50 From The
Cradle
By
Frisco Boogie
It was about fourteen months ago that Frisco Boogie dropped
his last album, Sunflowers In September (Check my Review HERE). But, during
that period, he has not been resting on his laurels and 2023 has seen a string
of single releases, all of which feature on this album, and those singles
really get the anticipation levels high for this new release.
As Frisco Boogie has featured on the blog a few times, I’m
just gonna get straight into the album this time around and get you hyped for
the release of ’50 From The Cradle’…
The album kicks off with The Switch Up where synth,
bass and pulse pounding beat creates this deep sound that really makes you
wanna close your eyes and feel every second of what serves as the albums intro.
Frisco sets the scene for what is to come and, in not so many words, implies
that this music, this Hip Hop is in his soul and that it always will be, to the
very last day. Next up is the first single release from the album Timboots
and Hoodies, featuring DJ Glibstylez on the cuts, the boom bap beat, and
the string heavy sound gives the perfect backdrop for Frisco to drop an ode to
that golden age of Hip Hop music. That period between 88 and 96 where things
really blew up worldwide and where you had to wear Timberlands and hoodies. For
me it was the Ultramagnetic MC’s that really made this look and soon it became
the norm, and to a point it still is for many. This is one of those tracks that
spans the years, in one moment taking you back, and in the next moment, you’re
right back here in the now and celebrating Hip Hop in its 50th year,
this one says it all. Still vibing, we drop straight into the second single to
be released, The Boom; this one features Pittsburgh emcee 8ch2Owens and
DJ Glibstylez on the cut. When the beat drops on this one, it’s heavy, and gets
your head nodding, big time. The is this flute kinda sound that brings this
eastern flava to proceedings at times. Frisco Boogie and 8ch2Owens really go in
hard on this one where it’s all about dropping the spinning words into salvos
of unapologetic rap bombs, nuff said…
The albums title track, 50 From The Cradle, is up
next and keeps the boom bap style beat going, mixing it with piano, keys and
strings, giving this a more thoughtful edge to the energy; this really helps
you focus on Frisco’s words which are really all about how we see age. With
things being about Hip Hop 50 this year, 50 seems to be a huge focus and as
Frisco speaks on his life and thoughts for the future, it makes you consider
how we see and celebrate age and those milestones we see as significant. There
is a short instrumental skit here too that serves as an audible pallet
cleanser, helping ease those thoughts from our minds before we move on to IF,
where keys and horns merge alongside the banging beat to give you reason to
stand up and bounce. Frisco mixes his rap style verses with singing the hooks,
this one seems to focus on the choices we make in life, those important choices
that can change the direction were heading in a split second. It’s all about
taking time to think and consider those ‘what if’ moments and remember once a
decision is made, you can’t go back. Your mind is now ringing with thoughts of
age, numbers and decision making as piano and flute note guide you into a more
chilled beat on Then2There. Here we find Frisco reminiscing on his
journey through life, the kinda track we can all associate with; looking back
over the past and how we got from where we were then, to how we got to where we
are can be such a mixed bag, an emotional rollercoaster of pivotal moments and
Frisco shares some of his, giving us a deeper insight into how he is as well as
giving us the inspiration to see just how far we’ve come too…
Now Frisco Boogie is one of those who has been involved in
most aspects of Hip Hop. He produces, is an emcee, and has been a breaker too;
alongside that he has also been a graff writer and TAGS celebrates this
part of Hip Hop culture and features El Da Sensei (Artifacts) and cuts from DJ
Fever. Keys, bass and a sweet drumbeat, are the main elements of the sound
bringing a more upbeat, feel-good vibe. Frisco Boogie and El Da Sensei drop
verses on how important your tag is to the graff writer. Your tag is your graff
signature and writers spend many hours perfecting them in order to display who
they are, be it signing you latest piece or just getting your tag up on a wall,
bus, train or wherever, your tag means everyone recognises your work, uptown,
downtown or all city. Boom Bash is a short skit that sees Frisco
dropping everything that rhymes with those words. This is cleaver and
articulate lyrical fun vibes over a pounding beat. 8ch2Owens and DJ Glibstylez
join Frisco once more for Bullseye; keys and flute notes accompany a
banging beat to bring a sound that fuels your adrenaline. Frisco and 8ch2Owens
school us to what it is to keep your lyrical craft always on point. You always
gotta be focused on hitting dead centre and keeping your wordplay fresh and
original, mixing up the flows and keeping in articulate and relatable…
The penultimate track of the album is a short skit that has
this deep emotive sound of a head nob beat interwoven with these strings which
give it that deep emotive sound. The sampled vocals on I Rise will speak
to you, if you let them; its all about never giving up and always getting back
up when ever something brings you down, you can always rise above anything, you
have the strength to do it. The final track of the album is Pull Da Pin,
is a drum and piano infused banger with some electronic elements that helps end
the album on a high. There is this unapologetic edge to this one as Frisco pulls
no punches, dropping explosive verses for your listening pleasure, hitting out
at all those who deserve to be exposed, lyrical hand grenade style…
50 From The Cradle is another solid release from
Frisco Boogie and just goes to show the quality and consistency of his work.
There are elements to this that are very personal, giving you a deep insight
into the heart and soul of the man. Then there are these lyrical displays where
its all about having fun on the mic or taking shots at some of the negative
elements that are out there in society. But, through it all there is great
balance from top to bottom.
Lyrically we find Frisco Boogie standing tall here and
showing that he has the lyrical dexterity to stand shoulder to shoulder with
the best of them, not just that but, his production here is on point too,
perfectly creating the musical soundscapes that are the platform for each
track. Bringing in El Da Sensei and 8ch2Owens alongside Dj Glibstylez and DJ
Fever, he has created a solid Hip Hop album that skilfully takes the listener
through many styles, flows and intricate wordplay. There is as much here to
take you on a thought-provoking journey, as there is to give you a smile and
the energy to just have some fun.
In what is hailed as Hip Hops 50th year, Frisco
Boogie has created an album which draws on the essence of that real Hip Hop
flavour of banging beats, solid lyricism, and turntable trickery, alongside
content that is both relatable and enjoyable. It all adds up to show that
Frisco Boogie is not only the real deal but, is definitely one of those
underrated UK artists who are Hip Hop to the core and more than happy to bring
that to forefront in a creative way.
This is one not to miss and, I personally, always enjoy what
Frisco Boogie puts out. He has this depth to his lyrical content and always
allows his love of the culture to shine through, regardless of the subject
matter he is focusing on.
50 From The Cradle is out today.
On that note,
I’ll see ya next time.
Steve.
LINKS
Frisco Boogie Bandcamp:
https://friscoboogie.bandcamp.com/
Stream the Album on Spotify Here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6T76dzjv8zvg8RnsSILBok
YouTube Album Playlist Here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l3XQEQs5-LQYgRC71yAuF4CtCVD2b5yNM
Frisco Boogie on Instagram Here:
https://www.instagram.com/friscoboogie/
