A city of contrasts is the best way to describe Oxford; dreaming spires meet screaming tyres, the seat of learning meets the hopeful yearning.A walk around the city centre is a walk through history tempered by ultra modern buildings.In fact anywhere where a castle turned prison becomes a series of fancy restaurants and bars with a top class hotel, could be summed up as a schizophrenic city of juxtaposition.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the local music scene.For years Oxford has been synonymous with the leading lights of the indie fraternity.Bands such as Ride, Supergrass and Radiohead have climbed out of the thriving hotbed onto the world stage, giving the casual observer the impression that that is all there is to the some-time capital (yes that’s right history fans).

But the shock for those not in the know is that, underneath the clashing, thrashing and angst-laden guitars, there throbs the beat of something different – something fresh to swing to (B-Boy Records ref).

Beats, breaks, scratches and rhymes drive a burgeoning Hip Hop underground sound that takes its cue from New York and London but doesn’t necessarily feel it has to ape or pastiche.It stands alone on its own two trainer clad feet with a distinct regional flavour.A scene comfortable in its own skin to express itself in any way it feels.

Two such students of the life changing culture we call Hip Hop, paying heed to the words of KRS One, decided to realise the maxim; “Hip Hop is not a spectator sport”.This for them meant getting their hands dirty and starting a record label to promote the numerous local talents.Graduating from rocking mics and beats themselves, they wanted to put in the work to give others the chances they feel weren’t always there for them.

“For us, back in the day, Hip Hop was always something that wasn’t possible unless you came from one of the traditional areas, i.e. New York or L.A. You could look around and see that even London wasn’t always getting the love they deserved, so what chance did a small city like Oxford have?”

“Now that Hip Hop has established itself, that crews can be from all over the globe and be accepted for who they are without trying to sound like someone else.It’s a great time for the culture, whether you are from America, England, France, Germany or Japan for example, as long as the music is tight it doesn’t matter.”

Music is the universal language as a wise person once said.