On The Floor /
Watcha Waitin For (feat Blade)
By
Whirlwind D
I have been pretty lucky to have been able to review pretty
much every release from Whirlwind D since 2017’s Falling. So, I was hyped to
hear that this latest release was coming, and when he mentioned it would be
featuring the legendary figure, and a close friend, Blade, I was even more
hyped.
As the man himself Whirlwind D has featured here many times,
there is no need for me to introduce him in any way. The single is released
through ae Productions and features production and cuts from Djar One, who also
mixed the tracks at Beats House. Plus, there is also art and design from John
Dyer to cap it all off.
So, there is not much more for me to say except, let’s get
into it…
On The Floor finds Whirlwind D taking back; back
beyond the times of labels, Solid N Mind and the Battle Tipped
Rhyme, to speak on the toys that would be instrumental in the years before
Hip Hop, Graff, BMX, and skateboarding would come along, and those toys would
be left on the floor. Now, being of that same era but, also having a younger
brother too, I can really associate with everything that D drops here from
Steve Austin (The Six Million Dollor Man) and Skeletor (He Man), to the Dinky,
Matchbox and Corgi toy cars, to building Airfix model kits of planes and even
Star Wars vehicles. Thinking back over these times brings a smile and even a
tear, these were, as D says, the times that shaped who we were and how we would
interact with the world and people around us. These were good times when we had
no cares and no worries before we grew and world seemed to change. This is the
kind of reminiscing that brings so much enjoyment, and Whirlwind D brings it
all back so vividly. But the enjoyment levels here don’t just come from D’s
skilful wordplay, Djar One brings this upbeat sound that mixes in funk fuelled
keys and horns with the kind of head nod, body moving beat that broadens your smile and really helps to crystallise those
vivid memories; even the cuts here seem to have a vibrant upbeat feel to them.
In fact, this one is so infectious that you kind of want to spin it a few times
before flipping it over.
However, flip it over is something you have to do because
the B-Side is Watcha Waitin’ For and see’s D linking up with Blade. Djar
One brings a deep 70’s, Prince style funk vibe here with cuts, keys and bass
that make you nod your head slowly while thinking to yourself, ‘Oh Yeah’. While
you are bouncin’ to this one, there is a solid message here that D and Blade
make perfectly plain and simple for you to understand. That message is that it
is ok to have dreams about the future but, just sitting back and crystallising
those dreams is not enough; you need to work towards them, reach out and take
hold of those dreams and make them happen for you. It will take you a lot
longer to achieve anything unless you have the determination and drive to make
it happen, and that means working through all those doubts, feeling the fear
and doing it anyway. Remember, practice makes perfect, or close to it anyway. So,
practice over and over, be unapologetically yourself, show them your
authenticity and don’t try to be like someone else.
Overall, what can you say about two completely solid tracks
like these? Either could be an A side track, they both have that strength and
emotive content. Both have equally powerful messages to say on different
subject matter that speak to you on different levels bringing enjoyment,
reflection, and motivation.
As always Whirlwind D uses his intelligent and distinctive
wordplay, with differing flows, to bring you solid Hip Hop vocals that speak to
you in a way that you have no problem having on with youngster’s around, making
them a pleasure to listen to, as you get to hear every word he says; and that
is also reflected by Blade who drops his intellectual wordplay in the same way.
Blade might not make many appearances these days but, when he does there is
always a depth to his words that goes beyond normal thought patterns, and you
have to read between those lines.
There is just so much to like here on this release. On The
Floor has Whirlwind D in full on reflective mode bringing us the kind of feel
good vibes we all need right now, while Watcha Waitin’ For sees D and Blade
working so well together in bringing a track that has a deeper aspect, speaking
to you on a whole other level but, still with an enjoyment factor that rocks
the spot.
Both of these tracks are underpinned by the production from
Djar One who shows here just who you can take that funky Hip Hop to a level
that raises the bar every time. Djar One has a knack of producing funky Hip Hop
vibes that can elevate any track but, that also have a life of their own as
instrumental tracks with an upbeat feel that makes them such a joy to listen
to.
There is nothing left to say except this is one release you
need this year and will stand head and shoulders with other summer releases.
On The Floor / Watcha Waitin’ For is released today, so don't sleep on this one.
As always, my humble thanks to Whirlwind D for giving me the
chance to bring you this one as an exclusive.
I’ll see ya next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Grab your copy of the single Here:
https://whirlwindd.bandcamp.com/album/on-the-floor-watcha-waitin-for
Stream on Spotify Here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/
Whirlwind D Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/whirlwind.d/
https://www.facebook.com/solidnmindrap
