Blak Twang:
Rotton Club

Release Date: 14 March 2005

Reviewed By: Angharad Williams

1. Rotton Club

2. Position

4. Beef Stop

4. GCSE - ft, K9

5. Lady

6. Travellin'

7. Stop N Search - ft, Al Borosie

8. Roadworks

9. Soldier

10. Prayer For The Dying

11. My World

12. Look Good - ft, Micro

13. Where Lion Roam

14. Carry On

15. Done It Again

Memphis Bleek - 534
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UK hip hop fans will instantly recognise the sounds of Blak Twang aka Tony Rotton, if only for his anthem ‘So Rotton’. But for those not in the know, the MOBO award winner has been one of the pioneers of the UK hip hop scene. Long before Channel U, Blak Twang has been on his grind and from that has gained a Kora award (the African equivalent of a Grammy), a World Underground Music Award, and a nomination in the Source Magazine awards for Best International Hip Hop Act. Now, after an absence of three years and performances across the world, he’s back!

This is his fourth album and is a tour of London life and his life as a globetrotting hip hop star. The album uncovers his beef with everyone from the police to power mad traffic wardens (‘Position’), and Twang brings the humorous comeback lines on ‘Beef Stop’ proving he’s still got it, (should he need to come with it in any MC battle).

One of the most hyped tracks is ‘G.C.S.E’ because of its relevant message of safe sex in an age where STDs are on the increase on a global scale. From its synthesised strings to deep baseline this track has addictive qualities, particularly the sing-a-long chorus of “G.C.S.E. is Ghetto Children Sex Education”. This is one of the more memorable tracks and is different to the usual chats of Channel U fodder. It ain’t gonna be the track you holla for in the club and the production is my one qualm; still, it’s one of the highlights of the album.

‘Lady’ is a softer track with a real look on relationships rather than the sugar-coated images portrayed in similar tracks, and will appeal to the more conscious among us. ‘Travellin’ is one of my least favourite tracks, not because of its poor quality but because it made me wonder why it was there. Shouting out to places from Dubai to Prague, Tony comes across slightly boastful in its tone, rather than as the pioneering face of hip hop that he really is.

The Harry Love-produced ‘Carry On’ is one of my choice cuts as Harry’s funk fused beats compliment Blak Twang’s meaty voice, and there’s an interesting social commentary to Twang’s rhymes. It’s catchy and is the track on the album that will get your head nodding from the first bar.

How can such an album fare in a scene where ‘Grime’ is the “in” word and real hip hop is left at the door? On ‘Soldier’ Tony lays it down: ‘I’m not another token British bloke that’s bitter/ don’t mix me in the same category as other quitters’ - so at least he isn’t bitter over not having made it to superstar status.

In a scene where artists like Estelle and Dizzee Rascal gain international recognition, ‘Rotton Club’ struggles to even get into the charts. This is far from groundbreaking and has a safe feel to it. It hasn’t got the anthems of 2002’s ‘Kick Off’; sadly it’s in danger of getting drowned out in the midst of fresher and more original music. However, respect where respect’s due – Rotton’s now a veteran in a scene which has gone through tremendous changes in recent years and he’s earned his place as a member of UK hip hop royalty.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Top 3 tracks:
14. Carry On
13. Where Lions Roam
4. G.C.S.E. featuring K9

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