Browsing Tag

Wordplay

PK1UP – Wordplay: When Southern Gothic Hip Hop Met UK Grime

Posted on 21 January 2025

Birmingham-based PK1UP’s single, Wordplay, produced by Tezza Beats, has earned the independent artist a spot on the UK hip-hop map. With a Southern Gothic backdrop framing his bars and beats, the trailblazing luminary broke the mould while ensuring the accessibility of the track was never compromised. It’s all rooted in his ability to interplay cadence with candour; the way the metric precision carries the raw vulnerability and well-earned swagger ensures that too many hits of this track are never enough.

With every new listen, you find a new facet of genius within the lyrics. Between the evolving reprises and the progressive narrative, Wordplay pulls you closer to the artist’s scarred psyche, which is exhibited without apology or apprehension. The melodies make it an effortless track to listen to, but there’s nothing easy about the lyrical content—that shit will stick with you long after the outro.

PK1UP, who is quickly becoming a name to know in UK rap, brings a fresh perspective to the scene. With a distinct sound influenced by Detroit/Flint beats and experiments in Southern Hip Hop, Drill, and Grime, he’s already released over ten tracks, two music videos, and a standout collaboration with NasP on If Rap Don’t Work.

Wordplay is pure urban aural gold, a testament to PK1UP’s relentless artistry and refusal to compromise on authenticity.

Wordplay is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Scottish communist wordsmith Jamão Dos Santos hit a home run with his genre-bending debut rap track, Tarzan

Posted on 28 November 2023

Jamão Dos Santos made a bold entrance into the music scene with his debut single Tarzan, an audacious piece that mirrors his self-proclaimed identity as a “Scottish communist wordsmith.” Right from the start, the single is a captivating blend of cultural sounds, with Dos Santos’ Scottish lyrical diction providing a gripping contrast to the rhythmic foundation of the track. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition that’s as striking as it is unexpected.

Musically, ‘Tarzan’ is a robust tapestry woven with exotic Eastern rhythms, giving it an almost mystical allure. Yet, it’s grounded by a decidedly garagey edge—a gritty, dub-heavy backbeat that anchors the song’s more ethereal elements. The single wouldn’t be out of place in a smoky underground club or a festival stage, appealing to a wide range of listeners with its genre-blending bravado.

There’s a clear stylistic flair shared with Lyran Dasz, hinting at a musical kinship that thrives on innovation and eclecticism. Dos Santos’ approach is fiery and distinctive, ensuring that Tarzan is not just a song but a statement. In an unexpected twist, ‘Tarzan’ also serves as an homage to the world of footballer worship. The lyrical narrative becomes a powerful metaphor for survival and triumph, resonating with the song’s primal energy and raw passion.

It’s an assertive first step for an artist unafraid to show his roots while simultaneously branching out into the rich soil of global musical influences. This track is not just heard; it’s felt as a resonating declaration of Dos Santos’ arrival on the music scene.

Stream Tarzan on Spotify and follow the artist on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

My Intuition: Rising Atlanta-based rapper Detroit YB breaks out the restrictive box with the street banger ‘No Rules’

Posted on 23 May 2021

With a formidable track so hard it will bust a massive hole through your brittle speakers with resolute vengeance, Detroit YB purposefully shows us into his win-now mentality on his inspiring new single ‘No Rules‘.

Detroit YB is a wordplay-filled Detroit-born, Atlanta-based indie hip-hop artist and music producer. He flows ruggedly with a determined venom that bites into the bars — and doesn’t let the grip go with his strong teeth– as he absolutely shreds the mic off into tiny pieces all over the floor.

This is the true story of how you can grow up troubled and with very few helpful role models, as the harsh struggle to suppress your built-up anger is so real and scary. You can however make it if you want it bad enough and are able to stay away from those tempting alleys — which call your name out greedily and with evil intentions — as the blood-suckers desperately want you inside their dastardly clutches, so they can sickeningly control your every thought and move.

The busty beat is full of warrior strength — as this is the haunting message of fighting away your skin-peeling demons — and opening your own doors to the top of the mountain, with that pure hard work and inner instinct to succeed. You feel his pain and cheer him on, his skill set is motivating and tremendously expressed. This is an unflinching man who sees where he needs to go now and will never give up.

‘No Rules‘ from Atlanta-based rapper and music producer Detroit YB, shows us a focused artist who is playing by his own script now, as he looks to bag that paper and get it stockpiled all over his skillful rhymes. This is that hustle track to lift you off the lazy couch — as you throw away the unhealthy junk food and only aim for the top — with a true raw emcee who is heading down the right road to ever-lasting enlightenment.

That deep-rooted intuition which is hard to explain, will always be your beaming light if you open up your eyes.

Stream this quality new single on Spotify and check out more news via his IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen