New Logo

I've had a bit of a creative attack this afternoon and redesigned the ABU! logo.


Big, big shout to FUZE as those are his own Shelltoes you can see.
And no, those aren't my slippers. They're the wrong colour for a start ;0)

New Mike Allen Rips

I've added 3 Mike rips which can be found here. Scroll down to the bottom of the list to find the latest.
Thanks to Dutch and Ramses.

My Side-Project Website

To the many fans of Ageing B-Boys Unite! This is a gentle, metaphorical poke in the ribs for you to visit my new website over at www.sonicity.co.uk

Sonicity is my recording name and this is where you'll find a bunch of my songs. From b-boy beats to audio soundscapes and much more in between.

Don't worry, the blog is far from over. I am busy with college work at present and by the beginning of summer I shall be back with a vengeance. Until then my input will be rather lame in comparison to the strength of previous months.
Fear not though, as if you want to drop me a line with suggestions, gifts, cash or just a big old rant then email me: benhammy@yahoo.co.uk.

But have a look at the website, too. Any feedback would be welcome. www.sonicity.co.uk

Ice T - Original Gangster Video

Who remembers that old Ice T VHS, 'Original Gangster'. The one where he made a video for just about every song on the album?!
Well here it is.

Ice T - O.G.The Original

Gangster.Video.1991.VHSRip.XviD-iDt

SOURCE..: VHS
VIDEO...: XviD 640x480
AUDIO...: mp3 224kbps CBR
DURATION: 01:16:31
LABEL...: Warner Reprise Video
URL.....: http://www.tower.com/o-g-original-gangster-video-ice-t-vhs/wapi/107464849

TRACKLIST:
---------------------

01. Home Of The Bodybag
02. First Impression
03. Ziplock
04. Mic Contract
05. Mind Over Matter
06. New Jack Hustler
07. Ed
08. Bitches 2
09. Straight Up Nigga
10. O.G. Original Gangster
11. The House
12. Evil E - What About Sex.?
13. Fly By
14. Midnight
15. Fried Chicken
16. Lifestyles Of The Rich And Infamous
17. Body Count
18. Prepared To Die
19. Escape From The Killing Fields
20. Street Killer
21. Pulse Of The Rhyme
22. The Tower
23. Ya Shoulda Killed Me Last Year
24. M.V.P.s

here are the links:
________

http://rapidshare.com/files/176478334/IceTOGt.part1.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176485537/IceTOGt.part2.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176492238/IceTOGt.part3.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176499748/IceTOGt.part4.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176506036/IceTOGt.part5.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176511502/IceTOGt.part6.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/176513205/IceTOGt.part7.rar

Big shout to Guy who supplied this info.

How To Scratch With Jazzy Jay & Afrika Bambaataa

Check this out. This is a rare piece of footage from some 1980's kids show where Jazzy Jay & Afrika Bambaataa show the audience what scratching is all about.
Hmmmmm, and doesn't that bloke in the audience who asks a question about 'Cookie Puss' look familiar?

Chilly B from Newcleus RIP / Guru from Gang Starr in coma

From Cozmo-D's Facebook..

"Newcleus co-founder, writer, rapper, singer, keyboardist and bass player Chilly B passed away yesterday due to complications from a massive stroke that he suffered days ago. The stroke had left him brain dead and in a coma. Today the decision was made to remove him from life support and he passed on not long after. RIP Chilly B, I'm gonna miss you man... -B"

And this news just breaking. Legendary rapper Guru, best known as a member of the rap duo Gangstarr, reportedly suffered a heart attack over the weekend and is currently in critical condition.

According to HipHopWired.com, the 43-year-old rapper (real name Keith Elam) went into cardiac arrest sometime this weekend, and has since slipped into a coma.

 Bad times.

Paul Hardcastle - 19 Trailer 25th Anniversary

Can you believe this year will be the 25th anniversary of Paul Hardcastle's Vietnam anthem, 19?

Paul has announced through Facebook that he is to revisit his classic song and plans to release a fully remixed version to commemorate 25 years.
But this version will feature the efforts of British troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Read this below as this will give you an insight into his reasons:

25 Years ago, I recorded the song 19, the idea came about whilst watching a documentary which highlighted the plight of young men and women who fought in Vietnam.


In World War 2 the average age of the combat soldier was 26, in Vietnam he was 19 these words really made me stop and think.


When I first approached Chrysalis Records with the Demo of 19 most people there didn't believe it would get any attention as there would be no interest from the media, and I quote the public dont want to hear a song about war.


Two people thought otherwise, the promotions guy Ken Grunbaum, and Simon Fuller who was working for the Company at the time. I gave the record company an ultimatum, either release 19 as my first record or I would not sign with them.


As luck would have it they agreed, and within three weeks 19 was at the top of the charts in 13 different countries and Simon became my Manager, he later went on to name his company after the song.


At the time it all seemed a long way from home as Vietnam was an American war, but now it seems history is repeating itself.


Its now the 25th anniversary since the release of 19, only this time the documentary I am watching is about the British soldiers who would be serving in Afghanistan. I hear the words I looked at my Men, The average age was 19, my god Im taking boys to war, It was unbelievable, almost the same words that gave me the original idea to record 19, this was all sounding too familiar.


I had it in my mind to do a remix for the 25th anniversary of the original track but after hearing that, I felt it would almost be an insult not to mention the British and others, who have lost their lives in recent years whilst doing their duty so I rewrote the song completely.


This time the song is written from the perspective of how I would see things if I was in the position of a young Soldier being sent off to war.


What's interesting is the fact that a few years earlier I was approached by the BBC to remake 19 to be included in their TV programme Power to the People which highlighted the fact that there were no British hospitals for soldiers returning from duty.


At the time I declined, but having listened to the Soldiers and even high ranking army officials from several TV documentaries, it appears that there are many who are unsure that the way we are going about things is the right way,


Some even believe this can easily become another Vietnam scenario which would be a catastrophe for all involved, I'm not here to preach or impose my opinion on anyone and like with the original record I leave you to make up your own minds.


I am no anti government crusader, but take a look at the video trailer , the similarities between Vietnam and Afghanistan are quite alarming to say the least.


Luckily for me, In America I Have been fortunate to have sold more records over the last decade than when 19 was at it's peak so this is something that I don't need to do, But on the othere hand It's something I feel I Should do,

Hip Hop Docs

It's time for a history lesson.
Look around on the internet and you'll find a treasure chest full of classic hip hop material for your peepers.

Lesson 1.

Big Fun In The Big Town

This is a Dutch documentary from 1986 featuring a bit of a fashion victim who has somehow managed to snag the best acts in New York to interview Schoolly D, LL Cool J, Russell Simmons and then the last 20 minutes moves up to 1993 and meets Ice T in his L.A. mansion.


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6180649181264600371#


Lesson 2.

80 Blocks From Tiffany

Remember how you always hear about Bam originating from the tough New York gangs to create the the Zulu Nation? Well this hour-long doc features The Savage Skulls and The Savage Nomads, two prominent gangs at the time (this was made in 1979). This is interesting especially if you are a fan of Walter Hill's The Warriors.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6331096992189304175&ei=fctkS4SBOIye-AaM8Jm-CA&q=80+Blocks+From+Tiffanys#



Lesson 3.

Rapping - Lowdown.

Shown during kids tv in 1988, this UK documentary featured a variety of different hip hop fans from around Britain; some inner city, some not.
If you've already seen this you know how classic it is (although not always intentionally). If you haven't then you're in for a treat.
Sample line, "One day in Maths I was about to sneeze and what came out was this snare drum sound!"

Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2mEYGLm7l8
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIpUTPnJDrU&feature=related
Part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKFMH8qlqzU&feature=related
Part 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XmBffoq43Y&feature=related
Part 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKWoByEaX4&feature=related

Big shout to Alex for starting the ball rolling on this one.

All Files Gone!

Due to an oversight on my part most of the files on the blog are now redundant. Gone. Disappeared. Wiped. Deleted.
I could blame Brown for this. Yeah, it's his fault. It would never have happened with Tony.

My Rapidshare account ran out so the files were taken down. So to that end if you need anything re-upped let me know.
But lets be civil about this, okay? No 'anonymous' requests and BE NICE about it. Didn't your parents teach you manners?!

BTW if anyone knows if there is a way of retrieving my files let me know. Although there's probably more chance of this happening than of me going to see Avatar.

I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you?

Ikey Cee thinks I'm funny.
Official.