New Flesh

Around since 1990, New Flesh took ten years to release an LP but quickly became dons of the British rap scene, as original and cutting-edge as their much-hyped Big Dada labelmate <a href="spotify:artist:4sSSkVtrCTzENCgm2vokiY">Roots Manuva</a>. When originally formed (as New Flesh for Old), the group included York native and graffiti sprayer <a href="spotify:artist:1YYqAjxOCUnNZfaypuMD9c">Part 2</a> (aka Keith Hopewell) along with rappers Toastie Tailor (a native of Grenada), Horny Baker, and <a href="spotify:artist:46l5WuCpK5aUWZFxUUauYZ">Out of Order</a>. They did a few shows during the early '90s, and debuted with a 1995 single ("This Is the Space Age") on their own New Flesh Music. "Mesopotamia" followed a year later, and earned critical praise as well as a spot on <a href="spotify:artist:4vwzEW1kPK1BlgSBGrRyqZ">DJ Vadim</a>'s Organised Sound compilation. Now consisting of <a href="spotify:artist:1YYqAjxOCUnNZfaypuMD9c">Part 2</a> and Toastie Tailor plus newcomer <a href="spotify:artist:6GKDK0IGXBSOZjIY6Ssad8">Juice Aleem</a> (a Birmingham native), the act started recording for Britain's Big Dada label with 1997's Electronic Bombardment EP. The full-length Equilibriums followed in 1999, while their second LP, 2002's Understanding, displayed their increased standing in the hip-hop community via a series of high-profile collaborations -- with Big Dada's own <a href="spotify:artist:4sSSkVtrCTzENCgm2vokiY">Roots Manuva</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7HtC7c5FCYUdltA49sFr5A">Ty</a>, plus <a href="spotify:artist:42Np3r8zXnaKcjLQsQSjyG">Blackalicious</a>' <a href="spotify:artist:5Ol4ibSVNXPuCJT46iSkbX">Gift of Gab</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4vSWMuZIpvFGdXOwth6JYz">Antipop</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:7sIVbnHhMEvzexb91mLGEc">Beans</a>, and hip-hop pioneer <a href="spotify:artist:6FiLhuOFq8DziVxZty4855">Rammellzee</a>. A period of relative calm followed, although all three members were active, and <a href="spotify:artist:1YYqAjxOCUnNZfaypuMD9c">Part 2</a> released a full LP of productions on assorted rappers and vocalists titled Live from the Breadline. The trio returned as New Flesh in mid-2006 with Universally Dirty, featuring their pioneering blend of bashment, dancehall, and old-school rap. ~ John Bush, Rovi