Trim is undoubtedly one of the most inimitable and prolific MCs to have ever come out of the grime scene. Repping for the scene that he came up through while refusing to be defined by it, he has done things his way since day. His choice of producers is a perfect example of this, having worked with the likes of Becoming Real, Dro Carey, Blackdown and Harmonic 313. His laconic flow, intricate word play and dark sense of humour put him head and shoulders above most other MCs around at the moment.

Always one to do things differently, he has just dropped two new mixtapes on the same day. ‘Chelsea Smile’ and ‘Ghostwriter Vs Autotune’ are the final 2 of 10 mixtapes that he promised to release before his album drops. 31 tracks deep, the mixtapes see Trim explore loads of different musical territory, touching upon dub, hip hop and dubstep as well as grime. He is on top form spitting over beats courtesy of Swindle, Ballistiq Beats and SX amongst others. Such is the strength of Trim’s lyrical artillery that he doesn’t have to resort to slews of guest appearances or over-the-top choruses to bolster the mixtapes, with only a few choice appearances from Circle fam Obese and Nico Lindsay, Dirty Goodz, Kivanc and Opium, while he takes centre stage.

Anyone that follows Trim should already recognize a few tracks here like his ‘F64′ freestyle, ‘Dibi Dibi Flows’ featuring Obese, his send for Prez T ‘Trim For President’ and ‘This Ain’t Me‘ produced by Starkey, amongst plenty of new material. Moving from hype bars to introspective depth with ease, these mixtapes go to show why he is one of the most respected MCs around.

Criminally underrated and endlessly creative, Trim is the most exciting MC England has at the moment. DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS, TRUST ME!

Both mixtapes are now available from iTunes: Chelsea Smile / Ghostwriter Vs Autotune

Also, make sure you watch out for ‘I Am‘ (produced by TRC) which is forthcoming on Butterz

Watch the new video from Swindle for his track Mood Swings released earlier this year by Butterz, animation and artwork by Mr Tit:

Another installment of On The Buttons in November showcases the talents of female rapper Baby Blue and a Q&A with the mighty Loefah. If you don’t know what this is about, here’s a little example of what goes down from the last event. Swindle is mind boggling with the speed in which he builds this beat, very impressive stuff!

DJs Kashmir Kid and Tanzanite will keep things rolling with their mix of experimental underground sounds while you grab a drink, network with other like minded musicians, and maybe challenge them to a game of ping pong!

They are also putting on free drinks and it free to attend, can’t beat that really, can you? Sign up to the Facebook event to make sure you get a place on the guest list. FACEBOOK ON THE BUTTONS

Alternatively, email names to onthebuttons@gmail.com to get on the guestlist

SEE YOU THERE!

www.onthebuttons.tumblr.com

2-6pm at The Red Bull HQ (3 mins walk from London Bridge station)

We have posted about Kashmir Kid before and posted up a mix or two and now his first release is finally available to buy! Kashmir Kid makes his debut release on Goldielocks’ label Gut Instinct with ‘Return To Bombay City’. Already gaining support from DJs such as Swindle, Redlight, Klose One and Seb Chew who gave it’s first airplay on Rinse FM just hours after hearing it.

Sarah has been chatting to us about KK for a while and we will be doing some bits with him in the near future, so watch this space! He is of British and Pakistani heritage, Kashmir Kid makes electronic music with an influence of Dubstep, UK Funky and Future Garage, all with his signature Eastern subtleties hidden within each track. A product of Pakistani immigration and Goldie’s Inner City Life set to a backdrop of post 7/7 London, KK makes gritty inner city music for those slightly more conscious of concepts and themes.

If you haven’t heard it already, give it a go here, it’s defo worth a listen!

YO!

Everyone has had a go at production or thinks they have the skills to make beats and could always ‘do it better’, right? If you’re an up and coming producer, or beginner, and are trying to tighten up your skills then this website might be right up your street.

Goldilocks’ new event, On The Buttons, is ‘a Bi-Monthly music event, with Q+A sessions with recognized music producers and live performances from new musical talent’. They have a different producer at each event come down and do a workshop on how they make beats and Swindle is doing the next one. Their website is full of tutorials and videos with lots of useful information on beat making and I highly recommend it! Check it out…

PEACE&OUZO

First up Ace Norton‘s video for Darwin Deez’s Radar Detector. Man, I wish I could grow a moustache like that.

Next up, OK GO’s promo for This Too Shall Pass, directed by James Frost. When the video first starts, I’ll admit I was like ‘Oh, one of these… Meh.’ But that cynicism quickly vanished and by halfway through I was shouting louder with every transition. AMAZING WORK!

A few weeks back we featured Adam Powell‘s promo for Giggs’ forthcoming track, Don’t Go There. Here is another beautifully shot video for long-time collaborator Jamie T’s track, Emily’s Heart.

Finally, Elijah & Skilliam‘s latest vlog entry. Check Swindle’s piano skills! Catch E&S playing at GETSOME003 on April 17.