Piff Gang are a North West London bunch of lyricists & producers who between them have created themselves quite a lot of hype in a whole bunch of musical circles. “PlantLife” is the collectives 3rd mixtape, having not previously copped the first two, I was put onto this one by a close friend of mine whose usual musical orientations always have me and him locked in various heated debates (Pars), so at first I wasn’t expecting much.
Having bumped “PlantLife” for the first time last week I was a little in between minds after the first play through, not because it was shit nor badly produced purely down to the fact its seriously something unique and completely different to the issh I’d usually nestle amongst my musical collection, without even knowing it I’d found myself re-listening to the mix-tape constantly, relishing in the heavily influenced East Coast rap styled Grime hybrid being relayed before me.
its after the first quarter that the Mixtape really takes form, tracks like “Swag City” had me fully waved off, Casino Vice’s production persuasively urged my snapback just that little higher off the back of my head and although the lyricism may not be the most weighty in terms of subject matter, as a whole piece it works like a fucking dream. “Thats The Chronic” gets its stamina tearing through metaphors over a illy subdued Crankz production. LDZ’s own Sumgii features heavily on “Plantlife” producing spine vibrating waves of dopeness seem to come second nature to him “Jet Pack” is a prime example. “Got Bxtches” is my stand out track of the mixtape, Bitches, Piff & Swag all played over a smooth Crankz Piece, what more do you need? “Million Dollar Dream” catches The Purist on a minimal production mixing some beautiful vocals over gentle percussions, leaving plenty of opportunity for some more passive styled wordplays. “Exodus” & “Tripping” both see Sumgii back behind the keys, “Exodus” is probably my favourite instrumental on the album featuring a dope Piano rift, both tracks on which Piff Gang affiliates body bag. Throughout every track each rapper owns every single verse, tying metaphors with similes and nearly always referring back to Piff Ha! They obviously fuel themselves of recording some pretty fly shit and no matter what style they may be doing it in it’s sick.
As a mix-tape I felt like I had contradicted myself, I’ve never really emerged myself in music that deals with some of the subject matters Piff Gang have chosen to focus their lyrics around, I usually like my Hip-Hop a little more down to earth, but the Piff have widened my perceptions and given me a dope lesson in refraining from being closed minded when it comes to something a little different, the guys obviously know exactly what they’re doing combining the best snippets of US & UK into one crafted mix-tape. Give it a listen & if you’re not sure after the first give it another, trust me when I say you will find plenty of tracks you can jam to, poke your gally too, Bun up to or get wavey to. Whats to not like? Let us know your opinions on this one.
Review By Rikki James @Jamzeeze
