HOLOS – Aquasocks
Review by Steve Rider
For anyone who is not familiar with Aquasocks, then let me
drop a little background for you. Aquasocks is the duo of Ghettosocks and
Aquakulture, who hail from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Ghettosocks is a Juno Award
Nominee, ECMA Award winner and was listed in CBC’s list of the top 25 Canadian
rappers of all time. The up and coming Aquakulture won the 2018 CBC searchlight
competition. So, these guys are right up there when it comes to Canadian Hip
Hop talent.
I was fortunate enough to be at Rope-A-Dope 4 in Bristol
last year where B-Line Records, Specifik, had managed to arrange for
Ghettosocks and Nilla to perform. If that was not dope enough that day I
managed to pick up a copy of the 7” Abu Dhabi/Wires from the man himself and as
this was to be the first release from an up and coming album then I really
fancied reviewing it.
Fast forward to April this year and I contacted Aquasocks on
the off chance I could review the Album, HOLOS, and here we are. So, let me get
into this and break the album down track by track:
As soon as the beat kicks in for Wonderground, you get this instant feel that this is something
underground with laid back style. This is the kinda style that has you kicking
back on a lazy summer afternoon when you ain’t got anything to do but, chill
and drift off into a dream land and this track takes you there whilst still
keeping grounded in reality. While you are drifting off the track moves
seamlessly into the laid back jazzy Marsha
Ambrosius. Keeping you chilled on the beat with a dope jazzy soulful
sound. Verse to verse Socks and Aqua hit you with more realness than a 30
minute newscast.
Keeping you in that dreamy mind state the beat hits for Higher Learning, which features the
soulful tones of Chudi Harris. Reminding you to keep your faith in who you are
and what you’re doing. Because that is the way we can the best expression of
who we are. Dropping next is the slightly heavier but, no less laid back jazz
fuelled style of Sensei &
Grasshopper, which drops knowledge on you from a time and space you may not
have experienced before.
Upping the pace a little, the beat hits for My Escape, A track with that jazzy feel
which has the guys giving us the lowdown on planning their escape from the
material world. Halfway through the album and we drift into Abu Dhabi, the Ltd Edition 7” release,
which takes on journey through the highs and lows of life and the things we all
dream about if we were to be gifted a lottery win. A soulful beat with a jazz
horn ensures this track retains that laid back feel as drift on.
Conversation is up next and Aquasocks keep us lazily drifting
through a deep track that reminds you of the simple things and that really all
you need to do is talk, after all Conversation is the Key to life. Up next is
the heavy Trump Tight, which
features Shevy Price. This track is all about getting things of your chest and
not holding back and here all three emcee’s bounce off each other keeping it tight
and real.
Star Tropics
drops next, the penultimate track which is all about gaming. Something most of
us can associate with and while it’s great to take a break and have some fun,
it’s important to remember to not let that shit get in the way of life and
those around you. There is a world out there so enjoy it and enjoy all your
relationships with loved ones and nature. The last track on the Album is a
remix of the B side to the Ltd Ed 7”, Wires.
A heavy beat with some nice horns, this track keeps the feel of the album going
to the end. Letting you know how Aquasocks are bringing you that classic Hip
Hop flow from beginning to the last beat drops.
The thing that struck me instantly about this album is that,
for those of us who have been listening to Hip Hop for many years, this album
encapsulates the feel and execution of many great acts who have held the Hip
Hop space over the years. While listening for the first time and indeed every
listen since, I have been transported to the days of Gang Starr, ATCQ, The
Pharcyde and others besides. This album has so much to offer both to the Old
Skool heads and those new to Hip Hop, which it does by mixing dope Hip Hop
beats with a Jazz, soulful element and laying down real heavy, deep lyrics that
hold your attention line for line.
Production here is almost perfection and comes from Bix (aka
@INJAY), Ghettosocks, DJ Uncle Fester & Goonie Beats. Track to track from
the most laid back to the more heavy tracks everything flows seamlessly and
with laid back but, still with an edge. Each beats just works and really has been
crafted expertly.
Lyrically Ghettosocks and Aquakulture, bring an element some
might call ‘Grown Man Rap’. They bounce off each other, track to track, keeping
the flow tight, at all times, with a deep knowledge that the old skool heads
among us will appreciate and may well associate with the likes of Chuck D,
Rakim and so on. Running through the tracks, the way these two gel together, gives you the essence of who each of them are and their frienship.
You might not agree with me 100%, which is fine; just see
where each track takes you. You might see it from a totally different angle to
me and it might take you somewhere totally different but, then that’s what I
love so much about music, it takes each of us where we need to go.
From listening to that first 7” and now the album I was
really impressed with everything about Holos. It brings a vibe all its own
hitting you with elements that have been drifting out of some Hip Hop vibes
recently. For me this album is a solid, superbly crafted and has been executed
in a refined manor which gives you the feel this album was put together with
dedication and deep love of the music. It has also stood the test of time,
still sounding as fresh now as it did the first time, no matter where I’m
listening to it, in the car, on the headphones, it just don’t matter.
It all comes down to the fact HOLOS is definitely one for
your collection. As debuts go, you can’t do much more than what Aquasocks has
done on this release.
HOLOS is released by Black Buffalo records, Halifax, Nova
Scotia and Drops May 10th. Check the links below.
All cuts on the Album come from DJ Uncle Fester.
Artwork comes from Jools Annie with Design and layout from
Ghettosocks.
Till next time, I’m out...
Peace.
Steve.
Links:
VIDEO's
Trump Tight - Official Video
Album Promo
