Foreign Beggars

Foreign Beggars are a London hip hop group active from 2002 to 2019. The line-up includes Metropolis, Dag Nabbit, DJ Nonames, Vulgatron and SK Shlomo, and the group is associated with British hip hop, grime, dubstep, dancehall and British rhythm and blues.

Formation and early work

The group forms around rappers Orifice Vulgatron and Metropolis, DJ Nonames and producer Dag Nabbit. Vulgatron and Dag Nabbit meet in Dubai and first make drum and bass before moving into hip hop. DJ Nonames meets Metropolis at university in 2000, and the two join the hip hop and funk group Focused Few, where they begin organising warehouse parties and touring. Vulgatron is later introduced to Nonames through DJ Gizroc, then part of the Mixologists Crew.

Releases and development

By late 2002, the quartet is performing and recording with beatboxer Shlomo. The group releases its debut album, Asylum Speakers, in 2003. It also issues a number of 12-inch singles and EPs, and this debut LP is described as an important independent release for the group.

Collaborations and live work

Foreign Beggars work with and tour alongside a range of UK hip hop figures. Their wider connections include projects involving Shlomo, who appears on Björk’s album Medulla, and DJ Nonames, who contributes cuts to Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz project. The group also works with DJ Sparo, DJ Vadim, Dudley Perkins, WildChild of Lootpack, OH NO, DJ IQ, DJ Mentat, Scratch Perverts and Euphrates. It supports acts including Public Enemy, Roots Manuva, Beatnuts, Masta Ace, Grandmaster Flash, Talib Kweli, Wu-Tang Clan, Asian Dub Foundation, Last Emperor, Mark Ronson, Ja Rule and Blak Twang.

Recognition

Foreign Beggars win Best Group and Best Single at the Lyric Pad Hip hop Awards in 2005.

Later changes

Shlomo later moves on to focus on his own work with the Beatbox Orchestra. By 2011, Dag Nabbit is taking a back seat and concentrating on the group’s business side.

Performances

The group is known for energetic live performances and appears at Glastonbury, Fabric and Hip Hop Kemp in Hradec Kralove.