Emcee Killa & Theme – Lost Property
Its been a while since we’ve heard from Emcee Killa or Theme. They’ve returned on form with new track ‘Lost Property’ over a seriously hard instrumental by Grimm Reaperz.
Its been a while since we’ve heard from Emcee Killa or Theme. They’ve returned on form with new track ‘Lost Property’ over a seriously hard instrumental by Grimm Reaperz.
Though the Throrough Bred EP is only Theme’s second release to date, following the Toys Get Smoked EP in 2012, the London lyricist has turned heads with his abrasive style of lyricism, and is backed by a web of strong affiliations throughout the capital city. The production of the project was left in the capable hands of 7thDan, Micall Parknsun, CrossboneT and DeadManWalkn, featuring collaborations with some of the UK’s hottest prospects: Skirmish (Rhyme Asylum), EmceeKilla (Caxton Press), Ray Vendetta and Tesla’s Ghost (Triple Darkness).
The 6 track EP has been anticipated for close to a year’s time, the first teaser dropping last May when a video for Leave It Alone emerged. Having collaborated with the likes of Ill Move Sporadic and Triple Darkness, he proves to possess a lyrical finesse which bears an enormous potential to break through into the eye of the nationwide hip-hop following, which seems only a matter of time, having become increasingly popular within the scene for his outspoken ferocity.
The Thorough Bred EP does well to emphasize a lyrical prowess and innate confidence which overshadows Theme’s lyrical competitors. Theme makes short work of the “minor players making major threats” in Last of a dying Breed, calling on Skirmish and EmceeKilla “to make them pay respect”. The lyricism is incisive in its offensive nature and defines their vicious mentalities, ensuring that their message is heard with clarity. In Leave It Alone, Theme relieves a weight of his chest by taking aim at “DJ’s without vinyl”, “internet gangsters” and “fame chasing wankers” amongst others, finishing by shouting out his extensive affiliations.
Reppin embarks on a sentimental instrumental with a bassy hook to match the vicious lyricism, as Theme relentlessly establishes himself as a forerunner in hip-hop. Triple Darkness’s Ray Vendetta and Tesla’s Ghost collaborate in Rappers Worst Nightmare, in which Theme again offensively strips down the opposition, boasting his skill with quick-fire syllables before Ray Vendetta follows with a remorselessly composed flow, authoritatively denouncing weaker MC’s. Tesla’s Ghost finishes with intelligent lyricism, continuing to condemn the competition.
Though the EP excellently demonstrates Themes undoubted skill it doesn’t seem to be enough for the time we’ve waited for it’s release. It’s clear that Theme has all the skill and affiliations necessary to create a spectacular full length, but essentially time is the crucial factor, and perhaps Theme is just currently focused more on his life outside of the studio. Though I can’t disregard that a man’s personal life must always come before his work, maybe it’s time that Theme struck whilst the iron’s hot and penned down his full-length. We can’t wait to hear more.
The Thorough Bred EP is available to purchase digitally from Theme’s bandcamp page:
E&Daniels is an 18 man UK Hip Hop Collective which features: Mr 13, DJ Bones, Tony D, Locksmyth, J.Matrix, Theme, Mystro, Wordplay, Gizmo, Ceezlin, Jae Moe, Theo, Flabz, Dr Psycho, Body Bagnall, RawWz, Micall Parknsun, & Shane (AMS). Due for release on Friday 13th of December; the début record Bar Crawl showcases the abilities of the 18 predominantly southern UK artists over an 8 track EP, featuring songs that provide thought-provoking sentiments alongside all out lyrical slaughters.
A sentimental piano accompanies the introductory track Ain’t This Something. E&Daniels and Poison Inc member Josiah Matrix reminiscently spits his deeply thought verses with a purposeful morality, going in solo for just over three minutes before Same Old Same. The beat takes a more optimistic turn but doesn’t hinder Josiah’s intelligent bars before Flabz, Mr 13 and Ceezlin feature to assertively spit lyrics. In this particularly catchy number the artists essentially boast their alpha-male persona’s with equally fine flows.
These guys know how to spit bars / They know how to drink juice / And more importantly / They know how to bun a good zoot
The funky What You Drinking track brings an inappropriately joyous atmosphere to the EP, for artists Tony D, Locksmyth, Mr 13, Ceezlin, Flabz, Jae Moe, Micall Parknsun, RawWz, Mystro, Gemini and Dr Psycho to slur self-satisfied references to alcohol. The 3 main connotations to take from the heavily collaborated showcase is that the E&Daniels family are hedonistic, lyrically versatile and to be avoided down dark alleyways. Gi3MO following his recent Gary Guttersnypes release features with fire in (track 4) Main Event. His trademark flow of immodesty goes in brilliantly to the beat. Contrastingly, Josiah Matrix kicks more metaphorical wordplay with realism to his rhymes before DJ Cosmo cuts out the track superbly to finish. Things take a twisted turn however in the hauntingly dark tune Halloween. After listening to a creepily discordant piano trickle over maniacal laughter, the crew dressed looking like Pennywise The Clown’s worst nightmare (see video) go in with ardently grim verses. Flabz begins with undoubtedly unnerving bars before Dr Psycho spits a scarring chorus. Josiah Matrix returns with a digression for the opposition before the famously dynamic Don’t Flop star Mr 13 spits a groaning, chilling rendition of words to finish the horror show.
Only Gi3MO can truly counter the prior track and in Slaughter he combats with furious lyricism before Theme kicks in with a vividly disturbing verse of his own. Josiah Matrix joins with his ever sardonic persona with deep bars before Flabz spits an all out syllable slaughter with psychopathic wordplay to finish. Despite the initial lullaby production in the following song I Can’t Keep, I assure that this is not a track to sleep on. Money Mitch touches hard with meaningful bars, speaking of a necessity to progress from “cooking wrong so I could eat right“. Josiah Matrix denounces the unpublicised social problems surrounding him before Locksmyth spits cynically sceptical lyrics with a depressively raw flow. The album finishes on a cleverly thought-provocative note, with RawWz spitting solo in an emotional stand-off denouncing mainly the corruptive authorities, the vastly divided social gap within society and a vigorous resentment for racism in Stereotype, over a tenderly affectionate instrumental produced by Last Resort.
Money money money makes the world turn round / It won’t be long ’til that money makes the world burn down
Review by Ethan Everton
Bar Crawl is out today 13/12/13 and available on Itunes
The summer is coming to an unwanted end; the festival season is just about to shut its doors for another year meaning back to dull, mind numbing reality for most of us… Unless you’ve completely forgotten that the almighty Boom Bap Festival is merely two weeks away — not so sad anymore now are you?! The weekend beginning 13th- 15th September marks the second year for Boom Bap, a concept which begun as a night in Norwich and has since erupted into the biggest date in the metaphorical hip hop calendar. The back bone of Boom Bap really is its sheer range of hip hop on offer, with an enormous array of 100+ acts spread over five stages; this truly is a mecca for anyone even slightly invested in the UK scene.
When the entire line up was released I initially thought it would difficult to top last year’s effort however with the likes of Chester P, Klashnekoff and Skinnyman ready to storm the main stage, it’s clear that this year is going to be a much bigger event. Which is exactly what has been promised to the heads attending, with an increased ticket price of £70 (which really isn’t that steep, come on) Boom Bap has pledged to raise the bar to a whole new level entirely, vowing to completely transform the site in time for your awaited arrival.
Set to be an incredible weekend full of seriously good vibes with an unbeatable atmosphere that flows the acres of land like some crazy magic it’s well worth getting yourself down to Peterborough to join in the madness. Come for the line up, stay for Boom Bap’s all uniting spirit – a touching testament to the hard work gone into creating the festival.
Peep the exclusive promo video below to get you hyped for what’s in store…
Words by Louise Brisbane