Swedish hip-hop has been getting some international attention recently thanks to the likes of Adam Tensta and Lazee, but as is often the case, I don't believe that they represent the best Sweden has to offer. As far as pop music goes, it's fine, but it's lacking identity and meaning. Naah, I much rather listen to Fattaru or maybe Snook. But what I really like is stuff like Looptroop Rockers, one of Sweden's longest-running and most respected hip-hop groups. As with yesterday's post on Lack, the guiding principle of social consciousness is key. Not just good music, but music with purpose. And I have to say, their new single "The building" is great and that bodes extremely well, not only for the forthcoming album "Good things", but also for Swedish hip-hop in general. Not that I'm saying this should be a crossover success, but then again, maybe it could y'know? I wouldn't complain.
Looptroop Rockers - The building
Looptroop Rockers are offering up their new single "The building" as a free download: http://www.looptrooprockers.com/music/The%20Building.mp3
Head to Discobelle for remixes of the Moto Boy single "Young love": http://www.discobelle.net/2008/02/24/moto-boy-young-love-remixes-exclusive/
Buy the album here: [click here]
Also posted at Discobelle recently, the new Looptroop Rockers video for the single "The building": http://www.discobelle.net/2008/02/22/looptroop-rockers-the-building-exlusive/
Here's the playlist for this week's radio show:
01. Disfear - Deadweight
02. TALK 1
03. The Social Services - Up in arms
04. Kaka - The hotspurs (the less know the faster we go)
05. The Je Ne Sais Quoi - Manic panic
06. TALK 2
07. Tiger Lou - Patterns
08. Paper - My life is going under
09. Dreamboy - Stars
10. TALK 3
11. Lack - Watchmen
12. Don't Be A Stranger - Mon chi-chi
13. Ea Philippa - Heslenes sang
14. TALK 4
15. Ef - Thrills
16. Isolation Years - Yellow cross on blue
17. Frivolvol - Satellite kids
18. TALK 5
19. Enslaved - Eld
20. The Grand Opening - Secrets revealed
21. Ultralyd - Comphonie V
22. TALK 8
23. Firefok AK - Techno tears
24. The Indecision Alarm - Alienation process
25. Looptroop Rockers - Marinate
26. TALK 7
27. Markus Krunegård - Jag är en vampyr
28. The End Will Be Kicks - Exit ramps
29. Cadillac - Locomotive
30. TALK 8
31. Lukestar - Lake Toba
32. Commando M Pigg - Baby doll
33. Printer - Minds out
34. TALK 9
35. Seven Feet Four - Auto emotion
36. Tobias Hellkvist - Abomination
37. Barra Head - Undermine
38. TALK 10
39. Britta Persson - Happy hour
40. Anna Leong - Guillotine
41. Ted Gärdestad - Can't stop this train
42. TALK 11
The new Looptroop Rockers album "Good things" is now officially set for release on April 23.
The new Looptroop Rockers (nee Looptroop) album "Good things" is now set for a late April release via Bad Taste Records. The first single "The building" will be out soon (as will European tourdates), but in the meantime, the label is offering up a different track for free download: http://www.mejeriet.net/badtaste/temp/looptroop_rockers_-_marinate.mp3
What are the chances this will be an international crossover success?