Verbz – “The Way FWD” review

Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz reuniting with Brighton, East Sussex producer Mr. Slipz for his 3rd studio LP. Introducing themselves in 2017 off the full-length debut Lessons of Adolescence, he would later put out the debut mixtape Pathways & make his High Focus Records debut with the sophomore effort Radio Waves during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming off The Low as well as Where It Started & more recently In Time this past spring, he & Slipz have decided to lead The Way FWD in celebration of the current TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater’s birthday weekend.

The title track opens by hooking up a boom bap instrumental with a string sample talking about facing facts in a matter of time comes whereas “Seen a Lot of Change” featuring Cam Thomas takes the boom bap route reflecting on seeing a lot of things in this game not being what it used to be compared to when they started. “Mémoires de Perte” keeps things dusty talking about the realizations he’s experienced in the midst of life moving rather quickly just before “What You Reckon?” speaks of having nothing to lose & everything to gain.

“Switch Lanes” blends these pianos chords with some kicks & snares talking about him accelerating at a different pace in contrast to everybody else leading into “S.O.T.S.” ruggedly explaining that he ain’t stumbling because it’s only up from hereon out the way he looks at it. “Each Hurdle” featuring Cappo talks about how both of them used to go around in circles & time running out for what it’s worth while “Keep On” dustily remains confident of getting what’s his.

Starting the 3rd & final act, “Got It Myself” shifts towards a spookier boom bap vibe talking about carrying around the ghost of his younger self while “It’s Raining Again” comes through with a downtrodden sequel to “The Rain” off Radio Waves advising the world to stay where it shines. “Turn the Page” maintains the raw instrumentation talking about searching for a better tomorrow & his intuition telling him brighter days are ahead while the outro “Came Close” raises a toast to everything he never did that he was on the verge of doing.

Paying respect to the sample-driven boom bap soundscapes & introspective lyricism that’ve been synonymous with Verbz & Mr. Slipz’ output for almost a decade, The Way FWD basically recapturing the aura of Radio Waves except they’re taking the classic feeling of their earlier material & pushing it forward a month after Sha Samuels became a 2-time RPW British Heavyweight Champion. The production’s a lot rawer than it was 5 years ago & a lot has changed in regards to Verbz’ style of songwriting, prioritizing evolution as we get ready to start the 2nd half of the 2020s in only a few months.

Score: 4/5

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Vitamin G – “Prophet of Doom” review

Here we have the official solo debut album from London, England, United Kingdom emcee Vitamin G. Known for being 1/3 of CMPND alongside Kemastry & Wundrop, he would also comprise 1/2 of the duo Illitamin G with Illiterate & made their debut in the spring of 2019. Establishing himself as an MC of his own in February a couple years later with the Isolean in Quarentation extended play, I was more interested in the fact Mr. Slipz was fully producing Prophet of Doom under High Focus Records.

After the “Wid the Snippets” intro, the title track comes out swinging with a gully boom bap instrumental talking about being an unstoppable force whereas “High Scores” works in a Middle Eastern sample advising to stay conditioned since the place he’s at can make that kind of switch if they wanted to. “Hailstorm” has a cloudier boom bap vibe flexing he only puts his hands together when he sneezes or beatboxes while “5th Dimension” featuring Pique Roscoe joins forces for a decent hardcore hip hop track.

“Never Lost It” brings a somber boom bap vibe to the table talking about how he hasn’t lost a step unless his head’s gone enraged just before the downtrodden “Vulnerable Youngens” featuring Kieran dedicates itself to all the children in the world having it rough in life. “From the Drop” reaches Prophet of Doom’s halfway point talking about making this shit look easy while “Bleeding the Steeze” kicks off the 2nd act dustily boasts he’ll get on the grind despite not being a skater.

Bil Next joins G on “Boiling Point” instrumentally keeping things in the basement & talking about them fitting the description of fulfilling a quota while “Shelly Ann” featuring Tommy Mila & Wates after the “Get to the Shubz” skit brings the trio together to discuss repping their brands. Farma G& Jehst both drop some of my favorite guest verses during “The Internet”, where they talk about being fine where they are presently because they each have everything they need.

“Struggling to Swim” begins Prophet of Doom’s last let coming to terms with everything being what it is whether some pissing in the wind & others sinking into an abyss while the cavernously raw “Not Speaking” talking about being in the corner without saying a word. Possi’o” featuring Axel Holy, Sk!nt, Shogun & Verbz brings the quintet together staying the same as they were when everyone was younger while “The End” concludes by talking about his flammable penmanship.

This guy’s multi-syllable rhyme schemes have always been a distinctive attribute to the warm feedback both of CMPND’s full-lengths received, but I unfortunately found myself a little torn with the Prophet of Doom’s outcome especially considering all 4 singles were highly enjoyable. There are absolutely no issues with Mr. Slipz’ production & the same can be said regarding Vitamin G’s lyrics, I just feel like they went harder with the guests than they should’ve rounding up almost a dozen of them throughout his inaugural LP.

Score: 3/5

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Nelson Dialect & Verbz – “Sight Beyond Sight” review

This is the collaborative LP between Adelaide, Australia emcee Nelson Dialect alongside Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz. The latter of whom made his High Focus Records debut in November 2020 off his sophomore effort Radio Waves & the other introducing himself to the Hove, East Sussex imprint’s roster 15 months ago with his 5th album Ever Since. And what to both of those as well as Where It Started all have in common? Mr. Slipz fully produced all of those projects, so it makes perfect sense for him to get both Nelson & Verbz together so they can elevate their chemistry with Sight Beyond Sight.

These guys make their “Arrival” with an atmospheric boom bap instrumental guaranteeing that shit won’t ever be the same after this whereas the lead single “Strike Back” incorporates some pianos mixed with kicks & snares talking about how it’s either do or die with them. The 3rd single “Beside Me” ghostly suggests for people to stay by them because that’s what all the real ones do just before “Movements” talks about neither of the 2 wanting to hit a dead end.

“Not My Nature” goes for a mellower, somewhat jazzier boom bap vibe assuring they’re still breathing life into those tainted lungs of theirs achieving to escape a place they see whenever they feel glum while the title track marked the 4th & final single teased talking about how the sky isn’t the limit for them anymore, keeping their minds elevated. “Cause & Effect” takes a more conscious approach to their songwriting over a lo-fi boom bap beat while “Regardless” prioritizes progress over paychecks.

Continuing the 2nd half, “Don’t Cry” talks about them writing their longevities down in addition to providing positive energy & death being a certainty. “Set Sail” embraces a funkier sound confessing they’ve lost the plot & haven’t found it since, further advising that listening to the Don should be rule #1 while “Homecoming” soulfully gets too serious for it to be played in the clubs, declaring they’re heading back to the their respective homes after traveling this long road they’ve been going down

“Infinite Avenues” gets back on the jazzy boom bap tip talking about times being hard & watching the way you live because of the high stakes that come with the territory while “Edge of Oblivion” eerily explains that both MCs have been trying to live & learn from past versions of themselves. “Starting 5” featuring King Kashmere, Nuphzed & Renelle 893 concludes Sight Beyond Sight comparing themselves to the starting lineup of a basketball team, with Chuck Enzo & Renelle having my favorite guest verses here.

Considering the fact we’ve heard Nelson Dialect & Verbz cross paths with each other a couple times with tracks like “Hope” or “Oxford Scholars”, I completely understand why they locked in to give us Sight Beyond Sight since I’d tell you I enjoyed it as much as both projects Verbz has done under High Focus within the past few years & more than Ever Since. The jazzy boom bap production Slipz has become known for compliments the introspective themes Nelson & Verbz tackle using the full-length’s title as a metaphor for both escapism & meditation.

Score: 4/5

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Verbz – “Where It Started” review

Here we have the 2nd EP from Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz. Introducing himself in 2017 off the full-length debut Lessons of Adolescence produced by Brighton beatsmith Mr. Slipz, he would later put out the debut mixtape Pathways & the sophomore effort Radio Waves under High Focus Records followed near the end of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following up The Low almost 14 months earlier, he & Slipz are reuniting so they can take things back Where It Started.

The title track is a lo-fi boom bap intro talking about home being where the heart is & wearing it on his sleeve whereas “Music Banging Like” rawly speaks of reaping what he sowed now he’s getting older. “For My Peeps” instrumentally reminds me of A Tribe Called Quest shouting out all the important people in his life & after “Felt Like a Dream” takes a moment to talk about his successes in making music, “Walk Like a King” dedicates itself to those who left too soon.

Catching a 52 minute train between Croydon & Brighton to reconnect throughout Where It Started, this extended play does everything & more fan have come to expect from Verbz & Mr. Slipz diving deep into their hearts & minds. Slipz’ boom bap production was made with an MPC without the need of using any samples & Verbz nostalgically conceives themes revolving around the trials & tribulations of both artists doing what they done & still do presently in order of surviving the streets of the Cronx.

Score: 4/5

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Nelson Dialect – “Ever Since” review

Adelaide, Australia emcee Nelson Dialect enlisting Brighton, East Sussex, England, United Kingdom producer Mr. Slipz to fully produce his 5th solo LP. Known for being 1/2 of Dialect & Despair, he would make his debut in 2008 off Rugged Uncut Project & follow it up with The Isolated Papers as well as the Ray West-produced Time Means Nothing & most recently Glorious Definitely a couple months ago. High Focus Records recently signed Nelson to their roster individually & he’s telling us how he’s been feeling Ever Since.

After the “Nobody Knows” intro, the 3rd & final single “Seance” begins wanting to communicate with the dead over a jazzy boom bap instrumental whereas “Smooth Ride” featuring Confucius MC & Jehst finds the trio starkly reminds the world that living life ain’t easy as it may seem. The 2nd single “Only Just Begun” goes for a laidback boom bap vibe to the beat achieving what others told him was unfeasible while the lead single “Oxford Scholars” featuring Verbz & Vitamin G finds the trio coming together for a 4 & a half minute barfest.

Cazeaux O.S.L.O. appears on the drumless “Myself” talking about both of them not feeling like their usual selves as of late while “Star of Sirius” speaks of his instinct telling him a close encounter’s lying down & following his heart these days. “Figure Out What’s Right” blends elements of soul & boom bap asking for God to not sell because he has a lot of stuff he’s gotta take care of personally & each moment being the only thing we get for free while “Open Book” smoothly talks about the familiar theme of romance.

“Association” suggests keeping it humble until his hindsight changes when he decides to become a father & after the “Lion’s Gate” interlude, “Trembling the Marrow” featuring A.G. links up for a conscious attack directed at corporal giants. “1st Date” tackles the subject of love once again using a beat reminiscent of Slum Village’s sophomore effort Fantastic Vol. 2 while “Row Your Boat” offers the advice of moving gently to pursue your dreams. The final song “The Revealer” featuring SickInTheHead preceding the “Portal” outro ends with both of them talking about the angel of death.

A great deal of Nelson Dialect’s solo material in the past decade plus so far has been pretty average to me personally other than Time Means Nothing, but I didn’t think we’d get another album from him almost 8 weeks succeeding his last one & I’d have to put his inaugural High Focus project Ever Since above Time Means Nothing for it being my favorite thing he’s ever made by himself. Mr. Slipz’ boom bap production hits a lot harder than Glorious Definitely’s & Nelson makes an urgently refreshing statement regarding the endless quest for a timeless sound whilst amassing a slew of guests.

Score: 3.5/5

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Verbz – “Radio Waves” review

This is the sophomore effort & High Focus Records debut from Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom emcee Verbz. Introducing himself in 2017 off the full-length debut Lessons of Adolescence produced by Brighton beatsmith Mr. Slipz, he would later put out the debut mixtape Pathways a little over 52 weeks ago & that interested the Hove, East Sussex imprint enough to bring them on board in an attempt of shocking the Radio Waves despite the COVID-19 pandemic going 7 months strong.

“2202 FM” begins with a boom bap instrumental nostalgically reminiscent of 90s east coast hip hop talking about always walking right way maintaining an irate mindset & after the “Radio” skit, “Changed” blends cloud rap & boom bap realizing the time’s now for him to right all of his wrongs. “Falling” featuring Melanin 9 finds the 2 talking about being a product of more than simply smoking weed staying on the come up while the jazzy “Summer in the Bits” spending late nights & early mornings in the place he loves.

Preceding another “Radio” skit, “Scenes” cherishes each remnant of growth later confessing he isn’t sure where this road will take him leading into “Decline of Self” featuring Confucius MC & Coops finds the trio jumping over a piano-driven beat keeping it real to themselves & picking up the cards they’ve been dealt for years. “Piece of Shit” keeps the old school boom bap vibes going talking about never having a plan & simply making it work while “Hold Ur Own” makes it a mission to do his crew out in the Cronx proud.

“Know tha Status” featuring Axel Holy, Datkid & Upfront brings the keys back in the fold combining it with some kicks & snares talking about being selfish by default while “The Rain” succeeding a 3rd “Radio” skit refers back to the phrase “when it rains, it’s pours” after another life was lost in vein. “Weekend Blues” jazzily suggests everyone keeps their heads High to Focus on more demonstrating some clever wordplay just before “Men Can Breathe” featuring Benaddict dustily advises artists to find their balance & stay grinding until they get the chance of making money off their music.

Preceding the penultimate “Radio” skit, “Limitless” instrumentally reminds me of Nas’ iconic debut illmatic talking about there being nothing left other than the stains of what once was while “My Wonders” featuring Fliptrix comes together to burn skunk & pour liquor for their loved ones left. “The Feeling” explains burdens of the mind planting the roots of a new person while “Hope” featuring Nelson Dialect talking about only a few appreciating this. “In My Mind” excluding the “Radio” outro finishes by describing the only place he can find his peace.

I still prefer Lessons of Adolescence by a slight margin, but Verbz & Mr. Slipz still make an exciting High Focus Records debut out of Radio Waves & it gives me the impression they’ll put out some of the best material through the label as the decade goes on. Other than the skits kinda draggin’ it on a bit longer than it should’ve been, the unrivaled chemistry of Slipz’ cloudier yet denser boom bap production paired with Verbz’ introspective lyricism exposes what everything that makes them one of the UK hip hop movement’s most exciting acts in recent memory & the beginning of something greater for each of them.

Score: 4/5