hip-hop – Mark Devlin

MARK DEVLIN GUESTS ON MICHAEL JOSEPH’S PROUD 2 BE PROFANE PODCAST

31 January 2018 conspiracy, hip-hop, occult, Rap, spirituality, truth, urban

Listen to “Mark Devlin guests on Michael Joseph’s Proud 2 Be Profane podcast” on Spreaker.

Michael Joseph is one of the most incisive and thorough researchers into occult influence on entertainment, and has just started a new, good-humoured podcast. I was very happy to be the second featured guest, as we took the opportunity for a conversation of almost two hours, getting into the whole area of hip-hop culture.

The chat kicks off examining the colossal influence that the teachings of the 5 Per Cent Nation, also known as Gods and Earths, have had on the scene since its inception. The 5 Per Cent Nation is a spin-off of the Nation of Islam, and there are mystical, metaphysical and spiritual overtones throughout. These have coloured the output of so many of hip-hop’s most prominent MCs, from Big Daddy Kane and Rakim, through Jay-Z and Nas, to Jay Electronica and Immortal Technique. We go places few researchers have ever gone, in asking why the doctrines of this group have become almost a de facto requirement towards success in the game.

Other subject areas discussed include the Afrika Bambaataa scandal, the Universal Zulu Nation, KRS One, the suspicious death of Prodigy, Biggie, Tupac and the East Coast/ West Coast beef of the mid-90s and much more. A part two of this conversation, taking things even further, is planned for very soon.

MARK DEVLIN ALONGSIDE LLOYD/ SIR SAMBO SOUND AT THE BLACKBIRD, OXFORD, 24/5/15

18 June 2015 Blackbird Leys, DJ, Funk, hip-hop, Mark Devlin, Oxford, R&B, reggae, Sir Sambo Sound, soca, soul

I finally got my hands on the audio from another great Community Jam session in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, where I guested alongside Lloyd & Elvis of Sir Sambo Sound. I dropped a bunch of soul/ funk/ hip-hop revivals, big people-style, before Lloyd stepped back to finish off with the reggae selection – check out some pure jokes, plus about eight “last tunes.” Great people, great vibes, great sounds.

GOOD VIBRATIONS PODCAST, VOL. 51: DISL AUTOMATIC

4 November 2014 consciousness, conspiracy, Disl Automatic, hip-hop, human freedom, Illuminati, New World Order, personal empowerment, spirituality, truth

For this edition, Mark Devlin travels to Montenegro to meet with conscious hip-hop artist Disl Automatic.

Disl recounts his early days growing up in a tough neighbourhood of Chicago, and the inspiration his surroundings provided towards honing his sharp lyrical skills. After a few of the hard knocks that come with the territory, he moved to his parents’ homeland of Montenegro, and in 2010, had a conscious awakening to truth.

At this point, Disl said he realised his rapping skills were the gift that he was obliged to use to help communicate the truths he had come to understand to others, and that finding some way to do this is a responsibility that falls on all who come to raise their awareness in this way.

The conversation covers many topics, including the issue of self-improvement, and the recognition that none of us can expect to be perfect and flawless, in the way we might sometimes feel pressured to be. Flaws are a part of human nature, he observes, and we shouldn’t hate ourselves for having them, just so long as the will is there to constantly work on improvement.

MD GUESTS ON ALCHEMY RADIO ALONGSIDE IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE

9 May 2013 alchemy radio, consciousness, conspiracy, DJ, hip-hop, immortal technique, john gibbons, Mark Devlin, mc, spirituality, truth

It was great to guest on John Gibbons’ Alchemy Radio show this week, in the same episode as Immortal Technique, talking about all manner of interesting and alternative stuff concerning the music business and beyond. You can listen or download on this link. Respect to John for hosting a truly fascinating series, with a strong track record of guests. Audio for open minds.

MARK DEVLIN GUESTS ON ALCHEMY RADIO ALONGSIDE IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE

1 May 2013 alchemy radio, consciousness, conspiracy, DJ, hip-hop, immortal technique, john gibbons, Mark Devlin, mc, spirituality, truth

DJ MISTER ICE DESTROYS SOUL CITY, IBIZA

16 September 2011 DJ Mister Ice, garage, hip-hop, Ibiza, Mark Devlin, RnB, Soul City, UK funky

Resident DJ Mister Ice sees out Summer 2011 with another full-on session at Soul City, Ibiza’s liveliest jump-up party bar.

URBAN ANTHEMS WITH MARK DEVLIN – THE LATE SUMMER ’11 EDITION

4 September 2011 90s classics, DJ Mark Devlin, hip-hop, old school anthems, reggae, RnB, soul

Feeling the latest Nicki Minaj/ Drake/ Wacka Flocka/ Kanye/ Rihanna joints? No, me neither. All the more reason to take it back with the latest Urban Anthems instalment then. More back-to-back feel-good joints from the golden years – classic R&B, hip-hop, reggae dancehall and soul to get your head nodding and send a chill down your spine. Not all the ones you usually hear, either. This is the alternative selection, and trust me, it’s all good baby, baby!

Urban Anthems late Summer ’11 by Mark Devlin

Download, reminisce and enjoy.

LL COOL J: MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT

BRAND NUBIAN: ALL FOR ONE

CYPRESS HILL: HOW I COULD JUST KILL A MAN

FREEWAY: FLIPSIDE

BLACK GIRL: KRAZY (BOSS’ HIP HOP MIX)

TANYA VON: TONITE

FATHER MC: LISA BABY (HIP HOP FAT MIX)

50 CENT: MANY STEMS

CAPLETON/ METHOD MAN: WINGS OF THE MORNING

CAPLETON: TOUR

CUTTY RANKS: WHO SEH ME DUN

RAYVON: BIG UP

MAD COBRA: LIMB BY LIMB

FIVE STAIRSTEPS: OOH CHILD

2PAC: KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

ICE CUBE: CHECK YO SELF (REMIX)

JURASSIC 5: CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD

LOST BOYZ: JEEPS, LEX, COUPS, BIMAZ & BENZ

KEITH MURRAY: I GET LIFTED

KENNY DOPE: GET DOWN

RUDE RYDIMS EXPERIMENT: EVERYBODY BOUNCE

SHAI: IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE

Y EN VEE: CHOCOLATE

CASE/ FOXY BROWN: TOUCH ME TEASE ME

DA BRAT: GIVE IT TO YOU

ERIC BENET/ FAITH EVANS: GEORGIE PORGIE

DR DRE: THE MESSAGE

JAY Z: THIS CAN’T BE LIFE

URBAN ANTHEMS WITH MARK DEVLIN – THE LATE SUMMER ’11 EDITION

26 August 2011 90s classics, DJ Mark Devlin, hip-hop, old school anthems, reggae, RnB, soul

Urban Anthems late Summer ’11 by Mark Devlin

Download, reminisce and enjoy.

LL COOL J: MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT

BRAND NUBIAN: ALL FOR ONE

CYPRESS HILL: HOW I COULD JUST KILL A MAN

FREEWAY: FLIPSIDE

BLACK GIRL: KRAZY (BOSS’ HIP HOP MIX)

TANYA VON: TONITE

FATHER MC: LISA BABY (HIP HOP FAT MIX)

50 CENT: MANY STEMS

CAPLETON/ METHOD MAN: WINGS OF THE MORNING

CAPLETON: TOUR

CUTTY RANKS: WHO SEH ME DUN

RAYVON: BIG UP

MAD COBRA: LIMB BY LIMB

FIVE STAIRSTEPS: OOH CHILD

2PAC: KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

ICE CUBE: CHECK YO SELF (REMIX)

JURASSIC 5: CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD

LOST BOYZ: JEEPS, LEX, COUPS, BIMAZ & BENZ

KEITH MURRAY: I GET LIFTED

KENNY DOPE: GET DOWN

RUDE RYDIMS EXPERIMENT: EVERYBODY BOUNCE

SHAI: IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE

Y EN VEE: CHOCOLATE

CASE/ FOXY BROWN: TOUCH ME TEASE ME

DA BRAT: GIVE IT TO YOU

ERIC BENET/ FAITH EVANS: GEORGIE PORGIE

DR DRE: THE MESSAGE

JAY Z: THIS CAN’T BE LIFE

90s classics, DJ Mark Devlin, hip hop, old school anthems, reggae, RnB, soul

URBAN ANTHEMS WITH MARK DEVLIN – THE LATE SUMMER ’11 EDITION

24 August 2011 90s classics, DJ Mark Devlin, hip-hop, old school anthems, reggae, RnB, soul

Urban Anthems late Summer ’11 by Mark Devlin

Download, reminisce and enjoy.

LL COOL J: MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT

BRAND NUBIAN: ALL FOR ONE

CYPRESS HILL: HOW I COULD JUST KILL A MAN

FREEWAY: FLIPSIDE

BLACK GIRL: KRAZY (BOSS’ HIP HOP MIX)

TANYA VON: TONITE

FATHER MC: LISA BABY (HIP HOP FAT MIX)

50 CENT: MANY STEMS

CAPLETON/ METHOD MAN: WINGS OF THE MORNING

CAPLETON: TOUR

CUTTY RANKS: WHO SEH ME DUN

RAYVON: BIG UP

MAD COBRA: LIMB BY LIMB

FIVE STAIRSTEPS: OOH CHILD

2PAC: KEEP YOUR HEAD UP

ICE CUBE: CHECK YO SELF (REMIX)

JURASSIC 5: CONCRETE SCHOOLYARD

LOST BOYZ: JEEPS, LEX, COUPS, BIMAZ & BENZ

KEITH MURRAY: I GET LIFTED

KENNY DOPE: GET DOWN

RUDE RYDIMS EXPERIMENT: EVERYBODY BOUNCE

SHAI: IF I EVER FALL IN LOVE

Y EN VEE: CHOCOLATE

CASE/ FOXY BROWN: TOUCH ME TEASE ME

DA BRAT: GIVE IT TO YOU

ERIC BENET/ FAITH EVANS: GEORGIE PORGIE

DR DRE: THE MESSAGE

JAY Z: THIS CAN’T BE LIFE

JAY-Z & KANYE WEST: WATCH THE THRONE REVIEW

17 August 2011 album review, hip-hop, Jay Z Beanie Sigel Scarface Kanye West This Can't Be Life hip hop video, Jay-Z, Watch The Throne

My review of ‘Watch The Throne’ as featured on http:www.blacksheepmag.com

The greater the hype, the bigger the disappointment when a project fails to deliver. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you ‘Watch The Throne’.

There can be few better barometers of where hip-hop is at than a collaboration between arguably the two most important names on the mainstream scene. If ‘Watch The Throne’ is indicative of where it’s all going, we might as well all become country and western or heavy rock fans now, and lay a wreath for our once great and lovingly cherished art form.

Sub-par lyrics can be overlooked provided they’re delivered over some captivating and sonically epic production, so your subconscious has something else to focus on and get the head nodding. This is ‘Watch The Throne’s great downfall. The factory conveyor belt-style electronic beats are lacking in soul and substance, and are a far cry from the ingenious sample-based cuts of the 90s, or even the inventive Just Blaze and Kanye dramatic beats of Roc A Fella’s glory years in the early to mid-00s.

When you add to that Kanye’s naggingly annoying vocals, you’re really not left with much. From appearing as hip-hop’s great hope with ‘The College Dropout’ in ’03, the dude has gone on to become a clear corporate stooge, and the once-meaningful lyrics have given way to stupefyingly boring generic droning about nothing in particular, delivered in an exaggerated drawl that’s now as annoying as listening to a dentist’s drill. I came away from the album remembering nothing that Kanye had rattled on about other than something about pyjamas.

To be fair, Jay does demonstrate that he still has verbal dexterity all these years on, his verses flowing far more lucidly, and with some characteristic wordplay. But again, you don’t exit ‘Watch The Throne’ with a memory of any uplifting, empowering or thought-provoking message.

Thankfully, the set does have a couple of redeeming features in its two reflective/ soul-searching tracks. ‘New Day’ has J and K delivering an ode to their imaginary sons, urging them to draw wisdom from the mistakes of their pops’, while ‘Made In America’ has spiritual overtones – even if the much-repeated gospel-style sample about ‘sweet baby Jesus’ sits uncomfortably with Kanye’s insistence on continually using the N and F words. (Elsewhere on ‘Otis’, of course’, ‘Ye proclaims ‘I made ‘Jesus Walks’ so I’m never going to hell’, so he seemingly sees no contradiction here.)

‘Otis’ itself remains the only other strong feature. Sadly, its usage of huge chunks of Otis Redding didn’t signal the return to sample-based beats on the album that many had hoped for.

In all then, if the ‘Throne’ part is treated as the common euphemism for ‘toilet’, then it serves as an appropriate title, for that’s where this – along with its anally pretentious ‘high end’ artwork – best belongs.