When it comes to Hip-Hop I’m no expert. But I know what I like. I want upbeat tunes, a retro vibe, more than just a vocal hook to keep me interested and a bit of bounce. I like the electro-tinged beats of the Wiseguys, the jazzy and scratchy style of A Tribe Called Quest, the hip hop mash-ups of The Rub, the in-your-face politics of Public Enemy and the chipper old school sound of DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince. I like it old school and I like it sunny.
Kidda – AKA Ste McGregor – is both. But he’s not just hip-hop. He’s soul, hip-hop-funk, electro and, by the looks of things, a huge fan of retro samples. His debut album ‘Going Up’ is to be released on Skint Records (home to Fatboy Slim, X-Press 2, Goose and Midfield General).
Kidda is all chirpy beats, uplifting vocal samples, loop trumpets and a vintage brand of hip hop that may as well be bellowing from a dusty boombox way back in the early 90′s. Add some summery, bouncy electro-pop and you have Kidda’s uplifting debut album ‘Going Up’.
‘Under The Sun’ is an overtly summery anthem, filled with a vivacious female vocal hook. It’s bursting with every instrument under the sun, and includes glitched, distorted cut-ups of the vocals that mesh and stutter into a wonderful clattering slice of sunny electro-pop. Herve’s remix gives the tune a heavy makeover, fully fitted with a rasping, pacey bassline:
Kidda – Under The Sun (Herve Remix) [pelski highly recommends]
An unkind review likened Kidda’s tunes to that of a typical Muller Yogurt ad soundtrack. He makes a good point. Kidda’s tracks have that quirky charm that ad agencies seem to love. They take our best tracks and then milk them for everything they are worth – reducing them to silly little jingles. It’s the uplifting beat that suits their ‘buy these feel-good-products’ message. It’s a shame the reviewer had to point this out (and, er, i’ve now down the same) . Typically it’s just been snapped up for the latest Bacardi advert. But still, cast aside the commercial appeal and this album – released in less than a month (pre-order here) – is the perfect soundtrack to your summer (rather than just to your adverts).
The following displays the more hip-hoppy side of the album (though the Parker remix doesn’t feature on it), with lots of delicious rapping, big beats, clapping bass and a beat masters drum effects machines; all providing the obligatory vintage aesthetic. Nice:
Kidda – Doo Whot (Parker Remix) [pelski highly recommends]
As the writer of the crown dozen blog rightly pointed out, I’ve been over using the “[pelski highly recommends]” tag, throwing it around willy-nilly and hence somewhat devaluing it as a recommendation. I will try and be less liberal with the tag, and only highly recommend the very best of the best. 
However, that’s not to say I don’t think the other tracks posted aren’t first class tracks and deserve a see-in.
It’s also worth checking out Kidda’s remixing efforts at his second myspace address here. He’s produced an interesting Fatboy Slim mash-up that encompasses a tonne of Fatboy Slim hits. While slightly convoluted and choatic, it’s still great fun.
Kidda has also kindly uploaded his remix album of the Beastie Boys here: Kidda vs Beatie Boys – On The Bus To NYC
Now get outside: with the sunshine (it’s probably gone by now), an old ghetto blaster (purely for the scenester ‘retro’ look: as a devoted hipster you have to brave the truly shite sound quality) and a bit of Kidda.
