DJ fresh is now establishing himself as the firm favourite in the Stoke-on-Trent Hip Hop scene with his almost endless appearences on Radio Stoke Subculture. The show is a weekly exploration to all the best music in the area. Although most of the tracklisting has been "Indie" in the past schedules, the arrival of "Quality Hip hop" in the words of the hosts not mine. Acts like DJ fresh, Parradox, TBK and Criminology are taking the airwaves by storm at the moment.

This is having a "knock on effect" in the guys being asked to perform alongside other established acts like "Big Cash Prizes""Coda" and Audio Congress.

Parradox is doing a "Live session" on the show in February 07 and its sure to go down a strorm.

DJ Fresh is supporting "The Audio Congress" which is a combination of electronic artists from the area performing live improvised music, and experimental video jamming.

The airplay has also aroused interest from the Unity Organisation requesting involvement in many local projects. including video production work with funding from the National Lottery.

Watch this space!!!!!!

The legend that is Parradox and the whole Stoke Hip Hop scene explosion continued last night at The Underground in Stoke-on-Trent. The whole of the Hip Hop community gethered to witness the birth of something big, Im talking about the one and only Parradox who is one of the best support acts I have witnessed in a very long time.

From the second Parradox and DJ Patchie C got on Stage,his presence as a rising star could clearly be felt The audience had travelled from all over the country following the headline act BIG CASH PRIZES, had a new player to admire.

The locals had obviously been following local hero "Dox" for a very long time, and he used this advantage to stir them into a frenzy. The entire line up from THE CHESHIRE CHEESE had turned up to show support and Dox returned the favour with numerous shout-outs to DJ Fresh, Kermeo, The Chapter, Instrumentalist and Forbidden Tongues. Local beatboxer cozer also had a big surprise when he was hauled on stage to provide the beat for a freestyle with the man himself and the crowd loved it.

One punter climbed on stage at one point and began banging the drums in time with the music, to the delight of the home crowd but not of doorman unfortunately.

The whole set was homegrown perfection, with local accent and landmarks mentioned and the crowd loved it. It isn't easy to mention oatcakes and cheese, canals and Stoke FC and get away with it, but the lads natural charm and charisma will always pull him through.

Next time you are going a gig and arriving after the support acts just make sure it isn't Parradox and if you want homegrown hip hop then forget Robbie Williams.....

The rap scene is alive and kicking in Stoke-On-Trent, and it's all thanks to a small group of musicians, Dj's and Mc's from all over the surrounding area.

The group have transformed a local pub's open mic night into a scene from the movie '8 mile' which features the rapper 'Eminem' battling for supremaacy...

The big difference however, is the atmosphere of unity and mutual respect from the artists involved.

"We want to put Stoke on the hip hop map" is the words echoed by all the guys I spoke to on the night.

Even before the music started the rappers were 'freestyling' accapella, to the delight of all their friends that had come to show there support and admiration for their talents.

The artists present were Parradox, Kermeo, The Chapter and DJ Fresh.

The abscence of Patchie C and his turntable skills didn't deter the guys, bringing along there own beats and bringing the house down. with some real class lyrics.

Author : DJ FRESH

OCTOBER THE 2ND

You just know that something greats going to happen when you see two turntables and a mixer,cd decks,half a dozen or so of the cream of hip hop talent from the surrounding area and a crowd to match. This is the scene of the Monthy hip hop night at the Cheshire Cheese, Chell St, Hanley.

Instrumentalist

The night began with the one and only Instrumentalist cutting some class beats with not only vinyl, but his own created compositions to boot, using all the technology of available and the full use of the volume switch on the amp..

Kermeo

Kermeo started the proceedings with some classic rhymes and all backed by the able dj skills of Turntablist. Kermeo also blew the crowd away rhyming accapella at one point in a style not un-similiar to one of the great pioneers of hip hop The Last Poets.

Freestyling to beats he was un-familiar with was no problem to the talents of Kermeo, and he rose to the challenge with style.

Parradox and Patchie C

The crowd pleaser Parradox and Patchie C were next to perform a set of mind blowing proportions, bouncing from hip hop to R&B and through nearly every musical genre in the last twenty years.The skills of Patchie C as a turntablist ripping the crowd into a frenzy. Parradox not only embraces the skills of a mc but the skills of a entertainer which will no doubt rise him all the way to the top. The now classic tracks "Old skool Reppin" and his more familiar "Share and Share Alike" having the crowd hungry for more, and he didn,t fail to deliver. Crowd participation asked for and delivered to the delight of all present.

Cozer (The Human Beatbox)

Who wants to follow a set of that magnitude? not me thats for sure but it didn,t stop the mighty Cozer from Alsager. This guy was just 18 years old and was only performing 'live' for the second time ever and following Parradox and Patchie C.

The guy didn,t fail to deliver, and was for many the highlight of the night. Beatboxing is probably one of the hardest things to pull off and the guy performed like a professional. Parradox added freestyle to the proceedings and history was made!!!

Dj Fresh

Next up to please the crowds was DJ Fresh from the band God Complex doing a set straight from the days of the old skool. His track 'Body Pop' with the 'Man Parrish' loop was certainly something different than the usual stuff. The guy was backed by the Instrumentalist with some class 'scratching'off the cuff. The next track was 'Stoke stand up' which went down to great applause from the crowd.

The Chapter.

The night ended as it always does with the guys freestyling till closing time, with some class rhymes from all the guys including one half of The Chapter 'Masire' who is the beatmaker predominantly, but quite comfortable as a lyricist as well. Gen-i-sus sadly couldn't make it on the night, but i'm sure he was there in thought.

big shouts out to all the performers and some big names in the crowd including Tekkas, Bass Cadet, 5th Action Shelter and Daz Willott.

Written by DJ Fresh

OCTOBER THE 13TH

The biggest and best Hip Hop night in the Stoke-On-Trent area had its most successful, and largest collection of talent from the area in residence. The night was sure to go off big style after Parradox blew the scene wide open playing support to one of the countries up and rising Indie bands Big Cash Prizes at The Underground just three days earlier.

The Underground

The scene was already set for a classic, with Parradox consistently spreading the word of The Cheese at every occasion during his mammoth set, aided and abetted with his DJ Patchie C.

The Cheese

The place was buzzing with anticipation as the talent arrived to play the best night in Stoke. the line up including: Parradox, Kermeo, The Chapter, Patchie C, Instrumentalist and Cozer.

The Chapter

The proceedings began with The Chapter's "Jenisus" returning to the delight of all gathered. The lyrical genius is a true ambassador of all that is great about the scene at The Cheshire Cheese. Original rhyme style and content blowing minds and genres wide open.

His new material proving to be as popular as the old, and 'Madame Twanky' his new track telling the story of ladies of.....shall we say "questionable reputation" going down a storm.

There was also his usual political rants of current affairs well on the agenda with George Bush at the end of most of them.

Kermeo

The guy arrived sporting not only a 'new hat' but also some new material to boot, with his collaboration with Mainz and "J-Reg metro" sounding as good as ever. Kermeo was joined for tracks by Parradox and The Chapter showing not only his versatility but also his popularity within the scene. It seems just about everybody wants to join forces with the mighty Kermeo..

DJ Fresh

Stoke-on Trents evergreen veteran of Hip Hop was up next, and as he jokingly said on the night was "Parradox's new support act"

The Old Skool sound seems to be making something of a comeback at the moment and even Robbie Williams wants in on the action. The guy didn't disapoint either, with his classics coming on strong and sounding as good as ever. 'Stoke Stand Up' already doing the rounds on the mobile phones we hear...

Parradox and Patchie C

Even after their big night at The Underground on Friday 10th the guys still had the time and energy to appear for free....and they didn't disapoint.

Every track now seems like it is a classic, with the public knowing and reciting the songs as if they were anthems. The guys charm and personality coming through strong with his improvisations with the crowd now folk lore.

There are too mny big tracks to mention, but the ever popular "Flowin" and "Kanye wot" definitive classics in the making..

Free music

The guys showed there love for the music and the scene at the end of the night by giving away copies of there new CDs for free.

Now thats Stoke for you.......