Helen Pokrouskaia performing at the Surgery with DJ Psykhomantus

Here's a little freestyle set that me and Helen Pokrouskaia did at Jonzi D's The Surgery.

DJ's Get No Credit In The Rap Game

It's seems to be a forgotten art of what a real Hip-Hop or Rap group what ever you want to called it in this day of age. Back in the early days of this art form a rapper would always have his DJ and would not perform without him or her. Rakim would have Eric B, Run DMC would have Jam Master Jay, Public Enemy would have Terminator X, Will Smith aka Fresh Prince would have DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt & Pepa would have Spinderella, Guru has DJ Premier to form Gang Starr and EPMD would have DJ Scratch. Each of those artists or groups would give their DJ a time to shine on stage or on the album. Artist or groups weather their underground or big time megastars seem to just punk out and don't show love to what they grew up to and become. I know Jay Z has DJ Scratch on and off tour with him but really just has him as for props on stage, why don't Jay Z just say "Here nigger, just play my records and shut the fuck up. I know Kanye West stepped up to A-Trak and he's done a few cuts on his albums but still, give the DJ some credit and let the people know that this is what rap is all about. Props go out to Beastie Boys who let's their main man DJ Mix Master Mike set it off on the one's and two's and Dilated Peoples DJ Babu. Check out Pharoahe Monch Live @ Jazz Cafe below as he steps back and let's DJ Boogie Blind (of the X-Ecutioners) set it off.







For full show of Pharoahe Monch @ Jazz Cafe check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA6BEYbtVT0

Coopr8's Our Music Our Culture

Mixed Version of Coopr8's "Our Music Our Culture"

Enjoy and support good music

Coopr8 presents Our Music Our Culture (Mixed By Psykhomantus) by Psykhomantus

Better Than I've Ever Been

One thing that could never leave me is my love of being a battle DJ. The love of getting up in the morning and looking at my turntables, Headphones, mixer, speakers, records even my serato. Been tearing the clubs from 91 to working at DJ workshops in 2000 to entering my first DJ Battle at the DMC Heats in 02, that year was my first step into theatre which has charge my life, Thanks Kwesi Johnson, he gave me my first step to becoming a musical Director by just using two turntables and the rest was history. But i can't forget the up's and downs of being a full time Disc Jockey (Silly name, thank you Babu of the Beat Junkies, the name turntablist sounds much better and coming from our own people means alot more). I've been used, robbed and seen how people that i helped made a name for themself by using me as their mule. Well! i learned the hard way but it made me stronger. It also made me more wiser, made me network with people that had the same dream without selling out and that is one thing that i can't stand is a sell out. But we won't go there. Lol! 2004 is the year i will remember the most as i was the hardest working man in my town with three DJ workshops on the go, working part time at a recored store and co running a Hip-Hop event called Hiphopertion, it was a dream for an up and coming DJ untill this year 09. This time round i promote three night clubs, still dabble in and out in theatre and got to work with one of the greatest Hip-Hop artist Jonzi D, produced, part time DJ workshops and still compose turntablism routines (This time for the DMC Battle For Uk Supremacy). I always remind myself that this is something that i wanted to do as a young boy looking into the future. If only my late friend Steve Antonio (1975-2006) could see me now because with out him, i know i would not be the man that i am today. I never got to win the Battle For Uk Supremacy this year but glad that i won my battle to the quarter finals and now the world can view me on the DVD when it comes out. I'm happy that my work is 90% Music and still arming to that 100%. I feel better than i've ever been and know that it still can get better. I dedicate my skills to Steve Antonio who was my best friend and also a brother that i never had, our dream was about music. R.I.P my brother, below is a snip of me battling Jappa at the DMC Battle For UK Supremacy at the O2 Academy, Islington, London on 9th July. I know this would of been his favorite of one my battle set.

CDR Burntprogress Video

Calling All Digital Music Makers in the East Midlands
CDR is back seeking digital music makers of all styles, acoustic, electronic, fusion, hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass, folktronica or the downright unclassifiable



Creative gurus burntprogress are bringing CDR to the East Midlands, hitting Leicester, Nottingham and Derby with a series of music nights and creative seminars aimed at bringing a new community of digital music makers together to network and collaborate.



Leicester was the first city to play host with a free Creative Knowledge Seminar, ‘Many Hats, One Head’, taking place at De Montfort University, Leicester, on 18 March as part of FAME – The Creative Industries Show – the largest creative industry event in the East Midlands. Music makers just have to turn-up to take part.



The CDR Creative Knowledge Seminar started from 6.30pm to 8.30pm will see pioneering music producer and dubstep bastion Loefah discuss and take questions on how he maintains and develops a music production career, whilst DJing and hosting club nights around the UK. Music producer Tony Nwachukwu, of Attica Blues fame and one part of the duo behind burntprogress will be chairing the discussion.



The CDR event then continues at Leicester’s Sophbeck, from 9pm to 2am. Here, music makers and producers can hand in CDs to get their tracks played live and loud to an audience of like-minded music makers. Loefah will be playing a special set of his own works-in-progress with DJ sets from local Leicester-based producers Psykhomantus (Donuts), Pure Phase, Jimi O and Biscuit Tin Soundsystem.



CDR in the East Midlands is based on burntprogress’s hugely successful CDR night at London’s Plastic People – twice nominated ‘Best Club’ on Radio 1’s Worldwide Awards.



More events will follow in Leicester, Nottingham and Derby. For more information, contact cdrw@burntprogress.com or check www.myspace.com/burntprogress.

Burntprogress Promo 02:30 Cut from burntprogress on Vimeo.

Below is a video of CDR Leicester