19/10/09
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Grime Sensation Chip-Diddy-Chip Goes Mainstream
It’s been quite a whirlwind ride for UK-based rapper and the new leading light of
the grime scene, Chipmunk.
Just 18 and already a massive star, his second release was pushed back, due to
his signing for a new label. Still at 18, it’s unlikely that a minor setback like that would stifle his creativity, right?
Opening track, ‘Saviour’ is a dark and very authentic grime tune. Whether Chip really is the saviour of
the genre is probably more a testament to his ego than reality, but it’s clear from this fairly addictive tune that Chipmunk
has all the tools to scale the summit of his peers.
Speaking of which, ‘Chip Daddy Chip’ (the customary rap star, ‘introducing’ single) is highly reminiscent of his peer, Dizzee Rascal’s ‘Boy in Da Corner’ debut. Featuring a dirty backbeat and macho lyrics, this isn’t a particular highlight.
Where Chipmunk really excels is when he adds a smooth melody and a talented
female vocal, not dissimilar to the mainstream success of N-Dubz. ‘Oopsy Daisy’, featuring the immense vocal talents of Dayo Olatunji is a prime example of
this, though it’s also the retro backbeat and sharp lyrical content which makes this one flow so
well.
In that vein, the best track you’ll find has to be the excellent cheeky romp that is ‘Diamond Rings’. Again featuring exquisite female talent in the form of Emelie Sande, the
successful old-school brass rhythm is employed well and this is a highly
memorable tune and a certain single smash. Still Chip’s fast-paced vocals: “With a face like mine/how in the hell could I be camera-shy?” add a different dimension.
Chip plays homage to his contemporaries with the heavily garage-influenced ‘Man Dem’, with fellow grime star Tinchy Stryder roped in for good measure. This is an
insanely-paced rap assault which combines all the bass and charm of So Solid
Crew. N-Dubz’ Tulisa joins in on the dirty euphoric dance romp of ‘Lose My Life’. This is another stellar tune over a very likeable beat, Tulisa’s vocals employed in the aforementioned formula alongside Chip’s effortless spitting.
Chipmunk gets all domestic and emotional on ‘Dear Family’, while not likely to mean anything much other than to he, this does have its
merits and is a welcome change that will connect to his fans. Little-known
Loick Essien pops up with some impressive vocals on ‘Beast’, which is as much homage to gangsta rap as it is a contemporary grime anthem.
‘Look for Me’ is a surprisingly up-tempo effort, though I think this one and probably the
radio-friendly Talay Riley’s appearance was more the label’s idea than Chip’s – it just has no place here. ‘Role Model’ does and works reasonably well, whereas ‘Sometimes’ is more relevant than ‘Look for Me’.
Key Tracks:
‘Chip Diddy Chip’
‘Diamond Rings’
‘Oopsy Daisy’
‘Lose My Life’
‘Saviour’
‘Look for Me’
‘Beast’
‘Man Dem’
‘Role Model’
Worst Tracks:
‘Sometimes’
This is an impressive follow-up from Chipmunk and is in essence a very dark
piece record, but then that is where the man does his best work and even more
the admirable given his young age. 9/10 CM
Verdict
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The Man Behind the Grime Explosion
Taio Cruz is known just as well for his songwriting and production skills as he
is for his own Auto-Tune-led pop hits.
The brain behind hits for the likes of Cheryl Cole, Sugababes, Tinchy Stryder
and Will Young is keen to show that his talent spreads far wider than behind
the scenes.
Opener and recent #1 single, ‘Break Your Heart’ probably showcases Cruz’s successful style more than most. Electro-powered to the max, assisted by the
Auto-Tune monster and led into catchy pop hooks. In many ways Cruz is the
epitome of the modern pop hit and there’s no better example than this.
It’s somewhat unlikely that one of the poorest tracks I’ve heard since David Guetta “classic” ‘Sexy Bitch (later changed to Chick for
mainstream release)’ could follow such a stellar pop tune but that’s what’s happened. ‘Dirty Picture’ with Ke$ha is damn right awful. If you’ve heard Guetta’s effort, you’re pretty much there, if not, expect dirty basslines and annoyingly repetitive
lyrics.
‘No Other One’ sounds very much like his effort with “Cloud 9 Strydz” (Tinchy Stryder) on track 5 and is pretty much the same, just without the great man.
Over-the-top strings and euphoric production mix with more pop hooks. Of course
it doesn’t work as well as ‘Take Me Back’, which benefits from Stryder’s growling.
Cruz goes for mammoth build-up production on ‘Forever Love’. You’ve got to admire the flawless crossover into dance on this and when the tune
does drop, you’ll be glad you waited; still I can see this one getting a few re-workings by
some wannabe superstar DJs.
Things get a bit slower, slushy and somewhat sentimental on ‘Best Girl’. This is not necessarily a bad idea in theory, but in practice, this one just
doesn’t go anywhere. ‘I’ll Never Love Again’ is similar in composition, but this time is supported by some very ‘Apologize’-like strings. I would say it just about wins the day.
Things continue on a reminiscent and reflective basis on ‘Only You’. You may not be quite how it happened, but this is a real grower of a track and
that edgy synth will soon be racing through your head. If that success was
built on subtlety, ‘Falling in Love’ goes for the jugular in a strings assault. Surprisingly, it comes off worse for
it in a disappointing effort.
‘Keep Going’ is an acceptable attempt, if somewhat mediocre, whereas ‘Feel Again’ adds a bit more potency and a believable narrative. Of course, the best is
saved till last and ‘The 11th Hour’ is a very welcome highlight to end the record with. Intelligently formulated,
there just seems to be a great more deal of thought behind it and it is a very
good effort.
Key Tracks:
‘Break Your Heart’
‘Take Me Back’
‘The 11th Hour’
‘Forever Love’
‘Only You’
Worst Tracks:
‘Dirty Picture’
‘Falling in Love’
Verdict
There’s a lot for contemporary fans to enjoy here. At least five or six strong efforts
and only one disaster equals a good album from Cruz, as you might expect from a
man with his finger squarely on the modern music pulse. 8/10 CM
(c) ChrisOnline.biz 2009
