Music Liberation Podcast- Fresh Kick Feeling Leak

I sent my boy Sid an exclusive MP3 from my forthcoming free download mixtape for him to drop in his April Podcast over at MusicLiberation.Blogspot.com. The song is called 'Fresh Kick Feeling' and it's a collaboration with my favourite rapper Pixel. It's an original production by Jack Nimble of course. We talked about developing it for the album in the summer but it never quite got out of the traps like that. I'm going to put it up as an MP3 next week but for now you're going to have check out MusicLiberation's April Podcast for the exclusive.

Direct Download link

Pixel is currently working on two mixtapes that will hopefully drop concurrently (at the same time) this summer, one is hosted and produced by Akira The Don, the other is hosted and produced by Jack Nimble. You can hear an exclusive from the Akira The Don tape on his latest podcast. I've heard a few tracks from these mixtapes already and they sound incredible. Just wait for 'Hood Lovely'. Just wait.

Ronaldo gets his Eddie Murphy/ Pastor Mase on...

I mean Ronaldo...the real Ronaldo! This is shocking on so many levels. I'm keeping my football content up...but at what cost? I ask you!

I'm sick

I'm sick. I feel like Tony Soprano when he's got a fever and he's all hallucinating. Am I actually writing this? Am I actually riding my horse that Ralphie killed in my kitchen right now? I am dizzy. I'm so dizzy that I just spelled "Dizzy" "Dizzee" word to Dizzee.

Next Level

I'm not even into football that much. I'm a Liverpool fan, probably because of old Johnny Barnes and my Jamaican blood but I don't follow it like some people I know. I watch Match of the Day when I can and I'll always try to catch Liverpool games. But this is a great advert and since Soccer AM used 'Superfriends' the other day I figured I should keep the football content on my site up. I want to go partying with Cesc Fabregas he seems like a good guy. I want to punch Ronaldo in the lips, but god damn do I like watching him play...when he's not playing Liverpool.

Mallet Sweeps

Damn BBK won't stop because they can't stop. Virals with Timmy Mallet? That's next level. This shit is funny as hell too.

Jeff Vader

Eddie Izzard is the funniest man alive. No question.

Superfriends on Soccer AM

That Fabregas touch was a bit special.

Wiley's Rolex hits

'Wearing My Rolex' touched down at Number 4 in the charts this week. Wiley's got his hit. It's a beautiful thing to see. Look at that, #3 Estelle, #4 Wiley, that's a great look.

Related: The best Wiley interview I've ever read with AHH.com spotted via Goldielocks' Blog.

Back In The Day: A Silent Movie

Full video coming very soon.

Will Smith is still the best!

Will Smith is a legend. Absolutely one of my all time heroes. I think you'd find he's a hero to most people of my generation. He's amazing. His new film 'Hancock' looks like a return to form (his last few films really haven't been for me). It actually looks like a good, fun, modern Hollywood movie...I know right? Check the trailer. It looks like a laugh.

Switch

I turned on BBC2 this afternoon and noticed an old friend of mine from my Adelphi Theatre days Jeff Leach with his own TV show. I've done a few gigs for Jeff in the last couple of years. Totally random. He's a good guy, very ambitious. I hear he's a pretty great DJ too. The show is called 'The Surgery' and it's part of BBC2's Switch thing they've got going on which I think is intended to be competition for T4.

Superskills

Ha! I don't have fancy things like Sky Sports, but I do know that 'Superhero' (I think the 2nd Superfriends Remix (Out Monday))(2 brackets) was played on Soccer AM this morning. That is excellent stuff. I just hope Liverpool were involved with the feature.

I Really Hated My Job

Somebody just told me about this new film 'I Really Hate My Job'. Why doesn't Hollywood call me when they really need me? I am actually on IMDB but I've only ever been in one film rather than the four they credit me with (I wish I was in 'Jive Chicken' though).

Michael Jackson

Man this should have been huge. 'Breath Of Fresh Attire' is still one of my top 5 all time albums.

Classic N.O.R.E mix

People say "Those were the days" but for real for real we're talking about Cipha Sounds mixing on Westwood, DMX, Jay-Z, Big Pun, The LOX, the last age of East Coast hardcore and everybody loved Nore. The late 90s were so innocent with retrospect. Man I bet Cam'ron, DMX and Nore wish they could go back...Big Pun too, but that's in bad taste.

Cipha Sounds just uploaded a classic Nore mixtape (TAPE) he made in '98 before Nore's first solo album.

Ya Heard! Vol. 1- Nore & Cipha Sounds (Side A)
Ya Heard! Vol. 1- Nore & Cipha Sounds (Side B)

Neville Staple flyer

Last blog of the day I swear. I'm supposed to be writing.

Dizzee Rascal (El-P Mega Mix)

Dizzee releasing 'Maths + English' through Def Jux in the US is a great look. He needs to hook up a Cage collaboration while he's over there.

Spotted Via HyperFrank (HyperFrank is the one for Grime).

Jammer keeps it British

Man that's really nice. I don't even know what else to say.

Spotted via Prancehall

Click Clack Video Stills

These are two stills from the 'Click Clack' video. Akira The Don Feat. Pixel "They aint old school they're just old fools". Can't wait for this to drop.

Never Trust Robots

I once did a series of reviews for Playlouder with Jack and discovered this record. Later that day we went to Akira The Don's to record something or other. I totally forget what it was. Actually I think it was a rehearsal, the day that Akira's Hip-Hop Connection cover-disc came out. We had to do interviews and stuff for STV4...I think that was the same day. I'm pretty sure we did the 'Back In The Day Remix' that day because I seem to remember Jack asking everybody in the TV crew to shout "SCRAMBLES" for one of his adlibs. I might by confusing two days but I don't think I am. Either way that is neither here nor there. After doing the reviews with Jeres at Playlouder we were allowed to keep all the C.Ds we reviewed. We took 'Never Trust Robots (We're In Business)' to Akira's, let him hear it and left the C.D in his studio. I never heard it again, until today, when I randomly thought about how great a record it was. Youtube comes to my aid and HURRAH it has a video. That Radar song '5th Columnist' was great too. I need to find that.

UPDATE: Found it. Radar - 5th Columnist

The real reason I changed my name

This clown's been running around soiling the good name of Marvin The Martian.

Paperazzi spot me in the lobby of my high rise...

...so I hide behind my shades because the fame is blinding my eyes.

I love the fact that 'Can't Tell Me Nothing' is playing in the background.

Superbad

I just saw 'Superbad' for the first time last night. It was hilarious. Michael Cera (above) from 'Arrested Development' is at Spinal Tap levels of improvised comedy genius. I need to see 'Juno' now.

Mickey Mouse gets his Budden on

I've never seen Mickey Mouse as dark as this.

Have you fathered different kids to different mothers?

Jack just brought this in, they're all over Brixton apparently.

"Have you fathered different kids to different mothers?"

"Do you wish you could be more involved?"

"Do you get bored and just move on?"

"Or maybe you're worried about missing out on seeing your kids grow up?"

"If any of these questions relate to you, Endemol is casting for a potential TV series."

"So whatever your story, if you've got different kids from different mothers we would love to hear from you"

"Please contact Bill.Mohin@EndemolUK.com or 02082224965"

I wonder if they're up in Kensington? Profile much?

More interview action

I was in interviews at the Universal engine room all day today with some serious "Underground Radio" DJs (word to Ma*rice). Shout outs to FX from SK Vibemakerz (Rinse), my boy Medicz (Hot 96), MP Marcus (Ice Cold) and Scandal (Get Down).

Interview in The Voice

I haven't read the issue. I saw a paper in the shop yesterday though with the headline "SPONGEBOB IS BLACK" not sure if that was The Voice or The Nation. Either way I need to buy that paper.

I also like Turtles

Zombie kids are insightful!

Be a Nigger Too

New Nas 'Be a Nigger Too' stolen from Nahright of course. I really like the verses but the sample sounds familiar and the chorus is poor. Still, if he's going to rap as well as that on the new album he might be worth listening to again.

Female First Interview

I did this interview a couple of weeks ago after recording something for Sun newspaper Podcast. I talk about the name of my album, the production on my album and some other stuff.

FemaleFirst.co.uk Interview

I am offended by this T-Shirt

This is me at Example's Nando's gig last week. Photo taken by Mark who is a G. Example has a load more photos on his MySpace.

Never doubted him for a second

Shouts to all my Welsh people. Shouts to GLC. F*ck the Hedlu and all that. Calzaghe's the king. YOU KAY! YOU KAY! YOU KAY!

Also...well done Audley Harrison. I know I take the piss out of you a lot and call you Audrey, plus you'll never be the Brixton bomber Danny Williams, but you got the win and I look forward to seeing what you bring in the next few months.

Supporting Akala at Islington Bar Academy

Me performing.Me performing again.Me performing extra.Synseer and his crew tore it down that night.Akala of course tore it down.Me pointing. There's a story behind this point. I will tell it at some point...point.Me playing Sudoku. A lot of people don't believe I get down with the Sudoku so serious. But trust me I do.Pix downs a cold frosty Carl...Vodka Red Bull.Me and Jack outside the Wagamama in Islington.Pixel letting you know that his orange jumper reigns supreme!

Great gig actually.

Superfriends

Annie Mac is playing one of the 'Superfriends EP' Remixes tonight. I think it's the Jammer and Skinnyman one. The EP is coming out April 28th.

Hater like Star and Buck

I'm thinking of renaming my blog. Something along the lines of "Marvin reads Guardian articles, BBC.co.uk news stories and watches Youtube" what do you think? If you didn't know me from Adam and came to this site you'd think that's all I do...it's not I promise you. I was at Example's Nando's gig last night, I will blog the night at some point. I'm so far off topic right now it's actually pretty impressive. I will pull the topic back in by saying "Cafe Nero" there we go. Back on topic. This is a pretty interesting article that appears to be about a guy who's on a promo tour playing at Cafe Neros throughout the country, but actually it's about a few of the new ideas being thrown around that will "Save the industry". It's interesting because as much as I would love to think people are going to run out to the shops and buy 'Devil In The Distance' just because I tell them it's great, that's pretty much not going to happen, especially when the Megaupload link is right in front of them. Which means that I am personally engaged with the plight of the industry as things stand. My career, my rent, my potential wealth, my potential happiness would appear to be intertwined with the state of record sales. This article is suggesting a corporate tie in of some kind, which I find to be a very dark concept. Jermain Dupri just launched a label with Def Jam and Tag which I'm told is a kind of body spray in America. Kriss Kross, Lil Bow Wow and Dem Franchize Boyz selling deodorant under the guise of credible music fills me with such dread in the pit of my very soul. What the article did get me thinking about though was the concept of the promo tour in 2008. We do live tours, I've supported Akala, Yes Boss, Goldie Lookin Chain, Lethal Bizzle, Skinnyman and Example now. But I always feel like there could be more gained from a tour of the UK. We talked about it around the 'Superhero' release, going around Student Unions and engaging the people I feel would take the most from my music, giving them something, having a good time and actually getting a feel for every city I touch down in. We're talking about setting something up at the moment along those lines and I'd love to do it. I think if everybody outside of the major label system is trying to be as flexible as possible with non-traditional promo and income then everybody inside the system (for however long they may be within it) needs to do the same. Not that a promo tour is revolutionary, far from it, but I think it's a basic tool that we seem to have ignored over the last few years. The people buy the records, the people buy the tickets, why are they ignored? I don't want to tour Cafe Neros though. Maybe a Nandos tour, or a Woolworths tour, me and Jackie Chan could work out some rap/ Hong Kong John Wu choreography would go down well in the gardening isle.

Contamination

Seems like Jay-Z at Glastonbury is the hot topic today. It's been a hot topic to me for a while now; I mentioned it in the last issue of Artrocker. I don't know if I'd go as far as to call the current anti-hip-hop feeling in the indie world "Racist" but it's definitely suspect. Jay-Z is one of the absolute elite artists of our age, he's the greatest rapper of all time and is easily one of the greatest solo performers that ever lived. I get that not everybody likes him, of course they don't, I personally winced at the thought of him headlining Glastonbury just because I remember G-Unit at Reading. But I absolutely considered pulling every string at my disposal to possibly get into Glastonbury for the first time in my life this year so that I could see Jay-Z. I will now turn my attention to his gig with Linkin Park at the O2 this summer because I don't want to be around the people who have said such things as "Glastonbury has been contaminated". I don't even want to analyse that statement with any depth, I don't think I'll be happy with what I come up with.

I hope Jay-Z headlines Glastonbury and I hope it goes down well, but I can't see a hip-hop headliner again the near future. Ultimately though, if it were Coldplay we'd be getting no complaint, Jay-Z is way more rock and roll than frigging Coldplay.

Guardian feature on the subject: Where's your guitar, Jay-Z?

Cipha Sounds- Bape Mix

Bape Mix April 2008

I need that 'Terriyaki Boys' instrumental.

Best sofa ever

Weird Flexible Sofa


Spotted on my boy Pro Green's blog

Not enough people sat on it for me to fully co-sign it, conceptually it's incredible though.

Is he dead?

Wu Tang skits in an office environment is definitely funny. The first clip is above and the latest is below. I think the 'Killer Tape' skit is funnier to be honest. Raekwon's methods of torture are kinda lame compared to Method Man's. Always thought so too.

Example Stand-up

I knew he was a funny guy but I did not know he had this in him. If I saw this on TV and didn't know who he was I would probably call myself a fan.

Big fat garlic bread in your face

Tego just sent me this. He's been saying it all day. Classic Hollyoaks moment.

Star in your own Sensual Seduction video

This is funny as hell. This computer wasn't working well enough to share my video and I used a pretty crap photo so I'll make another.

What a Lunt

I've said it once and I'll say it again. GOD BLESS BBC.CO.UK

Residents living in a graffiti-plagued village in Merseyside are being asked to consider changing its name to tackle vandals who alter signs in the village.

Lunt, which dates back to Medieval times, has been repeatedly targeted by vandals who change the "L" to a "C".

However, the proposal to change the name has split the village with some residents insisting the vandals should not be allowed to ruin their heritage.

One suggestion is to change it to Launt which would be pronounced the same.

However, despite the dismay that the vandalism causes, some villagers are defiant at the thought of giving in to the vandals.

Standing firm

Parish councillor Steward Dobson, 84, said: "This village is very, very old and people don't want the name changed.

Village sign
The idea would be to change the village's name to "Launt"

"The vandalism has been done for years, it's not children who are doing it."

David Roughley, whose family has farmed in Lunt since 1851, added: "At the end of the day we live in Lunt and we don't want to change because of a few yobs.

"It is the vandals who should change, not the village."

According to the local website, the area was first documented in 1251 in the Chartulary of Cockersand Abbey where it was referred to as 'de Lund'.

Return of the Marv (Pump Up The World)

I promised you an exclusive.

Download here

Special day

Neville Staple: "A couple of months ago we [all] started talking," he said. "We had to talk first to see if we could get on, but we got past the talking stage. Then we said, 'Okay, let’s see what we're like in a room together rehearsing with instruments'."

The genius band behind what could easily be the greatest single of all time are reforming. I am actually doing a couple of dates with Neville Staple in May, I'm going to take a camera and get some Devil In The Distance exclusive content. This is seriously awesome news.



Oh man this record is incredible.

Gangster Granny

Story of the day. Clearly.

God bless the BBC website.

Superhero is finally here and it's finally £1.99

£1.99 who is offering you deals like that? That's not a standard price for 6 songs. 6 quality songs too. Just yesterday you were paying at least £3.95 for all that. £1.99 you really can't lose.

1. Superhero
2. Wait
3. Superhero (Nimble Mix)
4. Superhero (Indie Synth Mix)
5. Superhero (Why Lout? Remix)
6. Superhero (Dub Mix)

Get on iTunes and make it happen party people!

CLICK AND BUY WOO

And This Is For

I've only ever really listened to one Murs album but I have to say it's pretty incredible. It's weird because I wouldn't call myself a "9th Wonder fan" but I love '3:16', I love the last Masta Ace album and despite the R. Kelly sample; seriously love 'Threat' from 'Black Album'. Maybe I am a 9th Wonder fan. Anyway, Murs and 9th collaborated again on an album 'Murray's Revenge' which I haven't heard. The reason for this post was to draw attention to the video of course, which is a pretty solid live rap performance (we take our wins where we can) but also to draw reference to this song, which is the best song on that said '3:16' album check the lyrics, I swear the first few times I heard the song I was angry at Murs, I didn't get it, the more I listened though the more the third verse meant. I've known so many rappers who cared so much about who was listening to their music, I never have, I've always felt blessed that somebody should know one of my songs or buy my single or whatever. I totally relate to this record though.

Rated 'n' Slated

I did the 'Rated 'n' Slated' section of Artrocker this month. I also have an interview feature in there.

[Click image to read]

Girls Aloud > Rappers

I just stole this from the New Look AkiraTheDon.com. How are Girls Aloud the first people to go at the indie bands? I'm ashamed of rappers today. I'm ashamed of myself.

I can't escape Youtube. Is it the greatest thing ever or am I a lazy blogger?

I'm going to stop blogging now. I have work to do. Good lord when you hear this. I'm thinking about giving an exclusive from my new mixtape tomorrow but I'm not sure whether it should be an MP3 or a stream on Youtube. Decisions.

What the fox?

This is the video for Wiley's new single 'Wearing My Rolex'. It's getting a lot of internet hate already. Wiley will always get internet hate, I don't get it, 'Wearing My Rolex' is clearly going to be the biggest song of the summer and like Jack was saying the other day "Whatever you say about Wiley, the guy is an innovator. Wherever he goes, others follow". It's like the grime/ garage kids expect something so specific with Wiley, not with Jammer, Dizzee, Lethal or anybody else but Wiley is their guide and if it's not exactly what they had in mind then Wiley's let them down some how. He didn't help matters by (allegedly) refusing to be in the video (not because he's scared of foxes, or tigers, or lions...fam) and he won't help the case by inevitably responding to the silly comments on the RWD forum. I really think people should give Wiley a break. I personally like the video, I'd like to think it's inspired by The Mighty Boosh's crack fox.


Not sure about "The Dance" though...