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Words by DJ Prince—
New York’s DJ Prince recently caught our attention with Test My Sound, an upcoming, reggae-themed hip-hop album that taps into the underground rap selector/producer/MC’s West Indian roots. Read Prince’s reminiscence on one of his favorite hip-hop x reggae crossover joints, Bounty Killer’s “Hip-Hopera” (featuring The Fugees) below, and look out for Test My Sound, premiering on LargeUp soon.
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Words by LargeUp Crew—
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Words and Interview by Jesse Serwer, Photos by Fubz
Yesterday, we launched our new “Heds and Dreds” column by breaking down Smif-n-Wessun’s contributions to the cultural exchange between hip-hop and reggae, from “Sound Bwoy Bureill” to now. Today being the release date of Monumental, the don gorgons‘ long-awaited full-length album with Pete Rock, we’re going even deeper, chopping it up with Tek and Steele about their respective introductions to reggae, the unavoidable influence of Caribbean culture in Brooklyn, the mystery voice on the “Sound Bwoy” intro, and more. Yesterday we also premiered “This One,” a sequel of sorts to “Sound Bwoy Bureil” featuring Steele’s little bro Top Dog (of OGC and “Sound Bwoy Bureil” fame) and LU fam Jahdan Blakkamoore, but it’s so forward-worthy we had to run it again. Stream it below if you haven’t already copped Monumental, read on for the interview and if you’re in NYC, swing by the release party/photo exhibition at Tammany Hall on the Lower East Side.
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Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos by Fubz
For as long as I’ve been on the LargeUp team, we’ve discussed launching a column that would highlight Caribbean music’s influence on hip-hop. It’s a topic we’ve touched upon in various ways but which still remains an under-documented phenomenon, despite the huge role reggae played in the formation of hip-hop in the ’70s and in then again in its late ’80s and mid ’90s progressions. The name “Heds and Dreds” comes from a little-known album cut from Youngest In Charge, the classic debut album by Brooklyn-Jamaican MC Special Ed. It’s one of the greatest attempts at deejay chatting by an American MC but it has mostly been forgotten by history, a footnote on an overlooked and very underrated album.
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Words by Jason “J-Rockaz” Orford
The nickname Natty is usually assigned to a Rasta man, or a dude with dreads. Sometimes, the name is a substitute for brethren, or bredren. For example: “Yes Natty, pass me de fire.” So when we came across a young, UK artist with that moniker, wearing locks but mashing up the world and outdoor festival grounds with grassroots-y folk and Dave Matthews/Citizen Cope/Spearhead-type vibes, our curiosity was sparked. An inexperienced ear may mistake his music for reggae, or his voice as that of a son of Jamaica. But no, and no. Though he’s a raggamuffin and soul rebel at heart, Natty is one part Southern African, and one part Italian. Already a seasoned, polished recording artist who’s spread his positive messages about life to festival heads in all four corners of the globe, Natty appears well on his way to a great musical career. His 2008 debut album, Man Like I, was a testament to the power of the reggae-inspired rhythms that anchor much of his music. A sophomore album is scheduled for release on Atlantic in September, and plans for a tour with Ziggy Marley are also in the works. In the meantime, meet Natty.
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Posted by DJ Gravy
We at Largeup are pleased to present the exclusive stream to Jahdan’s new thunderous mixtape, “Global Warning”. Check back soon for the free download!
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