As most of you’re probably already aware Tornts Newest release “Dead Brain Diaries”  is out tomorrow September 3rd. For those of you that don’t know…well now you do.  The album features Brad Strut and Billy Bunks and to be honest, i am fucking looking forward to having a good listen.

Check out Hit Never Miss from the album  “Dead Brain Diaries” by Mc Tornts where Hip Hop is sold on the shelves September 3rd

3D AUDIT CLAIMS UNTRUE

Street Press Australia (SPA) have been emailing advertisers and prospective clients that 3D World Victoria Edition, which hasn’t even come out yet, is CAB Audited. Just one problem. It’s not true. The email that SPA circulated said that 3D World Victoria’s circulation was 20,000 and that this was CAB audited. 3D World Victoria is not CAB Audited. It is prohibited, under CAB rules and bylaws, for Street Press Australia and 3D World Victoria to make claims in respect of CAB audited circulations because 3D World Victoria is not a CAB member and is not CAB audited. Nor has 3D World Victoria or Queensland applied for a CAB Audit according to CAB.

The SPA email goes on to say: “When doing the math on a cost per thousand basis it’s definitely affordable even for clients on a small street press budget. You’d be reaching almost 200,000 readers in one week.” This “maths” calculation is based on the claimed (but not accurate) combined CAB audited circulation of 3D World: 20,000 for Victoria, 27,000 for NSW and 18,000 for Queensland. In fact, neither 3D World Victoria nor 3D World Queensland are CAB Audited, as confirmed by CAB. These audit claims quite wrongly rely on the legitimacy and credibility of asserting CAB’s endorsement. CAB has taken urgent steps in this case to ensure its name doesn’t get used to propagate inaccurate messages, which attract advertising based on claims that are incorrect.

Furst Media, publishers of BEAT and 100%, has requested the Circulation Audit Board terminate SPA publications’ membership in CAB.

CAB (Circulation Audit Board) is the nationally recognised independent auditor of publishers’ circulation claims.

The printed edition of BEAT has a CAB audited circulation of 32,690 copies per week. 100%, BEAT’s club section, appears in every copy of BEAT.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Rob, (Beat Magazine owner)

This email serves to confirm the actions taken by CAB this afternoon in reply to the information contained below. CAB takes publicity breaches seriously and a number of actions have been taken with regard to the publicity breach by 3D World.

I can confirm the following information:

· CAB has a media member called 3D World – this title has a CAB audited distribution of 26,105, 100% of which was distributed in NSW.

· CAB has not received a membership application for either 3D World Victoria or 3D World Queensland.

· The CAB audit currently in force applies to the NSW distribution associated with the audit of 3D World completed for the period ending March 2010. CAB cannot be associated with either the Victorian or Queensland editions as they are not members of the CAB.

· The addition of figures to create a total cannot be attributed to CAB unless it is audited by CAB and reported by CAB through its multi-area title reporting.

CAB has requested the following actions from Street Press Australia:

· That sending of the current email cease immediately

· That a correction/retraction be sent to all advertisers that have received the original email

· The correction/retraction is approved by CAB before being sent

CAB is currently awaiting a reply and confirmation from Street Press Australia in response to the request. I will keep you advised of actions in relation to this matter. This issue will also be listed for Board discussion at their next meeting to be held on August 19, 2010.

Thanks for your support of CAB.

With kind regards

Heather

Heather Craven

Dir Marketing & Comms

Circulations Audit Board

Level 8 15 Blue St North Sydney NSW 2060

Office: +61 2 9954 9800 | Dir: +61 2 8912 6001 | Fax: +61 2 9956 8220

www.auditbureau.org.au

It’s that time of the year again.

OBESE RECORDS BLOCK PARTY 2010 Aussie Hip Hop Extravaganza
October 8th @ Palace Theatre, Melbourne
Tickets: http://www.ticketek.com
Strictly 18+ (ID Required)
Doors: 8.30pm

Performing live:
M-Phazes, Illy, Spit Syndicate, Mantra, Pegz, Bias B, Dialectrix, Tuka & DJ Morgs (Thundamentals), Dialectrix, Gully Platoon, Skryptcha, Chasm & Vida-Sunshyne, Hyjak & Torcha, Reason, Simplex

Featuring supports:
Fluent Form, Ciecmate & Newsense, Maundz

And a showcase by:
The Wickid Force Breakers

More information: http://www.obeseblockparty.com and http://www.obeserecords.com

Goonbag Radio is a 24/7 Hip Hop Internet Radio station run by the good fellas at ozhiphop.com

To stream in winamp, itunes etc just click the image, enjoy.

Don’t forget to check out Goonbag.com for live stream Every Wednesday night.

Broken Tooth Records MC Maggot Mouf next release ‘You’re all ears’ will be on the shelves later this week July 17 2010. A kid from Canberra, Maggot Moufs new Album contains 16 banging tracks of ill Aussie Hip Hop.

‘You’re all ears’ includes work from Sammy Scissors, Ciecmate, 1/6, Scotty Hinds, Dekoda and additional production from the Joey Gargoyle and Bigfoot.

Have a listen to Wat U Lookin At’ from  ‘You’re all ears’ below

Hip Hop icon Lil Kim has postponed the Australian leg of her tour due to visa problems. She was set to perform at The Sydney Entertainment Centre in Sydney on July 9, and in Melbourne on July 10, at the Esplanade Hotel. The dates will be re-scheduled for approximately two months from now.

Kim stated; “I love all the fans in Australia and I’m excited to be making my first trip down there to perform. I’m disappointed about my visit being delayed but I promise that the wait will be worth it.”

Source http://www.rhymeandreason.com.au/?p=1992

Updated. New gig date will be September 16. Apparently the Visa issues related to her Criminal Record. Alternatives were apparently offered by Customs i.e. loopholes. However Lil Kim wanted to everything to be done by the book…maybe she just likes flying first class

Guru has passed away yesterday morning (April 19) after a long battle with cancer.

According to Solar, Guru suffered from the malicious illness for over a year and after numerous special treatments under the supervision of medical specialists failed, the legendary MC succumbed to the disease. Guru always tried to keep this harrowing diagnosis in private but in early 2010 he had to admit himself to hospital due to serious effects caused by the disease.

Since the onset of illness, Guru tried to live a “normal” life as an influential and outstanding musician, loving father, family man, and best friend. Doctors encouraged Guru to think positive that the cancer can be arrested and that a full recovery is possible but several special treatments including hard hitting chemotherapies failed.

While in hospital with terminal cancer, Guru wrote a letter, which was provided by Solar, to his fans addressing his illness, his shining music career, his family and loved ones.

“I, Guru, am writing this letter to my fans, friends and loved ones around the world. I have had a long battle with cancer and have succumbed to the disease. I have suffered with this illness for over a year. I have exhausted all medical options. I have a non-profit organization called Each One Counts dedicated to carrying on my charitable work on behalf of abused and disadvantaged children from around the world and also to educate and research a cure for this terrible disease that took my life. I write this with tears in my eyes, not of sorrow but of joy for what a wonderful life I have enjoyed and how many great people I have had the pleasure of meeting,” read the official Guru statement.

“My loyal best friend, partner and brother, Solar, has been at my side through it all and has been made my health proxy by myself on all matters relating to myself. He has been with me by my side on my many hospital stays, operations, doctors visits and stayed with me at my home and cared for me when I could not care for myself. Solar and his family is my family and I love them dearly and I expect my family, friends, and fans to respect that, regardless to anybody’s feelings on the matter. It is my wish that counts. This being said I am survived by the love of my life, my sun KC, who I trust will be looked after by Solar and his family as their own. Any awards or tributes should be accepted, organized approved by Solar on behalf myself and my son until he is of age to except on his own.”

The statement reads on, “I do not wish my ex-DJ to have anything to do with my name likeness, events tributes etc. connected in anyway to my situation including any use of my name or circumstance for any reason and I have instructed my lawyers to enforce this. I had nothing to do with him in life for over 7 years and want nothing to do with him in death. Solar has my life story and is well informed on my family situation, as well as the real reason for separating from my ex-DJ. As the sole founder of GangStarr, I am very proud of what GangStarr has meant to the music world and fans. I equally am proud of my Jazzmatazz series and as the father of Hip-Hop/Jazz. I am most proud of my leadership and pioneering efforts on Jazzmatazz 4 for reinvigorating the Hip-Hop/Jazz genre in a time when music quality has reached an all time low. Solar and I have toured in places that I have never been before with GangStarr or Jazzmatatazz and we gained a reputation for being the best on the planet at Hip-Hop/Jazz, as well as the biggest and most influential Hip-Hop/Jazz record with Jazzmatazz 4 of the decade to now. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time. And we as a team were not afraid to push the envelope. To me this is what true artists do! As men of honor we stood tall in the face of small mindedness, greed, and ignorance. As we fought for music and integrity at the cost of not earning millions and for this I will always be happy and proud, and would like to thank the million fans who have seen us perform over the years from all over the world. The work I have done with Solar represents a legacy far beyond its time and is my most creative and experimental to date. I hope that our music will receive the attention it deserves as it is some of the best work I have done and represents some of the best years of my life.”

Guru, born Keith Elam, rose to fame in the 80’s as the founder of the legendary rap group GangStarr. The group released the classic single Words I Manifest followed by their critically acclaimed debut album No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989) and the classic album Step In The Arena (1991). Guru was the first artist to truly blend Hip-Hop with Live Jazz beginning in 1993, and seeing the vast influences his Jazzmatazz concept has had on the industry, it is clear that Guru’s musical contributions have been way ahead of their time. Guru has worked with such great artists as Herbie Hancock, Isaac Hayes, Donald Byrd, Ramsey Lewis, Roy Ayers, Chaka Kahn, Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Bob James, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Common, Angie Stone, Jamiroquai, Macy Gray and Damien Marley, to name a few. Despite the fact that Guru isn’t hailing from New York, he is noted as a pioneer of the New York sound and true lyrical Hip-Hop. Guru later on joined forces with hit producer Solar and formed his label 7 Grand Records with the goal to keep “real” Hip-Hop alive.

Guru’s longtime partner, Solar, issues an official statement about the lost of the legendary MC which you can read below:

“The world has lost one of the best MCs and Hip-Hop icons of all time — my loyal best friend, partner, and brother, Guru! Guru has been battling cancer for well over a year and has lost his battle! This is a matter that Guru wanted private until he could beat it but tragically this did not happen. The cancer took him. Now the world has lost a great man and a true genius. For the fans that reached out with love and support, I can’t tell you how much that meant to Guru and myself. Guru prepared this letter [read above] while he was in the hospital for the fans. I hope now that Guru has moved on to a better place! Guru is a great Black American Hero and should always be remembered as such and he is much more that just a Hip-Hop icon — he has changed the world for the better. I salute my fallen brother Guru! He will be missed tremendously!” Solar stated.

Just Kidding, I actually think this is pretty awesome.

Soul Mate Records home to 360 and Pez and by have signed a licensing deal With EMI AUS. This is a pretty big step for Australian Hip Hop with local produce having been shunned by the majors for years. Sure there have been other signings but generally they weren’t let’s say “scene established”. A licensing deal generally means the record label gets a set fee in exchange for manufacturing, promoting and distribution. It can also mean if there’s a bucket load of album sale that they get a major chunk of the spin, if not all of it. It is no secret that Majors and even Independents have cottoned on to the increase in touring value as well. But it works both ways, will they have more festivals to play their festivals songs at? Will there music actually improve cause they can concentrate on it without worrying about how they are going to pay rent next week?
I think so and with 360’s new album Falling and Flying due later this year, it will be pretty interesting to see if that’s actually true.

You can check a couple of tracks from 360’s upcoming records here http://www.myspace.com/emcee360 – Oh Yeah, Licensing deals often differ greatly. So that’s just a general guide for those that aren’t aware. SoulMate could be something totally different. they might answer your questions here soulmaterecords.wordpress.com

Hau from Koolism and Triple J’s Hip Hop Show has done his own take on Brad Strut’s “Belive”. We posted that a few months ago. He obviously loves the track as much as us.

Also in the works from Hau is a solo mixtape due Feb 14 called ‘Love the Beast’ you will be able to download a copy from his site http://hauiebeast.blogspot.com. If that ain’t enough for you Koolism fans. check out ‘Hanz High’ which you can download here http://bit.ly/hanzhigh

Preview Mix: FORCE & SPARTS MYSPACE

Relative new comer to the scene Sparts joins G Force, following his successful debut release Clouded, to bring you a free offering of straight spitting madness to accompany your summer beverages.

Featuring guests Mol One, Haunts, Maundz and Thorts and a mix of exclusive beats from WIK, Blazin Marty and Xcise as well as some jacked favourites ensure it bangs from start to end.

Tracklisting:

Transactions
I Believe
Microphone Madness (Production: WIK)
Powerlines Ft: Maundz
Wage War
Run Ft: Thorts (Production: Xcise)
Straight To The Arm
Full Metal Box (Production: WIK)
Militant Boom Bap Ft: Haunts, Mol One (Production: Blazin Marty)
Deeds Not Words

JAN 15 – FREE

Heads are fiending for the New Optimen Crew release, due March 2010. In the mean time, Red Tape Entertainment has been kind enough to let us have a listen to a feature track called Fire Fighters. If you like what you hear you can show your support or hear more tracks at their myspace account below.

In the mean time have a listen to Fire Fighters

http://www.myspace.com/theoptimen

Some interesting pics from the 2009 Zulu Nation Anniversary gig. Pics are by Charlie Ahern. You should probably go to his website http://www.wildstylethemovie.com/ and buy some shit off him.

Click on the image to see more pics. You may need to login to Facebook to view.

Looking good Excel!

I put Fluents first release ‘Chapters of Substance’ into my CD player before writing this review on his new album ‘The Furnace’ to see what’s happened since then purely for my own knowledge. I am not one to compare and artist to their previous works; although I do think an artist should progress with each release, I try to hold each offering on its own. I couldn’t do that with ‘The Furnace’ purely based on how much the album is ahead of ‘Chapters’ in all areas.

Opening with the quick head smack ‘Spit Surgeon’ we see that Fluent has melted into his flow and style and that his confidence levels have boosted to a level that makes it evident through the mic to a point that you can really feel everything he is spitting. ‘Every Step’ takes us on a thoughtful, insightful and personal journey that brings us to the point that Fluent is at now, and he seems mighty comfortable there as displayed in ‘Lead Pipe Languages’. The heat doesn’t let up for a second as Fluent is joined by Maundz and Fatty Phew over a massive WIK beat on ‘Loco Motive’. Once again this builds further anticipation for a Maundz solo and shows us that Phew is still killin shit out G Town way, all three emcees destroy shit. Another triple threat guest spot comes on ‘Take Notice’ featuring Brad Strut and Ciecmate, who is on the production tip as well. Fluent steps up his whole rhyme structure and comes with a technical, metaphor filled verse that is arguably the best verse on the track.

Fluents progression is further shown over the next few tracks with ‘Short Stories’ and ‘Paper Chase Days’; highlighting his ability to paint a picture with words, and ‘The Furnace Cometh’ and ‘Endless Road’ showing us his skills to switch up flow and his huge presence over a smooth bassy Geko banger. The horns come thick on the Doc Felix produced ‘Authorized’ which gives Fluent a bit of swagger to his vocals that suit the track perfectly. Fluent has a good ear for beats that will suit him and has chosen wisely from a large array of varying producers including Discourse, Geko, WIK, K21, Ciecmate, Doc Felix and Must. That’s a fucken production line up. As spoken about earlier his guest emcees are suited perfectly, again shown on ‘4 Aces’ with Mata, Must and an insane verse from 1/6, Pang in the house. Nothing comes close to a crew cut though and Crate Cartel heads Raven and Geko join Fluent on ‘Capo Regime’ in a back and forth exchange that shows why the label has quickly earned a reputation for quality product. All emcees kill it, the interaction is great and the Geko banger has a layer of funk that makes this track one of the biggest highlights on the album. Finishing on ‘Bright Lights, Dark Shadows’; Fluent takes a look at both sides of Melbourne city in a lyric assault with an unforgiving flow, impressive.

‘The Furnace’ is a solid album from start to end for real hip hop lovers. At first listen some may find Fluents flow and delivery a bit intense but after a few listens the true style to it shines through and you hear his ability to focus on a variety of topics and emotions through his tracks. The guest spots are relevant and of high quality as is the production. There is no reason to not go out and purchase this album, good work.

Fluent Form Myspace