DEF II
By
Junior Disprol
Following on form the recent release of Hung Drawn and
Slaughta’d alongside Krash Slaughta, Cardiff Emcee Junior Disprol is back with
the follow-up to 2020’s Def Valley, DEF II.
The new album is released through the Plague Label and
features one hell of a line up stepping up to feature alongside the man
himself, it includes Krash Slaughta, DJ Jaffa, Thirstin Howl III, Kid Acne, SIR
Beans OBE, Roughneck Jihad, and DJ Alkemy. With an international line up like
this you just know this one is gonna be a banger. You can also bet that this
won’t be your average Hip Hop sound either. To get an idea of just how much
this one does bang and to see if it that’s in more ways than one, I get to cast
my mind over it…
So, why not join me as I immerse myself in DEF II…
The album kicks off with the title track DEF II and
what a way to open too. The sound, created by Cool Edit Chud, is this pounding
bass vibe with these nerve shredding horns and chock full of electronic and
sonic sounds, alongside classic samples and featuring the razor-sharp cutting
and scratching of Krash Slaughta to boot. Junior Disprol seems to take us back
to the eighties where his younger self was all about Hip Hop and pretty much
everything that was DEF about an era that many of us, of a certain age, can
associate with and relate to. The video, by Stepasaur, really takes you back to
the eighties and all the things that were a part of growing up in that era. The
heavy sound continues into The Blood God which has this classic sample
running through it, which my head is unable to pinpoint right now, giving this
a definite head nod vibe as DJ Jaffa’s cuts slice wickedly through your
awareness. Sometimes listening to a track, you find yourself musing over what
it’s all about and realising that you’re enjoying it so much nothing else
matters and that is what I’m getting with this track. So, all you other emcee’s
take note, if you want your listeners to enjoy being pleasantly baffled, here’s
how you do it. Next up the sound becomes more, out the box, with a drum element
that has a raw sound, like it has been created on a trash can, alongside bongos
or djembe drum sounds and horns which gives this a two-tone element. Here
Junior Disprol takes us into the world of the Neighbour From Hell, a
nightmarish place where anything could happen but, whatever does happen, it’s
strangely enjoyable…
From one slice of the strangely enjoyable to another as we
are treated to an almost off-key sound full of pounding beats and an eclectic
mix of sounds that grabs hold of your nerve endings and bitch slaps em before
DJ Jaffa cuts those frayed nerve endings with the skill of surgeon. Let’s face
it, Mugshots yeah, we all got one. The way you look day to day or that
face you make after, before or during a nice mug of tea. I suppose you could
have a mug of coffee but, to be honest our mugs were made for mugs of tea
right. Anyway, Junior Disprol and the one Thirstin Howl III drop mind bending
verses on how you look and how you conduct yourself, yeah that’s what this is
all about, I think that’s right anyway? Don't forget to check the video for this one, also by Stepasaur, see if you can me, yourself or anyone else for that matter. A jazzy organ, bass, guitars, and drums
bring a jazzed-up vibe to Mastadon, which also features the turntable athleticism
of Krash Slaughta to polish it off. You can do nothing more, right here, than
enjoy the pure rhyming ability of Junior Disprol who, once more, seems to prove
that he can take any group of random sentences and words and turn them into
something that is a true pleasure to listen to. Kid Acne now joins Junior
Disprol for The Wrath, drum heavy sound seems almost at odds with the
classic sample and other sounds but, it all works coming together in some
random way. The perfect back drop for both emcees to drop verses that make you
feel like your trapped in someone’s weird dream world. Sandwiched between the
two verses is a classic example of transforming on decks, something that
shouldn’t fit here but works perfectly, a bit like my random thoughts on a
given day, anyway…
Ubermagnetic see’s Junior Disprol joined by Roughneck
Jihad and SIR Beans OBE for a true boom bap sound of a pounding beat over
guitars and bass. RD and RJ spit back and forth, bouncing off each other, verse
after verse, this is how it should be done rhyme after rhyme. SIR Beans OBE
drops some rough but highly polished cuts that cap this one off in style. Next
time you want to order an Uber, then make it this one. A heavy beat over what,
at first, is a fractured sound, once more tests your nerves. Basquiatish
is an abstract art style which is perfectly mirrored on this track both
musically and lyrically as JD is not afraid to be unashamedly abstract in his
vocals. DJ Jaffa cuts some more classic samples giving you a vision of the
roots behind the abstract art. That abstract style continues with the sonic
sounding vibe of Brundle. That sonic vibe is given a nerve-jangling edge
with Krash Slaughtas turntable wizardry. JD gets rough, rugged, and raw on the
ups and downs of daily life and the pace you have to live at. The vibe of this
track really fits with the how society seems to be going right now as we live
day to day and minute to minute.
He Talks Flash hits with a bass guitar heavy vibe
which gives this deep funk edge, while the drums are heavy enough to hold you
attention and get your head slowly nodding. Here JD demonstrates how talking
flash can get you anywhere if you just know how to do it, it’s kind of a
British thing to talk flash, or is it? Well, whatever it is it seems to work,
right? Drums and piano combine on IT’S to form this kinda abstract jazz
vibe that infiltrates your mind, opening it up. Now your mind is open JD goes
in on everything that causes a negative impact in our lives, from the
governments and the high level paedos, to the gun runners and those in charge
of religion and the media to the diseases that kill from the inside out. If it
affects us negatively in anyway then IT’s in here. Krash Slaughta’s slick
razor-sharp cuts slice into our awareness accompanied by head nod drums and
sampled horns. This one takes it up a few notches on the Hip Hop tip as JD kicks
the pace up with some deft rapping while Krash scratches the shit outta the
wax. Could it be that Rotund Shogun is a new alias for Mr Disprol? Who
Knows but, this one is certainly as sharp as a katana in every way…
Now, if you have been listening to this on the vinyl then
this is where that portion of your audible experience ends. The following four
track are exclusive to the tape, CD and digital versions But, don’t worry vinyl
lovers as you get these as a digital download too…
King of BS see’s JD joined by DJ Jaffa on a beat
comprised of pounding drums and a mixed-up phone keypad tone electronic tone
which strangely combine with other electronic sounds into something that you
can’t help but, vibe to. Sit back and spend the first minute enjoying JD’s
pathological Bullshit and then spend the second minute doing nothing but
listening to Jaffa on the cut, this is what Hip Hop is all about. Dj Jaffa
remains on turntable duties with JD for Bwana. The musical backdrop is
mix of drums, guitar notes and Xylophone creating this vibe that makes you feel
like you’re in this pit of sound and looking down on you is Bwana, The Boss,
Junior Disprol. You’re left knowing exactly why they call him Bwana and it’s
all rounded off by Jaffa using his cutting expertise to reinforce that point so
you don’t forget. The penultimate track here see’s DJ Alkemy joining JD for
another abstract mix of drums and electronic keyboard notes that merge together
into a sound that will stretch your mind and twist it in new directions. JD
takes an eclectic mix of words spinning them into sentences and taking your
mind into ever decreasing circles as DJ Alkemy slices cuts through your fragile
awareness not allowing you to drift to far away because JD needs you know one
thing, My Pidgeon Weighs a Ton. DEF II is rounded of with When All
Said, a mind-numbing mix of strings, guitar, drums, and sonic sounds that
at first, might stretch your awareness a step to far but, turns out to simply
ground you back in this reality. The final word here is like the final word in
any situation, which is simply that, when all is said and done all you are left
with is your word, your integrity and if that is anything less than rooted,
solidly in a truthful portrayal of your true self, then what are you really?
Here Junior Disprol shows that when all said this is who he is, Nuff Said…
Overall, this has to be one of the most outstanding albums
you will hear this year. It takes the notion of Hip Hop to new experimental
heights and returns to a standing ovation. Yes, it takes some listening to,
that’s for sure but, you come away from this a fresh new perspective and one
that is likely to stay with you, always being rekindled whenever you listen
again. There is not a weak track here, all sixteen solid and will test the
listener to breaking point.
Junior Disprol is a powerhouse in his delivery with a
lyrical content that is as intellectual as it is, at times, unashamedly raw and
uncouth. The more you listen to what he does as an emcee, the more you realise
that this guy is one of the most underrated out there. He has a style all his
own that is complex, raw, and direct. He as easily able to create verses from
what most people would consider an indecipherable collection of words, mixing
in real life aspects and x-rated metaphors that just leaves you wondering how
he does it. He is, without a doubt, once of the most incredible lyricists out
there right now.
Musically, DEF II was produced entirely by Cool Edit Chud
and what a masterpiece he has created here. He has put together this paradigm
shifting expression of what Hip Hop music is all about, using these abstract
musical soundscapes to stunning effect, and something that constantly keeps the
listener guessing, stretching the boundaries of there understanding, opening
them up to new horizons to explore. It all fits so well with Junior Disprol’s
lyrical content and delivery, which demands a sound that steps outside the box,
then turns around and kicks it out the stadium, and that is what Cool Edit Chud
delivers here.
Also outstanding is the line-up of guest artists and DJs who
all bring that extra depth and seasoning to the project. Delivering the kind of
performances that leave you breathless and just adding the icing to what is
already a perfectly baked cake of an album.
Nothing would be complete here if I didn’t give a nod to the
artwork. As we know Junior Disprol aka Matt is also an incredible artist, which
was demonstrated on the cover of Hung Drawn and Slaughta’d. For DEF II he has
collaborated with Chud and Scott Lewis on the artwork and design.
I really don’t know what else to say here except that the
album is out now on Plague in the coloured vinyl, tape and CD formats with
digital release coming on 20th May. This one you really don’t want
to miss and has to be a strong contender for underground Hip Hop album of the
year.
On That Note,
I’m outta here,
Steve
LINKS
Get DEF II from Junior Disprol on Bandcamp Here:
https://plague11.bandcamp.com/album/def-ii
Get DEF II from Plague on Bandcamp Here:
https://plague11.bandcamp.com/
VIDEOS
DEF II
Mugshots
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