Comin’ Thru EP
By Stephen Wallace
A Review
Comin Thru was originally released back in March this year
and has been on my list to review for some time.
Something that gives music a true edge is when artists draw
on their own life’s experiences to add that extra dimension to their music.
That really shows through in this EP from Stephen Wallace. Originally born in
Reading and now residing in Newbury, Stephen is relatively new to the UK Hip
Hop scene.
His journey began
after losing his mother to a brutal murder by his stepfather. Such a life
changing event can have a huge impact on a person. Stephen, now a father of
five, took his anger and pain and started emceeing. An 80’s - 90’s American hip
hop head, he also loves the UK hip hop scene and the likes of Gunshot, Demon
Boyz, Hijack, Overlord X and Blade rate amongst his favourites.
It is hard for us
to really understand the depth of the feelings Stephen has experienced. How do
you take such a level of anger and pain and channel it into a positive expression
through Hip Hop...
Let me take you
though the EP track by track:
The EP kicks off
with the title track Comin Thru. The
Track features Menace Mendoza and Deeq alongside Stephen on this heavy banging
track which sees each emcee dropping a verse and displaying their individual
lyrical skills. The title of the track is exactly what this track is all about,
three emcees with hardcore vicious styles detailing exactly why they are Comin
Thru.
Up next is Brain’s Numb.
Dark and twisted this track hits you like the teeth of Nosferatu. The lyrics
bite deep into your soul and detail the dark places a tortured mind can go.
What would happen if you crossed a battle rap with the Night of
the Living Dead? You would get the track Lyrical
Onslaught. This hard unrelenting track grabs those wack emcees by the
throat and doesn’t let go until they are beating a hasty retreat in order to
lock themselves away to understand what just happened.
From taking out the suckers the darkness continues to envelop you.
No Choice features a guest
appearance from Dotz. The dark twisted hypnotic vibe of the track keeps you
focused on one thing, the message delivered which is that you only have one
choice here and that one choice is No Choice...
The final track of the EP hits with the familiar vocal tones of
the Predator. Dark Dayz features
D-Lynch and is deep message of the dark places we can all go to in our minds
during the darkest moments of our lives.
You might be thinking that the apparent dark tones of the tracks of
this EP might be just a UK Horrorcore style Hip Hop vibe. But, when you take
into account Stephen’s life experiences it really gives his music a deeper
tone. The use of all the horror references really just highlight what a dark
place the world can be and sometimes you have to draw on that darkness to show
people the talent that exists deep inside.
As a debut release this EP really stands out. The production is
really on point here and keeps the dark hardcore style throughout the entire
EP. Diamond Sire provides the production for Comin Thru, Brains Numb, No Choice
and Dark Dayz with Manage producing Lyrical Onslaught. Diamond Sire also
provides all cuts for the EP.
This EP is deep and hits harder than a baseball bat to the head
and, in places, it’s just as brutal.
Stephen has been an emcee for the last year and a half and has
really given his future a huge boost with this EP. He credits the help and
encouragement from Diamond Sire, Menace and Deeq for helping get to where he is
now. It has not been an easy journey and has taken a lot for him to keep it all
together but, now with this EP and his talent as an Emcee, the future is very
bright.
For me this defiantly one you need in your collection. Physical
copies are all sold out but, the digital download is still out there so, go
grab a copy and check this for yourself and definitely keep your eyes out for
future releases from Stephen. He is working on new material and I, for one, am
excited to hear it.
Till next time, Peace out
Steve
We go back 35 + yrs and was a duo in the late 80's with our council estate crew "Urban Culture". Are lives took different paths for many, many years but it was an honour and a privilege to feature on the final track of the EP "Dark Dayz". I hope to be collaborating on another track with Steve (Wally to his friends) in the not to distant future. Wall's got a promising future ahead of him. More importantly, thepassion and commitment to succeed!!
ReplyDeleteCatch you on the flip side bud!
Danny L (D-Lynch)
D-Lynch, Thank you for adding this info. Always good to have that. I have agree that the future looks incredible for Steve. Really look forward to hearing more of his work in the coming months.
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