July 13, 2000 18:09

REPRAZENT GET HIP

The [b]Mercury Music Prize[/b]-winning group return to the fray...

Reprazent have announced details of their forthcoming second album. Set for release on October 2, the as yet untitled long-player will be preceded by a single, 'WHO TOLD YOU', on September 11.

Formed around the axis of DJs and producers Roni Size, Die and Krust, the collective released the enormously successful 'New Forms' album in 1997 to universal acclaim - it won the prestigious Mercury Music Prize - with singles such as 'Share The Fall' and 'Heroes' becoming both club anthems and sales successes. The new album, however, sees the collective moving in a harder, hip-hop influenced direction. "New Forms was jazzy jungle, but this is a totally different thing," a spokesperson explained. "Drum'n'bass has moved on. It has been stagnant for a while, and I think a natural fusion with hip-hop can only move it all further overground."

As well as containing many tracks featuring MC Dynamite and vocalist Onalee, the album also features collaborations with Wu-Tang Clan rapper Method Man, as well as a track recorded with Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha. "That track's got a slightly more rockier edge," said the spokesperson. "It's still a drum'n'bass track, but it's got that rap/rock feel to it." nme.com understands that de la Rocha approached Size after seeing the band perform in the US.

Reprazent are currently playing at European festivals, and have a UK tour pencilled in for October.