A Little Deeper

It's hard to get a grasp on an album that you've never heard by an artist you don't know. Listening to A Little Deeper by Ms. Dynamite in 2023 you're not hearing too much originality or something that merits inclusion on a list of 'Albums you must hear'. When a record that barely had any traction when it was released and who's global stats only show a bump in the UK compared to a flat reception outside, you get a good look at the biases the author(s) of this book have for subpar UK performers regurgitating more popular artists who's only crime appear to not be based in the UK. 3/5.

I was surprised at how much I liked this. I was preparing for a reasonably generic early 2000s RnB and/or hip hop album (and there are, admittedly, a few tracks like that on the back half of the album). But it was more meldoic and catchy than I was expecting. A review I read described Ms Dynamite as a cross between Lauryn Hill and Nelly Furtado, and well hey, I'm down with that. I liked her voice (which is indeed reminiscent of Lauryn Hill and Nelly Furtado), with a pleasant reggae-tinged inflection, from her UK background, I'm assuming. There were a bunch of songs on the front half of the album that I found compelling and memorable (Dy-Na-Mi-Tee, Put Him Out, It Takes More, Sick'n'tired, Afraid to Fly). The production, mostly by Salaam Remi, is funky and warm, with great deployment of samples and acoustic instruments. It made sense when I read that he had worked on The Score by the Fugees and Amy Winehouse's Back in Black. This was a really pleasant surprise, and album I would totally listen to again. I reckon if this was trimmed to a punchy 45 minutes, it would be 4 stars, but there is a little bit of filler on the back end of the record. So, 3.5 stars, rounding up.

In 2003 it probably made perfect sense to include Ms. Dynamite on a list like this - she was massive for about a year. Now, not so much. I enjoy the sassy, streetwise bops (Dy-Na-Mi-Tee, It Takes More, a few others) plenty. But unfortunately these are outnumbered by neo-soul snoozers and slightly insipid R&B tracks - the type of music I've always struggled to like, basically. 2.5 stars

Not sure why this has so much hate on this site. It’s standard R&B and probably shouldn’t be on the list but it has a pretty pleasant sound. 6/10

Quality debut album by a clear talent. A little different take with a female rapper with a different sensibility and sound. Multiple tracks with quality grooves and beats, combined with clever arrangements that include instrumental fills with more traditional pop piano and guitar sounds.

I guarantee this is some English rapper no one has heard of outside the UK, and that it's unironically shallow as fuck. There's a song called "afraid 2 fly" ahahaha oh fuck off you hack. Update: was exactly as expected. Zero depth, lyrics hilariously cheap. Only actual content on its wiki entry is "included in this shitty book". Not quite as bad as MIA, but still a whopping 1/5.

Started off good, but then ran out of steam. Sort of generic and not worth a spot on this list 2

I found this to be kind of pedestrian and of its time, but it wasn’t a bad record.

An album that seemed to be incredibly well-received on release, but has not been remembered over time. Ms. Dynamite seemed to be championed as the next big artist for hip hop and neo-soul, riding in on the backs of Missy Elliott, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu. Instead, it seems like her work pales in comparison to her contemporaries, and barely impacts like recent artists SZA, Noname, or Lianne La Havas. I can't hate too much but it's encompassing the 2000s bass-heavy style of hip hop production that feels dated. It's especially true when it feels like Ms. Dynamite is pulling punches. More than anything, this kind of production deserves bombastic, in-your-face delivery that sticks with you. When it's go big or go home, Ms. Dynamite does not go big.

UK Hip Hop always stood in the shadow of its US origins and it mostly does not get close to it. Of course there are exceptions like Little Simz who is one of the best modern Rap artists. Ms. Dynamite in the eyes of some does recieve a similar credit especially with this album that blends Neo-Soul, R&B & Hip Hop into a diverse and interesting album although it is really inconsistent and sometimes all over the place with the ideas and influences. It starts with the short but actually really good 'Natural High (Interlude)' that works as a intro and I really like the low-paced, mainly Synth & Bass background beat that makes you interested with what else the album is going to feature. 'Dy-Na-Mi-Tee' seems to be loved by many but I just think it's annoying. The "e-hee" part in the chorus makes my ears bleed. Just let MJ do a "Hee-Hee" part because this just destroys a theoretically solid song with that god awful chorus. It is even more embarrassing considering this is HER song with it pretty much being an introduction into her persona. Much better is 'Anyway U Want It' that features a typical 90's R&B chorus by a featured singer and a Hip Hop Soul beat. It's pretty solid but nothing crazily interesting. The arguably one of the best songs on here is 'Put Him Out'. It's a fast and slightly angry song that has a great rhythm and a pretty diverse beat. It isn't a perfect song but gets close with a couple of parts including the Jazz piano that starts shortly before the chorus. The more sentimental 'Brother' features a nice melody and great vocal harmonies. It is a nice blend between R&B beat, Soul singing and a few Rap bars. Ulimately a decent song that doesn't really get the edge it should maybe have. The sample heavy 'It Takes More' follows with another great song and definitely a top-tier song compared to most the album offers. It's a more hard-hitting beat that strangely works really well with the more laid-back and singing provided rapping. The greatness of before is a bit lost with 'Sick 'n' Tired' that just isn't as interesting as a lot of that we already heard. It's mainly boring especially with the lackluster performance and the bars that just don't really have a lot of lyrical or emotional depth to it. Just a very "meh" song; It's "ok". 'Afraid 2 Fly' has a really interesting beat that isn't really your average track because it features a lot of different samples that range from bells over water or rain to some really weird synths. That beat gives a great base to work on but she sadly didn't do that. The performance is way to basic for such a crazy beat. It feels contradictory and that in a bad way. The albums second half starts with 'Watch Over Them' a short and acapella intro to that half that only features her rapping without a beat. She's just not good enough of an MC for that to work but nice try. 'Seed Will Grow' has some influence from Reggae, mainly with the featured vocals that are pretty much just Reggae but the beat also takes a couple of elements but in the end stay true to the Hip Hop Soul sound. It's alright but isn't really interesting outside of being pretty nice background music. The more electronic based 'Krazy Krush' makes a slightly glitchy appearence but it does not really get to a point in which I like the sound that is created as the duality of beat and vocals don't fit. Like with many tracks: great idea and concept but she just isn't the right person to perform that. She would be a better artist as an album/song conceptualist for other artists than performing herself. 'Now U Want My Love' is another average R&B song that might have worked back in 2002 or as background music but in an active listen it's pretty boring. The song 'Too Experienced' isn't available on streaming but was a part of the original album. I am not interested enough to check it out but I want to mention it for the albums wholeness. 'Gotta Let U Know' is another song that I am going to same thing about I said already a couple of times: average R&B song that didn't age well and is really uninteresting but still ok for the most. An let's do it again for 'All I Ever' which is a, can you guess?, pretty average R&B song that has a couple of neat ideas but in the end comes of as, ..., just ok and mostly boring. The albums title track and final song 'Little Deeper' had a little secret on the original CD. Because it if you did not stop the album after finishing it and just waited a hidden track called 'Get Up Stand Up' would play. And while that might have worked as a cool easter egg on CDs, it does not work with streaming and it's therefore really stupid to add just 4 minutes of silence in between the two songs... Anyway, the actual song is really boring but the hidden song is actually really good and I am surprised it isn't on the actual track list. It has a solid beat and great featured rapping. This is what the whole album should've been like. This is great!!! One of the best moments on the album and it isn't even an "offical" song. WHY??? WHY??? favourites: It Takes More, Get Up Stand Up, Put Him Out, Anyway U Want It least favourites: Dy-Na-Mi-Tee, Krazy Krush, Watch Over Them, Afraid 2 Fly, Gotta Let U Know, Little Deeper Rating decent to strong 5 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

Not as good as Little Miss Dynamite, a 70 year old woman who tweaks around the pubs of the Isle of Man every weekend.

Phenomenal. Quality production, sharp lyricism, multiple genres - fantastic debut that clearly draws a lot of inspiration from Lauryn Hill, while remaining true to her British and Caribbean roots.

Couldn't decide if this gave me Missy vibes or someone else but damn the flow was *on point*!

Super awesome, funky, what a banger… she’s like the funk version of Etta James 9/10

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it just nostalgia? Is it the biased extrapolation of one iconic single? Is it the overwhelming relief of the first gasp of fresh air after the endless deluge of forgettable 70s dad rock that has washed over me in the last several days? NO! IT'S A BANGER

But not too deep. Ms. Dynamite raps consistently over a variety of textures, and the album has the topographic variation of a good painting. That is, moving micro-shadows are thrown on the thinnest areas, vulnerable to the scrape of lyrical mining. While small for the length, I maintain my reaction to "message" albums.

Die Einbeziehung dieses und ähnlicher, bestenfalls generischer Machwerke in diese Liste macht mich physisch aggressiv. „Das hat man ja so noch NIE von einer Frau gerappt gehört.“ /s

Fantastic album with some instant classics. So many of the instrument lines were pulling from famous pieces of music. Plus, Ms. Dynamite's flow was buttery. I loved this album.

Finally some good fucking food

I had heard of her but didn’t really know her music. I quite enjoyed it.

I quite like some of the songs on this album, but I have no clue as to why it's on the list.

Final Album! I'm not minding that this project of 3 years ends with above-average R&B from a random UK rapper who's mostly unremembered 20+ years later. Feels in the intended spirit of the project, while also demonstrating the biases about which lesser-known acts got included (and which ones got removed in later editions lol)

I'm vaguely aware of Ms Dynamite (aka Lady Dynamite) from the early 2000s but have never listened to her. This is an impressive R&B/soul record and I can see why it attracted some attention and a Mercury Prize. But I have to confess that I didn't find this particularly memorable or overly significant. I guess it's not really my style. I kept thinking that it sounded like a British Beyonce, which is certainly not a criticism. I understand why she's got her fans, and I don't have anything negative to say, but I wouldn't normally seek this one out.

How have I never heard of this record? It's so good I can already tell. I'm hearing so much early 2000s in this, but also some of the things that really exploded later... dance hall, grime... really cool. It definitely is dated. Not sure I'd listen again. But I like its integrity.

It's fine. I enjoyed the singles that I remember from its original release. There's quite a bit of filler. Don't really understand why it's on the list but I didn't hate it.

это классический середняк - вдохновленно образцами пизже (мисс Лорин Хилл и старушка Мисси Сисси Элиот), но не их уровень

Ms Dynamite flashed so brightly and then disappeared without a trace. Well meaning, socially conscious, sometimes engaging but the album not consistent enough and for every track with inspiring lyrical content such as It Takes More there’s a routine track like Anyway U Want It.

No thanks. Good value Lauryn Hill

No idea why this album is in this list. This sounds like evey generic r&b/rap album from the early 2000’s. Not bad per se, but it’s too long clocking in at 1 hour. Reminded me of a lesser version of Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse.

Weinig speciaal.

Drum and bass 👎 Drum and bass with gorgeous vocals 👍

I don’t know why I never listened to this album sooner. I really enjoyed it

This was dynamite. Confident, smart, and full of groove. “Anyway U Want It” and “Gotta Let U Know” were my faves, but honestly, I’d vibe to this whole album with a glass of red and a good book any Friday night.

Edgy, mind blowing

Ok, this was awesome.

Letras socialmente conscientes e introspectivas, destacando o talento vocal e a paixão da Ms. Dynamite.

Sounds like British Lauryn Hill mixed with Jorja Smith, I’m sat!

This album surprised me, it was awesome. I loved the lead singers voice, and the first 5 or so songs on the album were so fun and groovy to listen to. "Anyway U Want It" was my favorite, but "Put Him Out" gets an honorable mention.

She looks badass and also the album cover is way cooler here than it is there. WOW! this is like, a 5 star album. Good job Ms. Dynamite.

I only knew her through Dy Na Mi Tee and she surprised me.

This is some good Y2K nostalgia right here

Absolutely adore this album and the second song is like an intro to the artist

What a unique, mature, and healthy voice. The type of album that makes you wish you were the right age to appreciate it upon release.

Sian's score... Fantastic album that I have loved since first hearing it

Meaningful beautiful reggae inspired hiphop, what's not to love?

Solid album. Good vocals. If you put Ms. Dynamite on and can't get any action it's not Ms. Dynamite's fault.

Wait, what??? This is a fantastic album!!! How haven't I heard of it! Son nice to have found it here! Too bad I can't listen to most songs on Spotify... but for that there's always YouTube!

Remembering that a 20 year old me found this quite refreshing at the time.

I rather enjoyed this one. I was not familiar with this artist, but happy to know a little something now.

I'd never heard of her and this isn't a genre I gravitate to but it held my attention and made me want to listen again.

Another new to me artist, love the album and will re-listen.

20 de Junio. 1. Just intro, nada más 2. OMAIGÁAA. Thanks to Lennie Hibbert for that beautiful song "Rose Len" que dio vida a este tema que amo hace años. PERO TAMBIÉN A MOLASSES DE EARL, recuerdo hacer esa conexión hace muchos años in my early twenties. 3. Hey that's pretty nice! 4. Yo, this girl got nice rythm, Liking it a lot. 5. Cute, miss my brother. Lala debería dedicárnosla. 6. Nice one, like! 7. Sick n Tired. Nah, nice try. 8. Didn't like the beat, skipped middle. 9. Interlú cantaíto, good but no. 10. Cool con Marley, liked. 11. Good one! 12. Liked it, good one! 13. Nada memorable pero good I guess. 14. Loving the beat, super chill, liked! 15. Loved it. 5! Porque it deserves it

This was fanTASTIC!!! The only downside of this album is that I love the song Booo!!! so much that I wish this album was her vocals over garage beats :( the instrumentation is still awesome though and this just drips in all of the things that were good and great about early 2000s RnB, all while leaning into the benefits of the english accent in a way that only benefits the sound

I was immediately drawn into this album with the unique voice and composition. And from there I just kept vibing. I love her voice, I loved the featured artists, the range. What a great find! 5/5

Wow, no words

Classy, catchy, tasty. This is everything I wish hip hop was today. A positive message that isn’t about money, drugs, and sex. Throughly enjoyed this album. 9/10

Estou apaixonado pela voz dela

What a banger

This album didn't rock my world but I enjoyed it enough to listen to it again back to back.

Beautiful voice, beautiful attitude. Did tail off in the second half, but it gets a nostalgia star.

Great album!

Great album

album full of bangers, that left me wanting more

Lifted my mood. so fun, great , great , great and a surprise. voice, style, grooves and a perfect antidote to the grim R&B out there... and some nice blood diamond references to keep it real.

Wonderful

This was fan fucking tastic

Instant 5 a real sleeper hit. The funny thing was when this came out I knew her as a presenter on a stupid "street" late night garage show on channel 4. Then this album came out and it was so far ahead of the childish bands she was presenting on. Later found out that she's celebrated poet Akala's sister and it shows as the deepness and reality is so far above the usual stuff which is put out. Loved this album for 20 years.

fun and full of attitude

This was so much better than I anticipated.

A fine go hip hop album. I'll echo the sentiment of Lauren Hill vibes.

Solid work from Ms Dynamite. Nice beats and she can sing.

Not not enjoyable.

Impressive lyricism.

It’s actually quite good. Not MIA good, but still pretty good. I’ve never heard of this person before, but apparently this album won the Mercury award. I know that’s supposed to be an achievement, but knowing Radiohead has never won a Mercury award means I cannot take them serious and therefore disregard that accolade entirely. Anyway, 3.5.

London hip hop and reggae influenced artist. Really positive lyrics good vibes - will listen to again.

Forgot all about this... good stuff

7/10

A few duds, but otherwise a strong album

Wow... What a blast from the past, and that main single is going back in rotation.

I recognised 'Dy-Na-Mi-Tee' as something triple j played pretty frequently but that's about it. Quite enjoyed this one, a nice slice of forgotten early-00s hip-hop that's a lot closer to soul and R&B. Chill vibes, good voice.

So much dopeness on one record! I’m only familiar with a couple songs on here so the whole album listen was a first for me, once again thanks 1001! No skips and I’m adding this to some playlists for future listens!

This was great, gave me classic 2000s pop/r&b vibes. Surprised I had never heard of her before. 8/10

After a while thought this is a really good album, got to be near the end right? wait, there's 10 more tracks?

I liked dy-na-ny-tee. Overall it was pretty good. While i do like R&B, her music isnt particularly my "style" but I did enjoy it.

This really is a phenomenal debut album, sung from the heart with much to say about the experience of being a young black woman growing up in London at the turn of the millennium. Ms Dynamite herself is labelled as being a rapper, but I’d put this more in the camp of R&B and soul, and it compares very favourably with something like The Miseducation of Lauren Hill. An unexpected delight for a Monday morning!

It was good. Usually hip hop is annoying for me to listen to, it sounds too rough. This on the other hand felt chill, and her voice was nice to listen to. 7/10

-good beat -good singing -good message

83% Best: Dy-Na-Mi-Tee; Anyway U Want It; Sick 'n' Tired Must-Hear? Sure

This had a great groove to it and was actually a solid debut. Even though I couldn't help but think she sounded like the Walmart version of Ms. Lauryn Hill.

great

Classic, although hasn't aged amazingly, feels a bit "shit keyboard in the shed" at times. Shit recording from the 00s doesn't have the same charm as shit recording from the 60s

4.0

I liked her rapping more than the singing in the choruses, actually. The autotune used made her voice sound less distinctive. The collaborations were... okay. I actually liked the interludes (which I rarely do). She definitely has a great lyrical flow and feel. Songs like "Ramp" really shows that. Hard to believe it's a good 20 years old, but it feels fresh to me (but what do I know?) Top tracks: "Dy-Na-Mi-Tee," "A Lil Deeper," "Put Him Out," "Ramp"

Dynamic album, you can evidence the R&B, Soul and other genres influence. Accompanied by the uniqueness of Ms, Dynamite

An album with openness and depth. I love Put Him Out, such a great representation of female friendship that looks out for friends in terrible relationships. And Brother is also such a sweet ode to her sibling. Great album.

I liked the music changes breaking up the style of the album. 3.8/5

This reminded me a lot of Lauryn Hill and I really enjoyed the vibe.

A good surprise. Good rapper with a different sound of a mix of generes. Reminds me of MIA and she has a few songs with an Amy Winehouse style. She came before Amy so guessing Amy took a bit from Ms Dynamite. Great album and although a mix of top artists styles combined it feels like it lacks originality. Really liked it but in context is not as creative.

There are some real solid beats here. I don’t love it when it gets to more of an R&B sound, which sounds pretty generic here, but the rap-heavy parts are good.

Sounds 20 years old, but some gems in there