JND
I can’t think as straight recently…
Some things are going better – but others aren’t as good as they need to be /
I’m trying hard to get where I’d like to level out /
Searching for a better place than where I’m now to settle down /
I’ve not neglected music – typically there’s obstacles /
Trying to push my business ‘mongst an industry’s an option till /
I’ve lost the will, still I never would abandon ship /
I start earlier than you and finish later than you ever did /
You’ll never understand the urge to write a piece I’m proud of /
Hit my ‘cloud up and hear my beats banging that’ll bounce subs /
It’s more than a sideline to mouth off /
I play football, that’s a hobby, hip-hop’s vital to me – now what? //
Bernard Purdie (sample)
“Oh! Yes!! And that’s how my ghost notes came about and my hi-hat, my pshh pshh - yeahh”
ExP
Now what, man it’s time to make a plan and a list /
...Turn a planet full of managers to madness and risk /
I almost had it with the rapping, now I’m back with a wish /
To make something that I’m proud of: starting with this /
I was obsessed with the making it, forgot about just making it /
My hatred for the fakes grew greater, every day I’d sit /
Baked with a spliff in hand, medicine for the procrastinator /
Helps ‘em pass their days encapsulated in their fascinations /
I stay infatuated with the pad and paper /
Can’t say I gave the grass a break but rap remains my lasting saviour /
So now I have to make a lasting statement that creates the /
Passion in my brain I have for music in a math equation //
JND
Take the sample add a dash of flavour /
Shuffle up the hats and breaks to multiply the fatness saturating /
Don’t forget the damn remainder /
You need some drive to push your project past it’s infancy to grasp a status which’d harvest wages… /
A crusty vinyl crackle wave recording /
Makes a portion of the statement forming: spawns the basis, always /
Coz without the factors main support it’s not the same /
Before you even think of plotting prose you need a lot in place //
Addverse
I’ve never lost the chase – not now I’ve got the taste /
Even though the profit’s not the same as normal office rates /
It’s not what I’m paid – and never how the offer’s made /
My occupation’s writing raps to tracks to pass it off as trade /
I’m quite excited by the fact I’ve got a lot to make /
I’m only getting started and I know exactly what’s at stake /
No time for stopping, got to make my way across and take /
Grab whatever’s on the plate and scoff it like I’ve lost some weight /
Hungry for the hot debate – what’s the topic of the day? /
See this look across my face? Never gonna drop the case /
Nor will I drop no names, even in this sorry state /
Cos things have got a little out of hand now, I’ve got to say //
JND
And the hulk rides off into the sunset. Bye Hulk!
UK rapper and composer Oscar reconnects with his youth on a sleek, diaristic LP influenced by ’90s hip-hop and '00s R&B. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 21, 2024