Half a lifetime ago, an Armenian exiled to London set the template for today's DIY musicians and raised a standard that British rap has rarely reached since. Angus Batey had a ring-side seat while Blade fought to make himself heard: he looks back on a landmark in the history of independent music
Half a lifetime ago, an Armenian exiled to London set the template for today's DIY musicians and raised a standard that British rap has rarely reached since. Angus Batey had a ring-side seat while Blade fought to make himself heard: he looks back on a landmark in the history of independent music
They may be better known these days for in-fighting and taking each other to court, but most of the surviving members of the Wu-Tang Clan have reunited for a better-than-you-might-expect LP. Interview by Angus Batey
They may be better known these days for in-fighting and taking each other to court, but most of the surviving members of the Wu-Tang Clan have reunited for a better-than-you-might-expect LP. Interview by Angus Batey
A quarter of a century ago, Diamond D and Pete Rock pioneered a new kind of artist: the rapper-producer. Angus Batey looks back on their remarkable debut LPs and wonders where it all went wrong for them, for rap, and for us
A quarter of a century ago, Diamond D and Pete Rock pioneered a new kind of artist: the rapper-producer. Angus Batey looks back on their remarkable debut LPs and wonders where it all went wrong for them, for rap, and for us
With its roots in both the avant garde and novelty music, cut & paste came of age in 1987 with the likes of Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu, Coldcut, Steinski, Bomb The Bass and M/A/R/R/S. Angus Batey traces the history of this magpie movement
With its roots in both the avant garde and novelty music, cut & paste came of age in 1987 with the likes of Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu, Coldcut, Steinski, Bomb The Bass and M/A/R/R/S. Angus Batey traces the history of this magpie movement
DJ Shadow and Angus Batey have one thing in common: neither of them are sure that Endtroducing is the former's best LP. On the anniversary of one of the most discussed electronic LPs of the mid-90s the pair discuss the merit and status of the landmark album
DJ Shadow and Angus Batey have one thing in common: neither of them are sure that Endtroducing is the former's best LP. On the anniversary of one of the most discussed electronic LPs of the mid-90s the pair discuss the merit and status of the landmark album
Angus Batey was the reviews editor on Vox when Be Here Now was released; here he lifts the lid on the sense of panic that Oasis' third album caused in the world of music journalism. But in his love for this album is he mad for it, or just mad?
Angus Batey was the reviews editor on Vox when Be Here Now was released; here he lifts the lid on the sense of panic that Oasis' third album caused in the world of music journalism. But in his love for this album is he mad for it, or just mad?