EP Review: Smoke On The Water by Joe Blow

 

Smoke On The Water

By

Joe Blow

 

Smoke on the Water is a six track EP that was released back at the beginning of May this year through Veteran Records. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I have had to delay the review until now.

Joe Blow is a veteran of the South Wales Underground and an emcee, producer and DJ. Smoke On The Water sees him teaming up with legendary Cardiff producer AckoBeatzuk, who produces the project, and the equally legendary DJ Jaffa, who provides all the cuts and scratching. Just looking at that line-up makes you want to stop everything and hit play.

This review will be the first time I have featured Joe Blow on his own solo project. However, I did feature him as a guest on 4Dee’sShots Fired album from 2023. Joe had a very early introduction to music as his mother would put a radio under his pram as a baby to help him sleep. Later he would play records from his brothers’ collection, on his brothers’ turntable while he was out, and would still do the same but, on his own turntable once he had one. In fact, it was discovering the 12 inch single of RUN DMC’s My Adidas, that would influence Joe’s musical tastes and dress code from that moment onwards. Later, Joe would go on to form the group Undecorated Veteranz, alongside 4DEE and the late DJ Stagga. Now, with over thirty years in the game Joe Blow is looking to cement his place in Hip Hop history…

 

The EP kicks off with Break Away where strings take the forefront, with a sprinkle of horns, over the solid head nod beat. This creates this vibe that brings feelings of summer days and sun filled winter getaways. Here Joe cleverly spins stories that are full of retrospective insights that speak of the situations and people you have to break away from in order to walk forward in life and your career. This is something that we can all associated with as we look back on our lives. There is a lot here that speaks on making the most of your life and always walking forward even if there are things and those you have to leave behind to do that, never let yourself get held back. Ride or Die sees the drums softened into the background as guitar and horn vibes take centre stage. This gives the whole sound a vibe that has that mariachi feel to it. Here that storytelling vibe speaks deeply on connecting with that special someone. A person who is more that just a significant other but, who is your best friend and has your back, no matter the situation. Less of a love story and more of a dedication to a love that runs deep. This is all finished off with some classic cuts from DJ Jaffa. We move into the half-way point of the EP with Super Nova. This one has a heavy guitar sound which gives this one a rock rap sound that tears the speakers open with the force of sun at the end of its life. This one is a platform for Joe Blow to set the stories and messages aside and literally just go all in and drop some insatiable bars that show the quality and intricacy of his wordplay. So, sit back and slap this one on and just bounce to it…

We cross the tipping point easily with Count Of Three where organ notes, guitars and psychedelic vibes merge with banging drum beat to give us the kinda sound that transcends the traditional sound of 3D world, taking you places unknown. Here we find Joe letting go of the world around him, not to just spit some sick rhymes but, to open up to the fact that sometimes to find the peace in the world it takes the smoking of a certain plant to aid taking to that place where you can that let go of reality and darkness in the world and find another place where you can find that peace and write the right rhymes. There is a feint air of the psychedelic vibe on Ten Outta Ten, where the beat is mixed with a harpsichord sound that helps blur the edges of reality once more. Here Joe is laying out all his cards on the table with a dash of braggadocio as he drops bars that tell us exactly what he is all about and how the work that goes into those bars makes that a solid Ten Outta Ten every time, and after listening to this one, I think you’ll agree. The Ep ends with High Noon, this one has a heavy sound that has this sound that seems to invade your mind with needle like sounds that keep you focused on the words while the cuts vibrate those needle like sounds, bringing a sound that is like funk on sci-fi. With this one the get the sense that Joe is basically saying that there comes a time when you have to stand and face what’s in front of you or maybe what’s within you?  Whatever it is that you stand and face, and for whatever the reason is, even if it is for a life of peace, you need to stand and face it for you, because you can’t face it for anyone else. This is his and your high noon, the point that everything has been flowing towards…

 

There is no doubt here that Smoke On The Water is a solid masterclass from Joe Blow. It has everything you could want from witty rhymes to complex wordplay, with polished flows too boot. Joe perfectly demonstrates why he is a veteran in the game. He does not let up or play safe but, gives everything 100%, giving us a release that stand up as one of the best so far this year; and if we are speaking of it being one of the best, then can’t overlook DJ Jaffa on the cut, who always delivers,  or incredible soundscapes from AckoBeatzuk, who has delivered a variety of sounds, all of which are rooted in the Hip Hop sound.

There really is not a whole lot more I can say that what I have already done so but, if you enjoy this one as much as I did then you will find yourself coming away from that with adrenaline buzzing through your veins and a deep desire to listen again while searching through Joe’s back catalogue on Bandcamp to see what else you can sink your ears into. This EP does do that; it makes you want to hear more from all involved. But what it does more than anything is to well and truly cement Joe Blow’s status into the annuls of Hip Hop history, not just in Wales or the UK, but into Hip Hop as a whole. It’s a bold statement I know but, there is just something about that witty, no nonsense style that says he deserves to be there.

So, if you have not heard this one yet, then I humbly advise you to give it a listen now, because you won’t regret it and will probably love it.

My humble thanks go to 4DEE for giving me the chance to bring you this one. Also, a huge sound out to Wordplay Magazine for the insights I gained through their interview with Joe.

 

I’ll see ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Get the EP from Bandcamp Here:

https://joeblow1977.bandcamp.com/album/smoke-on-the-water

Joe Blow on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/

Joe Blow on Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/joeblow01/

Smoke On The Water YouTube Playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch

VIDEOS

Ride or Die (ft DJ Jaffa)

High Noon (ft DJ Jaffa)

 

 

 

 

EP Review: Down The Rabbit Hole by 4Dee

 

Down The Rabbit Hole

By

4DEE

 

Cardiff emcee/producer 4Dee is back with his latest release, Down The Rabbit Hole, on his own Veteran Records imprint. I have featured his releases a couple of times on the blog, first with the album ‘Shots Fired’ and with the singles 40 Years and The WOW Signal. Released at the end of March this year, this is a six track EP that promises some straight up Hip Hop combined with 4Dee’s penchant for not shying away from controversial and maybe a little esoteric subject matter.

So, let’s not hang around here and dive straight Down The Rabbit Hole…

We dive straight into it with Microphone Savage, where a heavy pounding boom bap beat provides the backdrop. In fact, this hits so heavy, it brings enough energy to vibrate every bone in your body. Like so kind of modern-day pied piper, 4Dee uses slick lyricism and a vocal tone infused with more than enough assertiveness, to create a vibe that grips you and sends you down the rabbit hole before you know what’s happening. Spinning lines on why he is savage on the mic, you forget what is going on beyond that sound and you become lost in the Hip Hop music. Now that you are well on your way into the music, drums hit with some nerve shedding organ notes and a hint of guitar too, its time for some Verbal Shadow Boxing. Produced by Acko and featuring DJ Jaffa on the cut, this one ramps up the energy levels, drawing you deeper into the music. 4Dee’s flow and insane lyrical fury takes hold of your awareness and spins you out of control as he pummels your mind with hit after hit of verbal intensity, punching a hole between one universe and the next. With your mind reeling from the intensity, things take a sudden U-turn with Strike Lightning and Thunder. The beat is still heavy but more subdued with a chilled acoustic guitar vibe. Delisha joins 4Dee to take you on a trip that takes you deep into the rabbit hole as they look at a post pandemic country where negativity and despair are the new norms; this is a place where conspiracies and control of the masses abound, a dark place, reflecting what just might be going on beyond the doors, walls and deep in the halls of government. Believe it or not this is where the rabbit hole takes you and it is only some brief moments of soulful vocals on the bridge that give you a glimpse of a more positive future.

Datrilshit sees a return to that pounding boom bap sound where the drumbeat takes the forefront, raising the energy levels once more as DJ Jaffa brings the cuts once more, cutting deep into your soul. Here, we find 4Dee bringing the one thing we all love about Hip Hop, that real shit. It’s all about what makes an emcee who they are, the lyrics, the flows, and their individuality; alongside that is their ability bring the kind of music that makes the crowd go crazy, that’s it, plain and simple. Before you realise it, you’re in the realms of the penultimate track, wondering what’s next and where you might end up. DJ Jaffa is back on the cut once more as Mind Over Matter hits with heavy drums and eerie keys. The beat has you looking this way and that while 4Dee spins bars and verses around one simple message that sinks deep into your awareness subliminally. That message is that you are the architect of your own destiny, you are the one who can make your dreams become reality, you just have to keep those dreams in the forefront of your mind and don’t lose sight of what is most important. Do that, and the only thing that is impossible, is that anything is impossible! The final track drops with a realisation that you’re not lost in the rabbit hole at all, you’re just waking up to the truth of reality. It is the heavy guitar vibes and sparse drums of Acko’s production on Putting In Work that help bring that realisation to life by creating a sound that tightens the frayed nerves and, with the help of DJ Jaffa on the cut, awakens you, bringing you back into the room. 4Dee spits the kind of lyrics that bring focus to your fogged mind. In fact, he continues to allude to message from the previous track, with more vigour, he tells you that by putting in the work, you make yourself who you are, you craft yourself into the true expression of the self.

 

Down The Rabbit Hole takes you on a journey that might seem a lot longer than it is. Within those six tracks and Twenty-Two minutes 4Dee takes you places and opens your mind to thoughts you might never have conceived of had you not exposed yourself to this EP. The Rabbit Hole is a place where you can cast out any thoughts of what you thought reality was. Here nothing is taboo and all the things you thought were just conspiracy theories or someone’s tainted view of the world, now seem to be far more plausible.

There is some great work here that keeps you guessing as to exactly what you’re listening to, in terms of its message, and you can easily just enjoy the whole experience without thinking too much but, then if, like me, you want to give it the time, it can take you to different ways of seeing the world around you and that’s the power of the music and the words contained within.

The production on Down The Rabbit Hole is top notch from both 4Dee and Acko, bringing you Hip Hop vibes that you can really feel the energy of, and also help to bend and merge reality at the same time, which is all ably assisted by the cuts from DJ Jaffa, for me these cuts don’t just scream Hip Hop on this one but, really give that edge to the tweaking of reality. I also have to give props to Delisha who I have not heard before but, who makes a great appearance here with both her rap skills and those soulful sung elements too.

4Dee shows us, once more, that he really is a solid emcee by switching flows and displaying a range of lyricism that has he can switch from being lyrically fun to suddenly being far more complex and intellectual. I also like the fact that he is not afraid to tackle those esoteric subjects and be completely open and honest about his thoughts on the world around him.

For me it’s a no brainer to recommend this one to you, so if you’ve not heard it already, I suggest you give it a listen as soon as possible.

Time for me to be out,

See ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Get the EP on Bandcamp Here:

https://4dee1.bandcamp.com/album/down-the-rabbit-hole

Streaming Links and more for the EP Here:

https://songwhip.com/4dee/down-the-rabbit-hole

Veteran Records Website:

https://veteranrecords.co.uk/

4Dee on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mr4deee/

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Singles Review: The WOW Signal & 40 Years by 4Dee

 

The WOW Signal & 40 Years

By

4Dee

 

Following on from my recent review of 4Dee’s album ShotsFired, comes his two most recent single releases, The WOW Signal, and 40 Years.

The WOW Signal was a strong narrowband radio signal, that bore all the expected hallmarks of an expected extraterrestrial origin, was picked up by the Ohio State University’s Big Ear radio telescope on 15^th August 1977. The signal, which originated from the direction of the constellation Sagittarius, lasted for the entire 72 second window in which the Big Ear was able to observe it. It was just a few days later while reviewing the data that astronomer Jerry R. Ehman, being so impressed by the result, circled the signals intensity, and wrote WOW next to it but, just say that signal was from a race of beings observing the earth? On The WOW Signal 4Dee takes on the persona of an extraterrestrial being visiting earth and detailing how they have been periodically visiting the planet, monitoring us and aware of the potential issues we face and how we chose to conduct ourselves as a race. Observations, mixed with dire warnings and a glimpse of a brighter future are all part of the beings’ message but, ultimately that message comes down to one thing, we, as a race must listen to the warnings and how the potential for self-destruction can be reversed, otherwise our fate is sealed. All this creates deep thought within your mind, which is enhanced by the musical backdrop of heavy pounding drums, electronic vibes and a haunting background melody which creates that feeling of dark anticipation that fuels a desire to look more towards the light.

 

40 Years produced by DJ Jaffa and is the kind of track that immediately has your adrenaline fired up, getting you bouncing around to what it, essentially, a classic boom bap Hip Hop sound with plenty of razor-sharp cuts from DJ Jaffa. Here we find 4Dee in fine form as he takes us on trip through 40 years within the Hip Hop culture in the UK, something both he and DJ Jaffa have shared. This is a high tempo celebration of Hip Hop and what it has meant to them to be a part of it during those years. This is something many of us older Hip Hop Heads can really relate to as it perfectly underlines so many of our own personal experiences and enjoyment of the culture, regardless of whether you are an emcee, DJ, Breaker or are just someone who has followed Hip Hop since those early days. There is not much more I can say about this except that you need to put this one on and see where it takes you, because if you are a lover of the real Hip Hop vibe and you know the foundations, this one will speak to you.

 

So, here we have two tracks from 4Dee that seem to be worlds apart but still have their roots in the true Hip Hop sound. Looking at these two tracks side-by-side we get a real sense of the depth and range of 4Dee as an emcee, producer (The WOW Signal), and within the subject matter he draws on to put forward the message he is conveying.

These are two cracking Hip Hop tracks that have two very different messages but still have the same level of enjoyment factor. Give them a listen for yourself and see…

Both Singles are available through Veteran Records.

Time for me to be outta here,

See Ya,

Steve

LINKS

Both singles can be downloaded from Bandcamp Here:

https://4dee1.bandcamp.com/

Veteran Records Website:

https://veteranrecords.co.uk/

VIDEOS

The WOW Signal

 

 

Album Review: Verbal Mentality by Emarvellous

 

Verbal Mentality

By

Emarvellous

 

Verbal mentality is the latest release from Emarvellous on the Veteran Records label. Born and raised in East London, he moved to Wales over fifteen years ago. Influenced by a multitude of musical genres from funk, Motown, and pop, all the way to Classical, Emarvellous chose Hip Hop and Rap as a way to tackle complex subjects and to draw on his life experiences as a conscious storyteller. Working with both local and international artists, he continues to write new music and experiment with new ideas and sounds. As part of the Veteran Records camp, he recently featured on the 4Dee album, Shots Fired.

Verbal Mentallity features production from the Veteran Records Production Team, cuts by DJ Jaffa and guest appearances from Sik Swagga, 4Dee and Anton the Bum.

Time to let the music speak for itself so, join me on the journey into Verbal Mentality…

 

Setting the stage is the Intro which has this music box melody playing through most of the track. This gives it an almost eerie quality that makes you focus on the words, and the words are key here, which is exactly the point being made, before the music drops in and we get a true sense that our minds are about to be opened. Heavy drums, bass, xylophone notes are the core of the boom bap banger that is Sandringham Rd. As much as this one has the energy and vibe to get you moving, there is a deep message behind this one as Emarvellous details the violence, and its effects, on the community. The sad thing here is that this is not just confined to any big city, as we see this level of pain and suffer across the world every day. Next up is Back2Back, another banger with pounding drums, keys, bass and cuts, featuring Sik Swagga alongside Emarvellous. This one is literally two emcees standing back-to-back and spitting venomous rhymes in a rough, rugged, and raw style. This is a display of lyrical prowess for you to enjoy.

Heavy drums and elements of soundtrack from TVs Hill Street Blues, Real Street Blues finds Emarvellous detailing true stories from the streets. Drawing on the truth and his own experience brings that emotive element to the track, and as much as you enjoy grooving to this, the harsh reality of street life is not lost on your awareness. A short skit follows from Emarvellous as he talks about being back on the hot streets of Hackney, before a short news report detailing a night a unrest on the streets in the recent past. Pounding drums, electronic vibes and a recognisable sample form the basis of Dem No Like Me. This one really seems to detail how the powers that be don’t like those who stand up and speak up on subjects that they would rather supress. This is the reason the real street music, the real Hip Hop, remains in the underground. When you talk about how people are kept down, controlled, and used, your fan base will only be with those how truly understand or have lived it.

Jamboree has banging drums alongside a Mexican band sound on the bridge, giving this a real body moving vibe. Here we find Emarvellous celebrating all the good things in life, getting out there and having fun with family and friends, enjoying good music and taking time away from the daily grind. Drums, bass, and bells combine to bring another uplifting vibe on Shine. That uplifting sound is matched by Emarvellous as he brings the kind of lyrics that speak on the things that make you shine in your day-to-day life, leaving the darkness behind. A heavy drum sound gets your head nodding ready for Workrate, which features 4Dee. Emavellous and 4Dee go hard on this one kicking the work rate up dropping incredible bars across 2 verses to get you proper hyped.

Sik Swagga joins Emarvellous again on Deceptoinz where vocal samples form the backdrop to drums and bass, this brings a beat that almost appears deceptively chilled but, is far from it and that air of deception is exactly what this track is all about. In a world where deception is the main weapon of the powers that be, we need to remember that is the case. Nothing is what it appears these days and so much of what we see in the media is put there to take our focus from what is really going on. Another short skit follows, taken from a movie, where violence is used as a warning to main the fear and the control. Think on that as it leads into Acts of Violence. Cuts, drums, and bass are the main elements of the sound, creating this heavy funk vibe. Here Emarvelous speaks on stories of those who use violence against others. It’s a sobering thought that there are those out there who think nothing of using violence, the same way most of us may use our phones, it’s just second nature to them.

Back to Front see’s Anton the Bum join Emarvellous over a pounding beat, with cuts, that vibrates you to the core. This one is not just taking a shot at former clown-minister Boris Johnson but, it is exposing the fact that the whole system is flawed, it’s all back to front; the people don’t really vote in who they want, it’s all a set-up, showing just how messed up and corrupt things truly are. Drums and a rock guitar sound which plays with your nerves on Magic Man. This track looks at men’s mental health and how their emotional state of mind is so often overlooked. This is often the case in relationship break ups where the support of the justice system is lacking for many men. Men also have to remember that it is OK, not to be OK, and that asking for help is such a huge step forward. This is an important subject that is so often overlooked because of the issues created by a patriarchal system. The album’s final skit follows, which sees Emarvellous speak on the yin and yang aspects of Hackney.

PunchPower is a banging track with some classic samples thrown in to spice things up. You can probably guess, from the title of the track, that this one is all about the sport of boxing. So, sit back and enjoy as Emarvellous drops a celebration of all he enjoys about it. The penultimate track is Blatant Discrimination, where the drums pound alongside an etheric vocal sample. Here Emarvellous goes hard on the subject of racism and home blatant some people still are in their use of the ‘N’ word; even in this day and age where the issue of racism has been given such focus. It is an outdated view that needs to be stamped out. Hip Hop has always promoted a culture that is devoid of race issues and has always sought to bring attention to all cultures who are affected by this issue and to stand up against it. The albums final track, Sick With It, once again features Sik Swagga alongside Emarvellous. Drums and maniacal laughter fill your ears as this one drops with a horrorcore vibe. This track is like watching the late-night horror movies, where no punches are pulled with, he depth of gore and fear, and nightmares are your only companion…

 

Verbal Mentality is a hell of a ride, to be honest. Emarvellous gives us a really good blend of tracks that are full of emotion and a deep desire to display the harsh realities of life on the street and the inability of the government to do anything to bring help and support; the album also has a good selection of tracks that display that just for fun vibe, where its all about dropping slick verses that are packed of similes and metaphors, just for the shear enjoyment of doing it. It really does bring an overall sense of balance to the whole project. He also shows how adept he is with his craft, switching between flows and styles with a deep respect and desire to be original, never sticking to just one style but, mixing it up and showing that he is a force to be reckoned with on the underground scene.

There is also a rawness to this release, a gritty edge that comes only from lived experience. This is evident in the production as well, with the sound often bringing a very gritty, rough vibe that seems to easily put you in touch with that raw truth of the street vibe. The same of which can be said of the guest artist who bring that underground rawness that fits so perfectly here. It might be to everyone’s taste but, when you are dealing with lived experience, there will be a deep tough edge that it is hard to deal with unless you’ve been there. So, for some, there will need to be an understanding that real life often means hearing and facing things you’re not comfortable with but, it is live and you have to understand the truth and reality of where others come from.

Overall, Verbal Mentality creates a balance that does not shy away from being brutally honest when needs be, and shows that life has a brighter side too. Emarvellous brings us an album that displays everything that he is about right now but also has this hint that, he still has a few cards up his sleave too. This is a solid release that can be enjoyed but, also respected providing you listen with an open mind.

Verbal Mentality is available now from Veteran Records.

My thanks to 4Dee for sending this one my way.

I’m outta here,

Steve

LINKS

Stream the album on Spotify Here:

Emarvellous on Spotify

Emarvellous on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emarvellous9/

Emarvellous on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Emarvellousoh

Emarvellous YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEzESierOpjMxSWRZgEgpRg

Veteran Records Website:

https://veteranrecords.co.uk

Album Review: Shots Fired by 4Dee

 

Shots Fired

By

4Dee

 

Shots Fired is the latest album from Cardiff emcee 4Dee and, being this is the first time I have featured him, I felt it would be advantageous for me to give you some background on 4Dee.

One of the founding fathers of Hip Hop in Wales, 4Dee has been active in the scene since 1983 when breakin’ and electro first hit our shores. Originally starting out as a B-Boy he made his name with his crew Electro Force by battling other local crews. Even after moving on to become an emcee, he maintained close links with breakin’ and hosted events such as the Welsh Open B-Boy Championships, Original Flavours in Switzerland and Dark Circlez for the LA based global B-Boy organisation Battle Holex. He was also the European president of Battle Holex as well as a former UK Ambassador for the Zulu Nation.

4Dee picked up the mic around 85-86 and joined DJ Jaffa, MC Eric (who would go on the front chart-topping group Technotronic), acclaimed songwriter and musician Dike Okoh and other B-Boys, rappers, and Graff writers (another element of Hip Hop he has dabbled in) to form Cardiff’s original Hip Hop crew Hardrock Concept. Since then he has gone on to be a part of a number of groups such as: rock rap outfit Under The Gun (which gave him his first publishing deal with EMI); Undecorated Veteranz with Joe Blow and the late great DJ Stagga (who would go on the be a favourite producer of both the Dubstep and LA Beat Scene); and Sionis, with members of the multi award winning and ground-breaking youth group Underdogs, which 4Dee started in 1992 with his sister Berta (now sadly passed), and long term collaborator DJ Jaffa.

It would be many years later before 4Dee would release his first solo album. After a period of hardship and homelessness, he realised that he had strayed too far from the one thing that gave him hope and purpose, Hip Hop! Tackling his problems head-on, he got back to the studio to produce hid first proper solo release ‘Indelible’ in 2021, then in 2022 he released his second album ‘Frequencies’ and now in 2023 his third album Shots Fired is here. This album is an outlet for all his thoughts and frustrations of the past few years, and it harks back to the classic britcore sound in places but, never loses sight of where we are now. There are some guest appearances from Skinnyman and a host of Welsh artists too.

So, take a step back for just a second and let that all sink in…

Now join me as I step well and truly into the firing line.

 

With his finger pressed lightly on the trigger, twin lasers produce stereo red dots, one for each ear, guiding the musical frequencies with pinpoint accuracy to their destination, your ears, as the Intro prepares you for what is to come, with sonic sounds and a movie style audio, your attention is focus in one spot, what’s about to come. Then the shots erupt, cleansing your senses of every other sound which allows the strings and vocal samples to guide you to Darkstreetz III, before the beat kicks in and 4Dee takes you to streets of Cardiff. These are the dark streets of life that you can only get a grasp of through 4Dee’s emotive story telling an inner-city nightmare where people do what they do to survive or simply escape from the nightmare through a drug fuelled haze. With your mind still standing in the shadows of the place where darkness is your only friend, a heavy beat drops, catapulting you out of that dark space and into the light with The Anthem, which begins with some solid shout-outs. Those shout outs continue through the track alongside some classic samples, cutting and scratching, 4Dee’s anthem is a Hip Hop anthem and celebrates everything that makes Hip Hop what it is and more. You can’t do anything but, bounce to this one because it fuels the adrenaline inside you and allowing you close your eyes and feel the energy and vibration of what true Hip Hop is.

Unstoppable see’s Joe Blow join 4Dee as guitar vibes have us stepping into the track before a heavy beat explodes getting you jumping. Joe Blow and 4Dee bounce off each other with ease with a vocal display that demonstrates one thing, why they are Unstoppable. Next up is a little light relief with a Marching Skit, courtesy of Monty Pythons Flying Circus. But, if there is anything you’d rather be doing, like listening to the rest of the album, then off you go! But there is a warning to come of an imminent threat, that threat is Chemical Warfare. A melodic beat and electronic vibes set the tone for this one as 4Dee takes aim at the state of life around us. This is a society where chemicals are put in our food and sprayed in the skies above us But, not just that because it goes beyond the chemical as frequencies are manipulated under the guise of bringing us wireless internet and phone signals, invisible signals we have no control over and that permeate our bodies every day, just as do the chemicals in the food and the air around us.

MPD Skit opens up the subject of child trafficking and questions the narrative that they only do it due to borderline personality disorder. These are often highly organised groups who make a lot of money doing what they do. Are these people with BPD or just sick individuals catering to an even sicker clientele? With that thought in mind, you’re wondering what is next when the cut-up pocket watch chime from the movie A Few Dollars More grabs your attention followed by a heavy beat. The Hex Files see’s 4Dee voicing both sides in a battle of light and darkness, one side is the light in its current human form, whilst the other is the dark-side or an evil entity bent on an age-old revenge against what now the descendant of those who cast out the evil many years ago. It may even have you considering where the true definition of evil lies, in this case. We reach the mid-point of the album with Rebellious Energies a hardcore and raw beat with razor sharp cuts which has that britcore vibe running through every second. It might sound like this one is just a collection of intelligent metaphors and similes crafted into crowd rousing slice of audible goodness but, its more than that, because this is where the energy to take a stand begins, this the medium that speaks to those who need to hear it…

More pounding drums herald the arrival of Versed & Cursed, the faint sound of keys on the verses and the heavy bass and electronic vibe of the chorus gives this one sound that is akin to britcore mixed with horrorcore. 4Dee and Chew go in on this one that seems to almost explore the deepest darkest fears, whilst taking a look through the eyes of both good and evil. It’s almost a sequel to the Hex Files. With your soul in taters, you wonder if there is any way back to the land of the living But, there is a lifeline and comes in the most curious of ways as the Theme from Ironside rips into your consciousness literally dragging you back to life and preparing you for 8 Barz of Fire. Heavy drums, bass and strings combine to get your head nodding, exactly what you needed is seven plus minutes of pulse pounding, flame spitting and adrenaline pumping pleasure courtesy of 4Dee, Joe Blow, Mr Phormula, Delisha, Fiya Da Flame, Big Loon, Scott Keltic Knot, Emarvellous, Brighty, Ads The Barbarian, Versatyle, Ezquniverse, Melo, Dick Dastardly, Slammo, Chilly Chill, Swell, 7breaths, Chew Np11, Lex Scoops and DJ Jaffa. You wanted a posse cut Welsh Hip Hop style; well, you got it. Time for a short interlude courtesy of the My Pen is my Rifle Skit, as taken from Platoon, which symbolises the fact that the emcees main weapon is their pen, loaded with ammunition from their mind…

The ammunition in the mind of 4Dee is put to good use on the title track of the album, Shots Fired, also the one track on the album that is not produced by him, being produced by Acko. Pounding drums, cuts and synths give this one heavy feel which is based around a piece of classical music (which sadly escapes my memory right now). 4Dee uses everything in his verbal arsenal to unload a relentless salvo of bars to assault your mind, while also giving you the energy to jump around to this one. Next is another interlude in the form of the Stolen Skit, this one looks at the story of a very shady social worker who will obviously stop at nothing to remove a child from their parents. This is a rather scary vision that may or may not reflect things that can happen. It puts you in mind of a broken system that in turn is the product of a Broken Britain, the subject of the next track and see’s 4Dee being joined by Joe Blow and the legendary Skinnyman. The beat is a combination of melodic drums and guitar which creates this reflective vibe. The subject of this track is far to involved to go into in depth but, it extremely important for everyone to be educated on. The legal fiction or strawman was created by registering you birth, and it is a subject well worth researching and what it means for you as a person. This is how your country truly cares about you…  

No Paperwork Skit is another truly disturbing interlude with real people describing real events and shows what can happen is this so called ‘Great’ Britain. As you real from those words, drums pound your ears, closely followed by an electric bass sound that twists your every nerve. 4Dee then gives the Lowdown on who he is as a rapper. All you have to do here is to just listen and understand exactly what his pedigree is. On to the last track of the album, Ununited Kingdom has an upbeat vibe that combines drums, horns, keys, and cuts, for one of those keep you moving beats. 4Dee takes a look at the reality of nation we live in, this so-called United Kingdom or Great Britain but, is it really either of those things? The people who make this nation great have to deal with oppression, racism and control, the only thing that unites most of us is the fact that we are treated less like people and more like numbers or as an ends to a means. In the eyes of those in a position of power we are simply the workers, the ones they tread on to reach higher and higher wealth and power but, we are the ones with true power if we only realised it…

Phew, I mean what a ride that was…

That is what you might call a powerhouse of grown man Hip Hop. It shows an unflinching and unapologetic vision of what it is to live in the UK at this current time. It’s not a very pretty picture but, then when we are all struggling to pay our bills and to afford the essentials, or even making ourselves ill from a constant pursuit of money to live comfortably, there is no way to sugar coat it and that is exactly what 4Dee does here, he lays all the cards on the table and says ‘there ya go. That is the stark reality of society right now’. He does it in a way that anyone can sit and listen to it and say ‘yeah, I understand that. This guy knows what he’s talking about’. He speaks to everyone on a level that shows he knows how it feels to have been there, and it helps when you know people get where you’re coming from.

Shots Fired is a rollercoaster from start to finish. Yes, it’s dark in places but, that is the nature of our society but, it’s not all doom and gloom. There is still much to listen to and to simply enjoy and more than enough to get your heads nodding and fists pumping.

4Dee shows his pedigree in many ways here delivering some solid production that instinctively captures the soundscape of live and his wordplay and story writing has a true depth to it that only comes from experience of the highs and lows of what life has to offer. I have to take my hat of to him for delivering a stunning album here in which you can feel the roots of that real Hip Hop sound but, also one that is mixed with the gritty and raw power of true-life experience.

It would be amiss of me not to mention the guest artists who feature here. From the legendary figure of Skinnyman and long-time collaborators Joe Blow and DJ Jaffa, to the wealth of Welsh artists on 8 Barz of Fire, everyone of them brings their own style and presence to the album and what this does is pack the clip full of mind piercing vocal hollow points and turntable trickery as sharp as a bayonet.

There really isn’t much more I can say about this album except that I really advice you grab it and give it a listen. Because the only way to get the most out of it will be to immerse yourself in it personally.

Shots Fired is out today, exclusively on Bandcamp via Veteran Records, A label that might have only been going about a year but already has an impressive catalogue of releases. All other platforms will see the release on 14th May.

 

My humble thanks to 4Dee for asking me to review this and for the Bio which formed the foundation for the beginning of this article.

On that Note,

I’m out, See ya.

Steve.

LINKS

Shots Fired will be available through Bandcamp Here:

https://4dee1.bandcamp.com/music

Check the Veteran Records website Here:

https://veteranrecords.co.uk/

Veteran Records on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteranrecordsfb

Links for the Broken Britain single release (Inc. all streaming links):

https://songwhip.com/4dee/broken-britain

4Dee YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGapm2D36Ro79Ybrt7lvNkg

VIDEOS

Broken Britain

The Anthem