Music, Trial & Trauma: A Drill Story

UKドリルシーンの新鋭ラッパー=Loski(ロスキ)のデビュー・アルバム『Music, Trial & Trauma: A Drill Story』

UK/サウス・ロンドン出身、21歳のラッパー、Loski(ロスキ)。サウス・ロンドンのヒップホップ・クルー、Harlem Spartansの一員として活動したのち、2018年にミックステープ『Call Me Loose』を発表。US発のドリルとUKグライムがミックスされた"UKドリル"の新鋭として、注目を浴びる。2019年にはミックステープ第二弾『Mad Move』をリリースした。
デビュー・アルバムとなる今作『Music, Trial & Trauma: A Drill Story』は、Dizzee Rascalの2003年のアルバム『Boy In Da Corner』と、Giggsの2008年のアルバム『Walk In Da Park』という、グライムとUKラップを象徴する2枚のアルバムに触発されており、タイトルの通り、「音楽・試練・トラウマ」の3つのパートに別れている。プロデューサーには、Fanatix(Nicki Minaj、Popcaan、Giggs)、M1Onthebeat(Headie One、Drake、Nines)、Mojam(Bugzy Malone、Aitch、Sam Smith)、Steel Banglez (J Hus、AJ Tracey)、Mike Elizondo(50 Cent、Eminem)、Two4Kay(Popcaan、Mist)、Mobz Beatz(Pop Smoke、Headie One)、TSB(Unknown T、Mostack)、Naughty Boy(EmileSande、Beyonce)等、ドリル/ラップシーンで活躍する豪華布陣をラインナップ。またゲストには、Emile Sande を始め、Nigeria's Davido, Jamaica's Popcaan, Manchester's Aitch and London's own Stormzy等、バラエティに富んだアーティストを迎えて制作された。『Music、Trial and Trauma:A Drill Story』は、Loskiが "Top Boy of Drill"の称号を守るため、ドリルを定義するアルバムとなる。

The career of drill icon Loski has been dictated by two warring forces: the high demands of drills fervent fan base and the commercial incentives of radio-ready rap. For a pioneer of the genre like Loose, the decision seems obvious -- continue evolving the drill sound that you helped to shape, and in the process please your fans and keep your name in those all-important Top Five conversations. Yet to commit to drill is to commit to have your revenue streams jeopardized, your tours canceled, and your videos constantly purged and censored. Its no surprise, then, that so many of the genres young talents turn to the more commercially viable side of U.K. rap, a side Loski himself tackled on the 2019 mixtape Mad Move. But while Mad Move and Call Me Loose staked their claims with one side or the other, 2020s Music, Trial and Trauma finds power in its balance. Split into three acts by a series of poignant interludes, the rappers third tape offers a fleeting portfolio of three distinct styles. The first is guaranteed to win points with Ski diehards, proffering a five-track cluster of drill anthems helmed by a sequel to the iconic Teddy Bruckshot. This is everything youd expect from peak Loose: the rapper skates across gothic production from M1OnTheBeat, Mobz, and HARGO, providing signature sauce, brutal lyricism, and a set of effortless flows. Harlem Spartans linkups Anglo Saxon and On Me have already made their mark as singles, but they feel just as triumphant on their 30th listen as the first. And though Teddy Bruckshot 2 may not match the status of its legendary namesake, the fact that its even in that conversation is a testament to the tracks strength. The albums second segment, a portfolio of U.K. rap styles, is delivered with equal finesse. Holding pace with artists from DaVido to Stormzy, the Afro-swing-driven section lands hit after hit, demonstrating Skis versatility over the popular sounds of Englands capital. Notably, this doesnt come at the cost of Looses identity, with choruses like Karma when we fry up man/I put money on your head like a Naija man, showing defiance in less tested soundscapes. Whats most interesting, though, is the projects closing trio. With spoken word appearances from U.K. legends Mike Skinner and Akala, the albums third act is dedicated to an entirely new run at introspective hip-hop, tackling issues of race, trauma, and violence. These uncharted waters prove a catalyst for artistic growth; the verses on this closing run are some of Loskis finest, opening a side to the rapper weve rarely seen thus far. With confident showings in multiple arenas, Loskis latest project is a victorious display of versatility. Continuing to juggle the musical spheres he inhabits, here the Kennington MC puts forward some of his finest work to date, with a bold three-act that dips through the various strands of his career. While the sustainability of such a wide-ranging approach remains in question, Music, Trial and Trauma provides too strong of a tape to dispute, staking claims for the rapper across the U.K. spectrum. ~ David Crone

UKドリルのトップボーイによるオフィシャル初作。路上感を纏った不穏な語り口でストームジーやエイチ、ダヴィド、ポップカーンら大物たちと渡り合い、3 部構成のテーマに沿ってダンスホール、アフロ、UKGなど00年代リヴァイヴァル的な多様さにも手を伸ばしつつ隅々まで気合いの漲った大作だ。マイク・スキナー本人を迎えたストリーツ使いの"Blinded"、MJネタでエミリー・サンデーが歌う終曲"Life So Deep"まで一気に聴ける。
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