Off World Vehicle (Stream)

If you’re a regular visitor to the blog then you might have seen a video from Lunar C and Hashfinger make an appearance last month. The track was the first offering from their newly formed duo, Off World Vehicle, which comes off the back of years worth of sporadic collaborations. Those collaborations have proved to be some of Lunar’s strongest work to date, including their 2020 joint effort, Pink Lagoon. Off World Vehicle takes things a step further though and establishes them as a bona fide duo, with their titular debut EP seeing its release last week. Seven tracks in total, all forged in the best of what both artists have to offer in their respective areas of expertise. You can check out a YouTube playlist of the EP below, while streams are also available on the usual platforms.

Juga-Naut: Time & Place (Stream)

New music from arguably one of the most consistent and hard-working artists of his generation, as Juga-Naut returns with what is purported to be his magnum opus. Time & Place is a weighty collection of 20 songs, each one forged in the fiercely independent fire that Jugz has been stoking for years.
DIY artistry at its finest and deeply rooted in his hometown of Nottingham, as demonstrated by the album’s featurs, which include appearances from Cappo, Vandal Savage, Scorzayzee and Liam Bailey. Even the artwork is an original painting by local talent, Emily Catherine, resulting in a true celebration of the East Midlands cultural scene and its interlinked communities, as well as another flawless display of Juga-Naut’s all encompassing abilities in the studio.
Time & Place is available to stream below, as well as plenty of other streaming and physical options offered over on the usual platforms.

Sonnyjim & The Purist ft. MF DOOM & Jay Electronica: Barz Simpson

A fitting video for one of the more understandably anticipated tracks from Sonnyjim’s recent album with The Purist. Barz Simpson not only features a guest appearance from Jay Electronica, but also a verse from the much mourned legend, MF DOOM. You hear a lot of rappers labelling their upcoming videos as movies, but that’s exactly the energy that we’re dealing with here. ABOVEGROUND is a master of this approach and as usual he manages to pack a lot of visual punches into just under 4 minutes of film. No spoilers, see for yourself above. White Girl Wasted is out now via Daupe.

Renelle 893 & King Kashmere: Let Go

Next up is another one from High Focus’s newest signing, Renelle 893. The release of Let Go was accompanied with the news that Renelle’s HF debut is going to be produced in full by King Kashmere, which is very good news judging by their first couple of efforts. Once again it’s Honey JD on video duties. More news on the album soon.

Renelle 893: HF TV Exclusive Bars

There used to be a time when I’d know every artist that was announced as a new addition to a UKHH label, back when I had my finger well and truly on the pulse. Not so these days, as was proved yesterday when High Focus broke the news that Renelle 893 was joining their ranks. Happy to have caught the announcement though, as this rendition of his single, My Demons, served as a fine introduction to his skills and has definitely got me intrigued for what his label debut will bring to the scene. The production on the track comes courtesy of King Kashmere and the video was shot by Honey JD.

Layfullstop: Family Affair

Another welcome return to the blog, this time for Layfullstop with the release of her new joint, Family Affair. Family first is the message here and it’s delivered in Lay’s usual melodic way, backed up by some great production from the woman herself.

King Kashmere x Letherette : Snake Pie + EP Stream

New music from King Kashmere arrived last week, as he teamed up with production duo, Letherette, to create the diversely crafted sounds of TR3B. Snake Pie is their second single and provides us with a good insight into the direction that their collaborative partnership has taken. The video – also made by Letherette – is available to watch above and you can find the remainder of the EP below. Limited edition vinyl versions are also available via the High Focus Store.

Lunar C & Hashfinger: Dead Serious

The freshest of the fresh from Lunar C and Hashfinger, as they reignite one of the more reliable partnerships in UK hip hop to bring us Dead Serious. A proper live band feel to the production adds even more weight to Lunar’s bars, which remain some of the most entertaining out there. And with the formation of Off World Vehicle, this means we’ve got more to savour from them in the future. Good shit all round.

Verb T: Undivided

What better way to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Verb T’s acclaimed Morning Process LP, with a brand new track from the veteran artist. High Focus recently released an extended anniversary edition of the album, which features – among other gems – a freshly self-produced song called Undivided. There is also a sunflower laden video to accompany the song, courtesy of regular collaborator, Parallel Media. The new version of Morning Process is available now.

Dabbla x Illaman x GEAR x Benofficial: Main Man Syndrome

From UK to US as Potent Funk flex their collective talent on this latest single. Main Man Syndrome features spoken bullets from Dabbla, Illaman, GEAR and Benofficial, as well as some perfectly matched musical accompaniment from Forest DLG. It’s an illuminating collaboration and the video also gives you the opportunity to see Dabbla getting tattooed on a bus. Say no more.