Dot Rotten - You Wasted My Time (cover)

I am often awake at these stupid times, asking myself "WHY WHY WHY AM I AWAKE?!". I never usually have a good reason... until today, courtesy of Dot Rotten, for if I had retreated to my slumber at a normal time like a normal human, I would have missed out on Dot Rotten dropping a bomb.

A little over 24 hours ago Krept and Konan gave us the UK remix of Don't Waste My Time. It being a madness, naturally encouraged me to post about it here, and if you read it, you will see written in ink/pixels, me telling you to be excited because it is these types of tunes that get the whole scene going on one. And that's when good ol' Dot comes into play.

Since Dot's fairly decent album, he hasn't really been doing much, or not enough to be causing a stir at least (except on twitter). Well, I assure you after you let you ears get assaulted by this then you'll be saying: "Sorry I forgot just how good you were Mr Rotten because GAT DAHHHHHHM!". I don't know what ruffled his feathers, it could be absolutely anything because, as I said before, judging by his twitter, lately he seems to be frustrated with anything and everything on the UK scene that isn't Minarmy. Whatever it was, he let something go fo' sure and consequently he absolutely, unequivocally, totally and completely went in RUTHLESSLY during this therapy session he partook in, in his studio. It's evident that once he embarked on this outburst he couldn't stop; "F*** THAT I DONT WANNA HEAR NO CHORUS...!!!!", only this is a much more skilfully executed outburst than your usual. The bars are well constructed. His delivery, even with the 'Tempz Next Hype' level anger, is controlled and as a listener you're not just left drowning in a mess of poorly executed bars flung carelessly at us. This control is packed into two flows, the first; a fast, more spiteful, yet calmer flow and a second slower but heavier flow, adopted after the beat drops. Considering that this remix was one of the first to fall at our feet, and it being a freestyle at that, you'll feel yourself wanting to apologise to Mr Rotten yet again for forgetting how good he is.

Go and 'ave a listen m8.

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Dot Rotten - Voices In My Head

As Dot's first studio album, it's a decent body of work.
I was actually surprised with a couple of the tracks on the album. Obviously as his first album since commercial success, it was bound to be more varying sound to reach out to more people, but considering the tracks Dot has released as singles, I still wasn't really expecting Dot to deliver some of the tracks he did.

The first part of the album that greets your ears comes in the form of "Hello". It begins, gaining momentum with Dot "bringing you poetry", making your introduction to the album...well pure. As the track gets into it, it's a bit downing a glass big glass of cold water on a hot day... I normally associate Dot with a dark sound, so this lighter and dainty track is something new and refreshing and I really like it. This mirrors my reaction to the other lighter track on the album; "Thank You" - it's a buoyant track dedicated to his fans out there that have supported him - especially those that have stuck by him while he's switching up his sound and climbs up and down the chart. I like the little statement he makes by thanking the fans that have stuck by him since the underground, on a track that is so not underground. It's a blatant fist bump to the supporters, and a subtle two fingers up to the haters that say he's "sold out". I think these people forget that a slight adaptation in sound doesn't undermine the skill that he obviously still habours.

Running through most of the rest of the album are the heavy, anthemic beats that Dot's been associating himself with for a while now. Underneath these beats though, I get the sense of both growth and frustration from Mr Rotten in some of these tracks. It's almost like recently he has learnt a lot and he's come to some sort of realisation. There is a hunger back there which make me feel like he feels to achieve something more with this album itself. Maybe it is infact, the Voices In His Head, that are holding him back? I don't know - this could me just going off on one and getting some random vibe off it but never the less, on the topic of achieving something with this album - I think Dot can be proud of this one.

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SBTV Apocalypse Cypher

So the Mayans predicted the world was ending and Jamal wanted to make sure it did in true SBTV style. 10 minutes of pure talent from some of 2012’s finest UK artists was brought to us in the Apocalypse Cypher and here is my (as brief as possible) break down:

Manchester’s very own BLIZZARD begins displaying just why it’s worth exploring outside of London for Grime’s finest. Not only does he have that young fresh lively flow but he has rhythm with it. This and his delivery instantly intrigue you - he is the perfect way to start to the cypher. Listen carefully and you’ll pick up on the creativity. I’m sure in 2013 he’ll be doing bigger things.

ENGLISH FRANK comes next and as it’s the apocalypse cypher, the worlds going to end soon...why not say it straight?

“why is my best friend best friends with his strap probably because he never got no love from the flats, why do I talk to my dog more than I talk to my own dad?”.
Now, for me, his verse was the weakest but he still G O E S  I N. One of the great things about his verse, is you can tell the bars ooze real, because as soon as you think his verse is coming to end, he goes in again. His punch lines will hit you no doubt.

Mr MIC RIGHTEOUS starts with the flow that makes you shake your head in time with it and then nod your head in approval. I was a little disappointed, but all good things come to an end. Despite a iffy little freestyle in the middle, he brings in back with lyrics that scream passion.  

“The end of the world is upon us, they can’t take the realness from us”

I’d say Logic is the UK’s answer to Common. Not only have they got the same look going on but they are both poets. His lyrics are educational. This is a verse you’ll definitely be replaying. Plus ladies, he one of those deep, smooth voices you wouldn’t mind hearing every now and again.

She’s “from Birmin’ammm not from London”.
She’s also a reason why we should be searching all over the country for fresh grime talent LADY LESHURR has been doing it for the girls this year and no doubt she’s going to be making tsunami waves in 2013. Leshurr wins prize for the most fun and light hearted verse. With her cheeky little vibe she didn’t just spit but she performed.

We haven’t heard much from AKALA recently, but he shows that there is nothing to worry about – he hasn’t lost any of his raw talent.  He goes in and as always educates and hits us with realness. He keeps it slick, street and smart. Akala is powerful.

BLACK THE RIPPER. His calm flow will trick you, because as soon as he starts, he goes in bigger than his hair. Listen close, he has some crazy lines in there. He kept it real, tight lyrics, tight flow, tight delivery. Not much more to say, his verse does all the talking.

DOT ROTTEN was all punch lines and passion here. He was reading off his phone which I always think dampens the energy in cyphers such as this, but nevertheless everything he spat was powerful. There is a reason why he is doing big things.

Ch-ch-cheeeeeeck it out here:

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