Skuff: Mood Swing

Skuff emerges from the shadows once again, with another Dirty Dike produced loosie in the form of Mood Swing. It’s been six years since we last had a full-length project from the UK veteran and with only two singles in the last year, it’s hard to say if this is building up to something more, but I hope it is because his pen game definitely hasn’t faltered over the years. Mood Swing is out now on Melonskin Records.

Eva Lazarus: The Party is Over

Eva Lazarus continues to ride the much deserved success of her acclaimed solo effort with the release of a new video. The Party is Over is produced by Dirty Dike and features a suitably slick video from Turbo Shrimp. The song is just one of the jewels to be found on Brandy Kisses, which was released last year on Melonskin Records.

Robert: Porridge (Stream)

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A strong introduction here from Robert, with the arrival of his debut release, Porridge. The title track offers up an honest insight into prison life and the emotions that come with it, while Rag’N’Bone Man’s vocal support lends the track an even more impassioned edge. The remix is fortified even further thanks to features from Dirty Dike and Skinnyman. Then on the B-side we have Kelly Had a Seizure, which brings in the otherworldly presence of Kool Keith. Both tracks are produced by Sonnyjim and The Purist. Not bad for a debut. The blurb mentions an album too, Orange is the New Black, so I’m intrigued to hear what that has in store. You can hear the full set of tracks below, with physicals and downloads available via Bandcamp.

Mr Key: Kids Story 2 (Live Session)

I forgot to post this when it dropped a couple of weeks ago, but always better late than never. You might remember that Mr Key released a follow-up to Kids Story not long ago, featuring joint production from Dike and Chemo. Well now the Contact Play MC has returned with a live version, performed from his base camp in Granada, Spain. As you will see in the footage, Key is ably assisted by Katryna Abel on keys and backing vocals, and Eliot Rivv on guitar. Mr Key and Greenwood Sharps’ latest project is out now on High Focus.

Mr Key x Dirty Dike x Chemo: Kids Story 2

A stunning collaboration here from the High Focus camp, as Mr Key emerges from the shadows to deliver this new loosie. For Kids Story 2, the Contact Play MC has connected with two familiar production talents, Dirty Dike and Chemo, who co-produced the track together. That production is fortified by some beautiful violin playing from Julianna Napier, adding further weight to Key’s all-too familiar tale of a kid who begins experimenting with drugs, before things take a darker turn. The track is follow-up to Key’s 2015 song with Greenwood Sharps. You can download and stream Kids Story 2 from the usual spots.

Jam Baxter: Off Piste (Stream)

Surprise new EP from Jam Baxter, as he continues to celebrate the success of his recent publishing debut. Off Piste features four tracks from the Contact Play MC, on which he is joined by Lee Scott and Datkid. Production comes courtesy of Dirty Dike, Chemo X Last Japan, Zygote and Lenkemz. The EP is ready to stream in full below and downloads are available from Bandcamp.

CMPND: Hindenburg ft. HERBiCiDE, Dirty Dike, Fliptrix, NuphZed & Stinkin Slumrok + LP Stream

Major posse cut vibes from the CMPND camp, as they bless us with the latest video from their debut LP. Hindenburg sees the Brighton trio teaming up with some notable characters from the scene, as HERBiCiDE, Dike, Fliptrix, NuphZed and Stinkin Slumrok all jump on board another filthy beat from Wundrop.

Lee Scott x Jam Baxter: Who’s Ur M8 + LP Stream

Brand new video from Lee Scott and Jam Baxter, as they kick of the official release of their album, Happy Hour At The Super Fun Time Party Dome Megamix 4000. When Lee first sent me the LP a few months ago, he did so with the warning that it was weird. I like weird, was my reply. And while it might not be your run of the mill rap album, it definitely remains on the right side of weird, complete with drunk style crooning from Lee. It features production from loads of great names, including Sumgii, Drae Da Skimask, GhostTown, Dirty Dike and Jack Jetson, plus there are guest spots from the likes of Jetson, Stinkin Slumrok, Milkavelli, Trellion and Lyza Jane. The whole thing can be heard below and you can see the video for the Dike produced, Who’s Ur M8, above. It was made by Slim Parisoo. Vinyl copies of the album are available over at the Blah store.

Ronnie Bosh: Get Out + Album Stream

It’s a good day for hip hop, as Ronnie Bosh’s debut solo LP is finally released. Having been a major contributor to the scene for a long time, thanks to his Contact Play affiliation and the numerous features it spawned, Bosh has built up a solid fanbase who have all been crying out for a full-length project. All People Expect is the perfect answer to those cries, with Bosh’s baritone flows perfectly lacing Dike’s production; the result of years of collaborations between the two of them, including on the Dike-produced My Business by Rag’N’Bone Man.

Ronnie Bosh: You Know

Another surprise drop from SMB favourite, Ronnie Bosh, as he returns with a newly crafted banger in the form of You Know. Once again it’s Dirty Dike on the beat and the video was made by This & That Media. No release date for the album yet, but I’m sure it can’t be too far off.