The Ill Circus
By
Specifik
A Review and a bit more...
By Steve Rider
It is always an honour to be asked to review an album prior
to its release and this review will mark my first of 2019 and 2 years since I
took the decision to start this blog.
Any of you familiar with B-Line Recordings and the man who
runs tings, Specifik, you will know of his first album release back in 2016.
That release was Eighty3 received with rave reviews and became something of an
overnight classic. It also featured many of the artists who have returned for
The Ill Circus.
The Ill Circus has been hugely anticipated, as are most
releases by B-Line these days. But, this release comes on the Britcore Rawmance
label out of Germany But, a bit more on that Later?
To give this review a little bit more. I have asked Specifik
a few questions about the Album, life and so on, to give the review a bit more
depth. Plus, as something a little bit special (That few know about) I have
contacted the featured artists and got a little nugget from all of them. So,
dotted throughout the review will be those comments.
So, without further ado, let’s visit The Ill Circus with
your ringmaster Specifik:
Opening with the Intro, Welcome
to the Circus, you could well be reminded of the Phantom from the Horns of Jericho,
as I was initially, you could also feel like you were in some B movie Comedy/horror
flick or something with its weird dark undertone which gives nothing away about
what you are walking into.
So, you are just wondering what to expect after that into
when the beat kicks in for I’m Naked.
This is a proper banger of a track, with one of those head nodding beats but,
retaining that slightly melancholy undertone to the track. However, with dope
verses from Ghettosocks, Nilla and Timbuktu out of Canada and cuts from DJ
Tones this is the perfect first performance at the Circus. So, what did the
Emcees from across the pond have to say about working with Specifik...?
Ghettosocks: It was cool to work with Specifik. You can tell he's a passionate fellow.
He had us over to his home. We met his beautiful family, and checked out some
of his art collection and rekkids. Happy times!
Nilla: I
rate Specifik 11/10 Sambuca bottles. He’s a true Hip-Hop Head, and it’s a
pleasure to build with him - across the pond, no less! Nuthin’ but love for
him, and the entire B-Line MASSIVE!!! Honoured to be a part of The ILL
CIRCUS...
Timbuktu: Specifik is a magestik beast - huge, muscular props!!
Up next you are treated to Junior Disprol and DJ Krash
Slaughta stepping up on Harambe Kwame.
One of those tracks that hits with deep bassline and wicked Bass guitar riff,
all capped off with proper verbal dexterity from Junior and some eerie cuts
from Krash Slaughta. This is one of those track’s that, especially if you’re in
the car, makes you wanna crank the volume up a few notches and bounce along.
Junior Disprol: Having featured on the first Specifik LP and various B-Line releases
through the years, it was a no brainer when Si asked me if I’d drop bars on The
Ill Circus. He sent this down and dirty bassline driven number that I was
instantly feeling. I asked him what direction he wanted me to take it in and
his reply was “the ‘80’s”.. Simple as that, a topic right up my street as a
fiend for that decade on all levels. So I got busy and shouted out Smiz aka
Krashslaughta in the lyrics so as to guarantee a blistering avalanche of cuts,
and that was that. Genuinely an all time favourite track I’ve been involved in.
DJ Krash Slaughta: For the second time, Junior Disprol and myself have worked on Simons
2nd L.P...And it’s the same result, a dope combo. Specifiks new album brings
people and like minded artists together, and delivers a great product to listen
as a whole.
Following on from that is, Straight for the Juggler. A little beat juggling skit and why not,
after all, the circus is all about different acts and performances.
More guitar heralds the next performance. Balance which features Bristol native
Rola on vocal duties. This is the first track which had me thinking back to the
old skool days of Hip Hop when rappers would throw down, Dropping a dope verse
off the top of their head just because they could.
Rola: I’ve
known specifik since the late 80s and we always had a lot of respect for each
other. I don’t emcee so much these days but, Specifik is always askin’ me to
colab on a track, it’s only a short one but was a pleasure do. I also mixed and
engineered the whole LP so have spent a lot of hours working on this project to
the point I almost feel like it’s my baby too. Specifik is a grafter in all
aspects of Hip Hop and I wish him much success with the ill circus.
Banging beats drop and you’re pulled in to the next
performance with B-Line label mate and long time partner to Specifik, Whirlwind
D. Keep on Steppin’ has a slightly darker
tone, as the real world often does, as you taken on trip through how main
stream media works only to tell you a scripted version of news, How we think of
and view ourselves and how social media can be both a positive and negative
impact on our lives. Definitely a stand out track for me but, what does
Whirlwind D have to say:
As my
closest collaborator and a great friend, it is always a pleasure working with
Specifik. I love the energy and passion he brings to tracks we do as well as
live performances and ‘Ill Circus’ is a masterpiece!
Next up, more drums and bass guitar kick in and herald the
arrival of Chrome and Sy Matic (of the Skratchlords) under the spotlight. Incurable keeps that slightly dark vibe
on a track that could quite easily describe a dark period in anyone’s life as
Chrome drops the lyrics in his trademark style and Sy Matic flips the dope cuts
with precision.
Chrome: Specifik
is always ultra professional in his approach to his music and collaborations.
The day he sent the beat I literally wrote and recorded the track within the
next 5 hours. That says a lot about his work.
A heavy beat then drops accompanied by some frantic cuts as Sickness Scripture Pt2 drops. This
track features Jabbathacut on tha cuts and Kid Lyrical from Blades. This track
is hard and heavy and something you really feel deep in the core of your being
with Kids instantly recognisable voice matched with the perfection of Jabba’s
Kut’s. To give you a bit more on this track let me bring in Kid Lyrical:
This is actually
a remix of a track from my solo album (hence part2). Really dig what he did
with the beat, totally different from the original. I love that thing producers
do when they flip ya lyrics a half bar forward from the way you wrote it which
ends up putting a totally different spin on the verse. Stoked to represent on
another banging UK release, shout to Specifik for the juice and to my boy Tibbz
for hooking a brother up!
Rounding of the first side one of the circus is Bladerunner, a slightly more upbeat
track featuring Cosm dropping the seamless story telling style all supported by
Jabbathakut on 1’s and 2’s, word. You couldn’t have picked a better way to
round off the first side. It’s been a rollercoaster of vibes; beat’s and
rhymes, so far. So, let’s see what the ringmaster brings us for side 2...
Cosm: Always
more than happy to contribute to the B-line legacy and anything it’s architect
wants me to feature on. Everything thing Si gives me ill knock out the park for
cause, standard. Big up Specifik, B-line and BMTH.
JabbathaKut: Always a pleasure working alongside my
fellow B-Line camp mate Specifik as I can guarantee the beats he has ready for
me to lace are going to be that 'proper' raw hip-hop shit as we all know this
boy knows what time it is!!
It’s time to rep the artist’s as we kick off the
flipside with Sol Zalez, straight out of Newark New Jersey, drops a track all
about the visual element of Hip Hop on
Back to Back Burners. DJ Tones is back on the cuts as you vibe along
picturing those subway trains covered in Top to Bottoms, whole cars, throw-ups
and more.
Sol Zalez: It's
really cool working with Specifik and I wish the Ill Circus much success! Stay
tuned.... you don’t want to miss what's coming next.
DJ Tones: Specifik
has been one of the most hardest working in the game for years; it’s an honour
to be part of this monumental release.
Dropping next is a track that was also the first video
release for the Album, You Know How I
Get Down. This is an instrumental track featuring SyMatic on the cuts. Hey,
this is Hip Hop so you just gotta have an instrumental Scratchapella up in
there you know what I’m sayin’.
Sy Matic: Me
working with specifik just kinda happened. He started doing the Rope-A-Dope
events in Bristol, and I played at all of them because he wanted to make sure
there was plenty of skratching going on. We are both into collecting uk hip hop
wax, and I had originally linked him after buying a bunch of Britcore Rawmance
stuff, and eventually he got in touch to ask for some cuts on The Ill Circus. I
just layed them down at my place, sent him the files and let him do what he
needed to production wise. They ended up making a really dope video for one of
the tracks; I'm looking forward to the finished album!
It’s another head nodder dropping now, and the second
video release, with Uncle Mic Nitro assaulting your eardrums with that
characteristic rap flow. We Come Around
is proper dopeness you can’t help but, bounce along to with DJ Tones popping up
again to scratch this, the fuck up. Nuff Said...
Uncle Mic Nitro: Without
sounding like a sycophant Simon is a hell of a guy who seems to juggle a
million plates somewhat effortlessly... He is someone who still embodies the
true spirit of the art form, formally known as "Hip Hop"... He runs
shit, makes dope music and sticks to his guns... His latest album fully
embraces that ethos... The music he makes is an honest reflection of his
character... This isn't an album for the trendies or tastemakers... Nor is this
is an album targeting the purists... This is a fan of Hip Hop culture making
music for the love of it... If you know Specifik then you are probably a fan or
a friend... If you don't know Specifik then you should probably get to know
him... My world of Hip Hop has most certainly been improved by him being in
it... Now go and buy the album muhur fuherz.
The heavy piano hitting for the next track might make
you think you’re in for something with a dark feel but, Sposed To Do is anything but that. Doozer and Crystal Carter
feature on this funky upbeat track that will have you pleasantly surprised and
the video for this will mirror that feeling for sure.
Doozer and Crystal Carter: Specifik is an unstoppable force in UK hip
hop, his dedication and energy is contagious, he gets the best out of the
artists he works with because you know that's what he's given.
Escapology
is the second track that has me reminded of the old skool throw down style with
Iceski dropping the lyrics, with top references to Rope-a-Dope, cold Krush and
more, over a banging beat all topped off with some dope cuts. Do I need to say
more...?
Iceski: Specifik has incredible energy and passion for the scene, a real force.
I am always honoured to be asked to be part of a project & was buzzing to
be included on this one. I wrote this verse for Specifik in an old school
furified freestyle vibe & he smashed it as always with the right beats,
music & above all top most quality. Salute
Next we have Dis-May,
which is probably the deepest track on the album. Here Figure of Speech tells
it like it is about some of the subjects that are very controversial and relate
to how the British Government have failed those who have worked and/or given
their lives for the country they call home, sobering indeed.
Figure of Speech: Initially I approached Si with the rough vocal ready and a beat that I
started.
I was wondering if
he wanted to remix or put his tilt in it but I then thought, man you should
just do your thing! So he made the beat fit the lyrics, I usually work the
other way around so this was a first! It came together quickly in terms of
production. It came together
quickly in terms of production. He hit the nail on the head in terms of the
vibe.
It’s now time for another classic as Specifik is
joined by long-time partner in rhyme, Project Cee, on No Hatchet. Many of you will know these guys have dropped many a
classic in the past and here they are back on point delivering exactly what you
knew they would...
Project Cee: After collaborating with Specifik for almost 20 years, it’s always good
to get called up and slot a verse or two on a project alongside some dope
emcees.
Into the last performance of the Ill circus and it’s
all about Family. Carpetface and
Uncle Mic Nitro spit verses on this one which is a fresh little expression of
what the Hip Hop vibe is all about. The comedic little intro is like a pallet
cleanser after the rollercoaster ride you have just been on. But, it’s always
good to know you have an extended family with which to walk this path through
that which Hip Hop is.
Carpetface: Working with the Specifikator is always nice and simple even when the
work might not be easy. It’s also always a tonne of fun! With the B-Line crew I
feel more like a kid in a sweetshop, less like one in a SWEATshop. Really loved
doing the vampire voice over for the album intro, I had a right laugh making it
and when he came to me with the idea I was like fuckyes! It's great working for
a label who's head honcho is so straight down the line about plans and business
while being so open-minded supportive and passionate about Hip Hop and our UK
scene, while also remembering how important it is to have as much fun with it
as possible. That's why the womens call him El Specifico and the mens call him
Specifikus Maximus. Or Simon. Word is born x Carpsichord
It never ceases to amaze me at the level of stunning
releases that we are seeing from artists across the globe who are keeping the
essence of what pure Hip Hop has always been.
What Specifik has done here is take that essence of
Hip Hop and put his own vibe to it and then gather together some top Emcee’s
and DJ’s from all over to craft what is arguably something very special. The
Ill Circus has everything you could want from a musical journey which encapsulates
not just the elements of Hip Hop but, touches on subjects that the listener can
associate to regardless of where they are in the world and Hip Hop has always
tackled many a subject be it the positive one’s or the Harsh realities of the
society we live in.
It takes skill to craft something like this, to take
the listener on that rollercoaster journey and keep them focused on the vibe
and the ride from one track to the next. That is especially so when you have to
orchestrate that across Seventeen tracks. But, The Ill Circus takes you on a
ride through a whole host of emotions, making you feel every track to core.
The production just fits perfectly with each of the
featured Artists, who each bring their own individual style to the table, be it
Rap style, Turntableism or singing. I would contend that there simply isn’t
anything to dislike about this album. Yeah, you could say that some of the
tracks deserve to be a little bit longer but, hey would that really be necessary?
Let’s not forget the others that have been involved in
putting this release together. There is so much work that goes on behind the
scenes that most people don’t think of when they throw on the latest release.
But, i always like to shout out as many as I can. So props go out to:
Mr Tibbz for puttin’ in the work on the Artwork and
Design.
Havok for the dope wall that makes up the inner sleeve
Graff design.
Jonior Disprol for “Drawing my Mug” for the awesome inner
sleeve artwork.
Paul Taylor for capturing mood on the cover Photography.
A huge shout to Toda @ Britcore Rawmance, Nuff Said.
Personally, I loved everything about it. It ticked all
the boxes for me and was a true pleasure to review. I felt the vibe and the
emotion buried deep within it, right from the get go and it made me really
realise that 2019 is gonna be another wicked year for Hip Hop in the UK and
probably worldwide.
In fact, I would go so far as to say this about The
Ill Circus:
People always talk about setting the bar high when it
comes to a release like this. Well, for me, with The Ill Circus, Specifik has
taken the bar and stuck it at the end of the some scary ass SAS style assault
course and then set the challenge for all comers to step up and claim it if you
can.
This is most definitely one for the collection and, I
suspect, the vinyl versions will not be around long so keep your eyes peeled
for release day, your finger paused over the button and most definitely, Don’t
Sleep...
Hip Hop is dead, Ha! Don’t make me laugh...
Anyway, it’s not over. I said that I had put a few
questions to Specifik about the album and life in General. So let’s go over to
that Q and A with The Ill Circus’ Ringmaster.
Eighty3
has become something of a classic. What's the significance of 83 and how do you
feel about that album now?
That’s kind of you to say, big ups man.. Eighty3 was a
big step for me as an artist. Without all the years of graft with my music and
the label I would have never got to a place where I was able to do it. These
things don’t just happen, I’m very lucky to be in touch with a lot of talented
people
With such
an impressive line-up of artists on Ill Circus how do you decide who you want
to feature?
I generally have the Mc's in mind when I’m making the
tracks. Whirlwind D is a good example as I tend to try and push his boundaries
a bit which often works; Keep on Steppin’ is defiantly a highlight.
I know
you have mentioned this on Cold Krush Radio and on the phone but, could you
explain the reason for releasing on Britcore?
The decision to release on BR is purely to strengthen
the relationship with our friends in Germany. Every time we go we have such a
good time and their passion is unparalleled. It’s good to give something back. .
So, with
everything you got going on, you know Job, Dad, DJ, Cold Krush etc how do you
fit in time to do an album?
I don’t stop, even now as I’m typing this I should be
in bed as I’m unwell. Work, Work, Work and stay focused on my goals. I might
sound a bit sad but I have an excel sheet to keep me organised and it also
keeps me in check as I can see if music stuff starts to outweigh family
commitments which of course is my priority..
With the
release immanent, how are you feeling personally about the album, how do you
think it has turned out?
This is a question that makes me squirm; I find it
hard to give an opinion as I’ve heard it so much I’m actually sick of it. To
the point you start to question it, then compare etc. It’s not unusual at all
for 2nd album paranoia. The good news is lots of people are saying they are
loving it so I can relax now.
There is
a great mixture of style to the album and something for everyone in Hip Hop,
from the DJ's and Emcees to the Graff writers and Breakers. Did you see it this
way or was it just a natural progression?
I think that’s just a reflection of me, I’m into and
have been a part of all aspects of this culture, I live it every day so it’s no
surprise my work reflects that. However in 2019 I guess that might throw some people
but if you come from the first generation of UK bboys you will understand.
What was
your initial motivation behind doing this release? What brought it all together
for you?
I’m just not done yet; I have more to give so whilst I’m
motivated I will carry on.
The Ill
Circus Tour has recently kicked off. What do you enjoy about live shows be it a
gig, Rope-a-Dope, Cold Krush Radio... Do get a real buzz from the live shows
and crowd reactions and interaction?
The live aspect of Hip Hop is everything to me. This
culture wasn’t designed for hoarding memorabilia and talking it up on social
media. I’m a social guy and to me there is nothing better than sharing
experiences.
and
Lastly.. What is next for you? I guess there is the Ill Circus tour but, what else
is in the works, more Rope-a-Dopes? More new Music..cos, you have this new
release with Krash Slaghta too..? Could you give us any little insights into
the future?
The future is never really mapped as I like to be
spontaneous. What I can tell you is I’m not giving up yet on any of it so
expect more records and reasons to leave the house. . 2019 it’s on...
OK People, so there you have it. A review and so much
more to boot!
But, that’s ya lot now...
I have only one last thing to say,
Get this release and support the independent artist’s
out there who bust a gut to drop pure dopeness like The Ill Circus because they
love what they do and do what they love for your listening pleasure and they
still get out there and work the 9-5. I know because I do it too.
Till next time,
I’m outta here...
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