The Shortlist is Announced…

It’s out – the 2009 shortlist for the Best of Manchester Awards has just been announced. And the nominees are:

Continue Reading Add comment June 18th, 2009

DJ 279

Lastly was DJ 279 the legendary host of Friday Night Flavas, Choice FM’s flagship hip hop show.

A long time fixture in the UK Hip Hop community, and one of the most active promoters of the Homegrown scene, 279, aka Numbers, let us know his secret to success…just do it.

His attitude of “the worst they can say is no” has seen him rise to prominance helming one of the UK’s longest running rap radio shows, operate some of the most influential hip hop club nights (including Flava of da Month), and provide a platform for UK talent since the early 90s.

Check out 279’s story in his own words on his web site and stay tuned to Urbis blogs to find out what treasures will be unearthed from his immense collection for the exhibition.

Add comment June 18th, 2009

DMC

Next up was DMC whose DJ championships have developed hand in hand with global turntablism.

Never prescriptive in their judging criteria the annual event has always allowed the B-Boy attitude to shine through. By leaving the door open to new styles DMC has been the place to witness the cutting edge of technical skill, technological advancement and outright showmanship in the DJ world. In doing so the event has encouraged innovation and originality throughout their 25 year history.

A truly inspiring company with bold plans to keep up the pace of innovation in a changing world, their entire video back catalogue is soon to become digitally available online – and entirely for free.

Head over to DMC World for more info on the background of the company or check out DMC DJ Champs to keep up with the competition and the digital archive launch date.

Add comment June 17th, 2009

Clash a da tight 1s

The links below contain language that may not be suitable for children

Long day today runinng around London…

A North London meet up with Teddy Nygh director of award winning ‘Rapumentary’ Clash a da tight 1s started the day.

Covering London (and Aussie) contemporary MC culture the film turns its gritty eye on UK street culture as it exists today.

Begun as a Homegrown project in 2005 the film has been a labour of love that has only come to frution as a result of a small crew’s dedication to a project that speaks volumes about the unsung talent in the UK.

With an official DVD launch set for next month Clash a da tight 1s raises questions about where the Hip Hop legacy is heading in the 21st century, whether you consider yourself part of Grime, Jungle, Garage or Hip Hop in the UK.

Keep an eye on fullyfocussedproductions.com for more details.

Add comment June 17th, 2009

London: Part 1 of Part 2

Sanguine 2 from the Artillery For Pleasure show, London 2009

Today saw Urbis blogs land in London and get to a short trip in the big smoke researching October’s Homegrown: the story of UK hip hop.

First up to the plate is the hugely influential and innovative Part 2 of New Flesh. Rapper, producer and graf writer extraordinaire he kindly took time out of his busy schedule preparing work for his upcoming LA show to fill us in on the ins and outs of East Pennines Hip Hop, the growth of Big Da Da, the development of Grime and Dubstep and the impact of 1Xtra.

Stay tuned all week for more from ‘that London’…

1 comment June 16th, 2009

Knitters of the World Unite!

If you missed last weekends events it’s not too late. So pick up your needles and get ready for World Wide Knit in Public day part two on the 20th and 21st June.

More details after the jump…

(image thanks to http://www.flickr.com/photos/71447254@N00/3621360701 on a creative commons licence)

Add comment June 15th, 2009

Zaha Hadid gets Wired

Wired covers Zaha Hadid’s incredible bespoke music hall which is to be built in Manchester Art Gallery’s temporary exhibition space as part of the International Festival. Good to see the UK getting a long overdue home version of this essential tech weekly and Manchester featuring in the first issue. Will be interesting to see how this powerhouse of the tech world copes in a world where print media is seriously suffering.

Add comment June 12th, 2009

Do you do culture? WE do.

There’s a lot of talk around where we go with the practice of collection, display and discussion of culture in a world that seems to be on the brink of providing free, unlimited access to information for all thanks to Web 2.0 technology.  At least those in wealthy nations.

One major topic of debate is how the elite towers of cultural power, such as ‘The Museum’ can evolve in this world and remain relevant.  In the wake of this discussion Cornerhouse have commissioned, Demos think tanker and author of ‘We think‘, Charles Leadbetter to write an essay The Art of With considering the topic with readers being invited to comment on the paper, via a Wiki of course, and to attend a seminar on the 24th June at Cornerhouse.

More from Charles on innovation at TED:

Add comment June 11th, 2009

Manchester on Design Sponge

Design Sponge featured a Manchester city guide recently thanks to Adelle Robinson and Justin Keefe, owners of h is for home. Nice to see their favorites include a lot of our friends, but a shame there’s no reference to Urbis…evidently they need a show round. Adelle and Justin, get in touch!

2 comments June 10th, 2009

Millionth Word…Dictionary 2.0

Welcome Web 2.0 officially to the English language.

Wonder if everyone gets to comment on it?

Add comment June 10th, 2009