Style 43

Following in the tradition of the huge Soundcrash Spectacular with DJ Krush, we’re bringing you arguably the UK’s best MC Roots Manuva with long time collaborator DJ MK in one almighty apocalypse of a show. Not only will it literally cause the world to end, but there’ll be support in the Shape of Broad Minds, a Coldcut DJ set, 10 piece hip-hop-rock-ska-bastards Imperial Leisure kicking it live, Scottish Hip-hoppers Underling and the impossibly talented and prolific Infinite Livez. Now, that is one hell of a line-up.

Roots Manuva needs no introduction. From the moment he dropped “Brand New Second Hand” all those moons ago we all knew we had something a bit special on our hands. Roots Manuva makes hiphop like no-one else, even to the extent where some wonder if it is strictly hiphop. FOOLS. Anyway, the last 10 years or so have seen him release a string of albums that have only served to cement his place as arguably the best and most popular MC in Britain, which is why Hip Hop Connection readers voted “Witness” the best UK hip hop single of all time (ever since the beginning of the universe) not bad given that hip-hop itself is only 30 odd years old.

The Shape of Broad Minds are a pan-American hip-hop supergroup that are like the opposite of Lucy Pearl – Good. The brainchild of Hendrix-esque musical adventurer Jneiro Jarel, SMB is a scenic road trip to the outer boarders of hip-hop territory and beyond. The voyage brings to mind the travels of fellow pioneers Tribe Called Quest, Herbie Hancock, Madlib, De La Soul and the late great J Dilla whilst still offering heads something they’ve never heard before. It’s a multi-talented, multi-faceted live experience with multi-instrumentalism, psychadelic song and rap, underpinned with a strong southern flavour. Kinda like fried chicken. God it’s good.
www.myspace.com/shapeofbroadminds — www.lexrecords.com

After a series of Guerilla gigs around London, Imperial Leisure are creating quite a stir in the capital. Having even had a mention on London tonight (yeah, the news!) and rocking the Vibe Bar at last year’s Brick Lane festival things are finally looking up for these hard-working talented gentlemen, come and see what all the fuss is about!

Roots Manuva with DJ MK
Shape Of Broad Minds
live at Koko Saturday 12 April 2008
Plus:
COLDCUT (dj set)
Imperial Leisure, live
Underling, live
Infinite Livez, live
more TBA

…and check out this lot while you’re at it.

Coldcut
www.coldcut.net

Infinite Livez
www.bigdada.com/artist.php?id=99

Imperial Leisure
www.imperial-leisure.co.uk

Underling
www.myspace.com/theunderling