Twenty f_ive year old South Londoner Speech Debelle is an excitingly
authentic new voice in British hip hop, and with this, her debut, she has
signalled that a major talent is here.We quickly learn from her storytelling
raps that life has been no bowl of cherries for Speech. Poor parenting,
rubbish boyfriends and mundane jobs are just some of the trials and
tribulations she has to contend with, yet still there is hope for the future.
Produced by Roots Manuva cohort Wayne Lotek ( and featuring the deep
voiced maestro himself on the wonderful ‘Wheels In Motion’ ) the music is
not as harsh and aggressive as one would expect it to be. Instead there is
a gentle jazzy, even folky, f_low throughout.
But if you want the best idea of what Speech is all about, the lyrics of the
title track are a sure pointer. “I’ve made some mistakes in this life I’m not
proud of, see?/ But I hope that doesn’t mean now I’m trying it will be
harder for me/ I’ve been hurt and it’s not an excuse but it’s a reason/ It’s
like some things happen in life for a lifetime or a season/ And I’m just now
learning how this world really works/ It’s a law that says you get back what
you put forth.”
Sneaky
Feel Like A King... Pluck A String
While studying for a music degree at Manchester University he became
involved with DJs Andy Votel , Mr Scruf_f and Mark Rae. Touring the world
and making albums with Rae and Christian was followed by his own
Fingathing project, and more recently a move to Berlin and his own ‘Feel
Like A King’.
The album opens with what sounds like an otherworldly orchestra
tuning up, before we are introduced to the world of ‘wood hop’ where
real instruments and genuine virtuosity collide lovingly with samples,
production anarchy, jazz chops and some mighty f_ine vocal collabora-
tions. Each track unfurls another sonic twist, and listeners will f_ind it
nigh on impossible to stop grinning from ear to ear while grooving and
slinking around to these fabulous tunes.Wood Hop is jazz for the
electronic, mashed up, sample savvy, forward thinking, beat driven
generation. Feel Like A King…Pluck A String is the manifesto. Get ready
to join the party.
Digital and physical release 25th June – Big Chill Recordings
www.thisissneaky.co.uk
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