Concert information

Review

Speech Debelle: english revelation of 2009, our feminine version of The Streets! ...She's got acerbic lyrics full of humor, solid beats and a technical flow full of passion & rage. Songs so beautiful, they gave us shivers!

Artist

Speech Debelle

The first thing about Speech Debelle that strikes the ear is a contrast. Her voice is warm, youthful and listenable, and if you heard her in the background you might assume that her lyrics were the same. You'd be better placed tuning into them. In common with her new label-mate Roots Manuva, she's astoundingly honest in her music, detailing and exorcising some very personal demons. That isn't to say she's another run of the mill rapper with more complaints than insights. Quite the opposite. Like all musicians worth listening to, she draws you into her universe and makes you glad you visited. There's always a thaw to the chillier moments. 'Searching' is her debut single, and a perfect example of the offbeat, folky production that will litter the forthcoming album, as well as the whisper-in-the-ear quality of her vocals. One thing is certain, hip-hop has never been done in quite this way before. 'Searching' makes you wonder why not.

more>>>

Label

Ninja Tune

The label was founded in 1990. In 1994 Matt Black's close friend Mixmaster Morris introduced Matt to Openmind - a DJ & design collective in Camberwell - at the Telepathic Fish chill-out club they were running. Openmind included Kevin Foakes aka Strictly Kev of DJ Food. After submitting a re-styled company logo he was employed by Ninja Tune in the capacity of overall design consultant.[1]
Pre-dating Ninja Tune is the radio show Solid Steel, which Coldcut set up in 1988. What initially began as a radio show on then pirate Kiss FM went on to become a weekly podcast and also the name of live nightclub events showcasing the talents of a number of Ninja Tune artists. Solid Steel is also the name of a series of DJ mix CDs from the label.
In 2010, Ninja Tune are celebrating 20 years of releasing music. A book entitled Ninja Tune: 20 Years of Beats and Pieces was released on 12 August 2010, and an exhibition was held at Black Dog Publishing's Black Dog Space in London showcasing artwork, design and photography from the label's 20 year history. A compilation album is due for release on 20 September. It will be released in two formats - a regular version consisting of two 2-disc volumes, and a limited edition (of 3,500 copies), which will contain 6 CDs, 6 7" vinyl singles, a hardback copy of the book, a poster and additional gifts. Ninja Tune has recently been featured in Rip It Up Magazine where Matt Black discusses their phenomenal success over these past 20 years.

more>>>

Big Dada

Big Dada Recordings is the Hip Hop imprint of London-based independent record label, Ninja Tune. It is best known for being the home of prominent British hip hop artist Roots Manuva. It was started by reputed hip hop journalist Will Ashon in February 1997. The label's first release was the Alpha Prhyme 12" Misanthropic's, a collaboration between Luke Vibert and Juice Aleem Over the following thirteen years the label has released over one hundred and fifty records and garnered considerable critical acclaim, being described by Observer Music Monthly as "the very best underground hip hop label".
In 2007 the label released the compilation 'Well Deep' to celebrate their tenth anniversary. NME said the label was "not only a platform for the British urban underground but also attracts some of the most progressive wordsmiths and beat-scientists in the whole world... Big Dada are still pushing things forward". As the quote suggests, Big Dada is not exclusively a label for British acts - their roster has also featured contributions from American hip hop artists including Saul Williams, Mike Ladd (Infesticons / Majesticons) and Daniel Dumile (MF Doom, King Geedorah), and French hip hop artists, TTC. They also released debut albums by both Diplo and Spank Rock, as well as the comeback album from grime legend Wiley, who was so pleased with the record deal they offered that he recorded a single, "50/50," in tribute.
On 8 September 2009 Big Dada artist Speech Debelle won the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Prize for her debut album 'Speech Therapy.' It was the label's third nomination, after Roots Manuva and Ty. Less than two months later the artist claimed to have split from the label, allegedly because sales of her debut album, Speech Therapy, "suffered because of poor distribution by Big Dada records". While the label haven't commented on these allegations, much press reaction has suggested that the situation was not so clear cut, with Alexis Petridis of the Guardian stating that "She was a bit hasty, wasn't she? Don't we think? Made a bit of an error... I think it's just particularly unfortunate in the case of a label like Big Dada because whatever else you make of it, and obviously it probably doesn't have the ability to promote your records in the way a a major label would, it's clearly a label that's been run for all the right reasons by someone who absolutely puts their heart and soul into the relentlessly maligned genre of UK hip hop".
Perhaps the label's best known artist, Rodney Smith aka Roots Manuva, signed a new deal with the label after the release of "Run Come Save Me". In the documentary for the label's "Well Deep" DVD, he said, "It's been a lovely relationship over the years... Big Dada's unique and it will always be unique because it's a philosophy, y'know? It's unique because it dares to stick its neck out and it's run by people who genuinely love music. It's not just a record label, it's a movement."

more>>>

Venue

La Bellevilloise

Founded in 1877, La Bellevilloise played a leading role in the economic and cultural life in eastern Paris from 1910 until 1949. It is now a cross-over, protean place for all kinds of creative experimentations: performances, art exhibitions, fashion shows, and, of course, concerts ! With its four different levels, La Bellevilloise can welcome over 1500 people who can jump on the diverse sounds of Tony Allen, Jazz Liberatorz, Dj Suspect, The Toasters, Ali Shaheed, Roots Manuva, Bumcello, Poni Hoax etc. And if you just want to chill, take a coffee on the panoramic terrace or on the halle aux Oliviers.

more>>>

Promoter

Radio Nova "Nuits Zébrées"

Always INSANE ! French reference Radio Nova (101.5FM in Paris) kicked it in 2010 at the Bellevilloise. 3 stories of non-stop partying from 8pm when the concerts start downstairs to way late in the venue's cool labyrinth of rooms, used to the max by the Nova staff!

more>>>

Styles

• International - British Hip Hop
• Hip Hop
• Hip Hop

Sounds like

The Streets, Scream Club, Bams