Concrete Pad
By Choco Doobs
Album Review
Originally released at the tail end of October 2019,
Concrete Pad was dropped by Chess Move Universal and is the debut release by
Choco Doobs.
As we all love a good slice of underground Hip Hop let’s get
neck deep in this album and see what it has to offer.
Kicking off with Beast
is Snarling, this track definitely sets the tone for the album and is a raw
and unrelenting tail of being on the run from the old bill. The journey through
life’s experiences continues as the heavy beat drops for Cork You, this one will get the blood pumping as we are taken on a
no holds barred trip that leaves you thinking “Damn I don’t want cross this
dude”. Neck Stretch hits next which
really has that battle rhyme vibe to it, nuff said you know...
A third of the way through and it’s time to get funky with Looks Like a Boy. A tongue in cheek
track that takes a look at the ladies that look, well you get it right... Ding
Ding Move just takes you back to the nineties. Giving you a light hearted
story vibe with the kinda beat that grabs ya ears and don’t let go. Talking
about taking it back, the beat for Slosh
Pit will definitely do that. As for the vibe to this one, well let’s just
say it has sexual tone that turns a mosh pit to a slosh pit, you get the
picture.
Moving into the last third of the album with Burst Through, the gritty beat hits and
the tracks takes us through more of Choco Doobs view of getting out there and
doing what he does. The penultimate track is Over The Pipe. A track all about the dark life those who suck on
the crack pipe, which might have a laid back vibe but, still hits as hard as
running full pelt into a brick wall. A track about such a subject can’t fail to
do much else. The final track is Voices,
a full on heavy hitting track which details the crazy ways the mind works. The
beat and vibe of the track work well here but, ultimately as Doobs says, He
can’t blame the voices, He’s just awkward...
What I liked about this album is the fact that it is
unapologetically an emcee saying the things that are on his mind. From everyday
experiences to personal views and just having a laugh, it’s all here. Now,
let’s get it straight there are views here that will not be to everyone’s taste
and you really have to take some of it with a pinch of salt. Hip Hop and Rap
has always been about getting a point across. Now that point might be just a
story, it might be a powerful personal experience or point of view but,
regardless of what it is ultimately how it comes out from the emcee, will be
heavily weighed down by the way they have grown up and seen life. That is
something you just have to bear in mind.
This album also took me back to the late 80’s and early 90’s
vibe of the UK scene; with its rawness and often gritty way the tracks have
been produced. I think this will really appeal to many and will be the type of
album you put on when you are busy doing something and you just want that
energy to keep you focused but, that’s not to say it is equally not at home
just being played while you’re sitting chilling with a pint, cuppa or whatever.
Production comes from Andrew Turner of Chess Moves, except
for Looks Like a Boy which was produced by UK Hip Hop legend Chrome. You have
to admit there is not faulting the production which fits perfectly with
everything Choco Doobs writes. You just can’t ask for much more from an
underground Hip Hop album.
If you have not copped this one already, then you know what
to do...
Huge props to Doobs and Chess Moves for dropping this my
way.
Till next time, I’m Out Peace...
VIDEOs
Over The Pipe
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