Within the diversity and originality hip hop revolves on its head around, there seems to be certain expectations and limitations of what artists should sound like. Obviously, if they’re raas, it won’t work. But as the idea that only Americans can spit has been strongly opposed time and time again; we in the U.K. still have our own set of rules. London – breeding ground for grime. Places like Camden where the accent is just built to spit bars. And, of course, the North. Leeds, Manchester already all ready. But we can’t get carried away and forget that the whole point of hip hop is that it’s for anyone on any streets. Lincoln lad S.P.R.10 doesn’t have a ‘typical’ MC accent. He admits he can’t freestyle. And I can understand that you may find it takes more than a few minutes to adjust to his unique sound. But once you do, you’ll have the ability to realise that where you’re from citywise, really means fuck all. Because where you’re from soulwise, where hip hop takes you, how you use it and how you personalise the elements is where the real importance lies.
The guy has solid lyrics, sick beats and two ears and a tongue for catchy melodies. But there’s something about the way he approaches it that makes you think that maybe you haven’t got him yet, but you want to, need to, have to. That is why I listened again. And again. And again before forming any kind of opinion. Nothing directly offended me or generally fucked me off. So I had no problem in doing so. The only entire song I got hooked on from the first listen was the upbeat, somewhat lyrically obvious track – ‘Alcohop’. I know very few MCs who don’t get pissed at their own gigs and every other time they’re offered free booze. And it’s not just a mishandling of hip hop, its this whole British bingeing thing. Drinking so much you hurl all over your mates. Forget how good or crap the night was. Feel proper nasty the day after. Vow you’ll never do it again. And come next weekend you’ve somehow downed your first shit. It’d be nice if Europe loved us for practising true hip hop instead of hating us for ripping it to pieces. Along with ourselves. With a complete absence of any respect or dignity. A generalisation I know, but it’s one even my German fam refuse to drop. If the lyrics to Alcohop are too much of a reality check for you. Then you’re probably too fucking pitiable to get any other track on the album. George Bush, ignorance and closed minds all get a thorough braying. This righteous attitude S.P.R.10 has is self declared Skinnyman influence(All hail Mud Fam). ‘Ignorant folk’ is a straightforward comeback to all S.P.R.’s cussers. Instead of making some fucking pathetic attempt like Akon’s sorry track. S.P.R. has the whole comment, answer back approach. And in a sweetcorn icecream kind of way- – it works.
It’s obvious to me that this album wasn’t thrown together on the back of a tourbus in a few days. S.P.R.10 has thought every aspect through, with maximum effort and utilisation of resources. You can see it through the rant-like lyrics, the drums and the precisely placed collabs. All the other artists expand and excite the tracks in sync with S.P.R. It’s something that you can’t help appreciating as it demonstrates respect for hip hop, himself and the listeners.
The moral of Since 1982 as whole? You don’t have to be naturally talented to pull off what you have a natural inclination to do. It just takes discipline, practise and you can come top of the class.
*Nino*
[tags] Nino, SPR10, Hip Hop, Dewsbury, UK [/tags]
