "Cockney Rhyme and Slang" now.DELS' debut album GOB is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:14:56 Wiley was a special guest on Soccer AM this last Saturday, setting the record straight about the "rumours" that follow him around, as well as discussing his love of football. Watch the interview here. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:56:57 Speech Debelle has been talking to YouTube about her favourite female rappers for the website's UK Music Tuesday page, check out who she points to and what she has to say below.Speech's new album Freedom Of Speech is released 13 February (22 February in NA) on Big Dada Recordings. Pre-order the album on LP, CD and download now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:27:00 Wiley's new single Boom Blast is out now.Produced by Most Wanted Mega, "Boom Blast" sees Wiley spitting pure party lyrics over a low-slung, bass-led groove. With enough vocal hooks to keep an angler in fish for a decade, this is perhaps the most immediate tune from the Godfather of Grime™ since "Rolex", three minutes thirty of energy and good humour.The package is completed by some excellent remixes. Herner Werzog takes the tune into housier territory, giving things a distinctly cartoonish feel, whereas Sticky hardens up the funk and gives Wiley the disco work-out of his life. Wiley's loyal soldier Alex D comes with the crunch-funk in a superb electronic reinterpretation.Boom Blast is available now at the Ninjashop and iTunes, you can watch the video on YouTube.The album Evolve Or Be Extinct is out now worldwide on 3LP, 2CD and download at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:53:47 The official video for Speech Debelle's new single I'm With It is out now on Speech's Vevo page, watch below or click here to view.Freedom Of Speech is released 13 February (21 February in N.America) on LP, CD and download, and can be pre-ordered now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. I'm With It will follow on 20 February.Speech kicks off a European tour supporting her new album Freedom Of Speech with a headline gig and launch at London's Jazz Cafe on 23 February 2012. Tickets are available here, with a full list of European tour dates available here. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:16:53 Hello good people. 'Evolve Or Be Extinct' by the mighty Wiley is released today, Thursday January 19th, and here are nineteen reasons why you should buy it... 1. Today just happens to be Wiley's birthday. Have you ever bought the Godfather of Grime a birthday present? No? Hmm, shame on you. Make good on that now. 2. Nobody releases records on a Thursday. It's hard to do. It's odd. It annoys retailers. It messes up your chart place. You should buy it today to be part of a brave new world of random release dates. 3. A lot of journos think the album is great. Joe Muggs, who despite his name is no mug, said in Mixmag that: "Wiley's finally made the album his talent warrants...the best British rap album since his old partner Dizzee's 'Boy In Da Corner'... Brilliant insanity." They gave it 5 big ones out of a possible 5 big ones. 4. As if to prove that point, it's currently riding high on the Any Decent Music chart (of aggregated review scores) and they haven't even added the 5/5 from Mixmag yet! That's like Usain Bolt finishing in the medals in the 100 metre sprint final ON ONE LEG. 5. The album is BIG. It's HUGE. We only sent out thirteen tracks to the press and the album is actually twenty one tracks long. Bonuses include such heartwarming moments as "Cheer Up It's Christmas" and such house-warming moments as "Fire". We've manufactured it on two separate cds, that's how big it is. Buy it if you think nu-maximalism is the new minimalism or if you think minimalism is maxed out. 6. Following on from 5, the journalists haven't even heard the second disc, so listening to it is like walking out into fresh snow. You haven't had to spend two months seeing people tweet about how good "Highs And Lows" is. This effect only lasts for three or four days, so get it now. Then you can do those tweets and irritate other folk. 7. Mark Pritchard did two of the beats. It has taken a lot of time and trouble for him to get them released. When Warp rang up Wiley and asked if they could put them out he told them to fuck off and put the phone down. So buy them for Mark. 8. Wiley is growing and learning as a human being. When he did the shoot for "Boom Blast" he said he had finally cracked this video shoot business: just don't smoke weed before you start. Wisdom like that is hard won. We need the sales for more video shoots. We promise they will never again feature invisible gym equipment or any form of work-out. We all make mistakes. 9. If, like me, you eat porridge and read The Guardian, "Can I Have A Taxi Please?" actually features you! It actually does! Except you can rap now! Which is a first and will make you feel a little better about yourself. 10. The art is very deep and dark and, well, dark. It will not look out of place with your black polo neck, your copy of Slavoj Zizeck, or your copy of The Guardian and your bowl of porridge, for that matter. It will even look good on your iPod or related device. As long as the iPod or related device is black. Or at least very dark. 11. Wiley has already recorded half of his next album. If you don't buy this one now, within a few months you will be confused about which one to get: this one or the next one, or the last one or the one before or after that, or the last one before the one after the next one. (While we're on this subject, you should probably get 100% Publishing, too). 12. This is the first time Wiley has done three albums with one label. It may even be the first time he's done two albums with one label. So think of us, too. 13. Buy it because the guy at FACT magazine really didn't get it and your purchase will show just what an asshole you think he is (or alternatively, go and tell him here). I mean, frankly, they hate everything except hypnagogic post-dubstep so go figure, but we like to think that by buying this record you are delivering a spiritual pistol-whipping to this poor deluded, tin-eared foo-foo. 14. Buy it because when even most of the so-called grime stars are so groomed and polished they could've come through X Factor bootcamp, we still need the mavericks and the nutters to remind us we're alive. 15. Buy it because it will make Wiley happy and a happy Wiley is a truly wonderful thing. 16. Buy it because my mum told you to. 17. Buy it because David Cameron has never said he's "really feeling it." 18. Buy it because it's January and spending money helps you forget the deep spiritual void which is your so-called life. Oh, and your failed diet. And the month you said you'd take off drinking. And your girlfriend/boyfriend leaving you. Etc... 19. Buy it because Wiley will probably leak it soon and you'll download that and the tracks'll all be in the wrong order and some of them won't be mastered and you'll have no artwork and you'll kind of regret not having the proper thing but you'll never get round to replacing it. You see? We're only selling it to help you....Buy Evolve Or Be Extinct now at the Ninjashop, Amazon and iTunes. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:04:34 Wiley's new album Evolve Or Be Extinct is out today - his birthday.Evolve Or Be Extinct is the best album (so far!) of this unique artist's career. Dark, funny, wild and exhilarating, this is a record which shows just what Wiley is capable of when he forgets the minutiae of recording contracts and concentrates on the many weird and wonderful facets of his life.Wiley has never made a record which reveals so much of his character, his contradictions and inner workings, his humour as well as his anger. A short, sharp, brilliant album, it shows Wiley as more than Godfather to a scene and penner of occasional hits, but as an artist who continues to develop, refine and improve his vision even after ten turbulent years in the game. The evolution continues… Evolve Or Be Extinct is available now on 3LP, 2CD and download at the Ninjashop, Amazon and iTunes. You can watch the video for Wiley's latest single "Boom Blast" on YouTube, and check all dates for his upcoming UK tour here. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:33:04 Speech Debelle recently spoke at length to The Quietus website, discussing her Mercury Prize win for debut album Speech Therapy, the creation of her upcoming follow-up Freedom Of Speech, and everything in between. Head over to The Quietus website now to read the interview!Freedom Of Speech is released 13 February (21 Feb in NA) on Big Dada, and can be pre-ordered on 2LP, CD and download now from the Ninjashop and iTunes.You can grab a free download of "Blaze Up A Fire" featuring Roots Manuva and Realism here, and first single "Studio Backpack Rap" here. You can also watch the video for "Studio Backpack Rap" below or on YouTube. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:35:52 Ahead of the release of Wiley's new album Evolve Or Be Extinct, out this Thursday 19 January on Big Dada, the Guardian are streaming the album over at their website - listen now!Evolve Or Be Extinct will be released on 3LP, 2CD and download, and is available to pre-order now at the Ninjashop, Amazon and iTunes. Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:51:33 Speech Debelle kicks off a European tour supporting her new album Freedom Of Speech with a headline gig and launch at London's Jazz Cafe on 23 February 2012.Tickets are available here, with a full list of tour dates available here.Freedom Of Speech is released 13 February 2012 (21 Feb in NA) on Big Dada, and can be pre-ordered on 2LP, CD and download now from the Ninjashop and iTunes.You can grab a free download of "Blaze Up A Fire" featuring Roots Manuva and Realism here, and first single "Studio Backpack Rap" here. You can also watch the video for "Studio Backpack Rap" below or on YouTube. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:49:47 As anyone who was listening to 1Xtra between 11 and 11.30am yesterday morning will already know, we are very pleased to announce that UK production legend Sticky has signed a deal with Big Dada Recordings. The man responsible for such massive tunes as "Booo!", "Triplets",  "Dollar $ign" and "Tales Of The Hood" has been working on new material with a collective of young artists and the results will be released later this year. Considered by many to be the bridge from UKG into grime, Sticky's production ambitions always transcended genre. The South Londoner, who started off making hip hop and r&b as Ill Kids, invented "dirty-pop", and who has an incredible record for unearthing new talent, is ready to reclaim his crown as one of the freshest, hardest-hitting and straight-up catchy producers in the UK.Listen to the interview here. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:20:50 It's New Year and it's time to lose that gut, people. Even if you can't afford the equipment. Wiley returns with the video for underground smash "Boom Blast". Directed by US Design, the Best Newcomer winners at the recent UK Music Video Awards, this goes out to all the sweating, over-weight, tortured gym bunnies in the place. Stretch!The full Boom Blast single, featuring remixes from Sticky, Herner Werzog and Alex D, is released 30 January and can be pre-ordered now at the Ninjashop and iTunes.The album Evolve Or Be Extinct is out 19 January (EU) / 24 January (NA), and can be pre-ordered now at the Ninjashop, iTunes and Amazon.Wiley will also be on tour in the UK during March/April, check all tour dates and buy tickets here. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:09:19 Wiley has made a Christmas song, "Cheer Up, It's Christmas" - and it's being premiered right now on the Guardian website. Head there now to download the track for free and read all about Christmas in the Wiley household. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:12:44 From this day hence the last Sunday before Christmas will be known as Speech Sunday. At least it will be if you read broadsheets. Get yourself down to the news agent now and you can see Speech on the cover of The Observer magazine, alongside other award winners Thandie Newton, Gillian Wearing and Mark Ronson (deputing for Amy, R.I.P.). Turn to the Sunday Times and you will find a long and interesting piece by Rob Fitzpatrick (the first journo to interview Speech back in 2008) about her rollercoaster ride through the music business. That's in the Culture section, vultures... Happy Christmas! Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:19:47 Big Dada is off to hibernate in a warm, fuzzy haze of mince pies and alcohol until the New Year. Thanks for staying with us for another year, and helping us release the records we love. We truly appreciate you buying them. Next year we'll be straight back up and running with albums from Wiley, Speech Debelle, Bang On! Dobie and Paris Suit Yourself, as well as a few more to come. Here's to those, and then, and the holiday for now. See you on the other side! Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:39:55 Speech Debelle will debut tracks from her upcoming album Freedom Of Speech next week, with the help of a full live band.She'll be performing at the Notting Hill Arts Club's YOYO night on Thursday 15 December, and you can get on the £3 reduced-price guestlist by simply emailing your name to info@bigdada.com!Support comes from War of Words and Chozen - see you there!YOYO @ Notting Hill Arts Club21 Notting Hill GateLondon W11 3JQThe single Studio Backpack Rap is available now as a free download at bigdada.com/speechdebelle. The album Freedom Of Speech is available to pre-order now on 2LP, CD and download at the Ninjashop. Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:08:25 Our man Infinite Livez is included on a new free download compilation in cultural support of the worldwide Occupy This, That & The Other movement. As you might expect, the comp has the slightly catchier title, "Occupy International" and as well as Inf (with the track "Magnetic Doo Doo") it features Dead Prez, Rage Against The Machine, Riddlore?, Sole and many other good and fine and upstanding people. Stick it to The Man, Occupy Your Living Room and download it right here, right now... Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:22:06 RWD recently went behind the scenes at the filming of Wiley's new video for 'Boom Blast' - take a look below, and buy the track now at iTunes. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:02:33 Roots Manuva returns with a new single and it's one of the standout cuts from the acclaimed 4everevolution, the brooding, magnificent “Here We Go Again”.Over an intense, thunderous collision of hip hop, techno and dubstep, Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva drops lyrics about an old friendship gone bad: “something in his life isn't right with him/ He's caught up in the hype and it bites within.” A clear-eyed, deadpan exposition of the dangers, temptations and, more cuttingly, childishness of “street life”, Smith is keen to emphasise he isn't preaching. Everything he says applies to himself as much as anyone else and a fate he avoided more through luck than judgement. The tune is finished off perfectly by a pure, soulful chorus from Spikey Tee. Remixes for the single come from UK Black Music veteran Dobie (two versions, aimed at the “Mosh Pit” and “Smoky Backroom”), hotly-tipped grime producer Preditah and man of the moment, FaltyDL. But as ever, it's the calm authority and intelligence of Roots Manuva's voice which will stay with the listener.Here We Go Again is available now as a digital download from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:55:28 Speech Debelle recently hooked up with Société Perrier in New York, recording a couple of video acapellas from tracks old and new for the blog, watch below. Keep an eye out for a full video interview too...The new album Freedom of Speech is available to pre-order now at the Ninjashop. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:10:50 Paris Suit Yourself are currently putting the finishing touches to a new single at a secret location in Bordeaux, France, before flying to New York to record their new album before the end of the year. All being well, it should be out on Big Dada by June 2012. Hold tight, this one will be huge... Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:21:57 Wiley is hitting the road in Jan/Feb 2012, supporting his new album Evolve Or Be Extinct, released 19 January on Big Dada. All dates and ticket links below:Evolve Or Be Extinct Tour20 Jan : Norwich Waterfront (Tickets)21 Jan : Manchester HMV Ritz (Tickets)22 Jan : Coventry Kasbah (Tickets)23 Jan : Glasgow ABC2 (Tickets)25 Jan : Edinburgh HMV Picture House (Tickets)26 Jan : Middlesbrough Empire (Tickets)27 Jan : Birmingham HMV Institute (Tickets)28 Jan : Liverpool Masque (Tickets)30 Jan : Brighton Concorde II (Tickets)31 Jan : Swansea Sin City (Tickets)1 Feb : London Scala (Tickets)Evolve Or Be Extinct can be pre-ordered on 2LP, CD and download now at the Ninjashop. Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:47:07 The first single from Speech Debelle's new album Freedom of Speech is on the Rebel Playlist at 6Music this week. This is an open vote and the winning track gets a number of plays on 6Music the following week. Plus there's the glory and all that. So please, take a moment and do the decent thing...!Get your votes in here. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:06:57 Legendary photographer Rankin has started a brand new magazine, and has taken a shine to DELS. Check the film they made on him here. Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:37:26 Ninja Tune and Big Dada are proud to be part of the forthcoming Independent Label Market in London this December. Hosted at Spitalfields Market on the 10th, the event has been put together to raise money for labels affected by the Sony DADC warehouse fire. Other labels involved include Brownswood, Domino, Accidental and Southern Fried. The market will be open from 11-5pm and there will be a variety of limited and exclusive Ninja Tune/Big Dada products on sale so make sure you get down there early for the best festive pickings.For more information visit their website, Facebook or follow on Twitter. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:07:07 Don't say we never give you nuffink. Partly because it's Friday but mainly because it's brilliant and we think you need to hear it, we're giving away the stunning Mia Dora remix of Roots Manuva's 'Get the Get'. Mia Dora are a Glasgow-based production duo, that loosely do 'house', without house doing them justice. Rob Etherson and Al Quinn met when Claude Von Stroke was convinced to play an aftershow at a mutual friend's flat. Despite the former being a fully paid up member of the Glasgow house mafia, and the latter being a metal-band mainstay and eclectic DJ, they bonded. Now signed to the excellent Glasgow Underground label, their music is full of strange beauty, as well as beats and bass.All of which can be heard in this brilliant remix. In the words of Mary Anne Hobbs, "it's SO good". Get your download here, and enjoy! Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:40:05 For one hour from 7.30-8.30pm tomorrow night (Friday November 18th), Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva will be picking all the records played on Now Playing on 6Music - with a little help from you! Go here for more details, but basically you can tweet or email or facebook your suggestions for tunes that would fit in well with a Roots Manuva playlist. You can also ask the man questions and so on. Computer-based interaction has never felt so good. Don't forget to include the hashtag #manuva6music! Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:25:16 What is the true mark of the wayward genius of Wiley? Is it that, less than six months after the release of his last full album, 100% Publishing, he has another record all set for release? Is it that he has insisted that it is released on his birthday, Thursday January 19th 2012? Or that he initially refused to release a single from it? That he has made so much music that his fans will receive two CDs, the second with at least eight further tracks on it? Or even that one track on the album has no music (“Customs”)? No, it's not any of these. It's that we can say, without fear of contradiction (or without much fear), that Evolve Or Be Extinct is the best album (so far!) of this unique artist's career. Dark, funny, wild and exhilarating, this is a record which shows just what Wiley is capable of when he forgets the minutiae of recording contracts and concentrates on the many weird and wonderful facets of his life… So here is an album which covers topics from ordering a taxi, being stopped by immigration, to dancing on your own in your bedroom. It also delves into the psyche of Richard Cowie on tracks ranging from “Weirdo” (“I'm a weirdo but I'm not a bi-polar”) to “Miss You” and “Scar” (in reference to the cut on his face). While most of the music again comes from Wiley the latter track, along with “Money Man”, is produced by Mark Pritchard. Wiley himself turns in exemplary music throughout, from the hyped punk-grime of the title track, through the soca-swing of “Miss You” to the sparse drip-crunk of “This Is Just An Album”. And all that's before you get to the bounce of singles “Link Up” and “Boom Blast”. Wiley has never made a record which reveals so much of his character, his contradictions and inner workings, his humour as well as his anger. A short, sharp, brilliant album, it shows Wiley as more than Godfather to a scene and penner of occasional hits, but as an artist who continues to develop, refine and improve his vision even after ten turbulent years in the game. The evolution continues… Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:24:26 Free download of new single 'Studio Backpack Rap' bigdada.com/speechdebelle. Two years since winning the 2009 Mercury Music Prize for her debut album, 'Speech Therapy', and having ridden a rollercoaster through life since then, Speech Debelle is ready to drop her second collection of music. Entitled 'Freedom of Speech', the album is released February 2012 on Big Dada Recordings.The first single and a free download is 'Studio Backpack Rap'. From political to musical revolution, Speech describes the track as being "all about virtual instrumentation and an ode to Kwes the producer." Over a catchy, bumping, jostling piece of music, Speech lays out clever, witty lyrics about the high-tech, low-gloss DIY attitude which has relevance far beyond just creating music. Optimistic, sly, funny and an undeniable head-nodder, it's a long way from 'Speech Therapy', while showcasing just one aspect of her remarkable new album.Pre-order 'Freedom of Speech' from the Ninjashop now. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 10:56:07 Since April Tempo Clash has been pushing the boundaries of the clubbing scene. In a bid to challenge "the monotony and lack of direction in London nightlife" they have enlisted our very own Offshore to be a part of their group of forward-thinking residents, who will be making their official debut this Friday (11th November) at Islington Metal Works alongside a special appearance from Illum Sphere. For more info on Tempo Clash and their new residents check out this article from Sonic Router.Tickets for the night can be purchased here. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:30:06 Big Dada is pleased to announce that DELS will perform live for Last.fm and HP UK in their next intimate live session. Join us at the Lock Tavern in Camden on Monday 7th November at 8pm. Entry is free and on a first come first served basis.If you can't make the 7th November, DELS and his fantastic live band are currently on tour around the UK, check all the dates below.Tuesday, Oct 25thStrasbourg, FRLaiterie ClubWednesday, Oct 26thAmiens, FRLune Des PiratesThursday, Oct 27thParis, FRNouveau CasinoFriday, Oct 28thVendome, FRFestival RockomotivesSaturday, Oct 29thAvignon, FRAkwabaSunday, Oct 30thBordeaux, FRBordeaux BoatWednesday, Nov 2ndAmsterdam, NLParadiso Kleine ZaalThursday, Nov 3rdLiverpool, GBMojo Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:13:41 Offshore will play two shows in London this weekend - first up is Top Nice at Hoxton's The White Horse on Friday 14th October, followed by Open Sauce at The Silver Bullet on Saturday 15th, also featuring Elan Tamara and Infinite Livez. All info at the links below.Top Nice @ The White Horse (info/tickets)Open Sauce @ The Silver Bullet (info/tickets) Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:43:19 The brilliant Mike Ladd has just released an equally brilliant free EP online, via the Marathon of Dope imprint. Kids and Animals is Mike's first solo-release in over 5 years - you can download it here, and you really, really should.Watch the video for "My Kids" over at mikeladd.net Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:22:24 The 4everevolution UK tour has finally been announced, and we're very pleased to be able to reveal the dates below. The album is off to a truly flying start and has had a very strong critical reception. Come along and witness the album in all its live glory. See you there!Roots Manuva 4everevolution UK Tour:Thursday, 26 Jan - Glasgow @ The ArchesFriday, 27 Jan - Manchester @ The RitzSaturday, 28 Jan - Leeds @ Met UniMonday 30 Jan - Birmingham @ HMV InstituteTuesday 31 Jan - Brighton @ Concorde 2Wednesday 1 Feb - Norwich @ WaterfrontFriday 3 Feb - Bristol @ Anson RoomsSaturday 4 Feb - London @ RoundhouseTickets for shows will be available from Friday here.4everevolution is available now on 2LP, CD and download from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:55:03 Two excellent, impromptu Roots Manuva live performances; one of 'Crow Bars' from the brand new album '4everevolution', and 'Let The Spirit', from the classic 'Slime and Reason'. Enjoy.'Crow Bars' 'Let The Spirit''4everevolution' is out now at the Ninjashop, Amazon and iTunes. Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:57:25 The new album from Roots Manuva, 4everevolution, is out now (25 October in NA), on 2LP, CD and download.The album is just a few seconds under an hour long, consists of seventeen tracks and covers every style from wonky reggae through pop-funk, street spitting, straight up hip hop, sung ballads and epic death-disco. It deepens much of what Mr Manuva has already achieved over a glorious decade of innovation, but also throws in enough new ideas and adventures to last most creative artists a lifetime. We think it's his very best work since Run Come Save Me. We're wondering (whisper it) whether it might be his best album ever.Roots Manuva has honed his craft across four previous studio albums, picking up a MOBO, plus Brit and Mercury nominations along the way. This record, though, represents some of his freshest, most urgent work. Whether castigating politicians or his own failings, joking about girls or spinning yarns about men in love with their computers, ruminating on the void at the heart of "urban" music or bigging himself up, crooning an apology or growling ridiculous sex rhymes, Roots Manuva remains one of the foremost lyricists and musicians of his generation. Cherish him – he's the very best we've got.4everevolution is available now on 2LP, CD (with special hardback slip casing) and download from the Ninjashop (exclusive album bundles available), iTunes and Amazon. Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:13:22 To celebrate the release of Roots Manuva's fifth studio album, the superb 4everevolution, Big Dada's tired father Will Ashon has put together a 17 track playlist of classic Manuva performances covering the whole of his career with the label, including remixes, guest spots and some classics. Enjoy!On Manuvas4everevolution is available now on 2LP with printed inner sleeves, CD with a hard-back slipcase and download.Buy at NinjashopBuy at AmazonDownload on iTunes Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:25:07 DELS is playing London's XOYO with a full live band as part of his UK/EU tour on 6 October, with Micachu (DJ Set), Elan Tamara (Live) and Gwilym Gold (Live) in support. Tickets are just £10.50 inc booking fee, available at Seetickets.DELS will be on tour throughout October, all dates here. His debut album GOB is available now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:42:46 Roots Manuva comes storming out of the blocks with Get The Get, the first full single from his forthcoming album, 4everevolution. A hyped up, clever party tune, not since the crufatin liveth has Rodney Smith come out with such a hard-hitting dancefloor track, his rhymes tight, energised and offset by some smokey, fifties-style vocals from up-and-coming young singer Rokhsan. This superb introduction to the fifth studio album from Mr. Manuva is filled out by a couple of lip-smacking remixes. Breakage takes a couple of lines from Smith's vocal and strings them over a rhythm that references Shaka-style roots, early jungle and the very latest in dustepnology. Slugabed, meanwhile – responsible for the standout remix of “Witness” on Ninja's 20th anniversary XX boxset – adds his own wonky, strung-out melancholy funk with scintillating results.Get The Get is available now as a digital download from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:13:55 After their incendiary gigs earlier this year, Paris Suit Yourself are back to win hearts and blow minds again this Autumn. The band may even be showcasing some brand new material from their sophomore album. That said, their unpredictability is just one of their many strengths. Don't miss the chance to see this band live. Anyone who wonders where the true originals are in music today will need to look no further.07/10/11 - Bournemouth, UK @ Sixty Million Postcards09/10/11 - York, UK @ Fibbers12/10/11 - Leicester, UK @ Music Café13/10/11 - Portsmouth, UK @ Church Gone Wild at Registry14/10/11 - Truro, UK @ B-Sides18/10/11 - London, UK @ White Heat at Madame Jojo's20/10/11 - Ghent, Belgium @ Charlatan29/10/11 - Luzern, Switzerland @ Sudpol26/11/11 - Pohoda, Slovakia @ Pohoda Festival27/11/11 - Pohoda, Slovakia @ ORMy Main Shitstain is out now on CD and download at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:34:41 A brilliant little piece from Noisey on Bang On! and a recent show of his in London. There's chicken suits, some rap-talk, a bared arse, a bit of snogging and a very gravelly voiced Bang On! generally being great. Enjoy.Watch here. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:22:05 The fantastic Get the Get by Roots Manuva is out now on iTunes. The singles comes with remixes by Breakage and Slugabed, and it's generally wondrous. Get it Got.4everevolution is released 3 October (25 Oct in NA) on 2LP, CD and download (see here for special packaging info). You can pre-order the album now at the Ninjashop and iTunes, and read what some people are saying about the record below."Urgently inventive, ranging over dark future-bass, disco soul, dubby soundscaping, dancehall, doo-wop and deep house" - Time Out, 4/5"Not many albums this year will be as jaw-droppingly good" - Loud & Quiet, 9/10"This could be the album to win over the masses" - Zoo, 8/10"Sucks you in like a black hole of immense, funkified gravity... very fine" - The Skinny, 4/5"Might be his best yet... a capitivating album with bass at its heart." - Mixmag, 4/5"Ups the stakes with boundary-stretching pop... he's certianly never sounded so sharp" - Q, 4/5"A tidy summation of Roots' myriad moods, it plays almost like a greatest hits set, skittering with casual genius" - Mojo, 4/5 "A fully rounded work that takes its author beyond the urban music ghetto into something more accomplished" - Observer, This Season's 10 Biggest Album Releases"The best UK hip hop artist ever" - Daily Star"An almighty album" - Artrocker, 5/5"He's still going his own singular way... another excellent album" - Evening Standard"A more approachable album than any of his previous LPs... infinitely funky and incorrigibly danceable" - The Fly "Here's a real national treasure" - Loaded, 4.5/5"An album for ravers, vybzers and thinkers" - RWD Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:22:54 Roots Manuva's 5th studio album, 4everevolution, is truly a sight to behold. CD buyers will find a limited, initial run of the album that comes in a hard 'box' slipcase, with an extra-wide-spine digipack insert and 16 page booklet. The latter features images from Rodney Smith's own lyric book from the album, and the CD version also includes two bonus tracks. Vinyl buyers will receive a glorious double LP with enlarged images from the studio where the cover was created (carved) and codes to download the 320kpbs MP3s of the album. Finally, those who pick up their albums at iTunes will get 3 bonus tracks and an exclusive digital booklet. Phew. It's almost too much to remember. Buy the CD hereVinyl hereiTunes here Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:09:45 Wiley's anthemic ode to making new connections is out today, and it's more infectious than something picked up on a random link. Unless you haven't been within 10 metres of a radio in the last few weeks, you're most likely already heard it. The package includes a remix from up and comer Alex D, as well as the instrumental (produced by Nana Rogues). Pick it up quick like.Buy at the NinjashopDownload on iTunes Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:46:08 Tonight, Big Dada will take over the Big Chill House in London, with the cream of new artists and special guests playing all night long, absolutely FREE.The full line-up and set times have now been revealed, so if you're not at Bestival (this is a better line-up anyway) come join us!Downstairs8.30 - 10  Jamie Big Dada10 - 10.45  Elan Tamara10.45 - 11.45  Micachu11.45 - 12.15  Bang On!12.15 - 1.30  Kwes1.30 - 3.00  DobieUpstairs8.30 - 10.30  Raffertie10.30 - 12.30  Offshore12.30 - 2.30  PhOtOmachineAll info here. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:19:30 This Friday finds Big Dada Records holding court at the Big Chill House in Kings Cross, London, with entry costing you absolutely nothing all night long.Offshore, Bang On!, Elan Tamara, Dobie and secret special guests will all be performing, so make sure you don't miss out!All info here. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:10:25 Vote for Wiley's phenomenal Numbers in Action video in in the Best Video Award at the MOBOs. It features 30 odd Wileys (rather than the usual zero) and no cars, scantily clad models or cluuurbs. You know it makes sense. He's also in the Best UK hip-hop/ Grime categories. C'mon. It's always good to see a maverick win out. Vote here.Numbers In Action is available now at the Ninjashop and on iTunes. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:28:43 The DELS vocal competition is now closed! Thanks to all who entered, DELS and Big Dada will be listening through the entries and will contact the winner soon! Fri, 26 Aug 2011 10:53:48 Those with finely tuned ears will already have heard Roots Manuva's brand new single, "Get the Get", as the airwaves are awash with its highly-evolved boogie and charmingly infectious chorus. Now you can see a little bit of the spirit in which it was made, in the form of Rodney Smith's self-created viral video. Featuring the man himself and singer Rokhsan on the roof of his HQ, it's a little bit of surreal, summer fun. Enjoy.Get The Get will be released 26 Sept as a digital download, featuring remixes by Breakage and Slugabed. Available to pre-order now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 17 Aug 2011 17:08:28 In possibly the most natural and musically exciting pairing of the year, our very own DELS plays with the wonderful Ghostpoet, on Friday 19 August at Brighton's Concorde II. A show not to be missed if you find yourself on the South Coast that weekend. And hey, why wouldn't you?Tickets and info available here.DELS debut album GOB is available now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:45:30 A statement from Speech Debelle, regarding her decision to give away a track from her forthcoming album, in the wake of the recent riots in the UK.You can download the track "Blaze Up A Fire" for free here."I wrote this track months ago for my second album, and it wasn't due for release until next year. But after the events of this week I want to give it away right now. I feel it could give insight into the hearts and minds of some of the people that have taken part in, not only the peaceful marches for Mark Duggan in Tottenham and the Smiley Culture march for justice, but also I believe it speaks of the frustration of many young people who took part in the rioting and the consequent looting over London and areas of the UK. I am not attempting to condone, I'm attempting to be a voice of understanding.It's without doubt that what these young people have been doing is destructive and shameful. Their greed for material things and appetite for destruction is unhealthy and selfish. It is not how we should live as a society. BUT I have to say destruction has become a form of communication and expression for so many young people. These young people are not aliens dropped down from outer space on Friday night, they are our children. They go to our schools and are taught the curriculum our government has set out for them. They watch the films we write direct and produce and star in. They fantasize about computer games we imagine and sell them. They eat the food we produce packed with e numbers and feed them. We cannot say there is something wrong with them without acknowledging there must be something wrong with us as a society.They are a big part of our future and we contribute to the creation of our futures. They are a continuum of what has come before them.In the same way a child takes in the feeling of comfort from their parents about the environment they're born into, they take on the fear and frustration of the environment they are born into. You cant have a conversation with an average person these days without them complaining about banking debt and how it affects them, the university fees, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the role our government has played, the phone hacking and media attack on privacy, the rise of the cost of living and cuts in services and education because of the greed of the privileged minority.They hear these cries from the adults of this society and they have it right there in front of them on their TVs saying “this generation of young people have less opportunity then the generation before them.” They have been fed these things but cannot express these feelings of frustration in a mature way because again, their form of expression has become destruction and their environment provides them the fuel. This does not mean these frustrations are not real.People have asked why they are destroying buildings and property from their own communities but they look at them as just buildings that do not belong to them, and never will. Only people who cannot envision a positive future will take part in the destruction of their own community and if we acknowledge that, then we to ask the question why somebody so young feels they have so little to look forward to? I cannot allow myself to de-humanize these kids and see them as my enemy."Speech Debelle 9 August 2011 Photo: Alexander Piatti Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:13:30 Bang On! will be performing at The Nest in Stoke Newington, London this Thursday 18 August, as part of the venue's 'Hip Hop Circus' event.Tickets are just £5 on the door, all other information can be found on the flyer above or at The Nest's website.Bang On!'s Got It EP is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes - watch the video below. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:45:13 Badda-bing-dadda-do, it's the return of A La Fu with the latest in an irregularly brilliant series of Big Dada Podcasts. This one is sort of the equivalent of one of those huge American ultra-sandwiches that refuse to compromise on consisting of absolutely everything that you just might possibly want and then some. The difference is, the podcast is possible to consume without getting mayo-glued-turkey all over your chin. There's absolutely brand new and never before heard music from Roots Manuva, for one thing. Not one, but TWO new tracks from his forthcoming album, 4everevolution. Sitting between these like slices of free-range grass fed cow are exclusive unveilings from Bang On! and DELS, the new summer anthem single from Wiley, new material from Elan Tamara, a classic from the vaults and a special feature from Bang On! It's so good it should be unhealthy. Download on iTunes Download MP3 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:45:47 Today sees the release of the latest gem of an EP from Offshore. This Aberdonian-in-London has continued his relentless self-improvement drive with a set of tracks which raise the standard even higher than his excellent Aneurysm EP or his debut collection on Stuff. "East Coast Capital Connect" is a crunching, brutal, bass-heavy ode in the mould of "Aneurysm" but after that, things spread out a little. "Pacer" is a pure club number, "Pepper" is completely aggro, while "Pearls & Butlers", featuring vocals from Cienfuego, shows another new direction, a kind of cut-up, deconstructed ballad which once again shows that Ewan Robertson is as much a master of melancholy as he is of bass. You can download the set if that's how you roll, but Robertson (an award-winning graphic designer, too), has made the vinyl look great - a white label limited edition piece of heavyweight vinyl with a beautifully screen-printed black sleeve, manufactured back home in Aberdeen... Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:46:11 Have you ever felt you needed a better voice? A different one? Deeper, more mature, one that sounds thoughtful and clever? One that can spiral metaphors and imagery through sentences about everyday life in such a way that people "ooh" and "aah" and hang on your every word? Well, you could be in luck...  In a unique competition, we are asking you to upload your music in order to win a vocal from none other than the critically-acclaimed and rather wonderful DELS. It's as simple as that.  In a month's time, DELS and Big Dada will listen through to all the tracks, DELS will pick his favourite and then he will write and record a bespoke rap for the track. And, as he is a man of very broad and varied taste, this isn't just a competition for hip hop beatheads, but anyone with any piece of music which they think could benefit from some bars of brilliance from the young MC. All the details are here! Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:46:42 No rest for our boy DELS, even a couple of months on from the release of his critically-acclaimed and much loved debut album, GOB. DELS new single Capsize is out on Monday and in addition to the most excellent original (featuring both Joe Goddard and Roots Manuva), DELS has curated a series of weird and wonderful remixes from Lucasse, Entrepreneurs, Marla and a batshit brilliant "re-imagining" by Minotaur. Think spooky, dark, minimal and unsettling. And enjoy haha! And if you haven't checked it yet, be sure to have a look at the video for said tune, already described by The Quietus as "politicised tech-cosmic magnificence." So there.  In the Autumn Mr Kieren Dickins and his truly excellent band embark upon his first headline tour through the UK and France. It's a great run of dates and we strongly recommend that you go and feel the quality:  Leeds, UK - Mine, 04 Oct 2011 London, UK - XOYO, 06 Oct 2011 Birmingham, UK - The Temple @ HMV Institute, 08 Oct 2011 Bristol, UK - Start The Bus, 11 Oct 2011 Manchester, UK - The Ruby Lounge, 12 Oct 2011 Liverpool, UK - The Shipping Forecast, 14 Oct 2011 Lille, France - Festival Ground Zero, 24 Oct 2011 Strasbourg, France - Laiterie Club, 25 Oct 2011 Amiens, France - Lune des Pirates, 26 Oct 2011 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino, 27 Oct 2011 Vendome, France - Festival Rockomotives, 28 Oct 2011 Avignon, France - Akwaba, 29 Oct 2011 Bordeaux, France - Boat, 30 Oct 2011 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:39:33 Bang On! will be performing at The Nest in Stoke Newington, London on 18 August, as part of the venue's 'Hip Hop Circus' event.Tickets are just £5 on the door, all other information can be found on the flyer above or at The Nest's website.Bang On!'s 'Got It' EP is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes - watch the video below. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:40:58 The brilliant new Wiley single, Link Up, is now available on iTunes. Pick up your copy and get your summertime link on. Or something. Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:11:50 The brand spanking new video for "Capsize" by DELS is now live, via the good folk over at The Quietus. Enjoy!Capsize is available now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. A remix EP will be released 5 September. Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:24:11 The Wiley remix competition is now closed! Thanks to everyone who ordered the album from the Ninjashop and entered remixes, Wiley and Big Dada will be listening to all the tracks in the coming weeks and will be contacting the winner soon.To listen back to all the competition entries, head here100% Publishing is available now on CD, 2LP and download at the Ninjashop and on iTunes. Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:02:45 Offshore will play TOP NICE @ SG Project, Peckham tonight - the night runs from 9 till 2am, is FREE ENTRY before 11pm and only £3 after.All info here.Offshore's Pacer EP will be released 1 August 2011 on 12" vinyl and download, and can be pre-ordered now from the Ninjashop or iTunes. Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:37:25 Anti-Pop Consortium play London's Plan B on 25 July, with Slugabed and Raffertie both in support. Tickets are available here, and Bird On The Wire have kindly given away a free discount code - the first 50 people to enter 'BOTW' at checkout will get £1 off their ticket price! Get in quick before the code expires... Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:08:42 The ear-bleedingly brilliant Paris Suit Yourself play dates in Bristol, Reading, Manchester and London next few days, as well as the Pohoda Festival in Slovakia. Check the dates below and we'll see you there!Thursday, 7 July - Bristol,UK -  Venue TBCFriday, 8 July - Tren?ín, Slovakia - Pohoda Festival (Tickets)Saturday, 9 July - Reading, UK - Outside:Inside Festival (Tickets)Sunday, 10 July - Reading UK - Sub 89 (supporting The Fall) (Tickets)Monday, 11 July - Manchester, UK - Night & Day (Tickets)Wednesday, 13 July - London, UK - Old Blue Last (FREE ENTRY!)Paris Suit Yourself's debut album 'My Main Shitstain' is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:08:19 In case your unfamiliarity with the Scouse accent is preventing you from realising the true genius of Bang On!'s lyrics, we've subtitled his new single for you. Seriously, these are worth reading as much as they're worth hearing. Have a look and a listen, all at once. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:51:29 Offshore will all hitting the decks for NTS Radio, London tonight, with the show archived and podcasted 24 hours after it's first aired.Offshore will be appearing as part of the Hepcat Radio show between 8 and 10pm, more info at the NTS Radio site.Offshore's 'Pacer EP' will be released 01 August 2011, and can be pre-ordered now at the Ninjashop and on iTunes. Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:05:03 "Watch Me Dance" is the first track to surface from Roots Manuva's forthcoming studio album "4everevolution" (Sept 26th UK and Europe, October 10th USA). "4everevolution" is 17 tracks deep and one hour long. It covers just about every style from the Manuva canon and invents a few new ones, too. It's a truly epic, wonderful feat of music-making, a collection that will be pored over and loved by old fans and new fans alike. Any attempt to pick a track to sum it up is doomed. So we haven't bothered. We've picked this one cos Rodney Smith's voice sounds amazing on it and cos it's fun and funky and a little dirty. There's a Toddla T version of this tune in circulation which has its own charm, too, but this one's all the work of the one and only Roots Manuva.Enjoy, tell your friends and then wait for the next installment - coming soon!Download "Watch Me Dance" for free over at bigdada.com/rootsmanuva, and check out even more "4everevolution" news here. Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:09:14 The legend that is JME has just made an advert for Wiley's 100% Publishing, watch it below.Not got a copy? Sleep on it not, and get one at the Ninjashop or on iTunes. Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:51:39 The Wiley album is out today, and most people seem to love it as much as we do. Bashy, JME, Wretch 32 and a host of other grime luminaries have Tweeted regarding its quality, and there have been glowing reviews in The Guardian, Metro, Evening Standard, NME, Front and The Sun. Best of all, it's currently in the iTunes top 40, so please get your copy asap, and hope us in the quest to see uncompromising, independent music riding high.100% Publishing is available now at the links below.NinjashopiTunesAmazonHMV Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:49:09 Roots Manuva talks exclusively to Clash about his new album '4everevolution', set for release this Autumn.  Read the full article here. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:09:02 The elusive Wiley dropped into Big Dada towers today, in person, and signed three copies of his brilliant new CD 100% Publishing, which is out on Monday in Europe (19 July in N.America). To be in with a chance of winning one, visit the Big Dada Facebook Page and follow the instructions! Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:14:38 Ninja and Big Dada are very pleased to be putting on a showcase at Sonar by Day this week, featuring a crop of the labels' rising stars. The event takes place on Thursday 16th June, and the line up is as follows:18.30: Shuttle19.30: DELS 20.15: Offshore21.15: EskmoIt's a great set of artist making thrilling electronic music across a variety of genres, so if you're at Sonar, come have a beer with us and see what we're about.Tickets are available here, all information on Facebook. Thu, 16 Jun 2011 10:13:14 Everyone witters on about the latest female singer-songwriter to plop off the major label production line but the truth is this: most of them sound the same. Weak re-treads of classic soul or classic folk or classic this or that. As a whole, people are more interested in how they look than whether they have anything to say, or any way to say it.Please welcome, then, Elan Tamara, who genuinely sounds like no one else. Her third EP, and her first with Big Dada, shows Tamara developing her songwriting craft to new heights. With a voice that can be smooth and calming or raging and hurt, Tamara pulls long vocal lines and next level harmonies over the syncopated minimalism of her piano playing. The result is some of the most exciting, individual music around, music which deserves and rewards repeated listens and signals the arrival of a major new talent. Listen…'Organ EP' is out now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:45:30 The CD package of Wiley's career-best album, 100% Publishing, is really a thing of value. Not only does it include an exclusive bonus track (which features a very special guest), but the disc is enhanced to include all the acappellas and instrumentals as 320kbps MP3s. These are the finished, mastered instrumentals by the way, not the ones the inimitable Wiley gave away last week.More exciting yet, fans that order the album via the Ninjashop, on any format, will be given three instrumentals and acappellas at the point of payment. Those customers will then be offered the chance to enter an exclusive remix competition, open only to people with valid receipt numbers, and thus to the real fans who've forked out hard earned cash for the album. Big Dada and Wiley will listen through to all entries, and the winning track will be released as a commercial download single by Big Dada Recordings.The album is available to order now on CD, download and 2LP here. Get yours quick, and start working on that remix - closing date 15 July 2011. Tue, 31 May 2011 12:35:44 Paris Suit Yourself's 'Sometimes' has been handpicked by SPIN magazine as part of its June sampler - which is FREE to download now on iTunes US.'Sometimes' represents possibly the closest the quartet will ever come to a "straight up" pop song – elements of the Kinks slam up against sixties Motown, though maybe not as straightforwardly as that might make it sound!Here's instructions on how to get 'Sometimes' for free (US folk only):1. Go to iTunes (USA only)2. Click 'Redeem' under Quick Links3. Enter Download Code: 4WRAK63M9NJW4. Your download will start immediately. Enjoy! (code expires 30 June) Fri, 27 May 2011 17:41:54 Wiley broke with his blanket elusiveness policy recently when he played at the launch of the Lacoste Live range, in the latest damp Shoreditch basement venue whose name we've forgotten. He played what we can genuinely say was one of the most heartfelt, blistering and brilliant sets we've ever seen in his notorious live career. Even the cooler than thou pasty-faces held their cameras up with extra excitement. You can see a great little piece on it, including a live rendition of Numbers, right here. Wed, 25 May 2011 16:03:06 Dobie is a legendary figure in Black British music. From working on the first two Soul II Soul albums, he went on to produce London Posse's all-time classic "How's Life In London?" before recording a solo LP for Pussyfoot, The Sound Of One Hand Clapping. In between he has remixed everyone from Bjork, Massive Attack, Les Negress Vertes, Tricky to Gangstarr and recorded for a host of labels including Brownswood and BBE. Big Dada are very proud and pleased to announce that Dobie signed a new album deal with us this week and will be working on and releasing more "crunch music" soon.Get a free download of Dobie's Crunch Music remix of Wiley's "Numbers In Action" by signing up to the Dobie mailing list here. Tue, 10 May 2011 17:10:01 The footage above shows DELS live on stage at his April launch party. Now you can take more than our word as evidence of the best live show in rap just now. Get your tickets, chums!DELS @ Stag & Dagger FestivalDELS @ Village UndergroundDELS (Headline Show) @ XOYO Mon, 09 May 2011 11:51:47 At last, after much heralding, we introduce the new single from Bang On!The twenty year old scally genius returns on a hard hip hop beat courtesy of the appropriately-named Liverpool production hermit Reklews. Reminiscent of classic, bass-heavy hip hop at its very best (think "Shook Ones"), Bang On! uses "Got It" to spray a series of increasingly surreal and stinky barbs at an "X Factor" generation who think they're something special without having any real idea what that might mean. Funny, scabrous and rude, Bang On! proves that the off-kilter imagery,  humour and good-natured aggression he showcased on “Hands High” was no fluke.The song's impact is enhanced by a fantastic video in which world leaders carry young Bang On! on their shoulders and his quickfire splatter-wit is brought to multi-coloured life with a little help from the good people at Gonzo World. Directed by Jamie Roberts at Pulse Films, the video is a barrage of quick cuts, bright colours and funny images – a blink-and-you'll-miss-it parade of lyrical interpretations.With an album to follow early next year, Bang On! is already proving to be a name to watch out for, someone who comes raw and in-ya-face but with a deep intelligence and wit backing up every move he makes. He may not know what it is, he may not even believe it exists, but he's still got it…"Got It" is available now at the Ninjashop and iTunes. Tue, 03 May 2011 10:26:06 If you're in London, you really must come to this show on Tuesday 3rd May:  Village Underground presents Paris Suit YourselfThe CAMP on City RoadEC1Y 2BJ Doors 8pmTickets £7.50 Facebook Event info here Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:56:29 Dub College is back! It's tomorrow night and the line up is absolutely stellar. Get thee dahn there people and share the rootical news.Dub College on Facebookbananaklan.tumblr.com Tue, 19 Apr 2011 13:22:57 The very first single from DELS' debut album GOB really is something to write home about. "Shapeshift", produced by Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, was very much DELS' clarion-call to the world. Sitting atop searing electronics and an irresistible bounce, DELS fired crystal clear vocals that set him apart from the off. Eschewing hip-hop cliche, he drew us into the world of his imagination, detailing his childhood fantasies about shifting his physical form, and hinting at some of the reasons he had for doing so. The result was a sensation, and the song and its brilliantly literal-minded video were instantly popular.Now, the song has been chosen by iTunes for their coveted Single of the Week slot. That means you can download the song that started it all right here, for free. And if you think that's special, just wait until you hear the astonishing GOB album in full. You can buy the bumper iTunes bonus video edition of the album for £4.49 for a limited period, right here. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:31:26 The brilliant, astonishing debut album by DELS, GOB is out today on iTunes. You can pick up the bonus video edition for a mere £4.49, for a limited time only. Buy it today and enjoy it forever, you won't regret it. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 16:56:36 Where's Wiley? Right here.Feast your eyes, ladies and gents, on the brand new video for Wiley's "Numbers in Action." Undoubtedly the ultimate video by the grime godfather, and in his own words "the best video I ever done," it's a superb visual accompaniment to the minimal bounce of the song.Just when you thought Wiley would never appear in a video again in non-photo form, here he is in multitudes, which makes this video the definitive answer to the question, where's Wiley?"Numbers in Action" is the first single from the brand new studio album 100% Publishing, due for release this summer."Numbers In Action" is available now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:42:11 Belated yes, but for some excellent reasons we're sure you'll agree. The new Big Dada Podcast features brand new music from DELS (who in Zane Lowe's opinion has an outrageous approach to the game... It feels like sky's the limit with DELS) including the wondrous remix of GOB by TV on the Radio's David Andrew Sitek. There are not one but TWO exclusive tracks from the forthcoming Wiley album, 100% Publishing, a sneak preview of Offshore's new EP, live music from Paris Suit Yourself, the new single from Bang On!, and a track from the debut Big Dada EP by Elan Tamara. All of it is lovingly blended by our usual purveyor of pertinent music, A La Fu. Go on, take it, its yours, now skedaddle.Download the Big Dada Podcast on iTunes Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:28:14 Paris Suit Yourself's new single Sometimes is out now on Big Dada. "Sometimes" represents possibly the closest the quartet will ever come to a "straight up" pop single – elements of the Kinks slam up against sixties Motown (though maybe not as straightforwardly as that might make it sound!), with remixes coming from Micachu, M.E.S.H. and Victor Tricard.Sometimes is available now from the Ninjashop. Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:17:22 DELS will be launching his debut album 'GOB' with a party at the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on April 7th. In addition to DELS' truly excellent live show, support on the night will come from Elan Tamara (live), plus DJ sets from Joe Goddard (Hot Chip) and Micachu. It should be a night to remember...tickets available now from the Ninjashop.On the same day, go to Arthur & Albert Studio, E8 9EA, for the 'GOB' pop-up sweet shop. Curated by DELS and Over It & Co, there will be an exhibition of art inspired by the lyrics of "GOB", with limited edition prints available, plus sweets. Yay! From 11am - 8pm, this is an essential stop off on DELS DAY!'GOB' can be pre-ordered now from the Ninjashop, and at a special reduced price on iTunes. Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:30:19 Jammer has made two great new videos, one of which features the excellent C Gritz AKA Camalot. Murkle. Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:54:40 Paris Suit Yourself; brilliant, chaotic, unparallelled - live at Camden Crawl Tips. Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:02:05 RCRDLBL has the David Andrew Sitek (of TV On The Radio) remix of DELS new single 'GOB' for free download, you can get it here. The full 'GOB' single will be released on 25th April and also features remixes from Untold and Ry9n. The 'GOB' album is out May 2nd, and is available now at a special pre-order price on iTunes. The album launch for the 'GOB' album will be held at the Hoxton Bar & Grill on 7th April 2011. DELS will headline with a full live band, along with Elan Tamara (Live) and DJ sets from Micachu and Joe Goddard of Hot Chip. Tickets are available now from the Ninjashop. Mon, 14 Feb 2011 14:05:11 The simply astonishing 'My Main Shitstain,' the debut album from Paris Suit Yourself, is finally out today. Gary Mulholland said it much better on the BBC's site last week than we ever could. 'They are amused, angry, irreverent and unfocussed, as things called art-rock, punk and indie used to be by default, once upon a time. And when they hit you with a big, dumb, impatient, and genuinely funny rave-up like Lost My Girl you feel dead grateful that bands who defy logic do still exist.'  You can hear the album for yourself from today, and the 320kbps MP3s are only a fiver on the Ninja shop. Get them here and Amazon UK MP3 have a free download of 'Sometimes' here (UK only). Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:17:56 The brand new Big Dada Podcast makes it just in time for Christmas, just like that package from Amazon you're hoping arrives before the 24th. With new music from Bang On!, Roots Manuva, Paris Suit Yourself, 'Sir Tomz' aka Shadowless Tomz and Offshore, there's also a special guest song from DELS collaborator and rising star Elan Tamara. Offshore takes centre stage in our regular 'influential tracks' feature. The Aberdonian Big Dada element is completed by the ever comforting, Christmas-tones of A La Fu. He's our very own Bing Crosby. Enjoy, have a great holiday, and see you on t'other side. Big Dada Podcast #14 by Big Dada Sound Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:41:52 The Infesticons continue their run of live dates with a great free show in Paris. Mike Ladd and Juice Aleem bring their next level punk-hop to L'International, on Sunday 28th November. Other artists include Viking Moses and Underground. And if you didn't catch that already - it's free. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:55:31 Mike Ladd and Juice Aleem are set to link up at the Purcell Rooms, Queen Elizabeth Hall to bring the joy and pain as the all-time mighty-mighty Infesticons. As part of the Southbank Centre's "Something I Said?" spoken word festival, the Infesticons will be spitting hard, funny and uncompromising alongside Stacy Makishi, Salena Godden and The Spaceape. As well as performing highlights from the two classic Infesticons albums (and maybe even the Majesticons album..?!) Mike and Juice will perform solo material. Two of the most talented wordsmiths ever to grace Big Dada, this show should be unmissable  for anyone who gives a stuff about LANGUAGE as well as beats and bass... Saturday October 23rd, Purcell Rooms, 7.45pm Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 This mini-documentary by Yemi Bamiro reveals exactly what lengths the team behind the Trumpalump video went to. It really is a triumph of hard work and design. Wait for the highly disconcerting, black and white in colour moment! Thanks to Us Design Studio for all the hard work. Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 Another great instalment of the Big Dada podcast is available for your listening pleasure. This one's in celebration of the great Mike Ladd, and that always meant it was going to be a goodie. Get it here Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 In possibly the most 'intimate' show ever, Roots Manuva and Wrongtom are bringing their sunny soundsystem to the Wholesome clothing store, on Thursday 21st October. The bash will be thrown in honour of the new 'Duppy Writer' T-shirt, designed by Tony McDermott and made by Trainerspotter. There'll be a chance to get your hands on a shirt on the night. It's free entry, starts at 6.30 and is not to be missed, seen? Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:38:59 "Am I dreaming in colour or black with the white?" From this line in new single "Trumpalump," DELS and longtime visual collaborators US Design have spun out a spellbinding promo video which - if you'll forgive the pun - trumps the work they did on DELS' first single for Big Dada, "Shapeshift". Filmed and broadcast totally in colour, with no post-production trickery or alteration, we honestly think this is one of the most stylish, clever, witty, subtle and downright brilliant music videos we've come across. "Trumpalump" is a musical collaboration between Kieren Dickins aka DELS and Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, who not only produced the track but sings the melancholy closing chorus. Watch right to the end then watch it all again - and for early clues, keep a very close eye on DELS' mouth.... Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:07:56 Hailing originally from Bordeaux and Arkansas, based - very roughly speaking - in Berlin and coming on like PiL reincarnated as a French psychedelic soul revue, Paris Suit Yourself are the first "rock" band ever to sign to venerable hip hop label Big Dada. First single, "Craig Machinsky" is a furious tirade on the fetishisation and demonisation of blackness and sounds like nothing else you've ever heard. The single, the first for Big Dada, heralds the release early next year of Paris Suit Yourself's debut album, "My Main Shitstain" - forty five minutes of powerful polemic and impassioned lyricism, all delivered with the kind of hooks that you find yourself humming (or screaming and shouting) months later. For a free download of 'Craig Machinsky' click here. Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 Exclusive to the Ninja Tune webshop is one of the spanking-est items of clothing we've ever produced. Big Dada, in association with Trainerspotter, are proud to unveil the Roots Manuva vs Wrongtom, 'Duppy Writer' t-shirt. Making full use of the album cover, painted by the legendary Tony McDermott, and printed on a top-notch t-shirt, they're desirable as hell. Get yours fast, there are only 150 in existence and they won't be around for long, seen? Thu, 07 Oct 2010 00:00:00 The legend that is Infinite Livez is playing at the legend that is the Vortex jazz club in Dalston. It was there before the fixies y'know. Friday, October 8th at 8pm, more Inf(inite) here Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 AmazonMP3 UK has selected Ninja Tune as their 'Record Label of The Month'. Get a free ten track sampler here. Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 To celebrate Ninja Tune's 20th anniversary iTunes EUR have lots of special products and bonus material. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 of our XX compilations come with bonus tracks only available on iTunes: Zomby 'Orchid' + Hexstatic 'Ninja Tune' (Akira Kiteshi Remix) + Pop Levi 'Blue Honey' (A Monstrous Psychedilc Bubble Mix by The Amorphous Androgynous) + Max & Harvey 'If I Don't Make It Home'. Every single Ninja Tune and Big Dada album is reduced to £4.99/€5,99! There's a brand new video bundle for only £4.99/€5,99 which includes the much-loved Roots Manuva video for 'Witness' (1 Hope), which has never been on sale before. And not forgetting the Ninja Tune XX 20th anniversary podcast with a brand new interview from Matt Black and Jon More (aka Coldcut) and Ninja Tune MD Peter Quicke. Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:08:55 We're proud to announce that new signings Paris Suit Yourself have been chosen to support The Fall on key dates on their forthcoming UK tour. The Berlin/Paris/Bordeaux collective will be bringing the noise on three dates before crossing back to France to play at the prestigious Transmusicales festival. One of the most original and unplaceable new bands on any label, Paris Suit Yourself should be a suitable foil for Mr E Smith and co. Tues Nov 23 - Electric Ballroom, Camden, London Nov 24 - De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill  Nov 25 Picturedrome, Holmfirth (nr Sheffield)  Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:59:33 Big Dada maybe isn't renowned for its subtlety (wrongly, we believe) but in Offshore we think we've got the artist to make you reconsider. After the critical success of his EP for the legendary Scottish label, Stuff,  Ewan Robertson aka Offshore presents his first EP for new home Big Dada. Bass-heavy, packed with detail and an ear for melancholy melody, this is the next wave of Cale(donian)-funk. Just to make life easier for you, Robertson has uploaded two of the EP's tracks to Soundcloud and has offered you a third, the magnificently evocative "Round & Round," as a free download. Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Big Dada's latest, Bang On!, blazes out of Liverpool with his debut single, 'Hands High.' Produced by shadowy scouse wunderkind Dixie, it's the perfect announcement of the latest, on-the-way-to-greatest British MC. You can download the single for free from the esteemed Fader magazine, as of today. Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Brand new track from Roots Manuva which features on the Ninja Tune 20th anniversary box set release - Ninja Tune XX (www.ninjatunexx.net/boxset), released 20 September 2010.He also has another new exclusive track on the box set as well as remixes of his work by Micachu, Modeselektor, Cut Chemist and Slugabed amongst others.Roots Manuva is headlining the Ninja Tune XX party at London Ewer Street on 2nd October 2010, as well as playing dates in Paris and Brussels.His latest album, 'Duppy Writer', a collaborative remix collection, is out now. Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Offshore's fourth track off his debut EP 'Aneurysm' released on Big Dada on 17th October. Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:00:00 One of the most exciting artists Big Dada has signed recently is the Liverpool bred Bang On. A born MC, Elliott Egerton's delivery effortlessly moves between funny and furious, as he spins yarns and nails metaphors that make rap sound like a good idea again. Combined with raw, bass-hefty production that could make a bleeding edge dubstepper weep, he's set to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming year. His debut single, 'Hands High' is one of the most astonishing records we've ever released. You can now hear it, and, even better, see the spectacular video by Goetz Werner, who shot Dizzee Rascal's 'Graftin' and 'Off To Work.' Sun, 19 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Ninja Tune is 20! Not sure how they made it but they did. And we're very excited about it! They're throwing lots of parties all over the world - London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco . . . AND . . . with the help of Big Dada and Ninja Tune artists, and a load of amazing remixers, we've put together the NINJA TUNE XX box set packed to the gunnels with fantastic new music - 106 frickin tunes and a book and loads of stuff - and its come out looking beautiful (thanks to Openmind Design). They've put together big fat bundles of tunes on download stores which you can get for a snip - check out iTunes which has bonus tracks Zomby 'Orchid' + Hexstatic 'Ninja Tune' (Akira Kiteshi Remix) + Pop Levi 'Blue Honey' (Amorphous Androgynous mix) + Max & Harvey 'If I Don't Make It Home'; Boomkat, and Bleep.com for special offers. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:08:23 Mike Ladd is bringing his Infesticons project to the UK this Autumn for some rare, select live dates. Big Dada legend and fellow Infesticon Juice Aleem will be appearing with him, and the first show to be confirmed is as The Croft, Bristol, on Saturday 13th November. Full details are below - get your tickets here.Saturday 13th November. £10adv. 18+. 7.30pm doors Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Scots beat-blaster and Cale-funk's rising star, Offshore, is the latest signing to Big Dada Recordings. Via a series of remixes (Thavius Beck, Juice Aleem,) mixtapes and a stunning debut EP on the excellent Stuff Records, he's been busy making a name as one to watch. 'Jen At The Station' is Offshore's track on the Ninja Tune XX 20th anniversary box set. Full box set tracklist here and with only a few copies left you should buy yours now! Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Just a small part of Mr Rodney's contribution to the forthcoming Ninja Tune XX twentieth anniversary celebrations is a brand new tune entitled 'It's On'. It's a bit of a blinder and so RM shot a video for it, too. Returning to Dungeness (where the cover images for the 'Run Come Save Me' campaign were shot), Rodders wanders about in suit and glasses referencing Ingmar Bergman, Malcolm X, live manga and a nice sports car. Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 Roots Manuva and Wrong Tom will be launching their Duppy Writer album with a live show in East London this Thursday night. For those of you overseas or unable or unwilling to squeeze into the intimate setting of the Alibi, we are streaming the whole performance live on The Funhouse and inviting the whole world to watch. We'll be shooting from several angles and hopefully making you feel like you are there in person. Except you'll be slightly less sweaty and you probably won't have to wrestle your way to your own fridge should you want a beer. Who knows, if you log in to the chat room we may even be able to relay your rewind requests to the DJ! All you need to do is head to spinetv.net/funhouse/ for 9pm and get settled in... Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:10:38 On Thursday night Roots, Wrongtom, Ricky Ranking, the legendary Don Letts and Photomachine will be seeing 'Duppy Writer' off out into the world at The Alibi, 91 Kingsland High Street E8 2PB. The night will run from 8pm until 3am, it's free entry and the place is really quite small, so please get there ridiculously early or stand around outside feeling vexed. The choice is yours.... Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:00:00 And yea it came to pass that Big Dada and The Banana Klan did release 'Duppy Writer' and yea, it was f**king wonderful... Picking up great reviews all over the shop, full of fun, perfect for trying to catch the last of summer with, we think that anyone who has ever liked a bit of Roots Manuva is going to love this. Far be it from us to advocate the use of illegal drugs, but get some smoke in, crank up the system and feel the magic. iTunes have a special bonus track 'Rebel Art' (not available anywhere else). Early CD or LP orders from Ninjashop will get a free poster signed by Roots Manuva himself. Press for Duppy Writer: "A heady concoction that pulsates with good vibes" - Dazed & Confused "Irresistible... approachable yet with real substance... Outstanding" - Q "The sounds here always convince... Roots Manuva's deft, already reggae-leaning rhyming achieves a perfect fit with Wrongtom's bang-on use of rhythm, bass and sound effects." - Mojo "Revives memories of Brixton during the era of Aswad and riots while never being content to just pastiche the originals. The result is Roots Manuva's most purely pleasurable long-player" - Uncut "The results are a revelation... a timeless joy" - Time Out "Impressive... witty and insightful" - The Sunday Times "Supreme toasting skills... at once more upbeat and laid-back" - Metro Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:00:00 News direct from the mouth of Mr Manuva: "Come and meet the Ghost writer behind all the Roots Manuva Classics. Rodney's dead twin from Duppy Land will be haunting East London 2-6pm. Can't stay long he has to get back to being dead." Or to put it another way, Roots and friends will be celebrating the release of the record by taking over the shop Pelicans & Parrots at 40 Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 7XJ; 2-6pm; Monday 6th September!. A mixture of instore, pop-up shop and chaotic mess, come through, listen, smile, buy something and get it signed. Should be fun... Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 The good people at FACT are giving away a track, 'Round & Round' from Big Dada's new signing, Offshore. Grab it quick! Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 Tilt presents Spoken Word Quarter: the marketplace of words, beats and sounds Mike Ladd, Juice Aleem, Stacy Makishi, Salena Godden, The Spaceape in association with the Southbank Centre. Sat 23 OctoberPurcell Room, 7.45pm, £10 Bookings via www.southbankcentre.co.uk or Ticket Office 0844 875 0073Leading poets, MCs and performance artists create a spoken word communal party experience of multi-genre influences.  The event forms part of Tilt's Something I Said? a weekend of playful and provoking spoken word curated by award-winning arts entrepreneur Melanie Abrahams.  The ten events between 22 - 24 October present writers, raconteurs and thinkers who explore the pleasure to be had in words - in the saying of them - and through ways of telling.Festival runs 22 - 24 October 2010 Full info on http://www.ontilt.org at end August Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:00:00 Download 4-track EP on iTunes or Ninjashop now. Remixes come from Kwes, Ghostape and Eli-T. DELS has been creating a buzz ever since John Peel heard him as a teenager and put him on the radio - now he's ready to re-write the rules of rap in the UK in a way that hasn't happened for years. 'Shapeshift' is a perfect place to start. The beat is courtesy of long-time collaborator Joe Goddard, better known for his work as part of Hot Chip. Goddard hooks up some ultra-squelchy, off-kilter electronic madness (as well as dropping in to deliver a poker-faced middle 8). Over it, DELS does what he does best, in this case taking us back to a childhood in which his biggest dream was to be able to turn into something else. It's a proper recollection of childhood, its fears and well as its fun, not one of those fake lists of vintage products like Raleigh Grifters. DELS slams it out in a clear voice which shows the influence of Grime, while the cleverness of his punch lines and metaphors show he ain't kowtowing to any of the many cliches of the form. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:23:31 Calling all Liverpool based Big Dada and Ninja fans. One of the most exciting artists Big Dada has signed recently is the Liverpool born and bred Bang On. A born MC, Elliott Egerton's delivery effortlessly moves between funny and furious, as he spins yarns and nails metaphors that make rap sound like a good idea again. Combined with raw, bass-hefty production that could make a bleeding edge dubstepper weep, he's set to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming year. The video for his debut single, Hands High, is being shot in Liverpool this coming week on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th August. The director is Goetz Werner, who shot Dizzee Rascal's 'Graftin' and 'Off To Work.' We need as many people as possible to appear as extras in the club (Tuesday) and street (Wednesday) based scenes. If you're interested, simply turn up to the shoots as follows: Tuesday 17th at 9.00pm The Magnet Hardman Street Liverpool L1 9AS Wednesday 18th at 12.00pm Outside the Liver Buildings (Iconic, innit.) Your support will be rewarded with undying Dada love, and hopefully some television appearances. Of course, you'll also get to hear one of the most astonishing debut singles we've ever released. Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 This week's Ninja Tune XX giveaway is a truly special, brand new creation from one of Big Dada's all time greats, Roots Manuva. Arguably the greatest hip-hop artist Britain has ever produced, Rodney Smith's strengths have always been his fearless individualism and astounding artistry. As one of several parts of his involvement with Ninja Tune's 20th anniversary, he recently crafted a dub of The Herbaliser's 'Something Wicked This Way Comes,' which, we think, is astonishingly good. Featuring infectious, eerie sonics, Manuva's inimitable swing and new, ruminative verses from the man himself, it's everything great about Roots boiled down to one song. Better yet, Big Dada founder and Manuva-mentor Will Ashon filmed the dub being made. The video is truly a treat, and shows Rodney having fun as he created the final dub. Roots Manuva is headlining the Ninja Tune XX party at London Ewer Street on 2nd October, as well as playing dates in Paris and Brussels. He has two new tracks on the compilations, and remixes of his work by Micachu, Modeselektor, Cut Chemist and Slugabed amongst others. His latest album, 'Duppy Writer,' a collaborative remix collection, is out on September 6th. NINJATUNEXX.NET Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 Taken from the forthing new Roots Manuva Meets Wrongtom record 'Duppy Writer', released on Big Dada on 6 Sept (EUR) / 21 Sept (N.America). Get it here. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 Having played our part in saving 6Music (chaining ourselves to random railings, going on cake-strike for an hour etc etc) it's payback time. Only we kind of need you to do the paying back for us. The new Roots Manuva meets Wrongtom single, "Jah Warriors" (featuring the mellifluous tones of Ricky Ranking) is on Steve Lamacq's Rebel Playlist this week, which means if enough of us vote, "Jah Warriors" will be pumped out to the discerning masses every day for a week and all that good stuff. You see, we can make a difference! It's an exercise in democracy! Ooh, I'm getting tired even thinking about it. Maybe I'll just lie down here and eat a deep-fried Mars Bar... Stream the track and VOTE HERE! Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:00:00 NYC's finest future-rap collective, Anti-Pop Consortium, are back in the UK this weekend to play the excellent Koko. The good folk at Soundcrash are putting on the show, with support coming in the shape of The Herbaliser. The show is on Saturday 24th July, 9.00pm until 3.00am, and the venue is located at 1a Camden High Street. Tickets can be found here and to remind yourself why you need one, go here Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 After the success of Roots Manuva's 'Go Bananas!' night at The Book Club, the legendary UK bass-head is taking it to the next level with 'Dub College' at The Queen of Hoxton. Launching on July 23rd, this exploration of what Mr Manuva describes as "bass culture" will kick off with a meeting of artists from his longtime home, Big Dada, and his own label/gang, Banana Klan. Less a clash than a meeting of minds, the night will feature Big Dada artists old and new alongside the cream of the Banana Klan. Mixing it up over two floors will be Jammer, celebrating the release of his debut album, 'Jahmanji', the Illersapiens bringing their completely live take on the UK hip hop blueprint; Scots beat-blaster Offshore will be hammering out the Cale-Funk and Ahmos dropping sharp lyrics in a classic North West London flow; DELS will be showcasing some of the Joe Hot Chip-produced electronic hip hop which has already seen him described as a Roots Manuva for a new generation and Oliver Night, a sometime member of Roots' band, the Banana Skinz, will be focussing on his dubstep-influenced floorfillers. Meanwhile Ricky Ranking will be bringing the beauty and the pain in the South London soundsystem way he has made his own and Big Dada will round out their bill with their longest serving and newest MCs,  Birmingham's legendary Juice Aleem and Liverpool's Bang On. Throw the BK DJs into the mix, add the presence of our genial host, Rooty-Toot Manuva, and you have an evening of the very finest entertainment. Book early, come in, expect bottom-end business. Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 Jammer and T Willy take it way back at The Observer HQ Wed, 07 Jul 2010 00:00:00 Welcome please, to the world of Kieren Dickens aka DELS. The young MC has been creating a buzz ever since John Peel heard him as a teenager and put him on the radio. Now he's ready to re-write the rules of rap in the UK in a way that hasn't happened for years. 'Shapeshift' is a perfect place to start. The beat is courtesy of long-time collaborator Joe Goddard, better known for his work as part of Hot Chip. Goddard hooks up some ultra-squelchy, off-kilter electronic madness (as well as dropping in to deliver a poker-faced middle 8). Over it, DELS does what he does best, in this case taking us back to a childhood in which his biggest dream was to be able to turn into something else. It's a proper recollection of childhood, its fears as well as its fun, not one of those fake lists of vintage products like Raleigh Grifters. DELS slams it out in a clear voice which shows the influence of Grime, while the cleverness of his punch lines and metaphors show he ain't kowtowing to any of the many cliches of the form. Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:00:00 Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:00:00 Like Mike Ladd? Like M Sayyid? Then you could do a lot worse than check out the new single from Speed Dial 7, "Satellites". Speed Dial 7 is the mastermind of the Marathon of Dope internet TV channel but also an Mc and producer in his own right. So not too much of a marathon then? Anyway, check it here. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 SATURDAY 3 JULY, CABLE, LONDON, SE1 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 Shot over the last two weeks at a secret location and an actual, genuine children's birthday party which Jammer somehow crashed, the video for '10 Man Roll' features Skepta, JME, Frisco, Camalot and even Mumdance (who, disappointingly, doesn't dance like my mum).  Summery, funny and just generally Boy Better Knowery, this video puts the bra into brap. Though not in the way you might hope . . . Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:30:40 If you wanna see the man bring the roof down in the flesh come to Jammer's launch party. It's on Saturday July 3rd at the rather plush new venue Cable and features an absolute cavalcade of talent including (but not limited to) Boy Better Know, Toddla T, Plastician, Newham Generals, Logan Sama, Redlight etc etc etc. Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 Here's what happened when Tim Westwood held a penalty shoot out at Radio One recently. The big dog is in goal, and Boy Better Know and friends are on the spot. Jammer's shot was always going to be... energetic. Enjoy. Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 Bigdada.com may be down for short periods over the next few days as we work on new server upgrades. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Tue, 01 Jun 2010 00:00:00 Okay, so it's raining. All the more reason to get some sunshine in your life. Xrabit's new project, BBQ, have released their first mixtape. Including vocal contributions from DMG$, Spoek and Jammer and ladling on the electro-soul it's a thing of beauty. Get it here. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:39:27 The new LP by The Infesticons comes in one of the highest quality packages Big Dada has ever put together. Designed by Oscar and Ewan (Wiley, Roots Manuva,) it includes a screen-printed outer sleeve with gold text, full colour inner sleeve with battle scene design by Mike Ladd and heavyweight 180 gram vinyl with download codes. Best of all, each copy is hand signed by Mike Ladd, and hand numbered 1-1000. Some copies even have extra scribbles and lines written by Mike during the process. You can see some film and images of the making of the sleeves here... This truly is a collectors' item and lovely release to own - there's only 1000 for the world, so snap yours up quick! Buy it now!: Ninjashop USA Ninjashop RoW The first 50 people to buy the Bedford Park LP via the Ninjashop will receive versions with a bonus CD. 'Strictly Wood: The Dirty Raw Singles' is a collection of Mike Ladd's bluesy, guitar based classics, hand picked by the man himself. This CD will not be available any other way, so if you want one - order your LP now! Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 Big Dada are very pleased to announce that DELS has signed a three album recording deal with the company. A young MC and graphic designer from Ipswich who grew up with a serious Wiley and Outkast habit, Kieren Dickins aka DELS has been making a bit of a stir for a couple of years now. Will Ashon, in charge of A&R at Big Dada, says, "He's the perfect Big Dada artist really - a very talented MC who pushes what he can say with words as hard as he can and combines it with a really adventurous attitude towards music. Oh, and he does his own artwork and videos, too, which makes things much easier!" Dickins himself says, "I am so happy to be joining a record label with such a rich musical heritage. I have always felt it was important that I signed to a label that wouldn't attempt to compromise my vision. I think that my music has finally found the perfect home in Big Dada. The likes of Joe Hot Chip, Kwes and Micachu are all artists/producers that I loved before I began working on my debut album. So I feel incredibly lucky to be working with such a talented group of producers. Really excited about finishing the album and getting it out there." DELS' debut album should come out early in 2011. Dickins is working with producers including Joe Goddard of Hot Chip, Micachu, Kwes and Sampha. First single, 'Shapeshift', is produced by and features singing from Goddard, plus a remarkable video from Dickins and Us Design Studio. It will be released August 23rd. If you can't wait that long, are in London, and want to know what all the fuss is about, DELS will also be playing this Friday May 21st at Cargo (onstage 8pm) as part of the Stag & Dagger festival. See you there! Some press comment: "Unmissable" - NME "One of the best things UK Hip Hop has ever produced" - Dazed & Confused "There's a major talent developing here" - Drowned In Sound "DELS is one to watch" - BBC Introducing Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 In these days of Photoshopped cheat-covers, no-one can accuse Jammer of taking the easy option. For the Are You Dumb mixtapes, he variously stood on the motorway with his shoelaces tied together, and sat in a bath with an electric heater. For his his debut album 'Jahmanji' though, he knew he had to pull out something really special. All we'll say is that it's designed by Oscar and Ewan (Wiley, Roots Manuva,) it involves a real elephant, and the resulting cover is another that Big Dada is exceedingly proud of. Watch the film here... Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 Cale-funk's rising star, Offshore, is someone we've very excited about at BD. Via a series of remixes (Thavius Beck, Juice Aleem,) mixtapes and a stunning debut EP on the excellent Stuff Records, he's been busy making a name as one to watch. He's just put together his latest mix for Bonfide magazine, and it's another cracker. Full of good music by other people and some exclusive works-in-progress of his own, you can have it for free, here. Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:15 Big Dada has a very exciting gig to tell you about tomorrow night, by their newest signing to the label. A French-US collective, Paris Suit Yourself are the first "rock" band ever to be signed to Big Dada. Combining razor-edged Keith Levene-like guitar, crazed polyrhythmic drums and the free-associating lyrics of lead singer Luvinsky Atche, their sound has been honed in the clubs, squat parties and illegal warehouse happenings of Berlin. Aggressive, funny and disturbing, PSY combine the aesthetics of Public Enemy with the melodies of mid-period Bowie and  the race politics of Frantz Fanon. Have a look at them here: They'll be playing alongside another of our favourite bands of the moment, Mazes, who play wondrous, slanted, guitar-drenched pop. Have a listen to them here. It all takes place at The Macbeth, which is here: 70 Hoxton Street Shoreditch London N1 6LP 020 7749 0600 href="http://www.themacbeth.co.uk/">themacbeth.co.uk It's FREE entry, and even better, FREE BBQ on the roof. Be warned, however, that roof-standing and face-filling during the bands' sets will be strongly frowned upon by Big Dada staff! Doors at 20.00, and the action will start no later than 21.00, all being well. We're all very excited about this gig, and can't wait to unleash PSY - see you there! Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 The mighty Ty drops his new album today on BBE records. It's called 'Special Kind of Fool,' and it's as great as all his work. Go buy. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 Our boy Jammer is the latest grime heavyweight to appear on SBTV's F64 series, and some are saying it's the best installment to date. Lots of new lyrics, and one surprising ending. Enjoy. Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 Juice Aleem - Rock My Hologram Video Juice Aleem - the Original Galactica - currently has a truly fantastic single out with remixes from Si Begg and Offshore. Now, to complement it, he has one of the best videos for a Big Dada tune... ever. Inspired by 70s sci-fi and Egyptology, the video fuses CGI, stop motion and hand-built models to create an effects-laden mini-masterpiece. Sun Ra, wherever you are, eat your bloody heart out... Earth 1, Venus 0...! Jammer - 'Better Than' new single out now The Jammy Jamster, Mr Jahmek Power his very self, has a new single out, from his forthcoming debut album, 'Jahmanji'. It's called 'Better Than' and it's as grimey and crunchy as 'Party Animal' was frothy and munchy. Produced by Rapid (best known for his work with Tinchy Stryder) the tune is a slap down to all those wannabe MCs who've never dropped a line outside of the comment boxes on YouTube. Wasteboys. There's also a pretty spiffy street video which you can see here and, if you're a Twitter-finagler, go here to get a blinding remix of the tune by FlyLo cohort Lorn. For nowt. The system's called "Tweet For A Track" and you have to... oh, why do I bother? Big Dada Podcast Here at Big Dada Dungeon we've spent the morning listening to the Big Dada Solid Steel special from around the year of our Lord 2000. Good in patches, but could try harder. None try harder, of course, than Mr DJ Kenny A La Fu aka Whispering Death aka the Scots Mechanic aka The Best Looking Man In Aberdeen. Our resident podcast genius has carefully stitched together Episode 9 of his most excellent audio-Dada excursions and it includes tracks from the one and only Juice Aleem, the mighty mighty Infesticons and Jammer plus a particularly plush section from A LA Fu's ongoing mix of BD classics. Get it on iTunes or on MP3. The Infesticons Talking of the Infesticons, the album is now due out on May 24th (June 1st Stateside). It's only available on limited edition vinyl and as a download because CDs are about to be cast into the dustbin of history. So get those vinyl orders into the shop nice and early, it won't last. The artwork for this project is also rather marvellous and is explained by Mike Ladd thus: "And yea there was the original Infesticon, Crispus Jebbediah Akimbo 9 and yea he smashed up many a 18th century Majestics in petticoats, took on single handedly the secret Majesticons society, the 'Attitude Dandies,' and sent their post-tawny red hides back to the Lilly Puffs. And yea for this and many other low-key-yet pimp-like exploits, a statue was erected in his honor where Bedford Park meets the Grand and looks south. And yea this is where we rallied no less than 200 plus years later and lead-knuckled the Majesticons' feathery pomps once again. And though we band boys skipped the to-do, yea we stand before SlickCrispus alive." And if that doesn't make any sense to you, watching this film of the 'making of the cover' might just help... Roots Manuva The Rootical one was on Channel 4 on British telly the other night performing three tracks from "Slime & Reason" for the new Mercury Music Prize TV series brand-expansion thing. He is, was and remains the don. It was lovely. There's an interview, too, and those of you in Blighty can check it on the C4 media player. And for those of you based in or near London, be sure to catch Rodney's next Banana Klan night - Go Bananas! at the Book Club Bar on April 23rd. Expect more wondrousness. Check this film, for footage of the first one. Xrabit & DMG$ Both producer Xrabit and MCs Damaged Good$ are keeping themselves busy right now. Damaged Good$ have just released their mixtape, "Spread Love Not Germs" here, whereas Xrabit, as one half of BBQ, is about to release his. You can download a track from it featuring the DMG$ boys and Spoek here. M. Sayyid Sayyid from Anti-Pop Consortium is on virtual tour. Kind of. The best thing is to tell you to go and look. He's got as far as Atlanta and in every city he's leaving behind truly superbad music. Our favourite so far is "Advance Human" in Philly, though "Astro Green Part 1" in Atlanta is running it close. Just go look/listen/learn... Infinite Livez Get arty farty and compete with the Charles Claati by buying an exclusive, limited edition Infinite Livez print. He's great, they're great, you're great. It's a match made in superlatives. Purchasing power is the new big p3n1s. Exercise yours now. (Sorry for the lily-livered numericals back there - we want you to get this, not your sp4m f1lt3r, y4g3tm3?) Big Dada Facebook Last but not least, we've finally got round to starting our own Facebook page so please come and join us there and do whatever it is you do once you're a member of a Facebook group. I know, get your mates to join, get them to get their mates to join, start a campaign to get "Black Atlantians" to Number One (where it always deserved to be anyway) and then eventually become tired of digital life, go and live in a wood, grow a beard, live off stuff found in hedgerows and finally, as the planet's land masses sink into the rising oceans, fashion a rope out of bark and hang yourself from the branch of a mighty oak. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:57:51 Long acknowledged as one of the UKs finest MCs, Juice Aleem returns with a sterling performance in his video for latest single 'Rock My Hologram' from the 2009 album 'Jerusalaam Come'. Inspired by 70s sci-fi and Egyptian mythology, this imaginative video fuses CGI, stop motion and hand built models to create an effects-laden (mini) masterpiece. > Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:00:00 And yea there was the original Infesticon, Crispus Jebbediah Akimbo 9 and yea he smashed up many a 18th century Majestics in petticoats, took on single handedly the secret Majesticons society, the 'Attitude Dandies,' and sent their post-tawny red hides back to the Lilly Puffs. And yea for this and many other low-key-yet pimp-like exploits, a statue was erected in his honor where Bedford Park meets the Grand and looks south. And yea this is where we rallied no less than 200 plus years later and lead-knuckled the Majesticons' feathery pomps once again. And though we band boys skipped the to-do, yea we stand before SlickCrispus alive. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:00:14 The Big Dada podcast is back and almost into double figures, but sounding fresh as a daffodil nonetheless. The erstwhile A La Fu is back from Oz, and his tone is once again dulcet, as opposed to, well, warm. As usual there's a whole host of exclusive new music, including not one but two tracks from the forthcoming Juice Aleem single, another previously unheard track from the stunningly good Infesticons album, and a something-step remix  of Jammer from Brainfeeder's Lorn. There's also a particularly good run of classics, lovingly blended by A La Fu himself. And, despite all that, It's free. More's the pity.   iTunes MP3 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 This Friday (19th) is a night to stay up and stay in. Roots Manuva is performing his most splendid music on The Barclaycard Mercury Music Session, Channel 4, 1.15am. If you really have to go out there in the cold, the show will be re-broadcast on Wednesday 24th at 12.15am. It's a chance to see and hear the full, Roots Manuva live band in an intimate venue with an excellent recording set up. Don't miss. Tue, 16 Mar 2010 00:00:00 Former Big Dada artist Ty's latest slice of wondrous, soul-infused hip-hop is out now! Just in time for the newly arrived sunshine, Emotions shows that one of British hip-hop's legends remains very much at the top of his game. Get it on yet Itunes. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 The Murkle Man is back with the brilliant, musical last-word 'Better Than.' Aimed squarely at the snipers, it's as much a celebration of the talent amongst the grime greats than it is a winning argument. Rapid's original, bleeding edge grime production has been reworked to great effect by Brainfeeder's Milwaukee-based Lorn. The result is a masterpiece of hard, dubstep influenced hip-hop. You can get the Lorn remix for FREE in exchange for one tweet - check out tweetforatrack.com/jammer for more info. Then buy the original version in 320 kbps glory from the Ninjashop or iTunes. Better than a kick in the teeth. Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:00:00 Hello all here is a link to a free download that i recorded with my buddy DJ Illvibe. It's a half hour long recording called 'The Sulphur Sessions'. Enjoy!! Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 If you haven't discovered Damaged Good$ as yet, you're missing one of the gems of hip-hop in 2010. With all of the things that make southern rap great; the brightly coloured bounce and musical flows, and none of the things that make it bad; the poor MCing and repetitive bravado, they're a warm breeze of a duo that remind you why hip-hop can be great. Trak Bully and Coool Dundee have followed up on last year's album with XRABIT with a new mixtape; Spread Love Not Germs. It's great, and you can have it for free by clicking here. Enjoy. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 M.Sayyid aka Sayyid Air of the mighty APC is not a man to sit round twiddling his thumbs. He is, we believe, a doer as well as a thinker. So we're pleased to introduce you to his new site, electricarms.com. This is the home to his virtual mixtape tour, which is, in effect, a mixtape spread out across a virtual hip hop nation combined with a little webby animation which suggests that the influence of Mr Ben on late '90s underground hip hop should not be underestimated. What really matters, though, is that the music is amazing and that he will 'reaching' new towns every few days (and hence giving away more music). The highlight so far is the utterly awesome, 80s-referencing "Advance Human" in the Philly section. Ch-ch-ch-check. N-n-now. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:01:32 We're pleased to unveil Jammer's latest visual splendour in the form of the Better Than video. Featuring the man himself alongside chopped up video clips from some of the other grime greats, its a celebration of the talent in the scene and a definitive answer to envious wannabes. Nobody does it better, innit. Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 We've had the honour of being featured on The Guardian's music podcast this week, which we're understandably pleased about. It's the Brits special, and the interview with label founder Will Ashon comes straight after the feature (about 28 mins in) on this year's awards. That's the closest we've been to a Brit thus far, but who's to say about next year? Ha. There's music from Roots Manuva, Speech Debelle and the marvelous Infesticons. If you haven't got their new single by the way, which is free, do like Kitty Empire and grab it now. Enjoy. Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:45:00 It's been a long wait over the chilly post-Xmas weeks we know, but we're very pleased to announce a warm sunny breeze of a Big Dada Podcast. Hosted by a noticeably perky A La Fu, this installment comes all the way from Australia, which half of our artists seem to have the sense to visit over January. Well, Roots Manuva anyway. He's on the cast, and so is the ever brilliant Wayne Lotek, the producer behind, most recently, Speech Debelle's Mercury Prize winning album. There's also a highly unexpected appearance from a Ninja Tune new man, and loads of great music from The Infesticons, Offshore, Juice Aleem, Jammer and many more. 'Av it. iTunes MP3 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 Xrabit has been a busy bunny and returns this month as one half of production duo BBQ. Their mixtape is coming soon and to celebrate they are giving away "Booty Call," a brand new track featuring Spoek Mathambo & Damaged Good$. You can download both the original and instrumental here or here. Enjoy! Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Mike Ladd returns with the third and final part of his epic Infesticons trilogy, a clarion call against obscurity, indifference and apathy. Some fights are worth fighting and even battles that are lost are worth remembering. In this spirit, for 'Bedford Park' Ladd has put together a series of "Anthems" and the first fanfare is sounded by 'Kick Anthem'. 'Bedford Park' is released on Big Dada on 12th April and a free download of 'Kick Anthem' is available now. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:00:00 As those in the know will know, Infinite Livez is an extraordinarily talented artist as well as a musician. He even studied at the Chelsea College of Art, which is proper like. The proof is in the painting though, his prints are all 50 x 70 cm, 3 colour screenprints, on 250gsm paper in editions of 30. They're all signed and numbered by Infinite. We like them so much that both Roots Manuva and own our dear founder have bought them already. Snap one up quick. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Roots Manuva chatted with Miranda Sawyer in Brixton on this week's Culture Show. Watch it on the BBC iPlayer now, his interview is at 33mins40 and his performance at 57mins. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Our man Mr Manuva, recently back from a tour of Oz, is launching a new clurb night this month. Taking place at interesting new Shoreditch place the Book Club Bar, "Go Bananas" is the latest Banana Klan mayhem-magnet. Hosted by Roots with ample assistance from the Banana Skins Bashment Ensemble, the man promises "live dub mutation and heavy poetry" and his special guest for the opening night is none other than reggae legend ("No No No...") Dawn Penn. DJS: Roots Manuva, MK (Kiss)& bPm (Soul Jazz / Brownswood) LIVE: Dawn Penn MUSIC POLICY: Mutant bashment, ragga, hip hop, disco dub, electro ghetto & jazz crunk DOOR: £7 TIME: 9pm - 2am The Book Club Bar, 100 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH. Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:00:00 The folk at energy drink maker and music sponsor extraordinaire, Red Bull, have put together an online radio station. APC went and did their inimitable thing last year, and the glorious hour long audio is all yours to hear here. Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:00:00 It's cold, it's dark, it's January, life is hard, grim and shitty. But wait, there's hope! Instead of wallowing in self-pity, get a round in, pump the music up and act like it's still new year's eve. Forever. And your soundtrack? 'Party Animal' by the mighty Jammer, which is finally released today and available for download from the Ninjashop or iTunes. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Jammer's debut single for Big Dada, the anthemic Party Animal, is finally unleashed on Monday. What to do until then? Check in with Party Animal TV. A sort of video diary of Jammer's recent antics, and featuring some well known friends and fellows, it's perfect to get you that little closer to Friday night, and to a Monday morning worth having. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Well, Apple may be a potential Evil Empire and iPhones are the (highly covetable) devil's spawn, but whoever is behind the iTunes list of the best rap and hip hop albums of 2009 is a woman (or could it be man??) of great taste and discernment. For in there is none other than our own Juice Aleem with his fantastic late-come debut 'Jerusalaam Come'. If you haven't bought it yet, you really should. Check the list on iTunes and then keep clicking through until the mp3s (or AACs) are on your hard drive. You will feel better about yourself and the coming decade. Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:00:00 We've finally updated the music on the homepage, but we think it was worth the wait. First and foremost, after a long period of time that has utterly failed to diminish our excitement, we have a new record from the Infesticons. Mike Ladd is the artistic distillation of pretty much everything Big Dada is about. 'Kick' is on the site now, enjoy. The mighty Aleem Juice has a new EP coming in early Spring, and you can hear two of the remixes from the nine-track mega-bundle on the site. Offshore has re-worked Higher Higher into a truly higher form of oddness, catchiness and sheer joyful dementedness, and the ever-brilliant Si Begg has turned Hologram into pure 2010 summat-step wonder. Lastly, we intend to keep talking about Anti-Pop Consortium forever, and putting one of our favourite tracks from their 2009 album on the site is just another excuse to do so. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 00:00:00 Happy New Year everyone, and thanks for not forgetting us over the festive haze. First up for 2010, NYC stalwart The Village Voice have given Anti-Pop Consortium's 'Lay Me Down' the opening slot on their much revered 'Best of 2009' mixtape. Listen, listen and listen again. Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada is off for its yearly hibernation. Thanks to everyone who's bought a record this year - we love you dearly. Happy holidays and see you on the other side. Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 Criminally undiscovered southern rap Lords Damaged Good$ are giving away another free single, and you people need it. Seriously, these guys are some of the most imaginative, exuberant, standalone, warmhearted rap artistes we've ever come across. Discover them and start telling your friends. Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:00:00 Still not seen Anti-Pop Consortium live? Still not picked up their masterpiece Fluorescent Black? If not, here's another example of why you should do both. The good folks at Seattle's KEXP (seriously, it's a bastion of great music and an excellent station) had the APC boys through to jam and perform tracks in the studio. What's not to love about this footage? If the high quality film of APC spinning pure magic from their equipment wasn't enough, there's Sayid's hat to revel in. Watch, listen, buy the goddamn album. Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 The masterful Juice Aleem returns to the stage this coming Thursday at Raw Blue Cheese. Alongside Billy Bizznizz, DJ Snuff, DJ Daredevil, Mimi Fresh and of course his own team of superheroes, DJ Moyma, Mad Flow and Blackitude. If you still haven't seen the live show, you're a damn fool, and you're lucky to have a chance to redeem yourself. Look out for a new single next year (a double A side of Higher Higher and Rock My Hologram, remixes from Si Begg and Offshore as well as a posse cut) and see you at the show. Juice Aleem Live @ Raw Blue Cheese 17th December Corsica Studios 4/5 Elephant Road, SE17 1LB £5 Entry rawbluecheese@gmail.com Juice Aleem's new record 'Jerusalaam Come' is out now on Big Dada. Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada is exceedingly chuffed and somewhat slightly bashful to announce that the good people at Rhapsody are giving away a free Big Dada sampler. Rhapsody is an excellent and reputable download store, based in the USA, and they've featured the sampler on their blog with some text about us. The tracks include music from Thunderheist, Speech Debelle, Anti-Pop Consortium and Spank Rock. How's about that for a pre-Christmas cracker? Go here to read, download and listen. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 APC's anthem of new thinking hip-hop, Get Lite, has been remixed by Tobacco. It's a good un. Check it here Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 Okay, so it's Monday night and you're feeling weak from a weekend of over-indulgence and self-indulgence and auto-indulgence so we at Big Dada would like to recommend psychic purging through aural pleasure. Rather than staying in and feeling sorry for yourself come down to the Macbeth in Hoxton and enjoy LA's finest and most wonderful, Thavius Beck. You may not have heard his album, "Dialogues" yet (altho' you should have done) but the guy is a lecturer in Ableton Live, has supported Nine Inch Nails and... played a lot of shows in France. Anyhoo... It's going to be great and made all the greater by a DJ set from Offshore - recently signed to Big Dada and with a first single out on the influential Stuff Recordings. And to make it all the more fun, we are going to offer the first five people to email us on info@bigdada.com access to an exclusive (hoho) £4 guest list. That's right. £4 to make your soul whole once again. See you there... Thavius Beck at Macbeth Monday 30th November 70 Hoxton Street, London N1 6LP Doors 8pm Tickets £6 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 Because of who we are and how we do and where we're at and the things they say, we are giving shit away again. Yes, that's right. From today you can download FOR FREE the Hardhouse Banton Smoking Mix of 'Party Animal' by Jammer. Hardhouse Banton of the South London M*A*S*H force, has produced and engineered for some of the top names in the UK urban scene as well carving out his own sound and style on tunes like 'Sirens' and establishing himself as one of the key names in UK Funky. When Jams asked him to do us a remix he turned in three of those bad boys. This is the first. The others will be available for money because our charitable status has yet to be confirmed and, anyway, Bono got spit all over the floor. Go and get it n n n n o o o o w w w w w. "JUMANJI!!!!" Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 Thavius Beck is back on these shores playing in London on Monday. Thavius doesn't play in the UK very often (in fact, has he ever?) and his Ableton Live and vocals live performance is generally held to be incredible. Add to that a DJ set from Big Dada's newest signing and old friend Offshore, and it's a night to celebrate. It's a Monday, it's cheap as chips, it's as warming as a whisky on a cold winter's night. See ya there. Thavius Beck at Macbeth Monday 30th November 70 Hoxton Street,  London N1 6LP Doors 8pm Tickets £6 Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 It's time to be schooled. Renowned home of proper hip hop, okayplayer.com gives Juice Aleem's album 'Jerusalaam Come' a stupendous 82% in a new review which points out how much closer his work is to the essence of the culture than most of the thin, yellow splatter pumping out of major label sphincters all over the jolly old US of A. If you haven't checked this album yet, well, hmmm, maybe you should read the review and then make like a consumer and buy it. And watch out for "double A" digital single of 'Higher Higher/Rock Mi Hologram' coming soon, with remixes from Si Begg and Offshore, plus a revox featuring, amongst others, Serocee, Ty, Blacktitude and Justice. Read the full review here. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 At last the Murkle Man returns and he's jumping! Jammer has been a fixture, pioneer and founding father of the Grime scene since its inception. Now signed to Big Dada Recordings, the Leytonstone MC and producer has teamed up with Toddla T and the resulting track is pure energy!! Filmed by up-and-coming director Jay K over the course of a long day, 'Party Animal' sees Jammer imprisoned in a very large and futuristic block of flats where every door leads into yet another party. Featuring dons of the scene like C-Gritz, Lil D, Blacks and Jammin, plus giant speaker stacks, Jammer looking dapper and various ladies looking lovely, the results are fast, funny and slick. With remixes coming from Skepta and Hardhouse Banton, this is just the first small step which will lead up to the release of Jammer's debut album on Big Dada in May 2010.  Hold on - the party's only just begun! Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 Good news from the APC camp. After the cancellation of LA's We The People Festival, APC have made a swift footed move to support Juan Maclean at The Echoplex instead. They'll be on stage 9-9.30pm this Saturday night. Don't miss em. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 The good people at XLR8R have just posted the wee gem below. Have a read and get hold of the song here: LA's Busdriver is one of the more hated MCs in the game, with his quirky spitting style and harsh words for other rappers' excesses and blandness. With battle star Nocando, "Least Favorite Rapper" finds Busdriver tackling these issues head on, tossing off insults to Lil' Wayne, New Boyz, and a load of other 'fashionable' hip-hop artists and trends. It makes sense, then, that recently reunited experimental hip-hop troupe Anti-Pop Consortium have remixed the track, crafting a more electronic, synth-driven sound in place of the dusty hip-hop samples that ruled the original. With bits of weird squelch above significantly deeper kicks, the guys from Anti-Pop have delivered a real treat with the help of the original's searing rhymes. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 Back once again with the Big Dada bigness, it's A La Fu and a host of new music. Worth it for the mix of Jammer's debut release on the label into the awesome 'Violence', by Thavius Beck, there's also new music from Thunderheist, Offshore, A La Fu himself, and of course a good old competition. We can't quite believe we give it away, but we do. Get it fast, before we change our minds. iTunes MP3 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 If there's a gig we're looking forward to over the next few weeks with particular anticipation, it's this one. The marvelous Thavius Beck doesn't play in the UK very often (in fact, has he ever?) and his Ableton Live and vocals live performance is generally held to be incredible. Add to that a DJ set from our newest signing and old friend Offshore, and it's a night to celebrate. It's a Monday, it's cheap as chips, it's as warming as a whisky on a cold winter's night. See ya there. Thavius Beck at Macbeth Monday 30th November 70 Hoxton Street, London N1 6LP Doors 8pm Tickets £6 advance Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 The fearsome five (they grow on tour) commence their UK & European tour this week in support of the new record 'Fluorescent Black'. Confirmed dates are as follows, but check their MySpace for the full US tour listing, updates and additions. Anti-Pop shows are always special - expect MPC improv and lightning freestyle as well as an overview of the new record. But don't expect too much from the past! :: 4 Nov 2009, Audio, Brighton - TICKETS :: 5 Nov 2009, Scala, London - TICKETS :: 6 Nov 2009, Wire, Leeds - TICKETS 7 Nov 2009, Croft, Bristol - TICKETS :: 9 Nov 2009, Maroquinerie, Paris - TICKETS :: 10 Nov 2009, Epicerie Moderne, Lyon - TICKETS :: 11 Nov 2009, Grillen Colmar, Alsace - TICKETS :: 12 Nov 2009, Exil, Zurich :: 13 Nov 2009, Zoo Usine, Geneva :: 14 Nov 2009, Rockstore, Montpellier - TICKETS :: 24 Nov 2009, Bla, Oslo - TICKETS :: 25 Nov 2009, Debaser, Stockholm :: 26 Nov 2009, Debaser, Malmo :: 27 Nov 2009, Electro-Mechanica, St Petersburg :: 28 Nov 2009, Mosproect, Moscow :: 29 Nov 2009, WMF, Berlin :: 30 Nov 2009, Zwischenbau, Rostock :: 1 Dec 2009, Musikcafeen, Aarhus - TICKETS :: 2 Dec 2009, Hafenklang, Hamburg - TICKETS :: 3 Dec 2009, Vera, Groningen :: 4 Dec 2009, Patronaat, Haarlem :: 5 Dec 2009, De Kreun, Kortrijk - TICKETS 'Fluorescent Black' is out now on CD, LP and download. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 We are Damaged Good$, a hip-hop group from Dallas,TX. Download our new single 'Dopest Flyest' for free here, it's taken from our free album $pread Luv Not Germ$. We will release a single, as well as host a charity event, each month leading up to the full projects release. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 That's right folks, this one's a bit proper. Rodney is one of the first artists to play at the newly conceived, televised and generally quite exciting Mercury Prize Sessions. The even takes place at The Hospital Club, Covent Garden, on Thursday 12th November. Also on the line-up is the excellent Metronomy, and we have 25 pairs of tickets to give away. All you need to enter is to be free at 6.45pm that evening, to be over 18 (and have proof) and to be able to answer this question. What was the name of the single that Metronomy produced on the last Roots Manuva album, Slime and Reason? If you know the answer, email info@bigdada.com with the subject line 'ROOTS MANUVA COMP' and try to do it quick smart. Good luck! Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 Download single available now at the Ninjashop and Bleep.com. 'Go/Away' is the first single from Thavius Beck's first solo album for Big Dada, 'Dialogue' but he's a name you should already know. Fresh from co-producing Saul Williams' Niggy Tardust project with Trent Reznor and producing the whole of K-The-I???'s 'Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow' (one of Big Dada's critical slow-burners last year), Beck went back into the studio and made his own record, 'Dialogue'. 'Go!' is as good a way into 'Dialogue' as any. Beck hooks up a trademark beat which bounces like a bomb on a trampoline whilst coming at the listener with a whole choir of disembodied voices and enough electronic squelch for the most demanding tech-head. Over it, Beck shows his skills as a lyricist, his calm, well-modulated, warm voice belying the anger and thoughtfulness of his lyrics. 'Away' runs euphoric vocal pads up against orchestral stabs and more lyrical science. Remix duties for the two tunes are dealt with by Flying Lotus and Offshore. Fellow Angeleno and friend FlyLo takes 'Away' out into deep space, Beck's vox slathered in reverb, the tune building and building through waves of distortion. Aberdonian Offshore, on the other hand, brings some Gaelic science to proceedings stripping the original back into a bass-heavy wonk-crunk masterpiece. A true renaissance man of hip hop, Thavius Beck sees no musical boundaries other than the ones he has already left behind. 1. Go! (Album version) 2. Go! (Offshore Remix) 3. Away (Album version) 4. Away (Flying Lotus Remix) Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 If, like theatrical space rockers Muse, APC are one your top 'life influences,' we have good news for you. Not only can you listen to the band and see them on their forthcoming tour, you can wear your allegiance proudly on your very chest. Of course, this is just a convoluted and wasteful way of saying that APC t-shirts are now available on the webshop, but we've never been the simplistic types. They look, feel and smell (possibly) fantastic. Get one bagged here. Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 Check out the brand, spanking new video for 'First Lesson' by Juice Aleem below. Once inspired, drop a mail to info@bigdada.com with the subject line "Juice Aleem Please!" and we'll add you to the £3 list for his show tomorrow night at the Barfly. Juice Aleem Live at The Fly Tuesday 20th October, doors 7.30pm £6 on the door - or BARGAIN £3, email info@bigdada.com for £3 list! 36-38 New Oxford St London, WC1A 1EP Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:00 Out now on CD and download from the Ninjashop, Bleep.com, Juno and Boomkat. Yes, we here at Big Dada are officially naming today "Dialogue Day" - not because we want you to go out there and solve international conflicts, the crisis in the Middle East and that dispute with your neighbour over Unreasonable Uses of Hi-Fi Equipment (although we would like you to do all those things). No, it's because today's the day when Thavius Beck's masterwork "Dialogue" is released into the world and what we want you to do is Go And Buy The Fucker. For this task you can use Any Means Necessary - shop, finger click or, ooh, telephone... Because we think this is a great album. Thavius produced the K-The-I??? album we put out last year and now combines the same range of awesome beat-technique with his own warm-voiced, clever rhymes. Here's the press: "An impressive illustration of what hip hop and should be: adventurous, demanding and energising." - Clash "A riot of swirling keyboards and manic intent" - Word " An album packed with tightly-wound, chunky snare sounds, low chanting vocals and Beck's impressively deep flow drawn over the top like a darkening tarpaulin" - BBC Music "This album is heavy full stop. A synth-driven feast of gloriously weighty beats and rhymes so deep that the Atlantic Ocean seems shallow in comparison. Inspiring stuff" - ATM "His rapid-fire, almost spoken rapping backed by warm, pulsing bass and aggressive highs and electronics make his witty critiques of his life and his fucked up country sound huge." - Big Cheese "Reaches new heights.. Every track bleeds immediacy... sounds like the Bomb Squad if they'd called Miami home." - BritishHip-hop.co.uk "Ferocious... incorporates dance music, funk, drum and bass and rock into the mix to create something unique." - Grind Mode Connect "For fans of iconoclastic music of any stripe, Thavius Beck proves that the only boundaries he sees are ones he's already left behind..." - The Music Fix "How good is this?" - FACT "Awesome, his most varied and ambitious LP to date. Touches on soul, rock, jazz and drum n bass in as fluid and skilful a way as we've heard since the last time Outkast put a record out..." - Tasty "Flawless. Smashing boundaries within electronic music and hip-hop simultaneously, it's hard to be anything but awed by this abum..." - The Skinny Now go, walk out that door, go and buy. You will feel good about yourself, all conflicts will be solved, God will walk amongst us... GO! Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 The brand spanking new APC all-in-one extravaganza, or how to enjoy Anti-Pop Consortium both live and recorded, in one fell swoop. The webshop is proud to offer the opportunity to purchase Anti-Pop's stunning 'Fluorescent Black' CD album, and a ticket to their live show at the Scala, London, on Nov 5th, for the special price of just £18. As fans will know, APC are one of the very, very few hip-hop artists whose live shows live up to their recorded music. In fact, they re-create the thing from scratch, before your very eyes. This is a great chance to see, hear and feel the band comprehensively. Get yours now. Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 After the success of rammed and sweaty album launches in both London and BC, Juice Aleem returns to the capital on October 20th at The Fly. One of the finest live MCs us people at BD have ever heard, you can rest assured that he will play material from his new album, "Jerusalaam Come," plus New Flesh classics and stage-destroying freestyle. And you can buy your ticket for it at ticketweb.co.uk now. Only £6 in advance, doors 7.30p, be there... Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 Anti-Pop Consortium's 'Volcano' is the sound of a group not only at their urgent, exploratory best, but also one which knows their funk. Glitchy, squelchy and driving, the tune comes on like the bastard offspring of Rick James and Aphex Twin, imagined as only APC can. And as ever, M. Sayyid, Beans and High Priest spit science, but the kind of science which makes the beat bump even harder. 'Volcano' is taken from the new APC album 'Fluorescent Black', out this week. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 Brapple! It's Big Dada podcast number 5 with the man like A La Fu. Quick of hand and velvet of voice, he guides us through the baffling and occasionally brilliant musical landscape that is Big Dada. This edition celebrates one win and two nominations the label has had from the Mercury Prize. With music from Ty, Roots Manuva, Speech, Wiley, Offshore and many more, it's packed to the rafters and is all yours for free. Geddit quick. iTunes MP3 download Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 After seven years and various solo projects, Anti-Pop Consortium have reunited and their new album 'Fluorescent Black' is out now, a 55 minute epic of electronic hip hop which takes in everything from the most abstract of beat science to romantic crooning. Chicago-based filmmaker Joey Garfield has filmed an intimate look at Beans, High Priest, M. Sayyid and Earl Blaize as they get used to each other again after all these years. Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Yup, the time has come. It's launch week for 'Fluorescent Black', the first new album from Anti-Pop Consortium in seven years. An epic of avant-rap braininess and straight up beat-bumping, "FB" has been winning fine reviews and generating general excitement amongst all the right-thinking people of the free Earth. With gorgeous artwork courtesy of Mark Evans, the album is available on three panel digipack CD, heavyweight gatefold vinyl and, of course, diddly-download. However you choose to consume it, we promise you nourishment and flavour on tap. To celebrate this momentous occasion we have numerous treats and goodies to inform you of, delivered by a variety of our fellow digital music resourcers ("web sites" to you)... First, get ye to RCRDLBL, where you can download Earl Blaize's exclusive 'LavaFlow' remix of 'Volcano'. Then, skip to Acid Planet, where you can take part in a remix competition and download the parts for 'Capricorn One'. Later, hop on over to Time Out New York to hear some freestyle goodness from Beans and M Sayyid. Jump on to DrownedInSound to watch a full doc about the group and how the new album came together. And if that isn't enough, Thursday sees the simultaneous premier of the promo video for 'Volcano' showing at both okayplayer.com and clashtv.com. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Last week Jammer signed a three album contract with Big Dada. One of the true originals of the grime scene - both as an MC and a producer - Jammer nearly signed with Big Dada two years ago (and actually played at our 10th Anniversary party), so everyone here is very pleased to have finally persuaded him! After a series of acclaimed mixtapes, Jammer's first full album is scheduled for May 2010. First single, "Party Animal," will be released later this year. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 The fearsome five (they grow on tour) are out and about all over the world (well the US and Europe, anyway) in support of the new record. Confirmed UK dates are as follows, but check their MySpace for the full US tour listing, updates and additions. Anti-Pop shows are always special - expect MPC improv and lightning freestyle as well as an overview of "Fluorescent Black". But don't expect too much from the past! :: Nov. 4, Brighton @ AUDIO :: Nov. 5, London @ SCALA :: Nov. 6, Leeds @ WIRE :: Nov. 7, Bristol @ CROFT Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Ever wondered what Anti-Pop Consortium nearly called themselves, or more pertinently, why they reformed after six years, and what the inspiration is behind their masterpiece, 'Fluorescent Black'? Well, number two in the new series of Ninja Tune Podcasts can tell you all that and more. Hosted by the effervescent Dexter and featuring an in depth interview with Beans, High Priest and M Sayid, it's worth a lot but comes for free. There's also exclusive snippets of songs from the album, as well as the music that inspired one of hip-hop's greatest collectives in the first place. Plus new music from The Heavy/Joker, Grasscut, Bonobo, Blockhead and Two Fingers. 'Av it. iTunes MP3 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Apparently, it's all about 'the consumer' these days, and the consumer wants summat for naffink, as a great man once named a single he was trying to sell. Not being ones to buck the trend, we've teamed up with spiffing (free) music magazine FACT, to give away something that would have been nicked anyway. Thavius Beck's excellent 'Go!' has been remixed by rising wonk-hop star Offshore, to quite startling effect. It's the best thing we've heard by the young Scottish renaissance man to date, and since we're going whole hog here, you can even have it at 320kpbs. Anyone want to pay us for a plug? No..? Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Four track EP available for download now from the Ninjashop and iTunes. The first full single from APC's eagerly awaited comeback album, "Fluorescent Black," "Volcano" is the sound of a group not only at their urgent, exploratory best, but also one which knows their funk. Glitchy, squelchy and driving, the tune comes on like the bastard offspring of Rick James and Aphex Twin, imagined as only APC can. And as ever, M. Sayyid, Beans and High Priest spit science, but the kind of science which makes the beat bump even harder. Remix duties are taken care of by the one-and-only Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet. Hebden ties vinyl static and chimes together with a clipped beat which makes the whole thing snap. Melancholic and beautiful, it's a fantastic reimagining. Tracklist: 01 Volcano 02 Volcano (Four Tet Remix) 03 Volcano (Instrumental) 04 Volcano (Four Tet Instrumental) The new album 'Fluorescent Black' is released on 28th/29th September (UK/US), pre-order an exclusive bundle with CD, Anti-Pop rolling papers, a badge and a sticker from the Ninjashop now. Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Not content with hanging about on the couch with Lorraine Kelly on GMTV, barely satisfied with scooping the Mercury Music Prize, already comfortable playing in front of however many thousand people at Bestival, Speech Debelle today moves in on Number Ten Downing Street. No, she's not being made Prime Minister (not yet), but this evening she will be going to a reception and meeting Man-Like-Brown, Man-Like-Mandelson and Man-Like-Balls, while Divercity dance and so on and so forth. The coup gathers pace! Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 The 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize Winner Speech Debelle brings us her brand new single 'Spinnin'', the purest pop moment from her widely acclaimed debut album, 'Speech Therapy'. Produced by Tunng mainman Mike Lindsay, 'Spinnin'' is a hugely catchy singalong of a tune, a feelgood route into the sometimes dark and emotional world of Ms Debelle. That's not to say the girl sacrifices any of her lyrical intelligence. Her words are packed with barbed one-liners, clever asides and great imagery. Currently the hottest topic in town, Ms. Debelle embarks on a headlining UK tour starting 25th September: Fri 25 Sep, Bristol, Colston Hall, supporting Roni Size's orchestral show - TICKETS Sat 26 Sep, Sheffield, Plug - TICKETS             Sun 27 Sep, Manchester, Night & Day - TICKETS  Mon 28 Sep, Leeds University Mine Bar       Thu 1 Oct, Glasgow Arches - TICKETS Fri 2 Oct, Belfast, Stiff Kitten - TICKETS    Sat 3 Oct, Dublin Academy 2 - TICKETS       Sun 4 Oct, Liverpool Masque - TICKETS   Mon 5 Oct, Morecambe Library - TICKETS         Wed 7 Oct, The Scala London - TICKETS        Thu 8 Oct, Brighton Coalition - TICKETS Download 'Spinnin'' now from the Ninjashop or iTunes UK. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada are enormously proud, pleased and cat-that-got-the-cream-faced to announce that last night Speech Debelle won the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for Album of the Year for her record "Speech Therapy". With stiff competition from the likes of Florence + The Machine, Friendly Fires and Bat For Lashes, Speech's confidence never wavered and she came through with the kind of aplomb which made it seem like she'd been walking red carpets for years. We, meanwhile, jumped on the tables, spilt drinks and partied with little thought for the feelings of the great and the grey of the UK music industry gathered around us. So today, nursing gigantic hangovers, we raise a glass of alkaseltzer to the Mercury Prize organisers, the panel of judges, all our supporters out there and most of all to Speech herself! Salut! Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 The winner of the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2009 is announced at 10.15pm on the night of Tuesday 8th September. Speech and her band (plus special guests) will be playing live at the Awards Ceremony and it will be on BBC2 that evening. So watch it, cross fingers and other available body parts and hope that oor lass goes all the way. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Macbeth Office, Hylton Smith Leisure, Banana Klan and Urban Species Present: The Banana Klan Ball, an evening of comedy capers and sonic adventure. dedicated to die hard Bass Culture Aficionados. 12th September 2009 6pm - 2am Afternoon nibbles @Macbeth 70 Hoxton Street London N1 6LP Music policy: Heavy Dub Mutations, Hip Hop, Ragga, Jazz and improvisation. Live Band: special birthday set from ROOTS MANUVA and the Banana Klan all star players (9.30pm sharp). Guest recitals: Dawn Penn, Ricky Ranking, Jimmy Screech and Ellie Mae DJs: Strange Love, Jawa & ynp, Cosmo and Rebel 'i' Open Mic: (45 mins) Extended Banana Jam featuring: Daddy Kope, Ricky Ranking, Ahmos, Amaziree, Serocee, Shaun T and more. Tickets £8 from the Ninjashop. www.myspace.com/bananaklan1 www.bananaklan.co.uk Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:00 The end of September sees Speech and band take to the road for her first headline UK tour.  If you haven't seen Speech and the excellent Therapists do their thing yet, then it's highly recommended that you catch them now. If you have already seen them, then you'll want to see them again anyway! Fri 25 Sep, Bristol, Colston Hall, supporting Roni Size's orchestral show - TICKETS Sat 26 Sep, Sheffield, Plug - TICKETS             Sun 27 Sep, Manchester, Night & Day - TICKETS  Mon 28 Sep, Leeds University Mine Bar Thu 1 Oct, Glasgow Arches - TICKETS Fri 2 Oct, Belfast, Stiff Kitten - TICKETS Sat 3 Oct, Dublin Academy 2 - TICKETS Sun 4 Oct, Liverpool Masque - TICKETS Mon 5 Oct, Morecambe Library - TICKETS Wed 7 Oct, The Scala London - TICKETS Thu 8 Oct, Brighton Coalition - TICKETS Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Lots of new music up today - sorry for the delay in refreshing it. The songs show why we're so excited about things currently; the Wiley revox of Better Days is a rare example of the grime don putting as much thought into someone else's track as he does his own. Flying Lotus has turned in an excellent, atmospheric remix for fellow LA resident and friend Thavius Beck, and Anti-Pop's 'Born Electric' is, we think you'll agree, a perfect example of hip-hop's ability to surprise and thrill. Avant-broadway-concept-hop, who'da thunk it. Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Number four in a series we hope will run for all eternity, the Big Dada podcast is back. With the devilishly handsome A La Fu at the helm, there's avant-Broadway-hop from Anti-Pop Consortium, genre-reviving brilliance from Flying Lotus, Speech Debelle in fired up, street-as-hell mode, spine-tinglingly good, soaring future-rap from Thavius Beck, and the man who puts the universal into hip-hop; Juice Aleem... Get it now, for nothing. iTunes MP3 download Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 Hot on the heels of the last, our man Infinite Livez has another art exhibition. "7 Styles for 7 Brothers" takes place at the Archipelago Works in a town called Sheffield and features the work of Inf, Kid Acne, Pinky, Russell Maurice, Dscreet, Cept and Sweet Toof. It's on from Sept 5th to the 27th and there are special screenprints available and all that good stuff. Go North my friends! (Or South, depending on where you are...) The Archipelago Works, 16-20 Sidney Street, Sheffield. Phone: 01142634493 Email: info@archipelago-art.co.uk Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:00:00 In association with the good people of Spin.com we're giving you a chance to hear a little more of the forthcoming bloody-marvellous Anti-Pop Consortium album, "Fluorescent Black". "Born Electric" is M. Sayyid's autobiographical opus to electrical energy. Unlike anything APC have recorded before, it's another taste of a group who continue to push the envelope. Get it here. The band will be on tour in the UK in November, playing at London's Scala on November 5th. Who needs bonfires when you can have musical fireworks? Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:00:00 The Mercury-nominated Speech Debelle returns with Spinnin, the purest pop moment from her widely acclaimed debut album, Speech Therapy. Out on Big Dada on 14th September 2009. Produced by Tunng mainman Mike Lindsay, Spinnin is a hugely catchy singalong of a tune, a feelgood route into the sometimes dark and emotional world of Ms Debelle. That's not to say the girl sacrifices any of her lyrical intelligence. Her words are packed with barbed one-liners, clever asides and great imagery. The press has been quick to proclaim her a star in the making and on Spinnin she takes the opportunity to shine. Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:00:00 Six years after they parted ways to pursue separate projects, Anti-Pop Consortium have reunited and recorded their fourth album, 'Fluorescent Black', slated for release September 29th on Big Dada Recordings. 'Fluorescent Black' represents the group's best work yet, a seventeen track masterpiece that moves through moods, concepts, beats and rhymes with the mind-bending ease which has always characterised their output, but expands their work out further in every direction. As a taster, APC have leaked this killer album megamix for your listening and blogging pleasure, right-click on this bit of text and download it to your computer, enjoy! Tue, 18 Aug 2009 00:00:00 From guesting on BBC's Breakfast News to being name-dropped by actress Thandie Newton, Speech Debelle's time is now to shine. And, now is your time to hear what all of the fuss is about - listen to her Mercury Prize-nominated Speech Therapy all week long on AOL Spinner! Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 If the London launch party for Juice Aleem's astonishing debut album was anything to go by, then his hometown is in for a serious treat this week. With a range of UK underground legends including Serocee, Charlee Brown, Triple Darkness, Cipher from Moorish Delta, Lady Justice, Mz C Brown, R-tillery, Blackitude, The What Supreme, Mad Flow and DJ Moyma - it's hip-hop at its thrilling best. And we're really very excited to announce that Mike Ladd is hosting, which always means the night will take flight. You really would be mad to miss this, especially at the price below. 22nd - Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, 106 High St, Birmingham B14 7JZ - £2 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 00:00:00 Last minute news we know, but Juice Aleem's launch party tomorrow night has been moved from Gramophone to Mother Bar, which is above 333 Club on Old Street (funnily enough it's number 333) Same line up, same times and same entry fee. Lovely job. Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:00:00 Ooh, we got a treat for you here. Juice Aleem in a club-set live video for the tune "Higher Higher," taken from his very soon forthcoming album "Jerusalaam Come" (it's out Monday). We just got finished stock in today, and Oscar & Ewan have done a lovely job on the artwork. Plus the record is picking up some fantastic reviews. Check this morning's lead review in the Independent, for example. Or look at The Quietus to learn why Mr Aleem is a "restless, bashing rhinoceros". Or go buy DJ magazine to read the five star review of his "sheer brilliance". Or peruse the feature from Metro. Or just Google him and feel the love! It's a great record. Get it... Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada had been raving at Wiley about Speech Debelle for some time, but it was only this summer that he finally rang up to rave back. In his words 'the Better Days tune is baaaad bruv!' Several changes in Wiley's phone number later, he recorded one of the best, most considered verses he's laid down for a tune that ain't his own. An inspired Speech recorded a brand new verse of her own, and brought album collaborator and UK underground don Incredubwoy into the mix. The finished result is, we think you'll agree, something quite astonishingly good. Download it for free, here Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 If you were unlucky to have missed out on picking up the Amazon giveaway of the triumphant return to the fray that is Anti-Pop Consortium's 'Apparently,' you can now get it right here. Don't say we never give you nowt. Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 As if the line ups for Juice Aleem's launch parties in London and Birmingham weren't already stellar, he's just made another addition. Yarah Bravo, One Self stalwart and honey-voiced, versatile MC, will be playing both shows. Roots Manuva will host in London, while other guests across the two events include Charlee Brown, Triple Darkness, Cipher from Moorish Delta, Lady Justice, Mz C Brown, R-tillery, Blackitude, The What Supreme, Mad Flow and DJ Moyma. So make sure you're around in August at the following locations: 13th - Gramophone, 60-62 Commercial street, London E1 6LT - £3 22nd - Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, 106 High St, Birmingham B14 7JZ - £2 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 APC will be at the Big Chill Bar, just off Brick Lane, between 7 and 10pm tomorrow. They'll be playing an exclusive DJ set which will no doubt include some of their new album tracks, and best of all, it's free in. See you there! Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:00:00 The first lady of Big Dada is rapidly ascending the celebrity ladder, not least by virtue of her searingly honest and fiercely intelligent interview technique. Those who get up at a decent hour will be able to see Speech live and direct on no less than the Beeb's flagship breakfast TV program this Thursday. The appearance will take place sometime between 8.15 and 9.15 on BBC 1, and Speech will be talking music, Mercury Prizes and life stories. You know it'll be an event, so don't miss. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 Speech has a new Ustream channel and will be performing an exclusive live streaming gig from Alaska Studios in London, UK on Monday 27th July at 8pm GMT. Featuring her band The Therapists and a very special secret guest, viewers that tune in live on the night will receive a never-released-before spanking new Speech Debelle song! Mark the date in your diary to be sure not to miss this very special show. You can even track her live Twitter feed - @speechdebelle - during the gig and try your hand at some digital heckling! Watch the promo below to find out more from Speech herself: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada are pleased to announce the nomination of Speech Debelle's debut album, "Speech Therapy," for the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize. She is joined on the list by the likes of Kasabian, The Horrors, Florence & The Machine, Friendly Fires, La Roux, Bat For Lashes and Glasvegas. On hearing the news the 26 year-old South Londoner was in her usual forthright mood: "I feel like this is well deserved and I feel an album like this should get the recognition it has, and other albums like this should, too. Let's open some doors!" This is the third Mercury nomination for Big Dada in the last seven years, following on from Roots Manuva (for "Run Come Save Me" in 2002) and Ty (for "Upwards" in 2004). This time we're hoping to win! Her next single 'Better Days' featuring Micachu is out on Monday. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 The good folk at Amazon.co.uk are offering not one but TWO Big Dada MP3s free of charge; Anti-Pop Consortium's 'Apparently,' and Speech Debelle's 'Searching.' Go here to get yours! Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 Infinite Livez has the first solo exhibition of his artwork opening this month. It's called "Salvador Dali Was Half Bengali" and runs from July 12th to 30th. Cos we love you we're also letting you in on the opening nigh. July 11th is the preview, you're invited and Inf will also be performing along with DJ Dysu, Gold Panda and Non-Verbal World and The Invisible Unplanned Band. It starts at 7pm and should a night to remember. Pebbledash Gallery, 2 Leswin Place, Stoke Newington, London N16 7NJ Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:00:00 'Themes' by A La Fu is the first release from VaVa Records and comes in both vinyl (3 x 7"s) and CD limited edition box sets, each package includes the shockingly exquisite artwork created by Rough and like the music, the exclusive prints of the three covers come separate but when you put them together they make up one cohesive picture, in this case ready to frame and hang up onto your wall if desired. 'Themes' itself is a triptych collection under the umbrella of Concrete, Digital, Potential and features the supremely talented voices of Sandra Melody and Scribe Sayar. 'VaVa' is the moniker founded by Brent Handlebear and A La Fu for the music of now, artistry of the present and enjoyment for the future. Visit the site for more music, artists, and features at www.chezvava.com There's a sneak preview of this season's must have musical accessory from the handy link below. You can buy it over the counter or online from Rough Trade, Juno and the VaVa website. A La Fu - Themes (Short & Sweet Medley)/a> Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:00:00 The mighty A La Fu returns for the second installment of his inimitable Big Dada podcasts. With music from Roots Manuva, Anti-Pop Consortium, Thavius Beck, Speech Debelle, Juice Aleem and many more. Also look out for regular competitions and giveaways, plus incredible mixes of the label's back catalogue, year by year. All yours for nothing more than nowt. iTunes MP3 download Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 Preparations for the release of "Jerusalaam Come" continue apace. Juice has arranged launch parties in both hometown Birmingham and London with a whole host of guests to make things bump. Longtime friend and labelmate Roots Manuva will host in London, while guests across the two events include Charlee Brown, Triple Darkness, Cipher from Moorish Delta, Lady Justice, Mz C Brown, R-tillery, Blackitude, The What Supreme, Mad Flow and DJ Moyma. So make sure you're around in August at the following locations: 13th - Gramophone, 60-62 Commercial street, London E1 6LT - £3 22nd - Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, 106 High St, Birmingham B14 7JZ - £2 First single "First Lesson" is also being mastered today. With a fantastic remix package including re-rubs from Evil 9, Rude Kid, A La Fu and Shadowless Domain, it fuckin' bumps! Check it soon. Marvellousness guaranteed! Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 This Friday you can see Speech Debelle and her excellent band playing live - for free. Thanks to the good people at Time Out, Speech will be playing the Barfly in London's fashionable Camden district(*snigger*) and the tax on the door will be waived. You can get all the details here.... If you can't make it, though, pitch your tent in your living room, piss on it, go and roll around in a flowerbed for a while then set your computer up outside the tent and watch Speech at Glastonbury. When you've revelled in her three tracks there, watch her backstage acoustic contribution to BBC2's coverage on iPlayer, 11 and a b it minutes into the chunk stored here. (I was gonna say that those of you without a computer could see this again in the Beeb's Glasto highlight package this weekend but then, er, duh, blibble, I realised). Oh, and watch another very different acoustic performance for the Telegraph here. True dat. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Glastonbury is over for another year but the memories live on thanks to the BBC iPlayer! Watch Speech and Roots perform while you wash the mud off your wellies: Speech Debelle BBC Introducing Stage performance (with Micachu for 'Better Days') Performing 'Searching' at BBC backstage (at 11mins 35secs) Roots Manuva Jazz/World stage performance Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Speech Debelle kicks off the festival season with a cracking video for her new single, "Better Days,"  a harder hitting, more beat-led piece of hip hop than some of her earlier releases, but losing none of their emotional charge. Produced by Plutonic Lab during Speech's stay in Australia, Ms Debelle returned to Blighty without a chorus in place. After various ideas for singers were mooted she settled on Micachu, who could add a distinctive and distinctly British soul to proceedings. The result is blazing - swinging, snapping drums contrasted with deep double bass and acoustic guitar, Speech's clever, incisive, real lyrics and the unexpected twists of Micachu's melancholy chorus. As NME has already put it, it's "a slow-burning slice of pop that's both unsettlingly gloomy and joyously uplifting." Directed by Rollo Jackson (Hot Chip, Man Like Me, Chris Clark), the video - like the tune itself - features Micachu as well as Speech and was filmed in East London and the badlands of Dagenham. With "Speech Therapy" already being tipped as one of the albums of the year, "Better Days" is a reminder just why so many people are getting so excited about this young South Londoner.... Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:00 The festival season begins in earnest for Speech and her band this week, with five appearances at Glastonbury in the space of one weekend. As a result, there's really no excuse for being there and not seeing her play, unless you're off yer head on magic mushrooms and crawling round on the floor chatting to blades of grass. Friday sees Ms Debelle performing in the Dance Village Pussy Parlure tent at 6.30pm. Saturday sees her dropping into the Guardian Lounge at midday and the BBC Introducing stage at 6.30pm. Sunday sees her finish things off on the Orange Red Bull stage at midday, followed by the Dirty Boots stage at 5 o'clock. In addition to all this, Speech and crew will be running a video blog of the festival off her YouTube channel, so be sure to check in there: youtube.com/SpeechDebelleTV Or, to put it more simply: Fri 26th Dance Village Parlure tent 6.30pm Sat 27th Guardian Lounge 12 midday Sat 27th BBC Introducing stage 6.30pm Sun 28th Orange Red Bull Stage 12.00 midday. Sun 28th Dirty Boots stage 5.00pm Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Our man Alastair Siddons (responsible for the Roots Manuva videos for "Too Cold," "Buff Nuff," "Again & Again" and "Let The Spirit") has been working on his debut feature length documentary for the last few years. It tells the story of the World Breakdance Championships in South Africa in 2007 and looks bloomin' amazing. Check the trailer here. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 The Texas-Dalston axis return with the third single from their marvellous debut album and it's a cracker. "Love Of My Night" details the traumas and madness of the one-night stand and works less as brag about how Trak Bully and Coool get theirs than as a cautionary tale on the (very funny) dangers of mixing Jaeger and Red Bull. Xrabit once again shows his production smarts by mixing pure booty rhythms with sparkling cascades of synth work. It shows why there's such a buzz around this producer. And, if you really weren't sure, check out his superb, housed up remix of the same tune or his original version of the psychedelic drugs tune, "R We Friends." Album "Helllo World" picked up great press in the UK and is starting to generate some real momentum in the States, with Spin, XLR8R and the hulfe influential allhiphop.com all getting right behind it. With some crazed live shows at SXSW and a US tour with 2 Live Crew in the works, Xrabit & DMG$ are finding love wherever they go... Download "Love of My Night" from the Ninjashop or iTunes now. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Juice Aleem, one of the finest MCs the UK has ever produced, is live tonight at GASH! at the Macbeth, London, UK. Catch him live ahead of his new album 'Jerusalaam Come', out on Big Dada on 3rd August. GASH! Friday 5th June, 8pm - 2am Location: The Macbeth, Hoxton Street, London, UK Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Wednesday 17th June sees the sloppy bottle-slappers Open Sauce present an evening of wondrousness headlined by the one and only Infinite Livez. Now based in Berlin, Inf has come back to Blighty for the July launch of an exhibition of his prints with exhibitx. He will be supported on the night by Man One, Don Grizzly and special guests. The whole shebang takes place at Vibe Live (above Vibe Bar), Trueman Brewery, Bricklane, London, 8 PM - 11:45 PM and it's free all night! Be there or have your brain sucked out by parasites while you sleep... Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 Today is the day. The wondrous 'Speech Therapy' by Speech Debelle is in stores, both physically and digitally, everywhere. You can take advantage of the eye-wateringly cheap iTunes price of £4.49 (this week only!) or get down to your local shop and pick up the limited edition digi-pack CD. In the words of The Sunday Times, "this is a seriously brilliant album... an extraordinarily strong song-sequence." We're very proud of it, and we think you will be too. Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 Big Dada presents a new, lovingly crafted and (hopefully!) regular podcast. Produced and hosted by the one and only A La Fu - the man Roots Manuva calls a 'Big Dada soldier,' it features new music from Anti-Pop Consortium, Speech Debelle, Juice Aleem, Thavius Beck and Rodney Smith himself. Subscribe and enjoy. iTunes Direct XML Link Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 Anti-Pop Consortium return to the fray with the first tune from their forthcoming album, "Fluorescent Black," a superb piece of machine-funk called "Apparently". But it gets even better. Amazon are offering said tune as an mp3 download for absolute free. So you can get it now, today for big nada. Go here and DL straight the way. Wahey. Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 Out to buy this week on 12" and MP3, Thunderheist's latest single 'Nothing 2 Step 2' is a bonafide electronic pop anthem that vocalist Isis - her tongue only half in her cheek - refers to as her "Madonna moment." You can buy a copy now at the Ninjashop and catch them live in Europe over the next few weeks: Thurs 21 May - Catch, London, UK Fri 22 May - Social Club, Paris, France Sat 23 May - Berns, Stockholm, Sweden Weds 27 May - Crawdaddy, Dublin, Ireland Thurs 28 May - Die Registratur, Munich, Germany Fri 29 May - Gebaude 9, Cologne, Germany Sat 30 May - Villa, Berlin, Germany Sun 31 May - Hotel Shanghai, Essen, Germany Tues 2 June - Let's Dance At La Casa Encendida, Madrid, Spain Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 This month's OMM Flash Forward pick is none other than our very own Speech Debelle! To watch an exclusive interview and performance of 'Go Then, Bye' go to guardian.co.uk/theobserver/musicmonthly Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 Xrabit + DMG$ played a marvellous show at the Jazz Cafe as part of the Camden Crawl last month and it was immortalised by the good people at RWD magazine, along with an interview in which they appear tired and jetlagged but as loveable as ever. Anyway, go forth and check it... Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 Our man Infinite Livez is a renaissance man, innit? As well as the music, the weird short films and the skills as a costumier he, like, draws stuff. So anyhow, he'll be exhibiting in London this summer but you can get a taste by buying an exclusive print (and tribute to the original Big Dada, R.Mutt) here. You know it makes sense... Thu, 14 May 2009 00:00:00 If you can't wait until its official release date on 1st June to hear 'Speech Therapy', then check out the album streams here, for free! The record is available for pre-order at the Ninjashop now in CD, limited edition gatefold CD, double LP and MP3. Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 Speech will be playing at the Size? flagship store on Carnaby Street in London this Wednesday. The event is open to the public but is invite only. To get on the list, go to the Trainerspotter clothing Facebook page. Here's the official info from our Friends at Trainerspotter. See you there. The night starts at 7:30 at the Carnaby store and is showcasing a new product release between Trainerspotter & Size? The t-shirt release pays homage to Spike Lee and his seminal film 'Do the Right Thing' with a play on the knuckle rings worn by fave character 'Radio Raheem' At the event we have the entertainment from DJ's the Dixon Bros who will be playing old skool classics from 89. Also we have a live performance from SPEECH DEBELLE..!!!!! There will be a free entry raffle with prizes from Trainerspotter, Dada/Ninja and Soleseek. Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 Good news today in that pop avant-gardist, hoover player, leader of The Shapes and creator one of the best albums of 2009 so far, Micachu, is confirmed to play with Speech at her launch party on the 28th May. Micachu features on one of the standout tracks on Speech Therapy, and we're all very excited about seeing the track performed live! There are still a few tickets available to win - details below! Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 Anti-Pop Consortium is warmly welcomed back to European shores as they embark on a 15-date tour starting at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in Minehead, UK this Friday. On Saturday the alternative hip-hoppers headline the infamous Soundcrash clubnight at Cargo in London, UK with DJ Mr Thing, Memory 9 and Hayashi. Tickets for the Cargo show are £10 and available via the Cargo ticket site here. The full APC European tour schedule is listed here. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 Mr Manuva returns to the fray and tells you to piss off and leave him alone. Yes, "Do Nah Bodda Mi" is that rare thing, a bubbling, bouncing piece of dancehall pop laced with comedy misanthropy. Taken from the acclaimed album, "Slime & Reason" and produced by man-of-the-moment Toddla T, this is pure sunshine and pewter clouds. Remixes come from Wrong Tom (whose "Do Bodda Mi" version originally appeared on the limited edition double CD release of "Slime & Reason" and received much love), Xrabit (cartoon-tropicalia for all shimmy-man dem) and Red Light (pedal-to-the-metal flooorfiller). All wrapped up inside a truly superb sleeve and available on 12" single (or as a download, tech-types) on June 29th. Don't miss...! Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 Fresh from causing all kinds of fuss amongst the ladies and gentlemen of the press, Speech Debelle will be celebrating the release of her debut album 'Speech Therapy' next month. The party will take place at Madame JoJo's on Soho's Brewer Street on Thursday 28th May. There are rumours about special appearances from album collaborators as well as DJs and guest vocalists, and Speech will be playing not one but two full sets with the band some call The Therapists. There are a very limited number of tickets available for this event, and Big Dada are running a competition to give some of those away to deserving fans. All you have to do is email info@bigdada.com and complete the following line from Speech's debut single, 'Searching.' 'Who made these rules? ..... ..... ..... .....' Please use the subject line 'Speech Debelle competition.' Good luck! Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 We're more than pleased to announce the release of that long-awaited artefect - a solo album from Juice Aleem. Yes, the MC whose career has been most closely linked to the history of the label has finally gone for self! As Alpha Prhyme Juice featured on the very first Big Dada release. After that his work with New Flesh and Gamma consolidated his reputation, before work with Hextstatic, Adam Freeland, Evil 9 and Coldcut (amongst others) demonstrated his open-mindedness and versatility (as well as his ability as one of the very best freestylers in the business). Over the last year or so, though, Juice has got down to business and put down the tracks which comprise "Jerusalaam Come," a 14 track epic which Big Dada will release on July 27th. We think it's a blinder and can't wait for you to hear first single "First Lesson". He's back - phony MCs, be afraid... Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 We are proud and pleased to announce that legendary avant-rap group Anti-Pop Consortium have signed a two album deal with us. Their first album in seven years, "Fluorescent Black," will be released on 09/09/09. "We needed time to grow and mature as artists individually," a statement from the group says. "Now that we have assessed our strengths and weaknesses, we are ready to re-form stronger and better than we have ever been before. The chemistry that we have together makes for exceptional music. It's time to return." When Big Dada heard that APC were working on a new record they were keen to get involved. As Will Ashon, founder of the label puts it, "Antipop were one of the groups who were inspiring me when we started the label in the '90s - to have them directly involved is a dream." For their part, the group say that "Big Dada is known for the exceptional and unique artists that populate their label and we are proud to be a part of a musical roster that dares to push the envelope." Two thirds of "Fluoresent Black" is already in the can and there's a feeling growing that it will be their greatest work yet, a summation of where they've travelled before but also a giant step beyond it. "Our approach to music has always been individualistic," the group say. "As creative musicians, it is our duty to bring our brand of individuality to the world of music." Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 There's no knowing how often Two Fingers will perform together, so if you're feeling their debut album we would strongly advise you to be down at the Scala on Wednesday May 13th, when Amon Tobin and Doubleclick will be joined by Sway for some seriously dark hip hop fission. In addition, Mr Tobin will play a DJ set, so get ready for rumble. Tickets going fast so pre-order recommended from here. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 That's right folks, Speech Debelle is turning into a seasoned live performer before her album even drops. This is another great chance to see her in an intimate setting, and what she does live will brighten up the dullest of Sundays, so get down there. ROAD TRIP, 243 OLD STREET SUNDAY 19TH APRIL ++ Live Sets++ Speech Debelle (6pm) Shona Foster (5pm) ++ DJ Sets ++ Russell Porter & Chums FREE ENTRY! Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:00:00 Our friends from over the water return at the end of this month to join our friend from this side of the water. Together they will make beautiful music live for your listening pleasure. Yes, Xrabit & DMG$ are getting ready for more club shenanigans. Expect - dirty dancing, inappropriate innuendo (and apology for inappropriate innuendo), super squelchy, innard-readjusting bass, ridiculously catchy keyboard lines and naked long john dancing (that sounds much, much ruder than it actually is). Anyhoo, it will be nothing but fun... They are playing at the Jazz Cafe at 9.15pm on Saturday April 25th. Fight your way in and giggle-goggle your way out. Kaboom. Thu, 09 Apr 2009 00:00:00 Speech Debelle will be performing live in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, on the South Bank tomorrow (Friday) as part of b.supreme's 'Females in Hip-Hop' festivities! It's free to get in and should be a lot of fun. A great chance to see her amazing live set with band The Therapists, before they get all big and that and you have to stand at the back squinting. Starts around 9.15pm. Have a good long weekend! Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 They're coming thick and fast. Speech's new song 'Go then, Bye' shows an raw, emotional side to her artistry, and is basically a damn good break-up song. We can all relate, innit? Check it here Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 Fresh from winning the Best Video award at SXSW for Jerk It, Thunderheist return with a stunning promo for forthcoming single 'Nothing 2 Step 2.' Directed by George Vale (Feist, Broken Social Scene) it's a corker. Have a ganders, here Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:00:00 XRABIT + DMG$ recently travelled to Paris to play a show, and you can see why they enjoyed it so much right here Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:00:00 In another triumph of taste and execution, Infinite Livez and his erstwhile friends Stade have covered cock-rock anthem Jump, by Van Halen. It's up on the site now. If it ain't playing ya hit refresh, iniiiiiit. Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 Thunderheist vocalist Isis has just appeared on the esteemed Jimmy Kimmel show in the US, alongside fellow Toronto alumni MSTRKRFT, and rap legend N.O.R.E, or whatever the latest permutation of his name is. It's well worth a view to see Isis shine, and to see Superthug checking his texts (or, dare we say it, lyrics!?) Watch it here Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 Giveaway time folks. Big Dada has several pairs of the wonderfully bright and cheery Blazer sunglasses in the office, courtesy of Daniel at Trainerspotter. All you have to do to have a pair wing their way to you is email the names of the three members of XRABIT + DMG$ to info@bigdada.com. Don't forget to include your address. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 As bright and breezy as Mr West's but with a little LESS SHOUTING, XRABIT + DMG$ have started up their very own blog. It's full of their favourite links, music, pictures, and of course news about all their shows and releases. Most importantly it gives you a glimpse into the world they being to life on their debut album. Have a look at it here Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:00:00 We're so pleased with the recent press on Speech Debelle that we thought we'd cull some quotes and do some shouting on her behalf. If you haven't heard her yet, get yerself on it. "Potent, precious, poignant. The artist Lily Allen could only dream of being. Star of the year already" - DJ "Speech Debelle is a serious talent; someone whose voice and lyrics mark her out as a person with a uniquely vulnerable yet powerful approach to songwriting" - Music Week "An artist with sufficient confidence in her own greatness to exude a take-it-or-leave-it charm... startlingly good" - The Guardian "A superstar in the making" - Update "Just the right amount of attitude and smarts... Unique - and uniquely British" - Pitchfork "Lyrically blinding... a world of intense hindsight and scathing realism. Like the best forms of art, her raw words force you to look deep into your own reflection" - Stool Pigeon "Like no hip hop record you've ever heard" - Dazed & Confused "Urban decay recast as a brooding short film, flooded with poetry and honest emotional toil" - iDJ Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 There's been quite an astonishing response to the first single by Speech Debelle. Tipped by Music Week and the Mercury Music website, played by Radio One's messrs Murray, Stephens, Peterson and Da Bank, and written about by Dazed and The Stool Pigeon, people seemed to quickly warm to Searching's unique take on hip-hop. Speech's second offering, The Key, is just as lovely and every bit as fresh - a jaunty, invigorating song that sees its maker in a positive mindset. You can watch the excellent video for it here, and Speech and her stupendously good band will be playing at the Bloomsbury Bowl tomorrow night, with free entry. Speech Debelle live 9.45pm at The Bloomsbury Bowl Basement of: Tavistock Hotel Bedford Way London WC1H 9EU Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 The XRABIT + DMG$ set at YoYo last Thurs was beyond good. The show had everything. Two x 6 foot, Texan MCs who're so tight they seem to be reading each others minds; big, warm, infectiously future beats from XRABIT; partial nudity and simulated lovemaking; stage invasions and even free sunglasses. Expect all this and more on a grander scale tonight at Fabric. It's a strangely refreshing, welcoming and fun show that you'll be glad you saw. What's more, there's another 50 or so pairs of sunglasses and some other goodies being flung around by our Texan friends. They're on at 11.30, see you there. Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 We never thought we'd see the day that celebridee blogger and all round not very nice guy Perez Hilton covered a Big Dada act, but that day has come. Amongst the fame-hungry ramblings and misogynist scribblings over famous women's bodies, there nestles one thing worth reading. Namely, that Thunderheist are great. You can read the piece here, although it'll move down the pages very quickly as Mr Hilton seems to have plenty of time on his hands. Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 Don't forget that Big Dada is carrying out one of it's best ever giveaways tonight at the XRABIT + DMG$ show at YoYo. Trainerspotter, whose clothes you may have seen in Size stores everywhere (and adorning several of our artists) have very kindly given us 30 pairs of their Charger sunglasses. These normally cost a handsome 25 quid, but all you have to do to join the glitterati and shade your peepers is approach a member of DMG$ and say 'hello, world.' Don't worry, they won't bite. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:00:00 Xrabit + DMG$ - Live, mo'f*cker!!! At last the wait is over. In a transatlantic alliance that has stood the test of, ooh, months, the pocket battleship Xrabit will be joined by the US Aircraft Carriers Trak Bully and Cool Bully. Together they will slide gracefully and quietly into the icy waters of your mind and BLOW SHIT UP. Yes, it's official (kind of) and to prove it the boys will be gathering in West London for the hep YoYo! night at the achingly so-there Notting Hill Arts Club on this very Thursday night to prove once and for all that they are FOR REAL. I'm not sure what I mean by any of this except to assure that the show will be off the hooky-wook. And - just to make it even more "future's-so-bright" our dear friends at Trainerspotter are giving us THIRTY pairs of their latest marvellous shades, to give to the first thirty people who approach the band and whisper "Hello world" to them, with a winning smile on their chops (it's the name of the debut album innit?). Anyway, be there or feel like a fake when Kanye is supporting them at the O2 in a year, and you're telling everyone you saw their first UK show. Blah. Just be there. Okay? (Oh and bring photo-ID. They throw in surveillance for free...) Speech Debelle This Sunday afternoon you can see Speech Debelle and her marvellous band for absolute freeness just by hanging round a cold bandstand in Clerkenwell. Yeah, it is actually true. Speech has been asked to play a short set for www.bandstandbusking.com bandstandbusking.com> and it's in Northampton Square from 1pm. We promise: no brassbands. Bracing atmosphere. Free birdshit. Please come.... Bring your gran. She might drive you there and won't realise what it is until too late... Time: 1pm: Esser (Transgressive Records), 1.30pm Speech Debelle (Big Dada Records). - 3 acoustic songs Address: City University, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB (the bandstand's right beside the uni). Map here Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 We've just heard some very exciting news about XRABIT + DMG$' set at Fabric on 6th Feb. The night is run by Sinden (and occasionally Switch, we think) and this one will not only feature our very own Southern rap bright sparks, but one of their formative influences. Three 6 Mafia have confirmed they'll play. Trak and Coool are overjoyed to be playing alongside their heroes, and it should be a huge night indeed. Keep checking back for more news and some giveaways. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 Cmon cmon cmon - like Obama and alcoholic popsicles, XRABIT + DMG$ combine in inspiring and intoxicating ways. Late January sees the two Texan MCs touch down in London, hook up with Dalston-based XRABIT and fling themselves into a series of shows (London, Paris Berlin) that will leave onlookers weak-kneed and screaming with joy. It's a long time since hip hop has managed to sound so carefree, so avant garde and yet so pop. You can be there at the start (the dates below) or at the end (the O2 Arena in two years time) but you will be there. Follow the yellow brick road. Fri, 19 Dec 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada is off to hibernate drunkenly for the Xmas season. Have a very happy Christmas and an excellent new year. See you on the other side. Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 A couple of weeks ago, Thunderheist played a guerilla gig outside Cargo, after their main performance in the venue. This involved a sponsored tank, some police, a street sign wielder and a taxi-leaper. It was a lot more fun than we thought it might be. Have a look at it here Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:00:00 A coupla weeks back Speech Debelle did a special showcase performance for a small audience at the Betsey Trotwood in London's Farringdon- zone. She's got a new band, see, and we wanted to check out how the whole thing was coming together. The show turned out to be a bit of a mini-masterpiece, so we thought we'd share some of it with the world at large through the good offices of YouTube. Go here to watch Bad Boy, a beautifully observed story rhyme about the little men who can't break out of the cages they find themselves in. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:00:00 Don't forget there are not one, but TWO chances to see the live phenomenon that is Thunderheist this week. Scroll down for more details. The Cargo show will apparently get very busy due to the free entry and excellent line-up, so do get down early. Finally, if you get yourself to Hoxton Square just before Midnight on Friday, you might just catch yourself a third show with quite a difference, plus some freebies. See you there. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:00:00 XRABIT + DMG$ are warming up for the release of their album next year, entitled 'Hello World.' Their next single, out in Janurary, is called 'Follow The Leader,' and you can watch the video here The song shows that whilst the trio might be new of school, they know all there is to know about old school too. Combined with a staggeringly good video that shows they look good too, it's one to watch, pass along and watch again. Please do click the high quality link. Tue, 18 Nov 2008 00:00:00 As regular visitors to Big Dada's cosy web HQ will have noticed, 2009 is going to be all about new signings. it's an incredibly exciting time for us, and hopefully for you, too. One of the bright young stars preparing for her debut album is the label's first ever female solo artist, Speech Debelle. Her track 'Searching' has been playing on the site for a while, and is now up on Itunes to buy. There's also a very nice, hand numbered and stamped 7" on the webshop and in stores. The song has already picked up nine Radio 1 plays, which isn't very common for a label that values the creative above all else. In case you need more convincing to spend your pounds or pence, those arbiters of taste Dazed magazine and the Stool Pigeon have both featured South London's newest star. They recommend you grab it quick smart, too. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:00:00 One of Big Dada's most exciting new signings are finally making it over to London next month. Thunderheist are producer Grahmzilla and vocalist Isis, who providence happily brought together to form "Toronto's shit-hot electro duo" (NME.com) You can hear their debut release 'Jerk It' playing on the site right now, and even better, see their intensely brilliant live show at YoYo (Notting Hill Arts Club) on Thurs 4th Dec, and alongside musical contemporaries XXXChange (Spank Rock) and Boy 8 Bit at Cargo on Friday 5th. There are rumours of guerilla style live antics circulating too... Catch them whilst you can still get near the stage - they're very much worth it. Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 A very topical new Cadence Weapon video is available here. Enjoy Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 The stunningly brilliant cover of Slime and Reason, designed by the powerhouse design team Oscar and Ewan, has been nominated as the best of 2008 by Art Vinyl. For those who don't own big sunglasses or spend an inordinate amount of time in Hackney, Art Vinyl is a great little shop and gallery on Broadway Market, that sells record display cases and generally celebrates the glory of good, 12" vinyl artwork. Please take a moment to vote, here Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:00:00 If you're in London this Saturday then it's almost (and I say 'almost' cos I don't wanna be too pushy) your duty to go to the Macbeth in the Eastern Hip-Packing Disitrict (Hoxton, you waste-face). Marvellous magazine Plan B will be having their regular shindig there from 8pm onward and musical delights include a DJ set from our very own Xrabit (currently making dancefloors rumble with his collabo with DMG$ - "Killin Em") and the mighty mighty Infinite Livez, accompanied by DJs Tendraw and Dysu. In addition, the bill includes a live set from Dokkebi Q (3QReq) and Plan B's very own Ringo P Stacey on selectaaah duties. it'll be fun, only costs a fiver to get in and goes on until the wee small hours. Attend. Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada's new signing, Thunderheist, are over in Europe playing some shows this week. We caught up with them at Popkomm, the music industry conference in Berlin, where they were playing at Icon. The show was explosive. Vocalist Isis made most of the room into her stage, provoked more movement than a bank going under, and generally awed the crowd. Add to this the quite literally thunderous, dancefloor pop-hop from Grahm Zilla, and you had what's being called the 'highlight.' With a bit of luck they're in the UK next week. Watch this space, and this one too. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 Roderick Manuva has notched up yet another nomination for yet another award, as Best Hip Hop Act at the Urban Music Awards 2008. Voted for by the public both for nominations and final results, your clicking fingers have got the Rootical one this far. Keep those votes coming to win him this one for everybody out there who thinks that "urban" music should be more than cynical, slick, manufactured drivel. Go to urbanmusicawards.net and cast your votes. You can give Big Dada the nod in the best label category, too, if you like, but we won't hold it against you if you don't.... The ceremony is on November 15th so get on with it! Mon, 06 Oct 2008 00:00:00 Roots Manuva's biggest UK tour to date kicked off at the weekend, and from what we hear the shows so far have been sensational. There's plenty more to come, and some of the shows still have tickets available. The shows are as follows... Tue 07-Oct-08 Newcastle, Gateshead - Sage 2 Wed 08-Oct-08 Edinburgh - Liquid Room Thu 09-Oct-08 Glasgow - Arches Sat 11-Oct-08 Manchester - Warehouse Sun 12-Oct-08 Nottingham - Rock City Wed 15-Oct-08 Preston - Club 53 Thu 16-Oct-08 Sheffield - Plug Fri 17-Oct-08 Birmingham - Accad 2 Sat 18-Oct-08 London - Shepherds Bush Empire Tue 21-Oct-08 Brighton - Concorde Wed 22-Oct-08 Cambridge - Junction Thu 23-Oct-08 Bristol - Anson Rooms Fri 24-Oct-08 Exeter - Lemon Grove Sat 25-Oct-08 Plymouth - Uni Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 Roots Manuva has been nominated for another award, and golly, this one is large. The UK Festival awards are, according to one of our favourite papers, the 'festival equivalent of the Oscars,' so who are we to argue. Roots Manuva has picked up another nomination in the 'urban' category. On a more serious note, there's a major prize to be won if you vote for Rodney. In the organisers' words - 'All fans who vote are entered in to a draw to win the ultimate live music prize - tickets for every winning festival's 2009 event as well as the opportunity to present the 'Best Major Festival Award' at The UK Festival Awards Ceremony at the Indigo2.' So please do vote, and you could be hearing a lot of excellent live music next year. Register your interests here Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 Never one to be strictly analogue, Roots Manuva's new website is, we think, quite spiffingly contemporary. The Digital Music Awards people seem to agree, because they've just nominated it for the Best Urban Artist award. We still don't like the word urban, but we do like the odd award, and we do think our web-geniuses Kleber deserve some limelight now and again. If you've enjoyed the site, with it's self-updading news and pictures and the odd blog from Rodney Smith himself, we would very much appreciate your vote! You can add your click to the cause here, and every one counts! Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 To celebrate the continuing genius of Infinite Livez we are proud to present a free download of "1999," a cover of the classic Prince funk-pop gem. Currently 9 years past it's sell-by-date, Inf and Stade have had inordinate amounts of fun playing the tune live and so have decided to record it for your delight and horror. Sounding like a combination of karaoke, the Mighty Boosh and the devil masturbating, "1999" will never quite be 1999 again. And even if it was it wouldn't be. Getme? Go here to get it Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 Wiley in the black playground, the Roots Manuva slime bust, Well Deep's display case. We think these are probably three of the most iconic recent Big Dada covers and they were all the work of a pair of young designers going by the name(s) of Oscar and Ewan. We've known Ewan a long time as he interned for us all through his three years at design college and we're really proud that he's beginning to get the props his work so obviously deserves. Currently, you can see the "Well Deep" display cabinet in an exhibition of album artwork curated by Peter Saville (Factory Records), Faris Rotter (The Horrors) and Dylan Jones (Head Up David Cameron's Arse). Albums featured come from bands like the Clash, Adam & The Ants, Everything But The Girl, The Streets and Girls Aloud. But we've made Ewan promise not to become too successful so he can carry on working with us. And deep down he knows he wants to... "Spin: The Art of Record Design" 3 September - 3 October 2008, Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm, Saturday 11am - 4pm, Arts Gallery, 65 Davies Street, W1K 5DA. Admission free. Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 To celebrate the release of Roots Manuva's fourth album, "Slime & Reason" this very week, we've decided to give you a sneak preview of his next video, "Let The Spirit". The third part in an epic (and slightly disjointed) trilogy directed by Alastair Siddons (soon to be famed for his marvellous breakdance doc, "Turn It Loose"), it was filmed on location in France and Gloucestershire and deals with the God Problem with less laughs and more beauty than you might have expected... Check it here!!! Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 Roots Manuva's fourth full album is released today in the UK and beyond! After a weekend of incredible press we could go on and on about how good it is, but you've probably got that figured for yourselves... Our recommendation is that you buy the 2CD limited edition in fetching pink, as the second CD of reggaetronic versions from Wrong Tom is marvellous... Oh, and if you're in London, come through HMV Oxford Street at 6pm tonight to celelbrate the release by seeing Mr Manuva and the boys performing, followed by a brief signing session... Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 Just to remind you all, Roots Manuva's latest single, "Again & Again," is out now and available in all good record stores, online and off in the following carefully crafted formats. 12" vinyl feat. Moody Boyz remix and Moody Boyz dub only, for those who like their vinyl designed for dancefloors or wobbling mum's floor. 7" vinyl feat. the radio edit and Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) remix, for those who like things small and beautiful. And of course, a download single featuring all the above, the original album version and the video, which shows London all sunny and crickety. It's KP nuts... And if you missed it, the first installment from the Manuva Maida Vale session was played by Zane Lowe last night. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 More televisual brilliance, right here Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 Not only is this Notting Hill Carnival weekend, it's all the bank holiday Monday that will see the release of Roots Manuva's new single 'Again and Again.' The song couldn't be a more perfect anthem for the (hopefully) sunny carnival antics. The good news is you can hear the song played live, loud and in all it's wonk-reggae, sun-drenched glory on Carnival Sunday, for Roots will be in town. Details below! > Sunday, 24 August 2008 Tayo's Tracksuit Party: Carnival Special: Roots Manuva + Jadell & Beeny Royston + Joe Ransom + Ben Westbeech + International Nut Company + Anthony Hill + Tayo At Paradise Pub, London From 8:00pm until 3:00am Price: £10.00 on the door / £8.00 advance Again and Again is out on Monday, and you can buy it on the following carefully crafted formats. 12" vinyl feat. Moody Boyz remix and Moody Boyz dub only, for those who like their vinyl designed for dancefloors or wobbling mum's floor. 7" vinyl feat. the radio edit and Matt Helders (Arctic Monkeys) remix, for those who like things small and beautiful. And of course, a download single featuring all the above, the original album version and the video, which shows London as we hope it'll be this weekend. Have fun! Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 Infinite and Stade have appeared on French television doing what only they can do. Enjoy here. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada will be at The Legion, Old Street, London tonight, as our new superproducer XRABIT will be taking to the ones, two, and er, laptop alongside Jamie Big Dada from 9-2am. Expect a varied music policy and some sneak previews of one of the best records we've got lined up for next year. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 You got some? Well bully for you. Now is your chance to show it off thanks to the good offices of Transport for London and Bebo (I know, I know...). Apparently TfL is looking for new talent. But not for their ticket offices. Oh no. 'Talent Lives' lets you upload your own films, photographs, music, writing - anything (I think poo pics are banned but I could be wrong). Anyway, if you win one of the categories you get to be mentored by someone who is A Success (they've got quite a list of good peoples, so while I sound like I'm taking the piss, it is actually worth a look). Apparently it's part of TfL's 'Don't Die Before You've Lived' road safety campaign. Don't ask me how. Anyway, it's quite spiffy - go forth and be talented and alive. You know it makes sense.... Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 Last week Roots Manuva was over in Ibiza appearing at the 'Ibiza Rocks' festival. To see video footage from the event, check out the performance here and an interview with the man himself here. Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 Roots Manuva recently recorded several tracks from the new album for Channel 4's 'Transmission' series. The first chance to see some solo brilliance from Rodney, as well as a collaboration with girl of the moment Santogold, can be seen after last orders tonight. Tune in at midnight to see it in all its glory. If you like your fun at the other end of the day, it's shown post granola-fuelled jog on Saturday at 9.00. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:00 Yes, you can win, and not some throwaway worthless rubbish either, but tickets to the gig of the summer in shape of Infinite Livez vs Stade at Corsica Studios! With one very, very special guest (someone who's also on Big Dada, feeling rather hectic currently and a giant fan of Infinite) and support from Big Dada's 1st lady, Speech Debelle, it's so worth it it's hard to overstate. The gig takes place on Wednesday 30th July, and the first two people to email info@bigdada.com reminding us the name of Inf's furry best friend will win a pair of tickets each. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 00:00:00 The second single from the wondrous, spiffingly new Roots Manuva album 'Slime and Reason' is unveiled today. It's called 'Again and Again,' it brings sunshine where there's showers, you can hear the radio edit on rotation on the site right now, and the video for it is here As if that wasn't enough for one day, here's some words from those silvertongues in the press. 'Britain's pre-emminent hip-hop star, a brit-rap Tom Waits.' - The Guardian 'Instantly relevant...' - Big Issue 'Stompin' summer anthem in waiting... at his sexiest best...' - Metro 'The UKs reigning MC...' - Plan B 'It's reassuring to remember that Roots is still out there, rejecting the club dwelling po-facery of his peers.' - Time Out Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 To pledge your support for the brand new Roots Manuva single - "Buff Nuff" and its video go here and vote for it in the NME TV chart! Alternatively email nmechart@nme.com with the details. Produced by Toddla T and featuring Roderick Manuva's own unique mixutre of salacious chat-up lines and treble-entendre, "Buff Nuff" is not only a thing of miniature beauty but also the first single from his forthcoming album, "Slime & Reason". Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 Today Big Dada and Roots Manuva announce a 15-date UK tour which will run for almost the entire length of October. Kicking off at the Sage Centre in Gateshead and finishing up at Plymouth University, Manuva's London show will be at Shepherd's Bush Empire on Saturday October 18th. In keeping with the sound of his new album, "Slime & Reason," the show will built around a soundsystem feel, focussing more on electronics, dub and crashing beats than the live band sound he employed last time out. As he's shown recently at shows like the "iTunes London Live" festival, Rodney Smith has never enjoyed playing live more. The tour will be a whistle stop journey through fistfuls of classic Manuva tracks plus ample material from the new album.Buy tickets here Sat 04-Oct-08 oxford academy Sun 05-Oct-08 norwich waterfront Tue 07-Oct-08 gateshead the sage 2 Wed 08-Oct-08 edinburgh liquid room Thu 09-Oct-08 glasgow arches Sat 11-Oct-08 manchester Warehouse Sun 12-Oct-08 nottingham rock city Wed 15-Oct-08 preston club53 Thu 16-Oct-08 sheffield plug uk Fri 17-Oct-08 birmingham accad 2 uk Sat 18-Oct-08 london shepherds bush empire uk Tue 21-Oct-08 brighton concorde uk Wed 22-Oct-08 cambridge junction uk Thu 23-Oct-08 bristol anson rooms uk Fri 24-Oct-08 exeter lemon grove uk Sat 25-Oct-08 plymouth uni Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 July 30th sees one of the best live shows in town make its way to Corsica Studios. Part MC, part living art project, Infinite Livez has been causing waves of hilarity, revulsion and exhilaration since he debuted on Big Dada with "Pononee Girl". In Swiss electronics/improv duo Stade (plus the incredible vocal stylings of Joy Frempong) he has found his ideal live collaborators. Their two albums only hint at the madness that develops at their live shows, as they build whole new tracks from triggered samples, voices and effects. It's a little like watching Kool Keith jamming with 70s-era Miles Davis, only wilder. And, for one night only, Inf and Stade will be joined onstage by a Very Special Guest - a regular at all their shows who has finally been persuaded to grab a microphone alongisde them for a one-off, truly unmissable collaboration. If you're not excited yet, you should know that I really am (but then I know who the guest is...). Support on the night will be provided by new Big Dada signing Speech Debelle. The first female MC to get a deal with the veteran label, Speech uses a troubled background as a springboard for fragile, achingly honest rap-narratives of self-loathing, fear and hope. Only too happy to rock the mic, tonight she will present an acoustic set and showcase tracks from her forthcoming album. Throw in DJ business from the one and only Jamie Big Dada and you have a sparkling Big Dada night to remember.... Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 It's just been announced that Roots Manuva will be headlining the Itunes Festival in London, this Saturday 5th July, and you can win FREE ticket! The show takes place at Koko in Camden, and support comes from fellow British innovator Sway. We're waiting on a stage time, so keep checking the Big Dada and Roots Manuva websites. If you'd like a ticket please email your name and email to competition@ninjatune.net with iTunes Live in the subject and hopefully we'll see you at the show! Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada have commissioned a short feature on Roots Manuva as part of the build-up to the mighty Slime and Reason album. As long time fans will know, Rodney Smith is a highly thoughtful character and any camera time with him is a rare treat. Littered with tracks from the new album, built around an in-depth interview and revealing a little of the how the album cover was made, the film is a great insight into both the record and the man. Watch it here Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 The good burghers of Channel 4 are taking some time this coming week to celebrate the joys and wonders of the British independent music scene running from Joy Division to Kate Mehlua's smash hit, "Blue Tory Womble Lust". As part of this bonanza of corporate depravity, Roderick Manuva went down to Cargo last week and recorded three tracks in front of a small but basically alive studio audience. Shorn of the back-up of Ricky Ranking (tooting away somewhere in Amsterdam with nihilists-du-jour, Bug) Mr Manuva called on New Flesh's Juice Aleem to fulfil BV duties. DJ MK, meanwhile, woke up about ten minutes before the show, having flown in on the 5am pill plane from Ibiza and some KISS FM duties. The results were suitably charming and most definitely live and we are reasonably reliably informed that they can be watched on the TV channel with a big 4 in it at 12.15am (ie in the morning) on Monday night. Or Tuesday morning, depending on how anal you wanna be about it. Watch, revel, etc etc. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 That's right folks, the all new Roots Manuva website is up and ready for your viewing pleasure. Treading the fine line between delivering your information in a 21st Century fashion and thoroughly confusing you, it pulls pictures and news from all over the internet, so there's always something new. Best of all, there's a section called Sleazon that comes direct from Rodney Manuva himself. Keep checking back for all the latest news and music. Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 Click here and sign up to Xtaster to join the official Roots Manuva team. Get exclusive Roots Manuva merch, first info on the forthcoming singles & album, gigs & much much more! Slime & Reason coming in September!!!!!!! Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:00 Infinite and the esteemed DJ Dysu have been quietly but brilliantly putting on a night called Open Sauce for several months now. Taking place in the basement of a friendly Japanese restaurant on Old Street, it consists of a bunch of decent types watching Infinite, Dysu and friends like Bolivia Neutron Bomb, crowded around a large bench and dozens of bits of equipment, making sounds the like of which have never been made before. Have a look here. And make sure you don't miss the next one, which is moving a few miles south to the Redstar. OPEN SAUCE 8 @ REDSTAR - 26TH JULY 08 KISS AKABUSI ( Big Dada ) Memory9 ( Sub-Ctr ) Le Couteau Jaune ( Adaadat ) Deapoh ( Bare Dubs ) Chips for the pore ( Invisible Spies ) The Hinderance ( Motel Records, JP ) Man One ( Open Sauce ) Grizzly ( Open Sauce ) REDSTAR , 319 Camberwell Road, London, SE5 0HQ Saturday 26th JULY 2008, 9pm till 4 in the am. £5er before midnight £7 after Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:00 An update on the mammoth Cadence Weapon tour. Keep checking back for video news too, there's a cracker on the way. 06.27.08 - Glastonbury - Vice Adventures In The Beet Field Stage 06.28.08 - Glastonbury - Ninja Tune Igloo Party (8pm) 06.28.08 - Glastonbury - Dance Village Lounge Stage (10pm) 06.29.08 - Birmingham, UK - Carling Bar Academy w/Cool Kids 07.02.08 - London, UK - Scala w/Cool Kids 07.04.08 - Belfort, France - Eurockeennes Festival 07.05.08 - Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival 07.09.08 - Belfast, Ireland - The Stiff Kitten w/Operator Please> 07.10.08 - Dublin, Ireland - CLUB NME @ The Button Factory 07.11.08 - Canterbury, UK - Lounge On The Farm Festival 07.12.08 - Bitterfeld, Germany - Splash Festival 07.15.08 - Glasgow, UK - Oran Mor w/Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip 07.16.08 - Manchester, UK - Club Academy w/Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip 07.17.08 - Tonsberg, Norway - Slottsfjell Festival 07.18.08 - Barcelona, Spain - Summercase Festival 07.19.08 - Madrid, Spain - Summercase Festival Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:00:00 Welcome to "Buff Nuff". Directed by Alastair Siddons (who did "Too Cold" for the last Roots Manuva campaign, as well as work for The Streets and Mitchell Brothers, and has currently just finished up the feature length breakdance documentary "Turn It Loose"), it features Roots Manuva and longtime associate Ricky Ranking as itinerent ice cream salesman, wooing the good women of Hackney with cones full of creamy goodness. As for the music, Mr Manuva comes blazing back into action with a wonderful slice of Sheffield dancehall cooked up by the so-hot-it-hurts Toddla T, mixed by the mighty Ross Orton (M.I.A. etc) and weighed down with lyrical wonderment and silly genius by the one and only Rodney Smith. Watch it here. We recommend you click for the 'high quality' option. Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 If you've been checking the site of late, do accept our humble apologies for not providing anything new for you to read. We hope you'll find our explanation satisfactory though. BD has been busier than ever behind the scenes. We've been commissioning videos, manufacturing promos, checking artwork, planning PR and radio campaigns, and generally getting the engine tuned and running at full capacity for one very big reason: We have a new album from Roots Manuva. 'Slime and Reason' is Rodney Smith's fourth studio album, and is simply incredible. If by any chance you'd forgotten how effortlessly this man makes hip-hop work for him, how expressive and how utterly infectious he makes it sound, then this album will remind you all over again. We're stunned by it, and we think you will be too. Slotted for release at the end of August, you may already have heard the Toddla-T produced single 'Buff Nuff' thumping away in Zane Lowe's 'Hottest Record in the World' slot. The video for 'Buff Nuff' is almost ready, so expect a link here early next week. It's the best of all possible starts... Keep checking back for the video, but for now, enjoy the audio splendour... Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 Cadence Weapon and his trusty DJ Weaz-L are booked in for a huge Spring/ Summer tour this year, taking in venues all over the UK and Europe, and festivals including Glastonbury, Roskilde and the legendary Lollapalooza in the US. Sharpened to razor-standard from showcasing his new album across the world over the last few months, there's never been a better time to see this man's rare, infectious take on rap music in the flesh. Dates as follows. 05.14.08 - London, UK - Amersham Arms 05.15.08 - Brighton, UK - GREAT ESCAPE - Revenge 05.15.08 - London, UK - STAG AND DAGGER 05.16.08 - Brighton, UK - GREAT ESCAPE - Drowned In Sound show 05.16.08 - London, UK - Fabric 05.17.08 - Leeds, UK - NASTY FEST IX - Faversham 05.18.08 - Newcastle, UK - The End Bar 05.19.08 - Edinburgh, UK - Voodoo Rooms 05.20.08 - Glasgow, UK - Ivy 05.22.08 - London, UK - HOX TO DOT 05.23.08 - London, UK - London Corsica Studios w/Deadelus 05.24.08 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 05.25.08 - Dublin, Ireland - Tripod w/Public Enemy 05.28.08 - Liverpool, UK - SALMA DE CUBA @ Faversham 05.29.08 - Berlin, Germany - 103 Club 05.30.08 - Geneva, Switzerland - Geneva Zoo 05.31.08 - St. Gallen, Switzerland - St. Gallen Palace 06.01.08 - Brussels, Belgium - Brussels Ancienne Belgique 06.22.08 - Calgary, AB - V FEST 06.28.08 - Glastonbury, UK - Glastonbury 07.04.08 - Belfort, FR - Eurockeenes 07.05.08 - Roskilde, DE - Roskilde 07.11.08 - Canterbury, UK - Lounge On The Farm 07.17.08 - Tønsberg, Norway - Slottsfjell 07.18.08 - Madrid, Spain - Spain Summercase 07.19.08 - Barcelona, Spain - Spain Summercase 08.02.08 - Chicago, IL - Lollapalooza 08.09.08 - Marysville, ON - Wolfe Island MusicFest Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 There's a certain something about Kail that we've been trying to get across to you, the listening public, for a while now, something to do with his having made a vintage record that's thoroughly modern, something about him having made the kind of record that made you fall in love with hip-hop in the first place, the kind of record that doesn't seem to get made any more, even by the best rappers. Whether we've got this across or not isn't for us to decide, but we think the latest piece on Okayplayer has pretty much nailed it. 'I haven't been as impressed by a release from a Hip-Hop artist I wasn't previously familiar with as I am of Kail's True Hollywood Squares in a long time. It's note-perfect Summer jump-off music and reminds me of the shit me and my friends were bumping during the Summer of '91 in a real way. Probably because it mashes the disparate elements of humor, high-concept, wit and street shit — that my favorite rappers of that era brought to the table into a totally new whole, that's still compatible with the stuff that catches my ear today.' The full piece is here Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 The monstrous talent of LA's Kail is unleashed today, in the shape of his debut album 'True Hollywood Squares.' Pick up a copy from your local shop, or if you need more convincing, have a read of the press quotes below... 'Funny, streetwise and defiantly non-PC, he's anything but dull.' - Q 'His combination of street cred and disarming wit has already seen him compared to Nas, Ice Cube and early Jay-Z.' - The Independent 'Infused with personality, wit and inventiveness.' - Echoes 'An acerbic-tongued tour of Tinseltown's underbelly, delivered with a lyrical verve that shows Kail is a wryly perceptive commentator. Plenty to love...' Metro Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 Our man Kail was in the Independent's round-up of ones to watch at the weekend, and it seems they've had a proper listen. He's what they had to say. 'All too often, hip-hop divides onto mindless gangsta braggadocio or lyrically intelligent tracks that are rather too lightweight to be pumped from cars... Yet Kail might represent the rare intersection of those two Venn diagram circles... His combination of street cred and disarming wit has already seen him compared to Nas, Ice Cube and early Jay-Z.' Good on 'em. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 With his masterful new album Afterparty Babies garnering acclaim from all sides, and the anthemic new single House Music getting heavy rotation from luminaries like Zane Lowe and Sinden, Cadence Weapon is feeling the UK love. He's back here next month for his most extensive tour of Britain and Europe to date, and there's a couple of very special dates at the end, so do scroll down! May 14 - London @ Amersham Arms May 15 - Brighton @ Great Escape @ Revenge May 15 - London @ Stag and Dagger May 16 - Brighton @ Great Escape @ Digital (Drowned In Sound show) May 16 - London @ Fabric May 17 - Leeds @ Faversham (cool all day event) May 18 - Newcastle @ Stereo May 19 - Edinburgh @ Voodoo Rooms May 20 - Glasgow @ Ivy May 22 - London @ Dot to Dot May 23 - Cardiff @ The Club With No Name May 24 - Barcelona @ Razzmatazz May 25 - Dublin @ Tripod (w/Public Enemy) May 28 - Liverpool @ Korova May 30 - Geneva, Switzerland @ TBD May 31 - St Gallen, Switzerland @ Palace June 1 - Brussels @ AB w/Sage Francis etc. And we're very excited to announce... Glastonbury - June 28 - Lounge @ Glastonbury, UK Roskilde - July 5/6 - Dance Tent @ Zealand, Denmark Boo ya. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Shattering paradigms and rubbing clean such words as 'seminal,' Infinite and Stade have a series of live dates around the capital and beyond over the next few weeks. Really, don't miss out. 22 Mar 2008 Infinite Livez vs Stade @ The Dissonant festival Antwerp (Belgium) 4 Apr 2008 Infinite Livez vs Stade @ LÒZANNE RADIOACTIVE, AUDITORIUM EJMA / lausanne (Switzerland) 10 Apr 2008 Kiss Akabusi w/ Dj Tendraw @ Life , London (England) 12 Apr 2008 Infinite livez @ KOKO, 1a Camden High Street, Camden London (England) 18 Apr 2008 Kiss Akabusi @ Redstar London (England) 8 May 2008 Kiss Akabusi w/ Anthony Joseph @ Life London (England) 6 Jun 2008 Infinite Livez vs Stade @ Whitechapel Gallery London (England) 7 Jun 2008 Infinite Livez vs Stade @ Venn Festival Bristol (England) Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 More rumblings from Roots Manuva's camp this week in the shape of a show at London's Koko. On Saturday 12th April Roots Manuva + DJ MK will be doing what they do as Rodney warms up for the busy year ahead. If you want to get a flavour of the new album and get yourself all astonished once more, this is the place to do so. Also appearing are Infinite Livez, whose live show is now so good it's become transcendental, and the legendary, inimitable Jon More of Coldcut. Tickets available at the usual places Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada would like to apologise to anyone who'd planned to come down to the Old Blue Last tomorrow night, but due to an issue over immigration we've had to cancel the show. In the long run however, fear not; we think you'll be hearing and seeing a lot more of this lot. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Oh yes, Infinite Livez Vs Stade is back... Multi-coloured, sticky, bursting with tiny fertile tadpoles, vaguely cosmic and yet funny when smeared in inappropriate places, a new album from Infinite Livez is always a reason to cum in your own pants. Even if you are a major Hollywood star. Extracted live in single takes in a fertility clinic in Geneva's renowned sperm banking district, "MFPS" sees Doctor Livez once again making beautiful music with jazz-glitch Europeans and matinee idols Pierre Audetat and Christophe Calpini, plus special guest emissions from the remarkable Joy Frempong and DJ Tendraw. Drawn from a DNA pool so confused and mysterious that it's best not to look for antecedents, this is the sound of William Blake wanking over a jazz mag while old-skool Dadaists form a guard of honour and fire great fountains of vanilla flavoured milkshake into the sky. Sort of. Anyway, we think it's the best record you've ever been amused by and scared of in equal measure. If you don't get it we don't get you and only Hell awaits your rotting corpse. PRESS FOR "ART BRUT FOR DA YOOT": "Sorta like Andre 3000 to the power of 1000, Infinite Livez is this country's most inventive MC. Now for the first time he's riding - or rather writhing in and up around - beats as freaky as his imagination. This is some wild and wacky stuff." - Simon Reynolds "Another leap forward... A guaranteed treat." - Time Out "One of the most idiosyncratic and creative voices in British rap. A kind of cockney Kool Keith." - Wire "Henry's voice is something special, somehow recalling Roots Manuva and Green Gartside." - Uncut "Increases the bonkers factor 20 fold." - Hip Hop Connection "Demented Cockney bashment" - Vice Morgan Freeman's is out 19th May. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 If you're lucky enough to be heading to sunny Austin, Texas this week for South by South West, the musical extravaganza du jour, then make sure you take in one of several shows by Cadence Weapon. The details are below, and you can expect something very high quality indeed! CADENCE WEAPON @ SXSW Wednesday March 12 6:20pm - 7:00pm Canadian Blast Party Brush Square Park "Soundsystem Massacre" Combined performance w/Ghislain Poirier, Scratch Bastid & Megasoid 1:00am - 2:00am Upper Class Recordings showcase Habana Calle 6 Patio w/The Russian Futurists, The Cansecos, The Acorn and more Thursday March 13 2:30pm - 2:50pm Austin Convention Centre SXSW Day Stage Showcase 5:00pm - 6:00pm Waterloo Records In-Store Performance Waterloo Records Friday March 14 2:00pm - 3:00pm Hot Freaks! Mohawk PATIO w/British Sea Power, Crystal Castles and more Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 So it's a while since we've posted any news about Roots Manuva, but you'll have to forgive us; everyone has been very busy working towards getting you some very good news. The new album is almost complete, and is scheduled for late summer this year. The title isn't finalised as yet, but what is certain is that Rodney's reached new heights with the music. Light and dark, vulnerable and wise by turns, the album draws together cruffy anthems, club-shuddering basslines, slime and reason and introspective insight in trademark fashion. Like all Roots Manuva full lengths, it's an album in the truest sense of the word; a coherent body of work that provides a window - fuck it, a door - into the world of Rodney Smith. Keep checking back here for more information. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada has a few new signings either already inked or in the offing, and one of them will be playing their debut London gig next week. XRABIT and DMGeez (Damaged Goodz - you'll get used to it) are, respectively, a sonically jaw dropping, London based producer, and a duo of Andre 3000 worshipping, Texas based rap youngsters. There's a few bits and pieces on line here and there for those who feel like exploring. The album is being recorded in Dalston next week, and on Friday 14th the trio will hit the stage at Mumdance at the Old Blue Last (Vice Magazine's pub, innit.) We'd love to see you down there to show a warm London welcome to some artists we think are very special indeed. XRABIT and DMGeez Mumdance The Old Blue Last Corner of Great Eastern Street and Curtain Road Shoreditch London We think it might be free too. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 Yes indeed, the might Afterparty Babies is in stores today after a great couple of days for critical appraisals of the record. If you read the Observer or the London Lite you'll probably have seen lots of nice statements about hip-hop being saved and Dylan himself swaying along. Ah bless. "Blending ebullient verbosity with the brightest selection of electronic beats you'll hear this side of a Santogold ringtone selection... Impeccable" - OMM, 4/5 "The Canadian rapper's latest genre-mashing marvel" - The Sunday Times "His darting intelligence and racing imagination are evident in every line." - Guardian 4/5 "Just so, so, so good. It's raising the bar on modern rap music in a way that this reviewer thinks is completely unique." - Drowned In Sound, 9/10 "A scorching statement of intent." - The Observer "Dense, innovative... with a refreshing lack of respect for convention" - Q 4/5 "The glorious evolution of hip hop rolls on" - Plan B magazine "Wildly innovative electrohop" - London Lite 4/5 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 Big Dada founder, A+R man and now author extraordinaire Will Ashon recently took part in the 'recommends' feature on Nokia's new music site and download store. Unfortunately you can only look at it if you're on a PC, but if so, click here Tasteful, innit? Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 Yes indeed, the mighty Cadence Weapon returns to the UK this month to perform a blistering live rendition of his new album, Afterparty Babies. You might have heard the up-front single 'In Search of the Youth Crew' on Zane Lowe's esteemed radio program, or read the Observer's kindly description of it as a 'scorching statement of intent,' but really, c'mon, you have to see this man live. Details below, don't miss it friends. Drowned in Sound @ Bardens Boudoir 20th Feb 2008 36-44 Stoke Newington Road Dalston London N16 7XJ tel: (020) 7249 9557 Ticket price-£6 Doors :8pm - 12pm stage time: 10.45pm Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:00:00 We'll be doing our own small bit to thaw relations with Russia next month when New Flesh, Kail and DJ A La Fu head east to play Moscow. The night is even called 'Pleased To Meet You Big Dada.' And they said hip-hop was divisive. Date: FRI 15TH FEB Venue: 'PLEASED TO MEET YOU: BIG DADA' @ GAZGALLERY, MOSCOW, RUSSIA Pack a warm coat. Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 We have a few good excuses for the lack of news so far in 2008, and they come in the shape of a stellar crop of new releases. This year looks like being one of our busiest ever! First up are a crop of new signings. Cadence Weapon is dropping his sophomore LP in March, and what a record it is. Rollie's crunchingly catchy, infectious digital production is as 2018 and it is 2008; heavy 4/4 kicks, synth lines and belt-it-out hooks. Combined with his hungry as hell vocals and truly original subject matter, 'Afterparty Babies' is a masterpiece. Hard at work on debut albums are XRabit and DMGeez, whose first record promises to be a bleeding edge pop-hop classic, and South London's first lady in waiting, Speech. Some serious talent from Big Dada's stable has gone into crafting her album, watch this space for more info and music! And finally, rumblings are afoot from the camp of one Mr. Manuva... The rumblings sound... well, they sound about as good as they get. More soon, and happy new year! Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 Every now and again, a rap record comes along that effortlessly walks the line between street-tough, gangsta grit and charming, disarming humour and intelligence. Think Nas' or Gravediggaz' first records, or Blueprint-to-the-Black Album era Jay-Z; confident, hungry, quotable and immersive music that you can listen to on repeat and lose yourself in for days. We're pretty sure we've found one of these records, and in comes in the shape of 'True Hollywood Squares' by LA rapper Kail. The buzz started in his hometown, on the streets of South Central Los Angeles, Compton, away 'from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's sh*t' and smack in the middle of the 'real motherf*cking tinsel town,' in the 'shady hiding spots for all the crooks from the sets.' Although Kail and his crew Customer Services are at the virtuosic level of MCing required to be a part of the Good Life cafe scene, it was soon noticed that Kail's tracks could also be heard creeping out of the windows of the kind of cars you don't cut up as they crawled through South Central LA, the streets Kail calls home. Despite mutterings in the background along the lines of 'this generation's Ice Cube,' Kail is 100% his own man. His personality leaps from the speakers with every bar, his character rap will have the toughest listener collapse in the deepest belly-laughs, and essentially he just has that thing, that extra something, that screams 'star.' We're very pleased to announce that Kail has joined the Big Dada ranks as of the last couple of weeks, and now we just can't wait for you to hear the album. Out next April, 'True Hollywood Squares' is a stone cold classic, the kind of record you play to people who don't like hip-hop just to watch them convert. This is exactly the kind of rapper who makes disciples. Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 Panto season has hardly begun and already we can offer you what you need. Infinite Livez is playing the esteemed former-shop Bardens Boudoir on December 6th and it promises to be the best dress-up event of the year. Inf will be rocking Rick James locks and flares, Dysu will look like a furry animal and new colloborator Bnb will opt for the floral housecoat and facial hair combo. They will make vast improv soundscapes out of vocal snippets, guitar, effects pedals, samplers and even records and then the mighty Info will rap over the top of them in a variety of funny, interesting, disturbing and barking manners.Remember when seeing a band was like unwrapping a Christmas Present? Yes? No? Either way Santa is stuck. Get thee gone (and don't forget your make-up). 06 Dec 2007, 20:00 - Bardens Boudior 36-44 STOKE NEWINGTON ROAD, N16 7XJ Cost: £6.00 Infinite Livez (feat. Dj Dysu and Bnb), more info here Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 Anyone who knows the ten year history of Big Dada knows the name of DJ A La Fu. Aberdonian Kenny Atkins was born in Scotland, spent his teen years in California and then returned to London around the time that Big Dada was setting up. In the decade that followed, no DJ has been more involved with the label. He was a resident at the short-lived and much-missed GOSH! nights at Plastic People. He has DJed for Mike Ladd's Infesticons/Majesticons project, New Flesh, Roots Manuva, Juice Aleem and just about any and everyone else involved in the label. And, through his radio show and mix cds, he has tirelessly championed and promoted the label's releases. So when he heard of our 10th anniversary celebrations Kenny put together a lovingly-crafted, utterly blazing two hour mix of the the label's output, running in chronological order from 1997's "Misanthropic" right up to the present day. Originally envisaged as a radio special, the mix was so good (and so long!) that we pressed up just 1000 on double cd and decided to give them the push the mix deserves. It really is ridiculously good, a must-have for any fan of the label and we hope you'll agree. Raise your glasses, ladies and gents, to Kenny A La Fu! Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:00:00 If you haven't seen Cadence Weapon yet this is your last chance to catch him on the east side of the Atlantic for many, many months. After an electrifying performance at Big Dada's 10th anniversary bash, Rollie Pemberton and DJ Weaz-L (aka the Wild man of Alberta) are giving London a final opportunity to get the bug before returning to the fair shores of Canadia. And, as it turns out, he's giving it large for the hairy folk of South East London. Friday night, midnight, is the time, details of the place are below (the nouveau Amersham Arms, nuff said eh?). A superbly curated night from Adventures Close To Home and FACT magazine, it will all be dandy. Be there or rot in the darkest depths of hell for all eternity*. "Details": Amersham Arms, New Cross London. Also playing are Holy Hail, Plugs and ACTH and FACT DJs. £3 if you get there before 11 and £4 after. * Big Dada would like to point out that sin-stock can go down as well as up and Hell can only be reached as part of a well-balanced diet... Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 Cadence Weapon lands in the UK tomorrow and heads straight for the stage at YoYo, Lily Allen's favourite club night and one of the best the ol' smoke has to offer. He's on stage at 9.30, and as we're feeling generous we thought we'd offer our loyal readers some £4 concessions. Drop a mail to info@bigdada.com with the subject line YesMeYo and we'll stick ya down. Don't miss out, Cadence is the future n' that. Mark our words. Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:00:00 It's always much easier to let the good people of the press talk about our records than to do it ourselves, so here's a round up of the way Well Deep has been received. [A] glorious 2-CD retrospective... Big Dada are still pushing things forward in a way that Mike Skinner can only dream of" - NME "This jewel of an indie label is a match for any transatlantic counterpart... A British anniversary to celebrate." - Observer "A disregard for cliche and a taste for playfulness... Excellent." - The Times "A roster of mavericks expanding hip hop's frontiers... What the Big Dada family has in common is a certain wayward genius" - The Guardian "Some of the greatest hip hop ever produced. Full stop!" - DJ "Simply brilliant black music" - Hip Hop Connection "The UK's most forward-thinking musical mavericks" - Clash "After a decade Big Dada only seems to be getting more astute. The UK's best hip hop label." - Uncut "Listening to their back catalogue what you get isn't simply an index of some of the most cutting edge hip-hop of the past ten years. You get a picture of a nation, an alternative portrait of what living on this ruddy raw island means and contains. If you haven't explored BD's revolutionary roster yet, I envy you the journey you'll embark on." - Plan B magazine "The very best underground hip hop label." - Observer Music Monthly "A back catalogue of originality and diversity." - Q "The most progressive British hip hop label ever." - The Fader "Top Notch." - DVD Monthly "Once in a while you may be blessed with a decent group of songs. If you're very lucky, you come across a collection where every song is a banger." - Trace "One of the most uncompromising and progressive labels around." - Rock Sound "Big Dada has always had plenty to be proud of. Shows that music of any kind is usually at its best when it refuses to recognise any boundaries." - The Wire "Big Dada is a true movement, not just another beats outlet." - Notion Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:00:00 If, like us, you find this time of year a less than happy experience, you'll be pleased to know that we'll be warming ourselves and others up in November with a month of live activity. Cadence Weapon will be making his UK debut with a series of shows around London, kicking off with the excellent YoYo at Notting Hill Arts Club on Thursday 15th November. A quick recovery will be required for our gargantuan 10 year bash at Electrowerkz on the 16th where Cadence will appear again, alongside Roots Manuva, Diplo, Mike Ladd, Juice Aleem and Deejay A La Fu, Infinite Livez, XRabit and more. Tickets here. If you've got tickets for the Go! Team gig in Dublin, you can catch Cadence warming up for the inimitable team at the Tripod on the 21st. Finally, the overworked Candian whizz kid will play the spiffing new Amersham arms in New Cross, London on the 23rd. Get your pass to hip-hop joy here. Thu, 11 Oct 2007 00:00:00 Never ones to miss an opportunity for literalism, we've decided to celebrate 10 years of blood, sweat and tears in the underground by making up our very own Well Deep Oyster card wallets. Lets face it, the standard ones are dull, and the Angry Red and Bilious Yellow ones we've done are already cheering us up in the morning. If you're of a less cheery disposition, there's also Formal Black. If you're not in London and couldn't care less about Oyster-nonsense, they make a nice ticket or credit card holder, so don't hold back. You can get yours from the webshop with any order of the equally beautiful Well Deep CD or DVD, from Monday. Photoshoot here Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:00:00 "Well Deep" is out on Monday. It's on 2CDs and, even better, DVD. A host of classic tracks, all the videos we've ever made, documentaries, you fuckin' name it. Anyway, we have a special page dedicated to the whole shebang on which you can watch videos, pre-order and, erm, loads of other stuff (allegedly). Go here and feel the love. Big Dada in ya bladder. But in a good way. Baaah. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 You can watch the trailer/intro to the new Big Dada documentary on YouTube. It's double lovely. Thu, 27 Sep 2007 00:00:00 One man imaginative universe Infinite Livez has designed a new T-Shirt in conjunction with The Wire. There's only 100 of them, they look fantastic, and more details can be found in the latest issue of the magazine. Don't miss out, they'll be collectors' pieces one day, mark our words. Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:00:00 Big Dada's 10th anniversary is rapidly approaching, and we have some more announcements to make. First up, the party. On Friday 16th November we'll be throwing a big bash at Electrowerkz, just behind Angel tube in London. There'll be three rooms, and in them at various times will be Roots Manuva, Diplo, Mike Ladd, Juice Aleem and DJ A La Fu, Infinite Livez, Cadence Weapon, XRabit and many more. It's going to be one of the best nights we've ever put together, and you can buy it all for a measly £13, here. Secondly, the wonderful Well Deep documentary, which is included on the DVD out 15th October, now has its very own trailer. The full length version features exclusive interviews with all the artists above as well as rare live footage and an extended interview with label founder Will Ashon. Get a taste of it here. Wed, 12 Sep 2007 00:00:00 This Friday night sees the return of Infinite Livez and Stade to the London stage, when the one and only Evil Genius takes over the Whitechapel Gallery for a crazed "happening" that will make Altamount look like a dispute over semantics at a don's tea party (and we don't mean Akira). Swiss electro-jazz nutters Stade will be making the music, Infinite will be adding vox by the cartload and, we believe, the marvellous Joy Frempong will also be "in the building". In addition, DJ Tendraw will be making funny noises. Honestly, if you missed their show at Cargo ("The best thing I've seen for ages" - Roots Manuva) then be sure to get down there this week. You have only yourself to blame if you make it to Monday and the weekend has been ordinary.... The Gallery The Livez The Myzpace Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:00:00 ... ringtone, for free. The good folks at Nokia are launching a wondrous e-zine type thing full of useful information and free things for the object that used to be a mode of contact but has now evolved into your diary/ media player/ friend/ life. Wiley's 50/50 is one of the ring tones you can download free of charge and play on the bus. Get it here Mon, 03 Sep 2007 00:00:00 Fuck Gordon 'Foxxy' Brown, David Cam'ron and their ilk (T-Boz Johnson blah etc). Instead, vote for Wiley. He will not improve your drains and nor would you want him to. He will, however, with your help, pip Beverley Knight, Lemar, Lethal Bizzle and the Stanton Warriors to the Best Urban Artist award at the BT Digital Music Awards. And what could be more important than that? I mean, really, what? Vote now, vote well, vote multiple times, you hanging chads, you. Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 Wiley has been nominated for Best UK male at the MOBO awards, a category in which he undoubtedly deserves to take home the trophy. He's released a career best album in the genre he helped create, constantly strived to bring through the young artists around him (My Mistakes, No Qualms Revox) and worked harder than ever at the promotional grind all year. So, humbly, we ask for your votes Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 We can't think of a better introduction to Cadence Weapon than this rather excellent video for his debut single, Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 Eskiboy will be winging his way to Paris on the 1st September to play at the Batofar along with a couple of cohorts. More information coming soon, but it's a rare chance for French fans to see what all the fuss is about, and it's free entrance to a great, floating venue. Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 BD towers, or rather basement, is revelling the sunshine that's finally arrived in London and donning its best clothes to prepare for being 10. The party preparations are already well underway, and with the night promising to host Roots Manuva, Diplo, Infinite Livez, Juice Aleem, Wiley and many more, it should be one of the best in the label's history. The 10 year DVD and and CD compilation are also nearly finished, and we have a title... Well Deep: 10 Years of Big Dada Recordings. The men behind the Wiley cover are currently busy knocking together some artwork for it, and all in all it feels very exciting. In other news, Cadence Weapon's album is set for release this September, and you can hear the first single from it, Sharks, doing its rather wonderful thing on the site right now. September will also see the release of the next single from Wiley. Lets just say that its sounding heavy, still. Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 The good people at Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 Big Dada is proud to announce the signing of 21 year old rapper and producer Klaxons picked him up to perform with them on their single 'Magick.' Breaking Kayfabe is scheduled for this Autumn. Keep checking back for more info and music. Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 UK hip-hop and black music magazine Big Smoke doesn't come along very often, but when it does it's always worth your money. Valuing original presentation, high quality photos and in-depth interviews with everyone from the stars of the scene to the up and comers, it's a triumph of passion over constraint, something we can appreciate. The issue about to hit the shops has Wiley on the cover, and features one of the best recent photoshoots of the grime don. Shot around the Roll Deep studio buildings in east London, and featuring a new addition to the Wiley family, they capture perfectly a sunny spring day and Wiley in reflective mood. Wed, 18 Jul 2007 00:00:00 We thought we'd take a minute to direct anyone who hasn't already seen it to the Ltd. edition Tue, 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 Wiley's testament to the dangers of finding oneself alone in an unwelcoming ends, 'Slippin', is one of the songs selected by BBC New Music Shorts 2007, a filmmakers competition supported by Warp films. A winning pitch was submitted by Jason Nwansi, who'll be given a budget and some priceless advice by Warp Films producers to help him make a video that promises to cross 'Thriller' with 'Night at the Museum,' and thus an unusual take on a grime video. All the films will be premiered at the BBC Electric Proms festival in October and online on BBC Film Network, before commencing a UK festival tour. Hopefully there'll be a showing in an east London postcode! Mon, 16 Jul 2007 00:00:00 Mr Wiley recently went to visit his old acquaintance Mr Westwood and, having engaged in good old fashioned conversation, Mr Wiley spoke some rhymed couplets into a microphone. Mr Westwood had just bought a brand new moving picture recording camera and committed some frames of Mr Wiley to tape and now you can watch them at a rather wonderful interweb site called YouAndYourTube. Or something like that. Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 The Big Dada 10th Anniversary plans and productions are well underway for this Autumn. A 30 minute label documentary is almost finished, and features exclusive interviews, live footage, clips and music from Diplo, Ty, Roots Manuva, Wiley, Spank Rock, Infinite Livez, New Flesh, cLOUDDEAD and more. From the early edits we've seen, Mike Ladd appears to have discovered a natural disposition toward being a presenter, although we're not sure they'd let him anywhere near your average channel. As well as the documentary, which appears on a DVD release, there will be video megamixes, a compendium of every BD video, and a 2CD compilation of some of the label's finest and oddest moments. And of course, there's going to be a little party featuring most of the artists above. Keep checking back for more. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 Tickets are flying out of the door faster than Wiley makes mixtapes for the Playtime is Over launch party at Cargo on 21st June. Grab yours fast! With support from grime's uber-talented Boy Better Know and dubstep kingpin Loefah, it's promising to be a night that'll show why the UK in 2007 is a good place to be if music is your thing. Tickets can be found at da web. That's Ticketweb.co.uk Also, there's a handful of the limited edition, 'black on both sides' Wiley CD album left at the webshop. They will never be made again, and they've got Ebay written all over them. Grab yours now at a price that'll make coldhearted web traders weep. Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:00:00 Earlier this year, a number of the braver, more individualistic and just plain wonderful of you bought Infinite Livez' latest, limb-lashing assault on the barriers of music, 'Art Brut Fe De Yoot.' A collaboration with Swiss electronic pioneers Stade, it was indescribable really. Which is no longer a problem, because you can see and hear it in all its glory, live and lewd, here, and here, and here, and here, and here! And don't forget to keep an eye out for the brilliant Joy Frempong! Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:00 They're black as night, they have writing that's white, they're not too tight... they're Wiley t-shirts. Continuing the blackboard aesthetic of the "Playtime Is Over" campaign, the Wiley t-shirts are beautiful, simple, and most of all educational. You can even get some chalk and add your own bits... Buy a Wiley t and be respected on road. But maybe not on crescent. For that you need an SUV with child seats up rear. Get yours here! Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 Yep, today's the day that Wiley's brand new, critically-acclaimed album, "Playtime Is Over" finally hits the shops. Generally agreed to be the best piece of work of a pretty stellar career, "Playtime..." takes the grime template and pushes it in all sorts of directions, a record full of muscular, uncompromising, hard-hitting music. Go and buy or shuh-huh-ut yu-huh mouf... Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 Get Stuck In. We are warning you now, for the first and possibly the last time, to watch your suburban mansion ends for the advent of Wiley's "Playtime Is Over" stickers. Pour quoi, we hear you cry, as you shovel organic quail's eggs and thrice-baked ciabatta into your comely nosh-hole. Well, the answer is simple - free shit. For one's mobile celly phone. Yes, find the number on the Wiley sticker, text off and receive, in ascending order of magnificence: Text Tones! (bronze sticker) Ringtones! (silver sticker) DJ Maximum mini-mix!!! (gold sticker). One dun know, mater... Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 The video for Wiley's '50/50' is finished, and more than lives up to the exuberance of the first single from 'Playtime is Over.'Check it here, on Channel U, vote number 406. Brap. Thu, 31 May 2007 00:00:00 Just in case you failed to get back from the pub in time for Wiley's slot on Channel 4's '4Play' last Friday, you can watch the 10 minute, concentrated dose of live performance and interview right here Tue, 22 May 2007 00:00:00 The man Wiley has been causing immense heat to be generated and then released into the atmos over last month or so. A natural phenomenon only seen once every few years, journalists, radio jocks and amateur geologists gather to catch his every eruption. So we would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the Godfather of Grime's very own album launch party. Thursday June 21st is the day. Cargo is the place. Support comes from the mighty Boy Better Know crew (JME, Skepta), Loefah and Illa Man. In addition, there will be party hats and cupcakes and, okay, we lied about that bit. But we're pretty sure Wiley will be there and an exhilarating time will be had by all. Tickets are available on the now now from da web. That's Ticketweb.co.uk, slow boy. Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 Wiley's glacial concoction of freezing synths and slashing snares, 50/50, can now be pre-orderd via your mobile for the painfully small sum of £1.50. Even better, you get the AA side of the single, Bow E3, too. A monstrous thundering bass storm of a track, it's grimy as hell and all the better for it. Text 'WILEY SINGLE' to 82822 to get your download code, which you can use to obtain the tracks on the release date of May 14th. Nang. Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 Spank Rock follow up a triumphant show at Coachella and nomination for the prestigious Shortlist prize with being invited to perform with Bjork at the Apollo in NY next week. May 8th sees this clash of the titans. We guess it's probably sold out, but see if you can sneak in diguised as, what, Icelandic farmers..? Uh? Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:00:00 Spank Rock have made it off the longlist and into the top 10 nominees for the prestigious Shortlist Prize in the US. The prize is roughly the equivalent of the British Mercury Music prize, with all nominations originating from the polling of other musicians from a wide range of musical backgrounds. More info here. Ronnie Vannucci from the Killers says, "the finalists are the backbone of what makes music special in the first place. They are each doing their own thing and it's beautiful." We say, shut up Ronnie. Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 ...have begun to pour forth their judgement on Wiley. Here's a couple of up-front quotes: 'The Godfather of Grime is back and he's definitely not playing. One of the UK's most influential artists, Wiley yet again delivers with gritty, grimy anthems to the underground as well as introspective and insightful cuts. Top of the class, as always, we give this full marks.' - RWD Magazine 'It's as if he's taken a long, hard look at Grime's best chance and opted for the independent route that ensures he can make music without compromise. Full of cocksure wit and confrontational assurance, glacial synth lines and pummeling beats. Could signal the breakout record he's been trying to make for so long.' - The Wire Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 That's right folks. On Saturday 5th May Big Dada takes over the Ninja club night You Don't Know at the Big Chill House. The line-up? It's a good 'un: Main Room Roots Manuva DJ Set Wiley - Live DJ A La Fu feat. Juice Aleem (New Flesh) Skull Juice - DJ Set Top Room Infinite Livez and chums! And your hosts for the night... Juice Aleem (New Flesh) and Roots Manuva You Don't Want To Miss. Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 Ty will be taking the stunning Closer stageshow into the summer with a set at Birmingham's The Drum this June. Here's the lowdown: All that Jazz presents... Ty Live! Britain's finest and much loved Ty takes to The Drum stage fresh from producing his latest album Closer. Ty continues to impress with his creatively conscious, thought provoking lyrics about contemporary life and relationships threaded through with his distinct sense of humour. With acclaimed albums Upwards and Awkward, a Mercury Music Prize nomination and stage appearances with Talib Kweli and De La Soul under his belt, Ty has firmly secured his place in the UK hip hop premier league. Make sure you join us to vibe off Ty's relaxing melodies and infectious beats as the UK's lyrical genius delivers hit after hit. With support from BASS Festival & Punch. Sat 9 Jun, doors open 9pm Music Studio £12 (£10), £15 on the door The Drum 144 Potters Lane Aston Birmingham B6 4UU Telephone/box office +44 (0)121 333 2400 Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:00:00 Our favourite Frenchmen have teamed up with the good folk at British clothing company Fenchurch to play in Manchester on May 10th this year, as part of the Futuresonic 2007 festival. The show will take place at the Mint Lounge, and if the boys' set at Scala recently was anything to go by, they're better than ever. Don't miss! Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:00:00 We've just set up a new mailing list for Wiley, here It's well worth signing up for to receive info, live dates and some interesting goodies and freebies we've got lined up for the summer. We promise not to abuse your accounts with useless spam! Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 Wiley has finished his brand new studio album, Playtime is Over, and we have to say that in our humbles, it's his best work to date by a long way and is very much the album we hoped for. First single 50/50 is playing on the site now, the album will be out in early June and it's all feeling very exciting. Read an extended interview and see some pictures of the man here Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 Infinite Livez Vs Stade, along with the incredible Joy Frempong, are set to play the Bose Blue Note Festival in Paris, on Friday the 30th March. This is a chance to see them in a prestigious and, more importantly, aesthetically suited environment. If the recent performance at Cargo was anything to go by, it'll be something you've probably never seen before - unless you live in an ecstatic dream world inhabited by ghastly jazz musicians, eloquent female undertakers and men in Kiss wigs primal screaming into effects boxes. We just received a recording of the Cargo performance, watch this space for audio, it's a cracker. More info here Wed, 21 Mar 2007 00:00:00 We have a small number of the spanking new railcard wallets designed by none other than Ty. They're extremely attractive, highly practical and all that, and soon they'll be collectors items. The first 20 people to email info@bigdada.com and name three of the 'looks' Ty donned in his recent 'Closer' video will get one in the post. Laaavely. Tue, 20 Mar 2007 00:00:00 The "Téléphone" video has climbed into the Top 10. Keep the video assault going and vote 'NON!' for "Téléphone" on MusiquePlus' Nu Musik: musiqueplus.com/emissions/numusik No one's video sounds better in pastels: youtube.com/watch?v=Hieoi9wyh6Y Wed, 14 Mar 2007 00:00:00 Whether you think Oyster Cards make life easier or allow Them to keep an eye on you, Ty's limited edition ticket wallet certainly makes 'em a bit more fun. The good news is that they'll be given out all over the UK, so you can use 'em for harmless old rail tickets too. 10,000 of them (we're told that's a couple of days worth) will be being distributed on the following dates in the following places around the UK... 19th March: London Paddington (rail station), Manchester Piccadilly (rail station) 20th March: London (street based distribution), Newcastle (street based distribution) 21st March: Cambridge (street), Leicester 22nd March: Brighton (street), Birmingham New Street (rail station)  23rd March: Leeds (rail station) 24th March: Bristol (Broadmead Shopping Centre) Make sure you don't miss out! If we can get our grubby mitts on a few we'll give them away via the site, so keep an eye out. Images of the wallet can be seen on the Ninja homepage... Wed, 07 Mar 2007 00:00:00 Fresh from rocking bright pink toe socks and Gene Simmons wig at his album launch party, Infinite Livez has been booked for another brain-bending show at the Luminaire, Kilburn, London on Sunday 25th March. Tickets are available here for the irresistible price of £8 It'll change everything. Tue, 27 Feb 2007 00:00:00 The inimitable Infinite Livez will be launching his album in style this Thursday when his collaborators and friends, the Swiss electronic maestros Stade hit the UK to perform at Cargo. It promises to be one of the most original, innovative and exciting live sets of this year, with the improvised recordings that make up Art Brut Fe De Yoot being reworked and re-improvised once again on the stage. Album guest Joy Frempong will also be joining the proceedings, and there are warm up slots from DJs Scotch Egg and Tendraw. The former has, on occasion, been known to bring along a number of his namesakes and, er, 'distribute' them freely. Which could be fun. We hope to see you there! Infinite Livez vs Stade at Soundcrash Joy Frempong DJ Scotch Egg DJ Tendraw Thursday 1st Mar 2007, 8:00pm Cargo, Rivington Street, London £10 Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 Journalist and music writer extraordinaire Simon Reynolds has been a long time supporter of Infinite Livez, and having now heard the forthcoming underground masterpiece 'Art Brut Fe De Yoot,' he had the following to say... "Sorta like Andre 3000 to the power of 1000, Infinite Livez is this country's most inventive MC. Now for the first time he's riding--or rather writhing in and up around--beats as freaky as his imagination. This is some wild and wacky stuff." - Simon Reynolds Nice one Simon. Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:00:00 Infinite Livez v Stade - "Unbiased Reductionism In 21st Century Music Practices" As a taster for the forthcoming album, "Art Brut Fe De Yoot," Inf Livez, Stade and all the good people at Big Dada are proud to present this Guinness Book of World Records attempt - the longest-titled free download EVER. Yes, clocking in at 52 characters, downloading "Unbiased Reductionism In 21st Century Music Practices" is your chance to take part in a little bit of record-breaking history. In essence, the sad story of one evil genius and his attempt to be part of a society that can't see beyond his amorality and unfeasibly large brain, "URI21CMP" is a perfect little taster for the Infinite Livez v. Stade experience - a whole frot of glitching, the basis of a beautiful tune, Infinite's freeform vocalisations and, in this case, singing assistance from esteemed French avant garde legend Pascal Auberson. If this doesn't float your boat, well then your boat is obviously a very different vessel from ours and you are doomed to spend the rest of your life on the duck pond while we, we few, we brave, embark fearlessly - if with a certain amount of oddness - out, out, across the Ocean of Uncertainty. Or to put it another way, enjoy... Download here! Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:00:00 Lots in the making at Big Dada over the last week or so. Wiley is putting the finishing touches to an album we already can't get enough of. The 'Playtime Is Over' demos are sounding like they're going to add up to the grime classic that Wiley's always wanted to make. Ty is preparing for more dates at London's Jazz Cafe. After his extraordinary show there last November we're already excited about the return leg. If you haven't seen this uber high-quality show before, 2/3 March will be your next chance. And last but not least... Big Dada will be 10 years old later this year, and the plans are coming thick and fast. Watch this space... Mon, 05 Feb 2007 00:00:00 The boys from TTC - Teki, Tido, Cuizi - land in Canada in but a few weeks to terrify and titillate their French and English speaking compatriots across the water in equal measure. Expect lots of very fast French swearing, outsize sportswear and regiments of Montreal girls walking funny for weeks after. And no, we don't know what that means. The dates, the dates... Monday Feb 26th : Montreal @ Sala Rossa Wed Feb 28th: Toronto @ The Social Thursday March 1st: Quebec City @ Velvet Nightclub Sat March 3rd: Montreal @ Club Lambi - DJ Orgasmic gig (Nuit Blanche) Allez allez allez, as the say to the peloton when they hit the hills... Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 Ty and the Arts Council of Great Britain have joined forces to celebrate the release last year of his phenomenal 'Closer' album, and the anniversary festivities of the Council. Specifically, Ty has helped design an Oyster Card travel wallet bearing the title of album track 'This Here Music,' which will be available in the next month or so, but only in limited edition. So, destroy your torn up, generic blue one and keep your eyes peeled! Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 The ever inspired Infinite Livez will be dropping his collaboration with Swiss electronic/ free-jazz outfit Stade in March this year, and the perfectly formed trio will be touring the UK this Spring. First up is an album launch party at London's Cargo, in association with the lovely people at SoundClash. Here are the details, it's seriously going to be an event not to miss! INFINITE LIVEZ VS STADE ALBUM LAUNCH FOR : 'Art Brut Fe De Yoot" THURSDAY 1ST MARCH 7-1, £10 adv CARGO www.cargo-london.com cargo-london.com/> To hear some music, refresh the page until you hear the best song ever to describe those silly men who insist on wearing nappies... Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 The mighty Thom Yorke of Radiohead has revealed, via his Itunes playlist, that he's a big fan of Spank Rock. In his own words; "What It Look Like" (Track 10): "when this record came out last year, it cut through all the sh*t for me. it was like a slap 'round the face. the computers speaking over their reference points and pointing to something brand new. turn it up. night night." "The Liars and Spank Rock's YoYoYoYoYoYo are my fav records last year." Well said that man. Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 Spank Rock and a coach-load of entourage blew the roof off the USA's Kimmel show last week, and much fun was apparently had by all. The ever brilliant Fader magazine were there to document the blast being put on, and there's a nice article and interview with MC Spank Rock here Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 Check out this month's issue of "Future Music" for a gigantic six page feature about Ty and production buddy Drew in the studio. As usual, Mr Chijioke pulls no punches. And he's on the DVD, too! Wed, 03 Jan 2007 00:00:00 First we need to tell you that Spank Rock will be performing with dancing girls and djembe drummers on the US-renowned Jimmy Kimmel show on January 12th. For those of you in America this will make sense. To those not, go HERE and discover about the greatest American talkshow ever to feature a band with "spank" in their title... In more UK-centric news, Mr Juwan and Mr XXXchange have been roundly rewarded by British critics in their end of year polls. Well done, young sirs! "Sound great" - Time Out Album of the Year, no.1 (numero uno, top of the pile, best of the best, the winner, baby...) "This soundtrack of basslines, blips and wordplay bounces right off the walls." - Metro, Best of 2006 "The best dance album of the year and the best live show, too!" - Straight No Chaser "So far ahead of the present competition it's embarassing" - Fact, Top Ten Albums of the Year "Far left top billin' with a straight up shop of dopeness? No doubt" - Hip Hop Connection, Albums of the Year, no.9 "Bubbling Under" - OMM Zedlebrity buddies: "Spank Rock... are revolutionary" - Peaches Geldof (NME, Records of the Year) "It makes me feel filthy dirty" - David Bowie (musicrecommenders.com) Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:00:00 Big Dada is preparing to hibernate for a short while for Christmas and get some rest in time for a 2007 that promises to be very exciting. As you'll know if you've been checking in, we have albums from Wiley, TTC and Infinite Livez vs Stade all dropping in the first half of the new year, and on top of that we'll soon be ten years old. Look out also for a some possible new additions to the stable, as well as singles from Ty and New Flesh. It'll be like the festive season all year, all going well! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year, BD Thu, 14 Dec 2006 00:00:00 As his Eski-AKA suggests, winter is a good time of year for Wiley, and he certainly hasn't slowed down for the party season. The new album 'Playtime is Over' is almost complete! From what we've heard so far the album will be a testament to one of the most inventive, impassioned and exciting artists from the UK. As Wiley said earlier this year, he wants to make a grime album that he's proud of, and we think he's done just that and then some. Watch this space. Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 France's finest forward thinking hip-hop crew TTC have delivered a jaw-dropping third album, which will be brashly, boldly announcing itself in stores on January 8th next year. DJs in the know such as Annie Mac, Joe Ransom and Sinden have all been playing tracks from the album on radio, and Plan B's up front review called '36 15 TTC' 'a flash mob dance-in in the the consumer goods section.' We'd call it a glitteringly flawless realisation of the groups quest to meld hip-hop, hi-energy electronics and dance into an infectious whole, or just an album well worth having. Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 The lovely folks at Signals Media are running a Big Dada competition to pitch and shoot a video for Ty's 'What You Want' (Taylormade,) from the 'Closer' album. All the details are here, but in short the best pitch wins £1000 prize money to make the video, which will hopefully wing its way onto TV screens in the summer. Good luck! Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 Mr David Bowie has been bigging up Big Dada artists Spank Rock in a recent interview. He said..."No, Spank Rock isn't the label of another new musical movement, it's the name of this potty-mouthed hip hop/dirty rap outfit straight outta Baltimore. Superficially, "Rick Rubin" comes from a similar place as Prince's "Get Off". It's a similarly confident old-skool funker that doesn't want to be messed with... and it makes me feel filthy dirty." "Rick Rubin" is taken from Spank Rock's debut, "YoYoYoYoYo". Wed, 06 Dec 2006 00:00:00 This weekend sees a very special Xmas WWWHUT!? taking place at London's 93 Feet East. Big Dada's (loosely) affiliated night will feature a DJ set from shooting star Sinden (Kiss FM/ Inside Out,) who shows that it's possible to play music from the far side of now and still keep everyone dancing. Lotsa baille funk, grime, dirrrty south and pop you can't help liking. Ninja's awesome new signing The Qemists will also be performing on the night, making the best use imaginable of decks, FX, thunderous basslines and more rap acapellas than you can shake a stick at. Don't miss! Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:00:00 2007 is shaping up to be a major year for Big Dada. We have TTC's jaw-dropper of a third album, 3615TTC, coming up on January 8th - a track from which is one of the songs now playing on the site. Hot on its heels comes Infinite Livez' project with the Swiss electronic-jazz outfit Stade. That latter term does them no justice; recorded in long, improvisatory sessions, 'Art Brut Fe De Yoot' is a modern avant masterpiece. Just wait n' see. Spring will also bring the debut Big Dada album from one of the most exciting artists in the UK, Wiley. Early tracks suggest he'll be taking the genre many credit him with creating to a whole new level. Watch this space. And of course, 2007 will be Big Dada's 10th year of business! Expect much merriment to be made in the second half of the year. Needless to say, we're looking forward to a bit of a holiday before '07 arrives! Wed, 15 Nov 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock have just been nominated for THREE Plug awards in the US of A, Hip-Hop Album Of The Year, Live Act Of The Year and New Artist Of The Year. Plug is notorious for its discerning, independent ethos, exemplified by its polling of key music figures for initial nominations. But now it's all up to you. If you agree that the mighty Spank Rock fill any of the above descriptions, go forth, and cast thy vote! Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 Ty's tour kicked off to a triumphant start last week with a stunning show at London's Jazz Cafe; his live interpretation of his new album was a sight to behold. He's now on the road in the UK (see the live pages for dates) after which he'll be heading to Europe. Dates are below! Tue 21-Nov-06 Apolo Barcelona ES Thu 23-Nov-06 Maroquinerie Paris FR Fri 24-Nov-06 De Kreun Kortrijk BE Sat 25-Nov-06 Mandarin Casino Hamburg DE Mon 27-Nov-06 Loppen Copenhagen DK Tue 28-Nov-06 Connie Island Leipzig DE Wed 29-Nov-06 Kassablanca Jena DE Thu 30-Nov-06 Birdland Vienna AT Fri 01-Dec-06 Dachstock Bern CH Sat 02-Dec-06 Moods Zurich CH Sun 03-Dec-06 Melkweg (Old Room) Amsterdam NL Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 We're extremely sad to announce that Spank Rock's forthcoming European tour has been cancelled, including their headline date at Scala in London. Spank's manager has asked us to pass on the message that 'the tour is being cancelled because there are some personal and professional matters that Naeem (MC Spank Rock) is attending to, requiring him to stay in the states. He is planning to tour Europe extensively in the New Year however!' We apologise on behalf of Spank for any disappointment. Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 As part of the veritably spectacular CMJ music conference, Big Dada will be holding a showcase in NYC this Saturday night. TY will be performing songs from his brand new album 'Closer' alongside one of the UK's finest DJs, Big Ted. They're joined by New Flesh, who'll be bringing all the energy of their Universally Dirty album to one of the best British rap stage shows you could ever wish to see. For more info and, more importantly, invitations go hence Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 The mighty Spank Rock are set to visit Europe for a series of live dates next month, during which time they'll play their first ever headline show in London at Scala in King's Cross! On the back of huge acclaim for their album YoYoYoYoYo and recent single Bump, Spank will be ending the year in typically energetic fashion. 'The first great album of the year...' - The Sunday Times 'Electro berserker hip-hop for the 21st Century' - The Independent Dates as follows: Thu 02-Nov-06 Rote Fabrik Zurich CH Fri 03-Nov-06 Fri-Son Fribourg CH Sat 04-Nov-06 Ampere Munich DE Tue 07-Nov-06 L'Ubu Rennes FR Wed 08-Nov-06 Le Chabada Angers FR Fri 10-Nov-06 Les Inrocks @ La Laterie Strasburg FR Sat 11-Nov-06 Trix Antwerp BE Sun 12-Nov-06 Melkweg Amsterdam NL Mon 13-Nov-06 Les Inrocks @ Olympia Paris FR Wed 15-Nov-06 Thekla Bristol UK Thu 16-Nov-06 Scala London UK Fri 17-Nov-06 The Arches Glasgow UK Sat 18-Nov-06 The Warehouse Project Manchester UK Mon 20-Nov-06 Bad Sneakers @ Faversham Leeds UK Tue 21-Nov-06 Vega (Small Room) Copenhagen DK Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Today's the day. The mighty mighty TY returns with his third album and we think it's his best work yet. Seriously funky, proper clever and beautifully produced, it also features a fine guest spot from De La Soul and double doses of everything you like best about the awkward MC and producer. Honestly, it's slammin'... "Closer takes everything that made [Ty] good and makes it great... this is Britrap at its best. This time let's hope it gets its due." - NME 8/10 "He makes mainstream American hip hop sound as formulaic and vacuous as it really is" - The Times, 4/5 "Goes from strength to strength... warm, wise and beautiful" - Daily Mirror, 4/5 "An engaging blend of articulate wordplay, political suss and gentle humour" - The Independent, 4/5 "Excellent... a delight, full to the brim with hooks" - Music Week "Although there are plenty of clever, plenty of conscious and plenty of funny hip hop albums out there, rarely do you find one where all these things collide with such compelling consistency. Yep, it's another Ty classic" - iDJ, 5/5 "Combines a soulful heart with some catchy hooks... will surely put him one step closer to the mainstream success he deserves" - The Sun "The US hip hop fraternity could learn from Ty's third outing... low on braggadocio and high on ambition" - The Guardian Mon, 09 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Ty's new album 'Closer' hits the shelves a week today, and is of course available to pre-order from the Ninja shop right now! Check the video for the new single and album title track here Fri, 06 Oct 2006 00:00:00 Big Dada launches its very own series of podcasts (yeah, yeah - we took our time to get it right!) with an inaugural installment from Ty. As usual the man has lived up to his own high quality ethic, and as a result it's killer. Check the new music and hear Ty's thoughts on the new album here Mon, 02 Oct 2006 00:00:00 New Flesh are heading to Berlin this very Friday, sans Juice Aleem who's still on the road with Coldcut. It promises to be a killer show nonetheless, with Part 2 and Toastie Taylor showcasing songs from their best album to date, and no doubt throwing a few surprises into the mix. The action takes place at the Icon Bar on Friday 6 October! Fri, 29 Sep 2006 00:00:00 We thought we'd celebrate the fact it's Friday by giving away an exclusive, brand new Ty track from the forthcoming album 'Closer.' The song is called L.O.V.E and it's available now, here Ty's third, and in our opinion finest album to date has really been causing some fuss recently. Look out for his music all over 1Xtra and his forthcoming session with Zane Lowe. Enjoy! Tue, 26 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Sorry, we couldn't resist it. Spank Rock's 'Bump' has been put forward for the Rebel Playlist on the esteemed Mr. Steve Lamacq's show on 6 Music. Go here, and scroll to the nether regions. Thu, 21 Sep 2006 00:00:00 We knew Winona was a naughty girl, but we didn't realise she was a fan of Spank Rock until she turned up at a recent show. She reacted well to the slightly surreal subsequent events too. Good on you girl. Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Ty hits the road with his legendary full live band later this Autumn. Here are the dates confirmed so far! Wed 08-Nov-06: Thekla, Bristol UK Thu 09-Nov-06: Jazz Café, London UK Fri 10-Nov-06: Faversham / Wardrobe, Leeds UK Sat 11-Nov-06: Warwick Uni. Coventry UK Sun 12-Nov-06: King Tuts, Glasgow UK Tue 14-Nov-06: Waterfront, Norwich UK Wed 15-Nov-06: Rescue Rooms, Nottingham UK Fri 17-Nov-06: Fat City @ Mint Lounge, Manchester UK Sat 18-Nov-06: The Picket, Liverpool UK There are also a few instores in the works, so keep checking back for more info. Mon, 18 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Big Dada is very pleased to announce that Wiley has joined the label. We're sure grime's greatest maverick needs very little intro, but he's the founding father of the mighty Roll Deep and the man many credit with starting the scene itself. We're incredibly pleased and excited to have such a UK pioneer join us. As for Wiley, he had the following to say... 'I think it's good because all my life I've been looking for a creative control, to make an album that I'll enjoy listening to and performing... a grime album that I really want to make!' The debut album for BD is set for next year, but for now you can download a taster of Wiley's latest mixtape right here! Mon, 11 Sep 2006 00:00:00 Part 2's disposable graffiti technique, 'Part2ism,' has been garnering some serious attention of late. In a recent extensive Times feature Part was interviewed whilst installing a piece in central London, and the daily broadsheet's conclusion? 'Groundbreaking.' Next up is his exhibition at London's Dragon Bar, which opens up tomorrow night with a (semi) private view. Music will come courtesy of New Flesh (Big Dada,) Kode 9 (Hyperdub,) Kevin Martin (Bash) and Memes (WWWHUT!? / Big Dada.) The exhibition in association with PIMP magazine, hit them at mailout@pimpguides.com for an invite. Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 The inimitable Inf Livez will be appearing on Friday 8th September at the equally individual Wonktronica. The night will take place at the newly opened Corsica Studios in Elephant and Castle, which apparently is well worth a visit. Inf says 'I have a show on next week put on by my good pal Dave Duck. His all nighters are very special indeed so if you haven't got anything to do Friday come and help me (and thirty other electro funkateers) jam on the one. cheers inf' More info here Wed, 23 Aug 2006 00:00:00 New Flesh head to France in a couple of weeks, to play the Batofar on Saturday 2nd September. It promises to be a rip roaring showcase of their new 'Universally Dirty' LP, and Part 2 will be DJing afterwards on the roof. Meanwhile, Wayne Lotek is back from his Antipodean travels and will be MCing at the same party. He's been scribbling furiously whilst away so expect some very new newness from the main man behind Lotek Hi-Fi. Big all round. Tue, 22 Aug 2006 00:00:00 Bigg Jus has dropped his 'Poor People's Day' album on the wonderful MUSH records, and as usual, it's pretty damn good. You can see the man himself featuring in this new video, which is pretty much the perfect visualisation of the song; angry, politicised and a few steps ahead. Wed, 16 Aug 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock are back in more ways than one over the coming weeks. Firstly, they're in the UK this very August, playing TDK and Reading. They have a major tour booked throughout Europe for November also, dates to be announced here soon. They also have a new single, Bump, taken from the YoYoYoYoYo album and reworked by the mighty Switch and the exuberant Best Fwends. Watch this space for more news, and listen to it for forthcoming music. Fri, 04 Aug 2006 00:00:00 The mighty Ty is back with a brand new single, 'Don't Watch That / What You Want,' and a career best album, 'Closer,' set for release in October. Sounding as inspired, hungry and ahead of the pack as ever on the vocal front, the production on the album has moved forward yet again. It's a start-to-finish body of work; concise, uptempo, highly-evolved and addictive. There are going to be lots of special competitions, giveaways and chances to get music early, so sign up to the maling list, here and get a head start. Tue, 01 Aug 2006 00:00:00 A video has been made for New Flesh's infectious, genre-defying single, 'Wherever We Go.' Adding a touch of humour to the proceedings, New Flesh MCs Juice and Toastie donned some serious costumes in some serious heat, and the result is a low-fi triumph. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of BD related cameos, and check the video here. Tue, 25 Jul 2006 00:00:00 On the 31st of July New Flesh return with 'Wherever We Go' the standout cut from their already-acclaimed third LP, 'Universally Dirty'. With violin and acoustic guitar butting up against unfeasibly squelchy sub-bass and state-of-the-art beats, it's a tune which shows the group at their most musical and memorable, Juice Aleem's and Toastie Tailor's rap styles and lyrical themes showcasing them once again as the perfect yin-yang combination. Not for nothing did Roots Manuva walk out of the Big Dada offices clutching a cd-r of the demo version of the tune a year ago, which he immediately included on his 'Back To Mine' compilation. Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock's anthemic, crunching ode to bearded hip-hop pioneer Rick Rubin is now available for FREE, yes you heard correctly, from bleep.com. What's more, you get the video bundled with it, and it's a great visualisation of what Spank Rock are all about. Get it here! Tue, 18 Jul 2006 00:00:00 Big Dada founder and A+R Will Ashon has been touring the country recently, performing readings from his debut novel 'Clear Water.' This Thursday he's a little closer to home, reading at the Spice Festival in Hackney Empire's Marie-Lloyd Bar alongside fellow Faber debutante Michael Smith. It promises to be much fun, with Mr. Smith's piano accompanied rendition of The Giro Playboy, and Big Dada label manager Jamie playing some records between and after readings. More info here spicefestival.com/marie_lloyd.html 'Clear Water' is here Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:00:00 Summer is well and truly underway, and with all the outdoor pleasantness, drinks and minimal wearing of clothes, thoughts automatically turn to the good old Air Cock Thrust. In other words, we have a competition to announce. We can't really beat the ACT's original innovator when it comes to describing it, so in the words of Spank Rock's Ronnie Darko... Post-Up your best clips of ACTs on www.aircockthrust.com. The person with the highest score by the end of September, judged by the members of Spank Rock, wins a whole ass load of Spank Rock/Baltimore Bass Connection prizes and exclusives!!! No Rules Just don't hurt yourself or others. Contest open to anyone, anywhere! Go forth. aircockthrust.com Tue, 11 Jul 2006 00:00:00 New Flesh's mighty 'Universally Dirty' album is in stores, on shelves and officially making noise. It's absolutely their strongest work to date; focussed, uptempo, catchy, progressive though enjoyable throughout, and very danceable indeed. Here's what the press have to say, go get yours! "Sure to be a contender for hip hop album of the year - a proper envelope pusher." iDJ 4/5 - Album of the Month "If the truth is known they're always waiting for the rest of the world to catch up, but hopefully the world is finally ready for "Universally Dirty"... An album of epic proportions... An album to remember." Hip Hop Connection 4/5 "One of the most thrillingly innovative producers on the planet... so fresh are the rhythms that they would totally overhsadow most rhymers but - once again - MCs Juice Aleem and Toastie Tailor prove themselves more than up to the challenge" Touch, Alternative Album of the Month 4/5 "Give me something I can shake my ass to! Luckily this is exactly what New Flesh do. More Please." Plan B "Looks down from a mountain of originality. New Flesh are a formidable force... "Universally dirty" will worry others who pretend." Big Cheese 4.5/5 "Soundscapes that can be appreciated by cocaine-fulled fashionistas and open minded hip hop heads alike." RWD "Their strongest release yet. Had it been put together by Timbaland or The Neptunes it'b rightly hailed as a next-level minor masterpiece of production." Knowledge Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 Right now you can download Spank's mammoth 'Rick Rubin' from right here on the Big Dada homepage, absolutely FREE of charge. There's also an incredible new video for the song, which recently featured on the front page of YouTube. We think it summarises the Spank Rock experience for anyone who hasn't as yet seen them in person. Don't take our word though, click bigdada.com/rickrubin leave your details, tell your friends, enjoy. Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:00:00 Ruvan Wijesooriya,friend and associate of producer Armani XXXchange, who recently shot Spank Rock for URB magazine, has an exhibition in London for the next few weeks, to tie in with the release of his new book, ALL NIGHT NEW YORK. It's at the Great Eastern Hotel, 40 Liverpool Street, until 17th July. Go here to check the flyer or, alternatively, here for some editorial. Wed, 14 Jun 2006 00:00:00 Not content with contributing gravel-voiced, double-time sex come ons for the new New Flesh album, "Universally Dirty," Toastie Tailor has blasted his way onto the soundtrack for the classy cars-n-guns epic "Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift". The track is "Restless" by Brighton-breaks-badboyz Evil 9, but the voice could only belong to the Black Kingfisher. Boom! Mon, 12 Jun 2006 00:00:00 This Thursday will see the display of what could be Part 2's most ambitious graffiti project to date. Taking over The Foundry bar in London's Old Street, he'll be installing a giant, custom made example of the disposable graffiti technique that's been gaining him recent acclaim. It starts promptly at 9.00pm, and New Flesh rhyme master Juice Aleem will be accompanying the proceedings with a 20 minute solo vocal performance. Perfect for some after football fun! Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:00:00 Label 'guvnor' Will Ashon, who started Big Dada back in 1997, has only gone and published his first novel. Written on his Palm Pilot travelling between home and work 'Clear Water' is set in and around a vast, subterranean shopping centre and is a story of intrigue, action and high entertainment based around six principal figures. Or so the publishers say, anyway. Described by Esquire magazine as 'a weird and wonderful look at the dreadful side of modern England' the book is available as a 'deal of the week' right now from Amazon. Amazin'. Tue, 06 Jun 2006 00:00:00 New Flesh continue to cause a ruckus with their forthcoming 'Universally Deep' LP. Lead single 'Wherever We Go,' playing on the site right now, is out next month on very limited, screenprinted and hand-stamped 12", and is set to go down as a great British rap music collectible. With violin and acoustic guitar butting up against unfeasibly squelchy sub-bass and state-of-the-art beats, it's a tune which shows the group at their most musical. Not for nothing did Roots Manuva walk out of the Big Dada offices clutching a cd-r of the demo version of the tune a year ago, which he immediately included on his "Back To Mine" compilation. To complete the forthcoming package, the 12" will include the first vinyl release of the magnificent "Backyard," recently described in Plan B as being "as buff as any Sean Paul hit" & "a riddim worthy of Bounty Killer or Sizzla" in July's HHC Wed, 24 May 2006 00:00:00 Just a reminder about this Saturday's dream line up for lovers of homegrown, Black British music. Roots Manuva's Banana Klan is the only label of its kind, releasing artful, individual, fresh, reggae influenced music on perfect little 7"s. This is the first official showcase for the label, so come show some love. New Flesh have got some serious new songs to showcase, some of which will be totally excusive, never heard before future-classics. Also, rumours are that Part 2 may have provided WWWHUT!? with it first ever banner, constructed from his razor sharp Disposable Graffiti. Okay, so Jahcoozi aren't entirely 'homegrown,' but their digital, grimey soul is well worth the inclusion. 'Twill be a night for shaking, come join the fun. WWWHUT!? 93 Feet East, 150 Brick Lane, London E1. Free before 9.00pm, £5 after. Mon, 22 May 2006 00:00:00 Part 2 will be keeping things on the boil for the forthcoming New Flesh album this Thursday, and putting in an appearance at The Bug's party in London's Plastic People. Anyone familiar with Part's music and this venue's soundsystem will know this is gonna be serious. Blurb below! BASH 25th May The Bug(Ninja/Rephlex) meets the dub poets(Roger Robinson, Space Ape, Malika, Crisis) Part 2(New Flesh) Loefah(DMZ/Ital) John Eden(Uncarved Blogginesst) Big Dada label artist/Roots Manuva Remixer and pioneer of "disposable graffiti" Part 2, takes time out to promote his forthcoming New Flesh album 'Universally Dirty', by throwing down some bass heavy waist grinders. Thursday 25rd May BASH At Plastic People. (Presented by The Bug & Loefah) Policy : Bashment, Dub, Ragga, Rockers, Roots, Lovers, Soca... 10-2AM £5/Conc.. Wed, 17 May 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock are just about to hit British soil after tearing up Europe for 2 weeks, and the shows promise to be spectacular. This Friday 19th they play Fabric, then they make a (possibly record breaking?) dash to NYC on Monday 22nd to support none other than the chart topping Gnarls Barkley at Webster Hall! Back in the UK for Tuesday, they hit the Barfly for XFM's night, supported by Sway. The last show is almost sold out, so grab your tickets fast if you haven't already! barflyclub.com Tue, 16 May 2006 00:00:00 The mighty New Flesh will be warming up for release of their new album, 'Universally Dirty,' at WWWHUT!?, 93 Feet East, on Saturday 27th May. Their live set is legendary, expect on stage playfighting, lots of energy and some of the best improvisation you're likely to see anywhere. Plus, Part 2 will be showcasing the disposable graffiti technique that he's honing into something seriously worth checking. Look out for more on that in a Times feature coming soon, Also on the night, Roots Manuva's Banana Klan will be headlining with their first ever label showcase feat. Ricky Ranking, Jimmy Screech and Kope. Finally, Berlin's Jahcoozi will open up the night and get the party started. More info at 93feeteast.co.uk. Don't miss. Wed, 10 May 2006 00:00:00 Our man Infinite Livez can be heard on Resonance FM on Monday May 15th at 8.15pm (Greenwich kna'Mean Time) alongside Wonktronica's Dave Duck and then jamming live with the Cutouts (DJ Hotel and Dysu). Expect extreme noise terror and disturbing shit about nostril-sex. You know you wanna... www.resonancefm.com Wed, 10 May 2006 00:00:00 The Spank Rock phenom hits the shores of Europe today, kicking off their however-many-date tour in the fair city of Amsterdam. Which just about guarantees a messy time. Many more dates to follow and not a little excitement. Put on your dancing shoes, goofy grin and general loveliness and CHECK THE DATES! Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 For those that can't get enough of the perfectly formed nuggets of news that appear every now and again on the Big Dada homepage, today is a happy place. RSS is here. No one knows what it stands for, but we do know that it enables you to receive news direct to your desktop, as soon as it hits the pages, ensuring you know what's happening almost as soon as we do. Really something, surely! OK OK, here's the techinical bit. If you have Safari (Mac OSX Tiger only), Opera or Firefox then you should see an RSS icon when you go to www.bigdada.com which you can bookmark. If you're using another browser or you just want the direct link you can try: bigdada.com/rss.phpFor more info on aggregators go to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aggregator For more info on RSS go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_(file_format) Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 This summer will see the release of the new album from one of Big Dada's most heavyweight crews; the mighty New Flesh. For anyone unfamiliar, their previous LP 'Understanding' provided an entire blueprint for British rap that was both raw and accomplished, tough but encompassing and, with songs like this, pre-empted the grimier side of British Black music that's become prevalent of late. Cast thine eyes to the download area, and enjoy a FREE taster from the forthcoming 'Universally Dirty' LP. Don't say we don't give nowt away. Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock have definitely, definitively hit the road. Their US and Candian tour kicked off last week in the land of the couche. From this week on, they'll be reporting live from the van via spankrock.net The first installment comes in glorious colour video and eloquent text (check under 'weekly') and is unmissable. Enjoy! Thu, 13 Apr 2006 00:00:00 YoYoYoYoYo is now out in Canada, and hits shelves in the US this coming Tuesday, the 18th. Spank Rock are fresh back from Japan, where they blew up a swimming pool party and induced some watery fun, and have just hit the road to start their mammoth US and Canadian tour. Check the live pages for details! Fri, 07 Apr 2006 00:00:00 The debut album from Baltimore's finest, the inimitable Spank Rock, hits the shelves this Monday amidst a storm of critical acclaim. In the words of the journalists... 'Pulse Quickening... Recalls the Beastie Boys before they became Beastie men. Thrilling...' The Guardian 'Genuinely original... electro beserker hip-hop for the 21st Century.' - The Independent 'The future of hip-hop... Like nothing you've heard before.' - The Times With rumours of some very exciting collaborations in the works, and an epic-scale European tour this May (see the lives pages,) things are feeling very warm indeed. Definitely the best way to brighten up your Monday! spankrock.net myspace.com/spankrock Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 If you're in NYC on Sunday, just about the best reason to start the week with a hangover is happening on your doorstep. Mass! at Cielo is putting on the dream line-up of Diplo, Cosmo Baker, a live Spank Rock performance and recent Spank collaborator and about-to-be big Pace Rock. Hopefully Cielo has a dance licence. 02/04/06 - Mass! @ Cielo With Diplo (Hollertronix) Cosmo Baker (The Rub) The Pase Rock (Five Deez/Mass!/K7) Ross One (Mass!) With a live performance by MC Spankrock (Big Dada) Cielo::Doors 10pm::$15 Cover www.massnyc.com Fri, 24 Mar 2006 00:00:00 If you're in London's fashionable east tonight, look out for a big-haired Dada representative of the feminine variety, who'll be encouraging drunk, and/ or suggestible people to commit an Air Cock Thrust to film. If you're lucky, you might get some goodies for taking part, and of course you'll be immortalised on aircockthrust.com Well f**king futile. Nathan would be proud! Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 Roots Manuva's new album, "Alternately Deep," is in the shops right now! A Mixture of B-sides, remixes, downloads and brand new exclusives, this is meant to be a companion piece to last year's "Awfully Deep" and should be in the shops between £8 and £10, depending on where you go. An absolute must for Manuva completists, the reviews suggest that it also stands up in its own right, so you don't just have to take our word for it... "This shit rocks way harder than anything Rodney's given us yet... getting close to the most essential LP Roots has ever lashed down. Stunning" - DJ "Seriously deep and completely necessary" - Straight No Chaser "If the quality was high on "Awfully Deep" it's equally so on these previously unreleased efforts" - Q "Some truly memorable moments from the UK's best hip hop star." - Music Week "Never less than fascinating." - Mojo "Cheeky gems... well worth a peep" - FHM "A must-have for Manuva fans" - The Guardian "A remarkably accessible selection of angular remixes, B-sides and baffling out-takes" - Sunday Telegraph "The chances of an 'Awfully Deep' relative - even an ugly sister - not being at least somewhat better than 90% of the records out this month are so slim it's marginal. And this is far from an ugly sister." - HHC "An entertaining and essential listen" - Clash Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:00:00 aircockthrust.com Self-explanatory, really. Thu, 09 Mar 2006 00:00:00 Those of you lucky enough to be in NY tonight or tomorrow night are in for a rare treat. Mr Mike Ladd is staging a live theatrical performance of the first two segments of the Infesticons/Majesticons trilogy, with exclusive previews of material from the third part (due sometime soon...). Despite having to abandon a plan for the whole performance to take place on roller blades, with guests including Rob Sonic, muMs, Abyss, Lehni Lamide Davies, Creature, L.I.F.E. Long, and Sun Singleton and visuals provided by Kanishka Raja, it should be a memorable evening. And it all takes place at renowned artspot, The Kithchen. Clickety click click clack to get further info back... Mon, 06 Mar 2006 00:00:00 For those that missed Spank Rock on their few UK dates last month, we thought it might be time to introduce them properly. Click here for a very visual intro. Enjoy! Fri, 03 Mar 2006 00:00:00 Ty has just been invited to present a gong at the Hip-Hop World Awards in Nigeria on the 10th March, where he'll also be performing. Billed as 'one of the greatest milestones of the Nigerian entertainment industry,' it promises to be quite an event. Needless to say, we wish we could be there with him, but we're having to make do with a few early tracks from what will become Ty's third album. Predictably, we think it's looking like his best, and we mean it maaan. From what we've heard, Ty's musicality and song writing prowess have been condensed into something very evolved, infectious and just plain thumping. Forget about Spring, we're all about Autumn 2006. Mon, 27 Feb 2006 00:00:00 The ever active and ceaselessly inventive Diplo is heading off to Brazil again this week, to record an album of Baille funk with a new group he's arranged. Whilst he's gone though, be sure to check out his latest idea, Mad Decent Radio. A twenty-minute radio feature in the shape of a handy, free podcast, the first installment focuses on Baltimore, and the club music that's put the city on the map for rather more positive reasons than have previously been the case. Introducing the key players behind the scene and featuring some of the usual super high quality blends Diplo has made his name with, it's about as worthwhile as podcasts come. Go get it here. Thu, 23 Feb 2006 00:00:00 Awe inspiring? Demented? Gloriously messy, sweaty and sexy? It's not an easy task to summarise Spank Rock live, but anyone who witnessed their debut live show at the Notting Hills Arts Club can attest to an MC who's more Prince than Jigga, who straddles tables, smashes drinks and grinds club furniture and ladies alike. Add a hype man and producer that's just about the punkest thing ever to hit a hip-hop stage, and two world class DJs with a taste for the party, and you have something pretty exciting. And everyone was excited. You can hear it in these rough and ready recordings, the intimacy and immediacy of the show are the first things that hit you. If ever a live recording captured the rawkus energy of a new artist at their beginning, this is probably it. If you were there, remind yourself, if you weren't, damn you - you're in for a treat. dontpanicmedia.com/live Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock have certainly caused a bit of a stir on their first trip to Europe. Not only did the Guardian choose to award them single of the week, but the NME said today that they might just change the world with 'songs as great as Rick Rubin.' Having played sell out shows at Le Rex in Paris and YoYo and the Basement Jaxx party in London, thay've also proved that they are definitely not all hype. The live show is everything that the stateside reports suggested, and the good news is that there are still two chances to see it. Spank hit the Old Blue Last (the Vice mag pub) in Shoreditch, London tonight, and WWWHUT!? at 93 Feet East, Brick Lane on Saturday. Look out for ACT comps (you have to see it,) a draw joppingly individual MC, the punkest hype man in the world and not one but TWO exceedingly party rocking DJs. Oh, and don't be disturbed if your table gets danced on, it's all part of the fun. Tue, 14 Feb 2006 00:00:00 To celebrate the forthcoming release of Roots Manuva's 'Alternately Deep,' and to save fans from the rather less than temperate weather, we're holding a very special sale. Until now, Awfully Deep hoodies, sweaters and t-shirts have only been available in limited, promotional quantities, but we've decided to put them on general sale at one-off, very low prices. Keep the cold at bay, and declare your fanhood in full colour! ninjatune.net/ninjashop/shopnews.php Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 Spank Rock are really starting to cause a stir in the warm up to Rick Rubin's release on the 20th of this month. The single has been described variously as 'A brilliantly bonkers take on 21st Century hip-hop' (The Daily Star), 'style and substance in abundance,' (Touch), and 'the most insanely brilliant record I've heard in yonks...' by iDJ. Best of all, the Spank Rock experience will be coming to six European venues later this month. Full dates are as follows! - 15th Feb: LE REX, PARIS, FRANCE - 16th Feb: YOYO, NOTTING HILL ARTS CLUB, LONDON UK - 17th Feb: JAMM, BRIXTON, LONDON UK - 18th Feb: 103 CLUB, BERLIN, GERMANY - 22nd Feb: OLD BLUE LAST, LONDON UK - 25th Feb: WWWHUT!?, LONDON, UK Fri, 20 Jan 2006 00:00:00 Given Rick Rubin's legendary status as one of the original pioneers of hip-hop, developing the music whilst it was still in its youth, it's maybe surprising that he isn't referred to more often in rap lyrics. Well, Spank Rock haven't just mentioned him, they've turned him into a title, and a chorus to boot. Rick Rubin (the song) announces Spank Rock as something very new, revitalising hip-hop and defamiliarising it in the way that each new artist used to, way back when. Bleeps, squelches, scattershot drums and mechanical melodies aplenty, Rick Rubin proves that Spank Rock can rock the mind as well as the party. Look out for the single in February, but for now, enjoy it right here... Thu, 12 Jan 2006 00:00:00 2006 will see the return of the inimitable TTC. They've almost completed a brand new album, from which the inital tracks are mouthwateringly, expectation-shatteringly good. At the end of this month, Teki Latex and DJ Orgasmic will be performing at the WWWHUT!? 1st Birthday special at 93 Feet East, Brick Lane, London. Last year, Orgasmic blew the roof off, so expect an even more hyperbole-deserving event when he returns with his partner in crime. Saturday 28th January, watch this space for more news! Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:00:00 We hope everyone had a good one! We're already well underway for a very big 2006 for the label. The download only singles from Lotek Hi-Fi and Part 2 are out now, and available from the BD download area. They're attracting some definite winter warmth, as summarised by DJ Magazine's kind words... 'Part 2's tweak on 'One of Dem Days' surrounds Fallacy's blazing lines with surging rubbery waves of bass and aggro synth, Cabaret Voltaire-style nastiness giving Fallacy's vox a lethally incisive point of attack. Superb' And on Lotek... 'Sheffield crew Small Arms Fiya transform the (already mighty) original into a genius Afro-beat stomper that's equal parts Fela, Konono No.1 and Mad Professor. This'll have anyone shaking all spare appendages like they're Baloo in a grass skirt. Man, what a beat. OD 24/7.' Look out for Spank Rock's devastatingly new, devilishly addictive 'Rick Rubin' single coming soon, and a few other bits we've got safe and warm for later in the year. May it be a good one! Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:00:00 The all new download singles from Lotek Hi-Fi and Part 2 are out today, and Available from Big Dada downloads and all good sites right now, and on Itunes from tomorrow! Part 2's revenge remix of 'One of Dem Days' is a logical progression from Live From The Breadline; searing, encompassing but standing all on it's own. Maybe the only difference here is the aggression in the production, the perfect foil to the ever brilliant Fallacy's upbeat vocal concerns. Backed up with a Rick Witter (yes, you heard it right!) revox of Take Ur Time, it seems Part's invented Geezer Garage overnight. Lotek Hi-Fi's 'Move Your Thing' is literally a three and a half minute party-in-a-box. It has expensive drinks, dancing, flirting, monumental bass, and even taxis to and from the venue. Including three remixes and a dub of 'Sticks and Stones,' Wayne Paul's moment of vocal glory from the album, it's the musical equivalent to visiting four amazing parties in one night, and being sung a masterful lullaby as you finally crash out. Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:00:00 Yes indeed, we have a Myspace page. To be fair to us, we actually had it for quite a while, it just didn't look quite as splendid as it does now that the ever gifted BD intern has given it a going over. We've put some of our latest music up there, you can see the variety of individuals that we call friends, and you can leave us confusing but hugely appreciated messages. It might even be the fastest way of communicating with us these days! myspace.com/bigdadarecords Tue, 13 Dec 2005 00:00:00 Duck and cover! The new audio on the site is Part 2's very own, and very vengeful remix of his album standout 'One Of Dem Days' feat. Fallacy. This monster is available on the download-only single Part drops next week, on the 20th of this month. It's a perfect Christmas present to yourself, and it'll drown out Grandma's opera nicely. Look out for Lotek Hi-Fi's 'Move Ya Thing' feat. Roots Manuva and Sandra Melody too, audio coming next week... Tue, 06 Dec 2005 00:00:00 We couldn't wait until Friday for this, so from this very moment, you can head to the downloads section (look up, and slightly right) and take away your very own LIVE mp3 of Roots Manuva's mighty 'Seat Yourself,' for no money. Recorded at The Forum in London on 23rd November, it shows Rodney's latest anthem in a very intense new light. It was one of many highlights, so make sure you pick up the other 14 tracks for a mere 6 quid, at dontpanicmedia.com/live Enjoy! Fri, 25 Nov 2005 00:00:00 In a time defying technological turnaround, Roots Manuva's entire live set from Wednesday's jaw dropping appearance at London's forum, is now available to download. We kid you not, this was one of the best shows Rodney has ever performed. In a jubilant, tour starting mood, backed by the ever tighter and increasingly exciting Manuvadelics, the roof was indeed torn off. In the words of one attendee, Rodney was 'like a modern day George Clinton.' Don't believe us? Sample, and purchase here! Thanks to the good people at Don't Panic and Record Play for putting this together. We think we might have a bona fide classic, Black British live album on our hands... Mon, 21 Nov 2005 00:00:00 Mr Manuva hits the road once again this week and gives the UK some good good musical loving as he and band make merry in venues across the country. The shows start this Wednesday night at the Forum in Kentish Towne and then coninue apace in many another place. Support is supplied by Banana Klan poster boy Jimi Screech and none other than that fella Plan B, who is on 679 and plays acoustic guitar whilst threatening to cut you up. Metaphorically, like. It will be fun fun fun till your daddy blah blah blah... Tickets still left. Buy now, enjoy later. Go H-z-z-z-here and scroll down a bit for all your venue-by-venue details, puny earthlings... Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:00:00 In an ongoing attempt to make Fridays even more special, today we're running a little competition for the Big Dada faithful. We've got 5 promotional compilations to give away. They're exceedingly new, and contain exclusive tracks from Diplo, Roots Manuva, Spank Rock and Lotek Hi-Fi, amongst many others. These will never be on general release, so this is your only chance to grab one. Now for the hard bit. The first 5 people to mail info@bigdada.com with the answer to the following question, will win the comps. Name the song and the Big Dada album that the following line is taken from: 'Everybody used to rave House and G, now they dance to downloads and MP3's...' Clue? It was on a BD album released in the last six months. Stick 'I KNOW IT!' in the subject line, and good luck! Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:00:00 Don't say we never treat you good. The pummelling, naughty-but-nice slice of sleaze currently playing on the site is Spank Rock's 'Backyard Betty.' It's not officially available until Monday, and even then will only be out and about in miniscule quantities. The EP also includes Spank's unique take on the Baltimore scene in which he cut his teeth, the tellingly titled 'Top Billin From Far Left.' And, to wrap things up, there's a remix of album track 'Competition' by Chipset from the Baltimore Bass Connection. It's all neatly pressed onto a first class white with hand stamped labels, and you can buy it in the webshop now. Don't delay! Fri, 04 Nov 2005 00:00:00 Today is an exciting day for more than just the usual Friday gladness. In a double whammy of sheer musical, technological joy, we not only have a BRAND NEW download section, but we're celebrating its launch by giving away Spank Rock's 'Put That Pussy On Me,' absolutely free of charge. If ever a song was made for a Friday, it's this one. Sheer Baltimore brilliance from the crew that provide the missing link between the Beasties and 2Live Crew. Look out for more Spank Rock, and indeed for more downloads... Enjoy! Tue, 18 Oct 2005 00:00:00 Keep eyes and ears peeled for a few new releases coming your way very shortly. First up, the mighty Roots Manuva drops Awfully De/EP, a 6 track killer which includes the song that many are saying rivals Witness in its anthemic thump, 'Seat Yourself.' That's not to forget, or course, that Damon Albarn makes a guest appearance on Awfully Deep (Lambeth Blues) to play piano and guitar, rather excellently. There is also a minimally, futuristically and foot-movingly brilliant Diplo remix, and the finest slice of white boy electro-soul since ever, in the shape of Metronomy's Lambeth Blues refix. In stores October 24th, and available on your favourite download retail site now... Tue, 18 Oct 2005 00:00:00 ...comes a brand new full length from the one of avant-garde rap's most compelling duos, Bigg Jus and Orko Elohiem, or NMS. After the sprawling, ultra-political fury of 2003's 'Woe To Thee...' album, another installment has been highly anticipated to say the least. Luckily, it's one of those rare beasts; an equal, if not superior sequel. Brought up to date, expanded in scope and range and describing the effects of Bush-ism on the little man in the way that only music can, 'Imperial Letters of Protection' reminds how satisfying, exciting and frightening hip-hop can be. In stores on November the 7th, keep checking back for updates! Mon, 10 Oct 2005 00:00:00 Yes indeed. The mighty Gorillaz have invited Roots to join them on stage for a series of dates in early November, in the jewel of the north itself, Manchester. Gorillaz / Damon Albarn have been invited to put together a 'music of gorillaz' show, rather like a 'music from the film' style concert of the album. The show will run from the 1st - 5th November at Manchester Opera House, and Rodney will be performing select nights. More information nearer the time! Tue, 04 Oct 2005 00:00:00 ... that tomorrow night sees the first Big Dada party in a long time, and anyone in London, or indeed enthusiastic travellers, would be very welcome at the T Bar, 56 Shoreditch High Street, from 8pm onwards. It's FREE in, PART 2 and LOTEK HI-FI are launching their albums, and it's almost certain to be the most exciting Wednesday night on offer. See you there. Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:00:00 There are few artists in the UK that can successfully build something new, exciting, danceable and cerebral from the disparate genres of hip-hop, ragga, dancehall and reggae, but we think Lotek Hi-Fi have done so, neatly avoiding any 'fusion' pitfalls. Their full length LP, 'Mixed Blessings,' hit the shelves today. Hear it here! and if you like it, go geddit. Sun, 25 Sep 2005 00:00:00 Part 2's mammoth 'Get Square' single is being featured on Austrian radio station FM4's website, and you can vote for it here! Your votes will affect Part's chart position on the station, so get clicking! Wed, 21 Sep 2005 00:00:00 The Big Dada Sound '05 night at the T Bar on Wednesday 5th Oct is shaping up to say the least. Part 2 has decided to launch the 'Disposable Graffiti' (that's TM, seen?) concept he's been developing for a while now. We don't want to spoil the surprise, as this is pretty special, but think custom built, interchangable burners and wildstyles, on location, on the night. The Paris show that Part and Lotek Hi-Fi just did was a storming success, don't miss them in London! FREE entry. Email info@bigdada.com for more... Tue, 20 Sep 2005 00:00:00 Bigg Jus is about as pioneering as hip-hop artists get. One third of the crew that invented the genre now known as indie-rap, Company Flow, he is partly responsible for changing the face of hip-hop music. Luckily for us, he's released 2 albums on Big Dada over the last few years, 'Woe to Thee O Land Whose King is a Child,' as NMS with parter in rhyme Orko, and the stunning solo effort 'Black Mamba Serums.' This October will see the release of the second NMS album, 'Imperial Letters of Protection,' and if you're expecting another boundary bashing epic, the good news is that the duo have delivered - and then some. Tough, avant-garde, infectious, poetic and keenly felt are phrases that barely do justice. It's an album you have to hear. Look out for more news, music and info soon... Tue, 13 Sep 2005 00:00:00 If the future of Big Dada could be summed up in one word, survey says "DURRRTAY". Signed to the label last year, this Baltimore crew - part MF Doom, part 2 Live Crew - had all of us looking twice at the record rack this summer with those now-infamous "Put that Pussy on Me" 12"s on the Money Studies label, bringing some Miami (b)ass all up in our faces. Now with that in the bag, the "Voila" mixtape garnering fresh plaudits and the finishing touches being lovingly rubbed all over their upcoming debut album on Big Dada (scheduled to be released in early 2006), the boys that be Spank Rock - XXXchange on the production and Spank Rock on the mic - are bringing the Baltimore underground party vibes out on the road. Personally chosen by M.I.A. to be the opening act on her upcoming North American tour, it's just possible that she doesn't know what she's let herself in for. Go early for sonic and sexual outrage. You know you wanna. Tour dates here ninjatune.net/live More on spank here: spankrock.net Tue, 13 Sep 2005 00:00:00 The lovely people at the T Bar, in London's celebrated Shoreditch, are putting on a one off, special Big Dada Sound night to celebrate the launch of Part 2 and Lotek Hi-Fi's albums. It's on Wednesday 5th Oct, and the full line up is as follows: Part 2 Soundsystem featuring Juice Aleem and Sandra Melody. Lotek Hi-Fi full live appearance. Very special Big Dada guests... Best of all, it's FREE. Expect giveaways, a chance to pick up albums at reduced cost, and an emphasis on the party. Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 Award Tour Mr Manuva has been collecting the usual round of nominations. A couple of weeks ago he picked up a Best Hip Hop Act nomination from the people at MOBO (which he won back in 1999) and then another from the Urban Music Awards. You can vote for the man himself for both awards. For the MOBOs, text MOBO RAP 3 to 83338 The winners will be announced on September 22nd at the Royal Albert Hall For the Urban Music Awards go to urbanmusicawards.net after the 21st of September. The ceremony takes place on the 4th of November 2005. Mon, 12 Sep 2005 00:00:00 Your latest favourite booty buccaneers, Baltimore's Spank Rock, return after last month's "Put That Pussy On Me" with a kaleidoscopic and eminently musical party mixtape put together by the Spank Rock producer xxxchange and live DJ Chris Rockswell. As well as featuring shedloads of material from their forthcoming Big Dada album, it runs through everything from Baltimore House to Hendrix, throwing in giant lumps of soul, suzanne vega and rrrrrrrare grrrrooves. It's available in the webshop, and it's a delight. Mon, 05 Sep 2005 00:00:00 This Wednesday night!!! Here for tickets!!! Earlier this summer, Limmie Snell, the musical director and linchpin of the Roots Manuva live band had a near-fatal accident from which he has yet to recover. Limmie, also known as MC Scruffy D, has been a crucial player in the live/freestyle hip hop scene in London and friends and associates have rallied round in his honour. On Wednesday September 7th, Roots Manuva and his band will headline a bill including Francesca Ray and the Amazing Assaf at the Brixton Jamm. It will probably be Mr Smith's only full live show in London for the rest of the year. "This night is to show what the music community will do for our own," say the organisers. Don't miss... 'We Recognize' - a benefit gig Wednesday 7th September at Brixton Jamm Doors 8pm - 3am £12 advance, £15 on the door. Ticket outlets: Brixton Jamm, Brixton Road; City 16 Records, 47 Charlotte Road EC2A, tel: 020 7729 7839; The Asylum, 1A Percy St, W1, tel: 020 7636 8228; Rough Trade, 130 Albert Road W11, 020 7229 8541 Alternatively, to make your life easier, you can buy your tickets from the Ninjashop Tue, 30 Aug 2005 00:00:00 The debut album from New Flesh main-man and one of the UK's finest producers hit the shelves yesterday, and is available in your quality local store. Part 2's 'Live From The Breadline' urged HHC to call it 'a masterful snapshot of British urban music in the 21st Century,' The Sunday Times Culture to name Part 'a master of a variety of styles,' and Dazed to claim that 'the hidden jewel in the Big Dada empire comes out shining.' We just think it's an impassioned, fresh and inclusive view of a very good time in British black music, and worthy of your valuable listening time. We hope you enjoy it. Check out the facts or listen Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:00:00 Two Big Dada artists are in town and performing in a one off special this delightful summer month. Mike Ladd, serial speaker-stack leaper, avant-afro-punk and all round exciter will be hosting WWWHUT!? at 93 Feet East, along with TTC's very significant quarter, DJ Orgasmic. If you missed him at TTC's Cargo appearance, don't miss this. Few DJ's do so much, so well. A party it shall be. 27th August, free before 9pm, 150 Brick Lane, London E1. Thu, 18 Aug 2005 00:00:00 No, not a form of bottom boxing but a double whammy of Big Dada news on this stickiest of days. Spank Rock's naughty but nice 'Put That Pussy On Me' is now available in shops near you. Make sure you ask for a carrier bag, or your funny, sleazy slice of next level bass may draw stares. If you are in Yorkshire, or just highly motivated, there is only one place to be tonight. Part 2 has spent the whole day preparing competition prizes of exclusive mixes and his new album, fresh CDr musical fodder and a proper soundsystem for his debut Square Up night. It's at Kennedy's in York, it has an all star line up that includes Toastie Taylor and LSK, and it's free. Go say hello. Tue, 09 Aug 2005 00:00:00 If you're a regular bigdada.com visitor, you'll have now heard two tracks from the excellent forthcoming Part 2 album 'Live From The Breadline.' If so, you might like to hear some more. Making use of the excellent Bleep.com jukebox, you can now hear snips of the whole album. Click here! Thu, 21 Jul 2005 00:00:00 As if Yorkshire wasn't good enough already, it's about to get even better. Part 2 is starting his very own night. In line with his forthcoming album, Square Up aims to provide a showcase for the current renaissance in black music, from both home and abroad. It also aims to give the feet a damn good workout. The opening night will feature Part 2, LSK (Faithless/ Nightmares on Wax) and Toastie Taylor (New Flesh) amongst other leading lights from York and Leeds. It's on Thursday 18th August at Kennedy's in York, 7.30pm - 1am. Best of all, it won't cost ye nowt. Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 Double joy in the webshop today. Firstly, if you've been wondering who or what the mysterious Spank Rock, subject of conversation amongst trend-setter types and on our own beloved forum, actually are, here's your chance to find out. 'Put That Pussy On Me' is their debut 12", and is stunningly sleazy, defiantly unique, and catchy as hell. Buy the original with Low Budget mix, and the remix 12" with Diplo re-working here! Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 Lotek Hi-Fi released their eponymously titled mini-album a couple of years back, and this autumn will see the release of the album-proper, 'Mixed Blessings.' To warm things up, Lotek and BD stalwart Dee Jay A La Fu have teamed up to create 'Mixtape Blessings,' a CD mix which includes some of the most consistent, coherent and downright deep hip-hop you'll hear all year. Add to that a stack of exclusive freestyles, re-versions and telephone cameos, and you have a bargain at five quid. Discover it here Wed, 06 Jul 2005 00:00:00 Big Dada feels very proud this week after the appearance of Ty, Roots Manuva and TTC albums on the esteemed Australian soap 'Neighbours.' Apparently we're 'much better than Eminem.' Other happenings include Part 2 hand-tagging the back covers of a very limited run of his 'Get Square/ Will It Ever' 12". With a screen-printed front cover and in a hand-numbered run, these are as exclusive as they come. Watch this space for release dates and details. Also, look out for a 25 page feature on Part's artwork in the next issue of Graphotism, more info at graphotism.com Tue, 21 Jun 2005 00:00:00 You've been hearing one of the tracks from Part 2's forthcoming single on the site for a while, and the album is out late August. We think it's a classic. A coherent, consistent British urban album, as opposed to the recent trend towards big tracks and disappointing full lengths. The first single, 'Get Square' featuring the elusive and brilliant Fallacy, is a worker's anthem set to a highly evolved, bass-heavy rhythm, and Sandra Melody's AA-side 'Will It Ever' injects some soul into tough drums and infectious melodies. Keep checking the site for more news and audio from one of most exciting records you'll hear all summer. part2ism.com Mon, 13 Jun 2005 00:00:00 Infinite Livez' considerable artistic talents were called for recently by the folks behind the Honda Zoomer, a new scooter-type thing that comes all stripped down and adaptable, so that you can make it your own. Inf certainly did that, look here: zoomerzine.co.uk Mon, 21 Mar 2005 00:00:00 Yes, yes and furthermore yes - 'Too Cold' hits the shops today. In a bid to revitalise the single sales market, 'Too Cold' comes equipped with mixes from Sa-Ra, the Go! Team and Nightmares on Wax, a limited edition yellow vinyl 7" with an exclusive dub from Mr Manuva (never to be released AGAIN!), video (Windows Media, Real Media), exclusive unreleased blinder of a track 'No Love' and a remix game, which makes this the first single ever worth buying in three different formats. Have a listen. Mon, 28 Feb 2005 00:00:00 Busdriver's damn fine new album "Fear of a Black Tangent" is released by us everywhere outside the US today. If you've heard "Temporary Forever" you'll have the most idea of what to expect - inspired, slyly satirical verbiage and great beats provided by the likes of Daedelus, Thavius Beck, Dangermouse and Paris Zax. Guests include Abstract Rude, Mykah-9 and Of Mexican Descent. Get it! Mon, 17 Jan 2005 00:00:00 Yes, yes and furthermore yes. "Colossal Insight" is in the shops as of today and is a stormer in a tea cup. Or summat. Just run to the shops and purchase it, or alternatively, go to the Roots Manuva website for more info. Fri, 24 Dec 2004 00:00:00 To all supporters of Big Dada - we wish you all a very fine festive season and thank you for all your help and commitment over the last year. As ever, it is much appreciated. As for 2005, we have a real heavyweight programme of releases lined up for you, including albums from Roots Manuva and Busdriver by the end of February, then Part 2's first solo album, and a blast out of Birmingham in the return of both Gamma and Lotek HiFi. Plus new singles from Diplo and TTC. Second half of the year we're hoping to bring you a new album from Ty and probably from New Flesh, too. And then there's a couple of new signings we can't tell you about yet... To get you in the mood, please enjoy Part 2's tune "Will It Ever," featuring the incomparable Sandra Melody. See you in January... Mon, 15 Nov 2004 00:00:00 Yes, at last it is time for the purchase of brand, spanking-new Roots Manuva musica. You get it straight to your computer, you don't even have to go near a shop and the whole thing is positively super. It's, like, the future. And yet it's about a 70s/80s TV cartoon star. Kind of. Anyway, to investigate further, click here Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:00:00 Completely meaningless headline for a piece about Roots Manuva's new web site. It's up and running, it's chiock full of exclusive stuff, check it out. All systems are officially go for his new album, Awfully Deep". Feel the panic. www.rootsmanuva.co.uk Thu, 04 Nov 2004 00:00:00 Yes, the new TTC album is in the shops right about last week in France and very soon in the rest of the world (except for the USA and Canada who have to wait till next year, partly as punishment for what they got up to yesterday (and I know that wasn't the Canadians eh, and why should they be punished for sharing a continent, but...). In fact, it would have been available everywhere from Monday except for more artwork fuck ups than you cna shake a well-sized stick at. Ah joy. Anyway, it's blinding. Allez and have a listen i-i-i-i-c-c-c-c-i-i-i-i Mon, 27 Sep 2004 00:00:00 We've gone download crazy innit? Not content with our Ty package, we are now offering you the chance to download and own both Infinite Livez' awesome "Adventures of the Lactating Man" and the very odd promo video which it inspired. Yes, you can download the bunch just 99 of your earth pennies, by clicking here. What more on this day of all days could you possibly, in your wildest fantasies, want? Mon, 13 Sep 2004 00:00:00 You heard. For yes indeed it is so and at last it has come to be. Diplo's album "Florida" is out and available in all good shops!!! Actually, that's a bit of a lie. It's out in the UK this week, the USA next week and the rest of the world the week after that (don't ask me why or I'll lie and say it's part of an intensively researched marketing campaign - it ain't). Anyway, it's a very fine record, as you may have gathered. Have a listen if you want, by clicking h-e-e-r-r-r-e. Tue, 07 Sep 2004 00:00:00 'Orrible pun for which apologies, but tonight is the when the winner of the Mercury Music Prize is announced so we're feeling a little nervous. Please remember to say a little prayer for Brother Ty and try to either catch his performance on BBC4 or Radio1 (it'll be streamed on the website here). And in the meantime, follow the link below and purchase the super download musical pack thing we already told you about. Oh, go on then... Sun, 29 Aug 2004 00:00:00 To celebrate Ty's forthcoming crushing win ("you got to have dr-e-e-eams...") in the Mercury Music Prize we decided to go all future on your tiny (or gigantic) behinds. Hence, a download single. Oh, okay, so it's already old hat. Nevertheless, my young friends, we are offering you the chance to get hold of the radio edit of "Look 4 Me," recent contribution to GP's "Worldwide Exclusives" comp, "Sophisticated & Coarse" and even a video of TY and his band doing the "Look 4 Me" thing live at the Montreux Festival this summer (tis blindin'). And if you are a fan of the talents of the ridiculously great Eska as well as Ty himself, you'll want the lot. And it's available NOW! Anyhow, here's the linkage: click here Fri, 27 Aug 2004 00:00:00 When Roderick Manuva was looking back at the last few years he realised he hadn't had a birthday party since the eighties. So he decided to remedy it. On September 10th he will be enjoying himself with friends and a select few others at the lovely Brockwell Lido. And cos he is nice like that and we is nice like that (and cos it costs a fuckin' fortune to hire) you can get one of the very few places for the event from ye olde Ninjashoppe for the reasonable sum of £10 (I think). Get on with it! Tue, 20 Jul 2004 00:00:00 Ty was today nominated for the 2004 Nationwide Mercury Prize, alongside the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Streets, Robert Wyatt and Jamelia. Result! Big Dada would like to congratulate Ty for getting a little of the recognition he deserves for his hard work and at the same time give ourselves a hearty pat on the back for our second nomination in three years. Yahey! For the full list, click here Wed, 14 Jul 2004 00:00:00 Music journo big name, heavy hitter and author of titles such as "Energy Flash" and "Blissed Out", Simon Reynolds has now passed judgement on Infinite Livez. And it's a giant thumbs up from the lad. A whopping great smacker of a review. A monster monster monster good un. Once you get past the opening para about Derek B (why must you torture us so?) it's all pretty dandy. And in cherished journal of the NY liberal intelligentsia, The Village Voice, too. Infinite Livez, We Salute You Fri, 09 Jul 2004 00:00:00 We care about you deeply. We know you have milky man needs. We are trying to help. That's why we keep going on about Infinite Livez' newish video long after you think the joke's worn thin. Mudhut care too. They're here to help. Follow the link below to watch Infinite Livez' groundbreaking statement of dairy product awareness. If you need it, download a short and sweet clip to store on your own hardrive or send to chums on their work machines, potentially leading to their dismissal from a job that was just holding them back, anyway... Show me the Milky Way Tue, 06 Jul 2004 00:00:00 Roots Manuva is headlining a show at prestigious and luvverly Somerset House on Tuesday July 20th. Tickets are a tenner and for that you get to ponce around the grounds of an inner london country manor, watch the Rootical one and his rather spiffing new band and see a support slot consisting of Asian Dub Foundation with Chuckalas D of renowned Moby collaborators Public Enemy (incidentally, my favourite ever graffiti tag was ENEMA in Brighton, particularly when someone added PUBIC to the front). Anyhow, it's all goodness and freshness, so go straight to the C4 site to book ya tickets or fiddle with the special Manuva Dub Selecta. Or to read about cricket. Banan Klan in t'garden... Mon, 28 Jun 2004 00:00:00 Bigg Jus is back with a truly monumental piece of work which shows exactly what he's been up to since the dissolution of Company Flow - making blazing, cutting-edge, politcally engaged, emotionally charged hip hop over and over again. As well as a thirteen track album, the cd also has a heap of mp3s on it for all the completist b-boys out there. If you claim to have any interest in underground hip hop, then this one is a must for your collection... Listen here Buy here Or read an independent opinion from the BBC, no less! Fri, 21 May 2004 00:00:00 Infinite Livez' rather superb debut album "Bush Meat" is out on Monday and to celebrate we've just put up the video to his forthcoming sinlge, "Adventures Of The Lactating Man". It really is a don't miss, so don't miss..! Keepin' It Real, Player Cut to the Quicktime Not for the lactose intolerant... Mon, 10 May 2004 00:00:00 Oui, oui, c'est vrai. TTC's epic electro-punk classic, "Dans Le Club" has, after much shenanigans, arrived in the best shoppes in La France and is available to the world exclusively (almost, probably) from us right here. If you want to look at the cover and listen: Taketh thy good self here If you want to see the rather nifty promo video they shot in a glamorous nightclub: Quicktimeth that mo'fu here or Realmediate thine own self here And if you just wanna buy the flobbin' thing: Tappeth yon fat finger verily around these words Adieu. Thu, 29 Apr 2004 00:00:00 We here at Big Dada are staunch supporters of Mr Bush's and Mr Blair's commitment to family values so we decided that we would offer said families a fun and educational web experience of both an audial and a visual nature. To this end, we compiled a number of exclusive and specially commissioned downloads and streams for your viewing and liStening pleasure and put them all together HEEEEERRRRRRREEEEE... OH NO. IT'S ALL FILTH. AGH. IT'S ALL GONE WRONG AGAIN. SOB. Mon, 26 Apr 2004 00:00:00 Yes, Ty's classic "Oh U Want More?" featuring your friend and mine, Mr Manuva, hits the shops today and it's a beauty. A well-known DJ recently placed it in his three most important and influential hip hop singles to come out of the UK in the last decade... Go and get it and make all the sayers of nay eat straw and puke hubris, the planks. It's a dandy thing indeed... Check check it Fri, 23 Apr 2004 00:00:00 It's Armistice Day. Oh well, actually not, it's more like Giant Elephant Notices a Gnat On Its Ass And Decides Not To Crush It Day. Agh. This is getting worse. What I'm trying to say is that our man Diplo has done a rather blinding promo mixtape thing for their man RJD2 and it's currently available to listne to once on a stream from the Def Jux site. So go there... N N N NNN NNNOWWWWW!. Harumph. Wed, 21 Apr 2004 00:00:00 Busdriver's new album is out and available in the shops right now, my feathered friends! Nine tracks of weird and wonderful production from Daddy Kev, teamed with scratchy business from the legendary D-Styles and profound, funny, sarcastic verbiage from the man 'Driver. It'ds lovely. Here for details Here for buy Wed, 31 Mar 2004 00:00:00 It's a big video week here at Dada Mansions. As you may already know, Ty is about to release the third single from his very fine "Upwards" album and it's "Oh U Want More?" with a new version featuring Roots Manuva. And the video also features Mr Manuva and is very good indeed and you can see it on the TV show or watch it very small on dial-up or even slightly bigger on broadband and think "Someday this is how I'll watch all telly - squinting" by clicking here for Quicktime and here for Real Meeja. When you have tired of the pleasures of our big budget production we can only suggest that you cleanse your palette my marvelling at the vocal skills and interpretive genius of a one-eyed teddy called Barry Convex who, with help from none other than Infinite Livez, has re-worked the Britney classic "Hit Me Baby..." for your viewing pleasure. Go here for Quicktime and here fi Real Playa You know that. Fri, 19 Mar 2004 00:00:00 Oh yes. As you may know, Infinite Livez does all his own artwork, so when we asked him to do the third logo remix we knew we'd get something special (school). And disappointed we were not, as Barry Convex's best knwon sidekick came through with a ladies-only special edition featuring the one-eyed teddy bear and his soon-to-be-immortal BIG BANANA catchphrase. They are available for looking at and buying, right now, in the SHOPPE Tue, 16 Mar 2004 00:00:00 So yes I'm afraid they still serve a cocktail called a Shoreditch Safari but try not to hold it against them. Because next week, two of Big Dada's newest and most fulsomely-toothed acts: Lotek HiFi and Infinite Livez, are performing in those hallowed halls. And as if that isn't enough they are also joined by the fulsomely-fabulous, the one and only, live and direct from Aberdeen, Deejay A'La Fu. He don't play in London so often these days and he's a champ. Show details below... And if you don't know what to expect, never went to Gosh! and are scared of the unknown, all we can do is suggest you use your imagination, or watch Inf's performance at John Kennedy's 5th birthday X-Posure bash last month right here. It's down the bottom, innit? Thursday 25 March Live: Big Dada Showcase: Infinite Livez, Lotek HiFi and Deejay A'La Fu DJs: Jeff Koobla, Alex Robinson, The Bob Bhamra Project, Perdoni. Film: London Shorts Cargo, 83 Rivington St, EC2 3AY (www.cargo-london.com, 020 7739 3440) 8pm-1am £5 before 9pm/£7 after. Mon, 08 Mar 2004 00:00:00 cLOUDEAD's newest and probably last album is out today and it's caused much critical head-scratching over the weekend, dividing opinion like, erm, only Marmite can... If you want to check some of the reviews , click the links below: SackButBlues The Guardian dot-alt.com Mon, 16 Feb 2004 00:00:00 This year's Dedbeat festival at some Pontins holiday camp is on the weekend of April 23rd, 24th and 25th and includes a super-substantial Big Dada showcase at prime time on Saturday, plus a whole heap of other folk including the Blastmaster himself (coming in QE2-style, no doubt). For further details and bookings, visit the website at www.dedbeat.net Wed, 11 Feb 2004 00:00:00 After the record, the tour. Ty's gigantic and enormous European and UK tour starts in March and goes on until May. It's the biggest tour we've ever had, with the biggest band (8 members) and the biggest buzz. The dates for the European leg are now up on the site in full, so just click here and revel in the quantity. And go here for tickets for Ty's April 17th co-headline show at the Kentish Town Forum. Tue, 10 Feb 2004 00:00:00 If you're in London on Thursday, you really got to go and see Infinite Livez at the Barfly adding a little swerve to John Kennedy's UK Hip Hop night (also feturing Kid Acne, Blade, Blak Twang and Jehst, apparently...). Tickets and further details here. Talking of Kid Acne, go down to the bottom of this page of the BDLog to hear Inf and Edna collaboration "Move It Or Lose It". And don't forget, Diplo's last two London shows are tonight and tomorrow. Details here Mon, 09 Feb 2004 00:00:00 After his dandy run of Jazz Cafe dates, Ty has been confirmed to co-headline the Forum in Kentish Town with London Elektricity on Saturday April 17th. Tickets are £10 in advance and you can buy them here Sun, 08 Feb 2004 00:00:00 The new cLOUDDEAD single and album are starting to get the critics' juices flowing. For a particularly fine example, check The Observer Music Monthly. Go, Gary, go! Mon, 05 Jan 2004 00:00:00 New Year, new thing for us to boast and crow about. At the very end of 2003 Ty scooped the BEst ALbum award in Gilles Peterson's prestigious All-Winners poll. Thanks to all who voted... Have a look and a listen Fri, 05 Dec 2003 00:00:00 You can vote for Ty (and other people) in a host of end-of-year polls simply by following the links below. It's free and it makes the world a better place. Mr Gilles Peterson's Poll Fri, 28 Nov 2003 00:00:00 I'm a lazy good for nafink marfar so I forgots to post at the start of the week that Monday was the release day for our first proper full single from Diplo and that it is a CORKER! Yes, the young North Philly-dwelling Floridian has been garnering rave reviews for his epic chunks of swamped out hip hop. In a year's time, everyone is going to be claiming to have bought this single week of release. They will be lying. Now is your opportunity to feel superior. Grasp it, mes amis... Clickety click, here's the lick Mon, 10 Nov 2003 00:00:00 Lotek HiFi's eoponymously-titled debut miniature album thingy is out today and it's a blinder. 30 minutes of just about perfect music squeezed into nine ultra-varied, very good trackets. Put together by Wayne 'Lotek' Bennett (who produced 'Bashment Boogie', 'Swords In The Dirt' and 'Sinking Sands' to name but three Manuva classics), the tunes also feature the beautifully contrasting vocies of Earl J, Aurelius and Wayne Paul. If you liked "Ram Dancehall" you'll love this... "An Anglo equivalent to Outkast's sonic adventures, a less commercial variation on Massive's downtempo blues, Lotek may never achieve the same sales figures, but their lo-slung funk is nevertheless similarly magnetic" said IDJ in its Album of the Month review. We'll have the sales please... To celebrate this release, the HiFi are holding a special GOSH! in Birmingham at the Bar Academy on Tuesday night, featuring all dem fellows, plus Juice Aleem on mic and decks, the whole hosted by Roots Manuva himself. All midland crew - don't miss... Fri, 24 Oct 2003 00:00:00 The new single from Ty, "Wait A Minute," is out on Monday and it's a blinder. Featuring mixes from Dwele, Fusion and Sticky, this is one of the highlights of "Upwards" with probably the best remix package we've ever put together. You can buy it in the shops on Monday on two 12"s or a cd single. Alternatively, if you're digitally nice like that, you can buy the whole shebang from playlouder.com. All in high quality (VBR) mp3 format, as well as printable artwork and the video, it's only £2, payable via SMS, Paypal, credit card, and premium rate phone call, baby. Click here and you can get it now. Or find a shop... Just do your shit. O-o-o-o-kay....? Mon, 29 Sep 2003 00:00:00 Yes, Ty's brand new album, "Upwards" is in the shops as of today. A fantastic achievement, it's even had the likes of Mica Paris declaring it the best Black British album she's heard since Soul II Soul came out... Really raising the bar in terms of production and lyrics, TY deserves all the plaudits he's getting. So get out there and support an artist who has given as much to the hip hop scene in this country as anyone you care to name... Sat, 27 Sep 2003 00:00:00 Yeah, we know you can't wait, but Ty's album isn't out until Monday. The only thing we can suggest to keep you going is checking out the video for forthcoming single "Wait A Minute". Go here for Quicktime and here for Real Video. We think it looks pretty good in either... Fri, 26 Sep 2003 00:00:00 We're proud and pleased to announce that the new record from the mighty Busdriver will be released throughout Europe on Big Dada, hopefully before the end of the year... The album is entitled "Cosmic Cleavage" and is produced by none other than the legendary Daddy Kev and features the scratch-work of man-like D-Styles. It is a strange journey into the world of relationships Los Angeles style and you'll fucking love it. Guests include Abstract Rude (who hasn't appeared on a Big Dada release since 1997) and Awol One (who never has) and my personal prize for best track title goes to "She Hulk Dehorning The Illusionist" but you'll soon be bale to take your pick. Watch out for more details soon... Fri, 22 Aug 2003 00:00:00 Just so you know, so you can't say we didn't tell you later, Ty's lead single from his soon-come second album is out on Monday (tho' bad-meaning-good shops will probably have it tomorrow). It's "Groovement" and "Ha Ha", the artwork is great, we've had the best DJ response on it since we released "Witness" and it's a big bag of strong flavours and general awesomosity. Please support your favourite Awkward Individ. Tue, 05 Aug 2003 00:00:00 Yes yes y'all, the Majestatitties are back in Europa for full-effect apres-bling tings this August. No miss. Sat 23-Aug Carling Festival Reading UK Sun 24-Aug Carling Festival Leeds UK Mon 25-Aug Rescue Rooms Nottingham UK (supporting Blackalicious) Tue 26-Aug The Lemon Tree Aberdeen UK Wed 27-Aug T in the Fringe Edinburgh UK (supporting Blackalicious) Thu 28-Aug 93 Feet East London UK (with Youngblood Brass Band) Fri 29-Aug Pukkelpop Hasselt Belgium And look out for the release of "Prom Night Party" some time this autumn... Mon, 04 Aug 2003 00:00:00 Unfortunately they only put up the audio, so it's possible that Inf Livez and his friend and associate Barry Convex may confuse you somewhat, but Groovetech have archived the man's recent set for them. Featuring none other than the mighty Dee J A'La Fu on the turntables and Inf and Barry rocking (and taking) the mic, it's pure beauty. Check. UNLEASH THE MAYHEM Mon, 30 Jun 2003 00:00:00 Well, you haven't made it and this might be your last chance. At what could be the last Gosh! for a little while our special guest is none other than the mighty Roots Manuva. Mr Manuva has been DJing a lot recently but keeping off the mic, so we have invited him down to MC alongside residents Juice Aleem and Infinite Livez and regualr guests such as Earl J and Aurelius. It's only a fiver to get in and it's on Thursday July 10th at Plastic People - get down very early to avoid disappointment. What else to tell? Dee J A'La Fu and Wayne Bennett will be manning the wheels of steel and for the last tow months the very last hour has been the best, so make sure you stick around! Oh, and don't just say you're thinking of coming - we're tired of that shit. Get down there... Mon, 09 Jun 2003 00:00:00 Joining us on Thursday June 26th at Plastic People for another warm Gosh will be none other than Charlie Dark. Something of a London legend, Charlie helped found the Urban Poets Society, did cool things with Attica Blues on Mo' Wax and Island and then set up Blacktronica, as well as his own label, Red Clay. Blacktronica's manifesto can be summed up in part by the following quote: "Little did we know that as time went on, our beautiful music would be repackaged, re-branded and re-sold back to the very people that had helped mould, shape and create it in the first place. They allowed their very culture, that beautiful precious black culture to be pilfered, copied, ripped off, regurgitated, repackaged, removed, and re-grown and resold in convenient neat little packages labelled URBAN. URBAN what? Urban does not, never can and never will be a big enough word to describe what it means to 'walk street' knowing that the universe is afraid of you." Which ain't a million miles from the Big Dada ethos either, so it should be a good match. Oh, and he's a fuckin' good DJ, too! So join us. It's only a fiver to get in, there's another free mix cd for the first 50 and in general it'll be pretty blinding. No miss! Thu, 29 May 2003 00:00:00 Gosh @ Plastic People tonight features the man TY DJing with Barrie King and previewing material from his forthcoming (and utterly awesome) new album. He's played a few o the new tuners out to rapturous responses but has personally promised to deliver previously unheard tunes tonight. Titles to shout for include "The Willing" and "Music To Fly To". All the usual suspects will also be doing their thing, so expect great music, fantastic MCing, exclusives and killer bootlegs plus a very nice atmosphere. Oh, and vol.3 of our already almost-legendary free mix cd series is by none other than A La Fu and Infinite Lives. Mr Fu got it finished just hours before he jumped on a plane out to NY for the US leg of the Majesticons tour and gets back into town the day beofre the club... Thursday May 29th @ Plastic People, the top of Curtain Road, near Old Street. Nearest tube Old Street. Door fee an utterly reasonable £5. Sound system very nice... Thu, 22 May 2003 00:00:00 We're doing a massive, content-heavy online promotion this month, including free mp3 downloads (including pre-releases from KING GEEDORAH and NMS), streamed videos, the blooming works. Click on GIMMEFREESTUFF and feel the quality... Meanwhile, our friends over the water in La France will be able to watch the mighty Majesticons performing "Piranha Party" in Paris a coupla months back on Arte TV (channel 33), this Friday May 23rd at 1900H. The rest of us will have to make do with the Realplayer links here ARTE. Either way, Mike - sorry, Jay, looks fly. And Gosh! is next Thursday - full details below - no excuses for missing it. Not even sick notes accepted... Wed, 14 May 2003 00:00:00 It starts tonight in NYC and then the Majesticons will sweep across the US in the 747 with the glass-bottomed pool. High concept, low budget jiggy - get your feet on. Wed 14-May New York, NY Knitting Factory Thu 15-May Boston, MA TT the Bears Mon 19-May Oberlin, OH Oberlin College Tue 20-May Chicago, IL Abbey Wed 21-May Champaign, IL High Dive Thu 22-May Newport, KY Southgate House Fri 23-May Atlanta, GA Apache Mon 26-May Baltimore, MD Ottobar Tue, 29 Apr 2003 00:00:00 Oh, you lucky London folk, you. Get yourselves down to Deal Real (3 marlborough court, london w1f 7ef)on May 9th at 6.30pm and you can witness an instore from Mr Infinite Livez for nada nuttn. He will sign your limited edition Pononee Girl singles, too, and discourse on a range of arcane subject matter. And, if we can track him down, the elusive Defesis will be in the house, too. And go through the shop, anyway - it's worth supporting the underdogs... Now - less live... The second mix cd from GOSH is up and on the shop. We think it's a bit of a classic, mixed as it is by PArt 2 and featuring an unstoppable flow of vocal invention from Juice ALeem and Toastie Tailor who once again prove that there ain't many MCs anywhere who can match their range (check Juice's lickle chat on the Theory of Relativity currently running on the audio on this page for a taster). Anyway, it's £3 and we don't have many, so get your tiny silver slice f history NOW Oh... And we've noticed that a lot of you arent clicking through to our BDLOG which is a shame as you are missing out on such delights as unreleased and uber-prophetic lyrics from Juice Aleem, a brief guide to the French elctronic-hip hop scene by Teki Latex and why Infinite Livez wants to move to Hawaai (it ain't nothing nice...). Thu, 17 Apr 2003 00:00:00 It's that time of the month again. Thursday April 24th sees the return of the Gosh crew to Plastic People to do that shit right (ish). This month we are celebrating the release of both Infinite Livez limited 7" "Pononee Girl" and Lotek HiFi's "Ram Dancehall," so Juice Aleem will be joined on mic duties by Infinite again and also Earl J (who was the star of Wayne Bennett's first Gosh mix cd). Also "returning" to the club for the first ever time is our resident, Dee J A La Fu, who missed no.1 due to Majesticons touring commitments (he's off to the States soon for the American leg) and then chasing some girl off to Australia. Doors open at 10pm and it's a bargainous fiver all night. made all the more bargainous by another fantastic mix cd (this time put together by New Flehs and featuring their re-work of "Beautiful") by given free to the first 50 in. If you're in the area and haven't made it through yet it is a no miss. Okay? Plastic People, 147-149 Curtain Road, Old Street, London EC2... Oh, and if you're in the vicinity of Brum this Saturday, don't miss the mighty New Flesh in the flesh, so to speak: Toastie Taylor, Juice Aleem and Part 2 bring the beats and rhymes to the boil. Ollie Teeba (Herbaliser) drops his funky stuff all over the place. A host of others will be in effect too, such as Mad Flow and DJ Roc 1. Saturday 19th 9pm onwards Medicine Bar, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham. Fri, 11 Apr 2003 00:00:00 We have been very lax at keeping you all up-to-date with goings on here, so here is the latest on new albums... May 31st Nephlim Modulation Systems - "Woe To Thee O Land If Thy King Is A Child" Former CoFlow man Big Justoleum returns alongside West Coast underground legend Orko for this mini-album devoted to the castigation and vilification of man like George Dubya Bush. Harsh, dense, lofi, angry - at last someone picks up the gauntlet of 60s Black Liberation music and takes it outward. Yow. June 16th King Geedorah - "Take Me To Your Leader" Daniel Dumille aka Zev Love X aka MF DOOM re-emerges as a giant three-headed lizard from Outer Space. What can you say? The man is genius, the record is genius. June 23rd Majesticons/Infesticons - "Beauty vs. Ugly - The Instrumentals" Double vinyl of 16 of the finest instrumental moments from Mike Ladd's two groundbreaking LPs for Big Dada. Fuck the concept, feel the quality... Mon, 31 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Ty is back, his first new single in the best part of two years hitting the shops (and our webshop) this morning. Yes, the Vauxhall Vowelbanger has come through with one of the killer apps from "Extra Yard," the squelch-funk masterpiece, "We Don't Care". Cut nice and loud with the instru (sounds good at 45) on the flip, it also has a graceful remix from man like Lotek. Wanna watch the vid? Go HERE. Wanna buy it? Go to the shops, or go HERE. Fri, 28 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Kind of... If you don't actually live in London, you can't necessarily share in the joys of Gosh! But we decided to make the mix cds available on the shop. The first one is mixed by Wayne Bennett of Lotek HiFi and involves performances from Juice Aleem, Defesis, Ealr J (Lotek HiFi) and number of other people. There aren't that many and they're only £3. And if I do say so myself it's rather jolly good, old boy. I WANT ONE! Mon, 24 Mar 2003 00:00:00 You may or may not have already noticed but the Big Dada site has a new page (our first ever). It's like a mutant cross between a blog and a bulletin board, with artists and label-folk able to post up items on the left and site users able to add their two penny's worth on the right. It ain't a whole new forum, cos Ninja have kind of got that locked down, but it is a place where people can go and read or write whatever they feel like. Or, if that sounds a bit worthy, a place where misfits can gather and talk shit. Anyway, click the link up alongside News, Releases and Artists and enter a whole new world of pain... Oh, and while you're reading, don't forget that it's Gosh at Plastic People on this Thursday night - details below. If you're in or near London come through... Fri, 21 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Yes, the men New Flesh are back out and about and performing in Southampton on Wednesday March 26th at Raygun Youth @ The Nexus, Eastgate Street. Meanwhile, if you're in London, you can catch them on a more informal tip as part of GOSH! at Plastic People on Thursday 27th with Wayne Bennett and Infinite Livez, too. Come early and get a blinding lickle mix cd courtesy of Mr Bennett and featuring freestyle from Earl J, Defesis, Juice Aleem and more... Mon, 03 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Ty is gearing up for a busy month. In between finishing off the mix for his utterly blinding new album, he is getting out and about and doing a whole heap of performances, some with afro-beat legend Tony Allen (who has returned Ty's favours by contributing to his new record) and some with the mighty Billy Bizznizz: March dates: 6th Black Pepper @ The Scala 8th Perf. with Tony Allen in Helsinki (no venue details yet) 13th Perf. with Tony Allen @ La Scene/Paris 14th Perf. with Tony Allen @ Paris/Elysees Montmartre Festival 18th Africa Centre perf w Tony Allen - London 19th French TV (Music Tonite) perf with Tony Allen, Damon Albarn and Ben Harper 23rd Black Lilly @Cargo 28th Ty & Biznizz perf @ Escape Club Brighton Sun, 02 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Yes, there are two new Big Dada vids available for your viewing pleasure . First, TTC's very strange tribute to the mighty A-Ha on "De Pauvres Riches". Second, Ty's South Bank show for the forthcoming squelchy burner "We Don't Care". Watch out for the London Eye. Both are fabulous, darling. Watch: TY VID TTC VID Ah yeah. Sat, 01 Mar 2003 00:00:00 Yes, the Majesticons have been lured to Europe with the promise of a stretch Volvo V70 and all the stockmarket updates they can handle (and they feel their assets are safer over here, what with the looming Imperial Armageddon and all that...). Get your best suit and old school tie on and get out there for their seminars on plastic surgery and making money do the walking... Support comes from the magnificent Infinite Livez. The remaining dates are: Wednesday 5th March @ Glaz'art, Paris, France. Thursday 6th March @ La Laiterie, Strasbourg, France. Friday 7th March @ U Clubvenue, Wuppertal, Germany. Saturday 8th March @ Caves du Manoir, Martigny, Switzerland. Sunday 9th March @ Ab Clubvenue, Anspachlaan 110 1000, Brussels, Belgium. Wed, 19 Feb 2003 00:00:00 Thursday February 27th sees the launch of GOSH!, Big Dada's first regular club night. Taking place at Plastic People (147-149 Curtian Road, near Old Street tube), the policy is pure bounce/bashment/hip hop/bass. Doors open 9.30pm and it's £6 to get in (£5 before 10). DJS on the night are Big Dada Sound regular Deejay A La Fu and Lotek HiFi producer and tactician Wayne Bennett (who is promising a whole heap of exclusives). MCing duties will be dealt with by the mighty Juice Aleem and Infinite Livez. And obviously some other guests will step up... Come and dance and get drunk and sweat a little - it should be the start of something beautiful... Tue, 28 Jan 2003 00:00:00 Just in case you'd forgotten, The Majesticons' "Beauty Party" came out yesterday. It's in all good shops now and available here on the site as well. Oh, and when you're done with that, promote conspicuous consumption and bad body image by posting and judging pics at www.beautyparty.net. As the venerable Jay Wakowitz has it, "it's sick, just like high school." Thu, 12 Dec 2002 00:00:00 Kind of. Well, if we didn't we should have. Anyway, in the first in a series of remixes of the Big Dada logo by graphic artists and graffists, sometime TTC illustrator and the man behind the Zebra Face comic, the one and only Kid Acne has come up with our first limited edition re-lick. And it looks dandy. And you can buy into its loveliness in the form of a t-shirt. Go here and click on the little blue writing saying IMAGE just to see its magnificence and revel in its essential Christmas present loveliness and then buy it in a fit of excitment and longing. Unless you are of the feminine persuasion or are purchasing for an individual of that persuasion, in which case go here to complete said transaction. You won't regret it (it's even got his tag on the sleeve, innit?). More will follow by other artists next year, so keep an eye out... Thu, 28 Nov 2002 00:00:00 Well, despite me personally spending the whole night texting and texting till my thumb was bruised, Roderick Manuva lost out at the IMA Awards to the fantastically talented and wholesome serious music act Blue. It was only the next day that I found out that I'd actually been voting to keep Les Dennis in. At least it was for charidee. On a brighter note, such has been the mighty response to Ty's "We Don't Care" from the 'Extra Yard' compilstion that we will be releasing it as a single ealry next year with some new mixes AND a video. Yeah baby. Oh, and look out for a new Big Dada club night in London early next year at a soon-to-be-confirmed venue. This time, we will get it right. Mon, 11 Nov 2002 00:00:00 Hahabloodyha. In a last ditch effort to disprove the always-the-bridesmaid-never-the-bride feeling permeating every nook and cranny of Big Dada Towers (and we've got the dress and everything) we strongly urge you to get out your mobile phone and make like a teenager. Not by trying to stick your tongue as far down someone else's throat as is physically possible and having large suppurating spots but by voting by text message for Roots Manuva as the Interactive Music Awards' Artist of the Year. We're up against the likes of Kylie, Westlife and Blue so you may have to get your fingers quite sore and get a ticking off from mater and pater for the size of your bill at the end of the month, but what the hey, hey? You can go and look at the site and find out what the Interactive Music Awards are and all that goodness here or just really use that finger by texting Year 4 to 83149. Calls charged at whatever rate they're charged at, get your dad to do it, too. He needs to re-skill, anyway... Tue, 29 Oct 2002 00:00:00 Well, his site does anyway. For yes, the man known as T Y has got his own internet presence. Go there now and enjoy it all. www.tymusic.org Wed, 23 Oct 2002 00:00:00 Yes yes, we can't stop going on about it. But we got another treat. When the Big Dada crew got together to shoot the photos for the cover of Extra Yard, Wayne Bennett of Lotek Productions invited a few people back to record a posse cut. He christened the result (basically a collaboration between the Shadowless crew and Lotek Hifi) "Get Lo" by the Xtra Yardies. And now we're giving it away. Go to the downloads section and you can have it either as an mp3 or as a miniature videophonic mpeg (filmed and edited by the talented Mr Bennett). Go now and enjoy it. Okay? Okay? Okay. Mon, 21 Oct 2002 00:00:00 Extra Yard is out today, in all (or some) good shops near (or quite near) you. And to celebrate in a small and basically insignificant way we decided to have alittle competition. Go to the downloads section, download the Extra Yard cover from the wallpapers and try to give us the name of everyone who is on there, working left to right. The person who emails the most correct names to competition@ninjatune.net will win a vinyl edition of "Extra Yard" signed by as many of the artists involved as we can muster within one month. If it's less than ten signatures, we'll throw in some other stuff, which we might do anyway, depending on mood and whim... That's what we're like - flighty, but good-natured (like well bred horses). Fri, 18 Oct 2002 00:00:00 Yes, Extra Yard is out on Monday and as we have already told you on numerous occasions, it's a corker of a record including tracks from Roots Manuva, Ty, New Flesh, Gamma, Infinite Livez and Lotek Hifi (who played their debut live show supporting Cinematic Orchestra at the Shepherd's Bush Empire last week and acquitted themselves very well...). In addition, it features Rodey P, LSK, Fallacy, Wildflower, Skeme, Big P and Ricky Rankin. Obviously we're going to say it's a fantastic record, but you don't have to believe us. Folks in magazines and papers have been saying this: "If you come across anyone accusing British hip hop of being a poor imitation of its American counterpart, play them 'Extra Yard' and wait for their jaw to drop. Moulding London Posse-style ragga-rap, Jamaican soundsystem culture and two-step bootleg rhythm into one sticky carnival whole, faces like New Flesh, Ty and Infinite Livez put the lie to the lazy assumption that Roots Manuva has the only voice in the genre worth spinning... fantastic." NME, 8/10 "UK hip hop in its most original, groundbreaking form. This compilation proves again that Big Dada is a label you can trust... Plenty of rugged beats and witty lyrics, it's just what you'd expect from one of hip hop's future-shaping labels." - Untold "Gamma, Shadowless, Infinite Livez and Lotek Hifi all work UKG bounce, dancehall bass, r&b innovation, d&b energy and hip hop vocal skills into a whole that really does hit the head and the batty" - Muzik "The UK has truly found its own voice. The whole thing is so naturally infused with Brit soundsystem sub-bass styles that it stands alone without need of comparison or justification." - The Face But if you don't trust our selective quoting, check the web: absorb.org UKHH.com phatmag.com elusivestyles.co.uk And if you don't trust anything but your own ears, go here and listen to it yourself in Realplayer... It's a good 'un. Honest. Wed, 18 Sep 2002 00:00:00 We came (to the Grosvenor hotel in scrubby suits), we saw (Mr Manuva performing in a union jack baseball cap), we lost (to Ms Dynamite). Bollocks. Yes, that was the story of the Mercury Music Prize 2002 and we have the hangovers to prove it. Mr Manuva's was the best performance of the evening (we thought) and Ladbrokes had closed the book after a late run on the man himself, but we were gallant in defeat (and Dynamite promised her next album would be an MC record...). And then this morning Radio 1 listeners apparently voted "Run Come Save Me" their Mercury winner - and there's more than twelve of them. Oh, and another thing - our swanky new sweatshirts shrink like a crisp packet in an oven. So don't buy them unless you are very small (actually, you can't buy them even then cos we've withdrawn them). Tue, 30 Jul 2002 00:00:00 Mr Roderick Manuva has been nominated for the 2002 Mercury Music Prize for his superbad album "Run Come Save Me." Big up, Simit. You know we love you. Apparently the odds on it are long, so back it hard now and watch your pounds multiply. Safer than the stock market (especially if you are an armed gangster who has got hold of the list of judges and... ooh, that's torn it...). Mon, 29 Jul 2002 00:00:00 10 Tunes From Big Dada That Will Over-Excite You Over The Next 10 Months Gamma - "Killer Apps" Ty - "We Don't Care" Part 2 & Leigh Stevens - "Life Without You..." Infinite Livez - "Pononee Gal" Lotek Hifi - "Showdown" The Majesticons - "Piranha Party" King Ghidora - "Ghidora's Theme" cLOUDDEAD - "Physics of A Unicycle" TTC - "De Pauvres Riches Diplo Remix" Defisis - "Earthtime" Fri, 26 Jul 2002 00:00:00 Move your eyes right a bit. Now right a bit more. Now down just a smidge. Yes, there it is - New Flesh v. Horsepower Productions. If you don't know, Horsepower are probably the UK's leading underground, dark-as-fuck, twostep/dubstep/yardcore crew. What they did with the vocals and sounds of "Stick & Move" is a blistering, bassy wonder to behold and it's not even scheduled for a proper release yet. But we've got just a few promo, for those that know. So buy. Buy. Bye bye. Fri, 19 Jul 2002 00:00:00 You may have come across the esteemed Deejay A La Fu at one of the many Big Dada nights we've put on in the last year, or playing at Glasto this summer or doing scribbly-scratching with his good friend Plus One (World DMC champ an' all that...). Well, he's got a new double mix cd out and about right now, it's rather good and is hosted by our own Juice Aleem, so we thought we should get a few copies in for the shop. It's well worth checking out and you can purchase a copy at: ninjatune.net/ninjashop/index.php?cat=2&type=LP Go get for the get go. Purchase one for the one purchase. Mon, 15 Jul 2002 00:00:00 Their live show has been compared to the Residents' (honest). They're very good. You'll really enjoy yourself. Yes, all these statements are true as, this week, cLOUDDEAD and their Mush-mates Radioinactive (the boy's a genius), Doseone & Boombip (Doseone's in cLOUDDEAD) and Reaching Quiet (they're also in cLOUDDEAD) all land in the UK for their first ever dates and to represent their mighty US home, Mush. It's all good and giggly. Go see: 18/7 BRIGHTON - Sallis Benney Theatre 19/7 NOTTINGHAM - Social 21/7 DUBLIN - Whelans 22/7 EDINBURGH - The Venue 23/7 LEEDS - Brudenell Social 24/7 BIRMINGHAM - Medicine Bar 25/7 LONDON - 93 Feet East More details in live. Y'ear me? Bring a friend, buy two tickets and pay for both. Mon, 15 Jul 2002 00:00:00 We were searching through the aforementioned and found the rather fine instrumental of Roots MAnuva's own rather fine remix of "Strange Behaviour" from waaaay back in 1999 and the sun was shining so we stuck it up for your audio delight. And that's what you're hearing. Enjoy... Tue, 02 Jul 2002 00:00:00 Notihng in over two months and now two posts in two days? What is the matter with us? Just to let you all know that Roots Manuva's "Dub Come Save Me" ("Stockwell's finest reclaims the mixing desk as a weapon of surgical dread and black astral voodoo" - Seven) and New Flesh's "Lie Low" ("New Flesh at their strutting best: crazed, compelling and utterly original." - Mixmag) are out on Monday. So get thee to a record store and buy both for (probably) a pint or more less than 15 squid. You know that this make sense for it sayeth so right here... Mon, 01 Jul 2002 00:00:00 Oh yes indeed. We haven't updated out news for TWO WHOLE MONTHS and now we're coming through with the utterly essential information that we are now doing fabulous marl grey and navy girl-sized t shirts on the web shop with the new style ugly-growth Big Dada logo on. So if you are female or know someone who is female (and we're presuming nothing here), go and buy many mnay. Your days will be fruitful and plentiful. And that is a guarantee. Mon, 15 Apr 2002 00:00:00 Francais: Il ne reste plus qu'une semaine avant la sortie du magnifique album de TTC "Ceci N'Est Pas Un Disque". Pour l'occasion, le superbe site français de hip hop 90bpm.com consacre tout son contenu au groupe pendant une semaine entière. Des interviews video, des performances live, des extraits musicaux, plein de bonnes choses qui seront disponibles graduellement jour apres jour en cliquant ici. Allez jetez un coup d'oeil, c'est rempli de bonnes choses. En plus de tout cela, pour célébrer la sortie du disque (et prouver que l'on peut ecouter du hip hop français intelligent tout en restant un gros pimp dont toutes les femmes sont folles), les 50 premières personnes qui achèteront l'album de TTC sur notre site web (à partir du shop) recevront également une capote "Ceci N'est Pas Un Preservatif" exclusive. On vous gâte. N'hésitez pas à en abuser! English: Yes, it's just a week until the release of TTC's magnificent debut album, "Ceci N'est Pas Un Disque" ("This Is Not A Record"). And to celebrate, awesome French hip hop site 90bpm.org are devoting all their editorial for the next fortnight to the group. Video interviews, live performances, bits of music, all kinds of good stuff, all will become gradually available as, day by day, you click here. Check it, there's much to be seen. In addition, to celebrate (and to prove that you can listen to clever French hip hop and still be a shot calling big-baller), the first 50 people to purchase the TTC album from our website shop will also receive an exclusive "Ceci N'est Pas Un Preservatif" condom! Orders from Thursday April 18th April. We are too good to you. Use it all at once... Wed, 27 Mar 2002 00:00:00 Yes, we have done a lickle logo relick for a new series of Big Dada t-shirts. In an attempt to cater to both the brash and the dowdy, the shirts come in orange, bright blue and olive green. Go to the shop, have a look and purchase or throw your hands up in disgust, as the mood takes you... Check them.... Mon, 11 Mar 2002 00:00:00 If you head over to the downloads section just as fast as your mouse finger can carry you, you will find two exclusive clips from the brand spanking new and very funny TTC video (directed by the mighty Kim Chapiron) which you can download as (more or less) manageable MPEGs. They are just a taster of the madness that is the overall video and are also very funn,y and well worth passing on to all your chums and chumettes hence advertising the album for the evil corporation that is Big Dada without it costing us nothing! HAHAHA! Evil cackles all round. But seriously, they are cut out and keep lovely. You will not regret it. And if your grandma has broadband, nor will she... Wed, 30 Jan 2002 00:00:00 New Flesh's fantastically received new album, "Understanding" is in all good shops now. Go check out a little audio and read the press responses here then feel compelled to purchase it from the Ninja shop or go and get it straight the way in your friendly local store. You won't be disappointed... Fri, 18 Jan 2002 00:00:00 And we forgot to tell you - how lax is that? Things here in the Big Dada basement are New Flesh obsessed at the mo. Their new and very fine album is out a week on Monday and is currently exciting DJs and press folk alike. Hope it does the same for you. We also just got the video for "Stick & Move" in, which should be going up in the main video section soon and is a blinder. Sleep thee not. Fri, 21 Dec 2001 00:00:00 We're shutting up for a couple of weeks, so just wanted to say have a good 'un and thanks for all the support this year. As Snoop once said, You been lovely... Next year's going to be a big one for us - watch out for albums from New Flesh, TTC, King Geedra and the Majesticons in the first half of the year, plus singles from Ty, Roots Manuva, Gamma and Shadowless. Plus more tricks to be revealed at a later date (when we get our sleeve extensions). See you then... Mon, 12 Nov 2001 00:00:00 Big Dada are proud as punch to announce the release of their first non-t-shirt clothing-ware article. It's a navy sweatshirt with nice triangular bit etc etc and the words BIG DADA SOUND 01 embroidered to the front in grey drill and it looks absolutely spanking and really rather good and will be the essential (un)fashion accessory of the winter. It should be up in the shop by now, but failing that, see if you can pick one up when you come down to Sound in Leicester Square this Thursday night for the second Big Dada Sound night including a live performance from those boys New Flesh (their new album is so good it hurts). Thu, 08 Nov 2001 00:00:00 Tune in to Trevor Nelson's Urban Choice this Friday night to catch man-like Ty ripping through a choice moment or two from this year's superb "Awkward" album. His live performances are always unmissable so be sure to check him and Billy Biznizz tearing the studio down.BBC Choice at 11.30pm then 01.20am on BBC2. Lovely. Roots Manuva is on the following week as well, apparently. More details to follow... Tue, 06 Nov 2001 00:00:00 Be there, be there, be there. For it's latest little venture, Big Dada is trying to bring back the classic soundsystem vibe - and proper. We will try to deliver the widest range of music with dazzling MC skills, all in aid of the best party in town. Rooted in hip hop, but ranging into breakbeat, funk, old skool, r&b, ragga and garage, anything can happen and anything goes... Sound may seem like a strange choice of venue to some of you, but hey, we're trying to reach out a little, so give it a chance, come down and slag us off after! THURSDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2001BIG DADA SOUND CLUB TOUR @ SOUND, LEICESTER SQ, LONDON W1 DJs: A'LA fU (o-swivel), Blackitude (gamma/shadowless), EXPression[S] (cafe' recordings) DJ Pugwash (rootsology), Leroy Brown (urban species) MC'S ON THE NIGHT - Lord Redeem, Toastie Taylor, Juice Aleem LIVE PERFORMANCE by NEW FLESH, plus special surprise guest... £5 b4 11, £8 after.Concs. £3 b4 11, £5 after.Call (07740 985 018) N.U.S. Concs. also available. Fri, 02 Nov 2001 00:00:00 We told you we'd tell you. If you haven't had the chance to see Roots Manuva live, check out the link below, where a half hour of his live set is being webcast from Birmingham's Radio One show on November 1st. There should be pictures and everything so go there now! Here!. You need Realplayer 8, though, so prepare to upgrade if you're behind the times (ahem, like me). Tue, 02 Oct 2001 00:00:00 A busy couple of weeks beckons for all Dada-ites living in or near our fair capital city. First up, Roots Manuva is headlining at the Kentish Town Forum on October 12th. Support comes from the Scratch Perverts and some others who are still to be confirmed. It will be a fine evening and a great chance to see that rare thing, a deserving artist arriving on the Big Stage... (lit-er-ally, figur-ative-ly and met-aphor-ically, ba-by). The following week it's the turn of Big Dada Sound. The Sound concept (varied music, a little MCing, a lot of messing about and everyone having a good time) seems to work better each time we pull it out of the hat (ask anyone who caught the show in Koln for Popkomm recently) so we've decided to make it into a regular club night. The launch is on Thursday October 18th at the aptly named Sound in (wait for it) Leicester Square. Oo-er. DJS include Ty, Mr Mitchell (Gamma), Leroy Brown and the mighty Part 2, with ceremony mastering being dealt with by Lord Redeem, Toastie Tailor and Blackitude. It's a party. Come along and enjoy yourself - a fiver before 11pm. Bargain! The event is being promoted by Gamma's family, Shadowless. Check out their recently rerubbed site for more details (possibly?): shadowless.com. Thu, 20 Sep 2001 00:00:00 Last night Ty walked away from the UK Hip Hop Awards 2001 with the prize for Best Hip Hop Act. The Awkward individ was justly rewarded for a year of hard work that started with the release of the super single "Break The Lock," followed on with the critical and commercial success of his debut album and took in a huge amount of touring, performing, giving interviews, slogging round shops and generally making sure that things happened. Ty, we salute you - you earned it. Mon, 10 Sep 2001 00:00:00 SO, you may have heard that Roots Manuva has been nominated for a prestigious MOBO Award for Best Hip Hop Act. Others in his category include Outkast, Missy Elliott and Nelly, so competition is going to be pretty intense. To vote for our boy (or their boy or girl) or just to check out who else is nominated where, go to: mobo votes and do your thing.... Tue, 04 Sep 2001 00:00:00 We round up our downloads with a taster of what's to come on Roots Manuva's next single. Rodney Smith took the original of 'Dreamy Days' back to the Woodshed (his name for his growing home studio set up), hooked up a new beat and then re-rapped all the lyrics, adding in one of the most insane choruses around, outdoing Outkast and turning himself into the Black Duke all at once. This Primo-through-a-hedge-backwards number shows the man willing to take chances whenever he's given the opportunity. We love it. To download it straightaway, right now with no fuss and bother, proceed to nme.com and imagine a better future (uh?). Mon, 03 Sep 2001 00:00:00 More vibe, more download pressure... Allegedly composed after a great night out listening to the Jah Shaka Sound System, 'The Lynch' takes the time to lambast that favoured target of hip hop ire, the soundman. Only, Mr Manuva does it over huge, squelching bass and a tiny middle bridge which makes the tune a miniature classic. To download it straightaway, right now with no fuss and bother, proceed to nme.com and hang 'em high. Fri, 31 Aug 2001 00:00:00 Now we're moving. As with yesterday's download, 'Fly Turd Fly' was very close to making it on to 'Run Come Save Me'. Produced by labelmate Part 2 (of New Flesh, who also provided the chilled yet epic remix of 'Witness'), it's a strange, queasy, enclosed tune, with Roots expounding on why he doesn't give a flying turd for anyone else's opinion. Classic MCing. To download it straightaway, right now with no fuss and bother (we hope, we really hope), proceed to nme.com and let the shit hit the fan... Thu, 30 Aug 2001 00:00:00 At last we've got there! The firsty track being offered up for download by us and the many helping-internet-hands at nme.com is called 'Tears'. An utterly uncategorisable piece of music 'Tears' is a fitting place to start the downloads as it was the last track taken off the 'Run Come Save Me' album and one which Roots Manuva now insists should have gone on there (we're not saying which one he wanted taken off). It's also his DJ's (the mighty MK) favourite track. Odd, off-kilter and strangely moving, Rodney Smith has described it (tongue only slightly in cheek) as his New Romantic moment. To doweenload it straightaway, right now with no fuss and bother, proceed to nme.com and do it do it do it. Enjoy. Wed, 29 Aug 2001 00:00:00 After a couple of hiccups and a burp or three, we can announce with all confidence that the download of exclusive Roots Manuva mp3s will start tomorrow (Thursday August 30th) and run on Friday and then the following Monday and Tuesday. Our download partner, the lovely nme.com will, by then, have received all the info they've been asking us for for weeks and all will be right with the world. You can go direct to nme.com or you can come through us or rootsmanuva.net, which is fully functional and well worth checking out. Enjoy! Fri, 24 Aug 2001 00:00:00 Roots Manuva's very own site is now up and running and quite lovely (particularly if you want to see baby pictures of Rodney Smith). We suggest you go and check it now and don't forget that next week we will be giving away exclusive Manuva MP3's in conjunction with the fine and upstanding citizens of nme.com. Enjoy all manuvarisms at rootsmanuva.net. Tue, 24 Jul 2001 00:00:00 Tune into the Nemone show on Radio 1 this morning (Tuesday 24th July) between 11am and 1pm to hear Roots MAnuva perform "Witness (Ome Hope)" live. If you can't get to a radio, check it on the web by clicking here. Mon, 09 Jul 2001 00:00:00 If you've heard about Roots Manuva's frankly silly but really very funny video for "Witness" but haven't yet had a chance to revel in the London lad's sporting prowess, go to nme.com and check it out... You will like it - this much I swear to you. Also, if you haven't yet, register for updates on hthe boy Manuva's forthcoming album and single, here. Mon, 02 Jul 2001 00:00:00 The bad news:The dedicated Roots Manuva site is not yet up and running. The good news:Go here and you can check out the lyrics to "Witness (One Hope)", see a little of the artwork and register your interest in receiving (most likely ir)regular emails letting you know what a gwarn with the single and the album and all thing right and rootical. Mon, 02 Jul 2001 00:00:00 If you want to get the dilly on the new Roots Manuva single or just want to try and decifer the lyrics go here now. Lord Gosh A'mighty! Thu, 28 Jun 2001 00:00:00 You heard it on the radio, you seen it on the TV show, A to the K? Oop, sorry. Lost it there. All we're trying to say is that, yes Roots Manuva has a new single coming out and yes it is the bee's bollocks ands yes, it's called "Witness (1 Hope)" and yes, the release date for it is July 23rd. Ages yet. Curses. Anyway, watch out for more updates on it, the launch of a dedicated Roots site and a whole heap of other stuff leading up to the release of the album, "Run Come Save Me" on August 13th. Thank you for calling through... Thu, 21 Jun 2001 00:00:00 In case you haven't already heard, next week New Flesh drop the bomb. Blimey, this tune is so good, so original, so funky, so all round bloody lovely that you will have smile on your face for a week after hearing it. The tune features Gift of Gab, who happened to be out in Gemrany when New Flesh were touring "Equilibrium" back in 1999. He was so impressed by what he heard that he popped backstage afterwards to chat to the boys. A year and a half later, we can finally hear the fruits of that meeting. It's awesome. Buy a friend a copy. They'll thank you for it. Tue, 19 Jun 2001 00:00:00 If you're here, the chances are you're a Big Dada supporter anyway, so "SOUND 01" might not initially be top of your shopping list. But it's worth remembering that nearly half of the tunes on here have only been on vinyl before and what's more, the comp closes with another awesome Juice Aleem freestyle, this time recorded live at the Scala on Ninja's 10th Anniversary XEN night, with Mike Ladd playing the beat straight from MPC. Frankly, we think that's worth £4.50 on its own, so go to the shop and BUY! Tue, 01 May 2001 00:00:00 You know it you know it you know it. This Thursday night (May 3rd) the boys from New Flesh will be teaming up with current collaborator Ramm:Ell:Zee to perform at estimable London hip hop night out, Scratch. Ramm is perhaps best known for the all-time classic 'Beat Bop' (which you may hear live if you get down to the Scala...) as well as for appearing in two classic hip hop movies, 'Wildstyle' and 'Style Wars'. These days he is building a veritable empire of models and costumes for an opera type thing about words as weapons or something (it's deep, alright?). Anyway, the man is a god, his costumes are amazing and he and New Flesh are brothers in arms. It will be legendary. Don't miss... Thu, 05 Apr 2001 00:00:00 We have been served by an ardent fan who says that our lack of Mushery is criminal. So for the record: cLOUDDEAD are coming out on Mush in the USA and on Big Dada everywhere else. Mush are utterly lovely and we would recommend that you check out their Ropeladder 12 comp and the awesome album they're about to drop by Radio Inactive. If you would like to know more, click here. Amends made, all good peoples... Mon, 02 Apr 2001 00:00:00 Ty's superb video for 'The Nonsense' is now up in the video section, so check it out and all that. Go here. Oh, and come check out Doseone (of anticon/cLOUDDEAD fame) at the Strongrooms on Wednesday April 4th, playing with Neotropic. Check live for the whys and wherefores... Fri, 02 Mar 2001 00:00:00 There are some pretty good hip hop sites out there on the world wide web, but few are better (in our humble opinion) than ukhh.com (formerly ukhiphop.com). Despite the name, they actually cover stuff from around the globe (with a UK bias, admittedly) and are generally open-minded, interested and well informed. So when they suggested that wee run a remix comp with them we say yes! Now is your chance to remix tracks from Ty, Gamma, New Flesh and Roots Manuva and win cds plus the chance of worldwide fame. You know it's a beautiful thing that makes sense so click here for the liggy-lowdown. Or suttn. Wed, 21 Feb 2001 00:00:00 While many peoples out there have been too dumb or just too cloth-eared to appreciate the majesty of Gamma, let no one speak ill of Chuck D. He's been playing tracks from "Permanament" on his BringTheNoise web radio station for some time now, so if you want to hear what company the G-Amma are keeping, click here and check out Chuck's Shit Hits The Fans show for "the best independent artists around the world"... Wed, 14 Feb 2001 00:00:00 After the Cubans turned down our offer of solidarity at Midem (some big the-horror-the-horror music biz convention in the S of France - not exactly the jungles of Bolivia. But then, on the other hand...) we decided it was time to begin dealing with the Americans again. So, come the end of April you will be able to purchase from us and listen to the quite stunningly good cLOUDDEAD album. The work of Dose One, why? and Odd Nosdam it's indescribable and indescribably good and we finally got the contracts done today (which means much celebration tonight). One for darkened rooms. Or something. Just one for those who want to be surprised and amused and moved and all that (man). On an equal fever pitch of excitement we can now also announce that we have signed MF Doom to release his King Ghidra side project through us. Doom (formerly Zev Love X) made his name in the early nineties with KMD, released a whole slew of classics as MF Doom with Fondle 'Em and now hooks up with us for his giant-and-dangerous lizard impersonation. He promises that this is the illest of all his projects - anyone who has heard the quite stunning 'No Snakes Alive' will know what to expect (only more so). Scheduled for next year... Lastly, with the release of the first Big Dada single by French geniuses TTC due in a couple of weeks, we just thought we'd better let you know that we are selling the Paris Underground future-classic mixtape put together by Teki Latex and James Delleck. It's absolutely dandy, is called "L'Antre De La Folie" and is available in the Big Dada section of the shop. Enjoy... Tue, 06 Feb 2001 00:00:00 So, "Awkward" is out and getting much proppage from the nation and now it's your chance to catch Ty in the flesh. Anyone who saw his show with full live band at Scratch at the Scala recently will know that the man can put on a show, so go to the live section for details about where he is right about.... now. Thu, 18 Jan 2001 00:00:00 You may have seen or heard Ty here, there and everywhere in the last few week, maily because he is super dope. But also because his album, "Awkward" is out on January 29th and his next single, "The Nonsense" (which we've got a video for which is - lit-er-ally, like - the bomb) is out on Februiary 12th and he is headlining at Scratch at the Scala on February 1st. Anyways, if you want more info on the fella, check out his minisite at funktion.com by clicking here. Wed, 15 Nov 2000 00:00:00 Battle will be rejoined tonight in New York when the Infesticons descend on the Knitting Factory to fuck art-rap and generally duff up the Majesticons. We would have told you earlier but we didn't know, but expect Mr Ladd to continue his series of high-octane punk antics and generally drink too much and fling himself around a little. It's all in a good cause, after all. The second album of the Infesticons series is expected to drop next autumn/fall, but be ready for a surprise - it may not be by the Infesticons. Think of "The Empire Strikes Back" for your clue as to who will be in charge this time... Thu, 09 Nov 2000 00:00:00 Yeah, we did the Solid Steel show on Monday and thought we should do the right thing and post up our (rough) playlist for all those who might possibly be interested. So here it is: Sound Mix: Albert Ayler, 'Bells' Mike Ladd, 'Infesticon intro (Live at the Scala)' Micranots, 'Culture' Company Flow, 'DPA (As Seen On TV)' Bad Brains, ''With The Quickness' Screamin' Jay Hawkins, 'There's Somethin' Wrong With You' Outkast, 'Slum Beautiful' Camille/Prince, 'Scarlet Pussy' Diviner Styler, 'Mystic Sheep Drink Electric Tea' Saul Williams, 'LaLaLa' Sizzla, 'Grow U Locks' Gamma Mix: Miles Davis, 'Black Satin' Cappo, 'Gilgamesh' Radiohead, 'National Anthem' Charles Wright, 'Run Jody Run' Pete Rock, 'The Game' Mission Control, 'OH-10: Aiming To Blow' The Placebo Session, 'S.U.S.' James Brown, 'Reality' Gamma, 'Immortal Approach' Ty mix: Gladys Knight & The Pips, 'The Makings Of You' Smokey Robinson, 'Much Better Off' Phyllis Nelson, 'Happy To See You' Taja Seville, 'Love Is Contagious' Isley Brothers, 'Insatiable Woman' Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, 'Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)' Joe Sample, 'In All My Wildest Dreams' Shirley Brown, 'So Glad To Have You' Brenda Russell, 'In The Thick Of It' Anita Baker, 'Been So Long' The Muppets Sound Mix: At The Drive-In, 'Sleepwalk Capsules' Sonny Sharrock, 'Once Upon A Time' Mike Ladd, 'The Day The Ark Crashed In Brooklyn' (exclusive) Aswad, 'Moss Man Skank' Killah Priest, 'Temple Of The Mental' Djinji Brown, 'Rocker's 2000' Atmosphere, 'Ford One' Demon Boyz, 'Glimity Glamity (Article Mix)' Linton Kwesi Johnson, 'Making History' Fri, 20 Oct 2000 00:00:00 You know we said we'd sold out of 'Showtime'? Well, we just found a box... oops. So you can now purchase one of the tunes of the year in its original 7" format complete with a superb dub from the Walworth Road Rockers. Go to the Big Dada section of the shop and do yo dang. Or whatever. Whatever... Tue, 12 Sep 2000 00:00:00 Mr Mike Ladd arrives in the country tomorrow for a whistlestop tour with Rob Smith (Sonic Sum), Fred Ones and Juice Aleen (Gamma) as The Infesticons. Mayhem guaranteed. Dates: 14th - Arches, Glasgow 15th - Glow, Aberdeen 16th - Blue Mountain, Bristol 20th, The Monarch, Camden, London 23rd - Big Dada Sound, upstairs room, Scala, London Wed, 16 Aug 2000 00:00:00 The stealth invasion by the Gamma crew continues. Their own site is now up and running. Much is planned for the coming months, so keep an eye on it. Producer/MC Blackitude shows another string to his bow by designing it... Go: www.shadowless.com Thu, 10 Aug 2000 00:00:00 In an attempt to get all cold fish warmed up for the release of an album and single from GAMMA, we're offering you a chance to download a lovely slice of freestyle action from Juice Aleem. Just click here and get it now... It's super and it won't be up forever... Mon, 07 Aug 2000 00:00:00 Big Dada today signed Parisian act TTC. Much celebration was had as the trio of MCs finally put pen to paper over a year after beginning to talk about working together. Super-producer Mr Flash also came on board to create the beats. For those unfortunate enough not yet to have caught the TTC style, let's just say it's a little like a French cross between Ultramagnetic MCs and the Pharcyde. They truly are a beautiful thing and add to Big Dada's worldwide portfolio of inspired tunes about vegetables (see below)... The album is all planned and ready to be recorded at a moment's notice (though it probably won't come out until next spring). Here's Teki's description of what is to come:"You will hear flows that go beyond your imagination and your actual conception of what a flow is. I'm really liking the shape that the album is taking, on paper, so far. Expect tracks about an alien pervert vegetable super-hero who talks with scratches, characterization of the parisian subway, a battle track built on the different significations of the letters T, T and C, a parallel between natural elements and the 4 disciplines ofhiphop... and a lot more... "We wait... Tue, 01 Aug 2000 00:00:00 If you're in the New York area this Friday night make sure you get yourself down to Brownies for the Infesticons launch party/skirmish. Featuring nearly everyone off the record (minus Saul Williams, who is currently in LA), it promises to be quite a night...Apparently, Mike Ladd is then flying off to Philadelphia to cover the Republican Party Conference for 360hiphop.com - shades of Hunter S Thompson and the opportunity to get George Bush Junior to condemn the Infesticons out of hand - here's hoping... Fri, 28 Jul 2000 00:00:00 A new radio show is up and happening on the Big Dada site. This is a special, to introduce you to the sounds and influences coming from the GAMMA crew. Juice Aleem and Blackitude (aka Robotic E.B.U.) man the turntables and microphones for an grand old selection of hip hop business. Go there now. Wed, 05 Jul 2000 00:00:00 New Flesh For Old have submitted their new single and it's a killer. Out on Septmber 4th, the new track is titled 'Arcade Terra' and follows on from where Part 2 took the basic hip hop beat on Big Dada Sound's 'Showtime'. Crazy bogle-step, super musical and funky as fuck, it's mic-blasted by Juice Aleem, Toastie Tailor and Robotic E.B.U. Honestly, we kid you not, New Flesh have made their career from changing, developing and keeping moving. Every one of their records has been a change from what's come before and this is no exception. We're blown away by it here. The single should have been out a few months back, but we got caught up in Gift of Gab's ultra-busy promotion schedule before deciding to save that treat for the next album. However, as promised, Skitz has come through with a classic head-nodder, making it into a single with a distinctively reggae slant. Talking of Juice Aleem and Ebu, later in September we will be releasing the debut single from Gamma. Entitled 'Black Atlantians,' it will be followed by an album in October. Juice and Ebu are joined on mic duties by the phenomenal Lord Redeemer, with production coming from Ebu and Mr Mitchell. We don't want to give away much more at the moment, but we guarantee that you'll like it! Hold tight... Thu, 15 Jun 2000 00:00:00 Yes, despite the ugly joke for a headline we're in earnest. The last couple of months has seen the Big Dada Sound take to the pirate airwaves of London. Now you can hear the show wherever you are, via the internet. We absolutely guarantee no tricks, clever mixes, juggling (of beats or balls) or any of that malarkey. Just a selection of fine tunes and some verbals from Juice Aleem. You can come into close relation to the station from here. Okay? And watch for special guests, balloons and party hats in coming installments... Thu, 01 Jun 2000 00:00:00 Now you can fuck the Majesticons without leaving the comfort of the glow from your own computer screen ("All Rejecticons on the back of the bus"). Just go to our new download area and you can access an exclusive 10 minute mini-mix thing on MP3 involving a number of tracks from Gun Hill Road plus Mike Ladd talking about important issues of the day and why Big Dada is good for your soul. Or summat. Anyway, it's la dopa and it's gratis so if you like it tell your friends, dress up in bin bags and have a rubbish party. Or just tell your friends... Tue, 25 Apr 2000 00:00:00 Our honorary Infesticon of the week is Man Like Stevie Chick, a humble NME journo and all-round man of taste, who made 'Hero Theme' the single of the week in NME last Wednesday. Admittedly he claimed that Mike Ladd was about to disappear "forever into the shadows of the avant garde" which sounded kinda rude, but he liked it, too. Honest. Anyway, big up ya chess pieces, Stevie, not least for an elegant juxtaposition of the words "gospel" and "cunnilingus". Wed, 12 Apr 2000 00:00:00 So much to tell, so little time. Where to begin? What to save for later? So. Mr Mike Ladd aka Infesticon Numero Uno will be featured on Gilles Peterson's 1FM showhoho this very evening (or rather, early tomorrow morning). He and La Peterson will be chatting seriously about the themes and issues of Mike's other record, 'Welcome To The Afterfuture', which is out on Monday. Maybe Infesticons will be mentioned, maybe not. But go and buy the other record anyway. It's a very different kettle of kettles, but profits go straight to Mike's Retirement Fund rather than into our evil, grasping paws (it's a lovely record, too). Other news from da Da is that we took the opportunity while Mike was around to record a gigantic posse cut featuring Ty, Roots Manuva, Juice Aleem, the Ladd lad and Toastie Tailor all riding some crazed dancehall assault courtesy of Part 2 and with cuts from the estimable living crabman MK. More info soon, but rest assured, it's one of the best things we've ever done... Keep cleaning those windows... Thu, 06 Apr 2000 00:00:00 Mike Ladd aka Infesticon #0 is performing at Scratch at the Scala TONIGHT! Although the evening is acting as a launch for his other excellent album, 'Welcome To The Afterfuture' (Ozone), he promises a rendition of The Infesticons' 'Hero Theme' too. The launch performance is at 7.30pm upstairs, but he will also be reappearing later on in the evening on a bill including Souls Of Mischief and Dilated Peoples. If you fancy the sound of all that, we have a very small number of guest passes that could be yours. Email bigdada@ninjatune.net before 5.30pm this evening and we'll see what we can sort out. Be warned, though - numbers are limited... Fri, 31 Mar 2000 00:00:00 At last we can finally announce that we have signed GAMMA. Juice Aleem (aka Alpha Prhyme aka Jerusalam aka Lord Aleem aka Uncle Deacon aka a thousand other names) has been involved with Big Dada since our very first release, yet it is only now - after his performances as a floating member of the New Flesh collective - that he is getting the respect he deserves as one of the most original and complex thinkers MCing today. Recently described as "the most underrated MC in the UK", this project is one of his own groups, featuring the MCing and production skills of E.B.Uneek (also to be heard on two tracks on Equilibrium and Roots Manuva's Skiver's Guide - performing then as Robotic E.B.U.), production from Mr Mitchell and the sheer rhyme brilliance of Lord Redeemer. Lord Redeemer forms the crux of the group, the former two having travelled from Birmingham to London in the mid-nineties to become involved with his organisation, Ghetto Grammar. Ghetto Grammar garnered considerable press both in the UK and the States (the Source ran a feature on it) but was consistently misrepresented as a "school for hip hop". It would be more accurately viewed in the same way as an avant garde school of artists or a revolutionary cadre. Here people learned only to collaborate with like-minds in order to stretch the form of hip hop (and the social and political messages it could carry) to the limit. Gamma is one result - hard-hitting, original music and an almost technical dissection of current street slang. Imagine a British Freestyle Fellowship crossed with Wu Tang and you're heading in the right direction (tho' nowhere near to getting there...). Atmospheric, moody sounds combined with three hugely distinctive MCs trading lines like they'd been finishing each other's thoughts since the womb. Shadowless, baby... Wed, 22 Mar 2000 00:00:00 So, it's all in and mastered and ready to go. 'Gun Hill Road' is a 'Trout Mask Replica' for the hip hop generation, a vertiginous, funny-stinky work of heart that slices through three decades of popular music, takes the pieces and puts them back together all wrong. It smells bad. It really does. Unfortunately we can't let you hear it yet (not yet, not yet). So for now you'll have to struggle through with our track-by-track guide to the record. We would like to point out that Mike Ladd has nothing to do with this interpretation. His cursory and hurtful response is printed in red. Being the type of Corporate yes man that I am I'd just like to say I'm feeling it allespecially this bug Coca-Cola kilbassa in my mouf CINDERELLA THEME YAZEED, GOLDEN CHILD & MIKE LADD Introduced by Blabbacon the Storyteller, Cinderella Theme sets the scene before melting down into a straight out rap attack courtesy of Yazeed, Golden Child and Mr Ladd. They double-time, they score. What exactly do you mean by double time? HERO THEME INFESTICON #0 The Infesticon fight song gets the troops funked up ready for the coming battle. Based around a chorus hook of heroically cheesey rave and a little Bollywood squiggle, Infesticon #0 gives the epic a little spice: "my beats is like molasses/ sweet and slow like Jackie Onassis with Alzheimers". oooohwee! say word! CAVE THEME BMS & DANA BMS (of Indelible MCs fame) runs his lyrics up against the pure, operatic sound of Dana's voice. Imagine if the Wu actually followed through on the promise of emotional depth their music sometimes hints at... Imagine if Kiri Te Kanawa was down. Imagine if someone made giant and rather beauitiful sculptures from the boogers you hid down the back of the sofa when you were a kid. Deep and... erm, odd. Mmmm Booger in the back of the sofa PRECIOUS THEME CREATURE, CANAAN aka ABDUL MILTON & MIKE LADD aka CRAIG ALLEN "I'm not a bohemian stuck on some avant garde shit/ or a ghetto vulture raping Tupac and Biggie's carcass" - Creature. Ouch. Ridiculously funked up electric bass and rhymes being spat all over the bloody shop. Leap around the room and feel your sinews crack. Some Trojan Wars rhyming for tomorrow's all Greek. Creature has the best line on the record QUARTERBACK THEME BEANS & PRIEST Anti-Pop in the huddle - a place where E.S.G. meet pure mathematics and sports strategy (don't for a moment believe those numbers are random). Sweet, offcentred slofunk to keep you counting. It's starting to feel like I'm reading copy from a clothing catalogue for over 40s white women GRINDER THEME muMs An introduction that constantly cuts back across itself is finally ground into the dust by the muMsicon. Guitar stabs and a modulating, toilet-filling basstone meet granite lyrics. muMs has the best track on the record TIGER THEME ERIK M.O. & INFESTICON #0 Rocky Balboa is drafted into the fight. Viva la Knuckleheadicons! SHAMPOO THEME MAJESTICON 69 & DANA The Majesticons chill out in the lounge and get their rocks off. Kenny Gee, Celine Dion, pink cocaine in a cognac glass, gun-clapping crews in high heeled shoes. Everything you ever needed to know about Majestic likes and wants. Plus some twinkly music and an Infesticon attack. Mmmmm 40 year old white women... CHASE THEME ROB SMITHThe Sonic Sum wordsman rides a 5/4 garage punkster of a beat all the way over the brow of the hill, splattering the Majestic beneath his wheels. Abstract rock out for all poet dem. FIGURINE THEME LIZA JESSIE PETERSON Some offcentre psychedelic funk shiznit featuring Ms Peterson, whose raps leap like salmon. Strangely beautiful and beautifully deranged. CHURCH THEME PASTORCONEcclesiastical blues, Pastorcon wailing from the pulpit while the ghosts of Pete Cosie and Reggie Lucas wrap everything tight in guitar licks: "If God don't love ugly..." MONKEY THEME SAUL WILLIAMS We seem to have moved backwards from 1972, Saul finding himself running his voice up against the Doors acoocoocachoo. Nouveau sixties hip hop from the zoo. NIGHT NIGHT THEME INFESTICON #.01, MADASHELLICON, INFESTICON #0CoFlow and the Ladd meet on a deep hardcore funk superhero disco spaghetti western number and finally put the Majesticons to bed. Yes, it's nineteen shots to the torso. That'll teach the little bastards... Fri, 03 Mar 2000 00:00:00 Strange coincidences... On the week we receive the illest, most melancholic, headnodding, crash-cymballing little funkster of a remix from Dan The Automator, we hear that he's set to hit the charts with Prince Paul and Moloko and that Handsome Boys Modelling shiznitshitnit. With Radio One hammering their tune, we realise that this makes us a pop label of the highest order and that all our stinky thinking of the past is fatally flawed. We apologise if you feel misled. We are now the new Motown. Or, if you prefer, the new Stock Aitken & Waterman. This is, of course, in no way a rather lame and fundamentally crap way to remind you once again that "Hero Theme" by The Infesticons (featuring that falling-bass, piano-pain, squiggly mix from our very good friend and nascent pop star Dan The Automator) will be out on Big Dada on April 25th and will be well worth buying double or even treble copies of. 'Course not. Mon, 21 Feb 2000 00:00:00 Exciting news from Planet Dada. Last Friday saw us signing up Ty (formerly known as MC Ty) to produce an album for us that will hopefully see the light of day this autumn. Along with his DJ, Shortee Blitz, Ty has established a reputation second-to-none in London. With a quirky, funny style that doesn't beat you over the head with its cleverness (while slyly being as clever as you like), Ty is the UK's homegrown, 100% genuine and original response to the Native Tongues. His standing within the scene is made all the more remarkable by the fact that he has only released one single, 1997's "I Am A Don". His collaborators, though, tell their own story. Shortee Blitz runs Kiss FM's rap show. Ty's first release came when he was featured on a project by IG Culture (currently tearing things up as New Sector Movement and a contributor to Roots Manuva's "Brand New Second Hand"). "I Am A Don" was released on Wayward, the label owned and ran by Scratch Perverts-founder Tony Vegas. 2000 looks set to be the year when he reaps his reward. As well as a solo project for Big Dada, Ty is planning an album for next year with Shortee to come out on Bear Mountain, the newly formed label of Mace from De La Soul. With this kind of backing and a phenomenal live presence, Ty is set to live up to Hip Hop Connection's recent praise: "a lyrical overseer of the UK hip hop scene... the best MC in these isles - with obvious international and universal appeal". And if all that sounds a little too much like a press release, then sorry, that's how it started out. What we're trying to say is, we love 'im and soon you will too. Move it. C'mon move it. Move. Sun, 20 Feb 2000 00:00:00 It's centuries on centuries of struggle lined up like dominoes; big monolith sized dominoes 'bout to slam and shatter. It's not about good and evil, it's not about the pure and the soiled nor the just vs. the unjust. No children, it's about pretty vs. ugly. Eons of struggle are about to culminate right up the street on Gun Hill Road. History is recorded in the nappy computer... Booty begat Beauty begat Pain begat The Touched Lungs begat Slender begat The Nutz begat the Moisties begat the Rugged Ruggeds begat Boom. Boom had five daughters and five sons. When all were grown they scattered across the earth and established 10 kingdoms. These rulers called themselves The Cons. Over time, as the title of Con was passed down, it began to represent the people of those kingdoms. The kingdoms took on their own Identities. The Cons turned against each other and all but two were wiped out; The Infesticons and The Majesticons. The Infesticons were a Spartan people interested in ideas and the content of their minds. The Majesticons were fascinated with their own exterior and developed a hierarchy based on one's sense of style. Over time, the two kingdoms' war of attrition exhausted both sides. They both collapsed and their people dissipated into the expanse of the planet. Fast Forward Millennia: High up in Yonkers in the late '80s, an inverse aesthete and rap mogul to be, Poof Na Na convinced his smart friend in High School to build him a set of robots that would transform the world into a jiggy man's paradise. The smart friend, Ignor, a descendant of a Majesticon, had discovered the ancient text of the Con. He programmed the robots with secret knowledge of Flydom. The robots were built and delivered but sadly, soon forgotten. Poof Na Na went off to Howard University and later, of course, to stardom. More than a decade later, Mr Na Na's moms was back at the old homestead cleaning out the basement. She threw out the useless looking robots. When they landed in the trash, they were accidentally and unceremoniously turned on. The Robots were activated and set out to fulfil their mission. First objective: Jiggify the five Boroughs. Only a few knew of the impending doom. In the crevasses of the North Bronx lurked a secret order of Infesticons. For generations they had fought to combat Jiggyness and Glamifacation with truth and the essence of the regular cat. Now they faced the ultimate challenge. The Battle for Gun Hill Road. This is a recording of the brutal fight. Majesticon Allies - Nostalgicons: A crew in downtown Manhattan that thinks every thing From the 70s & 80s was cool no matter how bad it sucked at the time. The JiggiDons: The Record Exec Secret Society. Infesticons Allies - Rejecticons: Kids that caught shit in grade school, did well with software but stayed cool (could Bill Gates be a Rejecticon? Probably not.) Eclecticons: People down for a lot of different styles. Instructicons: The ancient leaders of an ancient order of "regular guys" Neutrals- Domesticons: Citizens Arresticons: Cops Inspecticons: Detectives Blabbacon: Story teller Add any other crew, group or species that fits your mission. Wed, 16 Feb 2000 00:00:00 More sudden news from our brethren-across-the-water, the Infesticons. The album (still scheduled - fingers crossed - for May 22nd) will now be called "Gun Hill Road". The title comes from the street in the North Bronx which was the scene of the very first skirmishes between the Infesticons and their arch-enemies, the Majesticons. Take a moment to remember the fallen... On another note, it looks like Skitz will be remixing "186000 Miles" for the next NF4O single. Skitz, who has his album coming up on the mighty Ronin Records this summer and who has recently set up hs own label, Titan Sounds, has built his rep working with the likes of Rodney P and our own Mr Manuva. He is a diamond geezer wiv more than a lickle reggae in his soul. Wait and hope - dancehalldubhiphop from Grenada to Stokey and on to infinity at the speed of light... Tue, 08 Feb 2000 00:00:00 Some news from the studio for those that care: MIKE LADD: The Infesticons album is almost complete and is currently scheduled to be released on May 22nd. It will be preceded by a single on April 17th, called "Hero Theme" (the Infesticons' fighting song) and backed by a track called "Shampoo Theme," a list of the Majesticons' favourite things, including Patrick Swayze, Celine Dion songs and PM Dawn in sequinned... hell, you'll have to wait and hear it. We can also now announce that - barring complete fuck-ups or hideous time delays - the single will feature a remix from The Automator, fresh from his success as a Handsome Boy. Lovely... NEW FLESH FOR OLD: New Flesh are working on a new track for their next single, provisionally entitled "Word Made Flesh". In addition to Toastie Tailor, Juice Aleem and Robotic E.B.U. the track will feature vocal contributions from Gift of Gab of Blackalicious fame. Gab saw New Flesh play in Germany during their European tour and came backstage afterwards to say how much he'd enjoyed it. From such encounters... Expect a release late spring/early summer. ROOTS MANUVA: Mr Manuva is back in the studio working on a follow-up to "Brand New Second Hand". The first tune to be released from his head is "Son Of The Soil". We can report the trademark Walworth Road shuffle, great splunkums of dubbly bass, some bar room piano playing from the man himself and a voice in flight (is that singing? Could be...). Whatever, it's sounding awesome. Hold tight - more reports soon... Mon, 17 Jan 2000 00:00:00 More charts to infuriate and inspire you, this time representing what we've got coming through in 2000. Robotic E.B.U. may be familiar to some of you from his guest slots on New Flesh's 'Equilibrium' but he is also MC and producer - along with Juice Aleem and Lord Redeemer - with the group Gamma. Expect to hear more of them soon. Mike Ladd should need no introduction. His Infesticons project is set to be one of the releases of the year. Robotic E.B.U.'s All Time Hip Hop Greats 1. Wu Tang - Enter the 36 Chambers 2. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation... 3. London Posse - Gangsta Chronicles 4. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live the Kane 5. Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx Niggas (tie) 5. GZA - Liquid Swords (tie) 6. Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full 7. Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders 8. Gang Starr - Enter the Arena 9. N.W.A - Efil4zaggin 10. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - (second LP) (tie) 10. Brand Nubian - In God We Trust (tie) Mike Ladd's 1999 Top 10 - fantazmic later-on's to the last 1000 1 Watchin the Spanish Dance shows on cable 2 Makin it with the cashier in the back of Wimpys 3 Wipin the good shit off my chin 4 Apocalypse Now 5 Killing Goliath with a big rock of crack and Jenifer Lopez's thong 6 XC Skiing with Tommy Davidson and Mel B 7 Putney Swope 8 Pop Locking to Charo 9 Surfing With the Alien 10 Battle For Algiers Wed, 12 Jan 2000 00:00:00 If you haven't yet seen the live show which prompted Melody Maker to describe New Flesh For Old as "clearly one of the UK's greatest hip hop acts," now's the time to catch up. The group will be playing live at the new Concorde in Brighton on Saturday January 22nd. DJs on the night include Mex and Ziggy, plus New Flesh's own DJ Weston and Part 2. Manning the microphones will be Toastie Tailor (currently working on solo material), Juice Aleem and Robotic EBU (getting busy with their Gamma project). And if you can't make it, check for their mini-tour in February: Feb 17th - PoNaNa, Oxford Feb 19th - Blue Mountain, Bristol Feb 22nd - Sheffield Uni, Sheffield Feb 24th - Faversham, Leeds (tbc) Feb 25th - 13th Note, Glasgow More dates to be added - watch this space... Tue, 11 Jan 2000 00:00:00 Sorry to be blowing our own trumpet yet again, but 'Brand New Second Hand' has once more been reaping the plaudits. Hip Hop Connection have declared it the album of the year. And they're not alone in honouring it: HHC - No.1 NME - No.2 Dance album, No.37 overall album ('Juggle Tings Proper' 11 & 49 in Singles of the Year) Time Out - No.8 DJ - No.10 The Face - No.12 Muzik - No.12 Select - No.17 Flipside - No.25 The album also received honourable mentions in The Observer and the Financial Times (!) and Mr Manuva was listed in Touch's '100 Most Important People In Black British Music'. Oh my. The Rootical one is currently in the studio starting work on album two... Mon, 27 Dec 1999 00:00:00 Big seasonal greetings from all at the Dada. Thanks for all the support in 1999 and hold tight for a huge year in 2000. If only half the things we're planning come off, it'll stun you. Anyway, as a Christmas gift of sorts, please feel free to peruse our charts of 1999 and Tips For 2000, below... (There may be more to follow, but this should keep you going for now...) Roots Manuva's Top Ten Anythings 1999 1. Skitz & Rodney P, 'Dedicated' 2. New Flesh For Old, 'Eye Of The Hurricane' 3. Bury Cru, 'Da Blues' 4. Krispy, 'Trade Study' 5. Shinehead, 'Billy Jean' 6. Task Force, 'New Mic Order' 7. Lee Scratch Perry, 'Arkology' 8. The Beatnuts, 'Shacaboom' 9. Dr Dre, 'Still Dre' 10. Mr Dandy's large chips with 4 spicy wings Juice Aleem's Top Ten Comics 1999 1. Daredevil (Marvel Knights) 2. Black Panther (Marvel Knights) 3. Hell And Back: Sin City (Dark Horse) 4. Minimum Wage (Fantographics) 5. Earth X (Marvel) 6. Quantum & Woody (Aklaim) 7. Blade Of The Immortal (Dark Horse/Manga) 8. Concrete (Dark Horse) 9. Any 'Love And Rockets' comic (Fantographic) 10. Any X-Rated stuff/Faust Juice Aleem's Top Six Records 1999 1. Divine Styler, 'Directrix: Word Power Volume 2' (DTX) 2. Roots Manuva, 'Brand New Second Hand' (Big Dada) 3. Mansun, 'Six' (Parlophone) 4. Sizzla, 'Royal Son of Ethiopa' (Greensleeves) 5. Blur, '13' 6. Orisha's, 'Alo Cubano' (Kayo Hueso/Chrysalis) Part 2's Top Ten Records 1999 1. Divine Styler, 'Directrix: Word Power Volume 2' (DTX) 2. Roots Manuva, 'Brand New Second Hand' (Big Dada) 3. Pharoahe Monch, 'Simon Says' (Rawkus) 4. Mike Ladd, 'Welcome To The Afterfuture' (Ozone LP) 5. Various, '10,000 Men Strong: Theology Of Rhyme' 6. Rahzel, 'All I Know' (Universal) 7. Cappo, 'Cap 3000' (Son) 8. Various, 'Fortified Stereophonic' (Vapors) 9. Underwolves, 'Under My Sky' Divine Styler Remix (Island Blue) 10. Fraudulent Movements, 'Schism' (Fraudulent Movements Productions) Some ideas for a 1999 mixtape with no Big Dada and in no particular order (courtesy of Will Ashon): Silent Poets, 'Kawamata Stee' Roots Manuva remix & revocal (Toy's Factory).OD featuring Freestyle Fellowship, 'Can You Feel The Level Of Difficulty In This?' (Celestial).M Sayyid, 'AT&T Wireless' (Tri-Pinnacle Anti-Pop Consortium white).Abzent Minded featuring A-Cyanide, 'Capital L City' (from 'If It's Not 100% UK Hip Hop You Can Have Your Money Back!', SSR).Paul Elliott, 'Word Sound Power' (Redbridge).IG Culture v. J88 (Groove Attack).Khromozome Project featuring Germ, 'Total Blackout' (Ozone).Company Flow, 'Gigapet Epiphany' (Rawkus).Part 2, 'Metal Giants' (Vapours).Grandmaster Flash, 'The Message' - Roots Manuva remix (from 'Still/The Joint - Sugar Hill Remixed', Castle Music).Lord Aleem 'back of the knees' freestyle on Westwood, 1FM, (15.10.99?)Aspects, 'Chinese Burns' (Hombre)TTC, 'Game Over '99' (Cro2-ozome)Blu Rum 13, 'Off On Tangents Often' (Blu Rum Music promo)Mike Ladd, 'Feb 4 '99 [For All Those Killed By The Cops]' (Ozone)Rubberoom, 'Architechnology Nine' (Indus)Gamma, 'Mic Blaze' (from 'The Experiment', Cipher Recordings)Joseph Cotton, 'Give Them Back Their Guns' (Greensleeves)Def Tex, 'Synchronise' (Son) TIPS FOR 2000 Part 2: 1. Gamma 2. The Reptiles 3. The Planets 4. Toastie Tailor Juice Aleem: Don't drink the water Roots Manuva: Save energy by switching off all your lights. Take part in monthly bouts of world-wide civil unrest. Wed, 08 Dec 1999 00:00:00 Those enamoured of the next planet production skills of man like Part 2 will be pleased to hear that after the "Equilibrium" instrumentals LP, the graf/producer fellow-my-man has another whole LP of beats coming out. Entitled "Metal Giants," it's being released by Vapours in the New Year and it is grand for cutting up, MCing over or just sitting around bobbing your head meaningfully to. Drumbox chic... Thu, 25 Nov 1999 00:00:00 For those of you based in the London area who have yet to catch the mighty New Flesh live experience, Monday December 20th offers you one last chance for the year. The group will be descending on the Solar Party at The Scala, Kings X and making much live merriment in the hip hop room. We have no ticket price details or other artists playing but we assure you it will be worth it. Treat yourself... STOP PRESS: We've just been informed that ticket price for the show is £23!!! But it's for charity, mate... Tue, 23 Nov 1999 00:00:00 We now have a very limited amount of New Flesh T-shirts in stock.Navy blue with the New Flesh logo plus a Part 2 sketch of the morphed airplane that adorns the cover of 'Equilibrium'.One size [XL - the way it ought to be].email 'mailorder@ninjatune' with your name,address, order datails and card number. £15 plus p&p. While you're at it, get a Big Dada shirt, too.Your order will be dispatched within 24hrs. Fri, 05 Nov 1999 00:00:00 New Flesh For Old will perform at the launch party of the 'Graffiti Bastards 2' exhibition on Sunday November 7th, alongside the Scratch Perverts and many more. The exhibition itself aims to showcase "the private and commercial work of the best underground illustrators in the UK" and features a selection of canvases by New Flesh producer Part 2 as well as work from the likes of System (co-designer of the New Flesh sleeves), Req, Meek and Tempa. The exhibition runs at the Medicine Bar at the Custard Factory until November 21st. For more details, click below: Graffiti Bastards 2 Thu, 04 Nov 1999 00:00:00 Fresh from the Explosive Package Tour, we have exclusive Part 2 designed T-shirts for sale. Navy blue with the New Flesh logo plus a Part 2 sketch of the morphed airplane that adorns the cover of 'Equilibrium', only a very limited quantity will be available. Keep an eye out... Mon, 25 Oct 1999 00:00:00 A taster of the forthcoming goods on Big Dada in the new year - Mike Ladd will be releasing his first album with the label working under the name The Infesticons. A punk-funk-hiphop thing with the sharpest of political edges, the record is provisonally entitled "Vernacular Homicide". Judging from cassettes of his beats so far Mike will most definitely be bombing the White House. Dirty... Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:00:00 He came, he went, he bounced, he went again. Roots Manuva played at the Roxy, New York, last month as part of his North American tour. Luckily for us, Giant Steps (the bods behind the event) had arranged for the quite excellent digitalnoise.com to film and record the show for internet broadcast. So click on the link below and you can go straight there and see/hear it. Hurray! TAKE ME TO THE ROOTS-FI DISCOTHEQUE NY STYLE FORGET THE FUZZY PICTURES AND JUST GIVE ME THE AUDIO Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:00:00 Ian Merchant, we call you to the front of class. The Aspects member and writer for Knowledge stated in his excellent review of New Flesh's album that "'Equilbrium' is cliche free, jiggy free, wanker free, please buy. If Westwood ever plays this shit I'm off to my local for a Moet". Go, Ian, go. And get us one while you're there. New Flesh For Old will be featured on Westwood's show on 1FM this Friday night (October 15th), chatting, freestyling and, in the case of Toastie Tailor, dropping the finest mutant dancehall lyrics ever to grace national airwaves. They're on at about 1am. Don't miss. Thu, 07 Oct 1999 00:00:00 On Wednesday 6th October 1999 Roots Manuva won Best Hip Hop Act at the 1999 MOBO Awards in the Royal Albert Hall. Unfortunately, Rodney Smighty couldn't be there to collect the award (he was stuck in Canada at the end of his North American tour), but men like Seanie T ("Big Tings Gwidarn") and Fallacy did the business and went to collect for him. What larks. Thu, 23 Sep 1999 00:00:00 The very first Big Dada t-shirts are now available. Red, gold and green or black, gold and green and all XL, they are very nice indeed. Honest. Available from the Ninja Shop online, some good retailers and on the Explosive Package Tour merch stall, buy quick, as the initial run is tiny small. I WANT A T-SHIRT NOW Wed, 22 Sep 1999 00:00:00 You saw them at the last yesmate - their album came out on the 13th Sept - check the cuts Equilibrium Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:00:00 To celebrate the release of New Flesh For Old's monumental masterwork, "Equilibrium", we thought we'd give you a little help with their complex lyricals. The first in a series of lyric releases, below you can read language in its most elemental form, taken from New Flesh's recent single, "Eye Of The Hurricane". Preparations for the album have been going well, with the record generally being hailed as the most adventurous and experimental bit of hip hop to come out of the UK. As for their live shows, the boys in the band are reducing venues to rubble. Catch them on the Explosive Package Tour all over the UK and Europe, starting at the ICAS in London on the 25th of September. NEW FLESH FOR OLD - EYE OF THE HURRICANE (K.HOPEWELL, G.EDWARDS) TOASTIE TAILOR: STILL FEARSOME AND FUTURISTIC GET A RADAR HI-TECH TO DETECT MY DARK MILKY AURA FROM THE OUTER HEMISPHERE TO LAND TO EXPLORE-AHH HIP HOP'S TRAGEDY THAT BE UNPRECEDENTED LEAVING NO INDICATION OF SEVERITY I'M DEMENTED SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX WAYS OF WICKEDNESS PERMANENT DAMAGE EVER THE SAVAGE WHEN I'M HITTING THIS COS THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN EVER ADDRESS THIS MADNESS SEARCH THROUGH THE STREET BACK DRAFT INESCAPABLE SADNESS. PART 2:REBUILDING MY STRUCTURE TURNING HUMAN TO TYPOGRAPH TEN POINT TEN ON THE RICHTER SCALE I DISAPPEAR FROM THE GRAPH THROUGH THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE NO MAN SEE WHERE I GO I APPEAR IN FRONT OF THE EARTH WHERE YOU CAN SEE MY CORONA GLOW MY HELIOSPHERE EXPANDS AS THE PROTONS KNOCK YOU OUT THE CHRONOLOGY OF MY SPECTRUM BURNS THE BEST WITHOUT A DOUBT COMBINED LIKE WATER TWO MINDS IN UNISON WE FUSE LIKE ATOMS IN YOUR NUCLEAR FISSION. CHORUS:WE ARE THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE THE VERY SUN BRINGING LIFE TO THE SLAIN... TOASTIE TAILOR:EVACUATE NO SELF-DEFENCE YOU CAN USE DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL ABUSED OR JUST WOOZY IT'S NOT COMMENDABLE TO BATTLE WITH AN UZI MIGHT AS WELL SING THE BLUES ABOUT A FLOOZY FULL OF FURY FORECAST ONE TO FIVE MY PUNCH HORRENDOUS JOURNEY BLACKED OUT THREE ISLANDS FEELS STUPENDOUS TREMENDOUS IS MY SWIMMING TACTIC WHEN I SWAM OVER THE ATLANTIC ONLY THREE DAYS IT TOOK TO TRAVEL 37600 MILES I SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT THE OLYMPIC TIME TRIALS THEN THE FINGER OF GOD WOULD HAVE RUN DOWN YOUR SPINE TO LEAVE YOU WITH ONE DEFINITE ROAR ROAR ROAR YOU ARE ALL MINE PART 2:EXO-BIOLOGISTS STUDY MENTAL STREAMS WHAT THEY CAN FATHOM MY GRAVITATIONAL PULL REDUCES MEN TO PROTOPLASM I BEAT FRANKENSTEIN WITH A STICK TAKE HIM TO A NEW TIME ZONE IF YOU'RE LIVING IN 1946 WE CAN UPGRADE YOUR GRAMOPHONE COME MASTURBATE MY CRANIUM SEE GOD AS I EJACULATE SPIT FROM MY MOUTH CAN MAKE THE QUEEN HALLUCINATE I CENTRIFUGALLY ILLUMINATE THE EAST AND WEST MANOUEVRE MANY VIRGINS AS I BEAT MY CHEST CHORUS TOASTIE TAILOR:THE ZOOT MAY BE 7000 MILES WIDE 40,000 FEET HIGH COUNTERING MY WINDS ANTI-CLOCKWISE NOT LUDICROUS OR PREPOSTEROUS PREPOSTEROUS IS THE HORN OF A RHINOCEROS STICKING OUT OF YOUR OESOPHOGUS YES THAT BE MY INITIATION STUNT RUPTURED SPLEENS LEAVE YOU BREATHING ON ONE LUNG SYNCHRONISED TRANSMISSION OF DATA INTERCHANGER HEY THERE'S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN MAKING THE MOST CONTAMINATED MINDS ALL THINK LIKE I WAS MADE IN 1200 DEGREES HEAT PART 2: TIME IS MY MEMORY HEART IS INFINITY ME AND TOASTIE TAILOR EXPAND TO ETERNITYTOASTIE TAILOR: WE MAKE MORE NOISE THAN 20 CONCORDES LEAVE YOU IN A STATE OF HYSTERIA LIKE YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY DINOSAURSPART 2: HIEROTECH NANOTECH THERE ARE MANY WORDS WE ACCUMULATE THE AIR LIKE A MILLION BIRDSTOASTIE TAILOR: FULLY OPEN LIKE THE WINGS OF AS HAWK ON THIS AGONY MARATHON NOW WE LEAVE YOU TO TALK Mon, 13 Sep 1999 00:00:00 Having narrowly missed out on a nomination for the Mercury Music Prize (something of a travesty, according to both Time Out and The Times), Roots Manuva has landed a nomination for Best Hip Hop Act for the 1999 MOBO Awards. The other nominees are Phoebe One, Funky DL and 57th Dynasty. The winner of the award will be announced at the Royal Albert Hall on October 6th in a ceremony screened on Channel 4. However, this year the winner will be decided by televoting. To have your say (probably at great personal phone bill expense) ring 0900 14 64 952. But hey, it's worth it to take part? Tue, 17 Aug 1999 00:00:00 Check out all the latest on New Flesh For Old and Part 2 in particular at the Bullets of Autumn website, where they reside. Full discographies, news updates, you bloody name it, it's all there and, like a Part 2 cup of tea, it's a beautiful brew. BULLETS OF AUTUMN Tue, 10 Aug 1999 00:00:00 Juice Aleem now has a postal home for his and his associates' many operations (Gamma, Drunken Immortals etc). You can contact him at Shadowless Corp, PO Box 28136, London SE6 4WL. Wed, 14 Jul 1999 00:00:00 To catch all the latest on Big Dada, watch 'Acetate' on BBC2 on Monday July 19th (11.15pm). As well as featuring Roots Manuva in a feature on British hip hop, New Flesh For Old exclusively preview the video to their new single, 'Eye Of The Hurricane'. Directed by Richard Anthony, it will make you look at your scanner in a whole new way... Tue, 08 Jun 1999 00:00:00 Due to incredibly popular demand you can now buy the highly acclaimed 'Electronic Bombardment' 12" by New Flesh for old from the Ninjatune.net Mailorder shop get some New Flesh For Old Mon, 07 Jun 1999 00:00:00 Roots Manuva, still picking up the plaudits for his debut album, 'Brand New Second Hand,' is featured doing his funky-ass rootical thing on the Jo Whiley Show on Channel 4 on June 16th (repeated on June 18th). In what insiders are saying is the performance of the series, Roots showcases 'Motion 5000' with his DJ, MK (of mixtape fame...), vibe-loon Gordon and Stella and Issy, the string players who gave the original its unique feel. Don't miss it. You can also catch him at the Glastonbury Festival on Super Sunday (June 27th) roaming the Dance Stage to maximum effect. As if all this were not enough, Roots' new single is out on July 5th. The A side features 'Motion' while over there's a new track called 'Skiver's Guide'. This is produced by Taipanic of Blak Twang and features him, Seanie T, Juice Aleem and Robotic E.B.U. (who perform together with Lord Redeemer as Gamma). Already being hammered by Westwood and whioever else can get hold of a copy, it's a thing of beauty. Mon, 07 Jun 1999 00:00:00 New Flesh release the single 'Eye Of The Hurricane' on August 16th to promote their debut album, now titled 'Equilibrium,' which will come out on Big Dada on September 13th. The single features an awesome remix from genuine West Coast legend Divine Styler - pioneer of dense, metaphorical science raps, Muslim activist and futurebeat maker. The Styler is currently hot after his recent collaboration with DJ Shadow for the Quannum album. Here at Big Dada we loved him anyway. Check. Tue, 20 Apr 1999 00:00:00 New Flesh completed work on their forthcoming album this weekend. The last track, "Heaven & Earth," featuring Crack Monkey, was tweaked and all the material was in the bag. The album, provisionally entitled "Hieroghettofication", is due out in September with a single preceding it in August. As well as Part 2 (production) and Toastie Tailor (vocals), the album features Juice Aleem, DJ Weston, Ebu Classik, Out Of Order and Fly Garick. Both apocalyptic and abstract, it's set to cause a few surprises... Tue, 09 Mar 1999 00:00:00 Roots Manuva came, he saw, he conquered. A garbled e-mail arrives from Pete Relic, sometime Grand Royal man and now an editor at Vibe. What Relic relates is not for the faint-hearted... "take 6th east to 2nd south to bowery east to broadway head south and by now it's cold as a con edison pole scaler's ass and from huge overfilled dumpsters bags of garbage are being blown out and tumbling downt the street where WHAPP! they are struck by cabs the garbage bags burst like refuse smart bombs over canal street to leonard hang a right the knitting factory not neat like the old knitting factory where the ceiling was a mesh mess of old sweaters sutured together in and... Mr. Manuva in black Space Invaders t-shirt (me prideful in my black space invaders knitkap) says "I'm feeling goo-vee" to a room of 50 heads while herbyfella spins cuh-cuh-cutts behind him chicken! kickin! i'm in the mood for freestyle it was hottt! (maybe not like hard knock life tour where I heard fellas screamed like bitches at the sight of all the ice) rootsman uvaed for bout 20 minutes, including attempted shoutout to all new york boroughs (he could remember only two---what other burroughs are there he asked and I yelled William! to no one's amusement) and goofed overcharlie blackturtle guy dancing dumb down front with freestyle about bouncing back bad brainwaves and "this one's for you--now chill before I call security" (funny cos guy was just annoying, not threatening) then in corny american accent Mr. Manuva said to DJ herbli "Hold that beat, dude" and pulled out a mini spotted leopard stuffedaniml and said What should I name him? someone: Tony! Tony? nah King Cornmeal! then a lil freestyle about sweaty glasses and promise to come back next time with about 40 sarf london lads n lassies." Wed, 03 Mar 1999 00:00:00 Roots Manuva and DJ MK touch down in North America today for a whistle-stop tour to promote the debut Manuva album, "Brand New Second Hand". The terrible twosome will be playing a series of dates alongside Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba of the Herbaliser. Acts they are appearing with include the Dream Warriors and all-time Roots Manuva hero Lee Scratch Perry. Catch them if you can. Dates: March 3rd, Theatre of Living Arts, Philadelphia. With Lee Perry and Mad Professor. March 4th, The Knitting Factory, New York, with the Dream Warriors. March 5th, Barcode, Toronto, Canada, with the Dream Warriors. March 6th, Barcode, Toronto, Canada. March 7th, Jingxi, Montreal. See LIVE for further details... Mon, 22 Feb 1999 00:00:00 To celebrate the release of his debut album, Roots Manuva will be touring the nation with MK, bringing the stinkiness to a village hall near you. The dates are as follows: April 2nd: Flava @ The Cooperagee, PlymouthApril 9th: The Arches, Glasgow (to be confirmed)April 10th: Scratch, EdinburghApril 17th: The Faversham, Leeds (with Blak Twang)April 22nd: Substance @ The Medicine Bar, Birmingham. April 23rd: Thekla, Bristol (with Blak Twang)April 30th: Traders, IpswichMay 7th: NY Sushi, SheffieldJune 17th: Po Na Na, Oxford In addition, Mr Manuva can be seen all over Europe in the month of May, playing with the Herbaliser and Mr Scruff. For more details see the LIVE section. While we're at it, feel the press-ure. Roots Manuva looks set to be media darling '99 (poor lad) - last week alone his single, "Juggle Tings Proper" was given Single Of The Week in NME and Melody Maker and he became the first British hip hopper to take the cover of Hip Hop Connection magazine for three years. Next week, look out for the cover of TIME magazine and Channel 4 devoting a theme night to him. Well, we can dream... Wed, 27 Jan 1999 00:00:00 Roots Video - it's here.Roots Manuva Wed, 06 Jan 1999 00:00:00 After Roots Manuva's debut LP Brand New Second Hand hits on March 22nd, the next major release from Big Dada will be an album from New Flesh For Old provisionally entitled Hieroghettofication. The group have already completed six tracks and are intending to round things off in the next three months. All production on the album will come courtesy of graphotist and musical boundary-breaker Part 2. The main lyricist on the record will be Toastie Tailor, but Juice Aleem is set to appear on around half of the tracks and Big Dada stalwart Ebu is also featured, as well as Crack Monkey. The sound of the record so far is harsh and beautiful. Watch for "Life To The Slain" for a taste of the mood (and Toastie's new seven-styles-in-one flow). The next next level... Mon, 21 Dec 1998 00:00:00 The panic starts here - Roots Manuva can be seen on the cover of the new issue of underground hip hop mag Fat Boss in full 'Midnight Marauders' warpaint. Written by Mat-C (editor and owner of this new journal), Fat Boss states that "if you haven't heard of Roots Manuva, you soon will. Combining his roots in reggae with the hip hop beats, Manuva is on the verge of changing this culture forever. When you hear Roots Manuva you know you're hearing something as fresh as Tribe's "Midnight". Booming bass, science fiction sound effects and backwards snares lay the canvas for Roots to spit his own language, creating music that has never been heard before. 100 percent original, just like hip hop should be, Manuva has truly turned the English language inside out." As well as this excellent cover story, the new issue contains Rza, Jarobi, hip hop journalists on their trade, prison nutter Charles Bronson and much more. If you can't find a copy, write to 153 Praed Street, London W2 1RL. But don't say we sent you... Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:49:06 El-P - one third of NY hip hop heavyweights Company Flow - will make his Big Dada debut in 1999. The producerlyricist behind such gems as "8 Steps To Perfection" has contributed a remix to Roots Manuva's first single for Big Dada. Entitled the "Madness, Microchips & Hi-Tech War Mix," El-P takes the original "Juggle Tings Proper" and reshapes it around crazed strings and cuts from Ted Striker. El-P has been a vocal advocate of talented rhymers and producers in Britain since his visit here in November '97 (when he played at the Jazz Cafe alongside Big Dada stalwarts New Flesh For Old and Juice Aleem) and was particularly taken by Roots' unique style. Roots Manuva returned the admiration, insisting on revocalling El-P's remix simply because he was desperate to rhyme over the beat. The results of this unique collaboration can be heard from February 22nd 1999 on vinyl or CD single. So nasty it hurts. Wed, 18 Nov 1998 00:00:00 Internationally renowned graf artist She One was responsible for designing the Big Dada logo. Now you can see a selection of his canvasses at his new exhibition, GRAFFITI RETAIL. The show takes place at clothing store Browns Focus, 38 South Molton Street, London, and runs until December 9th. All canvasses are for sale, as well as handmade books (a limited edition of 17) and t-shirts. Wild styles for tomorrow... Tue, 17 Nov 1998 00:00:00 Anyone in Birmingham on 26th November can catch Juice Aleem plus DJs like Sparra and Roc One, breakers, graf artists and general hip hop mayhem. The event is Chocolate City. Started in '96, Chocolate City took the form of a live freestylemixtape celebrating the (now-acknowledged) strength of the Midlands hip hop scene. From there it has grown and built and is "now ready to go beyond the average bedroom get-togethers of the past while maintaining the vitality of a freestyle adrenalin Rush" (A.Juice). Chocolate City takes place at the Medicine Bar, Custard Factory, Gibb St, Birmingham from 7-11.30pm on November 26th, 1998. Admission is free. For more information call 0961 353113. Thu, 12 Nov 1998 00:00:00 After many requests, we thought we should confirm that Roots Manuva will be releasing an album in the New Year on Big Dada. A single, Juggle Tings Proper, will be released on February 22nd 1999 and the LP, provisionally titled Brand New Second Hand, will follow on March 22nd. Roots Manuva is currently touring Europe with the Ninja hoard and can be seen live over the next few weeks in Amsterdam, Paris, Munich, Zurich etc. If you can't get to any of these places, check him live on the net thanks to an Interface's audio and video link up. For more details go to Ninja Tune's 'Live' section. Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:36:16 We've just put up the pages for the next Big Dada release, Blah Blah by Mike Ladd. Blah blah is released on the 9th of November, but you can check it out first here We've also put up the pages for Part 2 & Juice Aleem's 'Nanotech Pilots' and for Saul Williams' 'Elohim (1972)' And we'll be putting up pages for Black Whole Styles soon, so keep checking back. Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:33:03 Big Dada Recordings released their first record in June '97. Since thenthey have defined a spirit of adventure that has sometimes left peoplebaffled, occasionally dazzled. Drawing on MCs and producers from York toNew York, the label has stuck to and expanded on its well-establishedpolicy of releasing original and creative hip hop - wherever it's from. Feel the panic. This site will be dedicated to bringing you the lates news and info on big dada,the artists, and the releases.