Real Art Real
Experiences
By
Can’t Be Copied
It’s unusual, in this digital age, to find a debut release
that is not available on all the regular streaming platforms but, the debut
release from Can’t Be Copied is one of them. Real Art Real Experiences
is only available from cantbecopiedhiphop.com (link Below).
So, lets learn a bit more about Can’t Be Copied; CBC
is K.A.O.$. Da Rowdy MC, Mr Roka and Stanton Miles who are
dedicated to the foundations of Hip Hop. Both being parents they point out that
they will not need those Parental Advisory labels but, at the same time, they
also don’t promote any BS.
K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC from Charlotte North Carolina,
originally from Newark New Jersey, started writing at the age of 7 and had been
performing since he was 14. His name K.A.O.$ stands for Killing All Opponents
$wiftly and it was his childhood friends who named him KAOS when he was 13, the
name stuck, and he kept it due to the fact those who gave him the name are no
longer with us. He has been influenced by many different genres of music but,
with Hip Hop the influence came from 80’s and 90s, which helped him shape his
own expression of Hip Hop, while still staying dedicated to its true
foundation. A dedicated father, he writes about his own experiences and how he
views life, using personal and meaningful lyrics. He also produces and prides
himself on being versatile and different.
Mr Roka hails from County Durham in the UK and uses
his skills to make the kind of music that he wants to listen to. Most of his
inspiration has come from buying records during the 90’s and early 2000’s.
Since that time, he has remained an avid music fan, drawing inspiration from
everywhere. The labels that have been the biggest inspiration to his music are
the likes of Mo Wax, Grand Central, Ninja Tune, Wall of Sound and Def Jam, to
name a few. The biggest inspirations on his production style come from Mark
Rae, Pete Rock, DJ Premiere, Q-Tip, DJ Spinna, Lord Finesse, Diamond D, Todd
Terry, and The Bomb Squad.
Stanton Miles is from Newcastle UK and started out as
the DJ for the first UK Hip Hop group to rap in ‘geordie’ accent, the New
Avengers who hailed from North Tyneside. Back then he went under the name DJ
Murder One. Since 1991 he has held residencies in nightclubs and bars in the
area and has also put out a few radio shows along the way, including The
Scratch show he currently presents on Method Radio.
With all that said, it is obvious that there is some major
Hip Hop blood running through the veins of Can’t Be Copied, which leads you to
get some hefty anticipation over what you are about to hear. Real Art
Experiences is sixteen tracks deep, six of which are skits, and also features
the turntable skills of one DJ Stanton Miles on four of those. Now, before I
get into the album, here is what the guys have to say about what you are about
to hear “The album paints a picture of the life and influences of K.A.O.$.
Da Rowdy MC and Mr Roka. The album shows both sides hip hop, as it aims to
uplift as well as show values of the culture and where they came from. The
group believes Hip Hop has foundations and principles from its inception and
they want to show they believe them all”.
So, lets get into it…
Kicking off with Skit 1, bass and drums form the sparse
background sound for this intro as K.A.O.$ really sets the scene for what’s
about to come before Soulatified really kicks things off with keys, bass
and drums, bringing an infectious funk vibe that will have you moving from
first note. K.A.O.$ opens proceedings with a blistering display of intricate
and intelligent wordplay that flows through your awareness at such a pace you
need to take a deep breath. Luckily there is a brief pause with Skit 2
as drums and keys form funky little background for K.A.O.$ to grab some hater
spray before continuing with Hitting Hard, the first track to feature
Stanton Miles on the cuts, has a proper boom bap sound drums, bass and some
interesting little electronic sounds and samples; mix all that with the classic
samples and cuts and this one will have you bouncing. Here it’s all about
taking that Hip Hop energy to the live stage with a dope beat from Mr Roka for
K.A.O.$ and the crowd to react back and forth. Hard rhymes and hard beats, this
is Hip Hop and this is what it’s all about right…
The turntable trickery of Stanton Miles takes centre stage
on Skit 3 over a heavy beat from Mr Roka as Can’t Be Copied celebrate
the Hip Hop DJ. Stanton Miles keeps the turntables buzzing for Reup Pt 2 as
Mr Roka brings a pounding beat with some keys and electronic elements that have
you thinking of warm summer nights rollin’ deep but, keeping a low profile and
getting everything, you need but, keeping your wits about you, not attracting
attention, never regretting your actions, and doing what’s best. Power To
Change drops with more of a jazz influence with keys, drums, and heavy bass
aspect. The message on this is an uplifting one that looks at how you are the
one that has the power to change all those struggles and hurdles you face in
life. It’s all about changing your perspective on what is in front of you and
always finding the positive part, the learning that you can take from it. Do
that and you will never become bogged down by life’s negativity. Heavy bass,
drums, occasional horns and etheric strings form the backdrop to the Struggle,
all of which combines to bring deep vibe that touches you. This one really
continues the message from the previous track, it’s all about recognising that
we all go through some tough times, it’s a part of life but, our strength and
resolve carries us through these times towards light and the sunshine that is
always there, behind the clouds.
A short interlude
with Skit 4 finds us carried on a dope beat with hand claps while
K.A.O.$ points out that its best to be independent out there these days, not
relying on others but, to make those moves and do it yourself. Boom bap drums,
bass and horns are the main components to Mr Roka’s beat on Figure It Out.
With that funky beat getting you out your chair, K.A.O.$ speaks on never losing
sight of your dreams; it’s all about putting in the work on whatever is your
passion and making those dreams a reality. If you have the seed and a dream,
all you need to do is plant the seed, nurture that seed and learn how to help
it grow and one day all that hard work will pay off when the reality of your
achievement is finally realised. Skit 5 brings another element of the
Hip Hop culture to the forefront as K.A.O.$ takes on the role of a graffiti
writer. The heavy beat almost fades into the background, echoing that feel of
being out in the train yard attempting to get up before the cops spot you. The
graffiti theme continues with Vandals as K.A.O.$ relates some slick
tales of his exploits as a writer. Mr Roka provides a pounding beat that is
drum heavy with some keys that gives this one a solid Hip Hop vibe that not
only feels at home with the graffiti vibe but, also has a sound that would work
so well for the breakers too.
One last interlude with Skit 6 which has a proper
funky little beat from Mr Roka and see’s K.A.O.$ reminding MC’s to never get
too cocky and try to be something you’re not, and to always keep it real. The
Student takes it to the classroom as K.A.O.$ speaks on what it is to learn
from those who have gone before. If you are making Hip Hop music, then you have
to know the history of the music and know those who laid the foundations of
sound you now call your stage. Mr Roka brings a real heavy sound here with drums,
heavy bass, keys and more which really serves to cement the message this track
brings. The penultimate track is the last to feature the talents of Stanton
Miles, Say It Phunky has a proper funky Hip Hop vibe with drums, bass, horns,
and cuts bringing an injection of energy that has a real party vibe to it. While
your head nods from front to back and side to side, its all about keeping it
phunky in whatever you say. You can speak on any subject, serious or just for
fun but, whatever you say just keep it phunky, that way you can’t fail to rock
the party. All too soon we are into the final track of the album, Speak My
Mind, which has a more mellow feel with laid-back drums, keys, and horns,
bringing the kind of vibe you just wanna kick back to. Here K.A.O.$ draws on
more of those personal life experiences to paint an audible picture of what he
sees going on in the world around him. When you feel with your heart and speak
that from your mind, it will be you that speaks those words, and they will not
be coloured or influenced by others.
As Debuts go Real Art Real Experiences easily stands
tall and proud among recent releases. Can’t Be Copied seamlessly mesh the Real
Art (Hip Hop) with the Real Experiences (K.A.O.$.’s Life Experiences) which
brings a real feel of authenticity to the entire project; you can really feel
the desire to bring that authentic sound, a true view of what life is, and the
passion for what Hip Hop culture truly is. You feel that within these guys
beats those hearts that have a true desire to bring something different to the
scene, something that can be heard by any audience and that will speak to them
all. It’s almost like there is an unwritten rule here that says it is important
for the music of Can’t Be Copied to be heard by all, including the children,
because they are our future after all and the earlier, they can begin to digest
the truth and how to convey that truth to others, it can only be a good thing.
Without a doubt Real Art Real Experiences is a true Hip Hop
album. Mr Roka’s production is solid and consistent from beginning to end
creating the sound to fit the mood but always keeping an element of uplifting
vibes and energy. You can feel the influence of those producers and labels,
mentioned above, running throughout the album but, the sound has an element
that says, ‘this is my sound, no matter the influence’ and it is that uplifting
element that has does it and does bring a vibe that is still authentic while
retaining that link to the roots of real Hip Hop.
K.A.O.$. Da Rowdy MC makes his mark here by not just showing
his pedigree as an lyricist by mixing up flows and styles but, by bringing
complex and intelligent rhymes that seem to keep you hanging on his every word,
and not just that but, he does what few emcees do, by delivering every single
bar without a single curse word, and there are not many out there who chose to
do that these days but, it does open up the music of Can’t Be Copied to a whole
different audience and allows it to be played on the radio without the need for
editing (something that will make my upcoming community radio show easier).
The appearance of the UK’s Stanton Miles on the decks for
the group is also a true pleasure here as it puts the icing on the cake of a
true Hip Hop album. I know I have said this a number of times, and probably
will again but, having a scratch DJ on an album or track just adds to that
authentic Hip Hop sound. I mean, Hip Hop began with the DJ and the emcee, two
turntables and a microphone, these are the true roots of the culture’s musical
element and, perhaps, the roots of the culture itself, and Stanton Miles brings
that element to life here, displaying his credentials on the decks to great
effect. While I’m speaking of Stanton Miles, I’d like to take this opportunity
to thank him for bringing Can’t Be Copied to my attention, as without him this
one might have slipped under my radar, so my humble thanks to Stanton Miles.
Overall, Real Art Real Experiences is solid Hip Hop album
that draws on and gives thanks to the true Hip Hop culture, not just the music
but all the elements. You might not think that there is not so much mention of
Breaking but, it is there, and you can feel it in the music as well. It is an
album that is a true joy to listen to and one you won’t have to turn off when
the kids come in the room, or you can bump in the car safe in the knowledge you
won’t offend anyone (insert smiley face here).
Real Art Real Experiences is available now from CBC Hip Hop,
link below…
If you subscribe to the mailing list you will get The Student track free too, that's a bonus...
On That Note,
I’ll see ya next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Can't Be Copied Official Website (Get the Album here exclusively):
https://cantbecopiedhiphop.com/home
Can't Be Copied Social Media links:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553637398444
https://www.instagram.com/cantbecopiedhiphop/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeXOLyeS1iQkOErAt0vENRQ
VIDEOS
Hitting Hard
The Student
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