 |
| Cover Art, slightly customized, by Joseph Sanker II |
I swear I don't have enough throwback reviews to post every other day for this month, BUT since I do have them, why not post?
Today's post is a review for Skepta, who, at the time, was the first UK based rapper I ever reviewed. I have since expanded my international hip hop tastes (although not by much) and since then, I look back on Skepta's Konnichiwa with a fondness. Skepta really had American based youtube reviewers like Dead End Hip Hop, Theneedledrop etc, reviewing his music for the first time, despite the fact that Skepta "Konnichiwa" is Skepta's fourth album AND he's been in this rap game since 2003. So suffice it to say, it was a long time coming for this man to get his shine.
Also being in the good graces of one of the biggest rappers on the planet (you know, the one from Canada) doesn't hurt either. It really cool when one of the best selling projects of 2017 featured you on your own solo interlude track that was aptly named after you. A good look is an understatement, Skepta is definitely known in the American scene in hip hop and it is no accident or stroke of luck.
Putting that to the side however, enjoy this circa 2016 review of Skepta's "Konnichiwa"
WE ARE NOW GOING BACK IN TIME TO JOSEPH S IN 2016...
Skepta. Here’s his Wikipedia article. I know nothing about him other than he’s UK based and he’s at the forefront of the hip hop movement happening overseas, specifically in European places like London. Let’s see if Konnichiwa can convert this American reviewer into one of his fans…
1. Konnichiwa
Starts off on some samurai “crouching tiger hidden dragon” shit. Makes sense cause the title of the album is “Konnichiwa” and title of the track is “Konnichiwa” as well. Wow, I’m very used to listening to American flows, and this is the first time I’ve really listened to a UK based flow, and honestly, this shit ain’t too bad. It’s different but in a GOOD way. Skepta is on some “fuck the man” shit and asserts his dominance, pretty nice. Yeah, this is a good ass intro, nothing to write home about, but good start Skepts. lol.
2. Lyrics (feat. Novelist)
Damn, Skepta can make hooks too! The beat is catchy and damn…Skepta makes his rhymes about burying his enemies catchy as hell. But that HOOK tho! Woo! [Ric Flair Voice]
“SEE ME ON THE TV HI MOM!”
Is both hilarious and catchy at the same time. Nice.
I couldn’t tell who this “Novelist” person is cause all I heard or all that stood out to me was Skepta. (On repeated listens it appears Novelist is on the 3rd verse, these UK based flows get easier to discern once you listen more) This isn’t even 3 minutes. Smart move honestly, it cuts itself off before the listener can get bored of it. But the hook and beat are catchy so it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. Good track.
3. Corn on the Curb (feat. Wiley)
Starts off with Wiley motivating someone else via voicemail it seems. Another fire beat. I’m really feeling these UK based flows that Skepta is kicking so far. The hook is NOT the star of the song, it’s Skepta and his catchy ass FLOW! Woo! I might need to check out the rest of Skepta’s shit if he keeps this up. The song ends abruptly however, into a Kendrick Lamar “Good Kid Maad City” style voicemail. (I know Kendrick didn’t invent the voicemail interlude on the rap album ok? It’s called a fucking point of reference. I said it like that so the youngins can get what I’m describing ya feel me?) Anyway, the voicemail is basically Skepta being low energy and Chipmunk basically saying you’re the shit and you’re running the city which, I can neither confirm nor deny but what I do know is his tracks have all been pretty fire so far.
4. Crime Riddim
The first misstep in our program. Damn Skepta! You were 3 for 3 fam! The beat is not my cup of tea, it’s too techno-y for my taste. Skepta’s flow is still on point for the most part, although the flow isn’t as good as it was on the previous tracks. But the subject matter is actually very interesting as Skepta deals with the law and legal system as well as everything that comes with it. Pretty interesting listen. But for replay ability? HELL FUCKIN’ NAW. This song feels more like a skit toward the end of the song as it’s just people talking near the end, then the beat ends and it goes full fucking skit. Zero replaybility and a whole third of the “song” isn’t even a song, it’s really just a half of a song with a skit thrown in for good measure for the other half. Fuckin’ next track mate.
5. It Ain’t Safe (feat. Young Lord)
Lol “Started from the beginning” if Skepta and Drake weren’t good friends I’d say that was a shot but I digress. I hate this hook, jeez Skepta, you need to do all your hooks, this shit from this Young Lord ain’t doing it fam. Also the beat is alright but there’s something missing from it that can give it that extra edge. It’s an okay beat don’t get me wrong but it lacks a certain punch that the first 3 beats on the first 3 tracks had. Skepta talks about his tomfoolery in the streets but it’s not very interesting as all I was doing was dreading hearing that Young Lord verse. I ain’t fucking with shit at all. Next, mate.
6. Ladies Hit Squad (feat. D Double E & A$AP Nast)
I can see how people shit on this song but honestly? This shit catchy, I don’t give a fuck what you say! A$AP Nast’s hook is endearing to me. D Double E does a decent Skepta impression in the 1st verse (seriously, I legitimately thought that was Skepta, then again I’m American and this is my first time hearing a rapper from another country that’s NOT from the United States, so some of these UK based flows are gonna start to sound the same to me until I can discern which voice is which, but for now everyone is Skepta to me lol but really I thought Skepta was on both verses) The beat is nice, smooth and club ready. And as for Skepta himself? He makes this beat fucking work, meaning, he compliments it well. I’m convinced Skepta can flow over everything. He also spits my favorite lines on ‘Konnichiwa” which are
“I’m gonna hit the G-spot when I get the jeans off”
“Press on the gas and then I ease off”
Smoothness on 1,000 in Skepta’s verse. Ended up being my favorite verse on the entire project. Skepta, for some reason, does bragging and swagging in a cool, classy way. Must be a UK thing lol.
There’s a rather rude voicemail followed by a really nice interlude at the end. Is that a full song? That shit was nice…oh well, it ends before I can really say anything about it. Moving on…
7. Numbers (feat. Pharrell Williams)
Pharrell comes through with yet ANOTHER catchy hook that’ll get stuck in your head.
“Quit talkin’ numbers, calculator”
“Quit talkin’ numbers, at you haters”
So catchy lol but as for Skepta himself? He’s decent, he’s not saying anything noteworthy and he’s not as flow-y on this song as others. He’s really just there to be honest. Pharrell is the real star of the show here. When his verse kicks in, it sound cool. It gives me the vibe of a quick off the top freestyle. But in the end, Pharrell’s hook is what truly saves this song. Not bad. When Pharrell says “quit talkin’ numbers” at the end you’re almost guaranteed to say “calculator” after him either in your head or out loud, seriously! I know I did! (In my head)
8. Man
Well alright! We back! Skepta brings it back to what made him great in the beginning of the album. Banging beat? Check. Good subject matter? Check. Catchy UK based flow? Yup. Catchy hook? Yessir. This is definitely a highlight on the album. I love how Skepta’s words are clear, so I can hear every lyric clearly despite the accent. It’s pretty great hearing a flow from a person overseas, breaks up the monotony of American accents lol. Nice one Skepts.
9. Shutdown
Apparently this was a single that was released for a long time before the release of “Konnichiwa” but I’ve never heard of any Skepta song till now. However, I can see why this would be released as a single, although the previous track is the superior track in my humble opinion. “Shutdown” is cool, literally feels like the little brother of “Man”, the previous track. Like if you had “Man” this would be “Man Jr.” cool but not as good as it’s predecessor. Not bad though.
10. That’s Not Me (feat. Jme)
Skepta does really well over hard hitting, upbeat production, that’s one thing I’m noticing he does exceptionally. Pretty much the same opinion I had on “Man” Has all the ingredients for a great song with high replay ability. Also Jme doesn’t ruin anything and it IS noticeable who he is this time. Jme spits just long enough to know that some else is rapping but leaves before you can really care about him or what he’s saying. Solid track overall though.
11. Detox (feat. BBK)
This is the 2nd best feature behind Pharrell on this album, these BBK people actually had my attention. Throughout the song they all have their own unique flow that easily differentiates them. On top of that, their subject matter is interesting and it makes mewant to listen to these guys even though I’ve never heard of them. Another solid track. the UK based flows are taking over, forreal.
12. Text Me Back
The most heartfelt hook. Not a bad way to end the album, Skepta gets the most introspective he’s ever been on the album and it really shows. He’s engaging and heartfelt on this track, really solid outro to this album.
Overall, not a bad album. There’s a couple missteps but overall “Konnichiwa” is a good ride front to back. I think Skepta can capitalize off this hype surrounding him and the grime movement with an even bigger and better project! Then he can go down as a worldwide hip hop legend who brought the sounds of the UK to the states and made it popular. Similar to a modern day Dizzee Rascal but even MORE successful in the states, like on a Drake/Kanye level successful. I’m sure Dizzee’s still active but for right now it’s Skepta’s time to shine. I don’t see people becoming rapid fans off this album as it is good and it is different but it’s like trying vanilla ice cream for the 1st time. It’s good but you KNOW there are other flavors that are better, more explosive and most importantly, more memorable. Skepta’s album is good but there is SO much more room for improvement in all fronts of this album but it IS good he made “Konnichiwa” a nice, accessible album and a good starting point for Americans like me who are just now hearing of this overseas, UK based movement. Keep doing ya thing Skepta! Big Up!
Favorite Tracks: Konnichiwa, Lyrics, Corn on the Curb, Ladies Hit Squad, Numbers, Man, That’s Not Me
Least Favorite Tracks: Crime Riddim, It Ain’t Safe
I give “Konnichiwa” a 7/10
Listen to Skepta's "Konnichiwa" here.
Follow me on all the socials regarding this blog:
written by Joseph Sanker II in 2016.
~ Leave a comment on this blog itself! Trust me, I get notified of everything. (Just scroll down and you should see an option to post a comment or click on "No comment" to leave the first comment.
Until next time! Peace out! One.
Written by Joseph Sanker II
No comments:
Post a Comment