Where I’ve Been, Where I’m At, Where I’m Going…
So what the hell has happened to FDB in 2009? Well, as I’ve commented on several times one of the major changes in my life this year has been the purchase of my first property. This has been stressful and time-consuming but worth it given I’m now on that infamous ladder. Solicitors + estate agents + insurance companies = no time for blogging.
More significantly, I’m also on the brink of leaving the UK. Back in January I went through a relatively grueling interview process for a job at the United Nations International School in New York City. The beginning of the year was fraught with preparation and worry, as were the following couple of months as I waited for news on whether I had got the job or not. I did. In just over two weeks I will be in New York City on the hunt for apartments and gearing up for the greatest adventure of my life. Needless to say this is hugely exciting but incredibly daunting particularly given that I leave behind my girlfriend (only temporarily), family, and a network of friends who I have had in Bristol for nearly a decade. Evidently FDB, blogging, and the internet in more general terms have been way down my priority list for some time now.
So what lies ahead for this modest little corner of the internets? To be honest, I’m not sure. Imagining myself in New York City is still a pretty abstract concept in itself, so the thought of sitting down on a Tuesday night and rattling off something about a drum break is bizarre to say the least. It may be the case that living in the mecca of all things hip and hop means I have an insatiable desire to share music and musings with you; it may also be the case that the city and life is so absorbing that I don’t. Right now, I just can’t tell.
I want to thank everyone who has regularly (or irregularly for that matter) visited this spot over the last few years and want to give a particular shout out to my internet brethren without whom running this blog would not have been the life enriching experience that it has been. You know who you are and we’ll stay in touch. If you have voyeuristic desires to see how my personal life in the US progresses you can do so at Five Borough Brits, a blog I’ve set up to keep track of my movements in the greatest city in the world.
But let’s mark this moment with some music, shall we? Here’s some recent stuff I’ve enjoyed and recommend you check.
Chris Read presents The Legacy: World’s Greatest Jackson Tribute Mix
Read the bumpf and download the mix here
This does what it says on the tin. And then some. If you’re not already familiar with Chris’s sensational mixes then why not start here: The Legacy is technically and musically masterful and my hands down favourite piece of post-Jacko tribute material currently available. You done did it again Chris.
5 O’Clock Shadowboxers – The Slow Twilight
If you’re at all in tune with the internet hip hop blog scene then you can’t have failed to notice this release from my boys Zilla and Douglas. Dudes even picked up a review in HHC digital this month. The Slow Twilight is a brilliantly put together little package that brings something genuinely original to the table and although not all of it is to my taste this is as refreshing and innovative as hip hop gets in 2009. Kudos fellas.
Prafit – ‘New York Swing’
Third installment from this duo hailing from Long Island and a truly bangin’ track that’s already featured on Hot 97 care of Peter Rosenberg. It’s so rare that something new gives me that old hip hop ‘buzz’ without feeling tired but ‘New York Swing’ does so with aplomb. Rolling keys, big drums… nothing to complain about here so get familiar.
I’m outta here for now. Thanks again.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Come on Dan, living in NYC I KNOW you’ll want to keep the posts coming! I’m sure time will be an issue, but I reckon the sheer vibe of the place will inspire you to keep keeping on….
Good luck.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Wish you all the best in the greatest of all cities on this planet! It must be a dream come true (well for me it was), and all the things I read and heard about the UN international school are very exciting, so congratulations on getting a job there!
Whether you are going to continue this blog or not, thanks for all your efforts in the past years. I count myself to the regular visitors and learnt a lot here about hip hop and music in general, so while I’d love you to keep them posts coming, I understand if wou won’t.
Wish you all the best.
July 17th, 2009 at 8:27 am
hey dan! man… new york city! you’re gonna have a nice one and you’ll probably buy too many records. thanks for letting me be a part of this fantastic blog!!! take care…
July 19th, 2009 at 2:57 am
all the best and a lot of fun in nyc, hope the blog will continue, maybe with less posting, but let it roll….
have I´ve been a regular visitor? mh, I don´t know, I don´t visit any blog regulary, but every 2 or 3 months I smoke some spliffs, turn on ill music and surf a lot of blogs the whole night, well, maybe that is some sort of regular visitor, hehe, definitive your blog was one of the first to visit and grab a lot of dope stuff
and I hope your dream of nyc won´t be crushed – like many people before, it is a though city, but I´m sure you will have a great time
greets, urbanology
ups, by the way, are you interested in link exchange?
July 25th, 2009 at 1:18 am
I may not have agreed with you on all your contemporary picks, but your nineties hip-hop held it down. I’m writing this like an eulogy, but you gave us hope in the second last sentence that she wasn’t quite dead.
August 22nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Take care man.
September 7th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
all the best and a lot of fun in nyc, hope the blog will continue, maybe with less posting, but let it roll….
have I´ve been a regular visitor? mh, I don´t know, I don´t visit any blog regulary, but every 2 or 3 months I smoke some spliffs, turn on ill music and surf a lot of blogs the whole night, well, maybe that is some sort of regular visitor, hehe, definitive your blog was one of the first to visit and grab a lot of dope stuff
and I hope your dream of nyc won´t be crushed – like many people before, it is a though city, but I´m sure you will have a great time
greets, urbanology
ups, by the way, are you interested in link exchange?…
October 11th, 2009 at 12:47 am
In many ways, companies are just like people. ,
February 1st, 2010 at 5:00 pm
From the bricks to the stage. BLOCK BOYZ, a St.Louis rap trio, is making noize in a productive way. Tired of the trife life these young west side commandos put the guns down for the mics. Their new single DOLLA AFTA DOLLA is a showcase of how the streets manifest talent. The masses should enjoy this street anthem.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:10 pm
YUNG RO is GenX of BPENT. His unique swag and style made him a female heartthrob. But dont take the smooth exterior for granted. BPENT has had a hard road full of ups and downs. They have all elements of a concrete city. The company is labeled no doubt FRESHA DEN A MALL. Keep eyes open for DA WILDBOYZ, NonSince, C-Starr, SKIN DEEP Mixtape,and DA TATT SHOP.
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