Newtrament - UK Hip Hop Pioneer - Where is he now?

I found this video after DJ Cash Money posted on Social Media that he liked "Newtraments" 12" Cover. "London Bridge Is Falling Down" was dope. Charlie Marbles then hit a comment saying he had made a short video about him. It’s a moving film initially made about homelessness but it quickly goes deeper, see below. Newtrament (aka Betram Johnson) is currently homeless (or was 2 years ago when the video was shot). Reading between the lines on very limited online information he was playing the big clubs in London in the mid 80s, cutting and scratching and MCing with a crew consisting of one of the She Rockers, Fresh Ski, Sir Drew (Mighty Ethnics) and linking with The Wild Bunch (also squatting over in Bristol) and Renegade Soundwave, all in the London pre rave era. These pioneers have knowledge beyond! As an aside She Rockers have been listed on the influential tracks in the UK Hip Hop vs USA 88-92 previous blog post.

Anyway, his 12" single highlighted political and electoral corruption, police malpractice and inner city decay. He is still evidently living amongst this, see how he is treated when he hits the ETHICAL HUMANITY center in Camden.

Here's the video by Charlie Marbles

Cheers

Tony Green

NEWTRAMENT SCAPEGOAT from Charlie Marbles on Vimeo.