Urban Icons

Canadian born Jewish Hip Hop prankster Gonzales has formed Berlin’s most infamous hip hop crew with Mr. Malock from the Puppetmastaz. They fuse European melodies with Hip Hop beats. Gonzales discovered his musical superpowers whilst on his trampoline as a child. The Puppetmastaz are an unruly but likeable bunch. They are constantly being thrown out of cafes for disturbing the peace. Paul PM is the housekeeper and founder member of the crew. During his Berlin years, Gonzales also collaborated with Peaches, Feist and Mocky. For more information on underground youth culture stories from NY, London, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin go to www.urbanation.tv

London's Drum and Bass inventor Dillinja and Lemon D run the world's loudest sound system. The programme shows the Valve Sound System in action. Dillinja and Lemon D also explain the history of UK sound systems featuring legendary Roots master Jah Shaka and House DJ Norman Jay. For more information on underground youth culture stories from NY, London, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin go to www.urbanation.tv

Groove Armada are a UK based crossover Dance music duo, formed in 1996. Groove Armada combine House with Jazz, Funk, Disco and Dancehall. Tom Findlay and Andy Cato started of as musicians playing brass instruments in a traditional colliery bands and bass in funk groups. They play in a London based DJ football team. They introduce the best amatuer pitches in East London, their favourite post match pub and their weekly club night 'Nearest & Dearest'. For more information on underground youth culture stories from NY, London, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin go to www.urbanation.tv

LA based alternative rock singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Beck experiments with Folk, Hip Hop and Funk. He recalls his early years of busking in New York, his love for US folk music and the visits to his grandfather, who was a conceptional artist based in Cologne, Germany.

Joseph Saddler aka Grandmaster Flash, is one of the pioneers of hip-hop, and was among the first DJs to experiment with cutting, mixing and scratching breaks from records in New York in the early 1980s. In 1982 Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five released The Message, the first crossover hip hop album, which went platinum in the USA, and led to the band being the first hip hop artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

Agnostic Front are the founders of the New York Hardcore sound. NY based frontman Roger Miret and guitarist Vinny Stigma talk about their musical roots, Punk and Skinhead culture. Agnostic Front were the first heavily tattooed band. Their lyrics are anti-racist and deal with social politics. Roger introduces his favourite New York clothes store '99x' and hangs out at Vinny's 'New York Hardcore Tattoo' parlour which is a hangout for the local Hardcore bands, with regular visits from Murphy's Law and Madball. For more information on underground youth culture stories from NY, London, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin go to www.urbanation.tv

Urbanation, Urban Nation, Icons, Richard Ashcroft, London, Bitter Sweet Symphony, The Verve, Wigan, Northern Soul, Stone Roses, Brit Pop, Indie Music, Rock, Soul

Gorillaz are the first virtual pop band created by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comics artist Jamie Hewlett. Also featured are Gorillaz Hip Hop producer Dan the Automator, Miho of Cibo Matto and Gorillaz’ favourite streetwear store in London.

Moses Davis aka Beenie Man is one of the godfathers of Jamaican Dancehall. This episode looks at the historic connection between the UK and Jamaican Dancehall and Reggae scene. Also featuring Dub Vendor, London’s premier address for Jamaican music imports. For more information on underground youth culture stories from NY, London, Tokyo, Paris and Berlin go to www.urbanation.tv