Tag: Jman

Babylon Dead – “Book of the Dead” review

This is the sophomore effort from England, United Kingdom boom bap, political hip hop & ragga duo Babylon Dead. Consisting of Bristol emcee Jman alongside London producer Illinformed, these guys initially got together for The Mould Tape’s outro “Gettin’ Mouldly” & have signed to the Glastonbury, Somerset imprint Real Life Drama Records for their full-length debut 2000 B.D. near the end of 2017. Precisely 35 months later, they’re reuniting in the midst of a global pandemic to open up the Book at the Dead.

After the “Babylon” intro, the first song “GHTQ” gives a giant middle finger directed at the crooked racists & sick fucks who’re in power over a boom bap whereas “The Underworld” works in a soul sample as well as a piano & some kicks & snares talking about the future of those he’s assisting on their journey to Hell looking like the bottom of a well. The lead single “1984” fuses boom bap & ragga for a statement addressing the world elite while “Burning” featuring Daddy Freddy & Jamalski leans towards the ragga side of things watching Babylon fall.

“This Likkle Piggy” returns to the boom bap condemning law enforcement who abuse their power while the 2nd & final single “Resistance” brings back the secondary ragga influences talking about standing up to the kind of people who want to incite fear on everyone else. “Shellings” featuring Killa P finds the pair embracing a slower & grittier atmosphere looking to shut the place down with the vibes being the only thing they care for leading into “Revenga” dustily talking about the kind who’re power hungry for some kind of leadership.

Beginning the 2nd half, the title track talks about the right-wing having a hatred for the poor when that’s been made clear for a long time & the time to militantly march in protest being now just before the ghostly “Fucked” featuring Warrior Queen airs out their own respective grievances towards the system. “Revolting” hooks up these sinister piano chords talking about rebelling against corrupt swine & “That’s BD” heads back to the basement instrumentally reminding the world exactly who they are during a turbulent 6 months.

“Bun Brexit” featuring Irah sees the 2 openly criticizing their country for withdrawing from the European Union in January while “Ransom” has a bit of a Bollywood-inflicted boom bap flare talking about doing what they do for the nations who’re experiencing sleaziness within their own government. “Hung, Drawn & Quartered” pulls from rap rock again attacking officers under the impression that they’re above the law while “Finished” featuring Badness & Devilman preceding the “Dead” outro ends with all 3 rappers aggressively retaliating against tyranny 1 last time.

2000 B.D. has already become amongst the top 5 albums in Real Life Drama Records’ whole entire catalog & despite coming away from Book of the Dead enjoying it, I’d have to put the follow-up right behind the predecessor. Illinformed’s boom bap & ragga production matched with Jman’s politically hardcore lyricism are still the most captivating things this LP has going for it, but I wound up becoming a little divided towards the guest list comprised of ragga & grime acts although I did give it the benefit of the doubt because 2000 B.D. didn’t have any features whatsoever.

Score: 3.5/5

Babylon Dead – “2000 B.D.” review

Babylon Dead is a boom bap, political hip hop & ragga duo consisting of Bristol, England, United Kingdom emcee Jman alongside London producer Illinformed. One of whom has a couple solo albums under his belt already with the High Focus Records- backed Auranography & Free Dank whilst the other has become known for producing “Chalice” featuring Chip Fu off Jedi Mind Tricks’ only album without Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind’s involvement Violence Begets Violence. These guys initially got together for The Mould Tape’s outro “Gettin’ Mouldly” & have signed to the Glastonbury, Somerset imprint Real Life Drama Records for a debut album.

After the “Enter” intro, the title track sets the tone of what’s to come with an orchestral boom bap beat talking about meeting your demise if Jman shanks ya whereas “Raggo” embraces a significantly dustier approach instrumentally speaking of taking over the whole scene. “Judgement” hooks up more kicks & snares talking about maintaining the equally militant mind state the late Peter Tosh had leading into “Empire” shows a pyromaniac side to them both.

“Duppy” samples some strings making political commentary on serious long-term issues such as decades of police brutality while “Veteran” sticks with a boom bap vibe talking about the rest of the world not being ready for the movement Babylon Dead are about to start. “Acab” stands out for being amongst the earliest origins of the “all cops are bastards” phrase condemning officers for abusing their power & after the “Enemy” skit, “Voodoo” gruesomely talks about death having no fear for anyone or anything.

Starting off the last leg, “Fuckery” comes out the gate incorporating these funereal organ melodies observing the very thing he sees when turning on the television these days while “Hostage” continues to warn the game of it’s eventual takeover Jman & Illinformed are plotting. “Greed” eerily talks about being at war for that very reason & the current year of 2000 B.D. itself but after the “Message” skit, “Funeral” cooks up a ragga outro publicly rejecting a desire to have a service of remembrance if the pairing winds up dissolving for whatever reason there could hypothetically be.

My favorite album in the ragga subgenre of dancehall will always be Buju Banton’s 4th album ‘Til Shiloh & although I wouldn’t put Mad Lion’s sophomore effort Real Ting above it, it does have moments that’ve become somewhat overlooked. Babylon Dead nonetheless has introduced themselves by giving Real Life Drama Records a top 5 entry in their whole catalog portraying a happy marriage between Illinformed’s boom bap & ragga production and Jman’s politically charged lyrics.

Score: 4/5