Blog: UK All Day

You'd be forgiven for thinking that after Maths & English Dizzee Rascal gave up trying altogether. But after collaborating with Calvin Harris and Shakira, then cementing his position as a pop rapper with half a heart and sterling signs for eyeballs, it seems like the fuse got lit once again (check his verse on Bluku Bluku! for evidence). Whether any proceeding album follows suit remains to be seen, but this mixtape is a flagrant move back to basics alongside his Dirtee Stank brethren. [...]

The ridiculously named DMC finalist DJ Killer Tomato and Associated Minds mover and shaker Mayor join forces for this mix of some of the finest cuts from Britain from the last year or so. Clocking in at little over 27 minutes - and showcasing Paul White & Tranquil, Kidkanevil & Willo Wispa, Sonnyjim, Jehst, P.L.O. & Ralph Rip Shit, Mystro, Ramson Badbonez & Wizard, Chemo, Cappo and more - there's no flab or chaff round here. DJ Killer Tomato & Mayor - UK Exports

High Focus Records' feathered foursome put some time-lapse action to Life In The Balance , a sombre number that samples Nina Simone's Wild Is The Wind . The Four Owls album Nature's Greatest Mystery is available here .

Leading the ranks as one of the most generous labels around in 2011, EatGood has wrapped up this tidy package of Sonnyjim loosies from the past year or so. Here you get a snippet, three entire dubs and two full originals - the impeccable Nimbus and As Things Stand . <a href=" http://sonnyjim.bandcamp.com/a lbum/xmas-promo-2011">Xmas Promo 2011 by SONNYJIM</a>

Kinetik and Mr Drastick, aka Grand Central, have decided to call time on their artistic partnership after successfully teaming up last year for God Loves Grinders Vol. I . Reading between the lines, it's probably not a coincidence that just over a week ago the video for S.W.A.G. was pulled from YouTube after the pair - or at least one half... - decided the fashionista-baiting song wasn't in keeping with their penchant for making mature, earnest hip hop. Regardless, there's no bad blood between the two but this is the last you'll hear of Grand Central, officially at least. [...]

Long-time collaborators Loudmouth Melvin, Mentalist, Pyro Barz, K-Nite 13 and Skillit have formed like Voltron to bring you their latest incarnation, The Quaranteam. Their eight-track EP sees production split between Loudmouth and K-Nite and all five get busy on the mic. Surely as we approach 2012, though, stream links are standard. Ho hum. Download available below. The Quaranteam - The Quaranteam EP

Don't call it a comeback: poisonous poet Reveal is warming up for a return in 2012, the first of his new material being this dub of The Jacka's Never Blink .

Piff Gang illustrate their ode to lemon peng, Jiff Gang , with a new video. If you haven't already listened to the outfit's mixtape Piff Breaks and 808s from September, then do so. And as if that wasn't enough, the weed-smoking obsessives have compiled a Christmas selection known as Mary Piffmas. Ho-ho-hack-cough-splutter.

LDZ dish out a bowl of Cat Food , a freebie collection of castoffs, rarities and guest spots alongside the likes of Stig Of The Dump, Jam Baxter, Verbal and Dubbledge. Something for everyone then, surely. &a mp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=" http://ldzmusic.bandcamp.com/a lbum/catfood-lp"&a mp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp ;gt;CATFOOD LP by LDZ&am p;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&am p;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; amp;amp;gt;

Plymouth production duo Krate Krusaders link former Jurassic 5 regular Akil The MC for a cut off their new album When The Needle Drops , which is set for release on 9 January.

Skuff and Inja meet once again for a new track that'll end up on their respective albums, Destroy Everything and Bass Music/Escapism. If jump-up, sawtooth synths aren't your thing then this one ain't for you.

Having worked with everyone from grime-turned-pop young gun Tinchy Stryder to jailed veteran Skinnyman, Scottish producer Show N Prove has an impressive repertoire under his belt. To showcase his talents, the man has now compiled a beat tape of his best work. Show N Prove - Instrumentals Vol 1

Part four in Delusionists' Lost Letters series sees Ben Black wear his heart on his sleeve and lament falling behind friends and peers. Somehow this manages to bleed disappointment and be uplifting and defiant at the same time. It's also the most honest and relatable hip hop song to come from these shores in a long, long time, which is refreshing.

To get into the Christmas spirit, 1Xtra has enlisted Sway, Sincere, Lethal B, Dru Blu, Mic Righteous, Lady Leisure, G Frsh, Smiler, Biz, Lioness and Starboy Nathan for a knees-up laden with festive puns. But please remember: the time it takes to listen throughout could otherwise be spent boiling an egg, clipping your toenails or playing a round of charades. And that's time you can't get back. Ever. Yours, The Grinch

People's Army frontman Logic ropes in Klashnekoff and Lowkey for the title track off his new album, True Talk, which has just hit stores. All production is handled by Last Resort and the likes of Maverick Sabre and Akala assist on mic duties.

Ramson Badbonez pulls no punches over this break-and-synth combo from Row-D Beats, plus precision cuts from Jazz T. Boot Records will be putting out Badbonez' first album proper, Bad Influence , in the new year. The project will finally see the light of day after suffering numerous setbacks over the years, allegedly from people in his immediate circle. Scoop this single ahead of the full release.

If ever there was proof that UK acts are poaching the most commercially admissible sounds from across the pond, this is it. Still, a flagrant attempt to crack the States may be, but Like It Or Love It is dope and you can't help commend Tinie for securing such big features (namely J. Cole, Pusha T, Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean) for this project. Tinie Tempah - Happy Birthday

A worthy debate from DJ Snips, Teef, Miss LaLa and more, who fire up the well-trodden grime-versus-hip hop debate and highlight that the former has been on the decline. It's tough to pin down the exact tipping point, but Dizzee's 2008 chart hit Dance Wiv Me is certainly culpable. As is Wiley's Wearing My Rolex. A year later and Tinchy Stryder was regularly storming the top ten. A year after that and even washed-up Roll Deep members were cashing in. And once a genre's pioneers start vying for commercial success and tailoring their sound to fit, [...]

Faith SFX all day. Try his album Man Or Machine from earlier this year, featuring highlights alongside Scruffizer , Wretch 32 and Maxsta .

The title track to Lowkey's album Soundtrack To The Struggle comes to life. Filmed in Venezuela, the South American country ruled by communist champ Hugo Chavez, the video pays homage to Lowkey's close friend and supporter Adnan Al-Radhi, who recently passed away. You can buy the album here .