It’s become commonplace for me to be judgemental of the hip-hop I listen to now. When you write reviews it’s second nature to analyse and dissect when listening. It’s important for me as a writer to always check the effort people put into their writing, but then something like The Flotz E.P will find its way onto my radar, and it just smacks of enjoyment. The sort of thing that reminds me to lighten the fuck up about it all because hip-hop is brilliant.
‘Flotz’ are the duo of Don’t Flop stalwart Dotz, and sultry singer from the band Atlas Flo. The Flotz E.P is their debut release together. The enjoyment factor of this E.P is like a ray of light in a time when many are taking themselves far too seriously. 5 tracks just doesn’t seem enough when the sound is so individual and realised. With a rapper and a singer making an E.P together it’s obvious you’ll get something different from the majority of hip-hop releases, but this will appeal to almost everyone, even those outside of the genre.
Dotz is so comfortable in himself nowadays it’s allowing him to progress very quickly as a writer. Just spitting bars wantonly that a lot of other rappers would kill to have come up with. He rides a beat with natural rhythm and finesse, never sounding forced.
On the opening track and single from the E.P. In time, his flow is brilliant. With the amount of music he’s been putting out recently you’d be forgiven for thinking it would get stale at some point but this is not the case at all.
I had worried before listening to this that Flo would just be singing hooks. Happily I was wrong as she sizzles all over this E.P with almost hypnotic vocals. In a scene that is renowned for being typically misogynistic she is pure class, and something that is needed to keep things fresh and progressive. On every track she leaves her unique touch, completely complimenting them with her chilled voice. She writes so well that her input to Flotz is clear and what pushes it from the bracket of Dotz ft Flo . I would also recommend checking out her band Atlas online once you hear how good she is as they well worth a listen, and after all there is more than hip hop.
Wait shit; can I say that I might get in trouble?
The Flotz E.P is a head nodding, summer vibe, and genre disfiguring release. It reeks of fun and talent.
Words: Adam