Ahead of their double album showcase at Brixton Jamm, we caught up with Phoenix Da Icefire & Ramson Badbonez who dropped some heat over one of Ramson’s own instrumentals. For full event details, tickets etc CLICK HERE.
Monster of a collaboration in the latest Sam Krats tune ‘Culture’ Featuring Craig G of Juice Crew, Mysdiggi, Ramson Badbonez, Gee Bag, Phoenix Da Icefire & Jazz T. Out now on Revorg Recorgs
Available on 12″ with a Beatminerz Remix here
Latest we’ve dropped for versatile veteran Ramson Badbonez is a quick masterclass in conceptual lyricism. A 4 minute journey touching all corners of society seen through the barrel of a gun. ‘Gun Talk’ is lifted from the excellent Love Music EP, entirely produced by Konasir Beats.
We linked Ramson Badbonez and shot a quick video for ‘Raw Lines’ – lifted off his recent collaborative EP ‘Love Music’ with producer Konasir Beats. Out now on Louis Den Music here.
On “Love Music” Ramson Badbonez and Konasir Beats execute the tried and tested one MC one producer combo. On the visual for the title track Badbonez explores his musical DNA and invites the listener into his expansive roster of black artists that have influenced him growing up. Konasir Beats provides the smooth chill backdrop of pianos and chopped vocals to give Ramson everything he needs to execute his roll call of various icons across Soul, Blues, R&B, Funk and Rock and Roll. The Blues is where it started from and they’re letting you all know!
Love Music is out now and available here. Check out our review of Love Music here
Words by Kosyne
London rap staple and High Focus mainstay Ramson Badbonez releases his latest EP ‘Love Music’ on LOUIS DEN, a label that originally started as a producer collective and networking community, with close connections to the Birmingham based EAT GOOD Records. This 6 track release is entirely produced by Konasir Beats, an individual with more than 30 years of industry experience, working with the likes of Bury Crew, MCD and Task Force among others. The EP follows up on the success of the Death Mask album but is entirely a one-rapper-one-producer collaboration, crossing a wide array of sounds on what is a fairly musical affair. In recent years it can be argued that perceptions of the rapper have changed to that of a far more conscious one, whereby people have been treated to well developed song writing, covering topics like after-life mysteries, the energy crisis and lasting effects of colonialism, this EP is no different and broaches more of these topical subjects. It’s clear that we will like the new release.. but did we love it?
The EP opens with ‘Raw Lines’, a Ghost ‘n Goblins-esque sample runs across the top of trappy electronic beats with some solid bravadic word play from Ramson, a strong start. ‘Mr White’ is a well written concept piece, where he explores the parasitic nature of racism through the lens of a medical professional. The lyrics are placed on top of warm keys and echoing samples, a great example of story telling and well polished production. The titular ‘Love Music’ is a tribute to all of the black musicians that have inspired and shaped his journey over the past few decades, it’s an energetic soul filled ride with a great hook, definitely one for the reload. ‘Gun Talk’ changes the pace with uptempo snappy drums, mysterious pipes, electric guitar and some fantastic live saxophone performed by Tim Clark, effortlessly delivered street tales and punch line rap, great stuff and a reminder of the harder sound Ramson is known for, another stand-out on the release.
‘Real Eyes Realise Real Lies’ (try saying that three times!) features the vocal talents of Nesha, her delicate velvet tones contrast with Ramson’s raspy execution and make for a harminous, rhythmic entry on the EP. The concluding track, ‘No Antenna’ jumps through the headphones, simply because of the way the words are assembled over dream like sequences and heavy drone drums, word play is inventive with a smooth hook, sure to be a fan favourite. Ramson rapidly dispatches lyrics, double time bars and hooks over some interesting beat choices, it’s a refreshing selection of songs and a great showcase of Ramson’s range, which will no doubt keep most enthralled.
” .. There’s a massive reliance on technological science, while they’re confined and in complaince for some tyrants, while these human beings do it to each other for a nuclear summer all they do is pollute their mother.. “
“.. No antennas or extra limbs, seraphims that travel on interstella winds, in the mix of studying different specimens, or shifting elements of earth, fire, wind, water…..as long as this sun is lit, up there is discoveries from the mother ship, must of been another being full functioning, falling from other beams of red, orange, green aura.. “
This is recommended for anyone looking for inventive story telling over a wide spectrum of sounds, delivered like a flurry of punches from an unbridled Ramson on top form.
‘Love Music’ is out now on all digital channels, CD and limited edition vinyl, there are also some apparel combos available, grab yours now!
Did you like the EP, what else are you listening to? Tweet me your thoughts.
Words by Theo Specone
New visual for ‘Mr White’ lifted from the Ramson Badbonez EP ‘Love Music’ produced entirely by Konasir Beats. The EP is out now and available via Louis Den on CD, Vinyl and digitally
History is written by the victors, they say. But in truth, history is written by everyone – you just have to know where to look. For Ramson Badbonez, exploring that history starts with picking up a mic and donning a Death Mask.
Making waves from a young age, Badbonez has been at the core of UK Hip Hop since he dropped The Official Mixtape Volume 1. Fresh off the back of his Jason Bonez and Mic Day The 13th releases, the Islington emcee takes a more introspective approach on Death Mask, pondering everything from eastern mysticism to colonialism to the artificiality of contemporary society. Of course, you could write it off as faux-spiritual soul-searching, but Badbonez has always been more self-aware than that.
‘Eternal’ tracks a journey through black history like a contemporary Langston Hughes. Closing track ‘The Wrath’ bristles with barely contained anger. On the industrialised brutality of the slave trade, Badbonez snarls: “Take our lineage away / Put religion in its place / In movies that they make / Always aiming to downplay / The facts but Django was only foreplay / Of the way a slave was conditioned with their self-hate.”
Of course, it’s not all grandiose introspection. There’s room on Death Mask for some lighter topics. ‘Signs & Symbols’ delves into the evolution of language, and why modern communication often falls short, with real wit. ‘Skywalker’, meanwhile, takes you on a cosmic journey through a hazy universe of bubble hash, sticky kush and cannabutter, shot through with that signature Badbonez swagger.
With Mark Fear’s steady hand on the mixing desk, every track gets its time to shine. Numbers like ‘Jewels & Gems’ slap hard as an instrumental alone. It says a lot about the connection between Badbonez and Fear; not many people could spit over that wobbly dubstep bassline, grime-tinged panpipe sample and eerie theremin screech.
Death Mask is not an attempt to rewrite history, but an attempt to understand a very personal history. In anyone else’s hands, there would be plenty of room for error, but Ramson Badbonez is too dexterous for that. In Death Mask, the rapper looks backwards to understand his place in the world today – and further carves out his own legacy in the process.
Death Mask is out now on High Focus records.
Latest video from Ramson Badbonez dropped yesterday to coincide with the release of new album Mic Day The 13th. (Check out our review here.)The Illinformed produced ‘Weirdos’ is a symptom of the kind of illness you can expect from the LP.
The wonderful month of January has rolled around (and pretty much come and gone again). With the start of yet another year, and everyone back to work, enduring mundane Mondays and living for the weekend, is officially here again. Worry not people, there is a beacon of hope, peaking its sadistic way straight to the foreground. Failed new year resolutions are a thing of the past, Ramson Badbonez new album is for the future. The cob webs are well and truly blown away!
The haunted house has been reopened. The hockey mask picked up, dusted down and Badbonez isn’t here to play games. Mic Day the 13th drops on 31st January through High Focus records. The horror infused Hydra has got the world in his sights and a meat cleaver of punch lines in hand. So strap in, and prepare yourself for another trip through a possessed lyrical masterclass.
The resurrection of Jason Bonez has come less than a year since the self titled ‘Jason Bonez’ dropped in May ’18. From that point, I believe it’s safe to say we were intrigued by the idea and wondered how far Ramson could take the character. The next episode in the story for Bonez has seen the formula dissected and improved from the bottom up. The concoction keeps your head bouncing, whilst still keeping the mounting fear that Jason Bonez, might just be around the corner (remember to lock your doors).
We knew the lyrical theme would be similar; understandable with it being a continuation from a previous concept album. The big reputation of being a slick wordsmith has grown since his debut 8 years ago and furthermore solidified by MD13th. After the instrumental intro track of ‘Jason’s Journal’. A marauding escapade of witty punch lines and gritty beats begin.
An improvement on the previous record in every aspect. A tighter selection of beats, show the maturity level has significantly increased. MD13th beats are courtesy of top producers, with Illinformed, Jazz T, Skeleton Key & Mark Fear Beats creating a perfect platform for Bonez to massacre each track.
Bonez welcomes all brave enough back, attacking the first track ‘Haunted House’. High intensity from the start, although, very clear the MC is casually easing you into the onslaught that takes place over the rest of record. Tracks 3-6 showcase this and should be considered the show pieces of the album. The chilling beats, the cruel word play. All unbelievably on point. The first released single, named ‘Sticks & Stones’ hits with the chorus “Sticks and stones may break your bones, but every word from my journal will certainly murk you.” Well Bonez… they definitely do.
Each track possesses something unique for the album without altering the foundations. From the manic machine gun assault on ‘Weirdos’, to the twisted stuttering flow on ‘Stuttering Psychopath’. To throw a track down with a flow centred around stuttering, and still kill it, is no easy task. Confidence in his ability is soaring with an individual take on story telling. ‘Halloween Rap Regime’ smacks you in the chops next. “Cut veins, make a blood stain, of hombres on stage for the chump change, fuck fame”. ‘Bonez disregards anyone who would try to come at him.
For every music artist, they will always want an album to be a continuation and improvement on their skills. MD13th does this 12-fold. Extremely tight production throughout laying a perfect canvas for Bonez to display his creativity. More accessible than his previous album; another sinister effort from Bonez.
Pre Order Mic Day the 13th Now: Digital | Limited Edition Vinyl, Tape or CD