Still Natured
By
Ill Natured
Now, it was way back in July of 2022 that the Ill Natured
crew first graced the Infinite Sounds UK blog with their debut self-titled Ill
Natured EP. At that time, I was impressed with what I considered to be one
of the hottest debuts I had heard, and not only that, but these guys gave us a
sound that was deeply rooted in the soul of real Hip Hop music.
The guys are now back with a long player, the Still Natured
LP which was released back in June of this year. This time the core members of
the crew Cosmic Rayne (South Africa), Abstract Soundz (UK), DJ Stav (UK), and
Sativa (Germany), are joined by DJ Slowz and Yung High (Both from Vietnam),
alongside a host of artists from across the globe, which includes: MC Karlito
(France), Micall Parknsun (UK), Brotherman (UK), Eavesdrop (South Africa), and
Pain aka Dai Ca P (Vietnam).
Before I get into the album, I would like the final words of
this intro to go to Ill Natured, as they give you some insightful words to
ponder at the back of your mind as you listen:
Taking inspiration from the era when the forefathers of
Hip Hop set the bar for anybody who calls themself a ‘rapper’…‘The Still
Natured LP’ provides insight into the true nature and essence of what has been
lost in today’s commercial rap music.
At a time when its purpose is all but forgotten, clouded
by the need to be instantly validated through likes and views, pure lyricism is
still practiced by the few who understand that Hip Hop is forever. For as long
as we stay true to the artform - and ourselves - the meaning of being a rapper,
producer, DJ, Bboy and writer will never be lost.
Like the ancient knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations, through
hidden messages in texts and art, the Still Natured LP is reserved for truth
seekers. Those unfazed by the demands of modern society to believe that numbers
are the goal. While it may be for most, it isn’t for us.
Transcending conventional ideas of modern Hip Hop, reminding the listener that
being authentic is the goal, necessary for growth and progression, infiltrating
the mind and body as if it were a disease, yet taking us back to the roots and
planting the seeds for the future, this is ILL Natured.
Now let’s immerse ourselves into being Still Natured…
Our journey begins with Abstract Soundz (Production) and DJ
Stav on The Intro where a thumping beat, piano, and strings, all combine
to bring us a proper head nod intro that has a myriad of vocal samples to give
you a little insight into what’s about to come. Plus, plenty of cutting shit up
from Stav makes this intro do one thing, which is to let you know that this is
real Hip Hop and that’s where its at. With the scene now set, its time to
really get busy with Fall Back which features Micall Parknsun alongside
Cosmic Rayne, who also produces this one. This one has funky vibe about it with
a heavy beat, bass sound that keeps you moving. This seems to focus on the fact
that there are a lot of rappers out there right now, just because you can rap
does not mean your Hip Hop, and even if you are Hip Hop, you need to be
relevant and speak from the heart. So, this one takes a shot at those rappers
who are not all they make themselves out to be, they need to fall back, because
this is Hip Hop where the real rappers live. Next, it is time for MC Karlito to
join Sativa, with DJ Stav on the cut for Lament. Produced by Abstract
Soundz, this one has a nice, chilled vibe provided by jazzy keys and horns, as
the beat kicks. Now I’m not going to even make a guess at what is being said
here, as sadly I speak neither French or German, but a lament is piece of music
that is an expression of grief or sorrow, and alongside the fact is that the
flows and tone of the lyrics match that chilled vibe, it draws you in
regardless and allows you to speculate on the vocals, taking you wherever you
need to go.
Riff Raff has production from Cosmic Rayne as he
drops this one alongside Pain aka Dai Ca P. Double Bass is prominent in this
one alongside guitars, xylophone notes and more, giving this one a deep sound
that’s almost vibrates through your whole body with every note from the double
bass. I had to think long and hard on this one, because as I listened, it
didn’t feel like it was a derogatory reference, even though it reminded me of
how, there was a time where if you were into Hip Hop music you might well have
been considered as Riff Raff. But the more I listened the more it felt like
this one had an air that more closely fit with one of the older definitions of
the phrase, from around the mid 1300’s, in that it was all about leaving little
of value behind. Perhaps this one has multiple means, depending on how you see
it. Has a rapper you might be considered riff raff but, when you are that good
at your craft, you will leave little, in the way of spoils, behind. After that
mammoth thought process, its time to move on to A Funky Interlude which
is produced and cut up by DJ Stav. This one is like a quick little audible
pallet cleanser that funks things up and gives you time to just enjoy things
before getting back into things in-depth with Live From Saigon, produced
by Abstract Soundz, it features Sativa alongside MC Karlito once again. Drums
and double bass take the forefront here with guitars and more softened into the
background, bringing an overall sound that has this infectious funked up edge
to it. Again, I’m going to pretend that I know what is being said here but, you
can feel that this one has this air about it where you can imagine these two
just getting up on stage and dropping an incredible show for everyone, nuff
said.
Word War brings Sativa and Cosmic Rayne together with
MC Karlito and production from Cosmic Rayne. This one has a sound where the
drums are at the forefront while keys, in the background, give this a slightly
dark edge, but one that is softened to the point where the vocals stand above
all else. This one sees all three emcees using their words as weapons in a war
where the content and shear impact of your wordplay has to be on point, taking
out all opponents to leave you as the last one’s standing. The Skit is
produced by Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav, and is the first three
of these on the album. This quick little interlude takes the form of Ill
Natured in the lab, working on a proper head nod beat with cuts from Stav.
Before you know it, you’re back into things with the Ill Natured crew on Naturally
Ill. Abstract Soundz provides the production here with a laid-back sound
with keys and bass that is softened into the background, except on the bridge.
It really puts you in mind of the likes
of ATCQ etc. This laid-back vibe allows the vocals to take the forefront,
allowing them to sink into your awareness. This one really puts you in mind of
that Hip Hop braggadocio style of bigging yourself up, knowing how good you are
and that every thought you have can be turned into a dope rhyme. However, there
is one difference here, being that the delivery comes with no air self-centred
delivery, but more of a statement of facts, delivered with a quiet air of a
deep personal knowing.
8 Bars is another little interlude that sees Abstract
Soundz, Cosmic Rayne, and DJ Stav collaborate. Back in Lab again we find Cosmic
Rayne delivering the bars over a proper boom bap beat with plenty of razor
sharp scratching. Timelapse brings us back from the lab with Abstract
Soundz on production and joined by MC Karlito and Brotherman on mic, alongside
DJ Slowz on the cut. There is a definite jazzhop vibe about this one with the
jazzy piano vibes and chilled drumbeat giving you a tune to move to. At first
listen this one seems like a straight up demonstration of lyrical prowess, but
the more you listen you get the sense of something else alongside that; which
might be that what you say does not have to be said in any particular
timeframe, sometimes its good just to say what you need to in your own time,
delivered in a way that allows everyone to understand the deeper meaning
within. With that concept of listening and understanding now rooted in your
mind, Dusted sees Sativa joined by Yung High with Abstract Soundz on
production. The chilled drums and jazzy piano vibes see this one continue that
jazzhop sound, making you feel like your sat in some smoke filled speak easy.
Once more I find myself in the position of not knowing what the lyrics are
speaking on, and so I go with my gut again. That laid-back sound and the
chilled tone of the lyrical delivery really puts you in a place where you just
want to sit back and allow it all to sink in, not thinking too hard but,
letting the lyrics float through your awareness as you slowly nod to the beat.
As we head into the final few tracks of the album, The
Fifth Kind sees Cosmic Rayne on production, joined by Eavesdrop. The
futuristic sound here toys with your mind, expanding your senses and taking you
beyond the confines of the planet. Here we are taken on journey that explores
the idea of alien contact with humans as both emcees drop some complex wordplay
that would be an interesting concept, were an extraterrestrial race to hear
this as its first contact with humans. All this is backed by samples from an
interview with researcher Steven Greer, who I met some years ago, who has been
very outspoken on the subject of Close Encounters of the Fifth Kind. The
penultimate track is our final interlude from Abstract Soundz, Cosmic Rayne,
and DJ Stav, which is the Cosmic Abstract Interlude. This one is a
chilled number that mixes a drum loop with piano notes and some electronic
elements, all together this track allows you to kick back one last time before
the album ends with the albums title track, Still Natured. This one is
all Cosmic Rayne, including production and has him dropping a beat that is
backed by this sound which has an almost eerie quality to it which gives the
whole track an air that rounds off the album but, still has you feeling, it’s
not the end. Time is a huge factor in the lyrics too, giving you this feeling
that you need to make the most of the time you have, so you need to fill that
time by being authentic and the greatest expression of who you truly are.
The first thing that is apparent from listening to this
album is that Ill Natured have stuck firmly to the ethics they forged with the
Ill Natured EP, and that is that their music is firmly rooted in the golden era
of Hip Hop. Their sound retains that vibe that takes you back to that time and
puts you in mind of some of the legendary figures such as ATCQ, Gang Starr, and
many more. You also feel that they have this desire to keep their sound firmly
rooted where Hip Hop should be, on the streets and in the underground clubs,
never straying from that path and never wandering into the watered down sound
of the mainstream, where music is controlled and not allowed to speak real
truths. Because that is a place where money is king and speaking from the heart
rarely brings any real returns.
There is also such a deep feeling of unity within Still
Natured as an album and Ill Natured as a crew. Something that embodies what Hip
Hop has always been about, at it core. Ill Natured are a crew that spans the
globe, and as a result, the album also does that. It brings together artist
from many corners of the globe and proving that by uniting under the banner of
real Hip Hop means that even if you do not know the language of the artist, you
can still enjoy their display of their craft and feel the energy and the
message they are putting across.
Every aspect of this album embodies the true Hip Hop sound,
from the solid production values of the crew to the impressive wordplay and
lyricism displayed by all the emcees involved, be they from Ill Natured or as
guest artists. It kind of makes you not want to single anyone out, and you
don’t have to because what you realise is that, within the confines of the
album, everyone is Hip Hop and everyone is Ill Natured, they become one,
because that is what Hip Hop does, it brings us together as one, and that is
something that I find really gets to you as you listen and you realise just how
deeply this album and nature of Ill Natured brings that unity vision to the
listener.
When I listened to debut a few years back, I really felt
that these guys were gonna go a long way and after hearing Still Natured, I’m
as sure as I can be that future for Ill Natured is going to keep raising that
bar and keep promoting unity through the sound of real Hip Hop music.
Still Natured is available digitally now and, if your lucky,
available on limited edition cassette too, through the Low Definition label.
My huge thanks to Abstract Soundz for the chance to bring
this one to you and for the awesome cassette too, you can’t beat taking it back
to the days of old.
I’ll see ya next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Grab Your copy on Bandcamp Here:
https://illnatured.bandcamp.com/album/still-natured-lp
Stream on Spotify Here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/05mZsufZgOtK645M1Pd2iq
Ill Natured Socials:
https://www.instagram.com/abstractsoundz/
https://www.instagram.com/cosmicrayne/
https://www.instagram.com/low_definition_records/
https://www.instagram.com/dj_stav/
https://www.youtube.com/@illnatured5804/featured
VIDEOS
Riff Raff
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