Low Life

Dominant G aka Dom G is not a new name in the hip hop world. His lyrical skills have been applauded by some of the biggest names in the industry including DJ 279, DJ Big Ted, DJ's MK and Shortie Blitz and Capital Xtra's Tim Westwood to name a few.

Asaviour is a unique proposition with a very identifiable and individual style. Having released classics on Low Life and YNR, he now has his own series of mixtapes being released on his own imprint - Saving Grace. Sam Bradshaw caught up with him to find out what has been going down with Asaviour...

The Gramaphone Bar was nearly at full capacity when Stylah and fellow Poisonous Poets, Tony D and Reveal walked on stage with their collection of tracks to perform. They started with a group track 'Here I Am' which got the crowd ready for the rest of the heat that the Poets were about to unleash. Stylah performed 'Snips In The Mix' though without the ever poisonous DJ Snips and the energy was accelerated.

This review has been a while coming, not least because Lowlife / Riddim Killa were hella slow with the vinyl release and I was damned if I was going to pick it up on CD if I had a choice. However, it's here now and I finally have a bit of time to sit down and express some thoughts on what must be one of the most important UK hip-hop albums of all time.

Originally hailing from Leeds, Braintax founded Lowlife Records in 1992 and is now based in London. His label roster includes some of the biggest names in British hip-hop such as Jehst, Skinnyman, Task Force, Mystro, Micall Parkinsun, Asaviour, Verb-T and Kashmere, plus new talent in the form of Dubbledge. He also co-runs Riddim Killa with the legendary Rodney P and is an MC and producer in his own right.

"It's difficult to talk about something, it's easy to talk about nothing..." That's how Brains and Lowlife MC Verb T speak it on the chorus to "Pick A Subject", the 9th track on Joseph Christie's long-awaited second album "Panorama" - and that being the case, it's a good thing the man like Brando Flux has decided to make the effort.

Braintax has been out of the way for a while now, but he is on the way back with a new LP – Panorama all lined up and ready to roll. He has slipped out the D-90 Rules track which has created a bit of buzz and talk around him and his imminent arrival back in the limelight, although he would probably be one to shun it.

Dom G is a long time head who has been blessing mics for years. He has a distinctive easy on your ears flow and sound which will captivate you. Finally Dom G is set to release his debut LP. This work has been a very long time in gestation and I am sure there are times when Dom G thought this album would never materialise.
 

Parky is back with a stormer. The first stuff from after his Working Class Dad LP which is availabe on Low Life records / Sit Tight. One of the best LPs of the year it has to be said. This video for Dun Ya is the first release from the new Jehst production LP Underworld Epics and sees Micall Parknsun hopping round the Monopoly board hounded all the way by Jehst in his comedy outfit.
 

Dominant G is one of the greatest and smoothest rhymers the UK has produced to date. Who is he you ask? Well he has been around a bit more than you would think. In advance of his debut solo LP britishhiphop.co.uk took the time to speak to him and find out what he is under...

Straight out of London, DOM-G aka Dominant G is not a new name in the hip hop world.  His lyrical skills have been applauded by some of the biggest names in the industry including Choice FM DJ 279,  DJ Excalibur, Radio One DJ Tim Westwood and publications including Touch, Trace and DJ Magazine.
 

Originally coming out last year on DJ Lopez's Sit Tight records label Micall Parknsun was a bit overlooked, but this half of the Ddubble Edge crew is one who you need to pay attention to. Distributed by Low Life Records, who know a good thing when they hear it, the whole Working Class Dad LP was tremendous and this track So What was one of the standouts. The well crafted video is aged and is largely monochrome and shot at night for a very atmospheric effect.
 

Heads have been waiting for this tomb to drop for a hot minute and finally here it is. Asaviour's debut LP, The Borrowed Ladder which is set to destroy sets across the globe. The intro for the LP gets things off to a speedy start with a fantastically funky loop and Asaviour shouting out his cohorts who have helped him get to this stage. Certainly an upbeat and interesting way to start.

As the summer winds down the quality of releases heats up. UK's finest hip hop imprint, Lowlife Records, delve into their box of tasty treasures and serve up a kick ass slab of hip hop gems from their Lowlife stable.