Following on from the very well received “Hoodstarr Vol.1”, UK’s Rising Son returns to the lab with his second edition in the Hoodstarr series “Blood Sweat And Beers (The Sick Tape). The Ladbroke Grove-born lyricist has been working the Hip-Hop circuit for numerous years, and after being signed to record labels and working with various promoters and agents, has decided to release “The Sick Tape” via his very own KMC Records. Dedicated to his brother (R.I.P) KMC, Rising has a strong vision, and is proactive of one day reaching his personal goal.

“Blood Sweat And Beers” is the highly anticipated follow-up to the “Hoodstarr Vol.1” mixtape. With that in mind, “The Sick Tape” is set very much like an album. Production is top-notch, from the likes of Rising himself, Redskull, Naieve, and Loop G amongst others. Rising has selected his guest appearances carefully, and the likes of Redskin, Genesis Elijah, Zen-1 and Rachelle Nevo, all contribute positively, and are close within the KMC Records family. The hit’s “What You Know” Ft. Redskin, and “This Is Why I’m Nang” Ft. Cheynne Kira (Rising’s daughter), are featured on the album, after hundreds of fan requests from his website and myspace pages.

The 20-track “Sick Tape” is a quick-fire affair from the get-go. “The Invasion (Intro)” is an all-guns-blazing epic, and perfectly metaphor’s the intention that Rising Son and co. intend to stamp on the UK’s under-performing Hip-Hop scene. Both Rising Son and Redskin display their rapid-quick rapping ability on the tracks “What You Know” and “Action” Rising can so easily switch his style, which is shown in tracks such as “Bud-Whooped (Can’t Let Go) which is a laid-back, and as the song title suggests, relaxing and reflective track. That’s the professional way of suggesting “A track to listen to while smoking a J”.

Minus the above songs, there are plenty of tracks that can have the repeat button stuck on hold. “Who’s To Blame Part 2” is my personal favourite on the album, and the follow-up from the classic “Who’s To Blame”. The second release features contributions from Genesis Elijah and Zen-1, who both hold their own whilst rapping over the tear-jerking song. Rising uses this song as a perfect opportunity to show why he is one of the UK’s leading lyricists.

“Who’s To Blame For Higher Tax Inflation And Lower Pay /
Who’s To Blame For The Reason I Woke Up Angry Today.
Who’s To Blame for the unbalance and seasonal changes /
And part of the reason why God doesn’t answer’s our prayers”.
Who’s to blame for the innocent lives lost in Iraq /
Who’s to blame for the war, who fired the first shots in the dark?”

The excellence follows. Rising delivers his unique version of Bobby Valentino’s “Tell Me”, with another heart-felt, and story-type track. There’s no debate which version is better.

The major problem with “The Sick Tape” is the lack of info-structure regarding any UK Hip-Hop release. The quality is present, the professionalism and the final product is a well-worked release. What happens AFTER the CD is finished is what will hinder Rising Son’s progress in terms of popularity and record sales. KMC was formed to improve this situation, and good luck to them.

Written By Ryan Maxwell

Hip-Hop Kings Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

www.myspace.com/risingsonuk
www.kmcrecords.com
www.arkade.com/default.aspx?a=Rising__Son&c=ArtistMusic