It was way back in April last year that I featured
Manchester MC, Cigarettes and Scratchcards with his single 1984. That review,
see link below, included some bio on the man, so this time I’m just gonna take
you straight into the review.
So, let’s go…
Now, the title of this one leaves little to the imagination
and conjures up a lot of thoughts and images of what this one could be about
but, before we go judging the title and what we might hear, lets just take a
listen.
As the heavy guitar kicks in, it’s immediately that this one
is not my usual Hip Hop sound, this one has a heavy punk sound that is courtesy
of live instruments. The vibe is high energy and the sound mixed with Cig’s
rapped vocals brings some interesting images to the mind, that will probably
appeal to some of the older Hip Hop crowd who, like myself, grew up in the 70’s
and 80’s where punk rock was still a huge scene.
So, what does Cig’s have to say one this one? The first
thing that you realise is that this single is not focused on an individual but,
just like the original punk records, this one is a look at our country and the
society we live in. So, the ‘Her’ in the title is Britannia, Great Britain or
how ever you chose to see it. This one is, as you might expect, a proper
political statement, in parts, with shots taken at the government, the banks,
and a lot more. The main message here is that, you might well love the country
in which you live but, the way that it is run by those who the people have
placed in the highest position of power, plays with that affection; you may
have been born here and have so much love for the family and friends that
surround you, feel so much connection with countryside and the ancient sites of
historical significance however, the struggles placed upon you by government,
the banking system, and the things outside of your control, really push you to
the point where you question the balance of love for the country over the
stress caused by the powers that be.
Overall, you might call this a fusion of Rap and Punk and it
is one of those tracks that might appeal to one camp or the other but, there
will be a number of listeners that will enjoy that crossover sound and
understand exactly where Cig’s is coming from in delivering a message in this
way, as it reaches out beyond the rap or punk fans. But the real test for you
the listener, is to give this one a go, have a listen and feel what is being
said and then decide if it is for you.
For me it was not my normal sound but, that vibe mixed with
the strong statements within, really had me feeling this one. OK, so it might
not be something I’ll have on repeat necessarily but, it is one of those that
you can come back to when you need an escape from the norm or a bit of a rant
at the establishment, something that is needed right now, if we’re honest
right!
I Luv Her but She Does My Fuckin’ Ed In by Cigarettes and
Scratchcards is out now on all the usual streaming platforms.
Big up to Cigs for sending me something a little different
to get my head into.
Till next time,
I’m Out.
Steve
LINKS
All the links for streaming this single and more can be found Here:
Both Steg G and Freestyle Master are no strangers to the
blog with Freestyle Master featuring on Steg G’s Demons album back in June last
year, they also contributed to the album No Justice No Peace by the Scottish
Hip Hop Artists For Equality back in 2020. With Freestyle Master being a major
contributor to the recent releases by Steg G, Times Like These comes as
a hotly anticipated follow-up to their last full release together The
Freedom Frequency (2017).
Conceptually, Times Like These see’s the Glaswegian duo
exploring abstractions based around the nature of time itself. The album was
released through Powercut Productions at the end of February this year, so
there is a good chance that some of you have already heard the album and might
have an idea of what to expect but, there will be those of you who have yet to
open your ears to this album or even to the music of Steg G and Freestyle
Master, so I hope you’ll all join me as I take you through the ten tracks of
Times Like These from top to bottom…
The guy’s kick things off with Welcome 2 My World
which features a pounding drum beat with some piano vibes that have an almost
eerie quality to them, creating a heavy head nod sound with dark edge to it.
This one is set in the present moment and looks at the harsh realities of life
and society in the current world we live in. Although, its not all harsh as
Leafdog and High Focus, from my neck of the woods, get a mention, which casts
your mind to the work of one of UK Hip Hops dopest, dragging your mind away,
albeit briefly, from the dark times around you. The eerie piano vibes continue
on Between The Lines, which mixes with other keys, a melodic drum beat
and a sprinkling of that more modern cymbal tapping sound, giving this one a
heavy sound that seems to weigh heavy on your mind. Here we have a sobering
story of how time gets away from you and how drugs and alcohol can also taint
your view of how you spent that time. To you the experience may have been fun
and enjoyable, when in reality, it was far from that. Next, we move to the
albums title track Times Like These. A heavy drumbeat, cymbals and nerve
stretching keys combine to infiltrate your mind to put your focus on the
lyrics. The mind and how we fight our own inner demons, seems to be the focus
of this track; I mean, how many of us have sat in a tough spot we have been in
before and thought to our selves ‘how many times is this gonna happen to me’?
It’s less about the passage of time here and more about the repetitive nature
of the struggles we all face, and yet still we forge forward, no matter the
adversity…
All We Got has a sound that brings to mind a
nightmarish vision with a sparce beat, keys and nerve shredding electronic
sounds on the bridge, all combining to bring a sound that has you questioning
the nature of reality. What you get from this one is the imbalance and
inequality in social standing. This is an issue that is almost as old as time
itself, where the few appear to hold all the balance of power, when in reality
it is Us, the many, those looked on as the lower classes that possess the real
power and in our current reality we need to look to each other for the strength
to use that power in the most positive way. More pounding drums and electronic
notes bring a sound that has elements of the electro sound. What this does is
to raise the mood slightly to give you a more open mind for Cause And Effect.
This might be a shorter track but, the impact of the words are not dumbed down
in any way. This is a deep look at the fact that ‘what you give is what you
get’ and ‘every action has a reaction’, what you realise here is that things
that happen in our past have an impact on our futures. People mistreated in
their youth often perpetuate similar behaviours in their adult life, that’s
just one example but, leaves you feeling that there is a lot to be said for the
saying ‘treat others as you would have them treat you’, it leaves you with much
to contemplate. The electronic notes on Spitefully Grimey has a very
John Carpenter soundtrack vibe, in fact the whole track has that vibe, making
you feel that you are not just listening to something but, being a part of it
too; or it that it’s a part of you? That feeling is well placed as this track
could be about anyone of us, the good and bad aspects of life and the things we
have all done. As you look back at your life, can you honestly say that these
words do not describe you too, think about it…!
The Poison is the only track on the album to have a
feature as CCTV joins Freestyle Master on vocals. Steg G’s sound here is piano
heavy alongside the heavy beat. The cymbal sound and switch up on the drum beat
serves to tweak your nerves keeping you focused on the vocals. This one looks
at all those individual moments where the negative words and judgements of
others impacted on our desire or motivation to reach or achieve something.
Although, there are also times when those same derogatory words may even have
spurned us to go that extra mile just to prove them wrong. It’s all about who
we are and how we chose to take the words and opinions of others, they can nock
us back or push us forward, we decide the outcome. Our minds and nerves are
once more tested with the electronic sounds and notes that such a part of the
sound on She’s A Psycho. The drumbeat is still there and keeps you
nodding as you listen to this tale of a moment in time where beauty hid the
beast. This could just be a story but, just as easily this is a cautionary tale
to be aware that not everyone is who they appear to be on the outside,
something that might have happened to anyone of us, it has certainly happened
to me in the past. The piano and horns on Rewind, mix with the boom bap
drum beat to get the energy pumping and the head nodding with a real uplifting
sound. Sometimes you can hear a track that doesn’t just take you back to a
moment but, to many moments dotted throughout your life and this is one of those.
Speaking on those good friends we meet along the way; the kind of friends we
think we’ll always be together. Sometimes we loose touch or those people pass
away but, they always hold a special place in our hearts and this one really
reminds you of and rewinds you to those moments and those friends. Before you
realise it, you’re at the final track of the album Sunset, where organ notes serenade
you ears for nearly half the track before the beats drops in bringing more
energy but not overshadowing the emotive nature of the sound. That emotive
feeling is reflected in the lyrics which look at aspects of human nature But,
more than that there is a sunrise and a sunset in all our lives, and it is what
we do with the time we have that defines us so, remember to seize each moment
and be the greatest expression of who you truly are and create a magnificent
sunset…
We measure the passing of each moment we experience under
the veil of construct we call time but, this helps us create reference points
we can use to remember specific events, things that have happened that have a
deep or life changing impact of our lives as we move along the path of life,
and Times Like These puts some of these impressions into our awareness
in a way that is enjoyable but, at the same time emotive, doing it in such a
way as to create something that is easily relatable by anyone listening and who
choses to really listen and feel between the lines.
Both Steg G and Freestyle master, in their own way,
perfectly emulate this feeling of the passing of time, reflection, everything
in-between and beyond. Steg G uses his production skills to craft these
stunning musical backdrops that bring these musical triggers for our own
emotions. Alongside this Freestyle Master brings his lyrical prowess, flows and
emotive story telling that uses his own lived experience to bring our own
personal experiences to the surface; together they create this etheric link
with the listener, where the individual experiences feel like one shared
experience and the essence of time become more than a linear measure and more
of place where we all live, separate but, inexorably linked.
Now, all that deep thought aside, Steg G is on fire here
with production that captures the essence of each track. The sound has one huge
foot planted firmly on the side of Hip Hop but, along the way, there are many
other influences that come in, adding extra depth to the sound. I have never
been a fan of this this more modern sound that includes this high paced cymbal
sound, its just a personal thing however, it does not take anything away from
this album, what it does do is to broaden the listener base because Hip Hop
heads will love it and the younger generation who like the trap, grime and
other vibes, will also get something out of this one too. It has a good cross
genre sound and there is nothing wrong with having that because music is more
than just one genre. Freestyle Master does a superb job here by bringing his
A-game and mixing up the flows, wordplay and using lived experiences to bring a
deep level of relatability to every track. He also displays flows that show
influences from other sounds too, adding that aspect which will make listeners
of other genre’s enjoy what he has to say. What is plainly obvious though is
that Steg G and Freestyle Master have this rapport that allows them to work
perfectly together, and you get this feeling that each knows exactly what the
other is thinking, in a musical context.
Times Like These is a very deep but, expressive album that
really invites the listener to listen, feel and remember what happens over the
passage of time and that every experience in any one moment can have far
reaching implications but, what is most important is that every moment we
experience makes us who we are so, live those moments to the fullest.
Times Like These is out now on Powercut Productions and available on streaming,
digital and limited-edition vinyl.
My thanks to both Steg G and Freestyle Master for the chance
to bring my impressions to you.
I’m Out,
See ya next time.
Steve.
LINKS
Times Like These is available from the following links:
Cardiff emcee/producer 4Dee is back with his latest release,
Down The Rabbit Hole, on his own Veteran Records imprint. I have
featured his releases a couple of times on the blog, first with the album
‘Shots Fired’ and with the singles 40 Years and The WOW Signal. Released at the
end of March this year, this is a six track EP that promises some straight up
Hip Hop combined with 4Dee’s penchant for not shying away from controversial
and maybe a little esoteric subject matter.
So, let’s not hang around here and dive straight Down The
Rabbit Hole…
We dive straight into it with Microphone Savage, where
a heavy pounding boom bap beat provides the backdrop. In fact, this hits so
heavy, it brings enough energy to vibrate every bone in your body. Like so kind
of modern-day pied piper, 4Dee uses slick lyricism and a vocal tone infused
with more than enough assertiveness, to create a vibe that grips you and sends
you down the rabbit hole before you know what’s happening. Spinning lines on
why he is savage on the mic, you forget what is going on beyond that sound and
you become lost in the Hip Hop music. Now that you are well on your way into
the music, drums hit with some nerve shedding organ notes and a hint of guitar
too, its time for some Verbal Shadow Boxing. Produced by Acko and
featuring DJ Jaffa on the cut, this one ramps up the energy levels, drawing you
deeper into the music. 4Dee’s flow and insane lyrical fury takes hold of your
awareness and spins you out of control as he pummels your mind with hit after
hit of verbal intensity, punching a hole between one universe and the next.
With your mind reeling from the intensity, things take a sudden U-turn with Strike
Lightning and Thunder. The beat is still heavy but more subdued with a
chilled acoustic guitar vibe. Delisha joins 4Dee to take you on a trip that
takes you deep into the rabbit hole as they look at a post pandemic country
where negativity and despair are the new norms; this is a place where
conspiracies and control of the masses abound, a dark place, reflecting what
just might be going on beyond the doors, walls and deep in the halls of
government. Believe it or not this is where the rabbit hole takes you and it is
only some brief moments of soulful vocals on the bridge that give you a glimpse
of a more positive future.
Datrilshit sees a return to that pounding boom bap
sound where the drumbeat takes the forefront, raising the energy levels once
more as DJ Jaffa brings the cuts once more, cutting deep into your soul. Here,
we find 4Dee bringing the one thing we all love about Hip Hop, that real shit.
It’s all about what makes an emcee who they are, the lyrics, the flows, and
their individuality; alongside that is their ability bring the kind of music
that makes the crowd go crazy, that’s it, plain and simple. Before you realise
it, you’re in the realms of the penultimate track, wondering what’s next and
where you might end up. DJ Jaffa is back on the cut once more as Mind Over
Matter hits with heavy drums and eerie keys. The beat has you looking this
way and that while 4Dee spins bars and verses around one simple message that
sinks deep into your awareness subliminally. That message is that you are the
architect of your own destiny, you are the one who can make your dreams become
reality, you just have to keep those dreams in the forefront of your mind and
don’t lose sight of what is most important. Do that, and the only thing that is
impossible, is that anything is impossible! The final track drops with a
realisation that you’re not lost in the rabbit hole at all, you’re just waking
up to the truth of reality. It is the heavy guitar vibes and sparse drums of
Acko’s production on Putting In Work that help bring that realisation to
life by creating a sound that tightens the frayed nerves and, with the help of
DJ Jaffa on the cut, awakens you, bringing you back into the room. 4Dee spits
the kind of lyrics that bring focus to your fogged mind. In fact, he continues
to allude to message from the previous track, with more vigour, he tells you
that by putting in the work, you make yourself who you are, you craft yourself
into the true expression of the self.
Down The Rabbit Hole takes you on a journey that
might seem a lot longer than it is. Within those six tracks and Twenty-Two
minutes 4Dee takes you places and opens your mind to thoughts you might never
have conceived of had you not exposed yourself to this EP. The Rabbit Hole is a
place where you can cast out any thoughts of what you thought reality was. Here
nothing is taboo and all the things you thought were just conspiracy theories
or someone’s tainted view of the world, now seem to be far more plausible.
There is some great work here that keeps you guessing as to
exactly what you’re listening to, in terms of its message, and you can easily
just enjoy the whole experience without thinking too much but, then if, like
me, you want to give it the time, it can take you to different ways of seeing
the world around you and that’s the power of the music and the words contained
within.
The production on Down The Rabbit Hole is top notch
from both 4Dee and Acko, bringing you Hip Hop vibes that you can really feel
the energy of, and also help to bend and merge reality at the same time, which
is all ably assisted by the cuts from DJ Jaffa, for me these cuts don’t just
scream Hip Hop on this one but, really give that edge to the tweaking of
reality. I also have to give props to Delisha who I have not heard before but,
who makes a great appearance here with both her rap skills and those soulful
sung elements too.
4Dee shows us, once more, that he really is a solid emcee by
switching flows and displaying a range of lyricism that has he can switch from
being lyrically fun to suddenly being far more complex and intellectual. I also
like the fact that he is not afraid to tackle those esoteric subjects and be
completely open and honest about his thoughts on the world around him.
For me it’s a no brainer to recommend this one to you, so if
you’ve not heard it already, I suggest you give it a listen as soon as
possible.
Now, it’s not often that a single drops in front of you that
generates the kind of excitement as a full album but, the latest release by
Seek The Northerner on Northentic Records is one such example.
All The Way Live is a posse cut that is produced by
Seek and features a stunning line up of emcees along side him, and not only
that but, it also features DJ Robert Smith (2016 DMC Germany Champion, Dusty
Donuts 45s, Smith & Smart), which really raises the bat when it come to the
anticipation stakes…
So, before I really get into this track, just who is lining
up on this track? In order of how they appear there is Sublingual, Lomax, Seek,
Farma G, Eskar, Hinesy, Assa, Ill Sykes, Ken Masters, Micky Swags, Benny
Diction and Doberman, I mean, what more do I need to say here, let’s face it,
nothing, I’ll say no more and just take you on a ride through this track…
The beat is comprised of a solid head nod drum beat with
Harpsichord style keys creating a melody that carries you along, the only
change is on the bridge which brings cuts from DJ Robert Smith and a brief
switch from keys to Flute notes. Across the next five and a half minutes or so,
you get six verses, each featuring two emcess dropping around twenty seconds or
so of their finest bars. This is not a track with a theme or a particular
message, what you get here is akin to a live freestyle, where each emcee steps
up to the mic and throws down for your listening pleasure.
When most of you think of a posse cut, you’re probably
thinking of heavy hardcore beats with furious in your face style lyrics but, Seek
seems to approach it from a different angle with the type of beat you can nod
and move along to, without launching you into the atmosphere, and the lyrics
from each emcee have that grown man Hip Hop quality to them and, because the
beat bangs but never loses you, you are still able to concentrate on the words,
giving them and by default, the emcee, the time and recognition they deserve.
I don’t need to interpret every line here because this is a
track that needs to be heard and enjoyed by the listener as it keeps to engaged
from top to bottom. That is exactly what I did, enjoy every minute of it, and that
is exactly what I suggest you do.
All The Way Live is probably one of the best posse
style cuts I’ve heard so far this year and sets the bar pretty high for anyone
who wants to follow suit. This is some of the cream of UK talent out there
right now, there might be a few names you are not that familiar with but, by
the time this one is over, you are gonna know every one of them and what they
have to offer and Seek shows that he is quickly becoming one of the driving
forces on the UK scene as both emcee and producer.
All The Way Live drops on 5th April and is
one of those tracks that has the quality to keep you going back to it over and
over but, don’t take my word for it, check it for yourself.
Oh! Did I forget to mention you can get it for free...
My thanks to Seek The Northerner for giving me the chance to
bring this one to you.
Time for me to be out, gotta give this one another listen.
See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
All The Way Live is available from Northentic Records Bandcamp Here:
I reviewed the debut release Real Art Real Experiences
by Can’t Be Copied back in January of this year, and I was so impressed by what
K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC (vocals), Mr Roka (production) with Stanton Miles (cuts)
had achieved with that release, that when they recently dropped their sophomore
album, Invest In Your Ears; I had to invite them back to the blog.
Once again, you will find that Invest In Your Ears is
not available on any streaming platforms and the only place you can find it is
via the crews website. The only difference this time around is that Invest
In Your Ears features just K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC and Mr Roka, who also
handles the cuts on this one.
If you read my review of Real Art Real Experiences,
you will know what to expect from these guys. However, if you are new to Can’t
Be Copied, I can tell you right now to expect nothing less than real Hip Hop
vibes without the profanity, and a sound that crosses all boundaries and bring
a real sound mixed with all the realness of true-life experiences.
So, I’m not gonna keep you hanging around no more but, help
you to Invest In Your Ears…
CBC gets your head nodding from the get-go with a solid boom
bap beat and a plethora of sounds that combine to get you moving and smiling
for the Future Of Hip Hop. Here, K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC lays it all on the
table, showing not only what is at the core of Can’t Be Copied but, also what
the focus has to be for Hip Hop artists as we look to the future of the scene.
It’s all about keeping it real, speaking from the heart with the truth and
staying faithful to roots of the culture. You might well be listening to this
now but, this is the blueprint for what’s to come. The drumbeat takes the
forefront on I’m Just Saying but, Mr Roka mixes in some bells, guitar,
and other sounds to keep the vibe going and the heads nodding. This one really
takes the core of what CBC are about and lays it out in one track. CBC are
about real Hip Hop that can be listened to be all ages, they take the old skool
foundations of the sound and bring them into the present, delivering the
realness in a way that speaks to new and young alike, setting standards for the
future while giving the older Hip Hop generation no cause for concern. Heavy
drums and horns form the basis for the sound on What Do You Bring, where
we find CBC asking a question of all those other Hip Hop acts out there. That
question is what do you bring to the game that adds authenticity and is not
just a clone of those who walked the stage before you? This is as much a
statement as a question because, in order to make it, you need to have an
element about your sound that is authentic and relatable, don’t speak on things
you have no knowledge of and don’t lie to your audience because you think you
know what they want to hear.
Life Support finds drums, bass, and horns as the
foundation but, the electronic beeping and cuts give this one a vibe that has a
sound mimicking a pulse monitor, which might be lost on you as your too busy
bouncing. Listen to this one and you get the impression that it is the real Hip
Hop vibe and sound that is the life support of all real Hip Hop artists out
there; There are many fake emcees out there masquerading as real Hip Hop with
beats and lyrics that have no foundation in the culture. Those who are true to
the game have Hip Hop running through their veins and don’t need to step
outside that sound by dipping into other genes just make more money. With that
thought running through you head K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC steps up as the Flowologist
as Mr Roka brings a heavy bass sound with electronic elements that toy with
your nerves. This one is all about K.A.O.$ showing exactly why he is the
flowologist. There is no need for me to elaborate any further here as K.A.O.$
speaks for himself here so, tune in, soak it up and enjoy. Mr Roka switches it
up once more with the drum beat almost taking a back seat at times as bass,
guitar takes over on Different. The vibe might be different on this one
but, it is the perfect canvas for K.A.O.$ to flow over and give you a
demonstration of his rhyming skills, showing just what he can do when he feels
like it.
Time to funk things up a bit on Much More but, that
funk vibe has some elements that take you back to the electro sound, creating a
vibe you can’t help but groove to. K.A.O.$ brings us a track that takes a look
into the mind, body and soul of an emcee. There is that air of braggadocio at
times that was a big element of the early rap days as emcee’s were out to show
who was the best with rhymes and flows. Mr Roka’s heavy drumbeat, bass sound
and horns take the forefront on Beatastic as K.A.O.$ slows things down a
bit. This one really makes the beat the focus of the track both in sound and in
the lyrics. That is only right because what would Hip Hop be without the beat;
Well, it wouldn’t be Hip Hop for a start, and here we see just how important
the beat is, just as important as the vocals. Pen & Pad finds Mr
Roka dropping a solid boom bap sound on us, mix that with those multi-element
sounds, and this one has the speakers blowing up. What I like about this one is
that it shows that an emcee has to be two things; they have to be a freestyler
and able to write rhymes down and that is really where this one took me,
reminding me that an emcee is always writing; yes, they might be out there on
the street corner, or deep in freestyle battle mode but, behind that the emcee
is always writing creating bars and verses that are the core of their craft.
Before you know it, you are listening to the penultimate
track, Pet Peave, which starts with a bassline sound before the beat
really kicks in and that bassline vibe fades into the background. The sound
gets you up and jumping around, wanting the take the roof of this sucka.
K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC takes on a journey through some of the things that are his
pet peave’s, the things that upset his equilibrium and might throw his day into
disarray. This is not him complaining, its just life, these things happen to us
all. Suddenly you realise that you’re at the last track and wishing there was
more to come but, all good things come to an end and here it’s with They
Sold Us A Story. Mr Roka brings a nice funky beat with piano vibes and
cuts, getting the head nodding along. K.A.O.$ takes us to the streets with some
stories about just how brutal life is out on the streets. With everything that
has gone before now, this is a sobering note on which to end the album but, it
is no less real that all the fun and games out there. We don’t always get to
hear the stories of real people’s experiences but, here we are reminded that
the tough stores we see going on internationally also have a shadow side that
goes on in the alley ways and on the street corners of the towns and cites in
which we live, and it's no less painful for those caught up in it…
What Can’t Be Copied have done with Invest In Your Ears
is to give us something that is not just a musical album to be put on an
enjoyed, it is so much more than that. Invest In Your Ears is a
statement that says to each and every one of us that if you really want to here
the truth, in many different ways, then switch of the TV, turn off the news and
Invest In Your Ears by switching on this album because, as this album
creatively displays, music can speak the truth to you on many different levels.
Music, in this case that real Hip Hop music, can bring you the truth on what’s
going on outside your door but, also bring you uplifting vibes that show that
there are silver linings to those storm clouds, it can all be brought to you in
a way that does scream of frustration and anger at what is going on in the
world. Sometimes you just have to hear it in a way that echoes the family
sitting round a table and talking openly about things, things that might be
tough but, can just as easily bring smiles and laughter.
Invest In Your Ears displays all the qualities that
go into creating a solid Hip Hop album, that has one foot rooted deep in the
foundations of real Hip Hop, while demonstrating that you can bring in other
influences to the sound which do not take away that homage to the original
sound and vibe.
Mr Roka perfectly crafts these Hip Hop soundscapes in such a
way as to show that they are unashamedly Hip Hop but, at the same time, have
these additional elements and influences that make the Can’t Be Copied sound unique,
which is exactly what it needs to be, because Can’t Be Copied are not anyone
else and they sure can’t be copied in any way…
K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC once more delivers a wealth of flows and
rhyme styles to suit exactly what needs to be said and in a way that is
authentically his own. There is no copycat flows or styles here just one emcee
with his own style created from years of constantly honing his craft.
I really don’t want to say too much here because Can’t Be
Copied are not individuals but, a collective, a crew, who work together to
create a sound that and style that make many of us reminisce back to the
eighties and early nineties but, at the same time they also set a standard to
those up and coming artists out there that says ‘this might be a blueprint for
the sound or the vibe of what is Hip Hop but, be unique and authentic in all
you do, because that is the mark of a true artist’.
All I can say is that if you really want to know what I’m
talking about here then Invest In Your Ears and grab the album direct from
Can’t Be Copied and see exactly what all the fuss is about and rest assured,
this is one you don’t have to worry about playing in front of anyone.
Invest In Your Ears is out now exclusively available from
the Can’t Be Copied Website.
Well, now in 2024 the Hidden Content Club is back and
treated us to a bonus pack and single release that featured a non-album track,
The Fun and The Horror, and a remix of the track Hawk Ghost. This was all as
the precursor to the third outing in Junior Disprol’s Def Series, DEF CULT.
Once more brought to us on the Plague label and, as with both previous DEF releases, Produced by Cool Edit Chud. It
features appearances from DJ Jaffa, Krash Slaughta, Stepchild and his Uber
Magnetic partner in rhyme Roughneck Jihad. The album also features some stunning
artwork from John Stark, just to put the icing on the cake.
Now, Junior Disprol is no stranger to this blog and as such,
needs no introduction, so let’s not beat around the bush here and get straight
into the DEF CULT…
There is no hanging around here as DJ Jaffa joins JD on the
opening track Marvelous, which perfectly sets the tone of the album with
a nice head nod drum beat which is surrounded by this eerie mix of bells and
nature sounds that all comes together to give you the impression you’ve been
drawn into some weird nightmarish world. This is Junior Disprol’s world, a
place where expecting the unexpected is the norm and it is hard for the
neurotypical mind to even conceive of what now put in front of it. Here he shows
you exactly why he is so marvellous in what he does by taking words, phrases
and more, mixing and weaving them into something you would never think
possible, and when you mix all that with the music, reality is thrown out of a
window, a window that doesn’t exist or does it? With all expectation cast aside
the sound move to slick funk vibe with drums and guitar taking the forefront
for The Fly Most, if you know your Hip Hop then you will know that being
‘fly’ was all about being the best, dressing the best and so on. So, is JD
speaking on being the best here or is about a fly or being a fly on the wall?
You decided because this is one of those that seems open to interpretation, and
after a number of listens I wanted to go with the traditional Hip Hop view and
that JD here is just showing what it is the be the fly most on the mic. Up next
is A Murmur Forms, which has recently seen a video release, and has more
of a jazz vibe with the horns, bass, and drums, which loop and switch creating
a sound which tests your nerves as it progresses. JD’s words seem to tear at
every brain cell, threatening to turn your awareness inside out. The world
around is what seems to form into a murmur as Junior Disprols words and flows
form into a dazzling murmuration of their own, mimicking that of a flock of
starlings over the somerset levels…
Can We Live finds the drum beat almost softened into
the background as a nerve tweaking electric guitar loop grabs your awareness,
threatening not to let go. JD takes a look at the state of society and Britain,
a place you can no longer call great. How can a person or a family truly live
in this society when we are constantly being priced out of everything we need
to survive, while the 1% flourish and stand, not on the shoulders of giants
but, on the desperate figures of the working class, the infirm, the disabled
and corpses of the fallen. It’s a bleak look at life but, that’s life right
now. With your mind reeling from what it has just had to comprehend, it’s time
for DJ Jaffa to join Junior Disprol once more and to punch and slice a hole in
those dark storm clouds with Ready Rock. The head nod beat takes us on a
more upbeat vibe while the eerie xylophone sounds keep us in that weird
twilight world but, this one creates a seed inside you that blooms almost
immediately and bears fruit that you can only taste with your soul because this
is what the energy of the music can do for you if you allow it in. There is
this sense that the creation and the feeling of the music is able to clear the
darkness from most recesses of the mind. So, when you’re ready, feel the music,
let it in and get ready to rock. Now feeling a bit more upbeat it’s time for
the albums title track to be unleashed, DEF CULT. The drums and guitar that forms the main
element of the beat here has a melodic quality that has you quietly nodding along,
focusing on the words, while every now and again there is a burst of guitar
that stops you relaxing to far into that sound. Having given you the
foundations, JD now hypnotises you, taking control of your mind, he delivers
words that infiltrate every corner of your mind and making you a newly ordained
follower of the DEF CULT.
It’s perfect timing that you are now in the cult and your
mind is focused on this one thing because, if you are listening on the vinyl,
it’s now time to flip to the B-Side, something you now do in an almost trance
like state. I Got It Going Awwn takes you into a TRON like world with
solid boom bap beat alongside electronic sounds that digitize your every
thought from this moment on. If it can rhyme with Awwn then its Awwn, that’s
what its all about here; well almost. There is a moment, where JD emulates the
Ruler Slick Rick, that brings an almighty grin that comes out from within.
Suddenly you begin to realise that this cult is not something to fear but,
something to revere. That sense of living in a digital world now takes on an
eerie twist as the electronic and other sounds whirl around the head nod beat
like a plethora of spirits released from purgatory. Krash Slaughta joins JD to
help slice through the ghostly fog allowing your body to soak up the vibes.
Here you find Junior Disprol speaking on being a Magus Of Phrase. But
what does that mean? Well, the definition of Magus is a conjurer, sorcerer, or
a magician; so, what he is saying here is that he is a magician when comes to
creating something with words and you simply can’t argue with that the more you
listen. The vibe switches once more as drums, guitars and keys combine for a
sound that would not be out of place an album from the Doors, it has that kinda
Hip Hop psychedelic feel. Hawk Ghost dispels any last vestige of dark
clouds that might have remained as its energy raises you up to a new level,
while keeping you in that altered state of reality. This time Junior Disprol
switches from speaking through a ghostly haze to taking on the essence of a
spiritual form, soaring high above and looking down on what’s around and
channelling that into words and phrases that boggle the mind as you search for
the source but find only words that seem to appear from nowhere…
Your eardrums vibrate with the power of the beat, bass and
horns as Def At Behest explodes into your awareness. Soon, strings are
introduced that have you looking over your shoulder, looking for what’s coming
with a sense of foreboding like a movie soundtrack vibe. Listening to this one
might make you wonder just what this is all about but, try listening a few
times and that think of the title and what it means? Def is all about being the
best and by doing that at behest means you are doing it by instruction or by
command; so here maybe, its all about JD showing how good his skills are by his
own instruction? Being an emcee is all about honing your skills from life, from
what you see about you day by day, you are literally teaching or instructing
yourself, that’s how you learn. Think about that as you listen and if it speaks
to you. Now, time is ticking by and as you move into the album’s penultimate
track the Domesday Clock. Drums, bells, bass, and horns form a huge
sound that has that that soundtrack vibe about it, one that makes you feel you
have stepped into a pool of shade among the sunlight. With that air of
foreboding setting around you once more you find that you are stood in an
equilateral triangle with an emcee at each apex; perhaps it’s a circle not the
triangle you first thought but, anyway, Junior Disprol is followed by Roughneck
Jihad and finally Stepchild, each one displaying their individual rhyme skills
as the doomsday clock ticks another second but, that second feels like a minute
or a whole day as the words float through you awareness; you realise there is
so much around us that signifies we are headed towards a doomsday but, you also
realise that we are the ones who can also reverse that and stop the clock
ticking down to its ultimate conclusion. As you contemplate that thought you
realise that the album is about to reach its own conclusion and you have
reached Def Not, the final track. Keys, guitars, and drums create a
reflective vibe and one that feels you about to enter something deeper than has
gone before. The intro makes you feel this one needed time to get going, like
it needs a few deep breaths first and as JD begins to speak you realise why
those feels occurred to you; not everything is DEF in life and this one finds
Junior Disprol speaking on the loss of his mother. This one is by far the
deepest track on the album, and I could feel every word, deep in my own heart
having lived this same story with the loss of my own mum back in 1995. What can
you say, treasure every moment with those you love and enjoy those moments to
the fullest. The track ends with an upbeat, high energy guitar solo, just get
the adrenaline pumping once more and leaving you with much to think about…
Just take a breath because that was some ride. In fact,
there is this feeling that DEF CULT is an album of two halves, as seems
to have two different vibes running across the two sides of the album, if you
have the vinyl, or between the first six tracks and second six. The first half
appears to have a slightly darker air about it, laying out the foundations and
showing you what’s going on around you or inviting you to see it. But the
second half has this far more upbeat vibe to it raising you up most of the time
and giving you a reason to feel that its not all bad out there and it ends with
a touching ode to his mother that is such an awesome way to end the album, with
such an emotional sentiment. It’s just breath taking from start to finish.
I may have said this before but, what the heck, I’m gonna
say it again, for me, Junior Disprol is one of the most underrated emcees on
the UK scene, if not the entire Hip Hop scene, at this time. I don’t know of
anyone who can take words that seemingly have no place together and spin them
into something that is entertaining and speaks to you on some strange
unconscious level. He just has a masterful way with words, like the title of
the track Magus Of Phrase, he truly is a master sorcerer of words and
rhyme.
I couldn’t wrap up this review in any way without mentioning
the work of Cool Edit Chud on this one. As with JD being a wizard with words,
Chud is a wizard of the beats. He is perfectly able to emulate the vibe of JD’s
words and together they just craft something where the music and words vibe so
well together. It is almost like these two are an extension of each other, they
work so well together. The different vibes and sounds created by Chud work so
well with JD’s vision for his lyrical content and mood.
Having appearances by DJ Jaffa and Krash Slaughta on the
cuts, along with Roughneck Jihad and Stepchild adds flavour to the whole
project while taking nothing away from Junior Disprol and Cool Edit Chud.
DEF CULT is the kind of release that Hip Hop needs to
carry it forward. It has that nod to the real Hip Hop sound but, draws on a lot
of different inspirations along the way. It also has a sound that has definite
mass appeal and is not likely to get old very quickly. This has to be another
contender for album of the year, in my humble opinion. It’s a perfect fit with
the two previous Def albums and might just be the icing on the cake…
My thanks go to Junior Disprol and Plague’s Danny Boyes for
putting this one in front of me and letting me do my thing.
My final thought on DEF CULT is simply “Go get this it”.
DEF CULT is available now and comes in a range of formats
including some stunning physical versions too.
Over The Iron Bridge is the brand-new album from veteran
London, UK Hip Hop trio the KAOS Krew. The album was released on 9th
March through Original Rockerz Records.
KAOS Krew were formed back in 1985 and consist of Jonie D,
TJ Chill and Peek-A-Boo. They would release their first album titled Mind
Revolution in 2020, which was closely followed by the sophomore release,
Ignorance Is No Defence in 2021. They also have the distinction of being the
first Hip Hop group to record at the fabled Abbey Road Studios. Now, almost
three years later they are back with their third album and, unlike the previous
releases which saw varied production, Over The Iron Bridge is produced solely
by Jonie D.
With all three of the albums receiving radio play, it speaks
volumes for the creativity and longevity of the London group.
So, join me as I take you through album…
Nilton Hornz starts things of in style with pounding
drums, horns and strings giving something raise your energy and get your head
nodding. It is something to open the album with its longest track, and there is
so much packed in here it is almost beyond interpretation as you just want to
listen but, there is much here that shows the foundations of the group and why
they have remained, doing what they do for so long. From the struggles of life
to the power of words and the family bond, if you really want to get it then
live in the moment with the words of the KAOS Krew. From such a powerful
opening statement we move on to Wall Street Greed, more boom bap drums
mix with strings and more to keep that uplifting Hip Hop sound booming. The
title of the track says a lot and it gives you a idea of what is coming. Her
the focus is on the greed of the rich and powerful, the bankers and the corporations,
at a time when people are struggling to heat their homes, pay the bills and
food banks are at an all time high, there is still money to finance wars and
line the pockets of the rich with bonus payments. There is no balance in the country,
and we are the ones who pay the price. A heavy drum beat pounds along with a
mariachi style guitar to create a reflective vibe on Quiet KAOS. This
one finds the guys focusing words, the words that you say. Everything you say
has the potential to say more than simple words can say, so it’s all about
choosing your words carefully and always speak from the heart, when you do
this, you show your authentic self and everything you say is the truth.
Love (is the foundation) grabs your attention with
drums, strings and a heavy bass vibe that periodically vibrates your whole
body. The message in this one is simple really, living in a society, a world as
we experience every day, there is a lot that can test us and push us to places
and states of mind that are not who we truly are but, when we change are focus
and bring it back to love and remember that love is the foundation of all we
do, then the darkness can never win out. Drums pound your ears with a hint of
guitars and cuts, get you head nodding on Nice and Decent. Here we have
the guys bouncing off each other with a slick display of their vocal talents.
With all the deep messages, it is nice to have the odd track that just screams
fun-loving upbeat Hip Hop and the guys lay it down hard on this one. The drums
and keys of Serious Times have an element of a ragga vibe that flips
things a little while keeping you moving. The guys reflect that ragga vibe in
their lyrical style, all the time looking at the times we live in. The 2020’s
have given rise to some serious subject matter getting more focus, from
inequality, hate crimes, poverty and seen governments turn their backs on what
is clearly genocidal wars. This is what we see around us everyday and the Kaos
Krew open up on what it is to live in the here and now.
Look At My Face has a mix of drums, bass and keys
that brings a deep vibe that seems to seep into your very soul. The added
dimension of the added soulful vocal adds an almost dreamy element. I get a
real feeling, with this one, of how each experience we go through in life, as
individuals, shapes who we are and can take its toll on our facial features. It
feels like, if you really want to know what someone has been through, then you
just need to look at their face, as this will tell you a thousand words of the
path they have walked, what they have seen and what they feel. Motoscaf,
seems to be all about the bassline, with the drums and strings there to add to
the atmosphere. This brings a vibe that fires up the adrenaline in a different
way and doesn’t necessarily get your head nodding straight away but definitely
gets you moving. Not gonna lie that this one took me a while but, it made me
feel that this one of those that will get the crowds jumping at shows and is
all about the KAOS Krew doing just that, lighting up the shows, the airwaves,
and the speakers. I might have missed the mark here but, you get my thinking
right…
Soul Style gives us a dope sound that takes us back
to early days of Hip Hop with a drumbeat, bass, guitars and slick cuts, it
really took me back to the eighties sound. KAOS Krew really reflect that
eighties vibe in their lyrics that have that display that uplifting, just for
fun style of rapping. This is one of those you can put on and really nod along
to and reminds you of that feel-good sound that got the party rocking. The
penultimate track is Drop It Like Last Time, another head nod vibe with
a sound that almost has a middle eastern vibe to it. There is also a throw back
element to this track too, like the eighty’s vibe has filtered in and crossed
over into the present. That comes from the fact that this one looks at how
things are now and how they were, all the things that inspire and influence the
words of the KAOS Krew. Life brings a lot of experiences that we draw on as we grow,
and the guys really pepper this one with how things have changed over the
years. We are now into the final track of the album, Magic Number, which
keeps the energy going with a heavy drum beat alongside bass, horns, and hand
drums, all this brings a vibe that has elements of that Soundsystem sound. As
you listen to this one you get the sense that, reading between the lines, this
one is all about lifting people up, giving the listener something to grab on to
help them lift themselves up. The magic number just happens to be three,
because there are three of the KAOS Krew and the magic is what the music can
do, and the Krew are the conduit to bring it too you…
I have to say that Over The Iron Bridge is an album
that not only speaks on important issues and entertains the listener but, it
also gives the listener something else that might not be immediately
understood. This is an album that is infused with an underlying tone of
positive energy and uplifting vibes. To uplift you have to show people why they
need that energy and so you open their eyes to the world around them and what
is going on, and then you interspace that with words that create the fun and
plant the seed of that uplifting nature; then, by wrapping it all in a sound
that keeps the energy flowing and the body moving, you create a whole that
leaves the listener feeling positive and uplifted. I get this as I was
struggling today to get motivated but, the sound kept me going and helped me
get through.
I feel grateful for the music of KAOS Krew planning that
seed in me. There were times when I struggled to interpret their word but, the
more I listened, the more I relaxed and just allowed my impressions to flow,
not saying I nailed every track but, I did what I always do and brought you my
interpretation of what ach track made me feel. The flows, styles and the
intelligent nature of the rhymes really stand out here and are the kind of
tracks you will need to listen to again and again. Jonie D has done a superb
job with the production by creating something that is rooted in the foundations
of real Hip Hop but, also has elements other sounds that have inspired him
along the way, much the same vibe you get from the lyrics as well.
What you do come away with from this album is a sense of
being uplifted and those positive vibes. Yes, these guys pull no punched in
laying out their experiences but, that is what gives this that air of
authenticity and relatability. In fact, in the press release for this one TJ
Chill says, “You need this in your life” and I have to say that I am not gonna
argue with him on that point. This is UK Hip Hop at its best but, more than
that, this is what Hip Hop is about…
Over The Iron Bridge is available now from Original Rockerz
Records on digital outlets and a limited CD run too.
My thanks to the KAOS Krew for the chance to review this
one.
