MAZE NEW TRACK "ITALIAN CONNEX"

Born in Leicester UK, I grew up in the working class neighbourhood of Belgrave. Started my musical career on Leicester Pirate radio Station as a Hip Hop DJ on Kickin FM 107.5 at the age of 16 under the name DJ Maze. I have been rhyming since 1994 alongside Oxford based Rappers Thunda Tongue and Tung- Fu and have been mentored by the late Great Spida Gill (RIP) 1995 saw the formation of the Nucleus with DJ Kerfew and mixtapes were produced and distributed locally. In 1997 I had a high street release with partner DJ Kerfew on Spidas Tones of Life album entitled Guidance. Since then I have worked with Thunda Tongue as part of a UK collabo group called WCE (World Champion Entertainment) after which MIC (Mother Indias Children) was formed with Kerfew in 1998. Since then I had taken time out to strengthen my skills and build up a strong group of Musicians, MI now has over 10 key members and numerous affiliates.
Maze says he is more into the harder side of Hip Hop, but obviously likes to mix this with an element of conciousness and lists amongst his influences artists like: Kool G Rap, Brand Nubian, Intelligent Hoodlum, ATCQ, Big L and Mob Deep.Nobody Loves You to complete the LP is drastically different from the rest as it features an electric guitar and has a much more rocky feel. Additionally for this Maze drops a different flow which is very tight to the beat.This LP represents the journey that Maze has made in the most recent years of his life, starting from his hustle on the streets through his reign through to his eventual downfall as, in his own words, crime does not pay! Maze has withstood everything that has been thrown his way and sees himself as having been reborn via his music. Friday, 22 September 2006
Tracks like NEED TO LEARN lean towards the darkcore likes of early Wu Tang Clan, Maze rapping effortlessly over eerie samples and chilled out beats; making references to Egyptian folklore whilst A TRIBUTE TO THOSE finds him taking on a more aggressive demeanour and spitting out his words over rubbery beats.Title track HERE TO STAY sees Maze laying down the law and making his presence felt on a hard edged slice of in-your-face hip hop, the more laid back sounding SMITTEN finding him laying down his rhymes in a slicker manner over tender piano chords, the whole thing coated in a cool RnB flavour.THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL is another track working in some RnB flavour, the catchy female harmonies underpinning Maze's tougher rap style to impressive effect.GOING AWAY is a more interesting sounding proposition, Hooliyo Beats providing the insistent beats and injecting new life into the record whilst the rock/rap crossover bonus track NOBODY LOVES YOU is one of the records definite highpoints, Maze laying down gruff vocals over the blues guitar licks.