Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Suga J

Intro

Early Doors:
1979-1985

False Dawn:
1985-1990

Underground Years:
1990-1995

The Renaissance:
1995- 2000

The Future:
2000 & Beyond

Artists &
Discographies

Suga J - Boogie Down CD [PID Records]

P.I.D or Puttin' It Down Records is yet another new independent record label, but this time they are based in Handsworth, Birmingham, and whilst their press unimaginatively says they are, 'offering previously unheard urban talent, destined to be at the forefront of British music', there is a more serious side to some of the work they have done. The label was founded by Leroy Palmer with the help of his brother Nathan and label artist Eshjae and together after many months of planning and hard work the label was finally launched in August 2002, although they admit it was with a fair dose of help from Community Roots also based in Birmingham.

P.I.D.'s initial tracks although completed on a shoestring budget, apparently proved popular within the local club scene. Since then P.I.D. has gone through the gears to produce the label's first long player fromEshjae and this offering from Suga J.

Suga J of Edgebaston, real name James Nachif, is now 23 and as he puts it is a "cocktail" of Scottish, Gambian and Lebanese. He was born in Senegal and later he moved to Gambia with his parents, but he maintains Hip Hop and R'n'B have been his main musical influences. He was first inspired by the group 'Bone Thugs-N-Harmony' in the early 90's, with songs such as Crossrods and 1st of the Month. He describes his love for these guys as being due to the fact that they had come up with a totally different style to the rest of the rappers around at that particular time.

It was also around this time that Suga J started writing lyrics for fun. He says "Well, it started out as fun!!!". As time progressed Suga J got more serious about making music and by chance, Suga J met up with P.I.D's L'roy and they began to make tracks together. They state that, 'the musical connection between the two is phenominal' and there are also rumours that Suga J is a 'wicked dancer' or at least that is what he says.

The CD features two versions of the Boogie Down track which is a very light track and substantially features the smooth, buttery vocals of Eshjae. Unfortunately considering his background Suga J heavily laces his lyrics with Americanisms and starts off sounding very like Snoop Dogg or someone like that, especially with his references to the LBC etc. The keyboard and general musical backing add to this West Coast feeling of a few years ago. As such all the elements are there and the track is satisfactory, just maybe not original or hard hitting enough for me.

The other track Listen To My Song is a dedication to Charlene Ellis and Latish Shakespeare who were tragically killed in shootings in Aston earlier in the year. In the song Suga J recalls what happened and calls for guns to be put down and asks what Tony Blair and the government are doing to get rid of the Glock's. It is refreshing to hear some more substantial topics covered and expressed in an intelligent way. The same problems I had from the first track are repeated here, i.e. a bit too much of an R'n'B influence for what I really go for and a bit too much of a gentle feel. There is nothing wrong with this and I guess the tracks are all set for airplay, just maybe for a bit of a different audience to me.

PID Records

The cartoon artwork of the sleeve has a bit of a old skool feel about it and was drawn by Jo Dutton. Suga J has performed at dances in Gambia which will soon be seen in his debut single video set for release later this year! He has also started work on his debut LP provisionally entitled 'J-nettically Insane' which promises more Hip Hop / R'n'B flavours, so if that is your bag peep it.

http://www.pidrecords.co.uk :: tel: 07817 507297
info@pidrecords.co.uk :: sugarj@pidrecords.co.uk