I believe this has taken so long because Skepta has been very selective of tracks and how much was being put on there. Under the impression this album is meant to flow and have the same feel through out.
First track, Konnichiwa. Very typical and predictable with Japanese classical samples. Works well as an intro though. Moving swiftly to the second track, Lyrics. Annoying Wiley skit to begin with from a sample from an old rave. The beat is grimey, almost sounds classic. Something Pay As You Go Cartel would cypher to back in the early 2000's, this track features Novelist. There are a few Dizzee Rascal referents within Skepta's bars. There is a whole theory going around about secret beef between Dizzee and Skepta, with sly digs within the bars of track eight, Man. "I don't know why man's calling me family all of a sudden, like hmmm my Mum don't know your mum stop telling man you're my cousin."
This is apparently Skepta's aggravated response to an interview that Dizzee featured in America talking about the grime movement. He said that him and Skepta used to be tight at each others houses and shit. Petty shit to be honest. Skepta then bangs on about solo careers and how back then a certain someone was a big deal. In my opnion, Skepta has no reason to be this sly. It's not his style and if it is a sly diss then grow up and get some balls boy, you're 33 now. Obviously this album features Shutdown, fuck me I'm sick of this song now this is released. Plays straight after Man, and if you need info on this track, you need to stop reading this because you're clueless. All I want to give you is, this was also produced by Ragz. Then we are followed by That's Not Me featuring Skepta's nerdy brother, JME. This song was released in 2013, majorly old. A banger none the less. I think this is where Skepta first really got back to his roots, this one separated him from the shit he was doing and moved him onto a more positive path for his career. Always do what you love, it's what you'll do best. Next track I want to mention is Text Me Back. Ragz was also on production of this as well as Jason Adenuga. There is a very old school Roll Deep feel with Dizzee Rascal styled drums, almost off beat. The beat is very chill, old school grime heads will appreciate this a lot. The first verse is about texting a girl he appreciates, I don't want to say love. I son't get that feeling, maybe its the beat. The second verse refers to being ignorant to his mother, because he's making movements. Very predictable really. It then fades out and then an instrumental comes in, quite funky and unexpected to be honest.
All in all, happy the singles were featured in this song, i don't think the Devilman diss 'Nasty' would of gone a miss on this. There are one or two tracks you'll end up skipping but all in all the production in full is high quality. Im not sure what the long wait was in aid of, but the release time has seemed to work in Skepta's favour, and with his live shows. Only thing that pisses me off is the skits, they're long winded and cringey. As a listener they are irrelevant, maybe its a personal thing to Skepta? None the less, this album hit number one in the iTunes album chart. Over Drake's album, Views. Which was released on the same day. That is impressive, so TN hats off to you Skepta, fair fucking play.
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