This one's a little late in coming - apologies to those waiting! This month, Jonny and Scuba are joined by local promoter Donna Boyd (Homegrownalwaysbest), who picks out some of her favourite tracks. We also promote Lumo's event (which has now already passed...), but we do also chat battle rap developments, Jonny's interview with Solareye and Gasp's new album among other things. Tracklist: Werd - Drive, Gasp - Poppy, Mog - Saving Grace, Steg G & The Freestyle Master Ft Madhat & Shifty Presidents - The 99 Percent, Respek BA - Pick Your Poison, Solareye - Rai ..read more

In the latest podcast, Jonny and Scuba are joined by SSU reviewer Hannah Westwater as we play and review the month's new tunes. This month: we get a bit serious and debate where the line is when it comes to emcees sharing political views, we look at recent battle rap controversies and reflect on the latest Beatbox Scotland event. Artists featured include: Solareye, Cheeens, Nity Gritz, Cojay Mac, SWVN, Werd, Skola and The Despicables ..read more

In the second podcast of the new series, Jonny and Scuba look back on 2017. What were the best Scottish hip hop albums of the year? What were the best international albums of the year? And what would we like to see happen in 2018? We also check out new tracks from Kid Robotik, Mackenzie, Tap End's Finest, Spawn Zero, Terryblingz and Princyboii, Sci-Fi Stu, Spee Six Nine, Profisee & STS, Werd and Mistah Bohze. As a wee addendum, Scuba also caught up with battle rap extraordinaire Ryza this week to discuss the Highland Battle League's first event. Enjoy.   ..read more

Our end of year podcast should be dropping very soon, but in the meantime, Jonny has selected a handful of his favourite releases over on BBC The Social. Looking ahead to this year, he's also put together this primer for Clash Magazine on the scene as a whole ..read more

The blog has been quiet for a while, but we're happy to say the only monthly podcast of Scottish hip hop music and commentary is officially back. Join Jonny and Scuba as we chat about the SAMAs, new battles, Loki's book and plug our recent ventures as per. We also check out new tracks by Steg G & the Freestyle Master, Eli Hermit, Jackal Trades, Stutter Jack, EVIL, Brian Jamieson, Jakeybytez, Spawn Zero and more. This month's pod is dedicated to Lumo and we share some memories of him ..read more

It's that time of the month: SSU editor Jonathan Rimmer returns with another video short for BBC The Social. This time around, he chats to Chaz B after the latest Resurgence event in Glasgow. He breaks down the moves involved and why you should consider giving it a go yourself. If you're new to the breaking scene and want to read more, he also recently chatted to Sideshow Maule of the Flyin' Jalapenos crew for the Sunday Herald.  ..read more

Scotland Stand Up editor Jonathan Rimmer is happy to unveil an exciting new project: Urban Scot Magazine, a 16-page print style publication with a range of articles on Scottish hip hop music and culture. The magazine contains a mix of credited articles published by the likes of the Sunday Herald, The Scotsman, Bella Caledonia and others, content published on Scotland Stand Up and original content for the mag. Pieces include: An interview with Griogair, architect of the world's first Scottish Gaelic rap album A long read with Loki on his new album 'Trigger Warning' Graffiti artists calling fo ..read more

Above: Bigg Taj chats about the state of the beatbox scene Scotland's best noisemakers gathered a fortnight ago for the first major Scottish beatbox battle event of 2017 at Glasgow pub Nice N Sleazy. The free event attracted a loud and enthusiastic crowd, comprising a mix of hip hop heads and casual passers by. Hosts Bigg Taj and Spee Six Nine kept things moving with a brief live set while up-and-coming acts Ashtronomik, Red King and nine-man collective Togo Fam were on hand to play tracks from their new respective projects. But the real showcase was the battles, which were hosted by UK be ..read more

In his new series for BBC The Social, Jonathan Rimmer speaks to artists using hip hop in positive ways to empower their local communities. First up is Ashkan Farzan aka Ashtronomik, a rapper and producer who works with teenagers in the south of Glasgow... Can you introduce yourself?  My name is Ash aka Ashtronomik. I do rap music. I'm a producer, I'm a writer. I've been recently putting some videos together as well. Other than that, I'm a project worker with YCSA, where I've had the opportunity to work with young people. It's been great for me to help some guys get into hip hop in dif ..read more

Ciaran Mac has been an SSU favourite for a while, but he hasn't released a full project since his 2014 EP Took Your Time. Hannah Westwater checks out the long awaited follow-up... Ciaran Mac - Rainy Daze Buy/Listen Here You’d be forgiven for thinking this can’t possibly be Ciaran Mac’s solo full length debut – a few blinks around Scottish hip hop and he’s everywhere. Whether it’s his work with Rory O’B, hyped live shows or word on the street that he’s the Glasgow hip hop's freshest voice, Ciaran has earned his place at the heart of the community. Having made his name on the circuit, 'Rainy ..read more