Those who are familiar with my blog will know that time to time I like to write some posts about my family in relation to my art. My mother featured here before. Having ago at using sampler and building a track.

Recently she visited me and started to go through some of the records I had in my house that once belonged to her. We started to play some of them which started to remind her about her younger days looking for records. She then started to tell me some stories of digging days and her passion for music.

Going back to the year 1968, life was a little bit different for your average Indian family. There weren’t things such as the Star Plus Channel, or BBC Asia One. To watch Indian films meant you would have to go to a specialist cinema. Like many my mother would search out the soundtracks to the movies she liked. Now 70 years old If and when I can I’m going to keep for my personal record films with interviews with my family. Since the Passing of my Grand mother December 2014 marks a massive shift / turning point in my family. From the old to the new world. If can record some of them stories for future generations then I will try to document that.

I quickly ran upstairs and got my camera to recorded her tail and adventure into London alongside her sisters to search out a record for which the song and its title for its time was considered quite provocative.

Fast forward 20 years to 1988, here I am running round looking for records like she did. I think she passed on her passion for records to all her children.

Whilst in New York last November working on the film I found the time to shoot a video for my friends Johnny Juice’s new project HiCoup.

HiCoup in his own right has been on the circuit for a good while.  I had never met him before the shoot.  I had only heard the E.P that Juice produced.  It’s a fantastic project led by Johnny Juice a accomplished producer and DJ.  Seeing him at work in person I can say that he is no way a beat maker, who churns out track after track asking artists to pick one.  He carefully selects who he works with and grinds in the studio to help develop a sound and artist.  His way is by no means a 1hour take.

There was a song on the E.P that stood out called ‘Crocodile Tears’.  I had spoken to Juice prior to leaving out to NYC and said if there was time Id shoot something for him.  I had been in NYC 2 weeks.  This was my final day.  I still have people to shoot for my project.

The sun was light very bright first thing in the morning, the weather was turning so there was a really nice frost.  Knowing how long things take I suggested to Juice we can shoot 6am in Brooklyn’s Forte Green.  I had shot there earlier on my trip.

HiCoup and manager where based in New Jersey.  I was very surprised when they called me to say there were at my spot dead on time.  We headed out to Forte Green and knocked out the video before 8am.  Only if every shoot could go down as well planned as that.

I had completed the video the first day I arrived back.  Now that HiCoup has approved and posted the video onto Youtube I can post it onto my page, enjoy.

DOWNLOAD THE E.P HERE

It’s been a while since I posted an article on to the blog.  A Lot is to do with the personal issues I’ve been facing.  This resulted in me temporally stopping writing and shutting down the store.   I’m proud to announce that its finally up and running.

Now it’s been 21 months since I started on my project ‘Looking for the perfect beat’.  A film shot in NYC and Canada, planned, written and edited here in the UK. The film is a 90 minute look at some of  the lives, tales and stories courtesy of some of the major players in the golden era of hip hop.  The producers who not only forged a sound but who’s passion for music is so unexpectedly broad  it would raise the eyebrow of vinyl connoisseur .

I’ve always been impressed how these young men growing up in NYC were and are still so passionate about this music, dedicated to searching out new sounds, grooves to be inspired to create these fantastic records that a lot of us have in our collection.  They call it Diggin today.  This is not a new thing.  As far as the DJ is concerned coming from the Hip Hop genre this goes back to the 70’s.  Take Jazzy Jay for example this is 40 years of looking for breaks for him.  How these men took machines that were not meant to be used by them and started to use them to make and create this music.  Myself I became a follower and practitioner of this in the late 80s, searching and looking for samples and grooves to create something funky and new.  Personally I’m addicted to things creative, over the last 20 years I’ve been consistently making very low budget independent films looking at the culture above.

As I’m entering a new phase in my life, I am looking at life and art very differently.  This film has become a real challenge for me.  I’m trying to do the very best I can, to deliver a high quality film, a film that’s motivated by the b-boy in me.  Not all of you reading this may understand what I mean by that,  I’m fueled by being the underdog.  The person that people underestimate.  I don’t need to wear the outfits, speak the slang or look the part, at this level your dealing with the pure art form.  This is why Pete Rock is Pete Rock and Large Pro is Large Pro, why the Beatminerz have their own sound as described by Lord finesse himself.  It’s unique to them.

It’s been the artist themselves who have embraced and supported this film being made.  Close friends and family have enabled me in continuing this project.  Chuck Chillout earlier this year called me to let me know he was going to be in the UK, he introduced me to Chuck D, a man who a lot of people can learn from his example.  Chuck does his homework and prior to meeting me made himself very aware of what I’m about and do, he just wanted to hear it from me.  His last words to me was ‘Pritt I’m at your disposal’.  Words not to be taken lightly.  When I cannot get a look in at home, press, sponsors or support. His words alone where testament of the work being done here.

Sadly here in the UK the majority of people rely on the press first to give any artist exposure or props.  What ever happened to going with your gut feeling.

Today I turned on my sampler and worked on the soundtrack to the film.  I’m feeling really amped now, excited to return to NYC to complete this film.  Now that I have some clarity and some closure I’m working on this film in high spirits.

Much respect to all the artists in the film supported the film and gave me time.  My friends who supported me and the project, purchasing items from the site.  Diamond D for opportunity to work with him on the album cover.  The Ultras for bringing me in on the TR 45’s.  Chuck Chillout and P.E not forgetting Johnny Juice and the Large Professor.

This article is dedicated to Keven De Kosta who made this trip for me to finish my film possible. Jazzy Jay and family for putting me up.  STRONG CITY = STRONG FOUNDATION = STRONG TIES – FAMILY.

One of my favorite pieces of work.  Working with Diamond D on his new album.  Go back over 20 years when his first solo album ‘Stunts Blunts & Hip Hop’ dropped.  Considered one of the Classic and most definitive records of all time.   My entire existence was to be out there looking for records working towards being the next Diamond D, Showbiz Large Professor style producer.  

Really didn’t work out that way but I grew into being the film maker, still passionate about digging, sampling and the culture it came from.  Fast forward some 17 years my work brought me together with the man him self Diamond D.  

I was shooting shows for him, we shot a few interviews and then Diamond courtesy of mentor Jazzy Jay took part in my new film. ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’.   This lead to forging a great friendship with the man leading onto providing the artwork for the new Album the Diam Piece (the typography on the back was not by me).  

Today I got the news that the album is now available to order on CD and Double Vinyl.  So for all you Diamond D heads, or even would like to add a truly decent new hip hop record to your collection, this is one record worth every penny spent. 

Order your copy here from Fatbeats.

Over the last year I have to be honest been very slow editing this film.  I think Im the type of person that works better under pressure have deadlines and somebody on my case only encourages me to produce and create better works.

This film has been some task. Personal issues and circumstances, dealing with depression, and someone’s constant persistent goal, determined to break me and my dreams has been some battle.

Along came along a young lady named Candy Choi. Once a young fashion Student who at one time I mentored. Originally from Hong Kong she came to the UK to study Fashion. Now residing in Amsterdam she has become a member of the cities art community.

Her and her group had decided to put together an exhibition of art inspired by vinyl. Named the ‘Vinyl Arts Project’ Candy contacted me and asked if I was still involved in the king of the beats stuff and if I was still making films.

She offered to pay for my flight and accommodation if I would be willing to show something. This is what I needed, some pressure. Of course It would be great to get out the house and go to a place that I’ve never seen. By letting Candy down I knew I would feel like crap as I knew there was a time she used to look up to me.

I got my head down to finish of a rough of the film. I know that I need to return to NYC to wrap up the shooting, but by doing this I would be able to sit and discuss with the team what is much needed to complete this.

Completing a two hour piece this film needs heavy cutting. I’d rather have too much than too little. Looking at the promotion for the event I could tell this a event marketed at younger and none hip hop audience. I thought to my self that could be turned round and utilized as some film development exercise. I could turn this into a crit or discussion with an audience that may not know what its about or who I am.

Arriving in Amsterdam I made my way to the apartment that was arranged for me, which I must say was a beautiful place. Dropping my bags I made my way to the venue. Among the hundreds of cyclists I arrived at the venue to be greeted by Martin Marsoeki a Hip Hop activist and friend of Marc Davis of whom I helped put out the Ultra 45’.

I had my own room, projector and Big screen. 3 sofas and freedom to do what I want there. It was a slow start but the surely more people would sit in on the screenings. I made it my business to make sure that people felt a part of the event. I opened my self to discussions and invited people to ask me questions about the film and give their opinions about what they saw and felt. I did film a few people so that I could not only document the event but to keep a record to view later to digest some of the people’s views. When you look at movies that make it too the big screen so much time is spent dedicated in private screenings to gain information in helping developing the project.  This was my development package.

This was a none hip hop event. The audience were young and interested in Art. Apart from Martin and legendary Graffiti writer and record Collector Cat Twenty Two there wasn’t anyone there that in my opinion really cared about records, not the way that we do anyhow.  This is our life’s passion and work.

There are some serious flaws in the film some that I spotted after seeing it on the big screen, some scenes didn’t look right. What I did like was getting the feedback from some of the people who took the time out to view the film. What I discovered was that the film lacked the information that is need to grasp the non hip hop fan. I’ve made a film that caters for the die hard digger and hip hop fan. All of my films have always been made that way. This is my first film where my target audience is a lot broader. My aim and agenda is to make a film that introduces the outside world into our world.

Since coming back I have been looking at the film, writing and planning what is needed to make this the film it needs to be.  I would like to thank the people of the Vinyl Arts Project and Hip Hop Pioneer Eljay who kindly came to hang out and see me safe to the airport.

Its been a longtime since I posted anything on the site. Ive been locked away getting into the movie. It’s proved to be a challenging task as for the shear amount of footage we filmed whilst we was in NYC last year.

Getting focused on the film has been difficult, the year has been a unpleasant one to say the least. Getting motivated or even staying motivated in all honesty has been my biggest problem over the last 12 months.

Over the last few months I have been really getting to it. Finishing off the first draft. Steven Ellington who was one of the crew that went out to NYC to work in the field with me to make this movie made the trip to see the first draft. Keven De Kosta who ironically I met at the BFI when the Supreme Movie was shown in London back in 2007 was one of the top men at the Arts Council who him self has put together a number of film festivals in the past also dropped by to watch the first draft.

It turned out I ended up making a 5 hour movie. Their visit helped me look at the film, give me some ideas share there opinions to focus on the task of now cutting this film down to 90 mins. Anyone who knows my work, will know that its something that I never do. A film is a long as its meant to be. This film has to be different.

I set up a camera to capture some of their opinions and thoughts about what they have seen. This is all part of the behind the scenes going on of making a independent movie. So here at my site you can share that journey.

Thank you to all those supporting me and the project.

To mark Record Store day may I introduce you to my all new Brand ‘DIGGERS’. Apparel for lovers of digging in those crates.

Diggers will be the parent name of my clothing line. King of the beats Clothing falls under the banner of DIGGERS APPAREL. Over the past year along side my long time creative brother Chris Malbon who I went to school with looked at the items I was selling on the site, concluding we was well out of touch.

After a few brain storming sessions and meeting with local family based printers AM Screenprint. Together we was able to develop and improve our product.

On my mission to head back to NYC we created a new range to support the film ‘looking for the perfect beat’. Although we sold a few items, I didn’t expect for miracles to happen over night. I’m in it for the long hall and I firmly believe in the product. We have great story and history within this scene.

On a personal note, I get to spend a bit more time hanging out with my mother who is ever so proud to show me her sewing skills, giving me ideas on what I can do.

Seriously with so many brands out there, I wanted not to compete but lead creatively, where I don’t have a budget to go into mass production I must make up with for it with ideas and real history within this culture of Hip Hop.

So here it is, I have created the DIGGERS Boot. No more corporate kicks for me. I will have to just wear what I got left in my collection. For my self I want to have some fun with product.

This is sales pitch.. The boot costs £100, it comes with a DIGGERS BRANDED Sweat shirt only available with the boot plus a Diggers 45’. A breakbeat or groove dug out by yours truly and sometimes some very special guests.  If that’s not a cosmic idea I don’t know what is.

Today i received this pic, it really made my day.  Legendary Grandmaster DJ Disk from the Invisible Skratch Piklz had framed one of my pieces and hung it in prime position in his recording studio. 

Why this made my day was that Disk is someone that i believe is borderline Genius, someone who from a very early age and where going back to the late 70s had this vision of a DJ, I have seen sketches he did as a kid, one turntable and mixer, this was long before he got turntables.  He then went on to become a DJ, but unlike most DJ’s he focused on the one turntable and this new thing called scratching.  Along side his crew the Sratch Piklz took scratching to new heights, somewhere i think to this day no body has still come close.   They developed innovated styles, creatives will always create.   Beyond that me and Disk kept a great friendship.  We would talk over and still talk over ideas, concepts, here is someone that i can bounce off, and him likewise.

He is a serious record collector, very in tune with me and my older brother.  He surrounds him self with art and creative things.  We all had our up and downs and came out bigger men and we are still here.

One great memory was that Disk had been telling me about his  band ‘Tabla Beat Science’. So I checked them out, my cousin who plays Tabla also checked them out, He was like ‘Pritt that guy is incredible, I can not do that, his level is a master of it’.  So i spoke to my father who is 70 plus years who once tried learning how to play them.  He broke it down to me, that you learn by a language not music sheet.  So I asked him who is the best in the world? his answer was Zakir Hussain, who was playing Tabla in the band non other than Zakir Hussain. 

Although we are thousands of mile apart, Diamond D said to me, its really about people who you keep in your circle. So to see my Star Wars piece hanging in this mans studio.  It means a lot to me as this one artist recognizing another, in my world that speaks volumes.

Pritt