AWOL One & Daddy Kev Killafornia EP
Now here’s an EP that is helping to rekindle my faith in hip hop. Daddy Kev and AWOL One are mainstays of the West coast scene in the US: Kev has made his name as one of the best and most interesting producers in recent years, working with Freestyle Fellowship, Mixmaster Mike and Sage Francis amongst others, while AWOL is a renowned lyricist in the LA underground, member of the Shape Shifters and a hard worker, constantly touring and working on various projects. Having collaborated on 3 albums since 2001, all of which found critical acclaim in the US and abroad, Kev & AWOL were long overdue a new combined outing and it looks like the wait was worth it as ‘Killafornia’ drops this summer, on Kev’s recently founded Alpha Pup Records, a label that is fast establishing itself as a fine purveyor of quality music. And to make this EP even worthier of your attention, D-Styles turns this reunion into a trio bringing with him his incredible talent on the cut.
From the off you know you’re in for something different: you just need to look at the cover and its subversive take on the Californian state flag. And then the first bars of ‘The Unwanted’ kick in and the short ride into the minds of this deranged trio commences in fine style. The grimey, grinding beat marches on as AWOL strolls in and delivers a remarkable take on wannabe and intenet MCs. It’s not just his voice that makes him stand out from 99% of rappers you hear today, it’s his delivery and the way he makes you sit up and take notice to what he says. Some might call it preaching or teaching, but whichever way you look at it, it’s just plain dope storytelling. The journey continues with ‘So Familiar’, a head-nodding beat backed up by some tight drum scratches and another strong lyrical showcase from AWOL, this time on the subject of the Golden State. The rest of the EP rolls on in much the same fashion as AWOL drops more ironical lyrics and drafts up haunting stories that captivate your imagination while Kev’s production provides the best possible backbone for these lyrical excursions. D-Styles completes the circle perfectly, with a special mention for his final solo on ‘Looks Like’.
If this is the sound of California this summer, then I’m turning my flat into a little piece of the Golden State and infecting East London. Beyond showing that Kev & AWOL have still got what it takes to deliver unique and appealing music, ‘Killafornia’ shows that hip hop doesn’t need to cater to the mainstream to remain a creative, entertaining musical genre. In this case it just needs a good dose of imagination, talent and a dubious sense of humour. As much as I hate to leave this on a down note, the only drawback is the length: at only 20 minutes, you just wish it would last longer. At least it gives these 3 more reason to come back with something else in the future.
An EP that will rekindle your faith in hip hop
- Kper
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