All Posts By

Thad Baron

Mar 26
0

Ludacris @EventimApollo

By | Blog

It’s the penultimate Saturday of March and the Hip Hop community converge in the busy suburbia that is Hammersmith Apollo to see Atlanta rapper and movie star Ludacris. The obligatory UK support from BBC 1xtra’s DJ Ace and budding new comer Steph London certainly getting the crowd hype. Even tho a seasoned actor nowadays Ludacris was majestic and courted the crowd interactions like a seasoned veteran.

Running through his discography of hits Area Codes, Fantasy, Move Bitch, Fantasy, Roll Out, Southern Hospitality it was obvious to see why Ludacris and his Disturbing Tha Peace conglomerate have been a top the southern rap game for over a decade.

Click on the image below to watch Ludacris perform ‘Fantasy’ @ Hammersmith Apollo :-

Click on the image below to watch Ludacris perform ‘Stand Up’ @ Hammersmith Apollo :-

Click on the image below to watch Ludacris perform ‘Move Bitch’ @Hammersith Apollo :-

Socials :-

@ludacris

@dtpent

@stefflondon

 

Mar 21
0

Isaiah Dreads @camdenassembly

By | Blog

So it’s a warm Wednesday nite in London city; the people still buzzin from the first sunshine of the spring; Isaiah is a young rapper hailing from the Bristol region but now resides in Dorset who has recently been signed to RCA/Sony Records. The venue is intimate based in the heart of Camden Town. Camden Assembly is poppin with an eclectic throng of young Hip Hop heads, I have seen so many wordsmiths upstairs at this venue from Tinie Tempah to Mic Righteous.

A salute to the potential of this Dorset MC; his subject matter is varied and his diction is sublime, his set floated between his domestic grime rap flows and his self professed love of Hip Hop.

His ‘Lone Wolf’ EP is out now; watch this space for more; I look forward to his debut album

Press the image below to see Isaiah Dreads performing ‘Celebrate’

Press the image below to see Isaiah Dreads performing ‘Shape Of You’

Press the image below to see Isaiah Dreads duppy the double time flow

Tonite, particularly excited cos of Isaiah pen game and flow; the kid is a lyrical beast with concise and succint delivery. There was very good rapport between Isaiah and his DJ; a very entiusiastic crowd with many goin ‘bar for bar’ with Dreads throughout his whole performance. Joined on stage with very few guests; the stand out collabo was his cover of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape Of You’ with an acoustic guitarist.

Socials :-

@isaiahdreads

@rcarecords

Feb 14
0

Joe Budden @Dingwalls Camden / Feb 2017

By | Blog

So it’s early evening in the leafy n happening surroundings of Camden town and it’s the New Jersey native, Joe Budden‘s show at the infamous Dingwalls nightclub. A legendary venue that has hosted residencies for Giles Peterson (Jazz) and UK’s very own Tim Westwood (Hip Hop,). Fresh from doing my weekly two hour Itch FM show I go to meet the ‘event team’ for soundcheck. 

The obligatory local caribbean cuisine set me up with sufficient energy to hit Dingwalls early enough to catch the vibe and supporting acts (well basically i only caught rapper JMC) who performed ‘Snapchat The Whole Night’ to an appreciative crowd.

Couple minutes later Budden’s DJ opens up with grime MC Solo 45 ‘Feed Em To The Lions’ festival anthem.. then we hear Joe’s voice and he appears centre stage. The venue erupts and a couple hundred die hard fans surge to the front of the stage; cellphone cameras at the ready.

Click the photos to watch Joe Budden perform :-

A thoroughly vibrant nite that was packed with emotion with a more than excited crowd spiting every bar and verse with Joe; his performance is as passionate as LIT as his pen game.n Many thanks to the promoters Vault LIVE for the event.

Socials :-

@joebudden

@jmcvault

@DingwallsLIVE

Dec 19
1

Post Malone / Electric Brixton (Dec 2016)

By | Blog

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postmalone3

So its a chilly Monday night our here in Brixton Town and the queues stretch totally around the block, all hail new Hip Hop singing sensation Post Malone.

I’ve known Dre London for over a decade now and am over the moon with his new managerial success, from south London rapper Cerose to New York born singer Post Malone. I was privileged enough to see Post Malone only recently at Birthday’s an intimate venue in Hackney.

Post Malone @Birthdays, Hackney #UK

From the moment Dre came thru, showed love and blessed us with some AAA passes the show was LIIITTT !

A rambunctious crowd of all races and predominantly under age 30, they were very much in a party mood. Having navigated my way through the throng to see the ‘mandem’ back stage, I was met with a very full backstage arena, with radio DJ’s and UK RnB wonder group WSTRN and their manager Morgan Keyz.

Click the image below to watch Post Malone perform ‘White Iverson’ :-

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Click the image below to watch Post Malone perform ‘Too Young’ :-

postmalone2

Click the image below to watch WSTRN perform ‘Best Friend’ :-

postmalone_wstrn

In literally a calendric year Post Malone, his manager Dre and steered by Wendy Goldstein at their Universal Republic record label, has seen the fanbase quadruple. The fans are intensely passionate and Post’s does already embrace stadium oriented choruses in his songwriting.

#PostMalone #AGr8Show

Socials :-

@Thadboogie

@PostMalone

@WSTRN

@DreLondonEnt

@MorganKeyz

 

 

 

Dec 05
0

Skepta/Alexandra Palace (@YourAllyPally) – And Indeed It Was A Shutdown !!!

By | Blog

skeptaflyer

So the week has already been a lil hectic; old skool rap legend Slick Rick and reformed RnB group D’Influence all providing great shows. It’s now the weekend and all roads lead to a scenic and historic London venue, Alexandra Palace, rapidly weaving through traffic the excitement and anticipation increases. A die hard fan of rap music for eons, and having worked in the industry and helped sign and promote artists music at record labels and radio station it’s a proud moment for the Tottenham MC, Skepta sell out a near 11,000 capacity venue in record time. The plight of my peers in the UK rap game has not been a smooth and easy one in comparison to other music genres. Grime, a uniquely British rap art form, is the contemporary evolvement of domestic rap culture. A diverse congregation of young, old, black, white and asian, with a high female constituency filled the auditorium of Alexandra Palace.

Stuntin with @djabrantee @jezwelham :-

skepta_mandem

Click the pic below to watch @skepta @jmeBBK ‘That’s Not Me’

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Click the pic below to watch @wretch32 perform :-

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Click the pic below to watch @therealkano perform :-

skepta_kano

Click the pic below to watch @lethalbizzle perform :-

skepta_lethalb

Skepta and his Boy Better Know click were  great ambassador’s for the scene and had the ‘mandem’ come through, from Giggs, Novelist, Section Boyz, Shorty BBK and many more. In a year when Canadian rap megastar Drake endorses Skepta and Crew, makes an impromptu appearance at a Section Boyz show after his Brit Awards performance and does collabs with RnB singer Kyla and south London MC Santan Dave; the future may be looking brighter for UK Grime/Rap..

The few vids here are just a snapshot of monumental performances throughout the night.

The event was a huge success; being streamed worldwide and  showcasing the stars of the UK Grime/Rap to a global platform.

skepta

Nov 30
0

D’Influence – Couple Years L8r !!!

By | Blog

dinfluence4

The 90s were an eclectic time for a natural amalgamation of modern contemporary club sounds fused with the harmonies and retro feel of yesterday’s soul heroes and heroine’s. From a UK point of view that would have been Soul II Soul, Brand New Heavies, Massive Attack, Young Disciples, Omar, Jamiroquai, D Influence and many more. A time when  multi genre black music venues were incorporating Hip Hop in their playlist mixed with dance music and classic retro soul funk, jazz and boogie.

Circa late 80’s/90’s and DJ’s Eddie Piller and Giles Peterson formed a uniquely London ‘Acid Jazz’ music scene and record label encompassing audiences and fans exploring their love of this fusion of black and latin music.

One on my 90s club residencies ‘Gon Clear’ was privileged enough to have D Influence perform at one of the club nights.

dinfluence3

The performances on the night kicked off punctually at 9pm (ish) to a very packed an intimate Jazz Café; many music journos and record company  personnel being visible and present.

Click the photo below to watch D’Influence perform ‘Good 4 We’ at Jazz Café :-

dinfluencelive1

Click the photo below to watch D’Influence perform ‘Hipnotize’ at Jazz Café :-

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Click the photo below to watch D’Influence perform ‘Im The One’ at Jazz Café :-

dinfluencelive3

dinfluence

Socials :-

@kwamekaten

@eddiepiller

@gillespeterson

 

Nov 27
0

Slick Rick – The Return To Blighty !!!

By | Blog

slickpose

It’s a Saturday evening in the big smoke and apart from waiting to peep the latest results in the English Premier Football League and an encapsulating last race in the Abhu Dhabi F1 World Champs..I’m gassed / excited, even anxious to go see Slick Rick in concert tonight in leafy Kentish Town.

MC Ricky D, like sooo many of my Carribbean immigrant bredren’s have a similar story, parents / grandparent’s came to the UK / Canada or the States in search of a life with more oppurtunities. My early teens were immersed in all aspects of Hip Hop, witnessing breakdancing at the Olympics ceremony in LA and after spending the summer of 1984 in Toronto with my cousins I embraced the UK expat Slick Rick when he burst unto the music scene.

Having worked in music for decades plus, I have been priviledged to see most of my fav rap artists but never Slick Rick, I was punctually early and caught the full line up of artists and festivities which heralded a plethora of quality UK acts. The famette Amy True, a gifted wordsmith and affiliated with Logic Army held court to a captive audience with live drummer.

Durrty Goodz, Ransome Badbonez, Hijack, DJ Supreme and Billy Bizzniss all represented the UK to the fullest with their performances to an atmospheric an exuberant audience.

Click the image below to see their performance :-

durrtygoodz

The most popular UK support act on the night was definitely the don gargan Rodney P (London Possee). Joined on stage by the revered (DJ 279 pka Numbers). He duly ran through a selection of his profound catalogue spanning over two decades.

Click the image below to watch Rodney P in action :-

rodneyp

The headline act and star of the show; truly entered centre stage to stupendous applause…joined for the full performance with the duo songstresses named ‘The Rickets’. With costume changes and a catalogue of hits from Mona Lisa, La Di Da Di, Children’s Stories, Hey Young World, Lick The Balls, The Show, etc the performance was truly memorable.

Click the image below to watch Slick Rick enter center stage :-

slickrick1

Click the image below to watch Slick Rick perform ‘The Show’ :-

slickrick2

slickrick

Socials :-

@thadboogie

@therulernyc

@rodneyp_uk

@dj279

@durrtygoodz

@amy_true

 

Nov 20
0

NYC – Will Hip Hop Help with the new President Elect ?

By | Blog

eric-b-for-president-back-n-the-day-buffet

So after traversing the Atlantic for over two decades and been an ambassador for Hip Hop and Rap culture via numerous record companies and brands; I have been privy to witness the inauguration of the first Afro American president in 2008. Hussein Barack Obama was duly elected with a huge demographic.of youth voters. The modern world of social media heralded a new platform in the collating of information and penetrative direct advertising. From Jay Z, to Wyclef Jean, Killer Mike to Talib Kweli; a multitude of politically aware Hip Hop personnel giving Obama’s campaign momentum.

It’s a warmish day in November and it’s British Airways touch down in JFK and its election week USA.. Stateside news and the weekly interaction with worldwide listeners via my Itch FM #BigPromoShow has kept me well informed as to the sentiment and mindset of many a Hip Hop loving US citizen. Of course I’m gna be doing a lil obligatory tourist ish in the big apple (just coz) but predominantly it’s sit downs with beat makers and record label personnel.

Penn Street enroute to hotel :-

pennst

On day one, my Canarsie producer Music 4 LIfe, scooped me from the hotel and we were rolling, it was road a trip to White Plains, South Bronx to link beatmaker Jack O Beats; who is currently working with the rekindled Ultramagnetic MCs.

The Tuesday (day of election) was tense and expectant; even though there had been a positive endorsement for Hilary Clinton from many RnB/Hip Hop stars (Jay Z, Beyoncé) and many within the acting community (Robert De Niro), the realists and observers of UK’s recent Brexit were more wary. The honest front page headline of the very popular New York Post newspaper reflecting the true sentiments of the city and many more across the USA.

newyorkpost

I managed to get to a few vote spots and peep the sentiments and ethnic demographics of the voting populous.

Peep the line downtown East Manhattan.

Click the image below !

voteline

Election night was stuntin at the trendy meat packing district Apt 732 with the famette Tanya Brown, my longtime homie from the world of publishing A&R and management. The soiree, an intimate rendezvous hosted by Salt n Peppa, with lavish drinks; nibbles and ensuite Jacuzzi.

And the President Elect 2016 is :-

presidenttrump

On the night after Trump’s historic victory; the people of New York when to his swanky plave of abode Trump Tower to protest. Click the image below :-

trumptowerfix

Socials :-

@thadboogie

@nypost

 

 

 

Oct 06
0

RnB Family / Soul Week

By | Blog

 

tweet

Another hectic week in the world of the Big Promo team; even though immersed in the world of Hip Hop… the last couple of days in London has allowed me to re acquaint with my RnB entourage. The gigs came thick and fast with a plethora of artists performing in the capital. The first being at the infamous Jazz Café in north London.. RnB singer and songwriter Kele Le Roc (an integral character in the UKG scene, an a collaborator with Basement Jaxx), I signed her when I was A&R at Universal just before her debut album on Polydor Records. Serenaded by a passionate crowd; Kele skipped through album tracks, original co-writes and touched her garage anthems RnB styleee

Click the image below to watch Kele sing ‘My Love’ :-

kele

The following evening it was off to the swanky settings of Rah Rah Rooms in Piccadilly, central London to witness the envious talent of Vula Malinga.  ? I worked with Vula when I was A&R @ Edel Records, she co-wrote and sang the hook on my Cassius Henry Feat Freeway & Kanye West ‘The One’ record. A consummate performer, she had the audience in the palm of her hands

Click the image below to watch Vula sing ‘Human Nature’ :-

vula

The next gig on an ever eventful week was the turn of RnB New York raised singer Tweet; her singing and acting career spanning over a decade and having chart hit on both sides of the Atlantic made great preparation for two sold out gigs via the SoulGrooves famalam. The first being at the Jazz Café on a sold out Sunday night.

Click the image below to watch Tweet performing at The Jazz Café :-

tweet1

The second and absolutely jaw dropping show was on the Monday night at Dingwall’s. A tight band accompanied by invited audience members to showcase their vocal ranges.. From her backing singers to the great lady Tweet herself; the show embraced aspects of a church service; it was truly mesmerising.

Click the image below to watch Tweet performing at Dingwalls :-

tweet2

Finally it was the turn of 90’s RnB star man Horace Brown; a stable mate of the legendary Detroit record label Motown and Uptown Records. Horace has toured the world extensively and has had a two decade run, having collaborated with many of the major stars across the pond (Jay Z, Faith Evans, Styles P, Foxy Brown, Black Rob) to name but a few.

Click the image below to watch Horace Brown singing ‘One For The Money’ :-

horace

From acapella groups to the church; singing has always been the backbone of the black experience and has inherently Hip Hop music. A great evening with superfluous vocals and a singalong crowd throughout. DJ duties from the Mi Soul fam (Matt White, Stretch Talylor)

Socials :-

@ms_hummingbird

@keleleroc

@vulavox

@horacemusic

@djstretchtaylor

@djmattwhite

@christyblack_

@thadboogie

 

 

 

Sep 10
0

GRMDaily UK Rated Awards

By | Blog

It’s a warm humid Wednesday evening outside the picturesque famous north London music venue, the Roundhouse.. One of the most famous music venues in NW1 and the annual home of the ITunes Festival..The throng of fashionably attired music fans gearing up for the evening’s celebrations.

GRMDaily are one of the most popular and significant social media platforms reporting Urban Music culture and lifestyle in the UK; I met GRMDaily bossmen Posty and Pierre many years ago and was on a panel with Posty only last summer..

The show was hosted by Capital Xtra’s daytime DJ Manny Norte and BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Yasmin Evans to an electric atmosphere with every and anyone repping Grime and Hip Hop culture in the venue.

rated1

Skepta and BBK crew were in attendance and he was honoured with the prize for Best Video for ‘Man (Gang)‘ on the night, accepiting his award with a humble speech and showing love and unity for the whole UK Urban music scene.

skepta1

For a second year running, the best DJ category was won by BBC 1Xtra’s larger than life Hip Hop DJ Charlie Sloth. I’m proud to have known Sloth for many years and we’re both form the same part of London..and seen his meteoric rise from JumpOffTV comedy skits to arguably one of the most important DJ’s in UK music. His acceptance speech was also humbling and he dedicated the award to his radio predecessor and radio veteran Tim Westwood.

sloth

With what appears to be a refound affinity with street UK urban music; world famous RnB star Craig David has had a great year, along the way collabing with many of the hot artists currently on the music scene. He ran through some of his classic material and was joined onstage by Big Narstie to rapturous applause.

narstie

South London rapper, Giggs latest album ‘The Landlord’ has just debuted on the CIN UK Album charts at #2.. a huge achievement for an artist once signed to XL Recordings who’se album was released independently. He picked up the ‘Best Artist’ gong.

Watch the video of him shutting down the Rated Awards performing his single ‘Whippin Excursion’

giggs

A timely and well deserved ‘Legacy’ award went to the Hip Hop radio guru of the UK, Tim Westwood.. Having spanned over 3 decades of Hip Hop radio from 80’s pirate radio LWR, to Capital radio in the early nineties, two decades at the BBC and ironically now back on Capital XTra. His speech was met with much love and favour by an approving audience.

westwood

A poignant chapter in the evening’s proceedings was a tribute by BBC 1Xtra and Atlantic Records A&R Twin B.. His business partner and friend, Richard Antwi passed away at the young age of just 38. Antwi was a music lawyer and an integral part of the fabric of the UK Urban music scene. from management, A&R to his legal practice. He has helped steer ang shape the careers on many household UK acts.

screen-shot-2016-09-08-at-181

The album of the year prize went to East London MC, Kano.. This year saw him release his new album ‘Made In The Manor’ resulting in top 10 chart position and a nomination for the ‘Mercury Music’ prize, Here he is on stage joined by Virgin/EMI producer ‘Naughty Boy’.

kano

The newcomer RnB artist Ray Blk had a very powerful performance of her current single ‘My Hood’ Feat Stormzy, which left the audience in complete awe.

Click the image below to watch her perform ‘My Hood’

rayblk

A well executed awards ceremony, it was a total success, highlighting the journeys and achievements of what is a predominantly an independent UK Urban music scene.. The flag bearer for many years has just been the MOBO Awards but you could pinch yourself for not realising this was only the 2nd Rated Awards show and long may it continue.

Socials :-

@GrmDaily

@craigdavid

@bignarstie

@therealkano

@officialgiggs

@mannynorte

@yasminevans

@charliesloth

@timwestwood

@skepta

@Thadboogie