UKHH.COM : Ethan Everton picks out his ten UK Hip Hop producers to watch for in 2015.
Since this site was started back in 1999, we’ve enjoyed watching our homegrown talent grow from strength to strength. We firmly believe that 2015 shall prove to be one of the most significant chapters of UK Hip Hop history so far. Last year saw the release of some of the most exemplary Hip Hop products to ever be released from our shores, and all over the world people are starting to take notice of the heads who have been consistently laying it down for the scene.
So far we’ve been hit with Boom Bap Festival’s all-star line-up, bringing the likes of Earl Sweatshirt and Ratking overseas to represent; we’ve seen The Four Owls make history by topping the iTunes Hip Hop chart; we thought we’d play our part and pay homage to ten producers out there to watch for in 2015, who are currently representing UK Hip Hop to the fullest extent.
Sumgii
Any heads unfamiliar with Sumgii’s exploits over 2014 must have been buried in sand. Residing in North West London, Sumgii’s career stemmed from the Piff Gang and LDZ collectives, where he established a foothold in the scene with unique glitch-driven, boom-bap influenced productions. Last year his notoriety excelled, when the Hip Hop community witnessed two highly acclaimed debut projects alongside the veteran Problem Child gang and the eerie Cult Mountain collective, on top of collaborations with the likes of Inja, Jman and more. Despite his apparant unpredictability, one thing that’s remained persistent through his short career is his unparalleled ability to bring something truly authentic to the pallet, and 2015 looks to be his busiest year yet:
I’ve produced a large percentage of Don silk aka MILKAVELLI solo LP. Production for Phaze What solo LP. New Cult Mountain (Trellion, Lee Scott, Milkavelli, Sumgii) material. Working on new project with Onoe Caponoe. SUMGii solo EP coming out on Par-excellence records. Problem Child EP followed by UK / Europe tour. Various productions for Black Josh, Dream McLean (MTA records), itsnate, Piff Gang, Dabbla, Trellion and more. Busy busy.
Jack Danz
Jack Danz/D.Boogie Defenders of styledefenders of style LP, and my solo LP ‘Ouija Slang’. Both dropping 2015!
Leaf Dog
I got the new Four Owls album, an album with Young Zee from the Outsidaz and my new solo album coming this year! Also some big collaborations from overseas!
Reklews
I’ve got tracks coming with Bang On, Lunar C, Black Josh, Tommy Dockerz, Jman, Res, Sleaze & Sonnyjim, Cheech & Dubbul O and loads other heads who hopefully wont be offended I forgot them…
Pro P
In 2015 I’ll be producing a new Bluntskins album which I’m working on now. I’ve produced most of Irish Mc “Danny Diatribes” new album “Elevation Illustrations” out soon on Room2 Records. I’m also producing a full project for NSR (Spider Jaroo, Amos & Evileyz). Me and Cheech from the Bluntskins are gonna work on another solo project, me and Dubbul O are looking to do a another project after we dropped “Omega” last year.
I’m part of the Room2 Collective so I’ll be producing tracks on a lot of the Room2 Releases, too many mc’s to list on there! I just produced the majority of Liverpool group “Beyond Averages” new album that dropped two weeks ago, and we’re looking to do more work together in 2015. I got tracks I produced for Kingpin who was part of Caxton Press dropping this year on his new album, Dotz has got beats off me he’s working on, plus I’ll drop a good few beat tapes as well.
Bad Habitz
Well, I have an album coming around Feb time with Life MC, the first album he’s done without Nappa on the boards! Which feels an honour. I’m helping Res and Flying Monk put together solo projects, working towards a Split Prophets album which will be the full crew produced by myself and Blanka. I have a Krate Krusaders project called self assembled messiah which I’ve been sat on for a couple of years now. I’m hoping it will see light in 2015!
I’ve been sending Dotz beats for his next album but can’t confirm if any of my tracks have made it. I’ve also started another remix project which again I hope will be out this year too.
We have a few euro shows lined up for 2015 with my Split Prophets gang and hopefully a little tour in the spring, we’re also in talks trying to negotiate a tour in Australia but it’s early days yet so we’ll see.
2late
Got shit comin a project with Bisk, a project with Lee Scott and Black Josh. New Cracker Jon album. That’s only so far, more shit to come as well…
Illinformed
I got my producer album coming soon ‘The Mould Tape’ featuring a bunch of heads. I’m also working on an album with Verb T, we got a lot of dope stuff down for that, also me Leaf and BVA are making the new Brothers Of The Stone and we are making an album with Young Zee from the Outsiderz, and I’m working on solo albums with Eric The Red and Sean Peng. They got a project together called ‘Creatures Of Habit’. Also I got a project with SonnyJim and another one with Fliptrix in the works, then there’s some tracks for the Apathay and OC album, and a few tracks with Ruste Juxx that should be out this year.
Sam Zircon
I’ve got an album with Stinkin Slumrok, album with Black Josh and Lee Scott, and me Bisk and Stinkin are working on suttin suttin! Just making music with ill emcees.
Telemachus / Chemo
Coming through in 2015: Hints of Nigerian High Life, Persian breakdancing, infusions of Portishead, beautiful melodies and a potent broth of medieval grime and accordion solo.
Article By Ethan Everton