I’m still a little baffled how someone that’s seemingly been around for ever, pushing out material on the regular, is soon to be dropping a ‘debut’ album. We’ve had the official mixtapes, the tribute mixes and with story time from his staircase well and truly over; Task Force affiliated Ramson Badbonez is finally set to bless us with his first ‘proper’ full length LP, “Bad Influence”. With production credits from Wizard, 184, DJ Insite, Wizard, Farma G, Boot Productions, Jetsun and Harry Love, Badbonez’ lyrical dexterity and thought provoking wordplay is rife from start to finish.
The Wizard produced “The World You Know” is a reflection on the ills of society and also addresses the so called governing bodies. Assisted by Fae Simon’s soulful harmonies, Badbonez somehow manages to rapidly twist syllables and simultaneously pose some serious thinkers; “But who are they? The puppet masters swapping blood for profit/ to flood their pockets in the best extensive funds for rockets/ to drop over a continent if they want it demolished”. Nothing short of deep.
Jumping on his Oliver Twist flex, “Food Glorious Food” is a stroke of culinary genius as Ramson is joined by Mystro to flip food laced metaphors over Harry Love’s production. With the Olympics just around the corner, “Gingabread Man” is Badbonez’ more than appropriate ode to his penchant of distance running (albeit with Her Majesty’s Police Force in pursuit).
A personal favourite, “This Street Life” is a nod to the old school. Jetsun’s boom-bap beat acts as the foundation as Ramson delivers a retrospective of his lifestyle choices en-route to music
The finale, “My Shit”, epitomises Badbonez’ raw, unrepentant lyrical power and aggression. Flipping a classic Guru couplet on the hook, DJ Insite’s pounding drums and heavy guitars are matched by Ramson’s frustration at the loss of the essence; “They’ve all forgotten where this originated from/ from that underground gutter shit”.
Whether it’s getting straight-up rowdy (“Pump That Bass”), thoughtful and reflective (“Crazy On My Mind”) or simply spitting fire (“What Can They Say”); Ramson Badbonez has already cemented himself as one of the most important voices in the scene. Regardless of the fact it’s officially classed as his debut album, he’s been delivering heat for years and “Bad Influence” is no exception. Dropping on 27th August on Boot Records, this is a must for any self-respecting head. We’ve had the hook up in advance, so instead of twiddling your thumbs in anticipation of its release, head over to http://ramsonbadbones.bandcamp.com/ and check the back catalogue…
Pre-Order “Bad Influence” here – http://www.suspect-packages.com/artists/r-t/RAMSON_BADBONEZ.php
Review by Mike Pattemore @beats_n_pieces
