No Justice No Peace by Scottish Hip Hop Artists for Equality - Album Review

No Justice No Peace

By

Scottish Hip Hop Artists for Equality

Album Review

With everything that is currently going on in the world from Covid to Black Lives Matter it is good to see an album put together where all the proceeds are going to a worthwhile cause. That cause being the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights.

The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights works to eliminate racial discrimination and harassment and to promote racial justice across Scotland.

Their key mission is to:
Protect, enhance and promote the rights of Black/minority ethnic communities across all areas of life in Scotland; and strengthen the social, economic and political capital of Black/minority ethnic communities, especially those at greatest risk of disadvantage.  

The album was brought to my attention by Wurrd Jenkins and has been put together by Scottish Producer/Composer and Presenter Steg G. Comprising of a whopping 21 tracks the album has a huge line up of talented Scottish artists and covers a wide variety of sound scape’s from Hip Hop to Grime and Trap vibes.

As per my normal reviews I want to give you an insight into every track but, as there are so many I am going to try and keep my words on each track a little shorter than I would normally. Also, I’m going to change the format of my review for this one and give you it track by track in a list style to help make it a little easier to read. So, let’s get into this album and see what it has to offer:

Solareye – WHERE2NOW: Start as you mean to go on is the way to go and this one hits that on so many levels hitting out at the British Government, slavery, big pharma companies and so much more all over a heavy industrial sound that rattles you to the core.

Shogun – KNOW: This one hits on a whole different level as you are taken on a ride through one man’s experiences of life to this point. A sobering feel to this one both lyrically and musically, although the sung chorus provides a lift from what feels like floating in dark waters.

Werd (SOS) – SEONAIDH: The name Seonaidh is Scottish Gaelic and can translate to the English Johnny, I’m not sure if that has any meaning to the track or not? But, this is a straight Hip Hop beat with mind screwing electronic tone helps mirror the feel of the track as it weaves a personal take on the perception of self, the music scene and general life around him.

Gasp – THANK YOU: Lyrically this one is almost pleading for people to listen as it speaks on equality, racism and ultimately gives thanks to the African American and Black Culture in general. Musically it’s laid back electronic vibe that has whispers of a trap feel.

Bigg Taj & Spee 69 – IF YOU WITH ME: This one has a ‘world music’ feel to it, along with a more upbeat vibe. The message here is one of standing up for those who are struggling in society and an awareness of how the media reports and governments fail while they seek to control and profit.

Conscious Route & Tru Note – EVERYTHING TEST: Upping the BPM on this one with fast paced electronic vibe over a banging beat. The vision this one brings is that of a society where everything around you tests you very resolve.

Steg G & The Freestyle Master – SEE IT IN THEIR EYES: On that trap style vibe here as there is a deep message here that really speaks that regardless of what you see on TV and in the media if you truly look there is one place to see the truth, In Their Eyes...

Sherlock – BANG: Staying with the trap vibe here as the track, for me, seemed to speak about not taking any shit and being yourself regardless.

Loki – RUN TO IT: A chilled guitar with huge heavy bass. This one really gave me the view that regardless of the darkness, the hard times, you can push through it and come through it.

Empress – DON’T TELL ME: A laid back, piano heavy, trap style vibe this one see’s the message about being true to yourself and others.

Konchis, Takoh, ID, Remark & Paque – KNOW ABOUT THAT: Heavy trap vibe on this one. You gotta ask yourself, whatever you do in life, what do you truly know about things...

Kid Robotik - SMOKE: Staying with that heavy trap style vibe, this track really seems to speak on the struggles of life and how you cope.

Spawn Zero – AGONY: A more chilled vibe on this track with a message about how it is best not to force things to happen but, to allow them to happen. When you force things it often causes the exact opposite to manifest.

Tzusan – DATA SPIKE: A short track with spacey vibe to it that gives a short message on the current state of affairs.

Becca Star & Orry Caren – IT JUST FEELS SAD: A real heavy vibe on this one that speaks volumes that, even in this day and age, women are still not treated equally in many ways and that is sad.

MacKenzie – DNTWNNKNW: An almost trip-hop chilled feel to this track with its acoustic guitar and then completely flipping to a heavier pounding vibe. It really mirrors what you see in society with the two sides of human nature. There is a deeper meaning here as with everything going on many simply just don’t want to know...

Brian Jamieson – SHATTERDAY: Heavy raw and unrelenting with a trap feel. A darker look at life here with a raw look at what can happen at the weekend following a long hard week working and you then get that escape only to be left Broken...

Bigg Taj – LA LA LA: A nice little head nod beat here that is the perfect stage for the track that speaks on inequality and that fact that many people respond this with an attitude of ignorance.

Wurrd Jenkins – OAN N OAN: Boombap Hip Hop style business right here on a track that put me in mind of that, whatever happens and whatever we see and do, one thing is for sure life goes on and on.

Kryptic – YOU WANT IT: Another one to get your head bobbing. For me, this one really spoke of how, in life, we endure many trials and tribulations but, life is too short for spreading hate.

Jackal Trades – TRIANGULAR TRADES: Going out on a high the album rounds of with a banger of a track that looks at state of the world now and shows that the way forward is to properly educate people. Not just the new generation but, current generation. We never stop learning...

This is quite a powerhouse of an album. It is highly listenable from beginning to end. I, personally, am not a lover of trap style music but, that is not an issue here. All through the album you can feel the energy of each artist and their motivation for being a part of this project. It is that energy that gives the album that extra dimension. Current events show that equality is quickly becoming a huge movement and people are making themselves heard and saying that they will no longer stand to see people being treated with disrespect.  

To look at society and all the forms of inequality that are rife in day to day life, is not an easy thing. As many of us wake up to what is going on and see the racism, the stigma of mental health, the treatment of women in the workplace, how governments truly treat the people and the power of the superrich, it becomes more apparent that changes will need to be made and nothing can stop those changes. How those changes occur will rely a lot on how we educate ourselves and how we pass the knowledge to the coming generations.

We cannot make the same mistakes as have been made in the past. We must recognise that on this planet there are no minority races. Your skin colour, your sexuality, you’re perceived social status or ethnicities do not make us different. We are all one on this planet.

This album makes a statement it recognises what needs to change and, by supporting The Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, shows that the changes are being made and that the education is being put forward and knowledge is being made available.

I only hope now that we will see more statements like this from the musical communities across the world. Music is one of the most powerful educational tools we have available, regardless of which genre of music you enjoy. Music has the power to change lives and to reach out to everyone.

On that note I highly recommend you grab a copy of the album from the link below.

Till next time,

Peace and one love,

Steve. 

Buy the Album HERE: https://shhafe.bandcamp.com/album/no-justice-no-peace 

For more Information on the Coalition For Racial Equality and Rights in Scotland please use the following link: https://www.crer.scot/ 

Check out the home page for Steg G: http://www.steg-g.co.uk/ 

For more information on all the artists please check social media for links.