Warning: Use of undefined constant interviews - assumed 'interviews' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/entry-content.php on line 18
Warning: Use of undefined constant gallery - assumed 'gallery' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /home/c8qi844vijfu/public_html/news/wp-content/themes/blankslate-child/entry-content.php on line 22
London via Auckland heavyweight sound courtesy of two of the hardest working in the game Gappy Ranks and P-Money. An odd combination on paper but one that certainly takes shape after a sit down with this brand new EP “The Baddest”.
I’ve been holding tight and waiting patiently for more to surface from these two after the first taster dropped late last year with lead single “Baddest”. It’s safe to say they have delivered. We get 4 brand new tunes and 2 remixes of “Baddest”.
P- Money’s production shines throughout with a huge variety of upfront sounds to compliment the diversity and scope of Gappy Ranks vocal range. We get everything from straight up club heaters like “Fire Shot” & “Baddest” channelling the NY via JA 90’s Dancehall/ Hip Hop sound but packing a modern punch and polish, to the stripped back bass heavy leanings on “Mama” and “My Crew” allowing Gappy to move into story telling mode. We also get an unexpected change up on “Get Away” that I can see finding a place on radio rotation around the country.
Favourites for me off the EP are “Fire Shot”, a massive tune that sees Gappy flex over hard drums, famous Shabba chants and a heavy bass line that will turn out your Kenwood. This is bigness that should get played in dances all around the world. “Get Away” was another favourite as it was a completely different direction to the other tunes on the EP. P-Money samples some Brazilian heat while Gappy eloquently paints a picture of a tropical vacation in the sunshine. The result equals a soulful Reggae burner set for a summer anthem. Hopefully this gets some traction over in the UK in time for carnival.
The lead single “Baddest” is another clear standout, P-Money flips a cheeky sample of K7’s 90’s hit “Come Baby Come” over some heavy 808 programming. The vocals are tough and hype factor high. This one has already received big support from the most significant heads in the worldwide Dancehall scene sealing it with a nod of approval. With a killer film clip just premiered through largeup.com, I have a feeling this one will be receiving a whole lot more attention in the not to distant future.
The remixes of “Baddest” included see Houstan based badman Ape Drums turn the single into a half time monster that should see plenty of mileage on proper sound systems around the world, the big builds and dembow drops should also keep kids happy. For me the Sid Diamond remix of “Baddest” seemed an unnecessary edition and out of place with the rest of the vibes on the EP. But I’m also sure this remix will get played a lot in NZ, breathing new life into the single that has already done the rounds over there, so no doubt a smart move!
This EP most definitely ticks all the right boxes for me. Here’s hoping this will be a permanent working relationship between the two with more future projects in the pipeline.