Defcee & Messiah Musik: Trapdoor (Stream)

Already way up in the upper echelons of 2021, Backwoodz Studioz continue their gold run with a couple more solid releases before the year is done. Defcee made his debut on the label, alongside the mighty Messiah Musik, as they joined forces to bring the world, Trapdoor. Showcasing both Defcee’s unfuckwitable writing levels and Messiah Musik’s equally indefatigable production output, Trapdoor burst into our lives and secured an AOTY placement in the process. The album is laden with top notch guests too, including features from PremRock, Alaska, Armand Hammer, Curly Castro and Henry Canyons. The album is out now and is very worthy of your concentration. You can test the waters below if you need any further convincing.

Googie & Henry Canyons: Hijinx (Stream)

Something of a surprise drop from Backwoodz Studioz today, as Henry Canyons and Googie join forces for to deliver Hijinx. I’ve got a proper review coming in The Wire next month so I won’t go into too much detail, suffice it to say it is 100% worthy of your time and attention. If you’ve heard their sporadic collabs in the past, then you’ll know they’re a good pairing, and with production contributions from regular co-conspirators, Matt Bowen and Fresh Kils, it all adds up to a very successful venture indeed. You can stream the album in full below, with downloads available via Bandcamp.

ShrapKnel: Shrapknel (Stream)

This month saw the release of the debut LP from ShrapKnel, aka the well-matched pairing of PremRock and Curly Castro. It follows on from their introductory EP, which was released last year to triumphant acclaim and helped build the intrigue for this album. Considering we’re dealing with two already established rappers here, this latest outing appears to have urged them to push their levels even higher, with each bar seemingly trying to outdo its predecessor. Sonically it’s a masterpiece as well, thanks to the involvement of not one, but two production talents, ELUCID and Willie Green. Further fortified by some impeccably chosen features, from Zilla Rocca, CASTLE, billy woods, GOOGIE and Henry Canyons, the album shot into the upper echelons of the 2020’s releases and will no doubt remain there until the year’s end. You can hear the album in its full glory below, with downloads and vinyl available on Bandcamp. As well as the album, you will also find their latest video for Fashion Week, featuring production from ELUCID.

Henry Canyons: Not Today

Henry Canyons recently unveiled the third video from last year’s exceptional Cool Side of the Pillow. As with the rest of the album, production on Not Today comes from Matt ‘Bones’ Bowen and the video was made by Ryan Calavano. Cool Side of the Pillow is available now on Backwoodz Studioz.

Zilla Rocca: Hard Boiled EP (Stream)

New noir hop heaters from Zilla Rocca, as he provides a little something to tide us over until his Future Former Rapper album drops. Hard Boiled is a seven track selection, all with that “snubnose pressed to the back feel to them”, as the man himself explained. Two features from Henry Canyons and Nex Millen, with production coming from The Expert, Messiah Musik, Newstalgia and Zilla. You can stream the EP below, with downloads available via Three Dollar Pistol Music.

Henry Canyons: Interview

Its been a few months since I dropped an interview on here, so I am pleased to be able to present a recent conversation I had with one of my favourite MCs, Henry Canyons. Having blessed us with two new projects this year – La Côte West and Cool Side of the Pillow – as well as touring North America and Europe with PremRock & Fresh Kils, the Backwoodz MC has already made 2018 his own. We spoke about making Cool Side, how much jazz has influenced his career and his recent artist’s residence in Biarritz, among other things.

Henry Canyons: Easy Come, Easy Go

Experimental flows on the latest video from Henry Canyons. Easy Come, Easy Go is the next track to be lifted from his Cool Side of the Pillow album and hears Canyons utilising his voice as more of an instrument, resulting in a track that’s a bit reminiscent of Chemical Calisthenics by Blackalicious. The track is produced by Matt ‘Bones’ Bowen. Cool Side of the Pillow is out now on Backwoodz Studioz.

Henry Canyons ft. Zoe Rose Palladino: Midnight Snack

A little loosie from Henry Canyons and gang, following on from the triumphant arrival of his recent Cool Side of the Pillow LP. Once again the track is produced by Matt “Bones” Bowen and once again it features the vocal stylings of Zoe Rose Palladino. Cool Side of the Pillow is out now on Backwoodz Studioz.

Henry Canyons: Goodnight Moon

One of my favourite songs, from one of my favourite albums of the recent era, has been given its own video. Goodnight Moon is lifted from the unapologetically good album that Henry canyons recently released called Cool Side of the Pillow. The track features some nice upbeat, bass-driven production from Matt ‘Bones’ Bowen, who is responsible for production throughout the album. The video was filmed while Canyons was on a solo trip to Japan and to my mind is the best use of a selfie stick to date. Cool Side of the Pillow is out now on Backwoodz Studioz.

Henry Canyons: Cool Side of the Pillow (Stream)

Henry Canyons follows up the sublime sounds of January’s, La Côte West, with a brand new full-length project which could be named after his whole demeanour. Cool Side of the Pillow was one of a few notable releases from Friday 13th, proving that it was definitely not bad luck to be a hip hop fan. While the previous project brought with it a multitude of different producers, Canyons has enlisted just one for Cool Side, in the form of Matt “Bones” Bowen.