FFO: Leafdog, Aesop Rock, Three Headed Beast.
Now whether or not you think we’re being bias by reviewing our own team’s work then please remember these key points before we get badly written complaints about it (Seriously step up your grammar. This is coming from a person with dyslexia). Regardless of who we’re friends with doesn’t mean a thing; if the material they’re producing is of a high standard and they’re progressing hip-hop in their own part of the world, then obviously we want to promote it. That’s a no-brainer. Actually you know what? This is the very last time I ever write a disclaimer about who we promote, if it really bothers you then go to Worldstarhiphop, you tinker. Are you the co-editor? NO U R NOT JOG ON. Ooh got a bit defensive then eh?
GET ON WITH THE REVIEW.
The varied producers on this record have a lot to do with the reason this is Nephilim’s best work to date. As a group, the guys that he picked to grace the boards never stick to one particular pattern or formula, but it’s pretty obvious to the listener who’s produced which track and their own definitive styles are very prominent. This isn’t a bad thing by any stretch and helps the record not to become stale or slow paced. Each producer puts his own stamp on the individual songs, and whilst it could potentially run the risk of sounding messy or becoming over saturated (too many cooks spoils the broth and all that) it does quite the opposite and I strongly suggest you check them out as well. The full list is Runone, Faulty Clicks, Andrew Luck, GdotAssasin and bandmate SingerDread. Not forgetting of course Rebs who mixed and mastered it.
When it comes to the rapper himself (yes we’re on the third paragraph already what of it?) he’s improved a great deal in the last few years in terms of style and content. When I initially was introduced to Nephilim way before he became the famous Adamtheintern we now know and love (although he isn’t really an intern I just think I’m funny and the rest of HHLAT let me believe it), I enjoyed his work but it needed a lot of spit and polish. Since then every project and demo I’ve heard is a vast improvement on the previous. Regardless of genre or medium when it comes to art, stagnation is your worst enemy. Even if for a time what you create is atrocious, and everyone hates it-at least you’re fucking giving it a go and trying everything to see what fits well with you, and even if that only fits for a short while. This is something I’ll be talking about again when I review Yoshi Riot’s new record ‘The Contrast EP’ later on this week (yes cheap plug).
Nephilim is a lot more focused in both his rhythmic concepts and lyrics, even when he goes off on little tangents he still brings it back and makes it work within the whole song or on a smaller scale, on a particular verse. His politics are very obvious on this as well, but he’s not a studio revolutionary shouting empty phrases. There’s cause and points to what he’s talking about, and as someone that has listened to A LOT of ‘conscience rap’ over the years I can tell very quickly the glaring difference between rappers who’ve read a few blogs, and the ones who’ve actually read a book (with real pages waaa) and worked within their’s or a larger community. Now I’m not saying our man is reinventing the wheel, or single handedly saving the world with this EP I’m simply saying he’s progressive and aware with both his music, and his ideas. This in turn makes the EP a pleasure to listen to. There are still a few cracks and parts that need smoothing over of course, but he’s really begun to make a solid foundation and has clear markers within each release now that are wholly his own. It’s a very UKHH record, but that’s not to say he’s stuck to a certain framework or blueprint. It’s just ashamedly local in its sound which I think gives it a lot of charm and will endear most UKHH fans as well those further afield.
Tell us Aimee, is this the best thing to ever to be brought into being? Is it completely without blemish? Did Beyonce write ‘Flawless’ just for Adam? Well no (although maybe to the third one who can say), not exactly but it’s still a great EP so listen to my wise words and get yourselves a copy.
Here’s a little bonus of a recent song Ad recorded for the birth of his lovely baby girl.
Beyoncé approved.
