Search - Speech Debelle :: Speech Therapy

Jazzy Hip Hop - Therapeutic!

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 07/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"25 year old Londoner Speech Debelle's debut CD "Speech therapy" has just been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Awards. Her album is indeed a breath of fresh air in the Hip Hop genre: live sounding instrumentation with Jazzy leanings - oboe, guitar, piano, double bass - with her poetic-style rapping (in a pronounced English accent) floating breezily over.



The horn-sprinkled "Spinnin'" even incorporates some scat-style harmonies, "Go then, bye" is a string-swathed acoustic kiss off, and "Better days" features Micachu and is a floaty acoustic Jazzy rap. The other star turn is the sublime "Wheels in motion" featuring fellow British Hip Hop artist Roots Manuva providing the dirge-like chorus and some harmonies. "Live & learn" is Folky with dreamy harmonies, while the superb horn-peppered "Buddy love" is guitar-driven Reggae.



Most of her lyrics are autobiographical; opening cut "Searching" touches on the hardship she endured during the period she was living in hostels ("2am in my hostel bed/ My eyes them red, my belly ain't fed/ I got butter but I ain't got bread/ and I'm smoking on my last cigarette"), while the piano tinkled "Daddy's little girl" is a beautiful Reggae-tinged caustic ode to her absent gambling father, ("Daddy I think I love you, cause I hate you so much that I must love you" go the opening lines). Title track the acoustic and atmospheric "Speech therapy" features very personal lyrics ("I've made some mistakes in my life that I'm not proud of" and "I used to think the world owed me, that's why I gave nothing") which Debelle confesses are "Too close and painful".



That is the feeling one gets listening to this CD, that you are getting a glimpse into her soul. The sound is light, airy, and simply beautiful! Hopefully, the Mercury nomination will give her a deserved sales boost. One of the best Hip Hop albums of the year."