Week 19

20/07/23

Back with the reviews! I will be discussing some of the most anticipated Hip-Hop projects of the last few months - will be a longer edition as usual to make up for the hiatus.

JPEGMAFIA & Danny Brown - SCARING THE HOES

The hoes are petrified from this one. Eccentric, atmospheric, chaotic and intense are just a few adjectives I would use to describe this album, and this does not even cover an ounce of what this is album is like to experience. As with most of JPEGMAFIA's music, the standout is the production. The way Peggy crafts a sample around rich instrumentation is like no other. If all the instruments and sounds he uses per song were to be separated there is no way anyone would think that they worked together. Yet, he makes it work. Moreover, it sounds fantastic. This is one of the most sonically impressive albums to be released this decade. Not only because of how hectically beautiful the songs are, but also because of how listenable they are. Unlike other experimental hip-hop, I do not struggle to listen and engage with this album. It is a consistently enjoyable listen from front-to-back. To achieve such a feat with the variety on this project is masterful. Songs range from the dance remix style of 'Fentanyl Tester' (with a Kelis - 'Milkshake' sample for good measure) to the gospel sample, bass-loaded tune in 'God Loves You', and everything in between. The vocals are definitely not a standout, but add to the sonic experience. This is highlighted through Danny's vocals being placed consistently quite low in the mix. It is not evident on every song and does induce the effect of placing focus on the beats, but Danny's rapping is such high-quality that it feels like a shame to mix them so low. Whilst Peggy stars on this project due to his superior involvement, it would be nowhere near as good without Danny. How he finds some of his rapping pockets is baffling. This effect also helps him sound woven in with the beat. Also, shoutout to Redveil for being the only feature on this project and fitting in perfectly. He really suits rapping over experimental beats, as he later did in his single 'black enuff', featuring Peggy. The soundscapes on this album are incredible, and might just contribute to it being Peggy's best work. It is definitely in the discussion

Favourite Songs: Steppa Pig, SCARING THE HOES, Fentanyl Tester, Burfict!, Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters, Kingdom Hearts Key, God Loves You, Jack Harlow Combo Meal, HOE (Heaven on Earth)

Score: 9.5/10

Dave & Central Cee - Split Decision

What a treat. Two of the hottest hip-hop artists in the UK collaborating for a project, albeit, a 4-song EP. Whilst I want to say that 4 songs was perfect and I did not need any more, that would be a lie. I needed a full album of these two, maybe with a few features sprinkled in there too. That is groundbreaking. But this is the next best thing. Firstly, this was perfectly timed. Riding the wave of popularity that Central Cee is experiencing by collaborating with arguably the best UK rapper in the game, Dave. Simultaneously spearheading Dave back into the mainstream and reaching an ever wider audience than ever before. Genius marketing from both parties. Trojan Horse I find the weakest of the four songs, but this is not saying much. The beat keeps you guessing with constant switches and drops. The 808s are definitely too bouncy and should be lower in the mix, but the rest of the beat is great. The back-and-forth nature from Cench and Dave is immensely enjoyable with both rappers talking about their lavish lifestyle alongside staying vigilant due to their past. The second track, Sprinter, is a HIT. And by 'hit' I of course mean that it racked up the most first-week streams of any U.K. hip-hop song ever. Catchy hook, high-quality rapping in the verses from both artists, a beat to get you moving, what more can you want? Tons of quotables in this tune, with my favourite being the 'therapy/E-cup bra/lot on her chest' bar. Who else but Dave? Absolute banger. Following this, we get Dave in his bag. 'Our 25th Birthday' is his bread and butter. Even the title follows on a series of songs spanning over the last six years. Dave and Cench rap about their come-up, vices and pure realness of life over a stripped back, piano-based instrumental. I like Cench's verse, but Dave washes here. He just knows how to rap over these beats. This song is loaded with bars, wordplay and entendres. The 'squeeze into the flats/heel snapped', 'good morning Britain/change peers' and 'search engine/no breaks' are just a few of my favourite bars on this song. Stunning. The EP closes with an absolute banger in 'UK Rap'. If not for 'Sprinter', this song could have been a huge hit. This is Central Cee's bag, and he delivers. The hi-hats and deep bass on this tune suit his style much more than the previous track (which he also performed very well on). This song is just hard. A very funny and clever hook with the verses loaded with bars, punchlines, and flow switches. Some more insane Dave bars, standouts including 'it's under land (Sunderland) like Amad Diallo' and 'don't need a drum or bass/Rudimental'. Probably my favourite off the EP. Quality all round. But, it has to be said: Dave washes...on every song. This is not surprising as I do prefer him as an artist and rapper. Yet, Cench really holds his own and has proved himself as more than a hit-chasing rapper. The man can spit.

J Hus - Beautiful and Brutal yard

The UK is really taking over. J Hus is back after over three years since is previous album. This album demonstrates J Hus's versatility and uniqueness. The afrobeat influence on this album is evident, with these songs demonstrating a vibe from a sound that is destined to get you bopping your head. These vibey songs are intertwined with some grimier, harder-hitting songs, showing that J Hus can tap into either lane with ease. Due to the length of this project, it is evident that not all of the songs will stand out. Yet, even the examples of this (in the middle-end of the album) are still very pleasant to listen to and have tons of redeeming qualities. There are many moments and tracks on this album that do stand out. 'Massacre' is a perfect entry into the album, mixing Hus's harsh and real lyrics with a smooth beat and some of the most unusual inflections that Hus employs on the entire project. It is such a unique song that paints a complete picture of his artistry. 'Cream' is an extreme example of this harsher vibe. The drill-inspired beat with Hus's careful and punchy cadence results in an immediate stank-face. The lyrics represent some of his most representative gang-life subject matter, with bars that cut right through the beat. CB hears what Hus does here and just takes it to another level. This verse is genuinely terrifying. His delivery is menacing, with his lyrics highlighting that he has seen it all on the streets and does not hold any punches. Such a raw song filled with grit and emotion. Conversely, J Hus also emphasises his skill in creating catchy, summery tunes. 'Who Told You' is a fun song that reminds everyone of why the general public fell in love with J Hus originally. Drake is also there. He does fine. If you want to see how a feature should be executed, look no further than a few songs down the record with Jorja Smith on one and Burna Boy on the other. I mean, when do either of these artists ever miss. Jorja is given a whole verse to showcase her stunning voice with some serious flows that actually surprised me. I actually want to hear her properly rap. She gives us a taste here. Angelic. J Hus x Burna Boy delivers exactly as one would expect. Afrobeat vibes. Hus's versatility to fit so well over these variety of styles is a testament to him as an artist and shows exactly what the UK needs more of in the hip-hop scene. Versatility is key. The album does trail off after the first half as the 'big-hitters' are all out of the way. The second half is more of the same but at a slightly lower quality. It is no easy feat to maintain the quality of the first half of the album, but the second half is certainly less impactful. Yet, still a very enjoyable listen.

Favourite songs: Massacre, Who Told You, Nice Body, Masculine, Come Look, Cream, Problem Fixer, Come Gully Bun

Score: 7.5/10

Boldy James & ChanHays - Prisoner of Circumstance

Another Boldy James album. He just releases so much music - I am only doing my due diligence by continuing the reviews. Boldy exhibits some of his most vulnerable and wise rapping ever on this project. Of course, there are the drug metaphors and bars about his gang life. But he also touches on topics such as trust, family relationships, and forgiveness. It is always refreshing to hear Boldy be open about his feelings and the real state of his life as he has a lot of wisdom to offer and is, as we know, incredibly eloquent in his writing and delivery. He is always able to deliver ideas succinctly and clearly. It is rare that he lacks direction in his songs. This is no different in this album. He touches on a variety of topics in a relatively short time, with the album only being 7 songs and 21 minutes long. Each song is filled to the brim with knowledge and awareness. There are not as many punchlines nor as much wordplay as we have heard from Boldy previously, but that is not to say that the rapping is subpar. The internal rhyme schemes sometimes last full verses and are incredibly complex throughout. The production is an interesting case. I love the style of production that ChanHays operates with: soul samples, often with a vocal cut. The production in 'Strange Days' and 'Trust Issues', for example, is dense and mixed perfectly. The vocal sample does not overwhelm the beat and Boldy's rapping is the centerpiece. 'I Tried' contains guitar chords that carry through the song and create a smooth atmosphere that Boldy complements perfectly. However, there are moments throughout the record where the vocal sample is too overwhelming, Boldy's verse is mixed too low, or the sample carries the weight of the beat (when it needs more redeeming factors). Some of the beats do contain very simple drum and bass patterns with a vocal sample slapped on the top. The basis is there but the beat is sometimes poorly executed. On the whole, great rapping from Boldy with mostly enjoyable production. An album this short does need to hit on all levels to be considered in the higher echelon. 

Favourite songs: Flashback, The Love We Gave, Trust Issues, I Tried, Strange Days

Score: 7/10

Amine & KAYTRANADA - KAYTRAMINE

There are some really enjoyable songs on this album, but it does not quite live up to expectations. These expectations were based on the quality of both of these artists, and from the vibes that were presented in the lead single '4EVA'. This song had the typical smooth, summery KAYTRANADA production with Amine just floating over it. Throw a Pharrell feature in there for good measure and you have a very promising introduction to an already highly-anticipated album. The album itself, however, did not consist of enough songs with this vibe. The production across the board was not bad, but had little standout moments. It also did not deliver on this 'vibe' that audiences were expecting. Only a small portion of the songs were close in style to that of '4EVA', and none really delivered it as well as the lead single. We also know the quality that KAYTRANADA can execute in this style due to his previous music. We essentially get a slightly watered down version of the production that we expected. Amine's performance is also nothing to shout about. The rapping is smooth and fits well with the production. The flows he uses are really strong, mixing the faster rapping with melodic patches. I enjoy it when he raps in this style rather than the smaller and shorter flows he uses on earlier projects. But he is not really saying anything of substance in these bars. Amine has made a career from fun punchlines and clever wordplay. There is not enough of this from his performance on this project. Again, it is watered down. The features end up stealing the show on this project. Fantastic verses from Freddie Gibbs and Big Sean constitute the top two verses on the album. Whilst this album's downfall does largely come from expectation, which is slightly unfair to place on the artists, it still does not hold up to the quality of either of these artists individually. An enjoyable listen, but a showcase of both of these artists below their best. 

Favourite songs: letstalkaboutit, 4EVA, Master P, Rebuke, STFU3

Score: 6.5/10