Browsing Tag

grime

Drill beats meet 420 vibes in Garvin Boateng’s standout track Haze

Posted on 15 November 2020

Amsterdam-born, Leeds, UK-based Ghanaian Rap legend Garvin Boateng teamed up with KFF to drop their dynamic Drill track “Haze”. 420 Hip Hop has never been grittier.

Raw nihilistic energy runs through Haze, but Garvin Boateng’s convictive ensnaring Rap bars which wrap their way around the beauty of weed-aided escapism dominate the track. Haze won’t fail to leave you adrenalized and enamoured in equal measure.

With most Hip Hop tracks, there’s a sense that the artists are forcing a persona, but with lyrics like “I’m not superman I cannot save ya…”, it’s obvious that you get an undiluted hit of Garvin Boateng’s natural charisma with Haze.

You can check out Garvin Boateng’s single Haze via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zeggé and Reemo cook up convictive chemistry in their latest Drill Rap track “Connect”

Posted on 23 October 2020

Very few artists manage to capture our attention, excitement and adoration as unrelentingly as the Drill Hop Hop duo Zeggé & Reemo.

Their latest release “Connect”, which is due for release on Friday 23rd October affirms that the faith they instilled in us with their previous release “Bang” was appropriately positioned.

With Zeggé hailing from the North (of London) and Reemo from the East, they’re set to take over the length and breadth of London and go far beyond with their atmospherically ensnaring approach to dark Hip Hop.

After hearing the trepidation-infusing beats laid out by the 808-god Ghosty, Reemo penned a lyrical attack which perfectly complements the nihilistically-textured instrumentals which will be a hit with any fans of Dave, AJ Tracey, Headie One, Skepta, J Hus, Novelist, Ghetts, Wretch 32, Stormzy, Chip, Drake and Travis Scott.

Everything about Connect feels contemporary. It’s so fresh, it’s raw. The dynamically metered bars ensnare you from the first verse, from there on out, you’re utterly transfixed by the convictive chemistry which breaths between Zeggé and Reemo.

Before lockdown, Zeggé and Reemo were able to premiere Connect live at GBNGA. We have no doubt that they’d be tearing their way up from the underground and gracing major stages if live music was still happening. Considering that they achieved over 20k plays with their debut single Bang, Connect will undoubtedly make the scene erupt.

Connect is out now! You can listen for yourselves on all major platforms via this link.  

Review by Amelia Vandergast

OriginelJay has released their experimentally raw Hip Hop track “This Town”

Posted on 3 October 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/6brQHJ73RGB66iDG4Yzsby

South Birmingham-based emcee OriginelJay’s latest drop “This Town” is one of those insanely rare singles which makes your usual music preferences redundant. Whatever you’re into, you’re likely to find an element in it in this insanely eclectic mix.

OriginelJay holds nothing back when it comes to his mesmerically metered rap bars which offer plenty of harsh truths and humble introspection which collides with their unique mix of Grime, Rap, Punk and Lo-Fi Hip Hop.

I couldn’t have more respect for OriginelJay after hearing This Town. As the track unfolded, a smorgasbord of emotions washed over me. From empowering vibes to compassionate consolation to, you’ll hear it all in This Town.

You can check out OriginelJay’s track This Town by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

YT HellaKingin – Friday Night (feat. Heartbreaka & Dale Keano)

Posted on 23 September 2020

A rhythmic pop track embedded throughout this hip-hop number defies everything we’ve heard before as YT HellaKingin brings it with “Friday Night”. Adding R&B and grime to the mix as well as recruiting Heartbreaka and Dale Keano, who are already on top of the game right now, this track is going to get you vibing to the beat.

With an addicting hook and a chorus that gets stuck in your head, this is one awesome track that you can’t help but love. This is perfect for the bars and the clubs with the artists singing about how much they love their partners, “It’s Friday night baby, All I wanna do is be with you.”

Click here to listen on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOC4e0i-Bcg&feature=youtu.be

Chiron Loxton – Hotshot: Grimily Melodic Hip Hop

Posted on 14 September 2020

If you like your Hip Hop grimy, atmospheric and ingenious, delve into the latest track to drop from Somerset-based artist Chiron Loxton.

With Hotshot, Chiron Loxton found the perfect balance between authenticity and accessibility. Any fans of Post Malone and Yelawolf will appreciate the easy melodic grooves, while urban fans of the grimier inclinations will appreciate the witty vocal hooks which sharpen the bars just enough to pull you in and keep your consciousness consumed by the convictive lyricism. There’s little chance of your attention faltering once you hit play. It’s artists like Chiron Loxton who put the UK on the map when it comes to Hip Hop.

You can check out Hotshot for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gus – Colors: Tear-Jerkingly Uplifting UK Hip Hop

Posted on 21 August 2020

It’s not every day we get the pleasure of describing Hip Hop as mesmeric, but we couldn’t help being transfixed by UK-based Hip Hop artist Gus’ latest hazy single Colors.

Colors kicks off with a stunning low-tempo Jazz piano arrangement before the atmospheric beats create the perfect platform for Gus’ bars. It’s within the Rap bars that Gus’ sets himself apart with an insane amount of distinction.

Gus didn’t just scratch at the surface for the lyricism, he dug deep to offer his own experience of oppression. Yet, there was no apathy or anger within his tone, simply a request for understanding and an olive branch of connection to everyone else who feels defeated by injustice and prejudice.

I could say Colors is emotional and compelling, or I can admit that I was a teary mess before the track was even halfway through.

Colors is available to stream and download through all major platforms via this link

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Album review: Dazzle rips the chord with fantastic ”Kingship”

Posted on 14 July 2020

The UK emcee Dazzle returns to uplift his community with the powerfully Hip Hop/Reggae infused album ”Kingship”.

The London artist impresses mightily and starts in menacing mood with ”Already (Intro)”. This sets up the game and then it’s the Reggae soaked ”Everybody Talkin”. I really like the buzz on this one and it flows through the speaker to get me listening intently.

”London” heads through the whole city and stories of his life in the majestic city. This has a grimy UK feel to it and this is probably my favorite track. ”Foolish” is next up and this starts with some wonderful female vocals that I would like to find out more about. Dazzle soon swoops in and pulls out his bars that sinks through the track.

The album is complemented by the remaining tracks ”In My Head”, ”Special”, ”Roll Up”, ”Dangerous”, ”Real”, ”Just Another Day”, ”Know Now” and the remix for ”Immortal”. I enjoyed ”Special” the most here as it has a familiar sound and the song is one to groove with all might.

Dazzle certainly knows how to put on a show and this album is a highly skilled produced effort that gets me in the mood. This is one of the UK’s shining lights in the Hip Hop scene.

Stream the full album right here on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Coventry’s T. Fewdo flows in with vibrant Garage-inspired ”A Typical”

Posted on 27 June 2020

I love it when artist mix up genres such as Hip Hop, Grime, UK Garage, Afro Trap, EDM, Trap, UK Drill, Afro Swing, and Spoken Word. T. Fewdo is a rare type of artist that does exactly that. He is a true multi-talented master musician who is pushing the boundaries with his pen and brain. This isn’t your usual basic music, that much is very clear.

The UK based artist who is from Coventry, home of the mighty Sky Blues who are on the rise much like T. Fewdo. He is of Premier League standard that is for sure. T.Fewdo is inventive and I like the intricate ciphers he creates with passion and drive. This is the one of the most underrated emcee’s around and he’s definitely not a typical musician. With singing, rapping and the garage beat, you feel like you are getting the full menu to your earbuds.

”A Typical” from T. Fewdo is a top track as he likes to push the boundaries and gives the audience a way inside the studio with his vivid descriptions and soul food beat. This is one of my favorite songs of 2020.

Check this song out right now on Spotify and get the beat flying high today.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

East London artist SmoothVee strides through stylishly with real ”Surviving”

Posted on 16 June 2020

Directed brilliantly by FourtyFourFilms, this is the brand new music video from the soulful and consciously self-aware UK emcee SmoothVee titled ”Surviving”.

We are taken a local gig where the crowd are loving this quality performer. This is the start of the video and I am hooked already. I feel the locals energy and this is the kind of buzz I was hoping for. Then we are led through to SmoothVee’s local hometown and with added flashbacks of the live performance.

We are all surviving. Life is tough right now but we must push on with true friends is the message.

Founder of Label Capital Citizens Records, this is an impressive release and further establishes SmoothVee as one of the best in the UK Hip Hop game. What I like the most about this video is that he is in touch with his community. So often you see musicians get a bit of fame and then change their whole style to fit into whatever current trend is popular. SmoothVee is a man of the people. The streets raised him and he is proud of where he is from. This is a message that is real and genuine. Take note kids.

Stream this new music video right now via YouTube.

For more music news I’d suggest heading to his Facebook page so you can find out gig news and more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

West London Rapper Alfie Wraps releases latest single ‘NRG’

Posted on 15 May 2020
Alfie Wraps’ new single N.R.G begins with a slightly eerie and mystical hollow whistle. It sounds like the tuning of an empty beer bottle. “Hullo? Where is this going?” The listener is bound to ask.
Almost immediately, you’re whisked back into Mr Wraps’ urban dimension where the steady drumbeat induces involuntary and cathartic head bopping. The rhythm and beat of this single is standard. Nothing new or inventive here. It’s the writing and lyrics of this piece that provides the kicker. Wraps declares himself and his material aspirations early on within the first few lines of this banger of a rap. He is quick to dismiss online pursuits as time wasting in favour of productivity for there are things to do and stuff to buy – like ice for all of his wives. “I don’t want a Ranger or a fat chain…” Alfie just wants to make it in this rap  industry. It is this confession that endears one to this beat bopping rap.
He’s being straight up with you. It is this humility that slides through the gritty bravado that makes this rap bold and real. Beware imitators and imitations he laments for it’s not worth getting dipped for cosmetic jewellery. “Save your energy for when you see me…” is the catchy refrain of this song. Watch out for Alfie Wraps. He’s definitely got the mettle to make it in this industry. N.R.G is an urban plea for hard work and originality and is destined to be a constant on any banger compilation.

Listen here.

Review by Annesh Ramklown.