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

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Outside The Box by T.H.E.M.

 

Outside The Box

By

T.H.E.M

 

Outside the Box is the long awaited and highly anticipated debut album from Burnley crew T.H.E.M. As I noted back in December 2022 when I reviewed the digital EP release ‘From Beyond’, this album was originally going to be a double album but, constraints led the guys to scale things back to a single album with From Beyond being made up of those tracks not to make the album.

Fast forward to now and the album release is immanent and let’s not keep you hanging so, I’m not gonna waffle here and take you straight into what T.H.E.M aka Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes, have to offer us with Outside the box…

 

The album kicks off in style with the upbeat, Seek the Northerner produced, Monsters. Drums, bass, keys, horns and some deft cuts from DJ Woody, all combine to give the kinda head nod, body moving Hip Hop sound you can’t help but, move to. This one see’s the guys showing exactly what they are all about with the kinda lyrical displays that simply takes your breath away and sets up the tone of the album perfectly. Next up is Running which is produced by Lomax and features Wordsmiff Flip. With drums pounding, bass and strings melt into the vibe to keep your head nodding. Here the struggles and strains of life combine as the guys look at how things can cause you to lose touch with reality and who you are, your true self. But you can’t escape that side of you, try as you might, you can run as far as your legs will take you but, you will never outrun yourself, you are always there, in some way, shape and form, ready for the day you are ready to be your true self once more.

The pounding of drums, piano and cymbals draw you into Below Zero, produced by Bruva Smokes. Fear is the idea that immediately trust into your awareness and there is a brief thought in your mind that questions what’s coming. At first you feel you’re being drawn into some dark and depraved nightmare situation where the guys describe how their actions install fear into those who inhabit the darkness but, the more you listen, the more you realise it is all just a play on words because their words are the weapons and the only ones who need to fear anything are those who step up and think they are better that T.H.E.M. You can leave the darkness behind as drums and horns, courtesy of production from Seek, pour light on things with a huge upbeat vibe that switches up the adrenaline levels all the way on The Sting. The guys are joined by UK Hip Hop legend, Blade for a track that hits like you’re running butt naked through a field of stinging nettles. Every line, simile, metaphor hits multiple times on different levels, while the stories from back in the day; talk of inspirations and the more personal notes leave you wondering which way to turn, while the stings never relent. There is almost too much try and pick apart here so just listen and enjoy this display of the art of rap. Million Degrees is next, produced by Lomax, this one is a heavy drum pounding, button pushing sound with a dash of razor-edged cuts, all of which has a nerve tweaking edge at times, especially with the high-pitched violin sound. It all seems to seep into the very core of your being, making you vibrate from the inside out. The guys raise the temperature on this one for the streets. Dropping lines that are so hot they blow every thermometer you can try and use to measure the heat this one is pumping out. This one is so hot it might just melt you’re mind from the inside out…

Drums and a mariachi guitar, with good dash of cuts, are the musical foundation for Lost Cause, giving you this upbeat sound from Seek that is so infectious, I dare you not to nod your head to this. T.H.E.M are joined by the legendary figure of Chester P to examine just what is the definition of a lost cause. Lots of food for thought here as the energy and the words flood your mind to the brim, making you wonder what a lost cause might be as you look around. There is even a faint thought that filters in making you wonder if there is anything you do that might be considered a lost cause. Loop Da Loop is up next, produced by Karlow, has a pounding beat over some chilled guitars, with some etheric vocals sounds and cuts all mixed in giving this a head nod vibe with a thoughtful edge. This one brought many things to mind as I listened from a basis of what goes around comes around, to the battle many of us have within our own minds and even battling the system but, none of these seemed to stick and then I wondered “Is that what the guys were aiming at here”, getting you to loop da loop in your own mind by going round and round never quite certain of the real focus? The album’s title track is up next, Outside The Box is produced by Seek and features AMOS. With horns, bass and drums, this one has cracking funk vibe to it. Here, it’s all about spinning intricate lyrical lines around and about things that are not just outside the box but, there are some you might be so far outside the box as to be too much to touch. This one has your mind spinning and doing back flips as you nod and move along to the sound, and by the end of this you’ll be thinking “Who needs a box anyway” this is Hip Hop.

Moving to the penultimate track, Milltown Flex, it’s produced by Lomax and has this big sound of strings, drums and bass, which gives this one a Hip Hop soundtrack vibe. It’s time for the guys to get everyone up on their feet as they each demonstrate the pure quality of their lyricism, proving that they are not just at the top of their game but, that there is always another level to strive to reach. Once you gotta rep, it’s all about keeping it and continually honing those skills and keeping yourselves sharp and authentic. The track also ends with some slick cuts from DJ Musicarl, who also provides cuts for all except the opening track of the album. The final track of the album is What We Do! Production comes from Sidefx and it features Ken Masters alongside T.H.E.M. There is this orchestral backing to the drum beat that gives this an extra dimension as the piano element seems to echo all around you. There will be no encore here as this is a supreme display of how to end an album as everyone gives a solid lyrical display of their rap skills, which all says one thing loud and clear, this is Hip Hop and this is What We Do!

 

I’m not sure exactly where to start here but, it’s not often that an album comes along that is not only a breath of fresh air but, also completely takes your breath away, Outside The Box does exactly that and more. There is an element here that makes you think that even if you have heard the EP, listened to the live segment and sofa chat on 05:21, that nothing can really prepare you for this album. I mean, what T.H.E.M. have done here is to embody the essence of real Hip Hop but, with their own stamp well and truly on it.

Outside The Box has everything I love about that real Hip Hop vibe. From start to finish it grabs your attention and holds non-stop, with ten tracks that are all three minutes plus, which really gives you time to get into the tracks and to properly feel them. I’m not saying that sub-three minute tracks don’t deliver but, they do always leave me wanting more and that is one thing you are not gonna get with this album, except maybe once it ends that is…

It really is difficult to fully explain what is so good about this album but, I’ll try and at least give you an insight. Musically the production is exactly what you would want from a Hip Hop album. Every track has the kinda vibe that makes your body wanna move. There is energy here that doesn’t let up across the entire album. Seek The Northerner, Karlow, Lomax and Bruva Smokes all show they have the skills to produce cracking instrumentals as well as the kind of lyrical skills that so many wish they had. These guys might all have their own unique styles and sound but, they also completely complement each other as well, which in a crew like this, is invaluable.

It is also worth noting their careful choice of guests for the album all of whom, fit exactly into place on the album adding extra depth and another layer of polish to an already finely polished album. It’s not just the legendary guests that might peak your interest here. There is also a legendary figure behind the scenes too as No Sleep Nigel, who has been the engineer behind many classic UK Hip Hop tracks over the years,  handles the mixing and mastering of the album, what more could you want right…

What you do realise, by the end of the album, is that collectively and individually, these four guys have the talent and the passion to deliver some of the most intelligent and exciting underground Hip Hop music around today. For me, T.H.E.M. have well and truly nailed what it is to be unique and authentic but, still have the foundation of what they do rooted in what true Hip Hop is, with banging beats and vocals that can easily tackle emotive personal stories, right through to those just for the street or those to rock any party.

Outside The Box lifts that underground Hip Hop sound out of the box and plants it where it needs to be, in a place where anything and everything is possible, and nothing is impossible. This is one you just should not miss and yeah, it really is that good so, nuff said…

My humble thanks to Seek The Northerner for sending this my way and to the whole crew for having the faith in my writing.

The album is released tomorrow,1^st April, through Northentic Records and be sure to check the official album launch party on Sunday 21^st May at the Camden Club, London. It’s gonna be some night, hosted by the one and only Blade and with T.H.E.M. and whole host of guests from 4:30pm to midnight, check the link below for tickets.

Time for me to be outta here,

See ya,

Steve

LINKS

T.H.E.M. on Bandcamp Here:

https://themcrew.bandcamp.com/music

Northentic Records on Bandcamp Here:

https://northenticrecords.bandcamp.com/music

Album Launch Party ticket link Here:

https://shoobs.com/events/79534/northenic-records-feat-them-outside-the-box-album-launch-party?fbclid=IwAR2-xDH9VN8Unwd5HBbkVuLKJCShFn2n4xe1d8hI7gMtymPIbgUU3PshI-8

 Northentic Records YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@NORTHENTICRECORDS/featured