Haan and Sixth are some of the most prolific dudes out there right now. They only just released The Haanshake, and already they’re back with “Bless The Dead”. This a straight Haan release, and Sixth shares some of the production with the likes of Lexis, Terminally Ill, and Pro P. I have to say even though I’m a big fan of Sixth production style, I really enjoyed what the newly produced beats had to offer, and the new ideas gave this EP a pretty interesting new slant.
If you know Haan than you’ll have some kind of idea of what sort of content to expect from this. Although, if you knew exactly what to expect then you might get quickly bored. Once again it feels like Haan raps over beats with the sense that you’re really being schooled, or at least taught. I don’t see this as condescending at all, simpley helping spread the knowledge, and since that’s the 5th element of hip-hop you know it’s got my vote. This style is represented perfectly in the Lexis produced “Tell Me What You See” and “The Gardener”. Whenever I listen to Haan I’m reminded of a lot of spoken word artists, or at least MCs who also dip into the sister-genre of rap. He has that type of flow that could be spoken or rapped without difficultly.
Back onto some Sixth beats with “Africa” featuring the mighty Raggo Zulu Rebel, an MC that I have to honestly say I’d never listened to until I heard this EP. Raggo’s flow and vocal style really works well with this track, and both Haan and Raggo compliment each other without competing for dominance.
Another key point that I always enjoy about Haan is the use of narrative. Tracks fall between straight forward story telling and straight bars, none so more than “Deep Bounce”, and one of my personal favourites from the EP.
Before I finish this, you know I could go without telling you how happy I was to hear Quest Rah spit on two of the EPs tracks. Quest is one of my favourite UK MCs and his style goes perfect with a record of this calibre. Right, now you’ve heard my side of the story, I suggest you get those paws of yours click and get yourself a free copy of “Bless The Dead”.
Bandcamp EP Free Download
Features: Quest Rah, Ragoo Zulu Rebel, Phoenix Da Icefire.
R. I. Y. L – The Ruby Kid, Yosh, Scroobious Pip, AC.
Sixth Sense Twitter
Phoenix Da Icefire Twitter
@raggozulurebel
Words: Aimee
