“Configa
Presents: The ConfigHas Crates”
By
Configa
Hot on the heels of his involvement in
the latest release from Arrested Development, producer Configa is back with
something new and for this he has been digging in his crates for some
unreleased heat for the streets.
Configa and HaStyle first linked in
2012 and went on to release 2 EPs ("The Calm Before Hastility" and
"A Good Combination" both in 2015) and 1 LP ("Hastility
[H1]" in 2016). The ConfigHas Crates is material originally recorded
during 2013-2015 and had been destined for the Hastility (H2) album but sadly
never saw the light of day, until now that is. There are also three tracks
(8-10) that have have been lifted from the original Hastility (H1) album and
feature some wicked features for your listening pleasure.
With all of that in mind, let’s get
into it and see exactly what Configa has in store for us…
From the get-go this is a straight up
head nod affair with Something I Said. That neck snapping beat is
accompanied by a wicked guitar loop producing a deep vibe which perfectly
matches the deep narrative from HaStyle as he speaks on broken
friendships/relationships and the upset caused by wondering if it was all down
to something you said. Don’t think for one moment you can stop that head moving
as the beat and some contemplative strings provide a new canvas for HaStyle and
Nine to explore the trials and tribulations of living in the Now.
Enemies Closer hits with a
banging beat and choral voices which brings this BIG, almost soundtrack vibe,
and that’s just what is needed as HaStyle and Sadat X detail that while we may
keep our friends close, it is always important to keep you enemies closer - as
there are times you just don’t who is who and who might flip on you. We move
back to that head nod vibe with Water Colors, which has a touch of brass
and some ethereal keys that at times is almost dreamy. Here HaStyle takes us on
what amounts to a Hip-Hop love story as he watches and finally reaches out to
that perfect woman. From one love to another love as HaStyle treats us to his Alpha
Bits which is a take on breakfast and the alphabet, Hip-Hop style, over a
funky dope beat that will make you never look at mornings quite the same again.
Now cereal is one thing you might need
after you hit the Sticky and Rah Digga joins HaStyle here, over a
laid-back beat with some chilled guitar and spaced-out Electronica, to help us
float away to some of the real sticky icky, ya feel. Up next is Lik A Shot
which also features Wordsworth and Rashan. This one is upbeat and will have you
bouncing as our trio of emcees explain that this one is about the shot, and
whatever way you take it (drink or ammunition), it’s all about hitting it.
There is also a sweet kinda xylophone sample here I can’t quite place but, I’m
sure it was also used by Gunshot on 2000s International Rescue.
The first of the three tracks lifted
from Hastility (H1) is Mind Control and features El Da Sensei. The beats
hits hard, raising your adrenaline levels as Configa mixes up so many elements
it has your mind spinning, which is apt as Has and El drop the knowledge on everything
about conspiracies and the way the powers that be seek to control us at every
turn, the only answer to this being to rise up. If we are gonna rise up the
next step it will create a World War Rap, and here the beat reflects
that with a raw heavy style. Has is joined by Prince Po as real rap technicians
declare all out war on those fakes and wack radio rappers. In any war we see
the Soldiers March to the front lines and here those soldiers are
HaStyle, Chino XL and Configa. Here, Configa provides the artillery of a
pounding beat and mix of strings and accordion vibes as a stark backdrop for
Has and Chino to take us from bootcamp, to war and beyond.
We have reached the end of this journey
and it just leaves Configa and Has to polish it off with a short Outro.
Sparse drums, bass and guitar vibes create a funky feel as HaStyle sums up the
album and leaves us with that air of Hastility or Hostility to the untrained
and uneducated mind…
What can I say about this that has not
been said already, well, if this is the quality and calibre of what Configa and
HaStyle had in the crates then I see no reason why these two should not hit us
with more!
Configa displays his considerable
production talents in mixing up a wealth of samples, sounds, beats and vibes.
It shows exactly why this guy is such a sought-after producer. HaStyle is a
solid emcee who is more than able to conduct himself and display dexterous
wordplay as he tackles everything from deep social and personal subjects to the
more light-hearted styles. Together these two have a chemistry that is obvious
to anyone listening.
Some might say that you have to be
‘into Hip-Hop’ to appreciate that but, I personally don’t feel that, as I
honestly think that anyone with a discerning musical ear can understand how
well they work together and that is true credit to both of them. I enjoyed the
flow of this album from start to finish and it really had that full on Boom-Bap
style feel that ran throughout the whole project. The addition of the three
tracks from Hastility (H1), added that extra dimension to it. The guest artists
provided the icing to a cake that had already been mixed, cooked, and then had
a nice layer of buttercream added.
Once you have heard this you will
definitely want to hear their previous material because you won’t just want to
add this latest offering to your collection but, you will want the entire set.
“Configa presents: The ConfigHas
Crates” is available now.
I’ll see ya next time,
Peace Out,
Steve.
LINKS
Buy the album via Bandcamp Here:
https://configa.bandcamp.com/album/configa-presents-the-confighas-crates
Configa on Bandcamp (Check here for all his other releases and links):
Configa and HaStyle on Bandcamp:
https://confighas.bandcamp.com/
HaStyle on Bandcamp:
https://hastylenyc.bandcamp.com/releases
VIDEOS
Something I Said
World War Rap
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