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.

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB ON GROUPIES, VEGETABLES AND KANYE WEST

TWO Door Cinema Club frontman Alex Trimble sounds weary. Polite, but weary.
The Northern Ireland trio returned from Tokyo yesterday after a six-week tour and have retreated during their limited downtime.
They’ve been touring like mad and play Camden Roundhouse on March 12.
But for now, Alex has allowed us to disturb the precious time with his girlfriend, to discuss keeping healthy, his debt to Kanye West and handling groupies.



Two Door returned from Japan with a selection of very personal souvenirs he said: “It can be a lot more quiet and more mental. I guess it’s more extreme. The (fans) are kind and polite and bring us presents. We got drawings of ourselves, caricatures, which are a bit strange, some chocolates with our faces on them and a lot of socks –strange but quite cool.”
The band have collected new material from snatched soundcheck jams and notes on the road and Alex expects some of this new material to make a debut at the Roundhouse.
There are no outrageous demands on their rider, although lettuce may be deemed contrary to the rules of rock ‘n roll.
Alex said: “I’m vegetarian so I get very picky – there have to be healthy things. If we don’t say that we end up with bread and cheese so there’s a lot of veg. Being healthy is important when you have such a hectic schedule.”

The boys learned the hard way: “At the start when we were a smaller band…we didn’t carry the weight to get what we needed and ended up living on crisps and bread. We were in a terrible way, always tired and never got anything done but it’s getting easier.”

Alex has learned from touring with heroes Phoenix, the importance of keeping the band’s friendship, which can be tested when trapped in a tour bus.
He said: “You all need your own space. You can always get into your bunk, put your headphones on and zone out from the rest of the world.”

And they owe a debt to Kanye West for posting their first music video for I Can Talk on his blog.
Alex said: “He seemed to like it, we haven’t heard from him since. We were an unknown band…for such a famous person to give us that press – did so much for us, thousands of people heard of us after that – so many liked us on facebook and followed us on twitter after that. That was a really big thing for us.”

I can also reveal the band have rented a house in Glasgow, where they will record the next album: “We’ve got a lot of connections in Glasgow…it’s always a place we loved. We can go there and have a bit of a social life rather than being completely cut off when we’re on tour.”

And his tip for handling groupies?: “There’s a lot of attention, a lot of groupie-esque propositions. We’re always happy to talk to fans but as soon as it gets a bit more heavy we make our excuses and move on.”

WIRELESS SET TO ELECTRIFY?

THERE were some great scenes of rebellion at last year's Wireless Festival as we joined the scramble to break into the tent to catch The Streets during one of the most memorable and sweltering performances of the weekend.
And there's sure to be as many equally unforgettable moments this year with a line-up of huge draws including Jay-Z, Pink, LCD Soundsystem, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and 2ManyDjs.

Wireless, sponsored by Barclaycard (July 2 - 4), is one of the easiest festivals around, a medley of urban, indie, electro and hip-hop acts all in Hyde Park but with the power to pull huge names more usually associated with vast soulless stadiums.

Ideal for non-campers – and lazier music-lovers – there's not even a worry about transport or accommodation, as it all usually ends before the last tube leaves and well before the last clubs shut their doors.

While last year Kanye West left us cold with his immense detachment, Basement Jaxx's star shone bright with a euphoric carnival performance.
We're not expecting a repeat of West's vacant show this year, as Jay-Z headlines the Sunday night, a US rap giant who knows how to play the crowd.

Another crowd pleaser with a mammoth voice is Pink, or is that P!ink?
Her gravity-defying feats at the Grammy awards were the talk of the show, but can she top it? She headlines on the Friday night – expect a spectacle.
LCD Soundsystem and 2ManyDjs co-headline on Saturday but I'll be more interested in Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Darwin Deez and DJ Shadow.

There's so much to see over the three days, so here are my picks – Snoop Dogg (he made it into the country, the least we can do is go see him), Jay-Z (always room for an epic megastar), The Temper Trap (soaring tunes), Hockey (good indie attitude), Alphabeat (they'll smile even if it rains), DJ Shadow (to revive some hazy student memories), UNKLE (ever innovative), Missy Elliott (fierce), The Big Pink (too cool), Darwin Deez (edgy, quirky pop from the frizzy-haired, eyelinered one), The Hundred in the Hands (moody duo), Friendly Fires (lively electro), Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip (unfailingly fantastic, a must, must, MUST) and Devlin (Dagenham MC with a good brand of dark hip-hop).
There's sure to be a book running on what Beth Ditto plans to wear when Gossip take to the stage so start guessing now.

Others attracting attention are celeb offspring Lily Allen and I Blame Coco, the slightly irritating The Ting Tings, rapper-turned-lounge-singer Plan B, new young darling Daisy Dares You, New Young Pony Club, Example, Chase & Status, Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Mr Hudson, D12 and Roll Deep.
As well as a whole list of other acts, there's a full programme of non-musical entertainment – fashion shows, talent scouts, a pampering parlour and all sorts of games.