The confidence and optimism that is running through the current UK hip hop scene is almost tangible.
The last two years or so have seen an inexorable rise of home grown talent, culminating in some truly formidable albums from the likes of Mark B and Blade, Phi Life Cypher, Unsung Heroes and The Creators.
Crucially, there has also been some much needed financial investment from labels like Virgin (Source/Wordplay), Wall Of Sound (Bad Magic) and Ninja Tune (Big Dada).
Big Dada were in fact one of the first labels to invest in homegrown MC's, delivering a major catalyst for the scene in the shape of Roots Manuva's hyped 'Brand New Second Hand' LP back in 1998.
Their newest offering from old school MC Ty looks set to be another milestone in the rocky road out of obscure-ville.
Entitled 'Awkward', the album is a well rounded, flavoursome affair that matches Ty's witty and responsible rhyming style with some souled out and ruffed up production vibes from the likes of Bizznizz, Unsung Heroes, Wylee Kyat and Sparkii as well as himself.
Tonight's launch party at London's Scala illustrates just how popular homegrown vibes are once again. As DJ Biznizz plies the crowd with a range of hip hop flavours from The Beatnuts to The Fugees, the house gradually fills to bursting point.
Hosted by the ever-humorous A-Cyde, the night begins in earnest just before midnight, as Ty and long time partner Shortee Blitz take the stage, flanked by Drew on keys, Eric Appapoulaye on lead guitar, Pete Martin on bass, Wylee Kyat on drums and Bizznizz sticking around for scratch duties.
Never one to suffer from shyness, Ty launches straight into his set, strutting from one side of the stage to the other, delivering his verbals with aplomb and winding his waist at the audience coquettishly.
The diversity of 'Awkward' becomes increasingly apparent as he runs through the tracks one by one, the club bounce of cuts like 'Mind Made Up' and 'Move' contrasting neatly with the more laid-back, soulful flavours like 'Trippin' Over Words' and 'The Tale'.
The advantage of having a live band instead of just a pair of turntables or a dat is obvious and lends the show an extra air of versatility and sophistication. It's also handy for when the band want to improvise some entertaining musical detours, such as Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On' and 'All Day And All Of The Night', the latter of which serves as a mighty fine rock intro to his Nextmen-produced hit 'Turn It Up A Little', which he performs as an encore.
Charismatic to the end, Ty shows us that not only does he challenge himself verbally and musically on 'Awkward', but that he can also wipe the floor with many overpaid and under-worked American MC's on a live basis.
With Grand Central's impressive Fingathing (one man on stand up bass vs one turntablist) and Denmark's DJ Noize rounding the evening off with some deft performances, this is a truly landmark night not just for UK hip hop, but for hip hop all round. It's about Tyme.
