Wake The Dead EP by Oldboy - A Review and Micro-Interview

Wake The Dead EP

By

Oldboy

A Review

It’s going to happen that occasionally quality Hip Hop goes under the radar and that seems to be what has happened here. When I was doing some research for this EP I couldn’t believe I had not heard any of these releases by Oldboy before and the fact that this came recommended by the one and only Junior Disprol, I had to take notice.

Oldboy has been reasonable prolific for a number of years dropping some impressive releases from your banging Boombap with more than a dose of knowledge to straight up beat tape style vibes so, you know this guys has talent. He can do it all from production to emceeing and onwards.

So, what has this latest release got to offer? Well before I break it down track by track, all the beats on the Wake The Dead EP were produced by the legendary UK figure of Micall Parknsun and cuts come from another legendary figure in Jabbathakut, so without even listening you already get a feel for what’s coming. So, let’s dive in to the EP and see what it’s all about But, stay around after the review as I dropped a few questions to Oldboy for a micro review so, don’t miss that...

There is no easing into this softly as the EP hits hard from the outset with Full Spectrum Dominance. This one is a full on showcase for Oldboy’s lyrical content and flow. Add to that the heavy pounding beat and the swift polished cuts and this one is music waltzer ride. If your heads still spinning after that then Graphic Violins will help steady your nerves. Still banging, the beat has those heavy violins backing it and a sprinkling of def cuts and features Ken Masters alongside Oldboy on a track, that for me at least, really touched on how some people see hip hop right now but, the truth is that Hip Hop is and never did Die, it simply went back to its roots in the underground. Butane hits and as the title suggests, this one is fire and keeps you nodding you head as you listen to the lyrics that are just a bit deeper than you might first think and show the wealth of knowledge that Oldboy brings. Book of Dust literally flows into your ears with some light-hearted keys that underpin the head nod beat. This one features Joker Starr and Junior Disprol and displays some true quality lyrically whilst still heavy on the knowledge and consciousness. It takes us to the halfway point of the EP with a true sense of the energy that has gone into this.

The second half of the EP kicks off with Blast Off which brings an mix of Ufological knowledge and other vibes which detail Oldboy’s view of what goes on around him and his interests and just how he can drop that knowledge whist still entertaining you. The beat remains heavy with a deep orchestral note that gives it that conscious feeling. Game Over hits with rapid cuts and a piano heavy beat and here Oldboy displays his masterful use of lyrics and rhyme flow with an almost battle rap, you can’t fuck with this, kinda feel. On The Godfather Oldboy weaves his homage to the inspirational figure of James Brown, his history and what his music meant to so many. The beat has that deep funky feel and is really capped off by the pure dopeness of Jabbathakut’s turntable skills. The last track of the EP really has a deep knowledge edge to it as Oldboy explores the Sanskrit Vimanas, described in the Vedic Sanskrit texts of India many researchers believe that these were a form of flying vehicle or even space craft. Believe it or not it does take away from the track. The beat has a real etheric flow of strings that carry you on a deep journey into a controversial subject and then, ultimately, carry you out of the EP.

Overall and at eight tracks deep this EP is not far off the running time of some albums. Oldboy takes you deep into his skills as an Emcee whilst mixing in many of the subjects that interest him and the more you listen and really feel some of the lyrics, the more you get from the experience. There is just the right mix of deep conscious subject matter, a splattering of what’s going on in the world around us and just enough good old dexterous lyrical rhyming.

Now, it’s true, that some of the subject matter might not be for everyone but, that will not take away from just how enjoyable this EP is. Lyrically it stands with the best of them Oldboy and the guest artists all display talent that shows they are at the top of their game. Production is totally on point here and displays exactly why Micall Parknsun is so highly respected as an artist. Add to that the flawless turntable skills of Jabbathakut and you have a release that, start to finish, is highly listenable and will not have you skipping tracks regardless of where you are listening.

For me it was pure listening pleasure and I highly recommend you grab this one. It is definitely one of those occasions where you can feel the energy and dedication that has gone into making this release.

As I said earlier, as I have done in the past, I sent Oldboy a few questions to allow everyone out there to get to know him a bit more and to get a sense of what makes him tick. So, let’s get into this micro interview and see what he had to say...

First up I wanna thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. It’s been a while since I have done one of these mini interviews in conjunction with a review but, I really enjoy doing these and giving the readers a bit of an insight into the artist, a bit deeper that my reviews go so, really appreciate your time. I’ll keep it short and hopefully not too taking...

1: For anyone out there who doesn’t know, could you give us a bit of an insight into who Oldboy is and perhaps a bit of your background in Hip Hop music?

Well, I’ve been a fan of Hip Hop music for 30 years, and have been attempting to make music since I discovered the genre. I first began to take it more seriously in the late nineties when I was in a group called Natural Gift with another emcee/producer, who, is now known as Sub-P. He really inspired me to step up my game both lyrically and musically as he was incredibly talented in both fields and encouraged me to think outside the box in terms of subject matter and digging for breaks. Since then I was actively involved in the scene in Newcastle Upon Tyne, basically anywhere there was a microphone I grabbed it. I took a break from making music in about 2007 as I was really struggling with my mental health and returned reborn as Oldboy 6 years later and started releasing stuff online.

2: I have been back over some of your previous releases and looked at the visuals you use and titles of your releases and tracks. There appears to be a deep inspiration to a lot these and the use of subjects others find esoteric like ET’s and UFO’s (subjects I have studied for years). What more can tell us of the subjects and events inspire your work?

I’ve always been interested in UFO’s as long as I can remember; I think it stems from a desire to know there’s something else out there in the void of space. I suppose it runs alongside so called conspiracy theories which also spark my interest…the writings of David Icke, Michael Tsarion and also Dr Steven Greer has had an impact on my subject matter. I think there’s a lot more to life and the human experience than what were led to believe.  I grew up with films like Star Wars, E.T. and Close encounters and cinema also influences my music.

I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia 12 years ago and I think the condition gives me a unique outlook on life.

3: Having looked back at your other releases, I also noted some of the collaborations you have done across the years, the likes of Jabbathakut, DJ Jaffa, Micall Parknsun, Junior Disprol, Scorzayzee, One OZ and Joker Starr. What is it like to work alongside these other artists and how do you decide who you want to work with?

First I would say it’s an honour to work with the artists you mentioned, as I consider myself a fan of them all. All of the collaborations have been done via the internet and without social media they would not have been possible. Artists like Junior Disp , Scorz and Micall Parknsun are at the top of their game and I have to pinch myself sometimes to realise were on the same track. Joker Starr I have known for ages, I consider him family so it makes sense to me to collaborate. But anybody who’s dope I’m up for working with! 

4: Talking of Inspirations and other artists, over the years what other Artists have inspired your work, Regardless of the musical genre?

Again, Hip hop wise pretty much all of the UK artists have inspired me at some point, From realising I could maybe make hip hop through Blade, Hardnoise, Gunshot and all those early britcore artists to the newer guard like Task Force and Phi Life Cipher. I was always attempting a uniquely British take on the music I heard coming from America and everyone from Premo to J-zone inspires my beat making. Outside of hip hop I Love stuff like Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Bill Withers, Nirvana, Portishead, The Beatles to Michael Jackson. I’ve got a wide range of music that covers every genre and I believe in not limiting yourself to one type of music.

5: Looking to the future a bit now. You call yourself an ageing emcee and beat maker but, regardless of that you have been pretty prolific of the years I guess there is still more to come from Oldboy?

Making music is cathartic for me; it’s the best therapy you can get. I’m always striving to make the perfect project, and I don’t think I’m there yet! So as long as I’m inspired and my personal form of madness doesn’t get in the way I’ll continue to make music. I used to worry I was getting too old and rapping was a youngsters game, but now I look at the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Blondie still doing their thing and think ‘Fuck it, I’ll be the old person trying to spit.’

6: Speaking of more to come, are there any artists out there you would really like to work with on upcoming projects. Be they emcee’s, DJs, singers or musicians?

There’s a few people I would love to work with. Blade springs to mind first, as does Curoc from Son Of noise. Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons that would be a dream come true. I would love to work with Jehst and Burgundy Blood as well. And what emcee wouldn’t want to flow on a Premier beat?

7: One last one. You obviously enjoy making beats and rhyming. How does it feel, as an artist, to know how much others enjoy your music and also how much they might feel the essence of what you put across in an individual track...?

I’m eternally grateful to anyone who takes the time to listen to even one of my tracks, so to think I have in some way impacted their live for those three minutes or made their day a little more bearable is the biggest form of payback for all the blood sweat and tears I pour into making my music. 

So, huge respect for giving us your time to answer these few questions and giving us a little more of an insight into Oldboy and what makes you tick. Before we sign off I just want to give you the opportunity to shout out or thank anyone. So, if you’d like you it’s over to you...

Thanks, I’d like to shout out Sub-P and DJ Pskillz, all the Newcastle heads like Stu the don, Gilly Man, Rick Fury and Stig….and anyone who digs what I do or is trying to make music, and all my good friends, they know who they are! Salute! And you man, thanks for the wicked questions. Peace.

So, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed that little insight into Oldboy.

Check the link below and head over to his Bandcamp page a grab a copy of Wake The Dead EP. In fact don’t stop there, he has plenty of other releases to grab some are free to download so go and enjoy the music from Oldboy.

I’m out, Peace...

Steve

Buy Wake the dead HERE: https://oldboyhiphop.bandcamp.com/album/wake-the-dead