Prole Art Threat

Anthoney Hart, otherwise known as Basic Rhythm and Imaginary Forces, uses the East Man moniker to produce grime at its rawest and most direct, dubbing his pirate radio-inspired sound Hi Tek. He launched the project with Red, White & Zero, an underrated 2018 full-length on Planet Mu which featured striking lyrical turns by rappers such as Saint P and Kwam. After a few hard-hitting instrumental EPs, East Man returned to vocal grime with a 2020 full-length named after the Falls best song. Prole Art Threat is another excellent set of angular sci-fi beats accompanied by sharp, engaging rhymes from a cast of emcees representing London and beyond (Brazilian rapper Fernando Kep appears on the head-twisting Ouroboros). While clearly a studio-produced recording, the album gives off the energy of a basement freestyle session, with the contributors effortlessly slinging verses which sound off-the-dome yet focused. The lyrics mainly address the struggles of working-class city life, from being hassled by the police to gender politics (as discussed on the tense interlude Boys). Caribbean-accented Ny Ny, the albums only female lyricist, provides one of the albums high points with Who Am I?, seamlessly weaving complex verses with a confident, catchy refrain. Whack Eyes Wow How? is another how did they do that? moment, with the emcee gradually escalating from lyrical boasts to vicious threats without raising his voice, as Harts smeared Mentasm beat throbs away underneath. A few instrumentals appear throughout, with the most forceful being Machine Gun, appropriately filled with pummeling, chest-rattling bass. ~ Paul Simpson