V3xation (also known as V3X, V3xster Surgeon & V3x Voltaire) is the pseudo alias of the MC, Producer, DJ and Live Vocalist from Sheffield, England. Although mainly associated with the Experimental Hip-Hop/Post Rock collective “The Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles” & Hip-Hop duo “Heads from the Hills” he also moonlights as a solo/freestyle MC, DJ and producer on the Sheffield scene including lending vocals and production to Sheffield Dubstep producer Barker and performing with the Renegade Brass Band.
He’s had the pleasure in supporting such acts as DJ Vadim, Three Trapped Tigers, The Electric, DELS, Jehst, Acoustic Ladyland, BLK JKS, Clinic, Stateless, Kid Kanevil, The Nextmen, Verbal Kent and Trojan Soundsystem and had the displeasure of supporting crap musicians too.
From February til August 2009, V3xation was signed to independent label Bi-Valve Recordings along with the rest of his band mates for their first release Vol.1 – Let’s Begin… Now. Helping to capture the essence of the live sound and scope of the project to largely positive reviews. The EP featured remixes by Kid Kanevil (First Word/Ninja Tune), artwork from the immensely talented Dan Mumford (Beck, Evil Nine) and was mastered by Rod from Stateless (DJ Shadow – The Outsider).
Also finding time to work and perform with the fantastic Renegade Brass Band on new material for 2010 and remixes for From the Kites of San Quentin and guest appearances with Sonny Jim on Nate’s mixtape Working Class Hero.
2011 saw the release of Renegade Brass Band’s first release, Radio Rebelde to great appraise and enthusiasm. V3x featured on two of the five tracks compiled, contributing original material to RBB composistions and covers (The Herbaliser).
Now focused on finishing the studio portion of the Bishops Love Sci-Fi project and working with various musicians and producers. V3xation is looking to release an extensive collection of music in many a genre.
Discography
- Johan Hjort – A Smile for Able (Adams Necktie Remix) [November 2011 on Underljud.se]
- Bloodbare – Heart Shaped Skull (V3xation Remix) [October 2011]
- Renegade Brass Band – Radio Rebelde EP [February 2011]
- Nate – Booze and the Birds ft. Sonny Jim & V3xation [June 2010]
- From the Kites of San Quentin – <@-;) (V3xation Remix) [April 2010]
- Barker & Jack Opus – Remixed in Sheffield [November 2009]
- Barker – Big Bad Bernie – The Remixes [July 2009 on Planet Terror Records]
- The Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles – Vol.1: Let ‘s Begin… Now [February 2009 on Bi-valve Recordings]
Videography
- The Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles – 105mm (KA-CHUNK!) [2009]
- Renegade Brass Band – Electronic Press Kit [2011]
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This ever growing 8 piece band performs a woven tale of epic proportion, spanning a seamless trail and sewing disjointed genres until they make perfect sense. The 4 year old project unites the strengths of live experimental hip hop with post rock, classical music, metal, dub and jazz amongst other elements in a unique stew – performed fully live without relying on loops, backing tracks or any programming.
The Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles are proud to be one of the pioneers of the Sheffield experimental music scene.
The project was originally started as a live drum/scratch two piece act by BaronVonBadd, a DJ bored by the current ‘live’ hip hop scene. On a mission to collect and record a diverse set of instruments to use as scratch samples, he ended up gaining eager musicians who wanted to play live.
The aim of the group is to creatively combine a wide and diverse set of instruments and talents, this in turn organically produces unique clashes, block rocking performances and the best live experimental hip hop!
The group is proud of its ability to combine classical, alternative, experimental and DJ culture within a set, customising each performance to ensure a flow from tune to tune – sometimes seamless, sometimes jarring but captivating every time.
Valentines Day 2009 saw the release of our 6 track debut EP titled ‘Let’s Begin Now’ on the Independent Label BiValve Recordings. – Available in selected stores. Featuring remixes by Kid Kanevil and M.I Loki and artwork by Dan Mumford (Beck, Evil Nine)
“…adventurous instrumentation, a couple of spot-on guest vocalists and cool projected visuals, changing tactfully between heavy and soulful” – Now Then Magazine
“‘Let’s Begin, Now’ is the debut EP from Sheffield’s own 7 Black Tentacles. An unusual combination of musicians that includes a cellist, a scratch DJ and an MC on top of the backline of drums, bass and keyboard. It is recorded in the spirit of experimentation making each track seperate and distinct from the next but tied together with interludes that narrate the story of the 7 Black Tentacles.
“‘Let’s Begin, Now’ sees the Legend of the 7 Black Tentacles establish their own style without becoming samey or predictable, and whislt it doesn’t always capture the intensity of their live performances, it is a decent indication of the ambitious scope of the project and the genre melding that it has become known for. The legend continues…” - Sam Walby, Now Then Magazine.
Includes remixes from Kid Kanevil and M.I. LOKI. Artwork by Dan Mumford.
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Combining 8 horns with 2 percussionists, scratch DJ and live MC, the Renegade Brass Band are a tight ensemble playing with a raw brass sound, mixing the best of funk, hip-hop and soul into the ultimate party band.
Playing a mix of original material, and covers of songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder, The Herbaliser and jazz giants such as Cannonball Adderley, the Renegade Brass Band have already established a big live reputation in Sheffield and Yorkshire.
Hi! This time I listened to Renegade Brass Band’s EP, Radio Rebelde. The band is a combination of 8 horns, 2 percussionists, a DJ and a live MC. They are a mixture of genres with the great characteristic elements of brass instruments: Latin jazz, fusion, hip hop and funk.
The aroused feelings go from dancing to remembering places such as Brazil, New Orleans and New York. The combination of horns and percussion gives the idea of Brazilian “Batucada”, being a collective or band such as a New Orleans’ marching bands and visualizing the street where the renegade New Yorker hip-hop hepcat meeting takes place (oh, now I got the name! I guess). And if you take a look at the cover, you might confirm this, so I dare to say all that was the main driving force of this fabulous EP.
These flowing genres, high notes and drum beats shine such as colours from the rainbow and produce an effect: if you like dancing you feel like moving it and if you don’t, you feel like moving it anyway or at least you feel like jumping or shake a part of your body. (probably if you see a live performance what you’ll be moving would be the eyes just to manage to appreciate every single musician in the collective). [Editorial note: I danced my arse off and I don't like dancing - Sam the curmudgeon]
It’s show time! So let’s go a little deeper within each song. There are 5 songs in this EP, Radio Rebelde, and each one is complex with its own similar mixture. The first song is called ‘Barrio’ and that is the one the reminded me of a “Batucada”. I couldn’t help but move my shoulders and feet while listening to this song then, I gotta confess, I left my chair and danced.
Then I listened to the second song: ‘Take No Chances, Make No Changes’. The first thing that popped up was the extract from the undercover radio station, “Radio Rebelde”, during the Cuban revolution and then the MC began rhyming and singing with the horns accompanying and the percussion keeping the pace. For me, this song represents rebellion and stand up for something better but with a colourful atmosphere.
Next on the list is ‘Junktion’, which begins with a nostalgic tune (as a New Orleans big band playing for a funeral) but then the drums begin a different and more enthusiastic beat, so the song texture goes up and ends in happiness. There is the remix version that lost the idea of the funeral and it feels like electrofunk all the way from the beginning.
And so we get to talk about ‘Nah Mean Nah‘M’Sayin’’. This song is the kind of hip hop that transports you to the street, that represents renegade people, but there is also the brass element that gives you a more cheerful beat, a wingman to your statement.
Well, so they said I would love the Renegade Brass Band and sure I did. It’s a great and original collective and the mixture of genres brings a very complex but well structured and danceable music. Lots of kudos.
LalaUsagi, http://sloucher.org
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