So now, I have decided to use my powers to spread the joy of  Boxfresh across the world.Like an undercover superhero. Like, you know how you get Birdspotters, well, I’m just like that except I’m a Boxfresh spotter (and I have much bettter binoculars.obviously.) Basically, I’m like an undercover Boxfresh snapper,spreading the love of Boxfresh when I see it.

So, here is Picture 1 in my series of Boxfresh perversion from yours truly, which I took Guerrilla Style. Spotted on Camden tube escalator, while I secretly stood behind her and took a picture like a crazy person.Don’t watch the crap quality, its hard out here for a Guerrilla photographer.

More to come!

Kieran

@kieran_yates

We recently caught up with Mr Thing, legendary DJ and all round nice guy. We talk record shops, Pro Green and what the future holds. Read on.

TOTR: Can you give us a brief history into who you are? How did it all start for you?

Mr Thing: I think I started to learn how to DJ round about 1986, two of my friends both called Phil had turntables at their houses. I used to go there and learn the basics off them, we use to use 7″s to start off with because the turntables were belt-driven and if you tried to use a 12″ it would take ages to get going once you let it go. Eventually I got some 1210’s in 1989/90 and that was me, I started to do a couple local youth clubs and got my first paid gig in my local town hall. I was also going to parties in the next town over Tonbridge. Where we went to see Derek B, Cookie Crew, Jungle Brothers, Ice T, it was crazy and I used to see First Rate DJ over there too. We eventually linked up via a night I was doing in Tunbridge Wells called Funky Buddha in the mid-90s and started practicing together. At the same time we met Tony Vegas through Mr Bongos record shop, the whole Scratch Perverts thing came about through hanging out there and meeting people and just getting on it. Then we started doing the DJ Battles and everything and it all snowballed from there .

TOTR: What are your thoughts of the UK music scene at the moment?

Mr Thing: I like it, it’s been interesting chatting to people and seeing how they figured out how they are dealing with the digital side of things now that people don’t really buy physical copies of music anymore. Also, watching UK artists have number 1 singles. I don’t really like a lot of the music that’s making it in the charts these days. However, it’s good to see people like Pro Green doing well, I remember him killing it at open mic battles in Camden years ago. It’s also pretty encouraging how people are supporting each over here too.

TOTR: If you wasn’t a DJ, what would you be doing now?

Mr Thing: Honestly, I’d probably be working for my Dad, which is what I do half the week anyway. But, I really, really, really, wanted to have a record shop. However, I don’t know if that’s actually possible right now as people don’t even want to buy a CD.

TOTR: Where are your favourite spots to play at the moment?

Mr Thing: I used to love playing at Herbal but it’s gone now, that was my favourite, favourite spot. I enjoy playing at Fabric when I get the chance and Cargo is always good fun too. They’ve all got amazing sound systems so that’s why, and of course good people.

TOTR: UK hip hop or US hip hop?

Mr Thing: I like it all, as long as it’s good. I can’t support something from here or there if it’s not good music, that’s honestly how I’ve always picked tunes to play and will continue to do that. I am not gonna get bullied into playing something just because it’s big here or there, if I don’t like it I won’t play it, it was never an issue when I started DJing and I still feel strongly about it now.

TOTR: Vinyl or Mp3’s?

Mr Thing: Although, I use Serato now I’ve still got all my records locked up and I still buy new records on vinyl when they can be bothered to put them out. It kind of makes it official for me when someone’s invested time and money into a vinyl release because anyone can chuck an MP3 out there and there’s no quality control. I do like how Warp and Fatbeats and labels like that have put a download card in with their vinyl releases too, so you don’t have to record or digitize the thing if you are using Serato. But the long and short of it is I love records.

TOTR: Last, but by no means least what does the future hold for Mr Thing?

Mr Thing: Well, last night I just did some cuts for Jehst’s new LP which is sounding pretty ridiculous. I’m doing a remix for S.Kalibre and some production for Inja, I’ve got a track on Jehst’s LP too. I’m doing a mix tape with Yungun which will be finished soon. We’re just putting that together now so it’ll be ready before his album drops and I’m doing some cuts for that album as well. I’m gonna finish up my Champion Nerd mix tape this month and get that out there finally, it is all breaks and samples from hip hop tunes. When that is done hopefully Strange Breaks & Mr Thing Vol. 3 on BBE, need to get cracking on that.

To keep up to date with Mr Thing check out his Facebook and Twitter.

Mr Thing will also be Djing at our Lovebox after party next week alongside Mildilla and DJ LoK.

Enjoy!

Kieran x

@kieran_yates

For those who don’t already know, Who is Untitled? What do you do?

I am an up and coming mc from North London and part of Behave Yourself, which is a music group.

How did you get the name Untitled?

I did not want a name where people would possibly assume I made a particular type of music before listening to it. I make all types of music with varied concepts so it keeps people guessing with no idea of what to expect.

Your currently working as part of the Behave Yourself collective, who else is involved and how did you hook up with them?

Me, Evolver, Mes and Rogue. Me and Mes are brothers and Evolver has been about since I set up Axefm North. I had just left a group and Me, Evolver and my brother one day at studio just decided to come together as a collective and make music. Me and Rogue work together and he does music so I asked him to join us.

You’ve already got multiple promos, a solo CD(misconceptions), and a CD with BY(Entity) under your belt. What else are you working towards at the moment?

I have been working on 3 projects. One is a mixtape where the proceeds will be given to charity, the other is a grime mixtape and finally a CD containing all of my commercial, thought provoking laid back music.

How do you go through the creative process?

We have our own studio in North London. I have been contacting producers via twitter and soundcloud asking for beats. I also network at the various open mic events that I go and perform at. I have not really worked with anyone outside of my camp so getting my team to feature on my music is easy. I will be reaching out to artists in the future and I guess I’ll be using the same mediums to contact them, ask them to come to the studio, or record their parts elsewhere and email the files to me.

What are your main influences?

Life. I see things everyday. I go through things everyday. Sometimes its positive and sometimes its negative. I write it all down and then make a song about it later.

Who are you feeling in the UK right now?

Wiley and Dizzee mainly.

Who would you like to work with/reach out to?

Dogzilla is probably my number one choice. I’m willing to work with anyone thats good to be honest.

Any events we can catch you at in the near future?

All I’ll say is check my web page regularly for updates. I’m always somewhere.

Any shouts?

Shout out to my team and everyone supporting!!

Anything else you wanna mention?

Left me ft Kelsey which is on itunes now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMpjmIWaxhA
Try Me v1 is a free download from my website. http://www.untitledmc.com
Try Me v2 is out on the 21st June 2010.

www.untitledmc.com
www.behaveyourselfuk.bigcartel.com

Lyrics aren’t the only thing that have the Adenuga’s up there with the big shot names. JME, as well as brother Skepta, are renowned for their fruityloop loving addiction to laying beats. I got a hold of the Avalanche 2 a few weeks back and it’s a must for any MC or grime fan’s collection. All them classic beats in the mix and formula BBK track banger’s are on this CD. From Shut Yuh Mut, Total Mayhem and African Zulu Warrior to 96 Bars Of Revenge, they all take me back to the classic days. Get your copy right NOW from ITUNES & HMV.

Chipmunk Version of the Woooo Riddim

A brand new online music show on Glossy TV presented by yours truly uncovering the best of UK underground music from djs, producers, crews, mc’s songwriters and vocalists. If your a music nerd, then this is for you! Shown fortnightly on Glossy TV, this week i interview producer/dj Goldielocks, MC- Black The Ripper and crew NU BRAND.

Next Week we film at The Green Room’s new home- the Red Bull music HQ! … stay tuned, cause this series is A LOT and it only gets better !

Its your girl Sarah Young, the newest member of the Boxfresh gang.

Welcome to my TOP 3- everything from music to fashion to art, all the things that keep my audio and visual senses ticking!

MUSIC :

Janelle Monae | That style | That doll face | That old skool sound | Oh and those dance moves! | wow-zers.

FASHION

TREND| NUDE | STYLED BY YOURS TRULY | Summer’s here and this is how to wear Nude | Without looking na-kid!| Think big tribal style necklaces ‘n’ accessories | Pick a shade of Nude that suits your skin tone | and ya done- gabooom, summer style straight up! |

ART

Kelsey Brookes | She’s been featured on Kanye’s Blog ‘n’ everything | Those Chris Ofili style colours take the viewer to a completely different place | BOOTIFUL! |

Check me before you check out!

TWITTER:
iamsarahyoung