Black
Britanyaa The Windrush Volume 2 [album]
“Proving
that rap doesn’t
have to be
much of the same, Black Britanyaa
has brought out a fresh and compulsive
debut album containing an interesting
mix of tracks...”
THE STARTLINGLY FASCINATING album The Windrush Volume 2 is a collection
of beautiful beats that gush forth in a hip-jerking, singalong of compulsion
from 'London's finest conscious rappers' Black Britanyaa.
Laying down the message and pounding out the beats, East London hip-hop crew
Black Britanyaa thrive on doing things differently — hence The
Windrush Volume 2. Why Volume 2? Because Volume 1 was the actual Black migrants!
Paying tribute to the musical traditions and legacies of past UK pioneers in
Black music, The Windrush Volume 2 is a splendid adventure for Black
Britanyaa — starting with the innovative SS Windrush generations
of Ska and Highlife to the sound system influences of Lovers Rock and through
to the pioneering development of Jungle.
The publicity machine says: "The release of the album bears historical significance
as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the SS Empire Windrush docking
at Tilbury [Docks]. In a world of formulaic music, this conceptual album runs
like an anthropology of Black British music and the group guide you through
that musical journey with social insight and personal honesty."
The Windrush Volume 2 boasts quality tracks submerged in Hip-Hop. The
introduction of various sounds from around the world, such as the Peruvian pan
pipes and Spanish guitars, and even 80s British Pop, gives The Windrush Volume
2 an eclectic feel. My Life is pure, addictive rap mixed with relief
melodies and sea-faring ditty style to make it a very interesting track indeed.
The lead single, Illegal Aliens, is cleverly reworked by Black Britanyaa
from Sting's fabulous Englishman In New York and is rooted firmly into
the Black British experience. The song encapsulates Black Britanyaa as the second
and third generation of migrants, forging a new identity that can contain their
Britishness and their Blackness. Aliens is a brilliant track that shines,
even among the other greats, and we loved it.
Incidentally, we also loved the Ragga Moment and the British Soul
Moment which, however brief, added a certain something to the album.
The final track Libation is the ancient African ritual of the pouring
out of spirits to honour the ancestors and this ancient tradition is recreated
in music. The song gives a moving account of a family's struggles (including
domestic violence) and pays homage to the hardship of the Windrush generation
who came to Britain in the 50s and 60s. With the unique vocals of UK living
legend Omar, this song makes for a strong follow-up single. The words are incredible
and heartfelt and deserve to be listened to — I only hope my hearing
was in order!
The MCs show a full range of emotional capabilities as demonstrated on tracks
like the dark and moody Devils Peak to the reluctant love ode of Lonely
Roads. Together, these creditable tracks give the album an organic and rounded
touch.
At a time when Hip-Hop has almost been smothered by the bling, this album is
a refreshing tonic as it pushes the boundaries of Hip-Hop both musically and
lyrically. Okay — in the words of Black Britanyaa, Let's get
this show on the road…
• Black Britanyaa's The Windrush Volume
2 is available now (released in the UK on 1 December, 2008).
Tracklisting
1 Windrush (The Excursion) | 2 Wha Gwan featuring Lyric L | 3
Lovers Rock Moment |
4 Lonely Roads | 5 Junglist Moment | 6 Rise | 7 My Life
| 8 Chat Bout Moment | 9 Illegal Aliens | 10 Ragga Moment
| 11 Dem Mans Illin' | 12 Devils Peak | 13 British Soul Moment
| 14 Libation featuring Omar | 15 Libation II (The Prayer) featuring
Omar & Tuggsta
"The startlingly fascinating album The Windrush Volume 2 is a collection
of beautiful beats that gush forth in a hip-jerking, singalong of compulsion
from 'London's finest conscious rappers' Black Britanyaa" — Maggie
Woods, MotorBar
Black Britanyaa
With roots in East London, Black Britanyaa's Segge Dan and Daddy Ash are the
voice of second- and third-generation immigrants who blend a myriad of identities
in Old Blighty: British, Black British and their parents' heritage —
hence the spelling of Brit-an-Yaa (Yaa being an African name for a woman). The
band thrives on doing things differently and calls their brand of Hip-Hop 'Music
for True Connoisseurs'.
As journalist Derek A Bardwell (The Voice) wrote: "Originality —
you have to give it up to Daddy Ash, Segge Dan and the whole Abduction crew,
they're always trying something new whether it be in the themes or in the music
they use."
Black Britanyaa's debut album, The Windrush Volume 2, continues in that
vein of originality by producing an album that embraces and reflects the different
music styles that Black Britons have created over the last sixty years.
Black Britanyaa's musical influences are steeped in the traditions from those
who came before: from the newly-arrived Black immigrants of the 50s to the Ska
generation of the 60s and 70s; from the British Soul of the 80s to the dynamism
of Jungle in the 90s and now in the millennium with the growth of an urban explosion.
And not forgetting a major import to these shores — Hip-Hop, with
the likes of London Posse, KRS1, Talib Kweli and Common contributing to their
musical development.
Segge Dan and Daddy Ash are not your stereotypical rappers: Segge Dan is a college
lecturer and a mentor, whereas Daddy Ash has just completed his MA in Events
Management. They also run their own label and have had previous releases such
as the underground classic Spaghetti Junction (2002) which featured the
likes of Skinnyman and Skeme. Other releases have appeared on compilations such
as UK Runnings Vol 3 (2005) and UK Hip Awards (2002).
As with the majority of Black Britons born and raised in London, a melting pot
of flavours, cultures and nations are brewing to form an identity that differs
from their parents. Black Britanyaa recognises their Britishness and also embraces
the cultures of the Black Diaspora. Both elements are juxtaposing together and
can either compliment each other or be in conflict with each other —
Black Britanyaa chooses the former.
The legacy of Soul II Soul is passed on as Black Britanyaa captures that Black
British feel in the form of this amazing debut album, The Windrush Volume
2.
Check out myspace.com/britanyaa
