Album Review: Self Confidence by Can't Be Copied

 

Self Confidence

By

Can’t Be Copied

 

I don’t always know which review will round off the year for me, sometimes I do get to plan ahead but, 2024 has come with a lot of challenges towards the end with some cancelled reviews, and so it came down to the last two and the first that I receive of those was Self Confidence from Can’t Be Copied aka K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC and Mr Roka. It is a pleasure to round off another year of reviews with these guys.

Now, it has been a while since this one came my way and so it gave me a chance to just check out their website before I got into this. CBC note that the album is a “declaration of the confidence in our ability to create new and meaningful Hip Hop”. Now, I have to say that the guys never disappoint in the music they create and messages they give, and they do all that without the need for offensive language or cursing.

So, I won’t keep you hanging around but, get straight into this album, which is some 19 tracks deep, consisting of ten full tracks and nine skit’s, so let’s go…

 

The guys kick it off in style with a heavy pounding beat and these electronic background sounds which get you head nodding from the get-go on Flowcresent. This one goes in hard looking at gun violence while also being a huge statement on the confidence that the guys have together. In fact, just as an after thought here, there could be an analogy here between the power that a gun has and the power of words and music. Guns give some confidence but, here CBC show that you don’t need that, use the talent’s you were born with and crafted from hard work to bring you that confidence. Next up is Skit 1, where we find K.A.O.$. speaking on how CBC does everything themselves so there is no need to wait on anything, this gives them more freedom to create their vision. Mr Roka provides wicked backdrop with cuts, a dope beat, and this synth vibe that has a John Carpenter feel to it. There is no time to dwell to much on that thought as more synth vibes, cuts, and another sweet beat drop in, getting you bouncing for Can’t Take It. This one really seems to define how having that self confidence can really boost the steps you take on your life’s journey, and when that happens there will be many around you who simply can’t take that energy. It’s all about keeping that confidence and cultivating the drive it gives you to succeed in life.

Skit 2 takes us backstage with K.A.O.$. Da Rowdy MC checking that everything is ready for the live show while Mr Roka is setting up on-stage and providing a little background bass notes to keep things moving. Now that everything is ready for the show, its time for CBC to give you What The Crowd Like, as Mr Roka drops some funky bass infused beat, with some slick background cuts, to get you rocking. K.A.O.$. gives us exactly what crowd likes, with a dope display of lyrical wordplay as he spins bar after bar to get your adrenaline levels pushing into the red. Skit 3 brings a pounding beat from Mr Roka as K.A.O.$. lays the cards on the table. This is CBC and this is that real Hip Hop boom bap sound and not just some average sound; this proves one thing, which is that CBC has No Competition. The beat hits hard getting you moving while Mr Roka’s cuts keep sucka’s at bay. K.A.O.$. brings the bars as hard as the beat hits, unloading the kind of lyrical flows that scream that real Hip Hop vibe from the roof tops, that’s it, this is the realness…

Skit 4 has this almost LoFi sound that just drifts through your awareness as K.A.O.$. reinforces the importance of self confidence by telling you not to let others on the outside influence what you do. You can listen to what others have to say but, when it comes down to it, it is the strength of your own convictions in your own talents that will win out. Just go with what you feel inside, that’s the key. Shouldn’t Have brings a banging beat with organ sounds and so much more it gets you fired up right out the gate. The message here is pretty simple when it comes down to it, as the focus is one things that shouldn’t have been done and a few things that should be done. This is the kind of thing that we go thought life experiencing, knowing that there are so many thing people shouldn’t have done to us, and its not just those close to us or around us but, those who govern or sit in a place of power, and at times the shouldn’t haves seem to out weight should haves. Skit 5 has this funky little beat where the bass and synth really pop out. This has a real tongue-in-cheek feel to it too looking at an artist trying to be something they aren’t and not being authentic.

Talking of being authentic its time for CBC to show their level of authenticity with Ready For Me. Mr Roka brings us this real funky vibe that has these piano and organ vibes that really tweak at your nerves. All the while K.A.O.$. is dropping bars that go hard on those who don’t perform with any level of real authenticity. There is not much more you can say here except, being authentic brings a different energy and allows you to create something that your audience will always remember and that breeds your confidence on so many levels. With Skit 6 its all about the fact that CBC do what they do, that’s it plain and simple, and straight from mouth of K.A.O.$. Mr Roka provides this electronic vibe that just sits in the background, giving you a light level of anticipation for what’s next; which is Only Here. This track sees Mr Roka bringing a guitar infused sound, using sampled guitars to create this energetic sound that fuses with the beat to be strangely infectious. Similes and metaphors about here as K.A.O.$. spits some venom on the mic. It’s all about the fact that CBC are here to do what they do, bring the real Hip Hop sound; its not about making a name or being one of the greats, but if that comes to pass, it’s all good. Really its more about the music that the rewards.

Skit 7 a nice funky beat that gets your head nodding along while K.A.O.$. notes that something does not feel right and time to step back for a bit. Giving yourself some time to kick back allows you time to Visualise, and here Mr Roka brings a proper boom bap beat that is mixed with bass, and keys to give you this chilled space to sit in. K.A.O.$. speaks on some different stories that might be happening anywhere right now, and as you become aware of what is going on around you, it makes you think about how things might affect you if you were there. When you visualise these things, it often gives you a different sense of perspective on your own life too. Skit 8 brings a sound that has this percussion sound that has an echo vibe and a deep feel to it. This one is just about inviting someone to come backstage and speak on their view of CBC.

Mic-ful brings to life that backstage chat about CBC and K.A.O.$. speaking on lived experiences alongside more on what CBC is all about. Mr Roka drops a heavy drum beat that is backed by piano and guitar notes with a sound that feels like all this information is slowly drip-feeding into your mind as to listen along. The penultimate track here is Skit 9, with a LoFi background sound that seems to mirror the ambient outdoor noise, we find a tired K.A.O.$. waiting for a bus which leads us into our final track Observation. The drums pound heavy here with an electronic element that gives this one a subtle electro vibe. This one continues perfectly from the previous skit as K.A.O.$. speaks openly on his observations on Hip Hop and its impact on the world around him. I have to echo so much of what is said here and I think that any real Hip Hop head will agree with me…

 

 

There is always a pleasure and flow when I am writing to what I hear from the CBC boys, and this album is no different. The notion of this album encompassing their self confidence in their crafts and Hip Hop in general is only too apparent here. It flows in true abundance and that dedication to bringing the listeners a form of Hip Hop that is deep and says so much but, is also a form of Hip Hop that you can play anywhere strikes a different chord. It speaks to you on many different levels with intensity but, a different level of intensity that you might feel when explicit language is used. Not that I have an issue with the use of course language but, sometimes it is just a breath of fresh air to hear Hip Hop on this level without dropouts or rewinds to cover up certain words.

Now, I know there are a lot of skit’s in this one and there are a lot of you out there who do not like these but, each one does lead into the following track and gives you a bit of breathing space between tracks. I’m certain that should you chose to listen to the album with or without the skit’s it will not change your listening pleasure but, I would suggest you give it at least one go in its original format.

All-in-All Self Confidence is another quality release from CBC and one that further cements their dedication to bringing that real Hip Hop music to the listener. Every track here has its foundations in the true Hip Hop sound and as such it brings a special vibe to those of us who grew up with Hip Hop and those whose love of Hip Hop has taken down a road of discovery through the history of the Hip Hop sound. CBC truly do keep live the heart and soul of that true Hip Hop sound; of that I have no doubt.

Self Confidence is available now exclusively from the Can’t Be Copied Hip Hop website.

Go grab it if haven’t already.

See you sometime in the New Year,

Have a good one.

Steve

LINKS

Get your copy of the Album exclusively from the CBC Website (All social links are here too):

https://cantbecopiedhiphop.com/home

Singles Review: Mind Melt (Prod Daniel Niles) & Still I Rise (feat WhoDat & Prod by Micall Parknsun) by AnyWay Tha God

 

Mind Melt – Produced by Daniel Niles

and

Still I Rise – Produced by Micall Parknsun featuring WhoDat

By

AnyWay Tha God

 

These two recent singles from AnyWay Tha God have been out since October so, I’m a little late bringing these to you. Now, I first heard AnyWay Tha God when I reviewed the Remix project he did with Daniel Niles for his album Allow God To Interject, way back in 2021. Since that time, he has had a string of releases, most of which have been released through the G.A.W.D.S & L.A.W.D.S imprint.

Sadly, for this review I have not had the time to detail AnyWay The God's background and perhaps that is something for another day? But what I have for you today are two singles, Mind Melt which features production from Daniel Niles and Still I Rise which features WhoDat with production from the legendary Micall Parknsun.  

So, I won’t keep you waiting here but get straight into the music.

Mind Melt has this heavy head nod beat alongside some bass and keys which all combine to merge with and twist your mind into looking at reality with a slightly different viewpoint. This fits perfectly with AnyWay Tha Gods lyrics which grab hold of your awareness and literally pull apart your current understanding of reality, opening you up to everything you thought you knew but, in a true assault on the senses. At times you might struggle to keep focused on what he is injecting into your mind but, perhaps that is the deal here? Hitting you with all this information in a way that you end up taking on in a more unconscious way. Just think about it, but not too much…

Still I Rise is produced by Micall Parknsun and features WhoDat alongside AnyWay Tha God, and was inspired by the poem by Maya Angelou. Parky brings a wicked mix of drum beat and keys that give this one a banging vibe that also serves to raise your adrenaline levels. As the beat fills your ears AnyWay and WhoDat bring vocals with a true sense of purpose; a purpose that instils strength and feeling in you. This one speaks on having that strength in the face of adversity and to keep walking forward when life seems to try to knock you down at every turn. There is also a spiritual side to this that speaks on drawing energy and inner strength from a higher power too…

What we have here are two tracks that, on the face of it, are almost opposites but, when you go beyond face value you see that they compliment each other. Mind Melt has this stance that speaks on society and the world we live in and how it all can turn your mind inside out but, then comes Still I Rise which gives you the integrity, focus and strength to find a way to keep going as you walk the journey of life.

Each very powerful in their own right, these tracks speak on a different level, one that you need to be open to, to really feel. Production from Daniel Miles and Micall Parknsun are just spot on, really capturing the essence of the message in each track. AnyWay Tha God brings us intelligent lyrics that are delivered with strength and conviction. He also shows that his flows can switch no matter the subject matter and what kind of deliver it calls for to reach the listener. The appearance of WhoDat also totally compliments the track and fits perfectly with the message alongside AnyWay Tha God.

 

These are two solid tracks from AnyWay Tha God, and I would recommend that you check out these and the rest of what he has to offer, You’ll not be disappointed.

Both tracks are out there now.

My thanks to AnyWay Tha God for putting these my way.

I’ll be seeing you.

Steve.

LINKS

One link for the singles and all things AnyWay THa God:

https://linktr.ee/anywaythagod

VIDEOS

Mind Melt

Still I Rise

Single Review: Shifty by King Dion

 

Shifty

By

King Dion

 

I first featured King Dion back in July this year with the Ed Koch EP alongside the Cut Beetlez. Now that EP went down pretty well so I’m interested to hear what the Atlanta rapper has for us on this follow-up single, Shifty which is produced by 3410 Sounds.

So, lets just get straight into it…

Shifty has this more modern sounding rap vibe from 3410 Sounds. The beat has this heavy, almost brooding sound to it which is broken up by the sharper sound of the programmed drums. This gives the whole track this vibe that has you almost on edge throughout. King Dion gives us solid flow that allows you to hear exactly what he is saying, which is always an advantage. The more you listen to this one, the more you get the feeling that this has an autobiographical feel to it. There is this feeling that King Dion is giving us a brief glimpse into life on the streets of Atlanta through the eyes of someone living it. You also feel that this is a bit of a statement, that King Dion is opening our eyes to where he is from and also where he is at.

Shifty is the kind of track that our friends across the pond will associate with a bit more than us here in the UK but, that is not to say that there are not some parallels between the two. The vibe of the track is sure to hit all the right notes for many and it is one of those that you should check out for yourself, just to see what notes it hits with you.

King Dion is definitely one of the upcoming rap artists to watch from the US. He also does not just restrict himself to the vocals but also dabbles in production and DJing too. For me though one of the things that stands out with King Dion is that his rap style has that flow that allows you to hear every rhyme, which is priceless, especially if you like to really get into what someone is putting across in their art.

Shifty is out on all the usual streaming platforms now.

My thanks to King Dion for dropping this one my way.

I’ll see ya next time.

Peace Out.

Steve.

LINKS

Stream the single Here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0jI8oJ6G7w2M61PTS3Ij2b

https://music.apple.com/us/album/shifty-single/1777881287

King Dion Socials and Links:

https://www.instagram.com/officialkingdion/

https://unitedmasters.com/a/king-dion

VIDEO

EP Review: Times Change by Danny Riggs Prod. By Pandamonium

 

Times Change

By

Danny Riggs X Pandamonium

 

Somewhere back in the mists of time, my good friend and DJ / Producer / Emcee and all-round good egg Pandamonium put out an offer to fully produce an album, EP or whatever for a proper bargain price, and one of the projects that grew from that was a collaboration with upcoming rapper / Singer / Songwriter and drummer from Nottingham UK, Danny Riggs.

That collaboration is now available for everyone to check out and is titled Times Change. Now, aside from being fully produced by Pandamonium, it features some pretty heavy hitters as well including Louis Cypher and Zar! Plus, there is a posse style cut that features a host of emcees in the form of Louis Cypher, Aquatic Ape, C Hayez, Tippyvshummanity, Odox, Cali Green and the legend that is Cappo. With a line-up like that, it is hard to write anymore, so I’m just gonna get into it…

 

Times Change clocks in at a sneeze under forty minutes long across ten tracks and kicks off with Intro_spective, which has Pandamonium's trademark jazzy vibe but, with a more laid-back sound of horns, guitar, and cymbals. The focus of this intro is an invitation for all of us to look within to make the greatest changes. Keeping our focus on what is outside of us and on what others are doing will never be transformative, only a quick fix…

With that thought firmly rooted into our awareness, the album in earnest with Loading In, keeping it laid back here, there is that nice little addition of that 80’s digital computer loading sound, the drumbeat is proper Hip Hop here and backed by bass, kays and horns, which keeps that jazz-hop vibe going. Here we find Danny bringing us the lowdown on who he is and the things that inspire him to do what he does behind the Mic. It is refreshing to get that insight because, with Danny being one of the younger generation of rappers out there, it gives us this deep look at what drives him and that there is this desire within him to see people inviting love into their lives to bring more of it into the world. From that personal note, its time to get more head nod with No Breaks. Pandamonium gives us a nice beat and handclaps to get out heads moving and there are more samples thrown in with quick turns of pace that keep us on our toes. Here we find Danny taking us through some of those moments in life where we feel we just can’t catch a break. He delivers this with some great comedic lines that will have you grinning for sure. You can keep that grin on your face as Playing Games opens with that Nintendo Wii electronic little tune, as a father and son get ready to play on the console. Panda then spins that tune with a nice little head nod beat to give Danny the perfect background to reminisce on his younger days, name dropping a plethora of video games, TV shows and more from the 2000’s. I bet us older heads will recognise most of these as we watched em with our kids too.

Real Business takes us back to that laid-back jazzy vibe of piano and other keys over another nice drumbeat getting us almost swaying back and forth. Danny, drawing on his personal experience, takes us on a trip that is all about doing what you love and constantly aiming to reach your goals. It’s a long journey where some will doubt you and criticize you but, use that energy to fuel your passion for what you do and keep walking forward no matter what. It’s now time for a brief Technical Interlude with serves to introduce what’s about to happen in the second part of the album. Very tongue-in-cheek this one and Panda’s beat has this very lift or elevator music about it but, before you know it, we’re all good and its time to move on to Haters which see’s Louis Cypher making his first appearance. This one turns up the energy levels more than a few notches with a cracking sound that mixes horns, keys and more with a nice infectious beat. This one has the air of battle rap about it as Danny and Louis give us a solid display of wordplay, spinning line after line that will make anyone think twice about stepping up on them…

Almost Blind sees Zar! Step up alongside Danny, with Panda providing a more chilled beat with this electronic sample that gives this one a nerve tweaking edge but, not in bad way, as it just anchors your focus on the words. As you listen to this one it really has a message that echoes the introduction, where its all about having faith in yourself, never giving up, and letting love guide you to a better place. With those sentiments still ringing in your ears, the penultimate track here seems to show what is possible if you don’t give up but, aim for your goals. Legacy is a track that weighs in at nearly ten minutes in length and sees Danny joined by Louis Cypher, Aquatic Ape, C Hayez, Tippyvshummanity, Odox, Cali Green and Cappo. Panda drops a deep funky vibe on this one with deep beat, bass and this funked out guitar that really gets you moving. Less of a hardcore posse cut that you might expect, this one is more a collective of emcees speaking on just what it means to them to leave a legacy behind them. The core thing here is not leaving money or material things but, leaving a legacy of words that have true meaning; creating something that will speak to people for years to come, and the length seems to float by as you listen intently. This is a deep and thought-provoking track that you can’t help but take something from. The album ends with The Best Is Yet To Come Outro which sees Panda on form with a nice head nod little track with bass, guitars and cuts, rounding off the album and suggesting to all that this is just the beginning of the journey for Danny Riggs and the best, well that’s to come and we’ll just have to wait and see what that brings…

 

Overall, what can I say about this one? Well, one thing I can say is that it was a pleasure to wrote to, as the sound and lyrics just made the listening and writing something that flowed with ease; and I love it when that happens because it makes my job easier.

As this was my introduction to Danny Riggs, I was pleasantly surprised to hear someone who has a passion and confidence in his craft. He has some great wordplay and turns of flow while delivering everything with an air that says he is more than able to make a name for himself on the UK scene, and there is no reason to believe that he will not still be here doing his thing for years to come. It will be interesting to watch how he progresses and matures as his journey continues. He is definitely one to watch.

It was also interesting to see how the album had this distinct feel of two halves, separated by this little comedic ditty. The first half showed what Danny can do flying solo, while the second half gave him the chance to drop verses alongside some big name features too. It really showed that he has the capability to hold his own, regardless of if he does it solo or alongside other artists.

He did a great job picking Pandamonium to work with on this project as it does seem to show that he fits really well with Panda’s production style. Each beat panda provided worked so well with the essence of what Danny was going for. Mixing up the styles and the pace gave Danny some good platforms to show how he too can mix things up. Now, I didn’t mention much about the cuts in the write-up for each track, and Panda does not drop a lot of them but, when he does, they are used in just the right places and form to bring that full on Hip Hop vibe to proceedings.

The features artists on the second half of the album all fit so well into the vibe of what Danny is giving us here. He gives us names that we know very well, alongside some that we might not know so well but, it all works perfectly and adds that icing to the cake.

All-in-All, Times Change is an impressive release by one of the UK’s up and coming rap artists who delivers the kind of message that says fairly and squarely, I’m here and I’m one to watch. Plus, as us old heads know, times do change and here we have someone who looks to fit so well within the UK Hip Hop scene, drawing on the essence of that real Hip Hop sound.

Times Change is out now,

So, go grab it and roll with it.

I’ll See ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab the EP on Band Camp Here:

https://dannyriggs.bandcamp.com/album/times-change

Danny Riggs Socials:

The one link for all things Danny Riggs:

https://linktr.ee/dannyriggsuk

Pandamonium Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/pandamoniumuk/

https://www.facebook.com/djpandamoniumbeats

https://www.youtube.com/@PandamoniumHHB

 

VIDEOS

Full EP YouYube Playlist

https://youtu.be/f5433bpqM-8?si=VawQKBJbeZDEGWHl

Legacy (Visualizer)

 

Album Review: Me Vs Me by DJ Too Tuff

 

Me Vs Me

By

DJ Too Tuff

 

Now, there is a bit of a story behind this review, which I’ll try and keep short for you, but it is definitely worth mentioning here. On the 28^th September 2024 I got the chance to go to a gig in Southampton as an old friend was unable to go (Thanks to Mr John Mac for that). The gig was a 50^th birthday gig for one of Southampton’s legendary figures Stevo, and if you know, you know. I knew Stevo from back in the days in Southampton when he was a part of Movement Records etc. The headliner for this gig was none other than Tuff Crew Legend DJ Too Tuff. So, alongside my brother Scott and mate Matt, plus the likes of Whirlwind D, Specifik, Soul 45 DJs, and so many more, we enjoyed an awesome gig with some cracking DJs rounded off by a stunning set from DJ Too Tuff.

It was as the gig drew to a close that myself, Scott and Matt were able to go backstage and chat with the man himself, and you can’t find a more humble and stand-up guy than Too Tuff. It was during this chat that I mentioned my reviews, to which Too Tuff handed me his phone to put my contact details in, and to say I was buzzin’ is an understatement and, to cut a long story short, the rest is history.

Just for those who might not know much about DJ Too Tuff, here is a little bit about his background. DJ Too Tuff aka The Deuce Ace Detonator is a DJ/Producer and emcee from Philadelphia USA and exploded on to the Hip Hop scene with Tuff Crew, especially on the legendary hit My Part of Town from 1988. He became known for his lightning-fast cuts and scratches and is now one of Hip Hops most skilled DJs. The Tuff Crew released a number of albums including Phanjam (1987), Dangerzone (1988), Back To The Wreck Shop (1989), Still Dangerous (1991), and most recently Back By Dope Demand (2023). Beyond his work with Tuff Crew, DJ Too Tuff has released two albums back in 2022 with Behold The Detonator (SpitSLAM) and DJ Too Tuff’s Lost Archives Part Too (Hip-Hop Enterprise), it was 2023 that saw the release of his third album Me Vs Me, which was also released through SpitSLAM Records.

Too Tuff toured extensively in the US with the Tuff Crew seeing them share the stage with some amazing Hip Hop legends including Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Ultramagnetic MCs, 2 Live Crew, Salt-N-Pepa and Kid ‘N’ Play. Tuff Crew also headlined the Urban Matterz event in 2022 alongside Jeru The Damaja, Dres (Black Sheep) and Philly legend Schooly D (who Too Tuff also deejayed for). 2023 saw Too Tuff as the house DJ for the Urban Matterz event in Helmond Netherlands, where he teamed up with another legendary Hip Hop DJ Mantronik for a legendary performance. Earlier in 2024 Too Tuff was the tour DJ for the Ultramagnectic MCs on their Year Of The Ultra European Tour. 2024 also saw Too Tuff as tour DJ for OT The Real and Benny The Butcher for the Everybody Can’t Go Tour.

Too Tuff is currently working on solo projects for SpitSLAM Records (owned by Chuck D). He has also featured on Chuck’s 2023 album Summer of Hahm album for the track Bringing Back 88. 2023 also saw him team up with UK producer Cobra P.I. from Rapid Fire to release In Danger.

So, if reading through all that little lot has wetted your appetite, join me now on a deep dive into DJ Too Tuff’s most recent album, 2023’s Me Vs Me, produced, scratched, created, arranged and recorded by the man himself it features guest appearances from Tuff Crew, OT The Real, Class B and Phoenix Jordan, as well as some feature production from Cobra P.I., Alca, Obvious Bane and DJ Brown Bum. All this with Chuck D as the Executive Producer.

So, let’s go…

Me Vs Me is some twenty tracks deep and kick’s off with Cold Blood. This one hits hard and heavy from the get go with this pounding that gets the adrenaline pumping, but over this is a John Carpenter Halloween piano that gives the whole thing a darker edge, just like your standing in the shadows, watching everything happening around you. Too Tuff brings his trademark style skills to bear perfectly here cutting up and scratching in frantic razor-sharp style, leaving you almost breathless in just under two and a half minutes. Next up is the short skit concerning facemask head coverings or Shiesties which could be just a skit or could be a reference to there being no masks being used here. This is Too Tuff and he don’t need no mask. He Gots 2 Die hits with a battle style routine as Too Tuff seems to battle himself with all his skills over this heavy piano and flute drive beat. There is this sense of the cuts going back and forth, just like you might battle between the light and shadow self to see which will win out. Pillowcase sees Too Tuff bring a classic Public Enemy sample and then cut it to great effect over the drumbeat. This one is a perfect example of how you can effectively use a single sample to pound the ears of the listener over and over, bringing them into submission.

Someone To Beef With hits with vibe where the beat is almost softened into the background by the frantic and intense nature of Too Tuff’s turntable skills. The more you listen to this one, the more it puts you in mind of the old skool battle rap records, DJ Battles and more. It brings you to thoughts that, always having someone to test your skills against, keeps you at the peak of your skill level; and sometimes that means you have to battle yourself just to make sure you are consistently at your best. Stalker takes us in a new direction as Too Tuff drops us into the mean streets of Philly. Here, heavy bass notes and pounding drums create the background as he cuts up vocal samples to create a narrative that looks at some dark times on the streets. There is also a deeper aspect here that asks you never underestimate your opponent; always expect the unexpected and that goes for yourself too. Now it’s time to Salute The Sample with a short track that celebrates that famous Rocky sample that was used in Going The Distance, the opening track of Back To The Wreck Shop, and if you know this album you will know that this is one of the most legendary openings to a Hip Hop albums. Call Me The Deuce finds Too Tuff joined by the one and only Tuff Crew, with additional production from Cobra P.I. (Rapid Fire). Too Tuff’s rapid fire cuts merge with Cora P.I.’s intense beat, guitar samples and much more to bring you a vibe that ramps up the adrenaline levels. It’s all about bringing in the Tuff Crew to celebrate just who is DJ Too Tuff, The Deuce Ace Detonator. If you still had any questions, this one answers them and leaves you hungry for more.

Come To Pass features production from ALCA with a pounding drumbeat, strings, and cymbals, which all come together to bring this somewhat laid-back sound, but one that has no less impact. Too Tuff’s cut’s up the vocal sample to bring you something that makes you think intently about the words you hear. The message here is that what you spend your time focusing on, is what will manifest in your life. If you look around you and all you see is fear, pain and suffering, then that is what will come to pass in your life. You have to turn it around and focus on the good things, the positive things. It is a profound message delivered in a way that hits you a little differently than if you were just listening to someone speaking. With those words still ringing deeply in your awareness, your focus is drawn away to the emotive piano sound of 9mm, where this short sees a youngster (Phoenix Jordan) speaking on different firearms. The context seems a struggle to grasp until you realise it is the intro to School Shooter; where Too Tuff brings our attention to the disturbing facts of children taking guns to school and engaging in shootouts over this pounding beat that is mixed with this nerve shredding electronic organ sound. It also looks at the connection between violent video games and the behaviour of these children. This does bring the focus to the availability of guns in the US and the fact that children are able to freely obtain and play violent games such as GTA. Everyone will have their own opinions on gun control and video game availability and the effect those may have on children, but the fact is that it happens, and these things do need to be addressed, it is the same in the UK; we might have more gun control in the UK but, here it is knife crime that is the worry. These are worrying facts that impact our lives every day and something else that impacts us is drugs; and Too Tuff brings this to our awareness on The Recipe, that sees someone describe the process used to create Crack Cocaine. There is a heavy sound of a heavy drum beat with this eerie piano that has all the hallmarks of John Carpenter.

2 Nicks is a skit that continues the focus on the drug problem and where a nick refers to a nickel bag which holds about a quarter gram of weed. Next up, OT The Real joins Too Tuff on The Burning, A heavy pounding beat over a sample of the theme tune from John Carpenters ‘The Fog’ with more of Too Tuff’s frantic, razor-sharp scratching that sees him bring our focus to drug related gun violence. There is this deep juxtaposition here between the almost brutal nature of the scratching and that deep melodic sound of The Fog Sample, mirroring the violence of gun crime mixed with the peace of the night and the drug induced calm. The focus switches once more to the incredibly heavy beat and ferocious cuts of Pitbull. This is another that hits incredibly hard and seems to be just an incredible display of how adept Too Tuff is on the turntables. In fact, from the title you almost get the feeling that this feels like a musical sound adaption of what it might feel like to be caught in the jaws of a Pitbull. Scratchin’ #’s Off (Scratchin’ Numbers Off) features production from Obvious Bane (Sum Entertainment) and has this heavy sounding beat with keys and guitars etc, and provides the perfect platform for Too Tuff to drop another display of his skills, something I’m never gonna get tired of…

Shake The Devils Hand has this piano vibe over the beat that gives this one heavy sound that kind of takes you back into the streets; and here Too Tuff uses that blistering pace to great effect as he focuses on the violence of the inner-city areas of Philadelphia. Giving you a sense that those involved in this, do so with little concern for others, only focusing on their own ends. One of the outcomes of the violence is looked at on Died At The Hospital. The beat raises the adrenaline levels once more as Too Tuff uses classic IceCube vocal samples to highlight the sad end to another night of violence in the city. We move into the penultimate track of the album, Trip To Flatbush, which features Class B and production from DJ Brown Bum. Drums, bass, and guitars to bring you this raw dirty sound that reflects living life on the other side of the law. Class B drops a gritty expose of the life of someone on the other side of the law, fitting perfectly with the tone of the track. There is no silver lining to this one it’s just telling it how it is. The albums outro is a short skit that puts Too Tuff as the defendant in The Peoples Court. Sampling the theme from the UK TV series The Professionals, this one leaves you thinking that DJ Too Tuff is both innocent and guilty; he is innocent of any and all charges but, also guilty of being exactly who he says he is, so let him do his thing already…

 

After such an intense rollercoaster, across around 40 mins, what can you say about this album overall?

Well, you could say a lot about this one because what Me Vs Me does is to highlight just how good a DJ and producer Too Tuff is. This is Hip Hop to the core that shows what a legendary DJ can do when they put their minds to a project. Here we see that it is not just Too Tuff’s DJ skills that take the limelight but, also how he deftly uses that skill to take you on a journey, telling you stories along the way by cutting up sound bites, news stories and so much more. It proves that you don’t necessarily have to be skilled on the mic to be able to tell people how it is and to take them to the kind of emotive places that only someone who truly knows the truth can do. Having said that, I know that Too Tuff also has the skills as an emcee too, courtesy of his performance in Southampton so, maybe we might get to see more of that side of him in the future…

I found this album to be solid from top to bottom as it mixed hardcore and emotive stories with incredible cutting and scratching, alongside the kind of production that will have Hip Hop headz old and new bouncing and punching the air. It takes a lot to be able to draw focus to such topics in a way that is unapologetic and still entertaining, while not lessening the impact it has; and this is the kind of display by a legendary figure that not only takes you back to the golden age of the eighties but, also shows that people like Too Tuff can keep it 100% real Hip Hop in a time where so many feel that Hip Hop has lost its way. You also get a sense of just how much of an impact Philly has had on Hip Hop music too. I could easily go on for ages about just how much I enjoy scratch DJ routines and albums like this (trust me, I never get tired of watching scratch routines and skilled DJ’s are at doing what they do) and I could even dive deeper into Philadelphia, Too Tuff and Hip Hop but, the best way for me to show how much I enjoyed this is just to say, go get it.

Me Vs Me shows there is only one winner and that DJ Too Tuff, The Deuce Ace Detonator. So, now that we have settled that one out of court, it’s time to Rock On…

Additional credits go to Thoro215 (Soup Kitchen, Thorobred Bangerz LLC) at Rocco Records Philidelphia for mixing, editing and co-arranging the album. Design and photography comes from Brent Suleman at Gazelle Design Studios, Bristol UK.

My huge and humble thanks to DJ Too Tuff for giving me the chance to review this stunning album.

I’ll see ya next time.

Peace,

Steve.       

LINKS

Check this one link for DJ Too Tuff purchase and streaming:

https://lnk.to/xwuOo51z!share

DJ Too Tuff Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/sodamtuff

https://www.instagram.com/dj.tootuff/

https://www.youtube.com/@djtootuff/videos

SpitSLAM Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063944384470

https://www.instagram.com/spitslamrecordsofficial/

For Merchandise check the Dangerzone website:

https://dangerzonemerchandise.bigcartel.com/

VIDEOS

Cold Blood

Call Me The Deuce ft Tuff Crew (Prod. Cobra P.I.)

The Burning ft OT The Real

 

 

 

Album Review: End Of The World by Sublime Wizardry

 

End Of The World

By

Sublime Wizardry

It’s been nearly ten years since we last heard from Sublime Wizardry and twelve years since their last LP was released. But now two of the original members, Remark and Merlin, have reunited to bring that unique blend of European and UK Hip Hop back, and if they are back then you can be rest assured that they have something to say…

The new album is entitled End Of The World, which seems pretty apt right now, in light of what is happening around the world. The album is self-released, like most of their back catalog. Now, anyone who is familiar with their previous releases will be eagerly anticipating this one so, I’m not gonna keep you waiting, let’s get into it…

The album is fifteen tracks deep and kicks off with Welcome In The End which serves as the albums intro. But there is no easing you into this one as Merlin creates this mind-bending sound that has a foundation of a drum beat but, over this is this twisted mix of sonic sounds and more, which serves to give it a somewhat dark and unhinged vibe. Remark brings some almost spoken word lyrics that do nothing to alleviate the impact on your mind. But this is all about puling no punches and exposing the true reality of the world around you. With your mind literally ripped open we dive straight into the first single released from the album, Man Bites Dog. Big orchestral notes and piano frame the heavy boom bap style beat getting you nodding your head as you are drawn to Remarks vocals. There seems to be a lot here about the misdirection that is put in front of us every day, how the powers that be utilise the media to twist the narrative to their own ends; to justify their evil agendas. You need to raise your own energy above this to help you understand what’s going on and to see it for what it truly is. With your mind opened up you begin to see where this is taking you and so we move on to the Archons, where we see a huge energy shift as Merlin brings a huge sound that takes the drum beat and places strings and horns over it, he then mixes in some sonic vibes that once more twist your awareness beyond the 3D world. This one appears to take a look at the armies of the world, those who march into battle but, we see that in so many conflicts these armies are made up of ordinary people who are thrust into horrors of war to protect what they can from the power hungry. These conflicts feel less like wars and more like the satisfaction of a blood lust for money and power.

Fall Down sees a proper drum beat merge with some big orchestral sounds and piano to bring us a vibe that injects your veins with a hit of adrenaline. This one looks at the fact that those who perpetrate the lies and twist the truth to their own ends, will eventually fall from all they have built up around them and will shown for what they truly are. Drums and sonic sounds merge and intertwine on Shadows In The Dark, creating the kind of vibe that has you constantly looking over your shoulder. Remark brings an almost spoken word stance here as he opens up about the one place where few chose to look. That place in beyond darkness of closed eyes and into the world of our own shadow side. This is something few do but, when you do confront and work with your shadow side, bringing balance to your true self, the benefits are beyond what you might think. You just have to find the courage to face it within yourself. Merlin brings another mind-numbing sound of drums and electronic sounds on Face The Fear, where he also brings in some eerie piano to further stretch your already frayed nerves. Remark speaks directly to your soul with lyrics that seem as twisted as the sound but, the message is simple here, the one way to escape the constant barrage of negativity that is thrust before you everyday is just to face that fear head on. The more you do this the cloak of deceit will fall away and you will be able to see the truth and live that truth.

The Serpent and Dove has this huge organ sound over the drumbeat, this gives way to synth vibes which gives this one a sound that is straight out of a John Carpenter movie. The serpent and dove and the very definition of good and evil, truth and lies, war and peace, and that seems to be reflected in remarks lyrics here where its all about the battles we all face between what is right and wrong as we walk the journey of life. Piano and synth vibes bring us into Allies and Enemies before the beat kicks in and the energy ramps up. This one is a natural progression from the previous track, another aspect of the light and dark sides of life, where things can change so easily, and we so often do not see the truth of who is who but, by walking our paths in the light and coming from the heart in all we do, makes it so much easier to understand who stands with us in the light and who stands close but in the shadows. They Got Em hits with a heavy sound that has this heavy drum beat over which is this multi-layered sound with piano, electronic vibes and so much more. This serves to raise the adrenaline levels once more as the guys take a look at tyranny and democracy. There is little you can say about this one but, it goes on around us every day, the governments use lies and the media to control us, keeping us exactly where they want us, in a place of perpetual fear, where they look like the only saviours.

Crazy Shit twists your mind with a heavy beat, heavy horns, sonic sounds and eerie vocal samples. This might seem like the weird part of some messed up movie but, really this one is just paralleling how our minds get stretched to the limit by what we see and what happens around us. It feels like everything is spiralling out of control and everyone is losing their minds or perhaps they are simply giving in to the sheep mentality? Who knows what the truth is but, it takes a strong heart to find the peace in all this. Thunder, heavy drums and bass alongside sonic sounds, bells and more form the soundscape of Bang On, which will have you bouncing no doubt. For me, this seemed to say a lot about always speaking your truth no matter what. There might be no one listening to what you have to say but, it is important that you continue to speak that truth because it is the essence of who you are. The minute you lose your truth, you become one of the sheep, so keep banging on because sooner or later, the truth will out. Reality or Fantasy sees the guys bringing more truth, and here its all about what situation we choose to live in? Do you want to live the reality of the 3D world or in a fantasy world, maybe similar to the matrix, where nothing is real. Our own reality might be harsh and difficult for us to navigate, at times but, at least we have a say over how our journey plays out. The fantasy world might seem that way too but, it is more likely to be a controlled environment where you will never have control over anything. Which one seems more appealing…

A huge mix of pounding drums, orchestral notes and guitar note creates this heavy soundscape that almost blows you away on Dark Riders. It took a minute to grasp this one but, it really speaks on the futility of conflict and war. The dark riders are those who bring war, death and destruction, where no one wins; even those who appear to win are left with the indelible mark of what they have done, something that lives with them always. The albums penultimate track is also the albums title track, End Of The World. The beat, organ sounds and orchestral sections, bring a slightly uplifting vibe that eases the weight of what has gone before. The message here is no less potent that the rest of the album, it just delivered in a way that sums up the calm before the end. This one is like a summing up of what has gone before, making peace with everything before you let it all go, watching the sun set one last time as the human race all but passes from existence. Even at the end there is a glimmer of hope that a new life will rise and perhaps we are Still Breathing; this one serves like the outro, leaving us with one last hope. The drums are heavy, alongside organ notes, sonic vibes and the sound of a Geiger counter clicking. There is a sense here that nothing has truly ended, and this is a final ode to what has gone before and a hope of what is to come.

 

The return of Sublime Wizardry brings us a dark vision of a world inhabited by a dying race. A race that has killed itself through greed and self-destruction. Only those who were truly awakened to the truth were able to survive and be the seeds of a new hope. That is exactly how this album seems as you progress through it. The main thing here is not sugar coat the reality of what is going on in the world around us. It is about being honest that the few will always seek to control the many through a self-centred greed of wealth and power.     

Yes, there is a sense that all is not lost and that there are those who are waking up to stark truth of the reality we live in. People who see it for what it is and are looking for ways to bring balance back to our society and the world we live in. Because it is not just the human race that needs saving but, the natural world too.

Sublime Wizardry brings a dystopian future to bear on End Of The World both through Merlin’s deep and at times, dark soundscapes that create all sorts of visions in your mind as you listen. Then Remark brings his own conscious lyrics forth, creating a description that is only to real but, that stark reality and those visions are almost softened into the background at time as his vocals seem to create a vibe that is juxtaposed to sound and the content of what you hear. It is like an elder is telling these stories to a youth who are going to be the new race and the harsh stories must be given with a sense of ease to soften the blow as it were…

End Of The World is a solid album that will elicit many different emotions as you listen. The impact of both the vocal and production is intense and almost brings a new edge to the notion of conscious Hip Hop.

End Of The World is something you need to hear and Remark and Merlin have brought Sublime Wizardry back with an insightful and pounding impact.

End Of The World is out now.

My humble Thanks to Remark for helping me bring this one to you.

 

See you next time,

Steve

LINKS

Grab your copy here:

https://sublimewizardry.bandcamp.com/album/end-of-the-world 

Sublime Wizardry Socials:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024269809312

VIDEOS

Man Bites Dog

 

 

 

 

 

EP Review: Kemz The Alchemist by Kemetstry

 

Kemz The Alchemist

By

KEMETSTRY

 

Kemz The Alchemist is the latest EP from Yorkshire based emcee Kemetstry, who has previously featured on the blog with his single Astral Plane and the Kemez The Atlantean EP. Kemz always brings a mix of musical vibes and deep lyrics that bring together personal experiences and a wealth of knowledge of ancient civilisations, particularly pre-egyptian, and spiritual essence.

Kemz The Alchemist is nine tracks deep, which is the kind of track number that many albums now have, featuring eight tracks and one remix and there is also some heavy weight production and features along the way to look out for. So, lets no mess about and get straight into this one…

The EP kicks of with Dickhead, produced by Illinformed it has this heavy drum beat over xylophone notes and keys to bring you vibe that has you sitting on the fence between this realm and the next. Here we find Kemz drawing on his own experiences to bring a stark focus the kind of people who talk and act like they know everything but in reality, have no real understanding of anything around them. Kemz pulls no punches here and is quite blunt in what he says but then sometimes it just needs to be that way. Next up is Too Bad Mind, which is produced by Jack Danz who brings us a grime vibe, mixing drums and heavy bass vibes with some eerie keys and strings. This short track gives just enough airtime to those who give out negative vibes around us. This is kind of energy that, if we give it enough attention, will bring us down and stop us from achieving our goals. The world is full of negative aspects and with the first couple of tracks bringing that into our awareness, its time to switch things up with Anubis (5 Star Generals) Posse Cut. This one is produced by Krimson and features Flowtecs, Jibbarish, Kg Chi and Menace Mendoza, alongside Kemz. The beat plods along with just enough pace and these nerve shredding keys, to keep you focused. This allows the lyrics to take over and take over your mind as each of these emcees produce the kind of lyrical wordplay that captivates you, while unconsciously laying seeds in your mind that will have you questioning the impact of this one across your entire timeline… 

Fuck Boy is produced by Alchemy and brings a more chilled vibe to the album with drums and keys. Is full of street stories that, at first thought, might make you think this is all about being derogatory to women? However, after a few listens you begin to realise that a story about man who has been treated poorly, in the past, by women and who now treats them poorly as a result. This is not something I might personally agree with but, the point here is that when people are treated bad, they will often become what they most hate and therefore continue the cycle and people continue to be hurt and abused. The message is to recognise the cycle and to break it, becoming the better person. After such intense thoughts there needs to be a change and Spirit Vs Ego, produced by Krimson, brings a more laid-back vibe of drums and keys that promises that change. Kemz looks at the difference between what comes from the Ego and what comes from the Spirit; this is very much an internal struggle where it is so easy to let the ego win out and take over as it is usually the easiest route but, the spirit will bring the most positive and fulfilling rewards, maybe not the easiest path to tread as it takes dedication but, it will make you the better version of your true self. This brings what is almost a revelation, as Kemz helps us to see past the ego and focus on the spirit, which leaves us open to the Light Beings (Five D). With production from Alkemy, it also features Kilo, the drums and organ notes bring a more uplifting sound that puts you in touch with your third eye. This one is all about looking beyond the 3-D world and recognizing we are light beings experiencing the 3-D world but, when you look beyond the world around you and becoming more in touch with your true self, you realise you are a light being on a whole new vibrational frequency, and that realisation opens you up to a whole new way of being and understanding. It’s definitely something to think about…

We move into the final third of the EP and the penultimate original track, Connect With Ya Soul features Verbz and is produced by CLXCKWRK. The sound brings more xylophone notes alongside horns and bass, over a chilled drumbeat, this brings the kind of sound that gets your head moving but, also keeps your mind open. The message in this one follows perfectly from Light Beings as its all about looking deep within yourself to get in touch with your true self, the very soul of who you are. If you can get to this point it will allow you to keep you focus on your goals and to bring those goals to you but, it can only be achieved by facing your shadow side and then allowing you to truly see the light. The last of the original tracks is Consequences which is produced by the legendary Farma G who brings this deep sound mixing strings and guitars over this head nod beat, the result is a vibe that makes your entire body tingle. Kemz speaks on how all our choices have consequences and so it is important to make the right choices in all we do. Sometimes the right choice brings the biggest lessons to us, this happens in order to help us make the right decisions further down lifes path. It really is than simple, you just have to have an awareness, an intuition that will help you make those right choices. The final track of the EP is Dickhead (dnb Remix). Now, I have already given you my take on what this track is all about but, what does this remix bring to the track? Produced by Ziggy Ostas the sound has a far more sonic sound and ramps up the energy levels. There is also a remix on the vocals too with Kemz verses having a slightly different focus here, being a little grittier and looking more at street violent and how this affects us, among other things.

 

Once more Kemetstry brings us an EP that mixes the darker aspects of life with a more spiritual side that promises to lead us away from the negativity and darkness and back into a more positive and lighter path. There are references to Kemet, this was the ancient name of the land which would become Egypt and Kemetism is an ancient neopagan religion that follows those ancient beliefs. It is no wonder that these references feature so vividly as Kemet forms part of his name. This brings a whole new viewpoint to how we see the world around us and the spiritual aspect of our deeper development.

Kemz The Alchemist does not force you to take on a new belief system but, simply invites us to view the world and life around us through new eyes. What is also interesting to note, that much of what Kemetstry notes from this new viewpoint is that much of what he opens us up to is not just limited to Kemetism but, is something that is apparent in many different belief systems, and the fact that these messages keep coming to us, regardless of our beliefs, must make us sit up and take note…

So, whether you chose to think of the deeper aspects of the EP or not Kemz The Alchemist is a highly enjoyable listen and one that encompasses different musical tastes with intelligent lyrical content that is delivered in a way that shows that Kemetstry is one of the UK’s most insightful underground rap artists.

This one is well worth checking out and might well give you something to think about in the process.

I’ll see ya next time,

Steve

LINKS

Get the EP and all links for Kemetstry Here:

https://linktr.ee/Kemetstry

VIDEOS

Consequenses ft Farma G

Too Bad Mind ft Jack Danz