Reviews (page 6 of 7)
I was first exposed to grime when I was living abroad, where British artists were much more pervasive on MTV and in clubs - and I remember it feeling like a revelation: this spin on rap that felt utterly original, backed by beats that sounded like video games crossed with horror movies - but reflecting the same marginalized experiences and bravado-laden machismo that's so specifically hip hop. I have fonder memories of those early albums (Dizzee Rascal and Wiley specifically) than this output by Skepta. Despite a few listens, only a few songs really hit. There's ultimately too much repetition in sound & choruses, meandering skits that should have been left in the 90s, and mediocre lyricism (rhyming 'tender' with 'contender') to rate this higher.
I think this all melds well together. Skepta's tough-guy persona is aided by the space that the very sparse instrumentals provide. Even on tracks I find cheesy (specifically "Ladies Hit Squad"), I walk away having the melody and instrumental stuck in my head. If you don't mind the semi-single-focus bars (aside from "Every Thug Needs A Lady"-style closer "Text Me Back"), I think there's enough here to call this one a solid 3.5. Favorite tracks: "Crime Riddim", "Numbers", "That's Not Me"
Doesn’t speak to me
No
Loving the introduction to UK rap for me. I'll definitely be adding a lot of these songs into my rotation.
what a fuckin' intro. Atmospheric. too many skits. Feels solid but samey. Few bangers but could be a bit more varied. D double E! Not sure about transatlantic blend. Pharell can do one. 'Man' is still good. Shut Up is still good. 3.8 (?)
I mean, Drill innit… Is it a great example? I gather… Feeling the beats but overall doesn’t move me but how could it nothing really to compare it to. I’m almost as lost as if it were Baroque Choral. I can see the value but wholly under-qualified to judge. Did learn I learn a great new line? YES! "Are you stupid in the face?!?" OMK out...
Despite my giving it the same rating this was better than the DizzeeRascal album on this list.
Once again proving Britain has the best bars but the cheapest beats. Would love to hear Skepta over something better on the beat
I don't think this is my genre. The beats are too repetitive and... well grimy. Can't rate it too low because I recognise it's a great representation of its genre... but I also did not finish it as it really isn't for me at all.
1 star for the accent, and 1 star for "That's Not Me" (admittedly catchy). Otherwise, this genre (grime) ain't for me. Sounds repetitive, and the lyrics are bleh.
Hip Hop / R‘n B…4/10
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Artwork: ⬜🟥📬 Mix: 🧨🔊💎 Musik: 🇬🇧 🇯🇵 💀 Wertung: ♨️♨️♨️♨️/5
No
40/100 First HipHop album in the list and I was surprised to see it. Skepta is an artist I always liked when hearing him featured but I got tired of his style quickly on his own records. But I was prepared to give this a fair chance. The songs are all decently structured and Skepta is a decent enough lyricist but the beats are bland most of the time with a few creative outliers. My main problem is that I feel no structure in the tracklisting itself. The concept seems loose and the tracklisting inconcise. Overall not an awful showing but nothing I'll spin again.
Near-Cockney rapping with occasionally awkward-sounding flows. Flat, repetitive beats. The initial impression is that there nothing’s special here, but one does warm a bit over the course of the record. “Ladies Hit Squad” and “Numbers” are best tracks, likely because of the guest spots. What does that tell us? Last track doesn't suck. 2.5 for 2.
This scooches wildly between really good and insufferable. I don't think it's possible to hear "fam" and "blud" quite so often. That said, where he's on form it's great.
first listen fire production
Got about half way through. Rap just not for me
A very good listen. Each song had a nice blend of humor and clever lyrics to keep me engaged, and the beats themselves were energetic and also interesting. My only complaint is there is a definite disparity between the quality from song to song on this album. Nothing is horrible, but there is a but of inconsistency between the tracks. I would have ordered the sings differently, but very good as a whole. Top tracks: Konnichiwa, Man, Detox
eh.
Never heard of Skepta before, but apparently he's kind of a big deal, according to this album. I did enjoy most of the songs on here, maybe more for the production than Skepta's lyrics or flow though. The little excerpt that started out sounding like a 90's gangsta rap street-beef skit but ended up being just video game trash talk was pretty funny. Might not choose to put this on again, but wouldn't turn it off either. 3/5
Decent enough album with fun production. The backing stuff did pull me in, although I didn't really follow the lyrics. I don't think it was enough that I'm wanting to listen again though. 3.33/5
Another album that’s just not my jam. I can totally understand how someone would love this. Unfortunately I’m not that person and found it pretty grating for most of it. 2/5
yeah i don't know about this one. i'm not even a rap hater or disliker, i'm just not really a fan of whatever this is. the bars are corny as hell at times (i audibly laughed at a bunch of them and i don't think they were supposed to be funny) although skepta's flow is pretty good. the production here is what kills me though, i don't think it's technically bad, but the beats give me absolutely nothing and sound to me like something someone just threw together in garageband or something. and the skits? like am i supposed to take them seriously? is this supposed to make him sound hard? is it supposed to be corny as shit? who knows. to me, i couldn't take it seriously. it looks like this album is pretty well esteemed but i don't know why, there was so much better stuff coming out at the time of this release. not a fan, sorry.
I'm rating it this low very begrudgingly. UK grime is so good, and this is such a poor representation of it. The highlights of this album are all songs that were originally released as one-off singles, and it shows. I think Skeptas brother JME is far more talented and releases much more interesting music than Skepta. Dizzee Rascal too. It's a shame because this album is a real nostalgia trip for me, and I don't hate it, but it should have been an EP and better albums could have taken it's place
It's British rap. It's fine but not great by any means. Admittedly not my genre but still, there's not much to note here. Lyrics can be cheesy/cringe at times (see Numbers). Meh. 4.5/10 (2.25/5)
There is a lot to like here, Skepta is a charismatic rapper, if not the most technically gifted. The production support from Pharrell is subtle, it keeps things interesting without seeming overbearing. I feel like this album helped reignite the interest in UK rap in the US. Skepta seemed like he was everywhere after this album. This is also the rare rap album that has minimal filler, barely any skits, it’s just 12 straight up grime tracks for the mandem. Not a classic, but it’s notable.
I also finished the album quickly. Hip-hop. A quick listen. I don't like it. Then I can listen to good music now. 1/5
No. A one song wonder.
Was pretty excited for this one, since I heard good things about Skepta. But this wasn't my thing. Repetitive and too many skits.
I'm surprised how much I like this. I'd previously heard Shutdown a bunch when it came out and had the impression I didn't like grime, however this was a solid album with a lot to get behind. Skepta is a storyteller and I think I'll give this album another whirl at some point to see what else I can pick up on. Does it deserve to be on a greatest of list? I guess time will tell, but I'm glad I heard it.
Very articulate rapper. Gives an interesting perspective on London culture in a very well rounded modern rap album.
I always thought wannabe generic hip-hop that sounds like the budget version of the harder core recognizable stuff was missing from this list. This album sounds like the background music to a nightclub scene in a low budget film because they couldn't afford the rights to the real stuff. Apologies to whatever album was pushed off the list for this. 1.5/5
I hadn’t heard of Skepta before. While it was a bit repetitive (50%+of the beats had sirens) and the skits were grating at times, I thought it was a pretty decent rap album. 2.6
3.4 Pretty good. For a newish rap album it wasnt as formulaic as others. This guy really thinks he's pretty cool
I don't know what I was expecting. This is all new to me. I might have to give it another listen. Some songs are way too repetitive lyrically. Som beats are great. Some songs I like and others I don't think I like at all. I'm interested in hearing what comes after this. See if he grew as much as I think he could.
Rather accessible for this white, Middle Aged woman. I think I listened to it three times as I have repeat on and it didn’t annoy me enough to watch it off. Also, love it when rappers sing about their mums.
Listened Before? N Ever wonder what would happen if Eminem had a British accent, worse lyrics, and a producer who isn't Dre? Me either. But that's what this record reminds me of. Rambling and not too interesting. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Man
Not good
It is kind of hilarious to hear rap with an accent. lol. Terrible but made me laugh.
67/100
I’m sure it takes incredible skill but I can’t connect with anything here. And I’m sure it’s not meant for me and that’s ok.
Didn’t do much for me.
I even gave Konnichiwa a few listens in different circumstances because the first time just didn't grab me. One of those albums that isn't totally my taste but did enjoy the beats and the rapid fire lyrics. I found the spoken breaks over long, forced and with the exception of one, broke the momentum. It did grow on me and reminded me of hearing Wu-Tang for the first time.
8/10
I think this started off well enough, but I lost interest fairly quickly. Didn't hate it. Fave Songs: Konnichiwa, Lyrics
Never heard of Skepta but this is something I’d buy.
Rap Puh, mit Bässen wird da nicht gespart!
I’m happy to finally get a more recent album. And I enjoy grime and Skepta - definitely would listen again.
Grime. Remember when this came out
I should 'ave rated Boy in Da Corner higher. Grime is growing on me
I thought this album was fine, but the longer it went on, the less I liked it. It definitely has style, and I like it better than a lot of the modern US stuff, but it just made me want to listen to Dizzee Rascal, who I find more interesting and quirky.
muito bom
jadu, inte helt kass men det är heller inte så bra. en hyffsat stark tvåa.
Not my thing - I’m sure the kids love it but I never got the whole grime thing - it’s gets two stars because he’s producing music…
Grime, shmime! Really hate this stuff!
Wasn't sure at first but then I went back, got to Shutdown and That's Not Me and something clicked. The rest of the album just made sense after that. And i really really like it. Urban poetry gliding over some wicked rhythms. Nice His other stuff is great too. I'm a new fan for deffo.
I’m just too old and not from London so grime just annoys me.
First time with the grime fam
It’s interesting to hear rap with a British accent and also interesting that many of the lyrics were about very American things. But “interesting” does not a good album make. What started out as “Huh, interesting” quickly became grating - particularly the skits. This probably deserves one star but I’m giving it an extra for the novelty.
Energetic British hip hop that doesn’t make me want to stop listening. Nice collage of sounds and interesting lyrics.
Mad ting innit
I would expect a grime album to take more risks. Not enough “stink face”. Every song was pretty good, but nothing stood out.
I remember when this one came out, I was all over Lyrics and Man. This is some high quality grime. Album kicks off with a solid demonstration in typical "I'm the shit" bombast. Lead by a catchy beat that centers around a fuzzed out 808 bass line and some bright plinky keys. This bleeds over into Lyrics (one of my favorite on the album) which roots its eccentric instrumental around a pulsing bass warble. Love the flow here. Outro skits on Corn on the Curb and Crime Riddim are a bit much for my taste, but the songs themselves are cool. Particularly Crime Riddim, which has a nice bob to it. It Ain't Safe is the first thing that has the markings of a single. The instrumental taps something distinctly "old school" and the shouted vocal "chorus" is pretty weak, but Skepta's voice flows so nicely over the burble. Amazing how little time it takes to spot a Pharrell Williams beat. Sure, he is vocal sampled on Numbers, but I think even without it his fingerprints are all over it. The vocal aspect of the beat is kind of silly, but the bass has a really cool hop to it. Man is one of the coolest songs here IMO. Really interesting beat selection, with the unsettling back and force strings(?) overlaid with a pretty standard bass lines. All around solid grime album. It has some weak spots, and I'm not huge into the skit interludes, but the high points are high for me. Solid 4 / 5
Not really my jam. A lot of repetitive lyrics. Seemed well produced but still just not my jam. 2.5 stars
I have such a soft spot for British rap because it just sounds hilarious. Big tings and such. The interludes were pretty dumb, but the beats, flow, and energy are all there. A couple blemishes, but a really solid 4 otherwise!
I have trouble taking British rappers seriously with their lingo. Just makes me laugh whenever I hear them say ridiculous words. The end of Corn on the Curb is exactly what I mean with all of the Fam and Blood. This was as a shame because the first song came out and sounded really good with some solid beats and I was excited for the rest. But this just ended up being not so bloody good innit. The lyrics were so bad. Kind of absolute shite if you ask me fam.
Listened to this the year it came out and remember having some jams. Especially Man. What a jam of a song. Few songs in and loving it Skepta has some serious flow and the beats are legit. Could shorten up some of these interludes but still invested. Some of the beats are dirty af so I get why they call it grime. I like it. Hearing some brown noise in It Ain't Safe. Man is just as baller as I remember.
This is the best BriTrap I've ever heard. 3 stars!
Are u dizzy blud
Löst Tinitus aus! Einfach nur Gestammel! -10!
It’s ok
Tried to go in with an open mind on this one and not just roll my eyes through it, and I did actually enjoy bits of it, but I couldn't keep my sockets still when it came to tracks like "Numbers" with Pharrell.
Nice flow, some beats really slap, meh lyrics, but I like the attitude. 3,5/5. Also: Man's not hot.
I don't really like this kind of music. It wasn't ass, but I was content to move along as soon as it was completed.
Absolute torture. I don't enjoy most grime music anyway but fuck me what have I done in life to suffer this vapid shite? The lyrics are absolutely awful, did he think it was 'fire' or something to talk about murking fools to the MLG horn from 2011? Only ever known one Skepta fan, and he was a middle class white road man who put on a fake accent to try and sound cool innit bruv. Cut his own hair too. The only type of person who could enjoy this wankstain on the history of music.
Gewoon echt goed, dikke beats, vette raps en echt anders dan wat ze in de VS maken.
I don't like rap
koji kurac je sa outroima na svakoj jebenoj pjesmi
Hard-hitting rap with great electronic-influenced beats. Skepta has a great voice (love the British accent) and a fun, bouncing flow. Solid all around. The Pharrell track “Numbers” was a fun one too.
This was a super cool listen. Spotify sort of pranked me though as when I clicked play "Konnichiwa", the description for the artist said "A veteran of the U.K. grime scene", so I was expecting some gritty EDM music but I was excited when I heard his voice. Super smooth voice, fun and quick lyrics, and interesting instrumentals under his voice. I really liked "Shutdown". Cool song and instrumental. I did feel like he overused the title word though, and after finishing the album I realized that he kind of does that a bit throughout. It's not a bad thing but something I noticed. Will be listening again!
3,5
This has a lot of very 2000s style beats. I kinda like that's not me, but I think his newer albums and features are muuch better. I don't think I can give it a 3 based on a lot of other albums I gave a 3 to. And I looove rap
I'm not a fan of rap, this was entertaining, as an American I liked the British accent. "I broke down barricades and got accolades."
Stone cold
British Rappers not my usual scene. Was not awful, but did not move the needle.
Insane beats. Hard hitting flow from Skepta. Weak skits. Average lyrical content.
Not sure what to say. Not my thing. It sure why this or a few other hundred made the list.
01) Konnichiwa - 6,0 02) Lyrics - 5,5 03) Corn on the Curb - 4,5 04) Crime Riddim - 4,5 05) It Ain't Safe - 5,5 06) Ladies Hit Squad - 5,5 07) Numbers - 6,0 08) Man - 5,0 09) Shutdown - 6,0 10) That's Not Me - 5,5 11) Detox - 5,0 12) Text Me Back - 5,5 TOTAL: 5,38 (54/100) Current ranking: 167/188 Normally I'm not a fan of rap, and grime is even lower on my list of preferences. However, it's funny to me how in the comments people slander this album because it's British. As if everything American is perfect (endless folk rock albums from the early seventies, I'm looking at you!). This gets a low rating from me because I don't like it, not because it's British. I gave a lower rating to many songs because of unnecessary dialogues/skits at the end, if I wanted dialogues I would watch movies.
Um rap acelerado, e continua para mim massante.
Hated it
Was a fun listen prob not something ill come back to though
There are a few good tracks here like Konnichiwa, Man, and That's Not Me - but the rest of the album really falls short for weak lyricism, and base themes.
Rap
This was everywhere in 2016. Don’t think I’ve ever listened to the whole album though. I’m not much of a grimey boy but this is good stuff. Can’t believe all these god damn yanks on this website complaining about this album. Complain about the grunge people!!
Mildly interesting; but its not for me.
Not my style.
Some good tracks, some parts for me hard to listen to.
Dark, clever, refreshing.
3/5. Great Hip-Hop, great flows and danceable beats, plus heavy bass grime. The main issues on the account though is that every song has a sketch, and they can get annoying quick. The middle of the album really slows down, I get they might be radio hits but they do not work. The first few songs are great and it also ends strong with the last 4 songs are excellent. Otherwise, an enjoyable listen. Best Song: Lyrics, Shutdown, That's Not Me
No idea why this album by a British rapper is called Konnichiwa, and when the title song began with the sound of a gong and what could be either knives or swords I was worried where this was going. Overall, I didn’t mind this.
Listened to this on the Vicky Line while passing through Tottenham feeling like a proper North London Roadman. Skepta has also done some stuff with us at work, so by all accounts a nice geezer. Simpsons: No
Wagwan fam, can't lie man was loving the first half of this album fam, but some of the talking parts were proper cringe blud you get me? Man took a star off for it fam, but then Shutdown and That's Not Me came on and man couldn't not give 5 stars fam, see what I'm saying fam? Big man ting.
This wasn't really for me. I did recognise that's not me, but I'm not sure where from.
Grime isn’t really my thing. That being said I didn’t hate it. Kinda liked the last track
I love the beats but the lyrics are messy.
I'm floored by this one. I was skeptical since it's a relatively new record by an artist that isn't promoted in the US (as a bunch of records of its kind on this list have been boring and disappointing), so I'm glad to be proven wrong with Konnichiwa.
My previous exposure to grime music was mostly parodies in Desus & Mero sketches. This isn't my favorite genre, but I found it compelling, especially the spoken word interludes
Hm, although I was glad to learn more about grime, this isn't really my thing.
Guess this is what the song 'mans not hot' parodies
I like the cover. What's inside? It's not run of the mill, but it also could hold on to my attention. I wouldn't turn it off, but I'm not sure I'd seek it out, either.
Dark, prowling beats and a very London sensibility to the lyrics, both in terms of wordplay and delivery. Not really my thing but pretty good. 'Shutdown' is a banger.
Skepta is a British rapper who is from a Nigerian family, who is a known in the UK grime scene. This is electronic based, rap/hip-hop, with a lyrically style that is very repetitive - to an odd, boring level at points. This is not particularly danceable dance music.
Unremarkable and uninspiring.
I need to appreciate the American rappers more and how they put their skits as actual tracks on the album instead of being at the end, costing the stream a skip. God save the queen I guess! If there is one area I won't complain about, it's more hip hop and rap from anywhere on the planet. I know it has to be UK due to the list, but I can't complain. It was enjoyable. Part of me wishes I'd have given yesterdays album a 4 because this one is basically a three and yesterdays was way better.
Hell yeah, really love this one. Skepta has to be my favorite UK/grime artist, I don't care how mainstream of a pick that may be, he kicks ass. I heard this album years ago and loved it, glad that's it's on the list. Can't even claim British bias here because it's just a super hard album. Favorite tracks: Konnichiwa, Corn on the Curb, Numbers, Man, Shutdown, That's Not Me, Detox, Text Me Back. Album art: Not very interesting, but it's well-designed. A sort of stamped envelope look, a bit of passport vibes, is that Skepta's head and hat featured on the stamp? First time I'm noticing that. 4.5/5
Never heard of this. Not terrible but British rap isn't for me most of the time. Lost half a star because of all the skits at the end of the songs. Nice production value and decent rhymes though
That’s not me!!! Another mercury prizewinner I cannot get along with…. David Bowie should have won that year!
If nothing else, this project makes me feel like I've established an appreciation of rap and can discern what I like and don't like. I liked this. Flow was good, dude has something to say, I felt like I got a snapshot of what his life is all about, and I'm there for the beats and vibe.
s'alright, i guess. i do like british rappers, but not sure this one really spoke to me. is this really an album we need to hear before we die?
I liked the Fireman Sam reference. That's about it.
Pilaversio.. pillkka britti rappiskene.. Mans not hot.. Better tjan this..
Oh good. Grime. Ehhhh. I think this being a British list really is a drain. I can assure you I didn’t need to listen to this before I die. Why’s he keep calling people pagans? To genius! It didn’t tell me. I’m sorry. Hey, this sucks! This is my second British hip hop album in 23 albums. That’s fucking awful. Hey do you want a better hip hop album from 2016? Danny Brown’s Atrocity Exhibition! Now that’s an album I’m glad I heard before I died. And it’s almost certainly more influential than what ever the fuck this was. The end of corn on the curb is the most embarrassing thing I’ve heard so far! Ay what was that Call of Duty lobby interaction. It Ain’t Safe kinda slaps tbf. And he gave a shout out to the Based God Lil B? Ok this might actually save this.
Boring with an English accent.
Wel prima geinig. Hey helemaal mijn muziek though
Wagwan blud, UK tings w the mandem Of zoiets Hoe moet ik dit nou weer met de rest vergelijken hahah Wel nice hoor
one line flows yeah i got some of those
Yoooooooo wat, er zijn wel albums na 2006 hierin opgenomen?? Wagwan fam, wiv da mandem North London is here bruv, Big man ting ya dickhead Ik vibede hier wel mee. Zitten ook wel echt fa2 nummers tussen, Numbers is kaulo droog en It Aint Safe ook. That's Not Me is heel hard Nee leuk, ga hem vaker op zetten als ik me wil voelen als een big man uit North London (North London is red, fuck Tottenham)
That’s Not Me is a good track. The rest do nothing for me 2/5
2016 certainly was. a moment for rap. call it the drake effect. respectfully why is this on this list i’m not even trying to be mean but ? i do enjoy the use of sampling immensely. clever.
uk grime goated
Fine. Nothing really grabbed me.
This was pretty good, but I have to admit I wasn’t blown away. A solid three star affair.
This was fine. Not as good as some other British rap we’ve listened to for this project, and pretty indicative of the tastes/geographical location of the editor of this list.
started out interesting, but i didn't end up finishing this. the skits were really a drag.
Grime is my guilty pleasure. I really enjoyed this, the use of samples were really fun. Will listen again.
He sounds like stormzy just a bit more scat. Overall enjoyed the sound of this album even if I’m not into rap that much. Had me moving my head.
Hip-hop. Ni fu ni fa.
This didn't stand out for me at all.
Typicall hip-hop album.
I think this is the first time I've given an album a 1 without it being for personal reasons (Kanye West, etc.) I appreciate that Grime isn't made with me in mind (or most of the people in the comments), but I just can't stand it.
This was not bad. It's not my favorite genre but this one has some good music.
British GR, well worth a listen.
It was tolerable at first but got more annoying as it went on. Definitely not my style of hip hop.
This probably sounds great riding around in one of those SUVs with the blaring thumping base, that really just annoys everyone around them. Meanwhile, this just meh. Sounds like everything else that gets blasted too loud by dickheads. Too boring to finish.
Groovy Brit hip hop album - it’s fun but very self absorbed man child vibes going around. Then again it is the state of most hip hop of the period.
Skepta is probably one of the best British rappers out there right now and this album is supposedly his best. If that’s the case he’s not even top 10 in the US. This album was good sure but it was also lacking. Skepta is best with a simple grimy beat that he can lyrically layer bars over. His catchy songs are not good and the songs with more complex beats makes things seem messy sometimes. Overall it’s good I’d listen to most of this again but there were some songs I didn’t care for and the skits were stupid. Especially that Xbox gamer skit. We’ve come a long way since the biggie skits. 6.7/10
Judging by the long gestation period and the number of producers, there is a case that this album may have suffered from being over-produced. It's a reasonably decent album but again, not really my bag
Great bass on this album, lyrics a bit gloomy. But had the great shutdown. Used to sing this to the kids when they were naughty they got 'shut down'
Quite liked it on a superficial level, though a closer listen reveals some sketchy lyrics that just didn't work and the skits were laughable. Not all bad though.
Rude boy! Bit misogynistic, but good sounds.
Hadn't heard of Skepta. Not something I'd choose to listen to, fam, the album is listenable enough, fam, the skits get tiresome, fam, but decent beats to keep me engaged, doubt I'd listen again, fam. My highlight was picking up on the QotSA "Regular John" sample/loop on "Man". 2.5
generally just quite tiresome. he's got a good flow and the beats are fine if not anything to write home about, but the lyrics are just completely lacking in any artfulness or subtlety. i tried to be on bored at first but it really just wears on you. the beats and music start to blend together, the lyrics just get lamer and stupider
I'm a white guy who's nearly 40 so grime is not especially my forte but I'm struggling to understand why Konnichiwa is on this list when, two months earlier, a much MUCH better album in Made in the Manor was released and that is not on this list to my knowledge. I don't think it's even a particularly strong grime album from other artists I've listened it, but it has more crossover appeal and I guess that's reflected in the accolades and awards it got. I hoped for/wanted a more raw, edgy sound, and the only songs that really gave me something like that were the obvious Shutdown (hence the expectation, I knew that before listening to the album) and Man. Think I can only go as high as a high 2 here, and now I'm gonna go listen to Kano because he's just better at this.
Yeah, this isn't great. I knew the two famous songs, hadn't heard any of the rest and wasn't particularly impressed by it. Very much not the target audience for this music but, like the rest of you, I still know better iterations of a similar thing. 2/5.
Nope. 1 year in and finally meet a Grime album, one of my least favourite genres. I just can't take it seriously. Literally grow up and do something productive for society instead of this individualism bullshit.
Well, the pattern ends. I have now gotten 5 new artists in a row. Damn. Anyways, this is a fun album. My first experience with grime through Dizzee Rascal's "Boy in Da Corner" wasn't the most positive one. Maybe I just wasn't in the right headspace, but my thought upon listening to that album was "I don't think grime is for me." However, the great thing about listening to multiple albums from a certain genre is that preconceived notions can be disproved. I actually did go back to a few songs from that album after this, but I still am not really a fan of that album. Despite that, I actually like Skepta's "Konnichiwa." This album isn't the most serious thing out there, but it doesn't have to be. The rapping is enjoyable to listen to. The writing is solid and not too problematic. The beats are probably the best part. They just go so hard for no real reason. The album's not perfect, don't get me wrong. I did feel like the appeal of the album did start to dwindle by the end of the album. That's not to say that this album dragged or went on for too long. 44 minutes is like the perfect album length. However, it didn't feel quite as special after twelve songs. The features are also just fine. Overall, this is a surprisingly enjoyable album. Fantano was in the right when he gave this a 7/10. That would be equivalent to a 3.5/5, so I'll round up and give this album a light 4/5.
I have no idea why this is on here. Was this list made by an English person, is this really considered an album you must hear or even influential. I mean this came out in 2016 Grime had been around a long time before this and started to die off to my knowledge shortly after. There would have been a time where I listened to That's Not Me but not a full album. I just can't deal with it the lyrics the beats it all is just not my thing at all I was really tempted to just skip this but I decided to try it. Lyrics about crime, although I can not relate and usually dislike it, I can not be hypocritical. Mobb Deep The Infamous is a top 10 album for me but that is down to the delivery and the beats. I also despise lyrics about shagging women, I mean he doesn't do it much but it was there a few songs and it is just an instant turn off. I am no warrior saying it is wrong there are women who rap about it aswell but I do not want to hear about the ungodly things he wants to do to someone it just is not what I want to hear in a song. I appreciate a lot of people loved this album especially in the uk and maybe the list is trying to reach out to every genre, but you would never hear me choosing to listen to this. Stand out songs: Shutdown That's Not Me
Ziemlich cooles Hip Hop Album
I did not like this. While the lyrical styling at first gave me pause I tried to give it a chance to win me over. But the driving beat was so relentless and annoying I couldn’t stand it. I hoped after each song early in the album that the beat would change up a bit or relent some but nope. Same driving beat every song. I could take one or two of these songs on their own. “ Man” wasn’t terrible nor was “Text Me Back” by themselves. But included on an album with 10 other songs I just hate it.
Y’know, after getting some other albums, I thought I might actually like rap. This album made me rethink that. This album actually made me feel unpleasant.
Man, the UK hip-hop scene is fairly unknown to me. Grime is even MORE unknown to me. If I were to describe the genre after listening to only this album, I would mark it as aggressive and loud hip-hop. Like the breakbeats in each track are super loud and booming. Everything quite literally sounds "grimy", so the genre name is certainly fitting. As for the lyrical delivery, Skepta & guests are certainly commanding with each verse. A lot of the Brit slang flew over my American head though. Not really my type of hip-hop at the end of the day.
2 stars, pretty mixed album except for the radio tracks
This one still hits hard, it's aged well. Skepta has some of the best production in the UK rap/grime world, along with some great bars. Personally I prefer his older, more grimey stuff like Microphone Champion but this is still a modern classic.
Nothing good
Skepta doing his thing. And I could care less.
That’s going to be a no for me dawg
very cool
Tough to rate this. I really don’t enjoy any of this genre, so it’s no surprise I don’t like it. Somehow slightly more tolerable in a british accent, + 1 star.
Achei daora
Had high hopes after the first track but it really tailed off. It did make rememebr this all-time great tweet so that was nice: “uk rappers be like she suck on my willy it’s quite delightful if i catch you in west gloucestershire you’ll catch the rifle”
Corny.... Ludacris type bars..... why are we still doing skits in the streaming era can we not leave this shit in 2003??? I liked this but all the songs sound the same also Brits are just not as cool as Americans
This album did not meet my expectations that were set by it's wikipedia entry (#1 on several lists for 2016 over Blackstar and A Moon Shaped Pool). For what it is, it is a fine hip-hop album from the UK. It's well made and there are some earworms in the tracklist. The album didn't flow in an interesting or cohesive way, it just sounded like an assembly of tracks. Skepta's voice and flows are alright. 3/5.
Oh god. Well I went in with an open mind, he instantly starts referring to the president despite being British. Half way through the first song I realise he hasn't changed the tone or pitch of his voice at all, I pray this won't continue. I persevere and "that's not me" and "Man" have a certain "produced in a bedroom" charm, even though this guys supposed to be one of the biggest in the UK scene. The attempt at a big anthem with "Shutdown" doesn't work. He raps about fake Muslims and Rastafarians misrepresenting themselves, then pretentiously calls his album Konnichiwa? This is bad, not just the music itself but how basic it is for the UK scene, not doing anything slightly interesting but hanging on the US coattails. 1.3
It's better than a lot of hip-hop out there. But I still can't put it at a 4. I see that as is often the case, this project has a British bias -- not that it includes a lot of British artists (that's deserved), but that artists that were big in Britain and nowhere else show up on this list a lot. This is one of those. Skepta had some success outside of Britain, but it was mostly there. Good, but not great.
Personally not into rap but it ok
The sense of seriousness that this album conveys seems a bit unnecessary, but if taken into through the context of theatricality, the album hits that mark. Skepta himself is a very capable, very brilliant artist. If anyone were to put British/London rap on the map, it is going to be him. Aggressive beats, well-placed melodies, made for a real surprise at how much this album truly can be enjoyed.
Fucking insane this album hit hard
Excellent production and Skepta can really rap - don’t know why I can’t get totally behind grime though
Oh nah bruh Likes: some of the beats i guess Dislikes: british rap is cringe Maybe biased against the accent but i really think these bars are lazy, and the incessant repeat of a rap chorus (which i dislike already) in every single song makes it worse. Not for me.
The ting goes skrrrahh (Ah) Pap, pap, ka-ka-ka (Ka-ka) Skidiki-pap-pap (Pap) And a pu-pu-pudrrrr-boom (Boom) Skya (Ah) Du-du-ku-ku-dun-dun (Dun) Poom, poom You don' know
Not big on hip hop, but enjoyed the British delivery and interwoven skits. Is skits the right word? Idk idc
I guess if you're British?? I don't really get it. Pretty forgettable stuff and not all that interesting. Maybe it's the British accents, but it doesn't really work for me at all. Sounds very silly.
rap..
This was an okay album. I liked the music overall, the lyrics were a bit much at times. It felt like he was trying way too hard.
I'm kinda surprised I never got into Grime. It fits in my interest of hip-hop and more industiral / distorted beats. Now this feels like it's been parodied more than it existed in my world. 2.5/5
Not a big fan of british rap
After two listens, it's okay. It sounds very similar to Dizzy, whose cadence and attack in his lyrical delivery isn't something that I like a lot. 3/5
not worth the 1 vote
Big man ting yeah... serious Big Shaq vibes
Little too Ali G for me
Weder hip noch hop, Rapp ist gruselige Musik, Texte verstehe ich selten, Slang und Crime, ewig gleicher Rhythmus...
Witty, aggressive Pop culture referencing UK Gangster rap
Don’t listen to rap much, and this is probably my first UK rap album. Decent variety in the hooks, interspersing of conversation seems fairly common in the genre but was a distraction. Not bad but nothing terribly new or valuable. Hard to find a song I wanted to add to my playlist.
Yeah fine. I thought some of the bars were a bit cheesy - and that song where he had like a crisis of confidence in the middle and called up his friend for reassurance extra corny. Not really my genre though so fair enough. 2.5/5
It's a banger, what more can I say
I really like Grime. My Spotify superpower last year was The Hypnotist, which meant I listen to albums from start to finish. You'd think these two things would combine to mean I would have had a great experience with this. Not so much. Loved bits, got a bit saturated towards the end and hit skip a few times. It was alright, I guess.
No thanks, I just can't get into this sort of thing. Try again later.
Ok
Talented MC and DJ, plus his accent adds something a little extra special.
Did Andy Samberg base his SNL music skits on this band? The lyrics are shallow and the music is nearly the same for all the songs.
Bad album. Lyrics are dumb and amazingly repetitive. Underlying music is simple and unimaginative. I know I'm not a fan of the genre, but come on! There's better rap/hip-hop out there for sure.
Sounds like Dizzee Rascal. cool. 3 stars.
шаг в перед. нью-йорк, я работаю в закусочной, но танцую в команде, мы мечтали, хожу в джинсовых шортах, гавайской рубашке и катаюсь на скейте и у меня всегда проводные наушники. и мне хорошо.
Respect. Not the style for me but not bad. A little too "hard"
Sometimes there was repetitive, droning music pumping behind some mediocre fast rap, sometimes it seemed like he was trying to imitate someone else. There were a lot of typical rap tropes but not much originality.
Nah bruh
Not a bad listen despite the fact I don't like rap. The usual rap/hip hop subject matter and tough talk I really don't care for, but UK rap with his English accent at least is different and sort of interesting and intriguing. Still, either way you look at it it's still the rap genre, I don't have to love it, but at least it was listenable and kind of entertaining.
British rap sucks WHATS WITH THE FUCKING PHONECALLS I DONT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT THIS GUYS LIFE 2.9/5
I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, That's not Me and Shutdown I liked
stonewall classic
5/5: (None) 4/5: Numbers, That's Not Me, Ladies Hit Squad, Shutdown, Rating: 3.5
I have never heard this before, it's really good. I'm adding the album to my favorites so that I can listen again at home.
Dope
High-level start that just goes down and down to a mediocre standard 2000s hip-hop. It's far from unlistenable, but it does not stand too much time with me.
Not a big fan but some tunes were enjoyable
I really can't stand British accent rap, and I'm British myself. Give me Kendrick Lamar over this any day. Favourite tracks: Crime Riddim (mostly for the Sega Mega Drive-esq synth line), Shutdown.
Not for me. Initial Japanese music was nice, it this is just not for me.
Great flow but seems to overuse the same rhythm patterns. Same with the beats. 2 stars
The production value is good. The tracks are too explicite for me quite frankly. I likely won't listen again. 2/5
Not really my thing. But I did enjoy his flow and style.
The production's good Shutdown and That's Not Me suck Numbers is great - Love Pharrell Text Me Back is best song
I enjoyed most of this while I was cooking on a Sunday afternoon.
I am never going to have any interest in listening to British rap. I’ve tried, I really have. But it’s just not going to happen.
не впечатлилась) нормальный
Not for me
This was just okay. His MLE accent is charming in an unintentional kind of way. I don’t really care for modern hip hop but this seemed pretty consistent and well done.
Rubbish.
I’m defo not the target audience however, I really did enjoy this. Hints of Dizzee and Kendrick
3.5 Love me some good Grime and Skepta’s one of the best
Aggressively British. He has some decent verses, but overall just a good album. 3/5 Might listen again
Everything about this is just mediocre at best. How the hell is this in here aside from the obvious UK bias? You know MF DOOM was born in England. Everything he ever did blows this album out of the water. DOOM should have at least 1 album on this list.
Listened to it—not my taste or era but appreciated the overall expression.
7/10
3.5 ? Weird lyrics but maybe I just can't take British people seriously
No me va nada el rap y este disco no ha cambiado mi percepción.
Gosh this is so good. I just love the way that UK hip-hop went from being the most cringeworthy thing in the world to stuff like this, which is so raw and feisty and just such an insight into that world and culture. "Shutdown" is amazing. Scary that this is getting on for 10 years old now! I am so old.
Sorry, I don't like Rap.
Thought I was gonna struggle with this one but on the contrary it’s a banger! The production is excellent, the flow great and it holds for most of the record. I don’t have any issue with the accents so there goes that. That Lyrics track goes hard!
Constantly amused by American adhering so closely to their stereotypes in these reviews! Absolutely deserves it's place on this list because: 1. It's fucking awesome 2. It's took grime to the next level commercially, creating space for the UK rap derivatives that are still dominating the UK charts to this day 3. The list is not an American list.
I've been really trying to get into grime as it's a genre I know very little about, this is where I should have started. Great stuff m, hard hitting at times, overly cringe macho at others, but still enjoyed it
Not for me
Was very surprised how into this album I got. Was impressed and immersed in a number of songs. The only issue I have is the voice recordings in between song. Never been a fan
Eh. Kind of a normal hip hop album. Didn’t really finish it.
Not my taste. A bit aggressive and lacking in tunes. Shut Down has limited novelty value, but that's it for me.
How did we get here? What are we doing? Why is this even on the list? Is it just because it’s British? There is a crazy amount of bias for this list for average British artists. This is just terrible.
I don't appreciate grime too much but ain't too bad.
Stupid music.
Good
This impressed me more than I thought it would. Lots of cool sound effects and instrument uses. Great features and crispy clear production!! Standout tracks: Lyrics, Corn On The Curb, It Ain't Safe, Man, Shutdown, That's Not Me, Text Me Back 7,5 out of 10
Meh. Not feeling it
Hard as hell, one of the greats of the grime scene, amazing guest spots, important and good (not just one or the other!), absolutely brilliant
Estilo grime, para mí hip hop. Rollo patatero.
Like everyone, I was dismayed at the second grime album in two days. But I liked this much better even if I can’t say why. And I was liking it even before the drake knockoffs in the middle of the album. The grime itself was better. Better beats, more understandable. Still nothing in super into though. High 3.
Another album I didn’t need to hear. Never heard of this person and odds are I never will again.
Dizzee Rascal walked so that Skepta could run. Weird to get two grime albums so close together, but I think it helps me to see how much better this album is then the other one and how the genre progressed. Its also funny to hear all the British slang Drake took for his own use later. Unlike most albums we listen to here, I would have been happy if it kept going a little longer. Would do a 4.5 if possible, but it does't deserve a 5.
I used to be a massive rap fan but have really fallen out of love with the genre except for a few key artists. This really wasn’t my thing. I can appreciate that he has good flow and some of the beats were cool, but I didn’t add any of the songs to my playlist.
"Two plus two is four / Minus one that's three QUICK MATHS"
nah
Un album assez peu commun dans lequel Skepta va enchaîner les attaques envers Dizzee Rascal sur des Dizzee Rascal Type Beats.
Excellent, Skepta viens montrer a Dizzee Rascal qui est le meilleur rappeur britannique du générateur, le maltraitant sur ses propres Dizzee Rascal Type Beats
wont ever catch me listening to UK rap, trussss me daddy
Was cool hearing Queens of the stone age sampled, but otherwise didn't find this album too interesting.
I remember first listening to this album when there was a bit of backlash to it winning the Mercury Prize over Blackstar and A Moon Shaped Pool among others. I’ve never really got into grime, and much prefer the US hip-hop aesthetic, so didn’t really know what to expect but was very pleasantly surprised by this. Revisiting a few years later it’s still got back to back bangers and is just an incredibly fun listen - the beats are all super catchy and Skepta’s energy and mic presence are next level. Blackstar may be more my thing and was a very fitting ending to an illustrious musical career, but Konnichiwa is a better time capsule for the British music scene in 2016 and really captures the spirit of what music awards should be about
3.5/10
That’s a no for me dog
Sounds like competent hip hop. I can't profess to be an expert. The accent throws me. Spittin' bars, but posh.
There are a few actually good tracks, and the rest are at least entertaining. It could be the British accent making them sound deeper and simultaneously funnier, but here's 4 stars anyway.
British rappers be like, "Oi my name is Chauncy G and I hereby decree, Hallo, guv'nor, I fancy me a wee spot of tea."
honestly, not bad for rap, i kind of enjoyed it also i think i just have a thing for obviously british men (specifically from london... *sideeyes stromzy*)
tunes for hitting the gym
Not a fan.
Vettige beats, klinkt wat agressief. Niet onmiddellijk mijn smaak
Love grime. Love Skepta. Great production. 4/5
Innit
That's a lot of 2010's British rap I'm this list. For some reason.
Hab aktuell keine Motivation, gute Sachen hier zu schreiben. Fand es langweilig und eintönig. Britischer Rap klingt aber oftmals cool. Hat mich leider nicht abgeholt.
- Ich finde Grime ist die spannendste Bewegung im Hip-Hop der letzten 15-20 Jahre. Während ich mit Trap und Cloud Rap wirklich wenig anfangen kann, rückt Grime wieder eine gewisse Härte und vor allem lyrisches und technisches Können in den Fokus. - Skepta war mir bisher aus meiner Grime-Liste ein Begriff, ist in meiner Wahrnehmung aber neben Genregrößen wie Wiley, Stormzy, Bugzy Malone, oder Dizzee Rascal irgendwie untergegangen. - Das Album gefällt mir extrem gut! Mit "Konnichiwa" geht es nach einem schönen Intro direkt in die Fresse. - Die drei folgenden Songs halten das Level - Mit "It Ain't Safe" und diesem Synthie, der klingt wie ein Kröte, und der eher langweiligen Hook, konnte ich eher wenig anfangen - "Ladies Hit Squad" mit dem möchtegern-Drake A$ASP NAST und "Numbers" mit Pharrell zeigen wunderbar was mein Problem mit US-Rap in den letzten Jahren ist: Langweilige und ultrablangenlose Lyrics, nicht mal besonders gut gereimt oder gerappt mit einer nervigen "Melodie" oder nervigen Beats. Man merkt, den Einfluss der Amis in diesen Tracks -> Grime geht hier gänzlich verloren. - Mit "Man" geht's dann zum Glück wieder geil zurück in die gefühlte Londoner Unterwelt. - "Shutdown" kannte ich aus der Grime-Liste und würde ich auch als einer der stärksten Tracks des Albums bewerten. - Die letzten Songs ebenfalls wieder cool Rating: 3,5-3,75/5
- Grime holt mich einfach ab. Diese düstere Atmosphäre, dieses häufig breite elektronische Bett unter diesem ARSCHGEILEN "Dialekt" und dann sind die Texte häufig auch einfach richtig gut geschrieben und heftig geflowed. - Stichwort elektronisches Bett: Manchmal fehlt mir in diesem Album was die instrumentalisierung angeht etwas an Abwechslung. Und ab und zu wirken die Beats auf mich etwas outdated. - Skepta flowed aber die Scheiße aus dem Beat und reitet über die Bars wie ein absoluter Madman. - Im Gesamteindruck fehlt mir aber, wie gesagt, doch etwas Varietät 3,75
- nice Beats , aber die Gespräche am Ende einiger (zu vieler) Lieder nerven - Mittig kurz nachgelassen, zum Ende wieder stärker Rating: 3/5
I am not a fan of UK rap. Im not sure if its the accent of the dead tone of voice that I dont like. Did not finish
Hip hop never really stood on my agenda, after listening to the whole album I find it very juvenile, narcissistic and in many ways too aggressive.
By the third track I was trying to understand how this album made the list. It was ok but not something I'll listen to again.
It's good, obviously, but I feel like "Man's Not Hot" ruined any chance of me taking this kind of stuff seriously
Rating: 10/10
no. no grime
For the first rap album on this list, I feel slightly disappointed. It didn't really hit even though on a technical level it's all good. Good production and good rapping. The instrumentals were just not very gripping to me and I felt better vibes from other British rap acts like Stormzy, The Streets, Slowthai, Wiley and the like.
This album /feels/ very 2016, which is too close and crowded with secondhand embarrassment for me that I wince even when the beat’s catchy.
Uk rap or uk grime, ik ben hier fan van. Minder wel door die telefoontjes tussendoor..
ja ik heb stiekem toch een ding met britse en franse rap
Heel dik album
ewa blood fam, ik vond het gaaf!
It reminds me of early trap music where the beats were basic but the energy just felt different. It makes me want to watch top boy to see what this London trap is all about.
Disco típico de hip-hop de un artista totalmente desconocido en el que no destaca nada especialmente. A veces desconozco el criterio para incluir ciertos discos
I would have preferred JME's "Integrity" on this list 4+/5
skits on rap albums are classic but you should be able to skip. some raps are meh, some are hits.
Not my thing
It sounds so weird when British people rap lol talking about "the tele" and stuff while trying to sound hard. This album specifically was kinda whack at first but the more I listened the more I found myself bumping along. So I guess it turned out to be a solid listen
lol was not expecting to see skepta on here. I got hip to him bc he was featured on a carti song. never listened to this whole album but it goes unreasonably hard. shutdown is an absolute banger