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As well as the BET UK HipHop Awards voting (click here people, do your bit and whatnot) there's quite a lot of decent homegrown UK news floating about.

Not got much time now, will give you the headlines and add the rest later (so check back!!)

1) Rhymefest is now the Official face of Hip-Hop in the UK

After meeting with leader of the conservative party David Cameron last week, Rhymefest's people sent out this press release:

RHYMEFEST TAKES THE UK BY STORM

Today Rhymefest has officially become the face of hip-hop in the UK. Fest’s meeting with Tory leader and candidate for Pime Minister, David Cameron, to discuss their views on hip-hop and it’s effects on society in the UK have been exploding on to the covers of the news papers, television sets and computers all over the UK and beyond today.

A to the L has already commented on this at but I just wanted to add my 2 penneth worth in too. Rhymefest is not the official face of HipHop in the UK, in fact, he's not even the official face of HipHop in Chicago. He's probably not the official face of HipHop on his street... It was a great publicity stunt for David Cameron to sit down with a rapper but why not sit down with one of the ones he critiscised? Or maybe even sit down with Tim Westwood - who bore the brunt of his comments earlier in the year? Let me know your thoughts as always - was it a cop out sitting down with a second rate Kanye cast off? Is Rhymefest the one out of order for getting his PR people to push that line about him being the official face of HipHop?

Anyway...

2) UK R&B Artist signed to major label with a decent deal shocker

If you haven't heard the name , expect to. His song I Just Wanna Know is not only MissisJam's current favourite but it's also secured him a nice deal with Universal/Island in the UK and the US. From what I've heard so far, Taio has got the skills to take the US by storm Floetry style - lets hope it's another Soul II Soul/Loose Ends style British R&B invasion! In fact, Floetry and Taio Cruz? Sounds like a good combo to me...

3) Wiley's been signed!!

I first heard about this a couple of weeks ago but wanted to confirm it a little before going on here with the news. Seems the people at Big Dada - those responsible for releasing Ty (I'll say it again, GO AND BUY CLOSER, IT'S A BRILLIANT ALBUM) Roots Manuva & New Flesh are now well and truly venturing into the world of Grime by signing Wiley. This is a damn good look for all involved as the music Wiley is coming out with at the moment deserves to find as large an audience as possible - the man's on FIRE!! In all honesty, I'm surprised that a label like Big Dada would pick up on Wiley - but then again, he was signed to XL where Dizzee is still signed...which brings me nicely onto:

4) Dizzee doing D&B and Funky House?

The word on the street is that Maths and English, the forthcoming and long awaited Dizzee album is not just going to feature grimey tracks - he's apparently working with a not that forthcoming Drum and Bass legend and a very big name in the Funky House scene on tracks for the new album.

5) Kano due to work with another Reggae Legend?

Twin B spoke to Kano on saturday (have you voted in the BET UK HipHop awards yet?) about the forthcoming album and apparently the first single from the album will feature a living reggae legend. I can't tell you who it is, but trust me, when I say reggae legend, I mean LEGEND - the guy has been one of my favourites since I was a little 'un so I'm definitely looking forward to hearing how they sound together.

6) The African Mafia rule 1Xtra's Homegrown Shows...

Yes, I (lovingly) call Ras Kwame and Twin B, the two gentlemen who take care of 1Xtra's 2 shows dedicated to British music the African Mafia as they are both Afro-English but dammit, they're doing a good job!! Keep 'em peeled for a new monthly show starting on the 5th November where YOU can take over the show (providing you're from the UK!). 100% Homegrown Cuts will be made up entirely of the music you send into 1Xtra so Homegrown Cuts, 1Xtra, PO BOX 1X, London, W1 is the address you need. Even if you don't make beats, make sure you tune in to give your feedback and help new talent in the UK. Also, Birmingham and Bristol hold tight, 100% Homegrown is on the road and will be with you soon! Chale!!

7) Joe Buhdha and Klashnekoff album gets a release date

January 2007. On Riddim Killa records. That's all you need to know right now!!

8) New UK albums you should own

Braintax's Panorama (best Braintax material YET! Brains and Beat Butcha are a winning combo)
Ty's Closer (How many times do I have to tell you to go and buy this album?)
Doc Brown's Citizen Smith 2 (The PP legacy continues. Not amazing, but a good album nonetheless)

9) An Eastender, a brummie, a Kent and a fatman invade the Southport Weekender

Yup, 1Xtra are taking over the 39th Annual Southport Weekender taking place in Southport during the first weekend of November. The line up this year is MAJOR - . If you're going to be there, I'll be looking for your requests so watch out!! If not, don't worry because I'll be coming live from there on Friday 3rd November, as will DJ B, G Child on Saturday 4th November and 1Xtra Live! Also Ronnie Herel will have highlights from the weekend on Uptown Anthems on the 6th November. 8 Days to go...!!!

As always, I need your comments - am I right? Am I wrong? Am I everything you wanted baby? HOLLA