London-born emcee Non Applicable just dropped his new EP, This Is Not An Album with DowntownSoul. The coupling of Irish and West Indian descent with his reality-check lyrics makes up his unique flow. This flow was tried and tested at first in London’s Garage scene through Delight FM; however, he soon learned that his lyricism and wit better suited hip hop. He started working amongst other talent such as Harry Love, Lowkey, and Kyza. To further hone his songwriting skills, he worked with Niara Scarlett of Sugarbabes. The release of the most current EP was simply the most natural step from all this collaboration. 2013 promises his first full length, entitled N.A.M.E.
Non Applicable’s influences come from a myriad of movements, but they all coalesce into something unmistakably British. He embraces the low-light vibe of east-coast stars like Wu-Tang and Mobb Deep. Pulsating, his beats trod along with a groove that just begs you to nod your head; every beat is nothing short of a smooth whiskey. From his work with Niara Scarlett creeps out a little bit of a neo-soul sound. His melodies are catchy, but not childishly so. Overall, the instrumental aspect of This Is Not An Album is solid.
While Non Applicable’s beats might be a little less developed, his rhymes are the exact opposite. As said before, he tried his trade in London’s Garage scene. The natural feeling of cutthroat reality that seeps out from Garage is exactly what makes up his rhymes. Every line is filled with the veracity to give you the reality-check that he thinks you deserve. His delivery style, though, draws from the quick rappers like Tech N9ne and Busta Rhymes. Non Applicable easily cements himself in the tradition of east-coat hip-hop.
Overall, This Is Not An Album does exactly what it needs to do. It shows that Non Applicable should be taken seriously as a hip-hop artist. Delve into this album and you will find hypnotic, east-coast style beats and rhythms. Over the top, a lyrical, witty emcee showers you with a swagger that’s light but sharp. However, this EP lacks true complexity that I believe his full length will deliver.
7/10
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