KENTISH TOWN'S HIP HOP CONNECTIONS - SNOOP DOGG & WU-TANG CLAN HEADING TO NORTH LONDON

WHO said genuine hip-hop is the domain of south London?


Camden may be the natural lair of the guitar-plucking indie kid but it’s fast becoming a credible rival to Brixton when it comes to quality rap – both old school and decidedly much newer school.



These days anything slightly urban is no longer confined to the Jazz Café, which continues to host the gold standard acts for which it has become famous.

It’s just as likely that visiting rappers will play Koko, Electric Ballroom or, in the case of Ghostface Killah, be found chilling with Mark Ronson at Proud Camden.

Take a stroll down Kentish Town Road over the next couple of months and you’ll find some of the biggest names in the world bringing their hip-hop vibes to HMV Forum.

First, tha DoggFather himself, Snoop Dogg and his lazy ways launches his album Doggumentary – the permutations of the moniker knows no bounds – on May 17.

Then, on June 11 and 12, the stage will do well not to buckle under the heavyweight players that make up the Wu-Tang Clan.

Snoop has picked Kentish Town to debut his 11th studio album and is bringing a bunch of as yet unreleased special guests to the party.

Although we do know countless international producers including Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, DJ Khalil and Kanye West worked on the plaited rapper’s latest album.

Doggumentary chronicles Snoop’s long career – nearly 20 years in the business – and will be a useful aid-memoir to established fans as well as a convenient pocket history for a whole new generation.

The Long Beach rapper’s long been a fan of Twitter and now he’s using his social media prowess "doggument" – yes seriously – the album’s progress online.

He has launched the obtusely-labelled #PuffPuffPassTuesdays campaign, where he releases exclusive clips and tracks to his 2.5 million Twitter followers every week and is giving unprecedented access to his inner circle via his frequent Ustream sessions.

And did you know his real name was Calvin Broadus?

Don’t forget the sunglasses to avoid being dazzled by his accompanying bling.

The second and arguably more significant hip-hop show to hit The Forum this summer will be the might of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Over the years, RZA, GZA, and Ghostface Killah, among others, have appeared separately in Camden Town but to have the collective together at last is what we’ve been waiting for.

In their first tour together in four years, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa as well as the aforementioned trio should all be there.

Significantly absent will be Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004, but his son, the aptly named Young Dirty Bastard will take on the rhymes of his father.

Yelawolf, recently signed to Eminem’s Shady Records label will also support.

SHIPWRECKED TIM ROBBINS SAILS INTO THE UNION CHAPEL, MORRISSEY'S CHEERY EFFECT, SHED SEVEN RAKE UP OLD MEMORIES & ANTE UP FOR M.O.P. AT THE JAZZ CAFE

HOLLYWOOD actor Tim Robbins told Desert Island Discs his mid-life crisis inspired his new album. See Tim Robbins & the Rogues Gallery Band at the Union Chapel (September 30). Incidentally, his emergency collection includes Nina Simone’s Sinnerman, Johnny Cash’s In Your Mind, and Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You and a matchbook as his book – cheating?

• The Smiths’ There is a Light That Never Goes Out has been ringing in my head ever since my landlady decided to evict me – “I never ever want to go home, because I haven’t got one anymore”, has been cheering me up. Shame Morrissey didn't turn up to The Dublin Castle on Monday like he was rumoured to.

• John Otway’s been around for some time, an old regular at The Dublin Castle. He returns on Saturday along with The Quirky.

• Shed Seven play 02 Academy Islington on Friday – I remember being a fan (pre Going for Gold – bleugh!), so revisited them on YouTube. Dolphin aside, some musical memories are best not revisited.

• Cellist and singer Izzi Dunn (Jazz Café, Friday) may have been classically trained but she won’t be pigeonholed. Her work spans hip-hop, soul and indie, and she’s collaborated with Gorillaz, Oasis, George Harrison and Mark Ronson.

• Remember the gruff vocals of hardcore rappers M.O.P., of Ante Up and Cold As Ice fame? Hear Lil’ Fame and Billy Danzenie in the flesh at the Jazz Café on Wednesday.

GORILLAZ, Dead by Sunrise, Eartraining, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Egyptian Lover, Camden Barfly

I'VE signed the three-page confidentiality agreement and have promised not to say a word until Feb 22. No, it's nothing to do with John Terry's injunction, just the paperwork we've got to go through to get hold of Gorillaz new album, which should be on its way as we speak - by email - so don't even bother trying to intercept my post!! I'll tell you all about it in good time - after the 22nd...
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I'm not ashamed to admit it but there's little better than blasting Linkin Park as loud as possible on road trips. Now frontman Chester Bennington's side project Dead by Sunrise play their first UK side project at HMV Forum (Feb 19), but are they as good as the Park?
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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Forum date has sold out so they’ve given fans one more chance to catch them in London, and this one’s in Camden too. They’ve booked Electric Ballroom on April 15. Their fifth studio album, Beat The Devil’s Tattoo, is out March 8.
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Ever been that one person in the band who wishes they were just that much more in tune with everyone else? Do you love music but want to learn to hear even better. A new website www.easyeartraining.com, launching Monday at a secret location in Islington will help you do just that. "With a little bit of training, you’ll be able to discern minute details in sound which you never knew were there," they
promise. Email april@EasyEarTraining.com to reserve a place.
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Got to mention Egyptian Lover who plays The Big Chill House on Feb 12 - timely after our African Nations Cup final victory this week. Known as the Hugh Hefner of hip-hop, Greg James Broussard, aka Egyptian Lover has been enthralling with his electro talents for 25 years.
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Barfly Camden reopened last week after a full refurb and it's looking good by all accounts.