It's a good job most people don't appraise music based on YouTube comments otherwise this one would be in trouble. Osama Trim Laden links up with James Blake for the second time (their previous project was under James' Harmonix alter-ego), bringing us two tracks on Blake's 1-800 DINOSAUR label, who yesterday announced what should be a massive forthcoming album alongside the East London MC.
When I think of grime MCs pushing boundaries (and some of the time, their luck), I think of guys like Riko and Flow Dan and their efforts on labels like Glacial Sound and Hyperdub, going forwards perhaps what Novelist is doing with his Ragga Sound project - having already experimented alongside Mumdance. But I reckon Trim supersedes most in terms of some of the stuff he takes on and ultimately puts his name against: last year's Funk x Trim, 07's The Bits and 11's Stereotype all thinking-outside-of-the-box alternatives to any traditional grime sound.
It shouldn't be any sort of surprise though, really - listen back to the early mix tapes. The Soulfood's and Monkey Features, they all exhibit the foundations Trim required to exert himself beyond what your average-joe MC would be prepared to do, utilising nonconforming producers like Balistiq and Jersey (Inside Looking Out, from Volume 3, anyone?)
If there is such a thing as organised mess, then RPG fits the bill. Bars that have no real timing and sounds that clash all over the place bizarrely makes for the sort of satisfying listening that you would envision having taken the above examples into account, it's honestly a winner.
RPG is like Trim issuing another middle finger to the listeners who are stuck in grime-only mode. I mean, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with that mindset of sticking to one genre as such, but surely where grime is concerned your options are far broader than the standard model of lyrics and rhythms - I often struggle to comprehend those who criticise MCs for having the front to leap out of their comfort zone, particularly when it sounds as good as this. Out here.
When I think of grime MCs pushing boundaries (and some of the time, their luck), I think of guys like Riko and Flow Dan and their efforts on labels like Glacial Sound and Hyperdub, going forwards perhaps what Novelist is doing with his Ragga Sound project - having already experimented alongside Mumdance. But I reckon Trim supersedes most in terms of some of the stuff he takes on and ultimately puts his name against: last year's Funk x Trim, 07's The Bits and 11's Stereotype all thinking-outside-of-the-box alternatives to any traditional grime sound.
It shouldn't be any sort of surprise though, really - listen back to the early mix tapes. The Soulfood's and Monkey Features, they all exhibit the foundations Trim required to exert himself beyond what your average-joe MC would be prepared to do, utilising nonconforming producers like Balistiq and Jersey (Inside Looking Out, from Volume 3, anyone?)
If there is such a thing as organised mess, then RPG fits the bill. Bars that have no real timing and sounds that clash all over the place bizarrely makes for the sort of satisfying listening that you would envision having taken the above examples into account, it's honestly a winner.
RPG is like Trim issuing another middle finger to the listeners who are stuck in grime-only mode. I mean, there isn't necessarily anything wrong with that mindset of sticking to one genre as such, but surely where grime is concerned your options are far broader than the standard model of lyrics and rhythms - I often struggle to comprehend those who criticise MCs for having the front to leap out of their comfort zone, particularly when it sounds as good as this. Out here.
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