Album Review: Antarctica 2: Hollow Earth

 

Antarctica 2 – Hollow Earth

By

Sicarii & Wolf T. Calzone’

 

It was a few months back that Wolf T. Calzone’ and Sicarii first came to my attention on the album Iron Curtain by Myalansky, which was produced by Wolf T. Calzone’ and featured Sicarii. That album also had features from CISE and Haylo Da G.O.D, who also feature here as well.

Now I am always intrigued by music that references subject matter that I have an interest in. Having an interest in subjects such as Ufology, you invariably come upon things like, the Hollow Earth theory and more, so this one definitely captured my attention. Antarctica 2 – Hollow Earth, Released in March 2026, is a follow up to 2022’s Antarctica which Sicarii released alongside producer Danny Caiazzo.

Even reading some of the track titles, from both albums, there is a definite esoteric theme running through and it will be interesting to see what this all brings up.

So, let’s get straight into it…

We begin our journey with the Intro, this sets up the tone of the album with hints of the ancient cultures who have stories of a world within the earth where an advanced race flourished. The sound is laid-back and carries you into the album with a hint of mysticism. From there we advance forward to Speaking Rhetorically, here piano notes hit as heavy as the beat while occasional vocal sounds keep you from going too deep by screaming you back to reality. The title of this one is not lost on me as the cleaver wordplay seems to invite you to look beyond superficial and to dig deeper. It has this air about it that says there is more to life, you just need to look in the right place and educate yourself. With that thought in mind we progress to the High Evolutionary. Here heavy drums and guitar notes get your body moving and your head nodding. This one seems to explore the darker side of human nature, which feels juxtaposed to title of the track. There is also another thought this brings to mind, which is the idea that being exposed to things of a higher evolutionary nature can cause those who are not ready to understand, to spiral one way or the other.

VantaBlack 2 brings a heavy sound that mixes with vocal samples and sounds that have a middle eastern vibe, giving this one a sound that invites the whole body to move. This one appears to continue the theme of the darker side of things, but here it more focused on the darker side of what goes on around us, from wars to how clandestine agencies operate. VantaBlack is the darkest material know to exist. A coating of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes that absorb 99.965% of visible light. Strategems drops with banging beat backed by a nerve-jangling electronic sound and some classic vocal samples that get you bouncing. This one is a mind-bending display of complex wordplay and lyricism that has you questioning exactly where this one is taking you. Just when you think you have is worked out, Sicarii spins you off in another direction once more, making you rethink things over and over again. The sound of Basuco has a more reggae vibe to it giving you a moment to sit back and let the words float by. This one takes you off into the world of drugs and what they can destroy within you, while giving you that uplifting feel you crave. For anyone not aware Basuco is the name for a low-grade of cocaine, especially when it is mixed with tobacco and cannabis.

Parliament of Trees mixes piano notes with a heavy drumbeat. This one gets your head nodding while the lyrics hit you full on. What struck me about this one was what it said to me as I listened. There was this distinct feeling that the parliament of trees are those with fixed opinions and fixed ideas, never willing to look beyond what is right in front of them or question the very nature of the reality they live in. Here its about being fluid, filling yourself with knowledge. Those who stay fixed will be the ones who lead us towards a fate that could reset life. Cise features on Rot in Purgatory alongside Sicarii. The sound here has horns, cuts, and the type of drumbeat that is strangely infectious, making you grin and nod you head along. This one is a solid display of lyricism from both emcees that gives you a moment just to enjoy things. There are still elements that touch on the metaphysical, giving you the occasional pause for thought as you catch them. From purgatory we escape to Mega City 2 where the sound has a jazzy edge to it with horns and guitars over a more chilled drumbeat. Here Sicarii spins words that have the effect of making question the reality of what you’re hearing and looking somewhat differently at the reality you are living in, in the moment…

Humanoids Interlude brings a sound that spins a heavy drumbeat with guitar notes and vocal samples to brings a vibe that has an eerie edge to it. The sampled vocals here are of an interview where the woman involved describes humanoids who are based under the Antarctic ice. I have come across these stories before and they are the things let you open your mind, just a little, to what is actually going on in Antarctica. A place where around 30 countries govern under the 1959 Antarctica Treaty System which prohibits military activity, mining, nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal. Haylo Da G.O.D joins Sicarii for Ouroboros where bass guitar draws us in before beat hits with an eerie mix of keys, horns and vocal samples giving this one a thoughtful tone. This one might take a few listens, but the more you listen, the more you realise that this one is all about cycles and unity. When you fully unite with something, the whole becomes stronger. Such as the cycle of life and this is where the title comes in as Ouroboros (Uroboros) is an ancient symbol depicting a snake or dragon eating its own tail, symbolising life, death and rebirth. Vespas hits with a heavy beat and big horns that give this one a vibe that has that soundtrack feel running through it but still hits hard. Try as I might I could not track down the movie sample used here, but that is not going to take away from this. This one hits with more than a hint of that rap braggadocio as Sicarii drops bar after bat that demonstrates why he is at the top of his game right now.

Khonshu has a pounding beat with keys and guitar elements that hits your ears with the force of an explosive soundwave. There is a sense of duality within this one, someone wrestling with a conscience or higher guiding power. This experience causes you to go from one extreme to the next as look to understand, control, or work with what is happening. Khonshu is based on the Egyptian god of the moon, time, and vengeance, Khonsu. Khonshu is the name used with in Marvel comics as the guiding force behind the character Moon Knight. The album’s penultimate track is Maelstrom; the sound is heavy with strings that give this one a lighter tone and slightly more upbeat. The essence of this one is the turmoil that exists within our own societies and even within the circles that examine conspiracies and so one. The turmoil exists as there will always be beliefs that counter each other, even in spite of the evidence that exists one way or the other. The album ends with Apostrophe with features Brian Butler on guitar. The beat, flute and guitar give this one a vibe that provokes a sense of reflectiveness. This one really made me think and what it really spoke to me was the use of Apostrophe. The origin of the word comes from the French for elision or suppression, and that really sticks out here. The suppression of the truth both in the present and the suppression of historical truths too. So much of the truth has been suppressed over time that most look on those truths as myth or legend rather that what they really represent, and that may well relate to the truth of what is going on in Antarctica and why it is kept protected.

What strikes you immediately is the depth and complex nature of Sicarii’s wordplay and lyricism. What he does with his words leads the listener on a search for the truth, the truth of what you are hearing. So, many will listen and think that every track is fire and hits hard, but they will not truly understand exactly what is being said. Fewer will here this and want to listen deeper so that they can grasp the essence of what is said, while still fewer will listen and immediately realise that there is more to those words and want to understand.

It is the shear complex nature of Sicarii’s words also reflect the complex nature of stories and conspiracy theories that surround subject matter such as Antarctica and the whole Hollow Earth theory. I could deep dive here into the stories of Admiral Byrd, Nazi Bases, UFOs and more but, we would be here for ever. Sicarii has taken those stories and merged them with his craft to bring you an album that does not just look at Antarctica, but also looks at human nature, society and how truth and lies are so intertwined in everyday life that we need to be careful what we take as truth and be open to anything that might reflect the real truth behind what we see and hear. The fact that Sicarii does not shy away from looking at the more esoteric subjects is all power to him for shining a light on what most people immediately dismiss.

Wolf T. Calzone does such a great job of mixing banging Hip Hop beats with a wealth of sounds that create some intense sound scapes that perfectly reflect the intricate nature of what Sicarii is putting across and how that mirrors what happens in the world around us. This deep-rooted sound helps bring the enjoyment from the album but, also gives us the depth needed to open our minds to the nature of what the words bring.

CISE and Haylo Da G.O.D. bring their own lyrical prowess to proceedings, and this just compliments the album and does not over complicate things with too many feature verses.

My advice here is for you to go have a listen and see where the story telling takes you.

I have to give huge thanks, once again, to the man John Dugen, JD Hip Hop Reviews for sending this one my way. Big up my man.

Antarctica 2: Hollow Earth is available now through Bella Ciao Records.

 

Be seeing you again,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy here:

https://sicariiarafat.bandcamp.com/album/a2-hollow-earth

Sicarii on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/sicariilastarchon/

Wolf T. Calzone' on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/wolf_calzone/

Bella Ciao Records:

https://www.instagram.com/bella_ciao_records/

https://www.youtube.com/@fgivoriginalart

VIDEOS

Vespas

Album Review: Firework Factory by Kemastry X Harvs Le Toad

 

Firework Factory

By

Kemastry X Harvs Le Toad

 

It is a pleasure to have Kemastry back on the blog with his recent album release Firework Factory alongside London based Harvs Le Toad. This was released back at the end of February and one I have to apologise for taking the time to get to.

Now, with everything that is going on personally, I have not had the time to pull together the usual research I do, so apologies to Harvs Le Toad for not dropping a bit more about him here. Kemastry has featured on the blog before with the powerful Revolutionary which was alongside producer King Boyden, so you can read a bit more about Kemastry there. As for this album I thought I would let Kemastry’s own words about the album give you a little sneek peek before I deep dive myself. So, he notes the following:

“Firework Factory is a story of destruction. We started creating it in Brighton before the project had a name or purpose but after I had beat a psychological and emotional retreat from the seaside town over 5 years ago. Most of it was written in London to a backdrop of self-inflicted chaos that I consistently found myself so immersed in. As with most of my music it's a story of addiction, heartbreak and dreams but I think the difference this time is I was really trying to understand the cycles of carnage as a means to find ways to escape them. Whether I achieved that or not you’ll have to listen and decide for yourselves. I'm immensely proud of this project and it's really special to me so all your support is greatly appreciated. Ladies and Gentleman coming to a digital mind control device near you....

Firework Factory”

If that didn’t give you enough to think about, join me as I bring you my insights into Firework Factory…

 

It begins with Lovesick which features sax from BNMO. This one has a sound that has a LoFi edge to it, but the sax adds this jazzy undertone, at points. The sounds just makes you focus on Kemastry’s vocals which are almost spoken word. As we sit beside him, we find a man in reflection, thinking of a life of struggles, hard choices, anger, self-destruction, and how he treated those around him. He sits in this space as love has finally found him but, walked away and he finally realises what love means and how it makes him question everything in pursuit of its return. With those thoughts hitting home, we move on to Freak Show, which features Young 40 and bass from Chris Richards, and production comes from Harvs Le Toad and Pitch 92. The sound on this one has chilled beat with guitar elements and keys giving a vibe that is emotive, making you want to close your eyes and just soak it up. There is a feeling here that this one speaks on way we so often repeat the same mistakes over and over, not truly understanding what we are doing until the day we finally see the truth and step out of that freak show. Already with so much to think about, Autopsy brings an appearance from Jazz T, the beat has this head nod edge to it and the acoustic guitar gives it a subtle mariachi vibe. Kemastry’s vocals have harder edge, picking up the pace too. There is a feeling inside, as you listen, that this one is speaking on how easy it is to just conform and be ‘normal’ and do what is expected, the minute you step away from that, they try to pick you apart and wonder why you are doing what is expected. It is a struggle to step outside of what is seen as normal, and this is what many of us face as we seem to be our true selves, for our true selves do not conform to everyday normality.

All Breaks No Gas has production from Harvs Le Toad and Allen Keys, plus bass from Chris Richards, alongside keys and drums that all come together to give this one a sound has a funk soul vibe and more, drawing you in and getting you moving, almost unconsciously. The way this one spoke to me was feeling like you have no energy left, everything is forcing you to stop and yet you keep going somehow. You realise you need to get away, recharge and remember who you truly are, but the daily grind keeps you in this constant state of purgatory, neither one place nor the next, like a battery that won’t charge above 20 percent. Next up is the albums title track Firework Factory. This one features sax by BNMO and harp from Szofia Rosza. This one has a soulful LoFi sound that brings an emotive vibe with it. Mixing rapped vocals and spoken word, Kemastry brings us a deeply touching track which looks at the explosive moments of light and colour which are created amidst the dark days, as we walk the path of life. These are the moments that can change our direction as we understand the outcomes of difficult decisions and wrong doings. These moments of clarity, understanding and learning ultimately shine a light on new directions for our paths. Wasp Hurricane features King Kashmere alongside Kemastry while Harvs Le Toad brings us a sound that hits harder with a proper boom bap vibe. This one makes you think, am I sitting here in the eye of the storm or am I the storm looking around me at where I’ve been and where I’m going? Perhaps we have elements of both here or maybe it’s more than that as the storm is all in the mind, and everything else is just a reflection of what is seen through that filter. We are complex beings and our experiences are all individual and how our lived experience affects our lives colours our perception of life around us, at times it is a storm but, one we ultimately control.

Flood Gates brings the sound back to a more laid-back vibe with elements that seem to tweak the nerves just a little. This one spoke to me on many levels as I know how overwhelming thoughts can be, and there are times when you just have to let it out, write it down, get it out in some way. If you don’t and you hold onto it, these thoughts will consume you and take you down a dark path. Especially when the world you see is such a tumultuous place, where you constantly seem to be beaten down and nothing seems real. From those deep thoughts, Still brings a sound that seems to lighten the mood somewhat. A solid drumbeat is backed with xylophone notes, bass and more that has a vibe that promotes a more optimistic outlook. That optimistic vibe is reflected in the lyrics, which have a reflective air to them. You get this feeling that the hardships and struggles might still be going on but actually, there are reasons to look on the Brightside and there are glimpses of blue skies beyond grey clouds and rain. Lavenders Interlude has a nice head nod vibe with keys and bass elements that give this one an infectious sound that gets the adrenaline flowing slightly. At first you might wonder exactly where this one is going but, keep listening and you realise that this one is all about shattered relationships. Those relationships could be with a significant other or perhaps a relationship with an addiction of a different type. These addictive and destructive relationships constantly cause to go round in the same circle, making the same mistakes, before that one day when we finally break the loop and let go…

Shrapnel features Jack Danz and DatKid alongside Kemastry as Harvs Le Toad drops a heavy beat with organ and flute notes that brings a sound that has you sitting back like you just inhaled something potent, while samples from Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas drift into your awareness. At first, you might be mistaken for thinking this one is an explosion of lyricism with words as the shrapnel, but it is so much more than that and seems to continue the focus on addiction, particularly the effects of drug addiction, and not just the effects on addicted, but also how those who supply are addicted to supplying it and making money. I might be wrong, but that seemed to be what I saw within this. Indigo Man has sax from BNMO and features Verbz and additional vocals from Olympia Vitalis. The organ notes and laid-back beat give this one a LoFi edge, although there are harder sections and sax elements which each bring different vibes along the way. There is a reflective side to this one too, which becomes apparent when the lyrics hit. It reflects on experiences that brought you to this point but, also personal thoughts and feelings on how the world around plays a part in the point where you currently find yourself. There is good and bad along the way all contributing to your thoughts about the self, who you truly are, and where that might take you. It’s Not My Fault has a sound where keys take the forefront giving this a thoughtful air. More of a spoken word vibe this one speaks on a difficult relationship break-up. This is like one man sitting down, speaking candidly of the situation, from the deeply cutting harsh words to understanding that it was never always this way. The ultimate message here seems to be that no one is willing to take any responsibility for their own actions and so there is no hope of reconciliation because there is no understanding of what changed and what caused the breakdown in communication. It is also worth noting that there is a heavy sound in the background, and if you are listening on headphones, might make you pause because its sounds like it came from the environment around you and not the track. This could even be an unconscious reflection of the message in the track, something that makes you second guess, think again on what is happening and what the causes might be…

We find ourselves at the penultimate track of the album Jezebels and Jellybeans, which is produced by Harvs Le Toad and Illiterate, and features Mazey June. The organ notes and heavy beat gives this one a soulful edge, especially with Mazey’s soulful vocals. You can’t help but, subtly move to as you listen. Listening to this one almost feels like a reflection on what has gone before, and in a way it is. Kemastry invites us to look at the perceived flaws we see around us in society, and to look for the perfection in those flaws. The things we see as hurting us, damaging us and so on, always have something to teach us, and learning from these things is the perfection we need to understand. You just have to listen to the lyrics to truly understand and feel what is contained within. I would also echo something else he says, “music saved my life”, this is a statement that I feel is so important. Music has the power to many things, most importantly it can change our mood and energy, use it in the right way and it can change your life. I have felt this many times myself and can honestly say that I would not be the person I am today without the impact music has had. Finally, we reach the final track of the album, Everything Baegyal which features sax by BNMO and additional keys from Allen Keys. The sound on this one is one that will make you want to kick back, close your eyes and just drift off. As you listen the soulful sound merge with the lyrics to create images in your mind, images that elicit thoughts of why we do the things we do. Life gives us so many opportunities and different paths to follow, and so many times our impulsive decisions cause us to think again. Maybe the message here is not to question why, but just accept it, let go of the second guessing as it brings to much with it and we spend more time in those thoughts…

Let’s not beat around the bush with this one because the impact and deep nature of Firework Factory is huge. This is not one of those albums you can just bung on and enjoy, this one will make you think, regardless. It almost demands your undivided attention because it speaks on so many levels.

You could say that Kemastry and Harvs Le Toad have created a detailed audible map on what it is to create those moments of explosive light in the moments of darkness. However, it is more than just that through lived experience, skilled lyricism and skilled production, they have created an album that both shows you the darkness in society and within and then teases how to go about looking for cracks in that darkness. Inviting you to look deeper inside because most of the answers are there. Just have to be prepared to look.

What I especially like here is that Harvs Le Toad has created a sound scape across the album, that appears to be juxtaposed to the lyrics. Kemastry delivers some deeply thought-provoking lyricism that is often hard hitting and at other times almost caring and emotive. You might think the lyrics and the messages they carry demand a harder rawer sound to carry them, but that is not the case here as Harvs Le Toad brings a softer more emotive sound that works just as well, allowing the words to carry more impact. Something which works so well here.

There is no denying that Kemastry puts a lot into the wordplay he uses. The bars often catch you off guard and elicit an impact on your awareness that you were not expecting. Every track here has a deep insightful edge to it that you really have to listen to, and even if you just put it on, not thinking, it won’t take long before you find yourself immersed into each track, and thinking far beyond just enjoying the sound.

The guest artists all do a solid job of complimenting the vibe of the album and individual tracks. Nowhere do they seem out of place and add another dimension to the proceedings. Likewise, the use of guest musicians is masterful as the sound of live instruments adds a deeper dimension to the sound that you can’t get in any other way.

Overall, Firework Factory will entertain, captivate, and give you pause for thought. It is one of the most insightful and impactful albums I have heard this year and will definitely be one of the standout albums of the year on many levels.

My huge thanks to Kemastry for putting this one my way.

Firework Factory is out now and well worth your time to check out.

 

Be seeing ya.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy here:

https://kemastry.bandcamp.com/album/firework-factory

Firework Factory Streaming:

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kemastryharvsletoad/firework-factory?ref=release

Socials:

Kemastry:

https://www.instagram.com/donald_surfaces/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/kemastry

Harvs Le Toad:

https://www.instagram.com/harvsletoad/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/captainharvs

VIDEOS

All Breaks No Gas

Firework Factory

 

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Righteous and Rich by Saint Jude and Mark L

 

Righteous and Rich

By

Saint Jude & Mark L

 

A little while back I was contacted by UK producer Mark L regarding reviewing his recent EP Saints Without A Church with London based lyricist Saint Jude. This EP was a cracking listen but, sadly I did not get around to reviewing it due to the tumultuous storm that is life right now. So, when he sent me their forthcoming album Righteous and Rich, I knew I had to get this one on the blog.

Mark L is originally from Cwmbran Wales, but now calls Southampton his home, and you all know I like to get Southampton based Hip Hop on the blog when I can as it was my birthplace and it’s always good to connect with your home.

The album is centred on a core philosophy of "Can you live with two masters, the gospel and the grind?" It explores the friction between spiritual alignment and the hustle of daily survival. The sound promises to be a modern gospel inspired vibe, so it will be interesting to see how this one speaks to me.

Without further ado, let’s get into it…

  

The ten-track album kicks off with the title track Righteous and Rich, which features Southampton legend Jonathan Fashole-luke on the keys. The sound brings that gospel vibe from the start with soft etheric vocals underpinning the beat which is backed by keys and organ notes which give this one a thoughtful edge. As you listen, you realise there is a conflict of emotions here, even a conflict of the spirit as the question is posed that can you both righteous and rich? In a world where most of the rich seem to have their fingers in dark pies or made their money from the exploitation of others; while the righteous among us always seem to struggle to make ends meet, as it seems that being right and focusing on a spiritual outlook does not make you rich, in a monetary sense. Perhaps the question is answered here already as being rich in your spirit takes you to a level that money never can. With that thought rooted in our awareness, Move This Pack drops with a sound that mixes a drumbeat with piano, organ and more to bring a vibe that takes you a place that brings the daily grind into focus. This one looks at struggles of a working life mixed with trying to keep yourself focused on giving your family a good life while doing your best to be who you are not crumple in a heap while doing it. Life throws so much at us, in terms of the food we eat and help we receive, or don’t, that just living is a job in itself and keeping a work/life balance is tough. Filthy Rich has a sound that mixes organ vibes and a sharper drum sound, alongside some cut up horn sections. The overall sound is light but, the lyrics have an edge that seems to speak on the light-hearted nature of someone speaking on making their money in ways that makes that money as filthy as ways in which it was made. This is the sad truth that some treat making money and getting rich like a game, where even murder is treated as just one of those things, a stepping stone on the way to becoming rich.

The Break Up has a darker edge to both the sound and lyrics. The sound plays with your mind while the lyrics seem to speak from one mans thoughts of life and the things that he has to do. This goes beyond just that to his thoughts on how his relationship breaks up and how the events around that situation hit hard and cause him to question everything. The thing is, by the end of the track you are left with just his thoughts and what he said about everything, with just one version of events it is hard to find a balance wonder about all the things that triggered this, who was right and who was wrong. Ja Blood has a sound that brings in a more relaxed beat, but with this sung element that puts you in mind of part of your soul screaming out. There is a sense of turmoil within this one as it looks at the fabric of society, questioning everything as if someone is having a sudden awakening and looking at the everything, suddenly unable to understand who is right and who is wrong, and their own status within this. MSB, which stands for Mind Soul Body, comes with a heavy beat mixed with piano and strings, giving this a sound that has a head nod vibe, getting you moving as the lyrics seem to float into your awareness. This one has an air that suggests that it all about being yourself, free from what anyone expects, free to be who you are and free to think and speak on what comes from within, event if that goes against the societal norm. The mind, soul and body are yours and you should not let anyone take them from you.

Testify has a far more chilled jazzy vibe to it, something that gives it a more uplifting sound. This is a short track but, says a lot in that time as it says that life as an ordinary person should not be so tough, something that we can all agree with. No matter your spiritual outlook on life, the daily grind is hard, as there is no balance in our work/life. Everything is a struggle just to survive and somehow, we do our best to stay positive and look to a brighter future. The Bullet brings a sound that almost softens the beat to the background as xylophone notes and sung vocal elements take to the forefront giving this an air of reflection. Here we are back to the daily grind of life and the struggles that ensue with each step we take. But there is also an element here that looks toward creating balance and finding a brighter way to navigate the gritty aspects of everyday life.

We come to the penultimate track of the album with The Sitcom, where bass notes, flute, strings and more back a more chilled beat, giving this thoughtful air. This one seems to be all about making the best of a difficult situation. There are always times in life where you think, with everything going on, you couldn’t write this! Life never seems to reflect the fun times we see on the TV screens in those popular sitcoms, but we still do our best to bring some light-heartedness into our lives, even though there are times when it seems like nothing will take away the pain or clear the clouds from the sky. The album ends with Father Time where the piano notes and sung elements, bring a sound that lightens our thoughts and gives the sense of a light at the end of the tunnel. The lyrics reflect this outlook too, with uplifting vibes that put you in mind of brighter days, summer times vibes and enjoying life once more. Time might pass us by as we walk the path of daily life, but as we walk that path, father time eventually brings us sunshine and clear skies, where we can breathe again and smile…

 

What you notice about this album is that it looks at a number of aspects of daily life, such as the daily grind or hustle, inner turmoil, and then how it affects us and our relationships, but deeper than that it looks at whether you can function in this way but, still have a spiritual aspect. The interesting thing is, as I pointed out above, that the overall question this album poses, is almost fully answered in the first track. Now, I might have got that impression from the fact that life is not being particularly kind to me and my family right now, but as low as these situations make us, there is always these little reminders that pop up to remind us that clearer skies are coming. Now, your own religious or spiritual beliefs might change how you see the messages but, they are there, and that is why I think, if you read between the lines, that answer is there for you.

Once you have the answer, the album then choses to show you everything that can impact your life, almost reinforcing that through all the hardships and struggles, there is one thing that will never change, and that is the fact that you can always tip the balance by belief in a higher power, be that God, The Universe, or whatever you belief system shows you.

Saint Jude and Mark L do not shy away from mixing gritty visions of daily life and personal struggles with inspirational and uplifting quotes that give you a sense that brighter days are ahead. There is also this feeling that its not always easy and at times you will feel like there is no end to things but, ultimately, the skies will clear once more.

Saint Jude brings tight wordplay and differing flows and his own lived experience to give you auditory visions that allow you to draw on your own experiences by triggering your mind to look at what you are hearing and then, almost instantly, flicking to what personal experiences closely match that. Which is something that helps the listener when going deep into an album such as this. That wordplay is helped by the skilled production from Mark L who mixes Hip Hop and other vibes with that Gospel sound to bring a sound that has a fresh air to it but also speaks to a deeper spiritual side of you as well.

Righteous and Rich is one of those albums that will speak to so many. It will show you that having a belief in a higher power can not only bring you that sense of righteousness but also make you rich far beyond what money can bring. That is not to say that you don’t need money, but it has its place and coming from a place of being rich on the inside will help you see the place of external richness.

Righteous and Rich is released on 29^th June.

My humble thanks to Mark L for sending this one my way and giving me the chance to bring you my personal take on it.

 

I’ll be seeing ya.

Steve.

LINKS

Saint Jude and Mark L Bandcamp (Check here for the drop on 29th):

https://saintjudemarkl.bandcamp.com/music

Saint Jude and Mark L on Instagram:

https://saintjudemarkl.bandcamp.com/music

Saint Jude and Mark L YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@SaintJudeMarkL

VIDEOS

Righteous and Rich Promo

 

 

 

Album Review: Neither Collar Nor Crown by Vagrant Real Estate

 

Neither Collar Nor Crown

By

Vagrant Real Estate

 

Neither Collar Nor Crown is the new album from Aberdonian producer Vagrant Real Estate. He has been dropping albums since 2017, is part of the UK Crew It’sLeftField, and with this latest album focuses on Scottish artisty past and present, drawing on diverse sounds including Scottish folk, Traditional and Gaelic, alongside Gospel/R&B and live brass sounds. The album also features lyricism in both English and Gaelic, plus elements of choir and spoken word.

The album features twenty-five artists all in, with names such as Jackill, Bemz, and Globally renowned folk singer Iona Fyfe all featuring on an album that promises to stand as one of the essential Scottish Hip Hop projects.

This album was originally released back in November 2025, so there is a reasonable chance that some of you may have heard this already. However, for those of you that have not, I have just set the scene here and given you a lot to anticipate.

So, as I’m dying to get into this one, let’s get into it…

 

It all kicks off with a short little intro, At The Edge Of The World, a little sample that seems to have been taken from an old public information film about Scotland, just to draw you in. The first track is Go With The Flow which features Jackill, Katherine Aly, AiiTee, Florence Jack and Danny Cliff on vocal duties. The sound on this one mixes a nice head nod beat with strings, harp elements and a sung chorus that give this one a sound that you can easily drift off to. As you listen to the rap vocals and sung elements, there is a very reflective edge to this one. You get the sense that it’s all about looking back to see how far you’ve come to get to where you are now. Just going with the flow has made you who you are, but there is also the hope that continuing with the flow of life will finally help you to know true freedom from the struggles that life puts before you. HOTB is up next and features Jackill, Madhat McGore and DJ Fak of Dope Inc. Cuts, a dope beat, guitar elements and choir sounds, all mesh together to bring a sound that feel from the inside out. I might be mistaken here but, HOTB appears to stand for Home Of The Brave. There is a deep aspect to this one that refers to country of Scotland and what it means to make it your home. You can feel the passion they have for their home country, its music and so much more. There has been a lot of negative and racist comments, and such aimed at Scotland and Scottish artists over the years, and you also get the sense that this is aimed at setting the record straight, showing that Scottish artist have a lot to offer on the Hip Hop scene and beyond. Public Health Announcement is a short instrumental aural pallet cleanser that has a heavy pounding beat with a little comical aside. It seems to be bridging you into the next part of the album.

Easy Now features Jackill, Paque, Symi Nemesis and Kid Pro Quo, on the cut, and has a sound that mixes a pounding beat with flute and horns to give this one a folk edge to the sound. There is this vibe here that seems to bridge styles in the vocals as well as in the music. Here we have four artists with different styles, where spoken word and high paced rap are book ended with more classic rap styles. This is a cracking demonstration of different wordplay and delivery that shows you can easily mix them together without losing impact. Feeches features Jackill, Pro Focus, Kryptik (who has featured on the blog before), Mog and Jinx. Here piano notes take the forefront with etheric vocal samples, while the beat takes a step back, creating a sound that gets your head nodding in a different way while allowing the vocals to stand clear. This one seems to take us on a blistering trip around Scotland with various stories giving us an insight into life. As you focus on what’s being said, you find yourself associating with some, while others give you pause for thought. NMIL features Bemz and Sorley Mackay of DOSS. Guitar vibes grip us from the get-go, the beat drops in and gets you bouncing, both elements almost being at odds with each other. There is a very real uplifting energy to this one, as you listen you get this sense of looking back at the ups and downs of life and those who helped you along the way. It makes you think that no matter how hard things get, you make it to where you want to be. It just takes strength and sometimes that comes from within, while other times it comes from the outstretched hand of a friend.

In Finzean features appearances from FiDa and Fiona Soe Paing, the sound has a very folk driven sound that has a very calming vibe to it with what sounds like more traditional instruments and etheric vocals, which feel like there is a mix of English and Gaelic. Listening, you can’t help but, let your mind fly to Finzean, a rural community in Birse, Aberdeenshire. The former Ecclesiastical parish is known for its historical significance as the subject of many paintings by Joseph Farquharson, whose family owned the Finzean estate. It is also an area recognised for its natural beauty as well. The perfect inspiration for this piece. After that little aside, it’s back to the Hip Hop with All I want, where guitar notes hit alongside the head nod beat. Vocals come from Jackill and Chef The Rapper who give us words with a reflective edge, looking at lived experiences that show the struggles they have experienced on the path of life. As you listen you realise that these experiences are not too dissimilar from your own, giving this one and edge that hits a little too close to home and giving you plenty to think about. Next up is a track, that in English translates to Elm or Elmwood which a species of tree common to the region, but in Scottish Gaelic is Leamhain. It features vocals from Jackill and Chris Greive on trombone, over a sound that has horns, keys and a heavy beat, giving this one a deeply personal edge. The vocals reflect that as this feels like Jackill taking stock of life and detailing the moments that define who he is. What occurs to me here is that if we think of life, you might feel like you can’t separate the wood from the trees? But, Jackill selects each tree carefully from the forest of moments he can choose from, those that stand that little bit taller, are more stout, or whose roots go a little deeper, those are the ones that stick out bring key moments to mind, and the same can be said of anyone reflecting on life.

This Is How We Live features Jackill, Mae Diansangu and Best Girl Athlete. The beat is almost softened into the background as guitar and choral vocals take the forefront, giving this one a sound that hits on many levels. This is a track of two halves, separated by a touching conversation between father and daughter. The first half is a rapped verse, while the second is a spoken word poem, both of these reflect what is around us and things that touch us and affect the way we live day to day. This may mean something different to each person, so listen and just let it take you forward. The penultimate track here is Brighter Days, which features Jackill, Viv Latifa and folk singer Iona Fyfe. The sound uses traditional instruments to great effect to bring a vibe that has a gospel air to it but also has a sound that puts you in mind of singing around an open fire. This gives you a huge sense of those silver linings that we often struggle to see, but are there all the same, and this one helps you bring them into focus in a way lifts you up as only music can. The album ends with Turn The Sun Blue, featuring CRPNTR, there is no music here, just the spoken word poetry. This one might well tax you with vivid mental images that form and disperse as quickly as the words are heard and then gone…

 

Neither Collar Nor Crown is more than just a statement of life in Scotland. It is a celebration of everything that makes living there, the experience that it is and what makes such an impact on those who live there. From the Glens to the cites and every step in between, this album gives you an insight into Scotland the country, its history, its myth, and what connects the lives of those who make it their home. It takes a special kind of passion to bring something like this to life, and Vagrant Real Estate and each of those featured artists who stand alongside him, bring that passion for their country to life.

The sound is very much rooted and inspired by the Hip Hop sound but, beyond that is the knowledge aspect of Hip Hop and here that knowledge aspect is brought alive with knowledge of self and knowledge of the history of the country in a way that breaths passion and with every word and beat. VRE brings a sound that merges Hip Hop and traditional sounds, with other contemporary sounds to bring you soundscapes that move you and bring you some vivid impressions of beauty and stark reality of Scotland and the lives of those living there. Not only that but, the sound also allows the listener to connect with their own experiences, bringing those to mind as you visualise what the music brings to mind.

Bringing some of Scotland’s top artists, from Hip Hop to Folk and vocals that speak to you in both English and Gaelic, shows a desire to draw on the roots of your subject matter in a whole different way. Each of these artists bring their own talent to bear here from rap to spoken word and poetry, this does not just bring us another Hip Hop album with traditional influences; it brings us an album that literally breathes the true essence of Scotland into the Hip Hop mould. An album that is not just for VRE and the artists to be proud of, but one the whole country can be proud of.

For me, this is an inspirational album, unlike any other you are likely to hear for a while and one you have to really hear and allow it to truly speak to you on all levels. There is nothing not to like here and it will have you giving it listen after listen, because it has the kind of fresh sound that only comes along with a blue moon, and also makes you realise that what really binds people together is not a collar or a crown, in fact it is nothing visual or physical, but love. The love for where you are from, to see that place recognised for what it is and the love of your fellow countryman and that recognition that, when it comes down to it, we are all one. 

Album artwork comes from Chelsea Frew.

Don’t sleep on this one, it also has a vinyl release too.

 

My Humble thanks to Vagrant Real Estate for giving me the chance to bring you my take on this superb album.

 

I’ll see you next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy of the album here:

https://vagrantrealestate.bandcamp.com/album/neither-collar-nor-crown

Vagrant Real Estate Website:

https://www.vagrantrealestate.com/

Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/vagrantproducer/

https://www.facebook.com/VagrantRealEstate

VIDEOS

Easy Now ft Jackill, Paque, Symi Memesis and Kid Pro Quo

 

All I Want ft Jackill and Chef The Rapper

Brighter Days ft Jackill, Viv Latifa and Iona Fyfe

 

 

 

 

 

Album Review: Redemption is not Free by Shakezpeare X Dr G

 

Redemption is not Free

By

Shakezpeare X Dr G

Redemption is not Free is the recent release from Coventry lyricist Shakezpeare and producer Dr G. Now this one was released back in March of 2026, so another one I’m playing catch up with. The album comes with a glowing review from my good friend John Dugan (JD Hip Hop Reviews), so that should tell you this is gonna be an album worth a listen.

Shakezpeare draws his inspiration from classic Hip Hop lyricism while remaining grounded in contemporary UK sounds. He brings a lot to the music he makes blending personal struggle, mental resilience, and street level realism with moments of wit and vulnerability. Not only does he bring lived experience to his music but, away from the mic he speaks on issues affecting his community, including identity, inequality, and personal accountability.

There is one line in the promotional material that I want you to consider as we go into the album. The Production consistently gives space for words to land, reinforcing the idea that this album is meant to be listened to, not just consumed casually. So, with those words in mind, join me for a trip into Redemption is not Free.

 

We begin with The March, the intro to the album, which has a dark edge to the sound with piano and strings forming this sound that draws your attention to the sounds of the street and those repeated words which are the title of the album. With the scene set, you mind is open and ready for what comes next, and that is Lick The Plate. Dr G brings a sound that has a heavy beat backed by keys and synth vibes that create this vibe that sits you on the curb with the city streets as your screen. Shakezpeare’s gritty voice brings us straight to a place that seems to look at the inequality among us and how we view others. Now, not everyone has this view but, there are those who chose to look down on others, just because of their social standing, and then treat them with disrespect. Sadly, this kind of attitude is all to apparent in society these days. The world would be a different place if we all viewed each other as equals, regardless of money we have. With the sense that this album is going to say a lot, if we chose to listen, Not Easy brings a sound that is heavy with piano and vocal samples, backed by rain, guitar, and a chilled beat, that all blends together to brings a sound that lightens to tone somewhat. This allows the lyrics more space to speak to you, and the feeling you get from this short one is that everyday might not be easy, as you navigate life, but you still have to be thankful, each day that you wake and open your eye’s on new day.

Elevate brings a sound that has a heavy head nod style beat that is backed with a far eastern sound, giving this a vibe that feels like it is penetrating you mind with sharp points. There is a real sense here that this one speaks on what Shakezpeare is all about, and it’s not about conforming to what others think you should say but, speaking on subjects that matter and providing a narrative that raises people up, particularly the younger generations. With that feeling that real Hip Hop raises people up, It’s All Art brings a heavy beat with a sound that feels like it vibrates your mind. We get a little more of a look at who Shakezpeare is here, but this one is more a look at how he directs his energy at those who chose to see him in a negative light. It’s all about the art and using that platform to redirect that negative energy back at those who perpetrate it. Slewdem hits with a proper heavy sound with a pounding beat and piano notes, merging to bring a vibe that has a darkness to it. This one seems to take you to the heart of the streets, dark alleyways where violence seems to lurk around every corner. There is a deeper aspect to this that speaks on leaving behind that violent past and walking into a better future, even if it is not always easy to avoid the effects of that past behaviour.

Fukau gives us a sound that drops a head nod beat backed with strings and electronic sounds that brings a reflective edge to it. This one seems to build on the vibe of the last track, looking deeply at leaving behind the trauma of the past and building a better future away from a path that was more destructive. Too many feel they can’t escape the past and allow it to dictate their life, but its all about transforming that energy into one that allows you to reach out and bring the light to you. I Should’ve brings a pounding beat backed with keys that give us a sound that puts you on edge. This one takes a deeply personal look at life through the lens of lived experience. It’s all about how life can change based on the outcome of one decision. When faced with a situation like this, what you decide to do does not just affect the other person, but it affects you and the lives of those around you, so think before you act. Dope as Fuk has a heavy sound that will get your head nodding while you listen to the words. This one looks at life on the streets where Shakezpeare grew up and the effect that it had on him. You really get that sense of peer pressure and how you had to act a certain way because that was the life in that area. It paints a bleak picture, but life is like that and we can’t escape the hard parts because they all have a and in shaping who we are and how we seize the moment.

Spiced Rum has this heavy beat mixed with strings, heavy rock guitar, and keys, giving this one a sound that keeps us rooted in the street life. This one takes a deep dive into looking at what you see around you and how finding a purpose changes the way you view things. You still connect with where you are from and the people you grew up with but finding that purpose changes the decisions you make and path you take. Piano and an etheric vocal sample bring a sense of change to the sound of Stone Roads. The beat still kicks but, there is a more upbeat feeling that permeates this one. That uplifting vibe hits hard here, the biblical context is not lost here, but there is another level to this one too. It speaks on the fact that bad decisions can take you down the wrong path but, if you keep walking and learn from what you have done, you can truly understand that a higher power walks with you guiding you, you just have to let that understanding in. For you that higher power might be God, it might be your own higher self, it could even be the spirit of a lost loved one. Just understand that we can all feel that presence, we just have to let it in. As that thought enters your head, it opens your mind a little more, making you wonder what is coming next. Unforgiven brings a sound that has a soundscape of piano, guitar and organ notes, giving this one a far more thoughtful air. This is one that might have different meaning to many. The religious context is very apparent but, you don’t have to have that religious understanding to realise that this one looks at the balance of good and evil and what that means to each and every one of us; and our understanding can tip the balance one way or the other, we just have to look inside and decide which side we stand now, and which side we want to stand as we take our next step. That idea of the balance of good and evil is brought to bear on Wicked World. Dr G gives us a sound that has a head nod beat with guitar aspects and an overall vibe that just seems to make you stop and consider the world around you in the moment. That air of consideration takes hold of you as you hear the words of Shakezpeare. This one is all about looking at your identity within this world we live in. As you look at the world around you, what you see can impact you and shape your views. The real message here is if you allow the darker side of that world to influence you into a way of being that is negative, or one that seeks to stand up and be a beacon of light, a guiding positive light in a wicked world…

Magpie Salute hits with a heavy beat and guitar notes that grab you, bringing a feeling that seems to vibrate from the inside out. This one focuses on the old urban myth of what you do when you see a magpie. Seeing one magpie has always been considered bad luck, while two magpie’s mean’s something positive is coming your way. I grew up with this and when you saw a magpie, in any number, you always gave it a salute and thanked it for its presence. We come to the penultimate track of the album, Purpose which brings a sound that is a big sound, hitting hard and having an element of that high paced ticking, which plays at your nerves as you listen. This is just a short one but says so much. I spoke earlier about finding purpose and this track just reinforces that thought. With all that is going on around you, even if your past is tainted, the future can be a bright one, you just have to find that sense of purpose, with that, anything is possible. The album is rounded off with the title track Redemption Is Not Free, and here the sound has a big sound of piano vibes and strings, alongside more edgy beat, giving this a big orchestral feeling that feels heavy but, also light at the same time. This gives you plenty to think about, lived experience hits hard and makes you realise that redemption is something you pay for everyday as the things you have done constantly live on inside you, but it is what you do with that energy that counts. Use that energy, that redemption to build a better future for you, those around you and for those who follow you. Redemption might not be free but, the rewards can be infinite…

 

There are times, in your life, when you look at what is before you and wonder if it is something you can finish, if you start it. When I began this review, I considered taking my time, and that it might take me longer, but once I got into it, what I was listening to, spoke to me more than I thought and it became a pleasure to hear and intuit.

What you realise immediately here is that Shakezpeare’s lyrics and Dr G’s production go hand-in-hand. They work so well together that you can’t see this album being any different. It is almost like it was meant to be this way and a higher power had a hand in making it happen.

I would normally separate my impressions of the vocals and production but, that does not seem appropriate here as they are so interwoven. Shakezpeare has a gritty raw vocal tone that gives his delivery a weight that makes his description of his lived experience hit that much harder. His wordplay and flows seem to work seamlessly with the flow and impact of Dr G’s production, each complimenting the other in a way that makes you wonder if these guys were both working from the same thought process when creating this project, it works so well. The weight and strength of Dr G’s sound seems to create a world inside your mind from which Shakezpeare builds and delivers a narrative so raw that you can feel it dragging out experiences from your own life as you listen.

Here, the words and the sound work in tandem to bring you a solid experience that not only has its roots in the classic Hip Hop sound, but also delivers energy and vibes that hit with more modern narratives. It works so well as a natural progression of the Hip Hop sound, without bringing in too many elements that separate it too far from the classic sound.

There is also an impact that this album brings with it that will speak to you on many levels. There is an element of religion that comes through clearly here, but it hits in a way that will also speak to you and your own beliefs. Regardless of your thoughts on God, it will not escape you that it will make you think about a higher power in some form, which is something I like, that it can give you a sense of something beyond, even if you are not especially religious in your own beliefs.

Redemption Is Not Free is definitely an album to be heard and not just listened to in passing. It will give you a deeply personal look at life thought one person’s eyes. There are no punches pulled here and it is delivered in a way that is relatable while leaving you with a sense that there is light at the end of the tunnel and anything is possible if you just focus and find your own sense of purpose.

 

Redemption Is Not Free is out now and available to buy on Vinyl too.

 

My huge thanks to John Dugan for dropping this one my way.

I’ll be seeing ya,

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy and get all the news here:

https://redemptionisnotfree.com/

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

VIDEOS

Not Easy

Lick The Plate

Wicked World

Redemption is not Free

Unforgiven

Spiced Rum

 

 

Album Review: Jacket Fulla Medalz by Timbo King x Ras Ceylon Prod. by Dawit Justice

 

Jacket Fulla Medalz

By

Timbo King x Ras Ceylon

Prod. By Dawit Justice

 

Now, this album only came to my attention recently and courtesy of John Dugan aka JD Hip Hop Reviews. It was originally released way back in 2025 with a digital release and then later in May of 2025 with a physical release and a digital re-release.

Jacket Fulla Medalz comes from Brooklyn emcee Timbo King (Royal Fam) and Sri Lankan born emcee Ras Ceylon. The project is produced by Dawit Justice, for Medal Gear, and features cuts from Selecta Kram. The album also brings together lyricists from both coasts of the US with guest appearances from Buckshot, LA the Darkman, Prodigal Sunn and Tragedy Khadafi. 

Just before I get into my deep dive of the album, there is a line I’d like to quote from the promotional material that sets this one up nicely, With its raw delivery and timeless production, Jacket Fulla Medalz stands as a decorated testament to lyrical warfare and conscious resistance—designed for those who still believe in message-driven hip-hop. For me that says such a lot about the approach this album takes.

Let’s get into Jacket Fulla Medalz…

We begin with the big orchestral sound of Enter which mixes strings and a heavy drum beat that kicks your adrenaline levels into high gear from the get-go. This into sets the overall tone of the album with a sampled vocal, which I am not going to pretend I know the source of, that really speaks volumes about the militant stand this album is going to take, know where your from, your history, and stand up for what is right, regardless of how some mat look at you for the strength of your convictions. With the expectation built, Stolen Legacy brings a sound that has cuts, piano and vocal samples underpinning the pounding beat, giving this one a sound that has this Italian vibe to it brought by the piano notes. With cleaver wordplay Timbo and Ras give us a look in their understanding of how African culture has been overlooked, obscured, or even erased by scholars and historians. This is not just look at past events but, more recent events too and the rise of artists like themselves raising awareness. It is also worth noting that there is a book with the same title as this track by George G.M. James that explores these concepts in more detailed format and is likely a read worth seeking out if you want to know more. Next up. Is the albums title track Jacket Fulla Medalz. Bass and horns feature but are softened into the background by a heavy drum loop that gets you head nodding; there are also some slick cuts to round things off. Here Timbo and Ras give us a display of their individual lyricism in a way that shows you the power and the strength of their resolve. The complex nature and power of their words hits hard and idea that failure is not an option, goes to prove that outcome and lasting impression of the album is their focus.

Wylin sees the first guest appearance as Buckshot steps up to the mic. Dawit Justice brings a beat that guitar vibes as the base sound with the head nod beat getting your body moving; the horns on the bridge just adds an extra level to raise you up. Wylin is a slang term and one that has a few meanings. A couple that seem to fit here are unpredictable and extreme, the reason I say that is that the militant focus here gives you pause to understand both the unpredictable and extreme nature of both how the wordplay is delivered and, how you need to act, to be able to bring awareness to the subject matter that is being suppressed by the establishments. Three The Godway sees LA The Darkman and Prodigal Sunn feature alongside Timbo and Ras. Dawit brings a heavy sound that mixes piano notes taking to the forefront from the pounding drums. This gives you a backdrop sound that brings the vocals as the focus when they drop. This one has that posse cut vibe as each emcee drops a solid delivery of intellectual lyricism. There is still that deep aspect that brings a focus to raising your fist, standing up for justice and leading the charge in bringing a greater awareness to just what that justice means. We get to the mid-point of the album with Brownstonez where the sound switches to a jazz infused sound, one that immediately outs you in mind of smoky speakeasies, places where it was free to speak openly. This one takes you back to that time but also brings the present day into focus too. There is talk of the actions of the police and of fascism too. Subject matter that makes you think as you listen, making you wonder just how much has changed in the last seventy or eighty years or so. This is all still apparent in modern times; it is just how it is delivered that has changed.

The Coolest brings a beat with strings and guitar vibes that has a sound that puts you more in mind of those Wu-Tang beats. This one is look at the situations and mind state that shape you as you grow.  There is a lot here that also focuses on the types of foods that feed your body and mind rather than just the flavours you crave. Being the coolest has changed a lot, whereas once it was all about peer pressure and looking good to others, now it is all about feeding you body what it really needs but also feeding the mind. It’s On In hits with a heavy beat that has this piano vibe that tweaks your nerves, just a little, giving you a sound that sparks your focus, seemingly bringing a clarity, like wiping mist from a window. That idea of clarity works well here as this one is all about taking some time away from all the heavy stuff and having a night out just enjoy yourself in whatever way that transpires. Tragedy Khadafi features on Frontline Generalz where the beat pounds and organ sounds carry you along, giving this one and overall sound that will work wherever you are listening at. This one sees the emcees standing as the frontline against the system, a system that is flawed and corrupt, and something that so many of us can associate with no matter where we come from. People the world over know how the system can fail them and leave them in a place where every day struggles are commonplace and system only works for those who run it or who profit from it. Here the generalz lead the way in the fight to hold these people to account and raise up the rest of us.

Go On mixes heavy drums with an electronic sound that puts you in mind of old eight-bit computer game sounds. This gives us a vibe that seems to keep you rooted in reality, never letting the drumbeat take you away from the moment. What I take from this one is a message that says invites you to focus on where you are headed in life. Never allowing anything to let you stray from that path you are forging. Realising your goals is a huge part of life and while our goals might change, subtly, from time to time, it is important to always stay focused and never lose sight of what is most important. We come to the albums penultimate track Curtainz, which sees Dawit give us a heavy pounding sound with piano notes that have an almost eerie quality, giving this one a sound that keeps you rooted in the hear and now, giving attention to what is being said. It’s all about the gritty reality of living in NYC and the impact that street life has. There are no punches pulled here as everything is laid bare for all to see. There are no rose-tinted glasses here to help you put a positive spin on things, this is the grim reality that truly exists. The album closes with Exit, the outro that has that same sound from Enter and rounds things off in a way that leaves you in no doubt about life is like beyond the front door, especially for certain ethnicities and peoples within society. Who you are and what you stand for can make you a target and that is one of the very real aspects of today’s society.

Lets get real with this one, there is a lot to like about this album, the production, the wordplay, the delivery, all is top notch and gives this album a side that is a pleasure to listen to, but when you move on from that aspect and begin to really listen to the lyrics, you realise that there is a darkness to the album. The darkness that comes through here is from the fact that there is still a fight going on between minorities and ruling bodies. Here, the focus is on the ethnic minorities but, it can also apply to other minorities in class and more because the system looks down on everyone, some more than others, there is little doubt there but, what is key here is that even if you are not classed as an ethnic minority, there is a lot to this album that speaks to you about the struggles of everyday life and what we experienced to get to where we are now. This album hits differently here in the UK because its focus is on American society where so many ethnic communities are looked down on and their roots and histories are changed and removed from what is taught. No community should have to suffer that and be required to dig for the truth.

Timbo King and Ras Ceylon have laid the facts bare here in a way that shows we still seem to be no further along in correcting these things, than we were thirty or forty years ago. Growing up with Hip Hop has shown me a lot about how people are treated by the system, and it seems astounding that we still see those same things now, that people are held back and judged due to the colour of their skin. That is one of the all-consuming messages that comes from this album, and one that you can’t avoid as you listen.

Like I said, there is also a lot to celebrate here too. The passion and fortitude that is shown by Timbo, Ras and the guest artists is second to none as they deliver their messages in a way that shows a dedication to showing the truth of society and raising people up by installing in them a power to stand up and be heard, and that brings with it a deep almost spiritual aspect with it. You can’t see the darkness you do not know the light too, for one does not exist without the other, and while there might not be a lot of talk about the light here, it does shine through in a way you might not realise until the album is over.

The wordplay has a depth and a strength that shows this was not written just to sell a few records. This is an album that was written to educate and make you think. That means you have to truly listen to those complex lyrics and see how they impact you. The production from Dawit Justice draws from and celebrates the golden age of Hip Hop and also pays homage to that Wu-Tang sound too, giving you a sound that is packed full of a passion for the sound and a raw power that hits with every beat.

This is one of those albums that you just have to give time to and see what it says to you, and I can see why it made so many waves when it had its original release.

My huge thanks to John Dugan for sending this one my way.

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab your copy or stream here:

https://royalfam.bandcamp.com/album/jacket-fulla-medalz

https://rootsnculture.shop/product/timbo-king-x-ras-ceylon-x-dawit-justice-jacket-fulla-medalz/

https://music.apple.com/us/album/timbo-king-presents-jacket-fulla-medalz/1811599685

Follow on Socials here:

https://www.instagram.com/originaltimboking/

https://www.facebook.com/timbo.king.3

https://www.instagram.com/rasceylon/

https://linktr.ee/rasceylon

https://www.instagram.com/dawitjustice/

https://linktr.ee/DawitJustice

https://www.instagram.com/jacketfullamedalz/

VIDEOS

Brownstonez