Leeds Hip Hop Scene

South East London quintet “The IRS” have being going for a while now, made up of Ed Strong, DV, King Kaiow, Superb & DJ Guide One. A couple of years ago they released an EP on “Cryogenic Recordings” which was received well, getting onto DJ Magazine’s “Hip Hop Track of the Month”. Along the way The IRS have appeared on Suspect package’s Compilation’s ‘Suspect files Vol. 3’ & ‘UK Hustlers the Return’.Their 17 track debut CD album is an amalgamation of several years of work for the IRS, tearing up Open Mics and stages all over the nation’s capital whilst holding down those day to day objectives that face each and everyone of us. The lyrical diversity and the socially aware observational subject matter are what stand out for me across the whole album. It’s not often that you hear a hip hop group discussing social issues such as mental health and educational reform, but don’t believe for one second that is some rap crews political manifesto. There is still an element of humour and charisma from the emcee’s, with some catchy hooks and cleverly structured syncopation from the producers.

The album is on general release from the 6th September…

Track Listing

01.the world is theirs
02..monkey see monkey do
03.bitter
04.something wrong
05.windy weather
06.THE KING HAS ARRIVED
07.day with the devil
08.big day in
09.talkin warheads
10.wanna act?
11.some emcees
12.city creatures
13.addiction
14.music
15.gorilla shuffle
16.pretty polly
17.it’s so good