Rupert – Just Woke Up
Rupert is the rapper formerly known as Rup, and last weekend I had the pleasure of getting an excellent package containing his latest CD, a Naim 7″, and some sort of orange-y sweet (since consumed).
I’ve been into Rup’s stuff for a while, since hearing (possibly on Excalibur’s show, possibly on the Dugout) Angels & Devils, which was an absolute cracker of a track. I remember going to something around christmas one year at the Pressure Point, which he was also attending, going over and expressing how much of a banger that tune was and being met with a general look of confusion (possibly because me and my brother were one of a very select group there that weren’t actually rappers – the open mic caused a general emptying of the audience).
This new album is a quite a big jump, over the stuff I’ve heard previously, in it’s cohesion – the whole thing feels like it belongs together, rather than being just a collection of tracks. That said there are some standouts: the opener Make Moves bounces along on a fantastic synthy beat, and posse cut South of the River is just ridiculous, a proper head nodder with some nice lines from all involved “it’s south west/land of the bounced checks”. My favourite track is another Evil Sun production (with a bit of a Kanye Graduation feel, in a good way), Night Night, which is a bit more introspective, as is the closer Geography*.
The Naim 7″ (he also produced a track on the album) is two tracks of slightly Hot Chippian singing plus synths type music, both pretty catchy (particularly Sexy which seems one ad placement away from being on Radio 1 heavy rotation).
You can get the CD online at the Hear Today site for the reasonable sum of £6.50, though the run wasn’t massive so I have no idea how long they’ll be available!
* Though to be fair geology and tectonophysics also get a look in on the track.
Rupert will be on my Radio Show – Hip-Hop Time Machine – at generationradio.co.uk this Thursday – 9th April – from 9-10, chatting, rocking a couple of tracks from the new album and more. Tune In on your computer that is attached to the internet.