Dot Rotten kicked it off flawlessly, portraying his mind through lyrics effortlessly,
Calibar, one of the most underrated rappers in the UK, made no mistakes with this effort, balancing reality and his style with a smooth delivery,
Black The Ripper, considered by many a “potential legend in the game”, delivers another reality check with the upmost of confidence.
Mz Bratt took a stride over a lot of the male emcees with this cypher, personally i expected it, this leading lady spun a few heads with the content easily.
What i like about this cypher is that i don’t believe this was anybody’s best, but then i know their potentials, but without a doubt a great effort from each artist.
If you have not heard already, A-List is the new UK ‘super’ group created by and featuring Wiley, along side Mz Bratt, J2K, Wrigley, Shola Ama, Brazen, Kivanc & Sadie Ama.
There is a lot of hype surrounding the project, Wiley himself has high hopes and tipped the group for huge success in the coming future, here is the first single from their project:
A-List – Midnight Lover:
After a few listens, I still have the same opinion, i reckon with the right video and marketing this could meet the expectations set by Wiley himself, the stand out for me is the chorus, Wiley creates the perfect urban-mainstream cross over chorus, it has an urban foundation with its lyrics and delivery, however its layout and tone offers a mainstream impact, incredibly infectious, it is the single’s strongest point. In all honesty, the verses did not impress me amazingly, however Wrigley’s verse has already caught on, as will the rest i’m sure, another strong point is the variation in vocals, delivery and styles, it offers the song much needed depth. With the right support this could be the start of something special.
I respect Wiley’s initiative to create something new and refreshing amonst the scene, as somebody who thrives on breaking stereotypes and pushing quality music to a larger audience that it deserves, I can see the benefits of this project if executed correctly.
Expect a lot more from Wiley & A-List as the UK urban scene continues to elevate to newer hights.
While 2009 saw some positivity with many urban artists breaking through into the charts, it also saw the negative with many artists being blackballed, Giggs prevailed and recently signed a contract with XL recordings, so there is hope and nobody deserves some mainstream recognition than of the elite emcees in the Grime scene..Ghetts.
Here is the new video for Skadoosh ft. Maxsta & Dolla Da Dustman:
As a fan of Ghetts, you beleive in his talent and you cannot help but to expect nothing but the best, so at first instance this track deceives those expectations, however this strangely allows you to focus more on Ghetts and his flow really provides the track with much needed depth, Ghetts reaches out to up and coming emcee Maxsta (also from East London) as well as long time collaborator and friend Dolla, both features deliver, Maxsta (who is one of the artists I tipped last year after hearing one of his sets) has progressed well since, now working with some of the best in the scene, this track is an obvious example of his development thus far, with Dolla stepping up to lay down his opinions to those who feel he has fallen off. The video is a light hearted portrayal of the artists within a dark themed set, featuring a host of cameos including appearances from Mz Bratt, Devlin and Griminal, the video is directed by Digital Dan, who uses his abilities to capture the right vibe and offer the track a matching visual.
Skadoosh is taken from the forthcoming mixtape ‘Calm Before The Storm’, which will then set you up for the new album, ‘Rebel With A Cause’, so look out for more from Ghetts (aka Ghetto) as he looks set to start the year off his way.
After Dizzee, Came Tinchy Stryder, following him was Chipmunk, all successfully topping the charts, stepping up next to continue this new tradition is UKs favourite bad boy Griminal, this is the first single, Invincible:
A lot of people have criticized Griminal for ‘going mainstream’, however even more people are supporting the move and feel that he has managed to maintain more of a Grime essence than the previous three’s chart topping records all together, so not only are old fans remaining ever loyal..he is gaining a whole new range of fans (100,000 views within 3 days).
I like the track, Its catchy in a raw sort of way, I really like the beat, its just got a nice vibe to it and its crisp quality balances with Griminal’s raw delivery, lyrically, the Narsty crew saviour is far more talented, thing is, if he was to get too lyrical on this record..it would just go over many people’s heads and if Griminal wants to walk through that mainstream door then he has to be smart about it, despite what people say, Chipmunk’s debut album ‘I Am Chipmunk’ had pop-glazed singles kept within an urban casing and a Grime core, it was responded to as Grime/Pop, genre-merging is essential in any chart, 50 Cent is set to release an album more violent than his debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’, however the first two singles are ‘Baby By Me ft. Ne-Yo’ and ‘Do You Think About Me’, so rather than losing faith, people should show support and spend a mere 79p on the single, it saves you time on finding a good quality version of the file too and you won’t go to hell (lol).
The video, directed by Carly Cusson, is a good look, it is not an amazing video but it is not a poor video either, I think it offers good visuals for the record, featuring a cameo from the beautiful and talented Mz Bratt (I think she should jump on the beat and do an official remix, although that would create even more rumours), the chemistry is good, both seem to be good actors so it seems music is not their only avenue, I love the fact that Griminal is allowed the freedom to be himself, it is a contrast to Chipmunk, who I guess many will pair up as rivals, but truthfully both are mature enough to use that to their advantage rather than develop issues off the mic, the future looks good for the scene as there is just so much talent, best of luck to Griminal, make sure you support him, because once we dominate the charts here, then we can spread the success globally ..UK Stand Up
The highly anticipated video for her second release is finally here:
Mz Bratt returns to our screen with another good track and video to go with it.
I Like You, featuring Sadie Ama (who proves that looks and talent run in the family), is another anthem for the ladies, so many songs about the ‘girl next door’ have been made, by women too, so here is a fresh new twist with this ‘boy next door’ number, the boy being played by everyone’s favourite bad boy (no not Diddy) rising emcee (or I should say artist) Griminal. This song has a lot of substance, Mz Bratt is being herself and it shows through her music, many female emcees feel the need to approach their music similar to the men and that leads them away from their real audience, this is not the case with Mz Bratt, this is one of the reasons (out of the long list of many) why she is so likeable. With Sadie on the feature, plus cameos by Tulisa (Ndubz) and Lady Ny, there is a strong sense of female unity, not to mention that they all are highly talented, as a whole this video has such a good vibe, it is surprisingly not just for the girls, I reckon the guys (who are not afraid) can watch and enjoy this too, plus the song is catchy and most of all, clean and light-hearted (Unlike many female emcees in the past).
Mz Bratt has impressed me so much in such a short space of time, more so because I know that she is capable of lyrically stepping up to the male emcees, however she is more about the music and fans and has been real and honest with her music, her mixtape was a good insight and I am looking forward to the album.
The UK’s leading emcee is more than a ‘rapper’, she is an artist, a role-model, an inspiration and more so a positive voice for females.
Who Do You Think You Are is her debut single and it is a banger!!
Produced by Terror Danjah, this multi-genre anthem has elements of electro and grime perfectly fitted within an edgy beat, capable to start any party, the synths are well placed upon a hard-hitting beat allowing Mz Bratt to shine with her lyrics and evident charisma.
I like the video a lot, it is youthful, fun and portrays the song’s overall feeling, with it’s vibrant scenes and bright colours, this visual beautifully compliments the song. With cameos from the likes of Superstar in the making Bluey Robinson, Terror Danjah, Wretchroboy Wretch 32, Bashy, DJ’s Ras Kwame and Viz, Double S, Cyko Logic and Donae’o among others, a great video to contrast a great song.
I expect big things from Mz Bratt, capable to shine as bright in the mainstream as she has done within the underground circuit, this track deserves even more recognition, (you know a song is good when even as a guy you find it catchy). She is a strong woman, who carries herself well, an inspiration to many young girls around the world, a far better role model than the likes of Brittany Spears and Beyonce (You can tell them I said that). Mz Bratt has every reason to succeed at the highest level, her recent FREE mixtape ‘Give it to em vol. 2’ is a small indication of the talent she possesses fused with her easy to love character, I have not even mentioned the fact that she is absolutely stunning, this naturaly beauty and her natural talent is definitely set to make her mark within the industry.
With talk of the lack of female emcees (GOOD female emcees I should say) always going around, I am pleased to present the end to such statements, ladies and gentlemen, Mz Bratt.
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Download the mixtape for FREE and hear for yourself the new fresh sound of Mz Bratt
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