Seamo
10-10-2007, 03:10 PM
Just thought I'd drop some knowledge on a young English Artist, Lowkey. I wrote this review of the named album some time ago. Enjoy!
Ok, I’m going to completely honest and hold my hand up here, I was pleasantly surprised with this Mixtape. Over the last two years my UK listening has only ventured as far as Kano, The Mitchell Brothers and Skinny Man, but if truth is told I would put Lowkey up there with Kano as the UK’s finest. At only 19 Lowkey has achieved more recognition than most emcees have in their whole career and is probably the UK’s brightest prospect. Hip Hop Magazine this year called him “The Wayne Rooney of Hip Hop” and they weren’t off.
From start to finish on the album Lowkey is spot on with every multi, punch, rhyme and any small sense of poetic incorporation which in my opinion only Kano has managed. Lowkey brings you his third and final album on the trilogy “Key to the Game” and he doesn’t disappoint. This album is simply just amazing. It shows you that there are some rappers outside the US that can mix it and match it with America’s finest. The most appealing feature on this CD is the fact that it is far easier to relate to. Break ups, crime, reppin’ your so-called hoods, jealously and confidence. The lyrics flow from start to finish over harmonious beats when needed and grime and dirty beats when they are needed.
The first track on this album/mixtape, “The Intro” sets the tone for the whole “Welcome, welcome, ladies and gents/ to my trails, tribulations and my daily events” This is exactly what this album is about. On this track Lowkey explains what has happened in his lifetime which is quite appealing but also has elements of hurt and anger. From calling himself “The Truth” to revealing his pain on his brother’s death, this track is an outstanding intro. “My Mother Said” takes the tone of the album down a notch. This track shows how Lowkey understands how the opposite sex acts and at 19years old this is amazing. The slick and calm beat with the drum loops is extremely catchy and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. On “Check Up” he tries to reach out to the youth and tells of the importance of using condoms. Funny lyrics but at the same time intelligent ones, he tells us of how the small things become huge. Tony D joins Lowkey on this track and helps the track to flow along. On “Bars for My Brother” Lowkey tells us of his brother death. This track has unmatchable emotion. He blames himself for this death “I wont lie there was much distance between you and I/ I should of told you not to do it, don’t be stupid” The track opens with a mellow beat with soft singing in the background. Lowkey recites lyrics with ease but at the same time you can hear a shiver in his voice. But what really appeals to me on this track is how Lowkey tells of how a death can effect people in different ways and how a lot more people can get hurt than most people could imagine. In a really down to earth tone Lowkey says “I don’t understand why you had to die/ in a lot rappers rhymes death is glamorised/not me”. For this single line I have put Lowkey at the top of my favourite rappers. “Story To Tell” is an intricately pieced together story of two twins separated at birth and the fates that befall them. Put simply, this is extremely powerful music, of a standard many aspire to but fail to achieve.
Tracks like “Just Shine” and “Where You Go” have up-lifting beats and simply just incredible lyrics. On “Just Shine” Simone sings a beautiful chorus while Lowkey encourages confidence with his lyrics. Simply amazing. On “Where You Go” Reveal spits lyrics with complete anger, the hook hits and then Lowkey takes control of the track and makes it his own. Again the emotion on this track is incredible and Lowkey just keeps amazing me. With every English rapper there has to be a so-called “reppin track”. “London” is this track. He explains the day to day going on’s in the city but at the same drops some history “Slick Rick was born in London”, and “Big Ben and the river Thems are in London” He drops an intelligent line when he says “ Blood this is not queens bridge, its London/ get it straight the Queen live in London”
On “Average” Lowkey is joined by Tony D, Therapist, and Stylah on a track that uses something similar to the beats that DJ Premier is accustomed to. Like every rapper you need a track that your allowed become cocky or big-headed on. The Game does this on every track but Lowkey only needs one track to tell us this due to the fact that every other track explains this without him actually saying. “Read between lines” is favourite track on the album. He drops history, imagination, comedy and truth on this track, everything a track with title “read between the lines” needs. He disses Gwen Stefani by saying “I don’t go there with my friends to part, caz its about as Hip-Hop as Gwen Stefani”. He tells us how luck can make you big “Joss Stone didn’t sell till sehe won two Brit Awards”.
The production is consistent throughout, featuring Lowkey's favoured vocal samples and keys, and cuts from Caramac, Q-Tones, Sivey, Shears and DJ Snips do not disappoint.Without a shadow of a doubt, Lowkey is one of the most talented and promising of all young British rappers, and his mix-CD series “Key to the Game” Volumes 1, 2 and now 3 are indisputable testament to that. An accomplished storyteller politically inclined and blessed with real intellect, Lowkey is renowned for his poignant tales of sorrow and struggle, and on Volume 3, he doesn't disappoint in the slightest, ably impressing further still. Without a doubt a must have album.
Total: 4/5
Link:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3NKQELUQ
Ok, I’m going to completely honest and hold my hand up here, I was pleasantly surprised with this Mixtape. Over the last two years my UK listening has only ventured as far as Kano, The Mitchell Brothers and Skinny Man, but if truth is told I would put Lowkey up there with Kano as the UK’s finest. At only 19 Lowkey has achieved more recognition than most emcees have in their whole career and is probably the UK’s brightest prospect. Hip Hop Magazine this year called him “The Wayne Rooney of Hip Hop” and they weren’t off.
From start to finish on the album Lowkey is spot on with every multi, punch, rhyme and any small sense of poetic incorporation which in my opinion only Kano has managed. Lowkey brings you his third and final album on the trilogy “Key to the Game” and he doesn’t disappoint. This album is simply just amazing. It shows you that there are some rappers outside the US that can mix it and match it with America’s finest. The most appealing feature on this CD is the fact that it is far easier to relate to. Break ups, crime, reppin’ your so-called hoods, jealously and confidence. The lyrics flow from start to finish over harmonious beats when needed and grime and dirty beats when they are needed.
The first track on this album/mixtape, “The Intro” sets the tone for the whole “Welcome, welcome, ladies and gents/ to my trails, tribulations and my daily events” This is exactly what this album is about. On this track Lowkey explains what has happened in his lifetime which is quite appealing but also has elements of hurt and anger. From calling himself “The Truth” to revealing his pain on his brother’s death, this track is an outstanding intro. “My Mother Said” takes the tone of the album down a notch. This track shows how Lowkey understands how the opposite sex acts and at 19years old this is amazing. The slick and calm beat with the drum loops is extremely catchy and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. On “Check Up” he tries to reach out to the youth and tells of the importance of using condoms. Funny lyrics but at the same time intelligent ones, he tells us of how the small things become huge. Tony D joins Lowkey on this track and helps the track to flow along. On “Bars for My Brother” Lowkey tells us of his brother death. This track has unmatchable emotion. He blames himself for this death “I wont lie there was much distance between you and I/ I should of told you not to do it, don’t be stupid” The track opens with a mellow beat with soft singing in the background. Lowkey recites lyrics with ease but at the same time you can hear a shiver in his voice. But what really appeals to me on this track is how Lowkey tells of how a death can effect people in different ways and how a lot more people can get hurt than most people could imagine. In a really down to earth tone Lowkey says “I don’t understand why you had to die/ in a lot rappers rhymes death is glamorised/not me”. For this single line I have put Lowkey at the top of my favourite rappers. “Story To Tell” is an intricately pieced together story of two twins separated at birth and the fates that befall them. Put simply, this is extremely powerful music, of a standard many aspire to but fail to achieve.
Tracks like “Just Shine” and “Where You Go” have up-lifting beats and simply just incredible lyrics. On “Just Shine” Simone sings a beautiful chorus while Lowkey encourages confidence with his lyrics. Simply amazing. On “Where You Go” Reveal spits lyrics with complete anger, the hook hits and then Lowkey takes control of the track and makes it his own. Again the emotion on this track is incredible and Lowkey just keeps amazing me. With every English rapper there has to be a so-called “reppin track”. “London” is this track. He explains the day to day going on’s in the city but at the same drops some history “Slick Rick was born in London”, and “Big Ben and the river Thems are in London” He drops an intelligent line when he says “ Blood this is not queens bridge, its London/ get it straight the Queen live in London”
On “Average” Lowkey is joined by Tony D, Therapist, and Stylah on a track that uses something similar to the beats that DJ Premier is accustomed to. Like every rapper you need a track that your allowed become cocky or big-headed on. The Game does this on every track but Lowkey only needs one track to tell us this due to the fact that every other track explains this without him actually saying. “Read between lines” is favourite track on the album. He drops history, imagination, comedy and truth on this track, everything a track with title “read between the lines” needs. He disses Gwen Stefani by saying “I don’t go there with my friends to part, caz its about as Hip-Hop as Gwen Stefani”. He tells us how luck can make you big “Joss Stone didn’t sell till sehe won two Brit Awards”.
The production is consistent throughout, featuring Lowkey's favoured vocal samples and keys, and cuts from Caramac, Q-Tones, Sivey, Shears and DJ Snips do not disappoint.Without a shadow of a doubt, Lowkey is one of the most talented and promising of all young British rappers, and his mix-CD series “Key to the Game” Volumes 1, 2 and now 3 are indisputable testament to that. An accomplished storyteller politically inclined and blessed with real intellect, Lowkey is renowned for his poignant tales of sorrow and struggle, and on Volume 3, he doesn't disappoint in the slightest, ably impressing further still. Without a doubt a must have album.
Total: 4/5
Link:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3NKQELUQ