By: Alex Hot Money

Milwall conjures up many images but it would be fair to say that ‘creative hub’ is far from most people’s first choice of description. 

It’s no secret that Milwall and the wider South Bermondsey area has been better known for the exploits of their football fans over the years than creative endeavours – but something unique has been bubbling away in South Bermondsey for the past decade that has had a profound effect on UK culture and shaped some of the UK urban music scene’s biggest acts.

Big sounds from Bermondsey!

On a home match day, there’s a deafening barrage of singing that blasts out from The Den, signaling that Milwall and their vocal legion of fans are in residence but just a quick 5-minute walk away there is an altogether higher musical endeavor underway. 

This is Hot Money Studios – launched in 2008 by musician and UK Garage sensation Patrick Osei aka Bigshot!

A classically trained pianist and composer, Patrick stormed the music scene in 2002 with breakthrough UK Garage hits such as Stomp, Glitch and Deep Down. His innovative musical talent saw him contribute to The Streets critically acclaimed album Original Pirate Material with the remix to the track Don’t Mug Yourself Off. 

It wasn’t long before the music industry sat up and took notice.

Patrick was nominated for ‘Best 4×4 Producer’ at the Sidewinder’s People Choice Awards receiving praise from DJ’s and journalists alike with DJ Magazines Phillipa Reed describing his club smash ‘Stomp’ as an “anthem” which “rippled earthquake- like through the underground” and Deuce Magazines Elle J Small describing him as “Wicked at 4×4 and capable of making the real nasty 8-bar grime with more imagination and intellect than many producers put together”

Launching Hot Money Studios

Patrick recognized that for many emerging underground artists there was a lack of quality studio space and limited opportunities for them to build experience and develop in a professional environment. Seeing the opportunity, Patrick launched Hot Money Studios and in 2009 they moved into the Atomic Studios music complex in South Bermondsey – owned by the acclaimed bass guitar player Robin Rawlinson (Rawlinson has worked with Ian Hunter, Christine Perfect of Fleetwood Mac, Freddie Mercury, Alison Moyet and Rick Astley to name just a few)

Hot Money Studios tapped into the early days of social media, capitalizing on MySpace to build up an incredible clientele during the early boom of the UK urban scene. 

For his part, Patrick embraced the new acts coming through the doors, working as engineer, producer and in many cases mentor. Patrick’s energy and dedication to educating acts on every aspect of studio recording and giving them the environment in which to learn has left a lifelong impression on so many Hot Money Studio clients and seen them go on to achieve incredible mainstream success. 

Stormzy, Stefflon Don, Krept and Konan, Ard Adz, Paigey Cakey are just a few of the artists who emerged from this hotbed of creativity in South Bermondsey.

A decade of international success

When you browse through the back catalogue of past clients, it seems incredible that they all passed through the doors of this unassuming studio hidden away in South East London.

A quick snapshot of the past decades highlights at Hot Money Studios saw SBTV founder Jamal Edwards MBE shoot some of his first 100k viral videos at Hot Money. 

The Brazilian rapper Aggro Santos who signed with Future Records had his single produced and recorded at Hot Money. The YouTube sensation Esmee Denters who signed with Justin Timberlake worked with Hot Money Studios on various songs for her album.

Hot Money has worked with EastEnders actress Preeya Kalidas on her EP and with TOWIE star Jessica Wright on material for the show.

Hot Money Studios has also worked with DJ Poet of the Black Eyed Pears, Rihanna songwriters Rose Benson and Alicia Renee, Jay Sean on a Universal music project and with Letha B.

With a steadfast focus on excellence, zero compromise on equipment and a wealth of experience behind him, Patrick and Hot Money Studios have brought a winning formula to South Bermondsey and an uncanny ability to uncover and develop talent. 

The post Recording Engineer to the stars ‘Hot Money’ Talks About The Founding of UK’s Number 1 Studio appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

South London’s Ard Adz is back with a chill new cut titled “Saudi,” which comes with a new visual to match. The clip is as laid-back as the song, with the star rapper hanging with his crew while donning threads that match the track’s title.

Check it out above…Miskeen (presumably Ard Adz’s forthcoming project) is said to be on the way.

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The post Ard Adz Drops New Visual for “Saudi” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Image credit: WindyMusicEnt

South London’s Ard Adz is definitely in the running as this year’s artist with the highest and most-consistent work ethic. Following a series of solid drops, the Brixton emcee delivers a new EP titled No Rain No Flowers, which features the previously-released “Dirty’s Pain.” Added to that, Adz also liberated another visual from the new project for “Whats Gwarning,” which features assistance from Bellzey.

Enjoy the new tunes (and clip) below.

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Enjoy “Went From” above. Hopefully, a new project from Ard Adz is soon to come.

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Photo by Ardadz

When it comes to style, the UK is second to none. London has traditionally been known as a fashion forward & trend setting city and it’s been leaving it’s mark on Hip-Hop for years. Other than the obvious contributions that the European city has made to the pure sonic aspects of the genre, London has also produced some pretty damn good spitters. Recently, we’ve got to see cats like Dizzy Rascal, Giggs, Dave and of course, Skepta. With global stars such as Drake embracing the culture there, it’s created a path for more and more opportunities for Britts to crossover. One artist, taking full advantage of the recent focus on European artists is London native, Ard Adz. The UK product graces the RESPECT. Pages with the infectious new video for, “Rumpumpum.”

Set to the backdrop of sunny skies and pondering thoughts, “Rumpumpum” is an introspective video that highlights some of Adz best qualities as an artist. With the video release, combined with the heavy love he’s been receiving on YouTube (11.9 million views), Spotify (2.5 million overall streams) and other streaming services; it’s only a matter of time before he reaches the ears of the mainstream US audience. He’s already sold out his first headlining London show.

Check out the video for, “Rumpumpum” below and get hip to the London rep.

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Ard Adz – “Runpumpum” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.