Antisocial
By
AiKz and Third
Degree
Antisocial is the debut album from the duo of Abingdon emcee
AiKz (pronounced aches) and Producer Third Degree (aka Liam Byrne, one half of
Sophisticated Apes) who also resides in Abingdon.
It has been five years since AiKz released his debut album
“The Life and Times”, which I’m ashamed to say I’ve not yet heard. During that time,
he has been working hard alongside Liam, whom he met in 2012, as they both
worked hard on honing their crafts in order to be able to release something
that would be the best possible reflection of their individual talents.
So, this duo that comprises of an emcee with a talent for
some witty wordplay and fierce delivery and a producer know for raw and
aggressive beats and whose debut album with Sophisticated Apes “Civilization”
has gained over 130K streams and some major support from BBC’s Introducing in
the West Midlands, has the pedigree to deliver a blinding debut but, can they
deliver? Join me to find out as I take you through all thirteen tracks of
Antisocial…
The album kicks off or should I say ‘hits you for six’
straight out the gate with heavy pounding drums, strings, and keys. The Intro
(OX Stand Up) is exactly what it says it is, a high-powered introduction that
prepares you what it to come from AiKz and Third Degree. The OX referred to in
the title comes from its postcode which reflects its location in relation to
the city of Oxford.
With you attention well and truly grabbed by that intro, the
guys move quickly into high gear as horns, drums, and a background of horns,
giving you something upbeat to get you moving on Shut It Down. Here we
get the full force of AiKz as he delivers what is a statement of facts. Using
his slick lyrical wordplay and ferocious delivery he takes aim at all those who
talk loud but, ain’t sayin’ nothin’ and also giving us a full verbal IMAX look
at exactly what he is capable of on the mic. There is also a good sprinkling of
cuts here too. Just like sitting in a
movie theatre and watching events unfold on the screen, we get the feeling that
is what is happening here and maybe not how we expect? Piano, strings, and cuts
(The first of three appearances by the legendary Jabbathakut) guide us into Who’s
He before the beat drops, which is ripe for the head nods. This is not done
at pace though and those strings give it a reflective vibe. Here we find AiKz
in fine form as he breaks down who he is for all those who might ask, Who’s He?
That reflective vibe helps you really feel what is being said here and you
kinda take an instant liking to who AiKz is behind the mic and beyond. The
introduction to Animal is one of sound bites and guitar. When the beat
kicks in, it’s pounding and ,alongside that guitar, gives this one raw feel. Here
we get schooled to the fact that AiKz might be a likable fellow but, when he
gets behind the mic it’s business and cross him and he can tear you apart like
he has the jaws of an angry animal. There jaws are metaphysical as rhymes,
wordplay, delivery, and flow all combine into a form that is truly devastating,
especially to wack emcees…
Ugly opens with a sample from the classic, It’s The
Joint by Funky 4 + 1, which gives you the feeling of something special to come.
Third Degree provides a beat of drums and piano which turns up the energy
levels, just enough to keep ya bouncin’. AiKz proves that the title of the song
is only there to show you how far he has come. He is anything but, ugly on the
track as he shows here just what can be achieved when keep you focus and faith
in your craft. It’s like this, you might have called me ugly once but now look
at me, all you did was to give me the platform to rise above that. The track
also ends with some little dedications, which adds a little depth of feeling. Hurt
by Jonny Cash is the opening to I Still Dedicate, the beat and acoustic
guitar really give this one a deep emotive vibe. Occasionally you listen to a
track that touches you deeply and this one does just that. AiKz speaks candidly
and reflectively on personal experiences. From a broken home and a fractured
family to the birth of his son and the creation of a new family. This shows the
power of a true lyricist who can craft their words in such a way that with the
emotive musical back drop, it expresses true, heart felt emotion. Circa 92
sees Jabbathakut join the guys again providing sublime cuts as the track opens
with piano notes before a heavy beat drops and your head is automatically in
nod mode. This one is a homage to the pre-millennium Hip Hop days, those days
that many call the golden era of Hip Hop, the late eighties and early 90’s. It
is emcees like AiKz and others who keep that soul of the real Hip Hop alive on
the underground scene by paying homage and bringing those days back in their
music. You can feel that love in his voice and in his lyrics right here…
Piano, Strings and nice chilled beat merge together to
create this smooth boom bap sound that takes you warm summer days and BBQ’s. How
Many Mics sees AiKz really display his love for that original Hip Hop sound
and his despair at what the radio plays. You really get a feel for how those
pre-millennium days in Hip Hop inspired and shaped where he walks on his
journey as an emcee. Funky guitar vibes, drums and cuts come together to push
up the adrenaline levels for So Villainous, The more you listen there is
kind of a spaghetti western vibe going on here. One the seems to focus on the
bandits, those who are spitting rhymes so criminal they are that good. However,
the more you listen the more you realise that AiKz is those villainous aspects
and twisting and spinning them into something that is most obviously coming
from a positive standpoint and for your entertainment. Jabbathakut joins the
guys one last time with more turntable dexterity on Infinite Jest. Organ
notes and drums are the core of this one, all moulded together to give a nice
funky upbeat feel. This one is all about AiKz having fun with wordplay, no need
to over analyse this one too much so, just enjoy the skilful display…
An acoustic guitar and the sounds of a storm usher in the
next track. Soon the soulful vocals of Teresa Meads join as does the drumbeat,
creating a thoughtful vibe as it carries you along. Tom Stiles (the other half
of Sophisticated Apes) joins AiKz on this one which, for me anyway, really
seems to reflect the current way so many of us are feeling as we look at the
life we are living. There is a storm going on around us and in the midst of
this we find a need to reach out for help whilst other reach out to us. There
is only so much we can give, that’s how we feel but, we carry on and walk
forward wondering if we can truly make it. The truth there is we can and will
weather the storm, if we all reach out to each other lend an ear for others, we
will never be alone, only stronger as one. Together we can be the Eye Of The
Storm, the calm in the midst of chaos. A heavy beat and piano notes,
alongside razor-sharp cuts is the backdrop for AiKz to drop the Lyricist.
The whole vibe of this one feels like a Hip Hop superhero story as AiKz breaks
it down about what it is to be a true lyricist. It’s not an easy choice to make
to be someone who stands up using words to create lyrics, the kind of lyrics
that please the masses and leave you feeling that you have done the best you
can. It's about balance too, living your own life each day while that alias
lives inside you constantly bringing forth your creative side. Finally, it’s
time to sit back and relax with the chilled out musical Outro. Just
enough time to reflect on what you’ve just heard and that was something
special…
From what you have just read, and reading between the lines,
you can probably guess that I enjoyed this album a lot. To be honest there is
nothing not to like here. The idea was to create an album that perfectly
showcased both the talents of the emcee and the producer and for me they really
nailed it.
AiKz displays some cracking wordplay and story writing
skills, alongside a solid and hard-hitting delivery and flows. Not only that
but, he is injecting just the right amount of emotion or comedic edge, along
the way, to keep you entertained and focused throughout. Third Degree brings a
depth of production that provides the perfect sound scape for each track,
mirroring the emotional depth of the lyrical content with equally emotive
music. They have kept guests to a minimum which helps to highlight their own
strengths and where they have brought others in it only adds extra depth and
substance. Teresa Meads has a stunning voice which is perfect for Eye Of The
Storm and Tom Stiles is a great choice on there two and who doesn’t like the
turntable skills of Jabbathakut, nuff said right there.
Overall, what you get from AiKz and Third Degree on
Antisocial is an album that flows seamlessly from start to finish. Toying with
your emotions as it switches between those just for fun rhymes and deeply
emotive personal experiences, seemingly leaving no stone unturned in bringing
you solid album rooted in the golden era of Hip Hop. It is a true powerhouse
that is brought to you by two people who have one goal, to bring the lovers of
good music a solid Hip Hop album that will never get old and will be listened
to for many years to come. This album is far from being Antisocial as people
are gonna be talking about this one, trust me…
If these guys are not at the top of their game yet, then
watch out because they are carving out a damn good one for themselves and that’s
great news for us too.
Antisocial is released today on most streaming services. CD copies will be coming soon.
My Huge Thanks to Third Degree aka Liam Byrne for asking me to review this one.
On that note,
I’m out, see ya…
Steve
LINKS
Streaming links for Antisocial:
