"An England Story"

Frank's got plenty love for the UK scene -- but most US heads hardly knew London MCs existed before Roots Manuva or Dizzee got shine across the Atlantic. There were plenty of amazing MCs over there long before grime broke, and there are still tons of worthy cats Americans are sleeping on.

We can remember the first time we heard about Rodney P during his tour with NWA... or caught Blak Twang's London anthem "So Rotten"... or Dynamite MC spitting that New Form over "Railing".... Anglophiles ever since. Our favorites are the MCs who draw upon that UK-Carribbean connection, using a mixture of dancehall & hip-hop to describe the specifics of urban British life and reference uniquely British peculiarities on some A-Levels tea & crumpets shit (rather than trying to imitate American rappers).

So if you don't know, get a little education. Download the Heatwave's historic mixtape, An England Story.

The mix charts the history of MCing in England from Smiley Culture and Papa Levi, to Massive Attack and Tenor Fly, to Wiley and Dizzee Rascal. An incredible UK selection (even Tricky's in the mix!), with MCs spitting over every kind of riddim: reggae, dancehall, jungle, breaks, hip-hop, trip-hop, grime, dubstep... you name it. Beyond worth it.

A 2-CD release of the mix will be out on Soul Jazz Records March 3.

Follow the jump to look at the tracklisting, and music videos for a handful of the cuts.

Tracklist

1. YT - England Story, Sleng Teng remix (Sativa Records, 2006)
2. Kenny Knots - Watch How The People Dancing (Unity Sounds, 1986)
3. Ackie - Call Me Rambo (Heavyweight, 1986)
4. Rodney P - Riddim Killa (Low Life, 2002) - watch video
5. Estelle & Joni Rewind - Uptown Top Rankin' (Ill Flava, 2002)
6. Blak Twang - Red Letters (Blakjam, 1998)
7. Top Cat - Love Me Ses (Dance Vibes, 1988)
8. Glamma Kid - Fashion Magazine (Mafia & Fluxy, 1995)
9. General Levy - The Wig (Fashion, 1992)
10. Tubby T - Ready She Ready (Big League, 2003)
11. LD aka Da Riddla - Peace Ah Dat (Freedom Sounds, 2004)
12. Apache Indian - Chok There, Bombay remix (Island, 1993)
13. Jay Sean, Juggy D & Rishi Rich - Dance With You, Diwali remix (Relentless, 2003)
14. Dynamite MC & Emptyheads - Shake, JStar Remix (Surface2air, 2006)
15. Troublesome - More Girls, R'n'B Mix (Mafia & Fluxy, 2000)
16. Yungun - Push (Heatwave special, 2005)
17. Shizzle - Rotate Dem (Kray Twinz, 2006)
18. Roll Deep - When I'm 'Ere (Relentless, 2005) - watch video
19. Slew Dem feat Jammer, G Man, Shorty Smalls, Ears, Chronik, Kraze & Knuckles - Joy Ride (Slew Dem, 2006)
20. Rossi B & Luca - Run 4 Cover (white label, 2005)
21. Klashnekoff - Jamrock Freestyle (white label, 2005)
22. Tippa Irie - Complain Neighbour (UK Bubblers, 1985)
23. Papa Levi - My God My King (Taxi, 1984) - watch video
24. Tenor Fly - Bump & Grind (9 Lives, 1994)
25. Massive Attack - Daydreaming (Wild Bunch, 1990) - watch video
26. Skibadee - Tika Toc (Ahead Of The Game, 2006)
27. Lady Sovereign & Riko - Random, Menta remix (Casual, 2004) - watch video
28. Dizzee Rascal - I Luv U (XL Recordings, 2003) - watch video
29. Lady Stush - Dollar Sign (Social Circles, 2002)
30. Warrior Queen & the Bug/Sunshine - Almighty Father (Casual, 2004) - watch video
31. Tricky - Hell Is Round The Corner (Fourth & Broadway, 1995) - watch video
32. Suncycle - Somebody (Jamdown, 2004) - watch video
33. Blackout JA & Marley - Hot Show (Ball A Fire Muzik, 2004)
34. Freestylers & Navigator - Ruffneck (Freskanova, 1998) - watch video
35. General Levy & M-Beat - Incredible (Renk, 1994) - watch video
36. UK Apachi & Shy FX - Original Nuttah, Bhangra Jungle remix (SOUR, 1994)
37. Top Cat, Shy FX & T Power - Everyday (Digital Soundboy, 2006)
38. Jakes & TC - Deep (DSR, 2006)
39. Smiley Culture - Police Officer (Fashion, 1984)
40. Jah Screechy - Walk & Skank (Blacker Dread, 1984)