January, the first month of the year. The political landscape is already looking uncertain as Donald Trump’s inauguration lingers and a general hue of dullness looms over 2018. Showing no signs of doubt, British newcomer, Ben Coyle-Laner, had no worries about being overshadowed by a bit of political dribble as he released his debut studio album, ‘Yesterday’s Gone’; a melancholy track listing perfect to escape those feelings of uncertainty.
British hip-hop is generally a tough act to follow, with 80s culture paving the way for graffiti and break-dancing to hit the gritty streets of the UK. Although borrowing from all-American sounds and pronunciations and the emergence of Grime in the noughties, UK rap has rippled through the waves of sub-genre, crafting a mould for multicultural giants such as Stormzy and Skepta. Dissecting the sounds of these hip-hop giants will catch you off-guard quicker than you can say man’s not hot. ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’; Stormzy’s debut hit, takes you on a journey of nostalgia and anger towards the injustices of discrimination, whilst still reciting the chillingly truthful lyrics of his imperfect vocals. The truth is out and these respected hip hop giants are leading the way for people to sit down and listen.
As epic debut albums go, Loyle Carner (a crafted switch-up of his birth name) has proven that his talents run deeper than the American rap stereotype, producing a listening of soulful tracks that carry you through a plethora of undefined emotions. It doesn’t hurt that the Croydon-boy has appeared alongside the likes of Kate Tempest and Joey Badass, British talents that aren’t afraid to take a stand and shout truth to crowds of souls waiting to be inspired. Each lyric is carefully placed within an almost novel structure of honest heartbreak, turmoil and fear, taking refuge in the chilling gospel that backs opening number, ‘The Isle Of Arran’. It’s often a hard-knock-life for the faces of this sub-genre, with gritty words becoming a portal into the truthful lives of the mouth behind the mic. Each track transition of ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ is an unhurried and thoughtful introduction into the mind of Carner and his playful approaches to life’s overwhelming struggles.
Born and raised in the smoke of London, Carner attended Whitgift public school and at an early age was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, perhaps the earliest sign of Carner’s approaches to distraction and the literal breathlessness of his vocal sound. Heartfelt track, ‘Sun of Jean’ sees Carner acknowledging his mother and her nod to the often-overlooked mental illness with a ‘she said it ain’t me without ADHD.’ A rhythmic lyric with an even bigger impact. Carner revels in the importance of family, his mum becoming the heartfelt voice behind the poetic openness as she cuts through with ‘the world is his, that scribble of a boy’.
Lyrics that tug at every emotion, Carner also features a piano sample of his late step-father, a track on his secret album that his father recorded before his death in 2014. Copping a ticket to one of his unapologetically real shows and his step-fathers impact is very much apparent as he drapes a red Eric Cantona shirt over his sweaty shoulders like a boxer taking a ringside break. Carner is an avid Liverpool supporter but keeping his father’s memory alive in the form of a rival Manchester shirt paints the character of Carner’s loyal and loving appreciation between the scattered confetti beneath the feet of a humbled crowd.
With a palette for the delights of rhythmic sounds and a hunger that is certain to satisfy any lyrical cravings, January’s release isn’t the only news following the London lad. Working closely with Goma Collective, a collaborative scheme with a conscience, Carner replaced the mic with a silver whisk as he opened his own Old Street kitchen, a therapeutic initiative to help like-minded kids with ADHD and anxiety build the culinary skills that they had maybe been thought incapable of. Although only for a week, the aptly titled ‘Chilli Con Carner’ is a scheme that the rapper hopes to take with him into the foreseeable and continue to find a bit of culinary calm between the light of a very bright future for the British talent.
Say what you like about the rise of grime and its prior menacing reputation; its sometimes nothing more than heavy beats, a plate of hearty food and a plethora of touching songs about your parents.
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