Single Review: On The Floor / Watcha Waitin' For (Feat. Blade) by Whirlwind D

 

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

 

 

 

 

EP Review: From Beyond by T.H.E.M.

 

From Beyond

By

T.H.E.M.

 

From Beyond is the latest EP from UK Hip Hop crew T.H.E.M. which is comprised of Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes and signed to Northentic Records. The tracks that make up this EP were originally slated to be on the upcoming album from the group, which was originally going to be a two LP release but, due to costs etc, the crew decided to switch the album to a single disc release and drop the tracks that did not make the album on this digital release.

Out of Burnley the history of this crew goes back a long way and if you want to know more about the crew and their background, I suggest you check out their chat with Blade over on the 05:21 YouTube channel, where you can hear everything you need to know because these guys are all about real Hip Hop and connecting with others to keep the scene alive so, that interview is essential listening.

That said, it’s time to get deep into this EP and get a taste of what T.H.E.M. will be bringing to the table with their debut album…

The EP kicks of in style with Chessboard Dynamics which brings a real head nod vibe of drums and percussion vibes alongside this background of strings and flute notes that not only grabs your attention but, has you closing your eyes while your head nods, allowing the vocals to seep into your awareness. What T.H.E.M. does here is to deliver wordplay, knowledge and the kind of dexterous delivery that could be compared to the play of a chess grandmaster. At times you fully understand what’s going on, it all seems kinda raw and hardcore but, just as you think you’ve got it sussed out, the guys hit you with a new gambit, hitting your mind from multiple angles and leaving you in awe, and if that wasn’t enough the cut-up samples and razor-sharp scratches have hyped up and breathless. There is no let up as a funky guitar and more cuts galore lead us into Think Twice, before the beat drops and it all merges to form this funked up vibe that has this reggae piano twist to it, and all you can do vibe to it. Once more the verbal skills displayed here have you second guessing everything you hear, proving that Think Twice is not just a title but, also another talent these guys display as every verse and every bar has you questioning what you heard the more you listen.

Represent hits with this mind-numbing sound scape of cuts, heavy drums and what sounds like a ukulele or banjo, all combining with some sonic vibes to keep the energy levels high and the frequency vibrating your entire body. At first listen you might be for wondering exactly what this one is saying and it almost appears like there is a juxtaposition here with T.H.E.M. demonstrating how they are representing the UK scene but, you also get this vibe that they are taking a shot at those who say they are representing but, in truth, are out for nothing but, themselves and maybe that is a shot at the politicians and rich elitists who claim to be looking out for everyone’s best interests but, are only out for how much they can line their pockets. So, is it one or the other here? Perhaps it’s a bit of everything, you decide. Drums, guitars, and bass form backdrop to the EP’s title track, From Beyond and the vibe is once more on keeping those energy levels up with a boom bap style feel. Here the guys take us on a tongue-in-cheek look at real life in Burnley while, at the same time, expertly twisting and stretching our minds with their words to blur our concept of what the true reality is. We are left wondering what the truth is here and what has been taken from some weird view that is beyond reality and rooted firmly in the mind of the beholder…

The vibe of Games All Love is a more upbeat feel with drums, piano, and strings alongside the cuts keeping you moving. Here we find T.H.E.M. dropping verses on why they do what they do, the inspirations and the love for the game. This really shows that you don’t always have to be rhyming over dark heavy beats to deliver some solid bars that still reflect the reality of live and your love of good Hip Hop. Heading into the final track of the EP, T.H.E.M, we almost float into it on an orchestral soundscape before the beat drops and the cuts slice deeply into our awareness creating this banging boom bap vibe with that orchestral sound bringing an almost soundtrack feel. The guys take us on a journey into all that is and makes up T.H.E.M. but, this journey is more like an audible trip where the truths are a part of a dream like escapade that is drawn directly from their own minds to keep you entertained whist wondering what is real and what is simply T.H.E.M.

After listening to this, the first thing that came to mind was, if From Beyond is formed of tracks that didn’t make it to the album then just how good is the album? Because, From Beyond is a stunning EP and, quite honestly, one of the best I’ve heard this year.

The production is solid and has your adrenaline levels at their peak throughout the whole album and providing the perfect backdrop for what is a lyrical masterpiece. The wordplay skills demonstrated by T.H.E.M. is second to none. These guys know how to pack their verses full of intellectual and complex lyrics that flow like water through your awareness but, the more you listen, the more you realise that these guys really have proper rhyming skills, end of. Alongside that solid production and verbal mastery, there is this love of real Hip Hop in its purest form, the kind of Hip Hop that was seeded in the UK in the eighties and has flourished on the underground scene, T.H.E.M. completely embody the essence of that true Hip Hop sound.

I don’t think I can say much more. But here are six tracks of pure underground Hip Hop that has the energy to span the ages creating a sound that would be at home in the 80’s and 90’s as it is here and now. These guys have enough experience between them to take themselves to the pinnacle of the UK Underground scene and beyond. Are T.H.E.M. one to watch? Well, that’s a no brainer for sure.

From Beyond is available from T.H.E.M. on Bandcamp etc, now.

On that note,

I’m out, see ya…

Steve.

LINKS

Get From Beyond on Bandcamp Here:

https://themcrew.bandcamp.com/album/t-h-e-m-from-beyond-ep

VIDEOS

T.H.E.M. Live Performance - EP50 05:21 Official

Official 05:21 Sofa Chat EP38 - T.H.E.M.