Damaged Goodz
By
Damaged Goodz
Glasgow Emcee Damaged Goodz is back with his self-titled LP
Damaged Goodz. This multi-producer album promises to mix-up all of his years of
experience into one solid album covering a wide range of themes, rhymes styles
and flows.
The album, which is released through Watercolour Music, also
boasts a a host of guest artists which have all been handpicked by Damaged
Goodz to fit with the overall vibe of the Album.
So, without further ado, join me as I take you through this
one top to bottom, front to back and side to side…
The hits straight out the gate by mixing up a heavy boom bap
beat and guitar with a chorus that has a heavy rock edge to it, that is
produced by DJ Zeeny (who also provides all cuts on the album). There is no easing you into this one slowly as Damaged
Goodz tackles the subject of Self-doubt on I’m Afraid of Being Nothing.
This is something so many of us can relate to. I mean, how many times have
faced a challenge and questioned if you can do it and not bothered to follow
through? Well, the important point here is to recognize that self-doubt and
then still do it, take that step, and challenge yourself because the rewards
are far more precious than you realise. Leading on from this Damaged Goodz
takes us through that challenge of pushing forward in the face of adversity
with Phat Rocky. Produced by LIVIN, the track has this almost dual
nature to it with a mix of drums, bells, and horns, where the verses have this
almost laid-back feel as opposed to the choruses which pound, just as you would
build up to that final push. Kim Wilson features here and here vocals add a
sense of encouragement that helps you keep pushing through all those times you
might falter or even fall but, you get back up every time showing you strength
of character. With an almost calm ease we move into Republic Enemy but,
that sense of ease is short lived as a pounding boom bap beat, produced by
S.T.S, hits and literally blows you away. There are some very slick cuts here
that slice up a classic Blade sample. What get here appears to be a little bit
of braggadocio from Damaged Goodz as he displays his solid wordplay and verbal
skills. When you have spent your life or a great deal of it, dedicated to
developing your craft, there is no reason why you can’t big yourself up every
now and again, just to let others know and enjoy your skills.
Class Clown Karma Club finds the production from
LIVIN mixing up a pounding beat with synth sounds that produces this head nod
vibe with a focus that really helps you bring the words to life. We find
Damaged Goodz speaking on struggling at school and that struggle leading to
becoming the class clown. That class clown wears a mask to help hide the fact
that learning, listening, and general focus was hard. This can have
ramifications in later life, hence the realisation of the karma aspect. Mary
Ann Kennedy features as the teacher trying to gain the attention of the clown. From
the karma of the class clown, we drift into a weird mind-bending outta space
vibe of sonic sounds and cuts, alongside a pounding beat from S.T.S. ALIEN-ALIEN-ALIEN
see’s Damaged Goodz looking at feelings of alienation. This is a place where
you mind struggles to cope with how others are treating you, because you are
different or alternatively, they treat you different because of a traumatic
event you have been through, and they don’t know what to say. These struggles
cause you to react, thinking untruths as you question why, why you? The times
we struggle through continue as the focus of Ghosts of the Past, where
have a grime vibe to the heavy beat from KONCHIS. This darker edge finds
Damaged Goodz joined by CCTV, MADHAT, Natalie Lynch, TICKLE and MOG for a look
at all those times we are faced with looking at the ghost from our past. These
moments can often be the most difficult times for us. They may be painful to
face but, they are also very important
in defining who we are as we look to make our peace with these hurdles on the
path of life. The differing styles of the MC’s and the sung parts of the track
really reflect the different ways we all face these moments and how we,
individually cope with what they bring up for us, shaping us into those individuals…
Cold Crush the Gold Dust has this intro, young Katie Whiteford, that gives you no idea whats about to drop, produced by Onra The Bastardian (who recently produced the Gallus Alliance EP with DG), the beat hit hard with pounding drums and some high pitched synth/organ notes, which gives this a modern electro sounding vibe. You really get the feel with this one that Damaged Goodz is giving a nod to all those who have been an inspiration to him, making him the force he is today. Alongside that is the fact that it is only right that we pay respect to those who inspired and came before us, paving the way for all who follow. This one truly pays respect to that golden era of Hip Hop music. BIG DIV now sets the stage with some pounding drums and piano that brings this horror movie soundtrack vibe. With the stage set, we realise this is The Open Mic, a place where Damaged Goodz feels right at home. Here is a demonstration of what DG can do if you open the mic to him as he proceeds to step up and drop it freestyle. This is hard hitting verbal wordplay, which is unapologetic, gritty and hard-hitting. It might just be for the fun of it but, don’t front, OK…
You guess from the title what Menage Et Tois of
Self-Sabotage is all about? The musical backdrop from KONCHIS is one of
Synths, electronic vibes and pounding bass drums. There is a distinct grime
edge to this that sounds something like you might hear if John Carpenter was to
produce grime. This is a powerful story of what can happen to those who do not
realise they have trauma issues. Damaged goodz is a man indulging in the
self-sabotaging behavior of an extramarital affair, Lauren Gilmour is his
mistress, taking the role of the one in control of the others behavior. Here
we see the lack of one man’s personal boundaries and behaviors caused by a
past trauma affecting who he has become. Dinosaur SR see’s S.T.S bring a
trip hop feel to proceedings with drums and orchestral notes, there is also a
mind-bending dark edge to things as Damaged Goodz tackles another deep subject.
Here he faces a tough decision at a fork on the path of life. He mulls over all
the pro’s and con’s of what to do, after everything he has achieved, all the pain
and all the good times. But the hardest decision can often be the most
rewarding or it can be darkest, it is only our inner strength that will
ultimately choose the right path.
From difficult decisions we wonder if we chose the wrong
path with Fuck My Life, DJ Zeeny brings a pounding mix of drums, horns, piano,
and xylophone notes which translates into a head nod punch the air kinda vibe.
Damaged Goodz teams up with long time collaborators Nity Gritz and Butterscotch
to hit hard but, not hard enough that they can’t add a little tongue-in-cheek
too. There is still a message here and one that focuses on the things that have
not gone right for you and you are beating yourself up about. These are still
defining moments for us, positive or not but, sometimes you just have to add a
little light-heartedness to take the edge of and these guys do exactly that.
The album ends on a positive note with Keep The Dream Alive, produced by
FARMA G, the piano, drums, horns and choral notes, bring a reflective air to
things. Damaged goodz speaks on about all those ups and downs in life and how
we often struggle to keep sight of what’s important. No matter what life throws
at you, it is important to keep that spark, that dream alive inside, because it
is that which gives us the strength and the resolve to carry on to the next
day, the next year and knowing that it you that can do it.
I have to say it, DAMN, what an album! Music is something
that really touches us at times and there were times that this one really
touched me deeply. I recognised a lot of things that I struggle with on a
personal basis, not only that but, you can really feel the passion that Damaged
Goodz has put into this one, it oozes from every bar and is matched by the
passion put in by the producers with every beat. Everything just seems on point
here from tone of what the producers have put in, to the way every guest artist
fits in on those tracks, to the passion, wordplay and flows from Damaged Goodz,
who is on top form here, in fact everyone is, if I’m fair.
I could probably sit here for hours and waffle on about what’s
good on this album, how it touched me, and which tracks and how they did but,
I’m just going to keep it short because I want you to experience it for
yourself…
Overall, Damaged Goodz is a rock-solid Hip Hip/underground
sound that not only takes you deep into the heart and soul of Damaged Goodz the
emcee but, it takes you deep into your own heart and soul. It carries you along
as it musically matches every emotion that you feel as you listen you the words
of Damaged Goodz, feeling your own experiences rise to the surface to be
recognised and accepted. As much as this is music, it is a timeless expression
of the true self and the journey you take in life.
Damaged Goodz by Damaged Goodz is released on 23rd
July 2022, and I honestly advise you to really listen to this one.
Salute and thanks to Damaged Goodz for sending me this one,
an instant classic in my book.
See Ya,
Steve
LINKS
Watercolour Music Official Website:
Damaged Goodz Bandcamp:
https://damaged-goodz.bandcamp.com/
VIDEOS
The Making of Damaged Goodz LP
