MOSS SIDE CARNIVAL : B2B @ RED BULL STAGE + VIDEO!

The Caribbean Carnival of Manchester returned to Moss Side this year for a vibrant celebration of culture and a two day party in Alexandra Park. Saturday saw the return of the sun and the Red Bull Music Academy Soundsystem with another huge line-up of bass heavy music and feel good vibes. 

Bloc2Bloc were down to get some cheeeky footage and caught up with some of Manchester's big dawgs and Radio1 selecta Toddla T before he shut down the stage alongside Chimpo. Check out the Video, Interviews and Photos below. 

 TODDLA T 

What can we expect from your b2b set with Chimpo? 

Plenty of dubplates, Chimpo is one of the only guys I know who really collects them as I do,  so we've both been really excited and up for carnival today. It's an honour and a privelege to play with Chimpo here and he's brought in a couple MCs aswell so maybe expect a Manchester showcase. 

Any new releases we should be looking forward to? 

Chimpo, Sam Binga and Trigga have recently released 'Who Run Tingz'  on my record label Girls music. I've been busy working on my next album which will feature only one singer throughout. I've also been in the studio with Meridian Dan and also Skepta so there's alot to look forward to.   

Could you tell us a little bit about your new venture, Steeze Clothing? Is there a dancehall influence? 

Ah Steeze, yes! That's my new clothing label I've been working on with Danny Beck. The label doesn't necessarily have a dancehall influence but this tee I'm wearing (see pic above) has a definite jamaican influence. Basically, I've always been into clothing and design and have spent a fair bit on t-shirts but I felt alot of stuff out there was overpriced so I started to design my own. It's all strictly online at the minute and available from the Steeze website. 

CHIMPO

How do you feel about the Carnival's return to Alexandra Park? 

This is without a doubt the best carnival we've had in 15 years. I've been coming carnival for over 25 and this is the one. 

What can we expect from Chimpo in the near future? 

Expect everything, there is nothing that it is not to be expected... Release wise though I'll  have a new solo EP out end of August on Par Excellence record label.  

Can you describe the sound? 

It's a mash-up I don't know what to call it, but it's big.

Check out Chimpo's Manchester Carnival Mix 

STRATEGY 

How do you feel carnival compares with other festivals you've hit up this summer? 

Carnival is free so already it has a different vibe to festivals people have paid for, there’s a real air of freedom. It’s more about the community aswell and the suns out, so its all good! 

What can we expect from Strategy today and in the near future? 

I'll be on stage later today performing a couple tunes with Chimpo. I'm Working on a fabric mix at the minute with dub phizix, we’re also touring with our night ‘well good do’,  so thats at Fabric and we’re going Croatia and Bristol too to start with. We’re looking to take it everywhere. 

Any new releases? 

I’m in the studio at the minute so you'll be hearing some new solo stuff soon. 

FOX 

How does Carnival compare to other performances or festivals? 

Little bit different it's home territory, I’ve not been carnival in years I was keeping low there was beef back then, the gunchester years and all that but things have changed. It’s an emotional return as well back at Alexandra Park. Its about the community, everybody's here and everybodys is skanking - it's love. 

What can we expect from Fox in the near future, any new releases?  

I’ve been working on the Swing Ting EP so that should be the next thing released, Swing Ting label has obviously had some big things going on with the new Madd Again EP. I’m collaborating with Chimpo at the minute too. Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this but I’ve got the gangstaish tune to be released with Chimpo and Alix Perez. 

 Head to Swing Ting every 3rd Saturday at Soup Kitchen

TRIGGA

How do you feel about the Carnivals return to Alexandra Park? 

It's been about 10 years since I last came carnival they weren't really allowing the urban scene because of certain things going on at the time but its all come back around now. It's all big movements as a Manchester collective. 

What can we expect from Trigga and the Madd Again Soundsystem (Zed Bias, Killa Benz, and Specialist Moss) ? 

Expect 'Mad ting Vol 1' that will be released soon and we're working on our single EPs so there'll be tracks from Killa Benz out soon and a solo EP from me. 

What sort of sound would you say you were progressing towards? 

I'll always keep it real to drum and bass but I also like to show people different things. 

Where else can we catch you performing? 

We'll be at outlook in Croatia and also Mint Fest in September. 

Photography & Video : Josh Bannister

Blogger: @CJhamand

Bloc2BlocEntertainment. 

ADORAH INTERVIEW

Adorah Johnson is a local rising star in Manchester's Soul, Jazz, Hiphop and House scenes with a unique sound and deep yet relateable lyrics. This girl's got a load of gigs right now and her first solo EP 'True To Self' is soon to be realased on all good media outlets so Bloc2Bloc decided to invite her down to the studio for a chat about herself and her music.

Hello and welcome to bloc2bloc studios, first of all we would just like to thank you for coming down today for a chat.

Adorah: No problem thanks for having me!

Anytime Miss! Anyway we know you as Hannah, but would you mind introducing yourself to the rest of the world and telling them what it is you do?

Adorah: My names Adorah, full name Adorah Johnson; I’m a 24 year old singer and songwriter based in Manchester.

Nice one for that, I’m sure that’s a name that a few people will already know, now that’s covered though lets find out a little bit more about you! How did you originally get into music?

Adorah: Well I’ve always loved singing, with the writing side of things I started out writing poetry as a kid and then the poems turned into songs! I eventually found this youth club in Wythenshawe that ran music workshops, I used to go there all the time learning how to record music, preform and write lyrics. While there I worked with a group of people rather than on my own and as I got better I started preforming all over Manchester and the North West.

Its great to hear that projects like that youth club are pushing young artist and helping them get out! Since realising you were talented at what you do and very passionate about music what have been some of the best things that have happened because of it?

Adorah: Oh that’s a hard question because there have been so many moments that stand out! One of my best memories is from earlier this year when I was booked for Burns Festival in Scotland with my guitarist (James). It was wicked, we did a gig at the festival then later on in the day we preformed a really intimate acoustic gig for a group of writers. It was just me, James and the guitar, What made it so special was the way they all listened, everyone took something from it and we all spoke to each other after it!

That really does sound special! Would you say that that the small and intimate style of acoustic performing is what you prefer over the bigger gigs?

Adorah: To be honest I love them all, that day just stands out because it felt like memories were made for so many people there and everyone took something from the performance! As writers I knew they were listening to what I had written, they were all very interested to know how I write and where I get my inspiration.

Yeah I can definitely understand why that was a highlight for, creating a connection with others through the love of music and being creative is always a good feeling! Other than Scotland where else have you preformed in this country or even around the world?

Adorah: I’ve actually done quite a lot of different shows, like I said I started off with the youth club and that consisted of doing shows at community festivals and nightclubs in Manchester but from there I’ve done stadiums gigs and other venues around England, Also while on holiday I ended up doing a few little gigs in Morocco!

Awesome sounds like you’ve done a fair bit of travelling! Were the gigs in Morocco planned or was it a little bit of an impromptu performance?

Adorah: It was a completely spur of the moment thing, sometimes you cant beat doing stuff like that! You can’t script or plan everything in life you’ve just got to take a leap of faith at times and hope for the best!

I can definitely agree with that, being an artist is all about taking the opportunities that are there if you want to progress! Now we know some of the stories of your past would you mind telling us after all them experiences what is it your doing now?

Adorah: At the moment I’m doing a lot of gigs preforming my EP ‘True to self’ which I brought myself exclusively to Bandcamp earlier this year. I’m working on a lot of new stuff with my guitarist (James Auton), if anyone’s seen my videos then he’s the guy I’m always jamming with!  As well as that I’ve been collaborating with Conscious Poet and Verbal Wisdom recently and I’m going to be preforming with at Golden Egg in Fallowfield this Saturday. If you like Hip Hop it’s defiantly something you should come check out!

https://soundcloud.com/adorahjohnson/sets/true-to-self-ep

Definitely miss we will be there sounds like its going to be the shout to go to after the carnival! Where do you see your self in the future then Adorah? What do you want for your music?

Adorah: Well with my music I just want to spread a good message out and connect with people. If there were one thing I could wish for it would be for my songs to help people get through things because they can relate to the things I’ve been through. There’s a lot of doom and gloom in life so as long as my music is making people more positive then I’m happy.


So you’re about putting a smile on as many people’s faces as possible, and spreading good vibes. I like that it’s defiantly a good attitude to have in life, obviously your naturally a very positive and motivated person but who would you say inspires you in life and music?

Adorah: I would say one person who really inspires me with the music I make is Erykah Badu. She’s a neo soul singer who had massive hits in the 90s but has always stayed that little bit underground and I like that about her, it makes her intriguing. You know a singer is talking about something important when its not hitting mainstream media but she still has so many fans. Other musicians around me inspire me a lot, when I go and jam or meet new people it allows me to see how others work and study other techniques and styles if you know what I mean?


Yeah I feel you, you like having people to bounce ideas of and getting inspiration from mixing things up a little. Seeing as working with others is something you do a lot if you could collaborate with anyone, dead or alive who would it be?

Adorah: Oh dead OR alive! Am I aloud to pick two one dead and one alive?

Yeah I guess you can have three if you want, just make sure their good ones ha ha!

Adorah: Right then! My living person would have to be an American rapper called The ILLZ. He’s got this hip hop sound but its like orchestrated; crazy instruments, vocal samples, lyrics and his flow make his music perfect! Everything about him is crazy really who you’ve got to check out to know what I mean.

I’ve not heard of him but this guy does sound sick, I’ll be sure to give him a listen! So could you see yourself doing a hook or something on one of his songs?

Adorah: Yeah defiantly, and a verse of course, I would love to! For working with people who’s are longer with us if I’ve got to say Hendrix, Bob Marley and Tupac, I love all their music!

They are some good choices! I can tell from just them three that you’ve definitely got a varied taste in good music, back on to your own music actually could you tell us a bit about the process you go through when making it, how does it all come together from the initial idea to being on stage preforming it?

Adorah: It depends to be honest, sometimes its just an idea that comes in my head out of nowhere and I need to some words down or I just wont stop thinking about it, then other times its I’ll get sent a beat or I’ll be working with someone playing guitar or keys and the ideas will start to flow from hearing the music and thinking about what I can bring to it. If it’s a collab then obviously there’s already a topic or a idea of where its going to then I will just think up of things and try to make them fit into what’s already there. From there it’s literally just a case of getting in the studio with whoever needs to be there and taking it from there. I suppose in the studio is where all the changes happen, the more times you go through something you see what works and what doesn’t.

Once again you’ve said a lot about working with others, its good to see someone who’s not just all about them self and does stuff with a diverse range of people! So who would you say that B2B and people reading should be looking out for in the future?

Adorah: Oh there’s so many as we was saying before there’s talent round every corner in Manchester!

I know ha ha, I can imagine as a local artist your always locked into who’s making movements but if you were to think about someone who you see preforming and you think ‘there going to go somewhere’ who would you say? 

Adorah: I’m always checking new music and new people for real, but I think some of my favorite upcoming people right now in terms of the content there putting out would be Conscious Poet, Where’s Neek’s and Verbal Wisdom. All three of those, literally I cant explain the deepness, if your into your deep music you’ll see what I mean!

So you just see them do their thing and get really emotional over there music and it affects you?

Adorah: Massively, they inspire me! I mean, I’m bias because there people I’m around a lot, I work with them obviously I’m going to have that view but they really are amazing! Seriously though there really is so much talent in Manchester, there’s ape cult there smashing it right now from what I see, I’ve got to shout out ETV because there literally trying to push Manchester forward in a similar way B2B are! [Banner Laughs] Right now everyone’s just trying make a movement its nice to see that in Manchester right now because I think sometimes it’s felt like there’s not big support the way there is in other cities.

Yeah definitely in other cities it feels like everyone gets there shine where as in Manchester we help each other and make everyone else shine!

Adorah: Exactly that, I’m trying to think who else is doing it for me right now but there’s far to many! I’m sorry if I’ve not mentioned anyone but there’s so many so keep up the good work people!

Sounds like you put in a lot of good work too recently and I would just like to say big up’s because what you’re doing right now is brilliant both the music and the community based positive attitude! I Think that’s pretty much a wrap so thank you for coming down, now were just going to get a little video of you preforming your song ‘Coast’ then well be seeing you later this week on Saturday I guess!

Adorah: Thank you for inviting me down, I look forward to seeing you soon!

Live preformance of 'Coast' for Bloc2Bloc

Golden Egg Hip Hop Obsolete Summer Jam - event link 

Adorah Facebook Page

Blogger : J Bannister

Bloc2BlocEntertainment

TRIGGA x CHIMPO x SAM BINGA | WHO RUN TINGZ / MCR [MUSIC VIDEO]: SBTV

Download here 

Manchester veterans Chimpo and Trigga have linked up with Bristols D&B don Sam Binga to resurrect that dark and heavy badman sound.  Combining an original 'moss side inna jungle vibe' with the city and scenes new and emerging creative style. Solid production and Triggas timeless approach to dominating the track guarantee it as a sure fire shadow anthem.

Grab it from the download link above and expect to hear it mash up a set near you.

We'll be chatting to man like Trigga (maybe inna corner) very soon so look out for that.

@CHIMPOMCR
@TRIGGASDC
@Sam_Binga

Blogger: @CJhamand

Bloc2Bloc Entertainment.