It’s been a while since I last had the Bankrupt Europeans
here on the Blog but, what a release it is to have them back with. The Every
Line On Point EP see’s MC Juice return too and this EP also sees the first
12 inch release for sometime on the Nobody Buys Records label.
The EP features five main tracks which includes a hot new
track, All Day which also gets a remix as well, there are two remixes of the
track Unseen from 2021, plus a remix of 2020s Where You Go. These are all brand
new versions and Digital copies also come with instrumentals and an accapella of
Where You Go. As always, cuts are by DJ Grazzhoppa and the cover art comes from
Big Crunch.
Without further ado, lets get straight into it…
So, I am going to break with tradition here for this review.
Normally I will review a release from top to bottom but, just for this this
release, I’m going to treat you to my review of the hot new track and the
remix, before I get into the other remixes.
The hot new track here is All Day which has this
infectious funk fuelled sound of drums, bass and guitar vibes that gets you
moving and grooving from the get-go. Here MC Juice speaks almost
matter-of-factly on the things he sees around him and also what it is to be
himself, doing what he does in the rap game. There is a hint of that rap
braggadocio too as he lays everything on the table in a charismatic way. The
track is rounded off with Grazzhoppa getting busy on the cut, what more do you
need right…
The All Day (Puffed Hard Remix) brings this real dope
drum beat that gets you moving; this is backed by this eclectic mix of sounds
from flute to electronic sounds, giving this a vibe that almost has you
floating away to the sound but, those electronic elements just about keep you
grounded in reality. It adds another depth of feeling to MC Juice’s lyrics,
allowing you to really get into what’s being said again. Once we find that it
is Grazzhoppa’s cuts that round everything of in style.
Now it’s time for me to tackle those new remixes…
For the Unseen (Chaotic Resonance Remix) the heavy
beat is backed with this well, chaotic mix of electronic vibes and so much
more, giving this one a head nodding, mind numbing vibe. Grazzhoppa brings us
some razor-sharp cuts to proceedings, just to reinforce the solid Hip Hop vibe.
I reviewed the original and my opinion of the lyrics of MC Juice still stands “On
the streets of this shadowy world MC Juice drops some intense vocals that are
unapologetic and seep into your physical body and then reach beyond into your
soul. He demonstrates what he does best, taking out emcees and getting to the
top of the pile and once there he can just walk away, still at the top, because
he has done it all from shadows leaving those emcees in his wake wondering what
happened as their opponent came and went in style but, still Unseen”.
The second remix of Unseen comes next, the Unseen
(Superior Vibes Remix). My opinion on MC Juice, again does not change here
but, the Bankrupt Europeans bring this pounding drum beat backed by this
cinematic sound of percussion vibes which give this a very different overall
vibe, which teases you into closing your eyes and drifting off in another plane
as you allow the vibes and lyrics to sink into your awareness. It is only
Grazzhoppa’s cuts that bring you back to the present.
We finish up with the Where You Go (String Theory Remix),
where the original had this upbeat almost summer flavour to it, this remix
brings this orchestral sound alongside the drum beat, which has been dialled
back slightly. This gives the track a whole new sound which seems to seep into
every fibre of your body, making you feel it on many levels. MC Juice is on
fine form once more as he gives you a fine display of the very essence of rap.
This is what its all about with MC Juice drop bars for the fun of it show just
how good he truly is. Grazzhoppa also brings the kind of cuts that are the
icing of the Hip Hop cake right here.
Ultimately this EP takes me back to a time when it was
almost customary that any single release was closely followed by a remix single
or remix EP. The Bankrupt Europeans and MC Juice do it in style here by giving
us four hot remixes and a hot new track to boot. It also ticks all the right
boxes when it comes to a Hip Hop release. Each remix brings a new vibe but,
keeps its roots squarely in the Hip Hop sound. Plus, it shows why there is not
question as to the pedigree of the skills of MC Juice who gives a solid display
of his rap skills and wordplay, mixing up the true essence of rap with those
lived experiences and observations of life.
The Every Line On Point EP title, almost does not do
the EP, as a whole, justice because every line from MC Juice is totally on
point but when you take the production and cuts into account, every line
becomes more that just that, it becomes a track, an audible work of art. So, yes,
every line is on point but, every track is point too and I kinda want to call
it the ‘Everything is On Point’ EP, if you see what I mean.
Overall, this is another solid release from Nobody Buys
Records and is the perfect platform to display both the emcee skills of MC
Juice, the turntable skills of Grazzhoppa and the Production skills of the
Bankrupt Europeans. Sleep on this one at your peril…
My huge thanks to Snafu you giving me the chance to bring
you this one and for the pics too.
The Every Line On Point EP is out now. The vinyl copies are all selling quick so don't sleep on them.
It is always good to have new music from my good friends the
Cut Beetlez from Finland, and this time they are back with a new EP
collaboration with King Dion, an emcee/DJ and producer out of Atlanta Georgia
in the US.
The ED Kock EP is not the first time they have worked
together as King Dion featured on the 2022 release by Cut Beetlez and The Food
Lord ‘God Keep Me Safe In This Shity Place’. In fact, The Food Lord
repays the fact by featuring on the final track of the EP. It was following
this initial collaboration that they decided to keep working together on more
projects.
You can bet that this one is going to be packed with some of
the Cut Beetlez slick experimental production, which always keeps you wondering
whats coming, so the best thing we can do here is to see exactly what Cut
Beetlez and King Dion have in store for us on the Ed Kock EP.
The EP kicks off with the title track Ed Kock, which
sees the Cut Beetlez on fine form bringing a fresh sound which seems to reflect
the feeling of the warm summer weather. It might take you a few listens to
really get a feel for what King Dion is putting across here but, for me, I got
that there was this sense that it was all about being you own person, walking
solo and not letting others get a hold of or control your own creativity and
path in life. It might seem like a lot to pack into less than two minutes but,
he really does say a lot here and you just need time to feel it.
Next up is Mommasum which has this big boom bap
sound, full of horns, cuts and a pounding beat, which gets the adrenaline
levels pushing up as you listen. What you are gonna get out of this one is a
huge sense of respect, it really is just that simple here. You can feel that
respect that King Dion has for his mom and those around him who are the
closest, like family and friends, himself included. Wherever you are in life,
whatever you’re doing, you gotta maintain that lever of respect for those who
have always been there for you and that is where this one takes you.
Topshelfer has this laid-back sound that has a sparse
drum beat with keys, while the bridge switches the vibe just enough to keep you
guessing. What we get from King Dion here is that rap bragadochio vibe as he
makes it plain and simple where he sits in the game. Here its all about
claiming that top spot, right there on the top shelf and staying there.
The final track of the EP is Mr Overall which
features The Food Lord and sees the Cut Beetlez strip the sound back even
further here. The sparce beat has some flute elements and creates this almost
far eastern meditative vibe, this brings the focus to the lyrics. There could
be a number of things that this one is saying as you listen but, what I got
from this is really making sure your involved in something, being a part of
something and not just standing by and letting things slide. Whether you are
standing up for yourself or for another person, stand up and make a difference.
The appearance of The Food Lord here gives the track an extra dimension as his
delivery and vocals have a more gritty and raw edge to them.
Once more we find that the Cut Beetlez production gives us
something different on every track here. The first two tracks, although having
differing sounds both have this vibe that is upbeat and energetic, giving you
something to move to. The second two tracks have more of a thoughtful or
reflective vibe. But, at times, the lyrics are almost at odds with the sound,
like walking a mountain trail where there is a drop of several hundred feet to
one side, you have foundation of the path and are enjoying it but, there is
also that sense you are almost on a knife edge, it just works when you think
that it won’t. It’s all about the Cut Beetlez consistently giving the emcee a
challenge with which to rap to, which always brings elements that are making
the emcee challenge themselves as well.
King Dion does a great job here with vocals that laid-back
but, also have an intensity and complexity that hit you just as much as if you
were listening to high paced rap style, it makes you want to go back and listen
again to see what you missed, even though you have not missed a word. But he
does a great job of making his words and flows fit with what the Cut Beetlez
have places before him, which makes him worthy of that place on the top shelf
and there is more to come from him, so he is one to watch.
Overall, the Ed Kock EP continues the quality production of
the Cut Beetlez and their way of creating a platform for both legendary and
those lesser-known names in the rap game and giving them all a challenge to
further push their names forward. The EP also will give many their first
introduction to King Dion, who gives a solid performance and places his name
fairly and squarely on list of ones to watch.
The Ed Koch EP is out now so, check it out and make your own
mind up.
Huge thanks to DJ J-Man of the Cut Beetlez for giving me the
chance to review this one.
Whenever anything
comes my way via UK Super Producer Configa, you can bet that there is always a
fellow legendary name in Hip Hop attached and this one is no different. Jolicoeur is the hot new release from what is Hip Hop’s
first Rapper/Producer PhD collaboration, yes indeed both Configa and veteran UK
Emcee Tommy Evans, both have a PhD.
If you are familiar with the blog then you will know my previous
reviews for Configa and be well acquainted with the main man himself, who has
worked with the likes of Arrested Development, Chuck D and Big Daddy Kane
alongside his producer albums but, this will be the first time I have featured
Tommy Evans. I am not going to give you a huge lowdown on him but, for those of
you who might not be familiar with his work; he was born in Leeds before making
London his home. Introduced to Hip Hop in the early eighties, he began rapping
seriously in 1995 and was linked with a number of crews before forming Junkyard
Tactics in 1996. After JYT supported De La Soul in 1997, Tommy went solo in
1998, and linked up with the YNR Crew in Huddersfield before making his debut
on Jehst’s 1999 “Premonitions EP” with the track Deadly Combination. Since that
time he has dropped his own releases via YNR, his own label run with Jehst and
Cee-Why, and worked along some of the UK’s best. His debut album, New Years
Revolutions, came in 2004 on YNR. It is impossible for me to list Tommy’s
collaborations and achievements here but just know that it is extensive and
worldwide. I followed many of the YNR releases myself back in the late 90’s and
early 2000’s, so it is truly a pleasure to feature his work here.
The album Jolicoeur, meaning A Gallant Heart, is a homage to the late Dave of De La
Soul but still encapsulates the artistic ethos and authenticity of both Configa
and Tommy Evans. The project features appearances from Speech (Arrested
Development), Sarah Sayed (Lebanese-American Poet), Matthew Allman and Malala,
alongside some of London’s emerging vocal talents including Doella, Glorynade,
Nyotaa, Tay-Shan, and VVN, there is even an appearance from another legendary
UK emcee in the form of Kyza. You really get the sense, even before listening,
that this album is shaping up to be something special, if maybe a little
different. However, there is only one way to know that for sure and that is to
follow me as I take you through my impressions of the album.
The album begins with Summertime which features Matthew Allman, Configa brings
this stunning funk fuelled beat that has bass, guitars, and keys, all of which
combine to give a vibe that is the very definition of how summer sounds.
Matthew Allmans soulful vocals are like an audible summer breeze, cooling you
from the heat. Tommy Evans brings some uplifting vocals that takes us on brief
but enjoyable trip through the summer months, letting us know that it’s all
about the things that uplift you and bring a smile to your face. That smile
remains firmly planted on your face as the bass, drums and keys of Every Situation keeps the vibe going with an infectious sound
that keeps you moving. This one sees Tommy Evans speaking on how you see
yourself and the outcome of the situations you find yourself in every day. It’s
all about keeping a positive outlook as you go into each one, even seeing
yourself already living in the best possible outcome and keeping that faith as
you walk forward.
They Are Not Expecting Us To Fight features Speech and sees regular collaborator
Configa bring us a solid boom bap beat with guitar vibes that gets your head
nodding and your fists pumping the sky. This one really has that revolutionary
vibe to it, which really reflects the feelings of so many of us in today’s
society. All round the world people are becoming fed up with the narratives
imposed on them by the ruling elite and are standing up to be heard and to
fight for their rights as free people. Straight after that feeling of the energy
of millions of people all around the world coming together Getaway is about the opposite and brings keys, drums and
bass to the table with a vibe that brings your focus back to the self with the
jazzy vocals of Doella. This one really does look at taking time for yourself,
doing whatever it takes to ground yourself and bring you back into who you
truly are, because the world around you often gets too much with the constant
influx of negative stimulus and just being you again is the best way to reset,
regardless of how you achieve it…
We Made It features Tay-Shan and Sarah Sayad, Configa brings us the
kind of uplifting sound that is reminiscent of his work with Arrested
Development, bringing an infectious vibe you can’t help but move to. Tay-Shan’s
soulful vocals, Sarah Sayad’s poetry and Tommy Evans’ lyrics all merge to bring
you a vibe that brings those good feelings to the forefront as it lifts you up,
making you think about all that you have achieved yourself, and invites you to
really feel good about those moments because they made you who you are and put
you in this place, in the here and now, so be proud of that because you made it
too. Thunder and the sound of rain herald the arrival of The Water, featuring Glorynade, this one has drums and keys
that bring a more Lo-Fi Hip Hop vibe, inviting you to listen a little bit more.
In fact, this one invites you to think more about the part water plays in our
lives and just how much our experiences with water so often mirror so many of
life’s experiences. Water is critical to our survival, but it can also be
detrimental if we drink too much; water can also help us travel to places or we
can drown in it. We have to respect the part water plays in our lives and treat
it with the respect it deserves.
Keep The Faith features Kyza and Nyotaa and has strings alongside the bass
and drums, bringing a soulful vibe that you want to close your eyes to and just
feel it. The message here is just to keep the faith that all will be ok. There
are so many challenges that we are presented with in our day-to-day lives that
it is easy to give up or look for the easy way out, but the important thing is
to stay in a positive frame of mind and know that the brighter days are coming
and soon enough the sun will shine on you. There is this mariachi guitar vibe on Senoritas, alongside a nice head nod beat too of course, that
gets you in a reflective mood. VVN brings some chilled soul vibes here as it is
all about how that special someone can bring so much to your life, bringing
maturity and love. This one also made me reflect on just what feminine energy
can bring to your life, you just have to be open to it.
The penultimate track is Memory Lane which features Doella’s jazzy vocals once more.
Configa brings strings, bass and drums, creating a chilled feel-good sound.
Tommy Evans takes us on an uplifting trip down his own memory lane, giving us a
great insight into some of the experiences he has had along the way. As you
listen, it kind of makes you cast your own mind back to some of those moments
that were perhaps life defining or just those which you enjoyed, bringing a
smile to your face again. The last track is Love Like This, which features Malala and has this big uplifting
sound that will have you moving regardless. You can’t get more uplifting than
love, and when you can express love for all that is around you, that is
something special but, as Tommy says, when you can truly love yourself, then
that is a love unlike anything you have ever felt until that moment. So, walk
through life expressing love for all you see around you because the more love
you give out, the more you will receive.
Now, it is not often that you will listen to an album that uplifts
you and keeps you there throughout its duration, but Jolicoeur does just that, it really is a triumph in
feel-good music. It really is hard to say anything more about this than it is a
true pleasure to listen to. From start to finish, Jolicoeur raises you right up and holds you there, keeping
you in this state of near euphoria. The energy seems to eminate from both the
music and the lyrics and gives you the feeling that this album has been infused
with good vibes. This album is like lighting a good incense, it fills your
mind, body and soul with positive vibes, just like the way the incense fills
the room with an uplifting aroma.
Configa proves, yet again, why he is one of THE go to Hip Hop
producers as he brings the kind of uplifting energy infused beats that you just
don’t want to turn off, which is really hard when you are trying to review
because you don’t want to pause the track or stop it to keep writing. He has
this knack of being in sync with whoever he is working with, bringing the
perfect sound to life that will create a platform for their vocals and lyrics,
and that is perfect for Tommy Evans here. I say that because Tommy’s lyrics are
from the heart and come with this infectious positivity that takes over your
whole body, just like the touch from Midas. To be honest, even the way his
lyrics flow has an uplifting feel to it and that is why I say he performs from
the heart, because when you truly come from the heart, a place of love, you
project nothing but positive vibes into everything you do, and this album
really does have that feel about it.
I would even say that all the guest artists who feature on this
album also bring that air of positivity and love. They all fit so well into
their places on the album, imbuing each track with an extra dimension of energy
and feeling that speaks to you on an unconscious level, perfectly mirroring the
overall energy of the album.
I really don’t think there is much more that I need to say here. Jolicoeur is an uplifting Hip Hop masterpiece that will
make you feel good no matter the time of year you listen to it. However, it is
out right now so I suggest you listen to it in the present…
My humble thanks to Configa once more for giving me the chance to
do my thing on such a truly stunning album.
Feat. KRS-One,
A-F-R-O, Sweet Juices, J Bolts, The Nicewun JM, A Gent Orange & Solar
Flight
When you’re asked if you would like to review a posse cut
track with the likes of KRS-One andA-F-R-O on it, you kind of jump at the
chance. Now, this one has been out for a bit but, things have been busy at
Infinite Sounds UK so, I’ve only just got to this one.
The track is posse cut version of the track Boom Bap 3:16
by Tucson emcee Ciphurphace feat, KRS-One and A-F-R-O. This track, the Boom Bap
8:16 Posse Cut features KRS-One, A-F-R-O, Sweet Juices (Chicago), J Bolts (St
Petersburg, Florida), The Nicewun JM (UK), A Gent Orange (Wales) and Solar
Flight (UK), alongside Ciphurphace, and it is produced by German producer Alias
Molombo.
Before I get into it, I just wanna give a huge shout out to
The Nicewun JM for dropping this one my way. I reviewed his debut album Celebratin’
Hip Hop… Over Here way back in 2021 and so it is good have him feature on
the blog once again.
Let’s get straight into it…
Here we have eight emcees with sixteen being the focus,
hence 8:16, dropping bars in a classic boom bap style. The production from
Alias Molombo has a beat that is boom bap all the way, hitting hard and
accompanied by what possibly sounds like, ukulele notes. This gives you
something you can nod your head to or go all out and bounce to with an
adrenaline rush.What we are then
treated to is six minutes of some incredible displays of lyricism from some
talented emcees. The track mixes the legendary figure of KRS-One and lyrical
force that is A-F-R-O, with a host of emcees you may or may not be aware of, in
what is a truly international display of Hip Hop music.
Now, I’m sure this came about as the result of a competition,
the Boom Bap 3:16 competition, which gave us the original 3:16 track where
Ciphurphace jumped on with KRS and A-F-R-O. This was expanded to the 5:16 when
Sweet Juices and J Bolt jumped on, then it was expanded one last time to
feature The Nicewun JM, A Gent Orange and Solar Flight. Every verse here is
just a solid display of what each is capable of, in terms of lyricism and
wordplay, but beyond that you get a sense of how each weave in a little of
there own life’s experience to add some depth to their individual verses.
Everyone loves a good posse cut and this one is a cracking
display of Hip Hop in its rawest form. However, it is also a display of how Hip
Hop spans the globe and the years. This one will get your adrenaline levels
ramped up and get you bouncing. Not one to sleep one for sure.
It is always a pleasure to have these guys submit something
to the blog and this will be the third release in a row that I have brought to
you. Initially, I was not sure what to think when Mr Roka said that this one had
a different vibe from the previous two albums that he has put out with partner
KAO$ Da Rowdy MC. However, following an initial listen, I knew that this was
one I had to really wrap my ears around.
So, grab yourself an ice-cold beverage or something similar
and join me for the Summer Vibes EP…
It all kicks off with Mr Roka on a jazzy Hip Hop vibe of
keys, alongside a solid drum beat, on Stay Fly. Here we find KAO$ taking
us back to the 90’s and giving the lowdown on Hip Hop fashion and what it was
to be Fly. It you are not familiar with the term Fly, it was all about looking
your best, with best threads and freshest trainers, sneakers or kicks. KAO$
drops a ton of names here, which will take a lot of us back in the day, and
there is not much more to say. Enjoy Life sees Mr Roka giving us a fresh
beat with jazzy keys and Sax that puts you in mind of ATCQ and the like, as you
nod ya head along. KAO$ gets busy on the track, giving us words that speak
openly on enjoying what you have in life. It might take you a while and there
will be challenges but, always do your best to enjoy every moment that you get
the chance to, as it will help uplift your life. Energy levels ramp up a bit on
Just Does, where Mr Roka gives us drums, horns and keys that he spins
into the kinda feel good vibe that is highly infectious and gets you bouncing.
KAO$ brings us wealth of lyrics that are infused with more feel-good vibes that
are aimed at lifting you up, just because it feels so good.
Like Who has Mr Roka giving us a more bassy sound
that is mixed with horns but, still keeps you moving. KAO$ brings that classic
Hip Hop braggadocio air to things as he asks who can do it like he can. Emcees
bigging themselves up has been a stapple of the Hip Hop sound for years and
goes all the way back to the early days and beyond. An emcee had to prove they
were worthy, by battling others and throwing down, showing that they had the
skills. You don’t see so much of this these days but, it still happens but,
more on the underground scene. Mr Roka continues to ramp up the bass vibes on Who
Else, where he mixes a pounding beat with an electronic bass sound, which
gets your head moving in a different way. KAOS brings us more of those
uplifting words by showing that none of us are alone in what we are going
through But, more importantly, you will never be alone once you take the stress
away, and what better way to do that than by getting down to CBC. Before you
know it, you’re already at the last track, wondering where the last quarter
hour just went? But this last track has the Vibe Coming and that sees Mr
Roka switching things to a more mellow grove. The chilled drumbeat is backed
with keys, bass and more as you get the chance to kick back while still nodding
your head along. KAO$ takes us on a reflective journey though his life, looking
back at his life and family, the kind of experiences that shape you as you walk
the path of life. It can be very therapeutic to look back as see how far you
have come, it gives you a sense of purpose and makes you proud of the person
you have become.
It really seems that CBC have this kind of Midas touch with
what they do, and the Summer Vibes EP goes along way to proving that point.
Now, it might not be full of those classic boom bap Hip Hop beats but, what it
is jammed full of is a fresher, uplifting sound that is so perfect for the
summer months and beyond, because this one will definitely help to bring light
and warmth to those dark winter days.
Mr Roka’s production brings us this lighter more uplifting
sound that mixes jazzy vibes with Hip Hop and more. It shows that he has the
talent to mix it up a bit while still keeping his sound rooted in the classic
Hip Hop sound. KAO$ Da Rowdy MC shows his prowess as an emcee as he brings us
some classic lyricism, mixing up the wordplay and giving us tracks that have a
solid entertainment level; still keeping us engaged with a mix of lived
experience and classic rap vibes that keep you rocking while still being
relatable.
This is definitely one of those releases where I don’t have
to be so in-depth because the Summer Vibes EP is there to be enjoyed and
sometimes, I can just as much by saying less. This one can be enjoyed anywhere
but, it does give you the feeling of warm summer evenings and BBQs, whether
that is sat at home, in the park or on the beach. Put the Summer Vibes EP on
and let the good times roll.
My thanks to Mr Roka and KAO$ Da Rowdy MC for giving me the
opportunity to do my stuff with this one.
The Summer Vibes EP is out now, so what you waiting for?
I’ll see ya next time,
Steve.
LINKS
The EP is available exclusively from the CBC Website:
(What You Acting So) Grown Up For? is the latest
release in the Grown Up series from emcee/producer Legs MC (aka Daddy Legs).
I’m reasonably familiar with this series having reviewed both the second and
third releases of the series, Grown Up Too and Grown Up Free. As
with the previous two releases in the series, this one also has a title that is
a play on words but, what is different here is that there is only a couple of
features this time around in the form of one of his sons, Raphael, and Shotty
Horroh alongside the guest producers Solar Soundz and Murmur Beats. This
suggests that we will be treated to a much more personal vibe on this album,
even more so than the previous ones.
The only way to find out for sure is to join me as I take
you through the album…
Now, the album is ten tracks long but also features a bonus
track too, and it all kicks off with RAPHTMNT which features Legs MC’s
son Raphael. The beat has more Lo-Fi feel to it for the first couple of minutes
before we are treated a more head nod drum beat adding some adrenaline. This is
like an extended intro that see’s Legs give a simple warning that focuses on
the huge amount of lies and detrimental information that that is constantly
thrust in our faces through our smart phones. In fact, it is true what he says
here that there is a war going on inside our phones where the positive
interactions we are all seeking are at odds with the stream of negativity that
invades our awareness as we scroll through our daily social feeds. With such a
powerful intro to the album, it gives you a real sense of what to expect and Web
of Lies continues this with a proper heavy head nod vibe from drums, horns
and organ notes, this gives us deep edge as we listen to the words of Legs MC.
The message continues the focus of the previous track as Legs MC focuses more
intently on what we see being projected to us through our phones every day.
There is so much information that gives a false impression of the world around
us and also of the lives of others. It appears that everyone is getting by and
doing OK, when in reality it is far from that. So, many people struggle with
just providing their basic needs but, they just hide the stress while at every
turn it appears that their privacy is at constant threat from the apps, they use
daily. It’s a wonder we even know what the real truth is anymore…
The beat on Psycho CIS gets your head nodding while
the keys bring this vibe that has this John Carpenter soundtrack feel to it,
giving you this dark infectious vibe. Here we initially feel that this one
could be deep track focused on mental health but, there seems to be more going
on here as Legs MC gives us another play on words as he describes his own
talent with wordplay by bringing in the kind of punchy one liners that make you
sit up and take notice, questioning exactly what the focus is and then coming
away wondering if you truly got that or did Leg MC bend your mind a little too
far. With your mind now in a state of flux, beat drops with a little edge to it
that suggests something a little more light-hearted on Rappin’ Ain’t Easy.
This short little number does exactly what it says and sees Legs MC drop a
single verse that says, if you think its easy to do this rap stuff, then think
again, because it takes a lot to do this while entertaining people and being
able to say stuff that they can relate to, over and over again. Solar Soundz
makes his first appearance with production on Digital Flowers, the
sparce beat and electronic vibe carry you along while allowing you to focus
more on the lyrics. This one sees Legs MC take a look at the digital music
world where so many artists are focused on getting their flowers, those digital
clicks, likes, thumbs ups and so on, that help push their music that bit
further. But is it really all about that? Do you miss why you love doing what
you do by constantly placing so much value on the digital fanbase. Sadly, the
digital world is becoming more and more influential in what we do, including
the music we love. It’s a sobering thought…
Hazey Purple is produced by Murmer Beats and features
Shotty Horroh. The drums and guitars give this one a Hip Hop mariachi feel.
It’s that mariachi story vibe that permeates this one as Legs MC and Shotty
Horroh drop some emotive lyrics around smoking, being a stoner, why you do it
and how it affects your life. There is definitely aspects of this one that
really have that deep edge to them, taking you into the life of those seeking
to escape reality for different reasons and leaves you thinking after the track
is done. Organ notes and strings combine with head nod beat to bring another
sound that gets you moving for Diamond in my Belly. This one is really
about following your gut feeling when it comes to making those important
decisions in life; those times where it’s make or break and you need to
following that feeling that points you in the right direction. Now, your gut
feeling might not always be the best decision but, by knowing you did it for
the right reasons means that someone will benefit from it, even if that someone
is not you directly. The drum beat for Take Me as I Am, keeps your head
moving while the piano seems to envelop you in an emotional vibe. Here we find
Legs MC opening up about who he is and the fact that he is not a person you can
place neatly in a little box; you have take him at face value as an individual
who does not prescribe to your personal ideas of how a person should, or
shouldn’t, be. It really is that simple, so don’t be judgemental…
Murmer Beats provides production on Come Into My Life
with an uplifting soulful vibe of organ notes, bass and drums. Legs MC mixes it
up with rap and sung elements on this one as he brings us a beautiful ode to
his wife and everything that she brings to his world. This is the kind of track
that many of us guys can associate with and probably wish we had written too.
This one obviously draws inspiration from the Joyce Sims track but, mixes it up
nicely and ends with a snippet of a conversation between Legs MC and his wife.
The final track of the album, before the bonus, is 80’s Kid, which is
produced by Solar Soundz and has a chilled vibe that carries you along while
this clicking keeps you rooted in the moment. There is a deep edge to this one
that speaks to the older heads out there as Legs MC looks at the state of the
country in the modern day, from the point of view of someone who grew up in the
80’s. Society in the here and now is far different from those times, I can
vouch for that as a 70’s kid, as we now experience the kind of ups and downs
our parents had but, on a whole new level, which makes you wonder what our kids
will experience thirty or forty years from now. With those sobering thoughts
still raw in our mind, it’s time for the final and bonus track, Stompin’,
which all but wipes those thoughts from our mind by giving us a head nod vibe
mixed with a heavy dose of orchestral sounds, which gives us a lift to round
things off. Legs seems to take everything he has said in this album and
literally stomps it into our awareness here by summing up the album for you…
I had to sit back for a minute or two and consider just what
this album said to me overall, and there is a very real sense that (What You
Acting So) Grown Up For is purposefully giving us a look at the ups and
downs of life so that we can see just how serious and troubling it has become;
and by doing that it is showing us that we need to feed that inner child inside
all of us. Too much of life nowadays fills us with negativity and a sense of
melancholy, to the point where there is little enjoyment left for us. But, if
you listen a little more deeply to the words and pick up on the subtle hints,
there is a lot to take away from this; all of which is pointing you towards
lifting yourself up and finding enjoyment and love in your life once again. You
can be grown up, without being so grown up…
Legs MC does bring a deeper more personal edge to this one
and you really get the sense that this is one of those albums where the message
was best delivered yourself and that takes nothing away from the appearance of
Shotty Horroh, who does a cracking job here and perfectly adds to the message
Legs is putting across.
I think that what really spoke to me on this one is the
sense of all the things that mean so much to him, the very same values that
mean so much to all of us, Beit family, love or our passion for something, it
is all there and makes something that might appear so deep and dark, become the
exact opposite. Sometimes you can only see the light by being put into the
darkness.
Once again Legs MC shows the depth of his talent and how he
uses his adept wordplay to create a highly enjoyable album that speaks to you
on many levels, and it is the relatability of the albums content that makes it
enjoyable and a great addition to the Grown Up series.
There really is so much to like here, the production from
Legs, Murmer Beats and Solar Soundz, mixes Hip Hop beats with lo-fi, cinematic
and orchestral sounds, all of which come together to bring some emotive vibes,
which seem to really enhance and support the vocals. Legs vocals, once more,
show that he is a talented emcee who draws on personal experience to bring
extra depth to his work. He also delivers his lyrics in a way the makes you
feel he is speaking to you on the same level and not trying to down to you or
tell you what you do. It’s just directing you to look at things differently.
(What You Acting So) Grown Up For? is another cracking
album from Legs MC that you need to check out for yourself. It is released
tomorrow, 22nd, and is a great listen for the weekend.
Now, this was to be the end of the review But, following an
email chat with Legs MC I decided to include some valuable insights around this
album that will give you a little more to ponder over. So, I thought would add
these as if it were a mini-interview type of thing:
You have the name Legs MC aka Daddy Legs, can you tell me
a bit more about that?
Legs MC - Well when I came back to rap I
kind of went with Daddy Legs MC as I didn’t really feel like I was the same
person as I was before having children. My priorities, my attitudes, everything
changed and a lot of what I record I imagine them listening to when they are
older. For ease its still Legs MC but for anyone that knows me now Daddy Legs
is prob more fitting!
My interpretation of the intro RAPHTMNT, is slightly
different to how you wrote it, which kinda leads into some insights about how
you approached the vocals on the album?
Legs MC - The intro has the
chorus from faker breaker, a track I made in 2005ish and was my first music
video. I was kind of saying it was a return to how I was when I first
started which was basically not really giving a fuck what anyone thinks about
it - like danny devito said I am getting old so I felt like getting weird with
it - in most places in the album I am rapping my arse off but I also had quite
a few moments when I was like I'm gonna sing and I'm not really bothered if
anyone likes it. You could call it diminished responsibility. Be a bit more who
gives a fuck.
Can you tell me a bit more about the track Diamond In
My Belly?
Legs MC - The
actual line "diamond in my belly" came from Zack while I was making
the beat - he had put a gem on his stomach and kept saying it, then I repeated
it to the beat and recorded it straight away. It also kind of meant that even
if you don't like all of my content, there are gems in there if you are up for
digging deep and know what to look for - like you are digging through my shit
to find the diamonds - my shit may not be all bling but there is an unpolished
diamond or two in there.
There is a lot of reflection on this album…
Legs MC - You're right, a lot of the
album is a reflection of my past to try and work out who I am today.
Could you elaborate on the title of the album?
Legs MC - The title of the
album comes from the fact my old friends would say that my music is way more
serious than I am in real life, hence they would often not relate to my tunes
because it was "too angry or depressing" - I think they meant
moralistic lol!
Who did the artwork for the album cover?
Legs MC - My 5-year-old Zack
did the drawings on the front cover.
My thanks to Legs MC for sending this one my way and for giving
me those amazing insights into the album and more.
If you head over to Legs MC Bandcamp tonight at 7pm (UK Time), there is a special listening party for the the album, which is well worth your time.
The Album is released tomorrow 22nd.
So, I'm out,
I’ll see you next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Here is the one link you need, includes the Bandcamp Link:
