The Talk Of The Town
In a world where hiphop is perceived and pigeonholed by categories and stereotypes, one man dares to shatter the restraints of any box the world tries to put him in. Described as “honest”, “real” and “straight up”, Ash Hughes AKA Ethical chose this MC name to reflect his personality and the beliefs and values he holds dear. A Taranaki Young Achievers Award Winner, (for his success in hiphop,) he is the latest signee to Move The Crowd Records, Aotearoa’s fastest growing hiphop collective.
Ethical’s mastering of tone and delivery is enough to put some of the best MCs to shame. His level of clarity is even better. Anyone who has recorded with him has been privy to this talent, but limited releases mean these abilities have not been exposed as they should. From his unparalleled lyricism on Speed of Sound 2 through to his guest appearances on Young Sid’s The Truth album, as well as various other critically acclaimed releases like Breakin’ Wreck Wordz It’s A Monster; Ethical’s talents will stun you.
His humble approach to his music is reminiscent of his general demeanour – Ethical never set out for pop star status. A socially conscious MC who has never been scared to speak on injustice, he has a keen interest in helping the youth and believes music can touch everyone.
Ethical’s hiphop resume includes many a highlight including accolades on the battle circuit – he was a Taranaki champ - as well as live performances as a support for various big names such as Dizzee Rascal, Sage Francis, De La Soul, Mobb Deep, Ying Yang Twins and Busta Rhymes – just to name a few. Not to mention a whirlwind tour of Asia with the legendary Grandmaster Roc Raida in Febuary and March this year
Working hard at Woodcut Studios on his debut, which will not only introduce the world to the well-rounded talents of Ethical, but also shake up the way Aotearoa hiphop is viewed locally and internationally, has resulted in Ethical creating not one, but two releases. Serving as a prelude to the highly anticipated full-length album Ages Turn – April 7th, 2008, an E.P titled Coming Of Age will drop in mid January, 2008 containing the jaw-dropping, head nodding lead single “Talk Of The Town” which will undoubtedly infect the systems of the entire country.
Ages Turn features a host of other verbal-napalm tracks weaving in and out of sonic beds laid down by producers Cochise, Emile, Shuko, FBI, Juse, Unknown and his longstanding production partner, Des Davis. Ethical describes the E.P and subsequent album as “a great mash up of who I am. The beats are eclectic, and how I pictured my album beats would be, and the rhymes are me”
A dictionary defines ‘Ethical’ as, “pertaining to, or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct.” It is to this definition that Ash ‘Ethical’ Hughes has adapted his career, using his name as his mantra for success as he strives towards the age-old desire to ‘keep it real’.
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