KwolleM - C2C Review

KwolleM’s sophomore project ‘c2c’ is a ground-breaking portrayal of a quintessentially London sound. In some ways, this project is an antithesis to what grime stands for but that is also what makes it grime at its core. The luxurious production of KwolleM removes the darkness that grime has been known for and the repurposed verses that he uses are given a new life through his beats.

The project begins with ‘SSS’ and within the first few seconds there’s a feeling that this project is like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Joe James begins the track with a verse that you’d expect from the laid-back backing but that changes when Crazy Titch’s verse comes in and the juxtaposition between Titch’s aggressive flow and tone and the mellow beat is mind-blowing. Admittedly I listened to this song about 3 times before I was even ready to move on to the next one, it creates an effect that is addictive the energy and the beat switch towards the end of Titch’s verse brings the song back to a more traditional grime setting. After you finally get over how good ‘SSS’ is, Joe James continues his great performance on ‘Basildon’ reminiscing on life when he was younger, and everything seemed much simpler. The repeated refrain

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Take man to school

I take the piss like urinal

Mahogany finish on the new rifle

You got to be kidding I’m the hood bible

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Is going to have people going crazy, its catchiness and old school Grime feel is infectious. ‘Barking (&Dagenham)’ follows with an amazing saxophone riff which touches the soul. KwolleM repurposes two Devlin verses on this track one goes over his backing and the other uses the original beat and is utilised more as an outro. Again, KwolleM ends this song with a more traditional feel to it almost a reminder that this is still a Grime project and paying homage to the foundations of the Grime scene. ‘West Ham’ comes next highlighting life in the east end of London. The song starts off with heavy bass and an aggressive tone, however, KwolleM’s trademark smoothness soon takes over, but only for a moment before the heavy bass returns. The ability for KwolleM to have these contrasting beats play next to each other and not ruin each other is a credit to his creative genius. We are taken to ‘Woolwich Arsenal’ next where DC flows effortlessly over a more contemporary beat from KwolleM. Although this song may not have as luxurious beat as some of the other songs on the project, DC’s rapping here makes it one of my favourites on the album. Even though there aren’t any crazy lyrics that stand out his flow makes it so easy to listen to. ‘Fenchurch St’ is yet another song where Joe James demonstrates his ability to perfectly match his tone and flow with KwolleM’s silky beats, continuing the theme of reflecting on life in east London this time focussing more on talking to a girl he’d met on a train. Joe James delivers another great performance, his voice slides over the retro beat with perfection. The project ends with ‘Never Invited [Mellow Mix]’ a full-throttle Grime song featuring Novelist, Flowdan and Manga Saint Hilare. This song feels more like a bonus track and breaks away from the sound of the album, but that does not take away from the quality of the track. The beat is in your face and the MCs barely take a breath over the whole track. From the flows to the lyrics to the beat this song is a strong reminder that Grime is not dead.

KwolleM has well and truly proven himself to be a future talent with this project, the creativity and originality of the beats as well as the storytelling aspect of the project combine to make something very special. I predict big things for KwolleM in the future and look forward to watching his career with intrigue.