Various Artists:
Run The Road

Release Date: 24 January 2005

Reviewed By: Michelle Manning

1. Terror Danja - ft, Huper, Bruza, Riko, D Double E - Cock Back

2. Riko & Target - Chosen One

3. Roll Deep - Let It Out

4. Kano - P's and Q's

5. Jammer - ft, Wiley, D Double E, Kano, Goodz - Destruction Vip

6. Dizzee Rascal - ft, D Double E - Give U More

7. No Lay - Unorthodox Daughter

8. Shystie ft, Ronnie Redz, Kano, Bruza - One Wish

9. Durrty Goodz - Gimme Dat

10. Demon ft, Big E D - I Won't Change

11. Tinchy Stryder - Move

12. Lady Sivereign - Cha Ching

13. Ears - Happy Days

14. The Streets ft, Kano, Donae'o, Lady Sovereign, Tinchy Stryder - Fit But You Know It

15. Wonder ft, Plan B - Cap B;ack

16. Kano ft, Damon, Wiley - Mic Fight

Fabolous - Real Talk
Read Review

‘Run the Road’ has as many UK Garage MCs in one place as a mix show on BBC 1Xtra. You’ll be surprised to find that it’s not an average compilation of mediocre artists; it has narrative from the likes of Roll Deep, Dizzee Rascal, Shystie and Kano featuring their hot styles and wicked flows on one of the first Grime compilations to hit the streets.

‘Run the Road’ also has other artists up its sleeve, like Jammer, Riko & Target and supporting appearances by Wiley, although it would be excellent to hear more from the man who gave us the Grime anthem ‘Igloo’. Nevertheless, the compilation is packed with enough vocal artillery, rough loops and appealing samples to be considered a classic set of Grime tunes.

Take Riko & Target’s ‘Chosen One’ for example, as it opens as a break beat ska event and chills into a catchy fusion of Jamaican rhymes. Or check out Channel 4 favourite and on top of the UK Garage chart, Kano’s artful declaration of his high ranking among MCs, ‘P’s and Q’s’. Kano’s second appearance on the album featuring Demon and Wiley on ‘Mic Fight’ makes for another model tune. However, Dizzee Rascal furthers his reputation as a UK Garage leader as the squelchy synths and murky basslines on ‘Give U More’ enhances his vocal character as he belts out the witty chorus hooks unique to his style.

The flow from the ladies on this album, such as Shystie, No Lay and Lady Sovereign raid the album’s heavy male vocal presence and takes it to an articulate and feminine level, echoed over stylish rhythms. Lady Sovereign in particular, takes her style to high heeled heights with quirky hooks and scattered rhymes in ‘Cha Ching’.

Grime is making headwaves in the States right now with Dizzee Rascal flying the flag, and time will tell whether other artists can make it across the Atlantic. There’s no doubt about it though, the artists featured on ‘Run the Road’ will be right behind our UK ‘Rascal’ if they do.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Favourite Tracks:
6) Dizzee Rascal feat. Double E ‘Give U More’
4) Kano ‘P’s and Q’s’
12) Lady Sovereign ‘Cha Ching (Cheque 1, 2 Remix)’

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z