Def Wish Cast return with Evolution Machine
First up, a quick correction: last issue I said the new Oh No album Ohnomite was being released by Stones Throw. This is not the case. While Oh No obviously still holds close ties with the label, his new record dropped on the Five Day Weekend imprint. My bad.
Anyway, onwards and upwards. The mighty Def Wish Cast have returned with the release of their 20th anniversary record Evolution Machine. If you know Def Wish, you know what you are getting; future b-boy funk and unparalleled representation of the purest hip hop elements. True veterans and pioneers of hip hop culture in Australia, Def Wish have delivered a modern opus which looks to the future whilst paying homage to the past. Production comes from Plutonic Lab, Resin Dogs, M-Phazes, DJ Sing, DJ JS1, Vame, Dizz1, DJ Murda1, JP & Brass and Katalyst. A huge line up for a huge record. An absolute must.
Another hip hop legend, Large Professor, has just lifted the veil on his latest record Professor @ Large which sees the Extra P collaborating with a host of talented artists. The album features Busta Rhymes, Cormega, Tragedy Khadifi, M.O.P., Mic Germino (wow, haven’t seen that name in a while), Action Bronson, Roc Marciano and Saigon. Judging from the guest line-up, this should be a hard-hitting record and I’m looking forward to checking it out.
Detroit DJ/producer legend House Shoes (he’s that dude you always hear all the Detroit emcees rapping/talking about) is set to claim the spotlight with his debut record Let It Go on Tres. Although it’s his official ‘debut’ he’s been kicking about the scene for years and the guest list speaks volumes for his standing in the Detroit hip hop community. Let It Go features Shafiq Husayn, Oh No, Alchemist, Black Milk and Guilty Simpson to name a few. The album also comes with a second disc of instrumentals. Bargain mate!
I’ve been banging on to anyone who will listen about how good I think Harry Fraud is. The talented producer has been making waves of late with beats for Rick Ross’ Maybach Music camp, French Montana and Action Bronson and he’s just served up a full album of productions for the underrated Smoke DZA. Entitled Rugby Thompson, this is pure paranoid stoner rap through and through (it’s on High Times after all).
A few live tidbits to mention now. Rhyme Intervention is returning to Zierholz @ UC on Saturday September 8 for its fifth instalment. Launched almost ten years ago in 2003, the festival was first conceived as an opportunity to raise money for the Cancer Council ACT. This year, it returns with Def Wish Cast, Reason & Briggs, Dazastah & Layla, Ciecmate & Newsense and many more. There will also be a Rhyme Intervention 5 documentary made covering the history of the event, with the aim to sell it to help raise further awareness for the Cancer Council ACT.
UC is also hosting the Hip Hop Big Block with Thundamentals, Mantra, Dialectrix, Sietta and D’Opus & Roshambo. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix. Should be a big night for hip hop in Canberra.
To hear music from all the above artists and more, tune to The Antidote on 2XX 98.3FM every Tuesday night from 9.30pm or stream at www.2xxfm.org.au .
Roshambo aka Ced Nada
roshambizzle@yahoo.com.au
