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.

SLOW CLUB READY FOR CAMDEN CRAWL + WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

YOU may have heard Slow Club cancelled their tour due to illness. Well...sounds like things are back on track - Rebecca is recovering and they have been added to the Camden Crawl line-up.


• New feature – ex-members-of-once-revered-bands-in-new-band-shock corner (catchy title eh?)
#1 – Remember Afghan Whigs? Frontman Greg Dulli has worked with Dave Grohl, Mark Lanegan and appeared in Steve Buscemi’s directorial debut Trees Lounge. Latest project The Twilight singers play the Electric Ballroom (March 18).
#2 – Raekwon (Wu Tang Clan) plays HMV Forum (March 18) – we’ve had GZA and Ghostface Killah before, why can’t the living Wu Tang coordinate their diaries and come to Camden en masse?
#3 – Bonehead, founding member of Oasis, is not quite attempting to rival Liam Gallagher’s new project Beady Eye with his less imaginatively named collaboration “Bonehead and John Mackie”. See them at Monto Water Rats (March 19).
#4 – Artmagic, side project of Suede guitarist Richard Oakes (he replaced Bernard Butler), play The Bowery on March 22.
#5 – Andy Burrows (ex-Razorlight bearded one) and new band I Am Arrows play The Old Queen’s Head (March 23)
• The fancy dress theme has been announced (rock stars, pop stars and divas) and the madness begins at Bestival’s preview featuring Kentish Town’s retro darlings Kitty Daisy & Lewis Koko (March 19).
• Had to mention this year’s JD Set at XOYO (March 24) where Ash’s Tim Wheeler, Emmy the Great, And So I Watch You From Afar, Ma Mentor and The Crookes bravely take on the great works of the Pixies. Follow their progress at http://www.thejdset.co.uk/