Album Review: Triple Piragua by Mic Mountain

 

Triple Piragua

By

Mic Mountain

 

Having been away from the music for a couple of months for personal reasons, it feels only right to kick off my eighth year of reviewing by clearing up some projects that I did not get round to doing in 2024, and to kick of 2025 I am bringing you an emcee from Washington D.C.

Mic Mountain is an Afro-Latino emcee and producer who comes from Native American decent. From a young age he spent time in local studios in the Washington area, honing his craft. His inspirations come from the likes of RUN-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest, and Redman, to name just a few. He blends his multi-cultural heritage with clever wordplay and striking metaphors that span Hip Hop’s past and Future. He already has three mixtapes and eight solo albums to his credit, including the one I will be reviewing here, with another in production and slated for release later this year. Along his journey he has collaborated with some of Hip Hop’s greats, including Mellow Man Ace, Psycho Les, Prince Po, Thirstin Howl The 3^rd, Tame One, Pace Won, Shabaam Sahdeeq, and many more.

Triple Piragua is his seventh solo album and was released back in August 2024. It boasts a Puerto Rican flavour throughout with a mixture of Boom Bap, Reggaeton and Latin Trap. The Album features production not only from himself but a wealth of other top producers including Domingo, Mr Scratch Hook, Rkitech, Hanzo Bladez, Joey Dynomite, DJ Eldermayne, Yo S Elf for TrakLite Productions, Starseed Beats, and A.J. Throwback. There are also a number of notable guest artist appearances including Psycho Les (Beatnuts), Chilo, 8ch2owens, Muñeca MC, The Microphone Prince, Thirstin Howl The 3^rd, godhead the General, Jigsama Bin Rhymin, Aïda, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Nujericans, Fantazma, Kalashnikov Red, and Daso AfroCaribeño.

This album is some eighteen tracks deep so, its time for me to get into this one and bring you my thoughts…

Triple Piragua is the third album in a series from Mic Mountain (the former being Piragua and Mas Piragua) and gets its title from the name of the Puerto Rican shaved ice desert. The album kicks off with the Triple Piragua Intro (La Rhumba), Bringing in elements that celebrate the classic dance, Mic Mountain drops a mixture of native Puerto Rican tongue alongside the usual English rap vocals. Domingo provides a banging boom bap beat that, alongside the vocals, immediately gets the blood and adrenaline pumping, making want to move in an infectious way. Psycho Les of the legendary Beatnutz joins Mic Mountain (who also produces) for Mucho Swing. This one brings a horn heavy vibe over a solid drum beat and cuts which brings a smile and more movement to your body. This one really gives you a huge party vibe as Psycho Les and Mic Mountain go all in bringing you that Hispanic vibe, showing that these guys are as at home swinging in the club, on the mic, and will also get to swinging should you get out of line. Next up is Pastelones which features Chilo and 8ch2owens with production from Domingo. Now, if I have got the translation correct here, then this one translates to Paving Stones. The beat has a heavy boom bap feel, some solid cuts, with the horns and percussion than gives it that Puerta Rican edge. The pace of this one fuels the adrenaline levels once more as the track celebrates life, honing your craft, and making that money. Walking the path of life means there are a lot of stepping stones you need to negotiate, and you can do it with a little heart and confidence in who you are.

Puñetazo sees Muñeca MC feature with production from Domingo. This one translates to Punch, and you can feel that vibe in the way Domingo has crafted the beat and the horns, all of which have a punchy feel to them. This one is all about those who act up, thinking they are more than they truly are. The message here is that if you gonna act all macho, then you better be able to back it up because the punches that follow don’t always come from a fist. Calle Soul is produced by Domingo and sees Mic Mountain on the first of several solo tracks. This one has a real infectious vibe fuelled by piano, horns and wealth of percussion, all of which come together into club infusion. If you look at the translation of Calle, it means Street, so this one brings you that Street Soul. When you truly listen you feel that come directly from personal experience, something that adds that feel of authenticity to things. The soul of the streets means many things from country to country and this one brings you a glimpse into that life through he eyes of Mic Mountain. Next, we have the short Prince Po en La Casa (Interlude) (or Prince Po in The House) which features production from Mic Mountain. Double Bass, castanets, and a funky beat provide the backdrop for Prince Po to drop some knowledge on you.

Bacardi (PR Rum) features The Microphone Prince and Thirstin Howl the 3^rd alongside production from Mr Scratch Hook. The beat takes the forefront here and is heavy, alongside the cuts and horns, as the other samples seem to be in the background. It gives the beat a laid-back live sound that you can’t help but nod to. Here you are treated to three emcees demonstrating their craft in two languages and showing just how accomplished they are, even if the fuel is that Bacardi rum. No Guantes (or No Gloves) features godhead The General and Jigsama Bin Rhymin, alongside Domingo on production. The horns take the forefront here in frantic style, firing up the adrenaline levels once more, as do the pace of the vocals. Here the gloves are well and truly off as these three emcees continue the in the vein of the last track as they display their rhyme styles with aplomb. Just watch out cos if you duck the jab, you’re gonna get hit with the hook. As we approach the halfway point of the album it’s time for Aïda and Shabaam Shadeeq to step up while Rkiteck takes over production duties on El Pasito (The Step). Once more the horns take the forefront here as the beat has a more relaxed edge to it. As you listen to this one you realise that its all about the steps you take, not just on the dancefloor but also those you take through life. Just as you need to learn and be precise in the steps you take on the dancefloor, you need to be just as precise with the steps you take in life. Can it be that simple a message? Listen and see if you agree.

Sickologia features 8ch2owens with production from Hanzo Bladez. The beat here is heavy but, there is the horns and keys underpinning it that give this one an almost entirely different vibe from the rest of the album with a far eastern edge. This departure from the album’s vibe works well here with the focus taking a look at mental health, a subject that needs to have more of a light shone on it and the more we see this, the more we are likely to open up about our own struggles. After that brief departure from things, it’s back to proceedings with What We Look Like? Where Joey Dynomite provides production and the Nujericans feature alongside Mic Mountain. This one is more upbeat boom bap with an almost orchestral edge to the sound of the horns. This one is all about another solid display of wordplay, similes, and metaphors. For me, here, its not about what you look like but, what you sound like, and this sounds fresh all day long. Mountain Time (La Fin De Noche) or, if my translation is correct, Mountain Time (The End of the Night) features production from DJ Eldermayne brings in that Latin trap sound, which for me anyway, gives this one a bit of a nerve tweaking sound. This track focuses on Mic Mountain noticing a beautiful woman and his feelings and observations about her and how he sees things going by the end of the night.

Baile Conmigo (Translated as Dance With Me) features Muñeca MC and is produced by Mic Mountain. This track has far more of the native tongue rap than other tracks on the album. Now I’m not going to say that I’m in a place to be able to translate every word but, from the title, I can guess that this one is all about seeing someone you like and asking them to come dance with you. It’s an upbeat track that has an infectious vibe and is one of those times that makes you realise that its all about soaking up the energy of the music even if you do not understand the lyrics, you can just feel it. Oye Nena translates to Hey Baby and features production from Yo S Elf for TrakLite Productions. The beat is heavy on this one and backed by this mix of flute and guitar, which, at first, seems a little like it does not work, but as the vocals come in it all just works as one, getting you bouncing and nodding along. Mic Mountain gives us an insight into what it is to truly love someone and what you do for the love of that special someone. Que Bonita Bandera, which translates to What A Beautiful Flag, features Fantasma and Kalashnikov Red joining Mic Mountain (who also produces the track). The sound of this one has horns, keys and more that reflects the sound of Puerto Rico. Its very energetic and upbeat, giving you this feeling you just wanna move to it. Again, this one has far more native tongue in the vocals but, there is a lot here about being proud of where you are from as you move through life, doing what you can to life your best life and be the best expression of who you truly are.

As the we move towards the last few tracks of the album, next is the albums title track Triple Piragua. Produced by Starseed Beats and featuring the harmonies of Daso AfroCaribeño, this one has that Latin trap sound and sees Mic Mountain reflecting the flavour of the Puerto Rican shaved ice desert in his lyrics. The penultimate track is Traviesa which has a number of meanings when you look for a translation but, one of those is Naughty, which does seem to fit here. Produced by A.J. Throwback this one has a more soulful edge to it and sees Mic Mountain speaking on all the women he sees around him. There is that playful side to this one, especially as I said the translation is Naughty, which would kind of relate to the naughty side of those women. I might not have this totally right here but, it does seem to fit but, forgive me if I’m wrong here. The final track is the Triple Piragua Outro Erex Remix (Bonus Track) which is produced by Mr Scratch Hook (aka Erex). Back to the boom bap feel this one sees Mic Mountain wrap up the album in style with short little outro with plenty of energy that will either leave you wanting a rest or wanting more…

 

Overall, what can I say about this album?

Unless I am mistaken, this is the first time I have come across Mic Mountain, that I can remember anyway but, after listening through this album there are times you get a sense of the inspirations of the some of those great names that I mentioned at the start but, there are also moments when you a feel that the spirit of Big Pun is also in the house.

Mic Mountain is one of those emcees that has a way with words, similes, and metaphors. He uses his multi-cultural heritage to get effect and in such a way as it makes this album a very easy listen, even if you are not multi-lingual. Apart from the incredible wordplay, there was a lot of great references to his own personal experiences, something for me that is invaluable as it allows you to connect to him through his words and gives those words far more relatability.

Now, there are some musical styles that I’m not a personal fan of, and I did find the Latin trap to be a little outside my comfort zone. However, when you are an accomplish emcee and one of you aims is to bridge eras of Hip Hop, then branching into other styles of rap is something you will do. It might not be to everyone’s taste but, that’s not to say that the production or wordplay suffers in anyway, it does not and I am sure that there will be plenty who find that style to their liking as it does have an energy about it.

With the majority of the album having a boom bap quality to it there is something in Triple Piragua to appeal to a great many ears. The energy and sound have an uplifting quality about it from top to bottom with the energy that is fused with the sound getting you moving throughout. If you are one of those new to Mic Mountains work, then this one will give a cracking introduction to the quality of his craft, definitely leaving you hungry for more of his work and more Piragua.

The other thing about this album is something that I have said a number of times but, it shows just how multi-cultural Hip Hop is. Not just that it shows the versatility of the Hip Hop sound, in that you can incorporate music from many cultures, and it always brings new depth to the sound. Here Mic Mountain keeps that Puerta Rican Hip Hop fusion alive while encompassing the newer sounds that keep the music new and fresh for the younger ear.

 

My huge thanks to Mic Mountain for reaching out to me and giving me this chance to review his work. From our conversations, he truly is a stand-up guy and someone I have respect for off the back of this, and I for one am looking forward to hearing more from him in the future.   

A cracking way to kick off 2025.

 

Be seeing you all soon,

Peace out,

Steve.

 

Postscript:

I have decided to add an extra observation here to give you all a little more depth.

Having had some brief email conversations with Mic Mountain, it became apparent that some of the translations were not on point. Now, this did not necessarily change the interpretation of those tracks but, one is worth noting here just so you can see part of the process I go through and how the research has something of an impact on my reviews.

For the track Pastelones, Mic Mountain gave me this “Pastelones translates to Puerto Rican Lasagna made of fried plantains instead of Noodles or Pasta. It’s a metaphor I made up for stacking Cheese or Cash”. I did pick up on the metaphor of cash, maybe not in exactly the same way though. Had I got this prior to the review then it might have changed my interpretation slightly, but it would not have changed by much.

When I am reviewing music with song titles etc, in another language, I always do my best to research the meanings of those titles. Because it is important to get the best understanding of what I am hearing and how I then interpret that. It does not always mean that I nail the exact meaning of a track as intended by the artist but, what it does do is allow you to see how your own interpretations can be influenced by what you are hearing, especially once you get a better understanding from the artist and their basis for each track.

Steve, Infinite Sounds UK

February 2025

LINKS

Grab your copy of the album Here:

https://micmountain.bandcamp.com/album/triple-piragua

Mic Mountain Websites:

https://micmountain.com/home

https://triplepiragua.com/

Mic Mountain Socials:

https://twitter.com/micmountain

https://www.instagram.com/therealmicmountain

https://www.facebook.com/micmountainmusic

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

VIDEOS

Triple Piragua

Pastelones

Mucho Swing

Calle Soul

Mountain Time (La Fin De Noche)

Album Review: Self Confidence by Can't Be Copied

 

Self Confidence

By

Can’t Be Copied

 

I don’t always know which review will round off the year for me, sometimes I do get to plan ahead but, 2024 has come with a lot of challenges towards the end with some cancelled reviews, and so it came down to the last two and the first that I receive of those was Self Confidence from Can’t Be Copied aka K.A.O.$ Da Rowdy MC and Mr Roka. It is a pleasure to round off another year of reviews with these guys.

Now, it has been a while since this one came my way and so it gave me a chance to just check out their website before I got into this. CBC note that the album is a “declaration of the confidence in our ability to create new and meaningful Hip Hop”. Now, I have to say that the guys never disappoint in the music they create and messages they give, and they do all that without the need for offensive language or cursing.

So, I won’t keep you hanging around but, get straight into this album, which is some 19 tracks deep, consisting of ten full tracks and nine skit’s, so let’s go…

 

The guys kick it off in style with a heavy pounding beat and these electronic background sounds which get you head nodding from the get-go on Flowcresent. This one goes in hard looking at gun violence while also being a huge statement on the confidence that the guys have together. In fact, just as an after thought here, there could be an analogy here between the power that a gun has and the power of words and music. Guns give some confidence but, here CBC show that you don’t need that, use the talent’s you were born with and crafted from hard work to bring you that confidence. Next up is Skit 1, where we find K.A.O.$. speaking on how CBC does everything themselves so there is no need to wait on anything, this gives them more freedom to create their vision. Mr Roka provides wicked backdrop with cuts, a dope beat, and this synth vibe that has a John Carpenter feel to it. There is no time to dwell to much on that thought as more synth vibes, cuts, and another sweet beat drop in, getting you bouncing for Can’t Take It. This one really seems to define how having that self confidence can really boost the steps you take on your life’s journey, and when that happens there will be many around you who simply can’t take that energy. It’s all about keeping that confidence and cultivating the drive it gives you to succeed in life.

Skit 2 takes us backstage with K.A.O.$. Da Rowdy MC checking that everything is ready for the live show while Mr Roka is setting up on-stage and providing a little background bass notes to keep things moving. Now that everything is ready for the show, its time for CBC to give you What The Crowd Like, as Mr Roka drops some funky bass infused beat, with some slick background cuts, to get you rocking. K.A.O.$. gives us exactly what crowd likes, with a dope display of lyrical wordplay as he spins bar after bar to get your adrenaline levels pushing into the red. Skit 3 brings a pounding beat from Mr Roka as K.A.O.$. lays the cards on the table. This is CBC and this is that real Hip Hop boom bap sound and not just some average sound; this proves one thing, which is that CBC has No Competition. The beat hits hard getting you moving while Mr Roka’s cuts keep sucka’s at bay. K.A.O.$. brings the bars as hard as the beat hits, unloading the kind of lyrical flows that scream that real Hip Hop vibe from the roof tops, that’s it, this is the realness…

Skit 4 has this almost LoFi sound that just drifts through your awareness as K.A.O.$. reinforces the importance of self confidence by telling you not to let others on the outside influence what you do. You can listen to what others have to say but, when it comes down to it, it is the strength of your own convictions in your own talents that will win out. Just go with what you feel inside, that’s the key. Shouldn’t Have brings a banging beat with organ sounds and so much more it gets you fired up right out the gate. The message here is pretty simple when it comes down to it, as the focus is one things that shouldn’t have been done and a few things that should be done. This is the kind of thing that we go thought life experiencing, knowing that there are so many thing people shouldn’t have done to us, and its not just those close to us or around us but, those who govern or sit in a place of power, and at times the shouldn’t haves seem to out weight should haves. Skit 5 has this funky little beat where the bass and synth really pop out. This has a real tongue-in-cheek feel to it too looking at an artist trying to be something they aren’t and not being authentic.

Talking of being authentic its time for CBC to show their level of authenticity with Ready For Me. Mr Roka brings us this real funky vibe that has these piano and organ vibes that really tweak at your nerves. All the while K.A.O.$. is dropping bars that go hard on those who don’t perform with any level of real authenticity. There is not much more you can say here except, being authentic brings a different energy and allows you to create something that your audience will always remember and that breeds your confidence on so many levels. With Skit 6 its all about the fact that CBC do what they do, that’s it plain and simple, and straight from mouth of K.A.O.$. Mr Roka provides this electronic vibe that just sits in the background, giving you a light level of anticipation for what’s next; which is Only Here. This track sees Mr Roka bringing a guitar infused sound, using sampled guitars to create this energetic sound that fuses with the beat to be strangely infectious. Similes and metaphors about here as K.A.O.$. spits some venom on the mic. It’s all about the fact that CBC are here to do what they do, bring the real Hip Hop sound; its not about making a name or being one of the greats, but if that comes to pass, it’s all good. Really its more about the music that the rewards.

Skit 7 a nice funky beat that gets your head nodding along while K.A.O.$. notes that something does not feel right and time to step back for a bit. Giving yourself some time to kick back allows you time to Visualise, and here Mr Roka brings a proper boom bap beat that is mixed with bass, and keys to give you this chilled space to sit in. K.A.O.$. speaks on some different stories that might be happening anywhere right now, and as you become aware of what is going on around you, it makes you think about how things might affect you if you were there. When you visualise these things, it often gives you a different sense of perspective on your own life too. Skit 8 brings a sound that has this percussion sound that has an echo vibe and a deep feel to it. This one is just about inviting someone to come backstage and speak on their view of CBC.

Mic-ful brings to life that backstage chat about CBC and K.A.O.$. speaking on lived experiences alongside more on what CBC is all about. Mr Roka drops a heavy drum beat that is backed by piano and guitar notes with a sound that feels like all this information is slowly drip-feeding into your mind as to listen along. The penultimate track here is Skit 9, with a LoFi background sound that seems to mirror the ambient outdoor noise, we find a tired K.A.O.$. waiting for a bus which leads us into our final track Observation. The drums pound heavy here with an electronic element that gives this one a subtle electro vibe. This one continues perfectly from the previous skit as K.A.O.$. speaks openly on his observations on Hip Hop and its impact on the world around him. I have to echo so much of what is said here and I think that any real Hip Hop head will agree with me…

 

 

There is always a pleasure and flow when I am writing to what I hear from the CBC boys, and this album is no different. The notion of this album encompassing their self confidence in their crafts and Hip Hop in general is only too apparent here. It flows in true abundance and that dedication to bringing the listeners a form of Hip Hop that is deep and says so much but, is also a form of Hip Hop that you can play anywhere strikes a different chord. It speaks to you on many different levels with intensity but, a different level of intensity that you might feel when explicit language is used. Not that I have an issue with the use of course language but, sometimes it is just a breath of fresh air to hear Hip Hop on this level without dropouts or rewinds to cover up certain words.

Now, I know there are a lot of skit’s in this one and there are a lot of you out there who do not like these but, each one does lead into the following track and gives you a bit of breathing space between tracks. I’m certain that should you chose to listen to the album with or without the skit’s it will not change your listening pleasure but, I would suggest you give it at least one go in its original format.

All-in-All Self Confidence is another quality release from CBC and one that further cements their dedication to bringing that real Hip Hop music to the listener. Every track here has its foundations in the true Hip Hop sound and as such it brings a special vibe to those of us who grew up with Hip Hop and those whose love of Hip Hop has taken down a road of discovery through the history of the Hip Hop sound. CBC truly do keep live the heart and soul of that true Hip Hop sound; of that I have no doubt.

Self Confidence is available now exclusively from the Can’t Be Copied Hip Hop website.

Go grab it if haven’t already.

See you sometime in the New Year,

Have a good one.

Steve

LINKS

Get your copy of the Album exclusively from the CBC Website (All social links are here too):

https://cantbecopiedhiphop.com/home

Singles Review: Mind Melt (Prod Daniel Niles) & Still I Rise (feat WhoDat & Prod by Micall Parknsun) by AnyWay Tha God

 

Mind Melt – Produced by Daniel Niles

and

Still I Rise – Produced by Micall Parknsun featuring WhoDat

By

AnyWay Tha God

 

These two recent singles from AnyWay Tha God have been out since October so, I’m a little late bringing these to you. Now, I first heard AnyWay Tha God when I reviewed the Remix project he did with Daniel Niles for his album Allow God To Interject, way back in 2021. Since that time, he has had a string of releases, most of which have been released through the G.A.W.D.S & L.A.W.D.S imprint.

Sadly, for this review I have not had the time to detail AnyWay The God's background and perhaps that is something for another day? But what I have for you today are two singles, Mind Melt which features production from Daniel Niles and Still I Rise which features WhoDat with production from the legendary Micall Parknsun.  

So, I won’t keep you waiting here but get straight into the music.

Mind Melt has this heavy head nod beat alongside some bass and keys which all combine to merge with and twist your mind into looking at reality with a slightly different viewpoint. This fits perfectly with AnyWay Tha Gods lyrics which grab hold of your awareness and literally pull apart your current understanding of reality, opening you up to everything you thought you knew but, in a true assault on the senses. At times you might struggle to keep focused on what he is injecting into your mind but, perhaps that is the deal here? Hitting you with all this information in a way that you end up taking on in a more unconscious way. Just think about it, but not too much…

Still I Rise is produced by Micall Parknsun and features WhoDat alongside AnyWay Tha God, and was inspired by the poem by Maya Angelou. Parky brings a wicked mix of drum beat and keys that give this one a banging vibe that also serves to raise your adrenaline levels. As the beat fills your ears AnyWay and WhoDat bring vocals with a true sense of purpose; a purpose that instils strength and feeling in you. This one speaks on having that strength in the face of adversity and to keep walking forward when life seems to try to knock you down at every turn. There is also a spiritual side to this that speaks on drawing energy and inner strength from a higher power too…

What we have here are two tracks that, on the face of it, are almost opposites but, when you go beyond face value you see that they compliment each other. Mind Melt has this stance that speaks on society and the world we live in and how it all can turn your mind inside out but, then comes Still I Rise which gives you the integrity, focus and strength to find a way to keep going as you walk the journey of life.

Each very powerful in their own right, these tracks speak on a different level, one that you need to be open to, to really feel. Production from Daniel Miles and Micall Parknsun are just spot on, really capturing the essence of the message in each track. AnyWay Tha God brings us intelligent lyrics that are delivered with strength and conviction. He also shows that his flows can switch no matter the subject matter and what kind of deliver it calls for to reach the listener. The appearance of WhoDat also totally compliments the track and fits perfectly with the message alongside AnyWay Tha God.

 

These are two solid tracks from AnyWay Tha God, and I would recommend that you check out these and the rest of what he has to offer, You’ll not be disappointed.

Both tracks are out there now.

My thanks to AnyWay Tha God for putting these my way.

I’ll be seeing you.

Steve.

LINKS

One link for the singles and all things AnyWay THa God:

https://linktr.ee/anywaythagod

VIDEOS

Mind Melt

Still I Rise

Single Review: Shifty by King Dion

 

Shifty

By

King Dion

 

I first featured King Dion back in July this year with the Ed Koch EP alongside the Cut Beetlez. Now that EP went down pretty well so I’m interested to hear what the Atlanta rapper has for us on this follow-up single, Shifty which is produced by 3410 Sounds.

So, lets just get straight into it…

Shifty has this more modern sounding rap vibe from 3410 Sounds. The beat has this heavy, almost brooding sound to it which is broken up by the sharper sound of the programmed drums. This gives the whole track this vibe that has you almost on edge throughout. King Dion gives us solid flow that allows you to hear exactly what he is saying, which is always an advantage. The more you listen to this one, the more you get the feeling that this has an autobiographical feel to it. There is this feeling that King Dion is giving us a brief glimpse into life on the streets of Atlanta through the eyes of someone living it. You also feel that this is a bit of a statement, that King Dion is opening our eyes to where he is from and also where he is at.

Shifty is the kind of track that our friends across the pond will associate with a bit more than us here in the UK but, that is not to say that there are not some parallels between the two. The vibe of the track is sure to hit all the right notes for many and it is one of those that you should check out for yourself, just to see what notes it hits with you.

King Dion is definitely one of the upcoming rap artists to watch from the US. He also does not just restrict himself to the vocals but also dabbles in production and DJing too. For me though one of the things that stands out with King Dion is that his rap style has that flow that allows you to hear every rhyme, which is priceless, especially if you like to really get into what someone is putting across in their art.

Shifty is out on all the usual streaming platforms now.

My thanks to King Dion for dropping this one my way.

I’ll see ya next time.

Peace Out.

Steve.

LINKS

Stream the single Here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/0jI8oJ6G7w2M61PTS3Ij2b

https://music.apple.com/us/album/shifty-single/1777881287

King Dion Socials and Links:

https://www.instagram.com/officialkingdion/

https://unitedmasters.com/a/king-dion

VIDEO

EP Review: Times Change by Danny Riggs Prod. By Pandamonium

 

Times Change

By

Danny Riggs X Pandamonium

 

Somewhere back in the mists of time, my good friend and DJ / Producer / Emcee and all-round good egg Pandamonium put out an offer to fully produce an album, EP or whatever for a proper bargain price, and one of the projects that grew from that was a collaboration with upcoming rapper / Singer / Songwriter and drummer from Nottingham UK, Danny Riggs.

That collaboration is now available for everyone to check out and is titled Times Change. Now, aside from being fully produced by Pandamonium, it features some pretty heavy hitters as well including Louis Cypher and Zar! Plus, there is a posse style cut that features a host of emcees in the form of Louis Cypher, Aquatic Ape, C Hayez, Tippyvshummanity, Odox, Cali Green and the legend that is Cappo. With a line-up like that, it is hard to write anymore, so I’m just gonna get into it…

 

Times Change clocks in at a sneeze under forty minutes long across ten tracks and kicks off with Intro_spective, which has Pandamonium's trademark jazzy vibe but, with a more laid-back sound of horns, guitar, and cymbals. The focus of this intro is an invitation for all of us to look within to make the greatest changes. Keeping our focus on what is outside of us and on what others are doing will never be transformative, only a quick fix…

With that thought firmly rooted into our awareness, the album in earnest with Loading In, keeping it laid back here, there is that nice little addition of that 80’s digital computer loading sound, the drumbeat is proper Hip Hop here and backed by bass, kays and horns, which keeps that jazz-hop vibe going. Here we find Danny bringing us the lowdown on who he is and the things that inspire him to do what he does behind the Mic. It is refreshing to get that insight because, with Danny being one of the younger generation of rappers out there, it gives us this deep look at what drives him and that there is this desire within him to see people inviting love into their lives to bring more of it into the world. From that personal note, its time to get more head nod with No Breaks. Pandamonium gives us a nice beat and handclaps to get out heads moving and there are more samples thrown in with quick turns of pace that keep us on our toes. Here we find Danny taking us through some of those moments in life where we feel we just can’t catch a break. He delivers this with some great comedic lines that will have you grinning for sure. You can keep that grin on your face as Playing Games opens with that Nintendo Wii electronic little tune, as a father and son get ready to play on the console. Panda then spins that tune with a nice little head nod beat to give Danny the perfect background to reminisce on his younger days, name dropping a plethora of video games, TV shows and more from the 2000’s. I bet us older heads will recognise most of these as we watched em with our kids too.

Real Business takes us back to that laid-back jazzy vibe of piano and other keys over another nice drumbeat getting us almost swaying back and forth. Danny, drawing on his personal experience, takes us on a trip that is all about doing what you love and constantly aiming to reach your goals. It’s a long journey where some will doubt you and criticize you but, use that energy to fuel your passion for what you do and keep walking forward no matter what. It’s now time for a brief Technical Interlude with serves to introduce what’s about to happen in the second part of the album. Very tongue-in-cheek this one and Panda’s beat has this very lift or elevator music about it but, before you know it, we’re all good and its time to move on to Haters which see’s Louis Cypher making his first appearance. This one turns up the energy levels more than a few notches with a cracking sound that mixes horns, keys and more with a nice infectious beat. This one has the air of battle rap about it as Danny and Louis give us a solid display of wordplay, spinning line after line that will make anyone think twice about stepping up on them…

Almost Blind sees Zar! Step up alongside Danny, with Panda providing a more chilled beat with this electronic sample that gives this one a nerve tweaking edge but, not in bad way, as it just anchors your focus on the words. As you listen to this one it really has a message that echoes the introduction, where its all about having faith in yourself, never giving up, and letting love guide you to a better place. With those sentiments still ringing in your ears, the penultimate track here seems to show what is possible if you don’t give up but, aim for your goals. Legacy is a track that weighs in at nearly ten minutes in length and sees Danny joined by Louis Cypher, Aquatic Ape, C Hayez, Tippyvshummanity, Odox, Cali Green and Cappo. Panda drops a deep funky vibe on this one with deep beat, bass and this funked out guitar that really gets you moving. Less of a hardcore posse cut that you might expect, this one is more a collective of emcees speaking on just what it means to them to leave a legacy behind them. The core thing here is not leaving money or material things but, leaving a legacy of words that have true meaning; creating something that will speak to people for years to come, and the length seems to float by as you listen intently. This is a deep and thought-provoking track that you can’t help but take something from. The album ends with The Best Is Yet To Come Outro which sees Panda on form with a nice head nod little track with bass, guitars and cuts, rounding off the album and suggesting to all that this is just the beginning of the journey for Danny Riggs and the best, well that’s to come and we’ll just have to wait and see what that brings…

 

Overall, what can I say about this one? Well, one thing I can say is that it was a pleasure to wrote to, as the sound and lyrics just made the listening and writing something that flowed with ease; and I love it when that happens because it makes my job easier.

As this was my introduction to Danny Riggs, I was pleasantly surprised to hear someone who has a passion and confidence in his craft. He has some great wordplay and turns of flow while delivering everything with an air that says he is more than able to make a name for himself on the UK scene, and there is no reason to believe that he will not still be here doing his thing for years to come. It will be interesting to watch how he progresses and matures as his journey continues. He is definitely one to watch.

It was also interesting to see how the album had this distinct feel of two halves, separated by this little comedic ditty. The first half showed what Danny can do flying solo, while the second half gave him the chance to drop verses alongside some big name features too. It really showed that he has the capability to hold his own, regardless of if he does it solo or alongside other artists.

He did a great job picking Pandamonium to work with on this project as it does seem to show that he fits really well with Panda’s production style. Each beat panda provided worked so well with the essence of what Danny was going for. Mixing up the styles and the pace gave Danny some good platforms to show how he too can mix things up. Now, I didn’t mention much about the cuts in the write-up for each track, and Panda does not drop a lot of them but, when he does, they are used in just the right places and form to bring that full on Hip Hop vibe to proceedings.

The features artists on the second half of the album all fit so well into the vibe of what Danny is giving us here. He gives us names that we know very well, alongside some that we might not know so well but, it all works perfectly and adds that icing to the cake.

All-in-All, Times Change is an impressive release by one of the UK’s up and coming rap artists who delivers the kind of message that says fairly and squarely, I’m here and I’m one to watch. Plus, as us old heads know, times do change and here we have someone who looks to fit so well within the UK Hip Hop scene, drawing on the essence of that real Hip Hop sound.

Times Change is out now,

So, go grab it and roll with it.

I’ll See ya next time.

Steve.

LINKS

Grab the EP on Band Camp Here:

https://dannyriggs.bandcamp.com/album/times-change

Danny Riggs Socials:

The one link for all things Danny Riggs:

https://linktr.ee/dannyriggsuk

Pandamonium Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/pandamoniumuk/

https://www.facebook.com/djpandamoniumbeats

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

 

VIDEOS

Full EP YouYube Playlist

https://youtu.be/f5433bpqM-8?si=VawQKBJbeZDEGWHl

Legacy (Visualizer)