Full Metal Rabid - Rabbit Cuts: Volume1 (Album)

Rising from the UK underground, Full Metal Rabid arrive with a debut that feels equal parts hip hop cipher, sound system session and concept album. Curated by producer Keith Hopewell (aka Part 2), Rabbit Cuts (Volume 1) out via Gum Records, brings together a heavyweight cast including Juice Aleem, Blackitude, Bob Eskimo and A Guevara.

Inspired by Watership Down, the album blends dystopian storytelling with sharp social commentary, tied together by narration from actor Madhav Sharma. Add turntable work from the incredible DJ Mr Thing and the result is a record rooted in classic hip hop craft but unafraid to stretch wider sonically.

There’s a deep respect for UK rap history here too. “Stick and Move” reworks New Flesh’s early 2000s photo grime blueprint, while “Get Free” rides warm dub currents and heavyweight bass pressure. Elsewhere, “My Bredrin” turns its focus toward youth experience and police brutality, showing there’s substance beneath the style.

What makes Rabbit Cuts (Volume 1) land is its balance of heritage and hunger: dusty soul loops, blues textures, grime grit and seasoned voices still sounding urgent. If this is only Volume 1, then Full Metal Rabid may have just opened one of the year’s most interesting new chapters in UK underground music.

With ‘Rabbit Cuts’ Volume 2 set to follow later this year, FULL METAL RABID is a powerhouse collective of UK legends, poised to inject explosive new energy into the landscape. Get ready, it’s time to go FULL METAL RABID!

Full Metal Rabid sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Ebu blackitude: Teaching myself piano at my grandmother's house, teaching myself songs I heard on the radio until my family decided to send me to piano lessons.

Juice Aleem: My mother singing to me and buying my first 45s for me, Reggae and nursery rhymes.

A Guevara ***: My line to Hip Hop was.... Not straightforward. In my house it was reggae, gospel and Motown soul. There was no rugged n raw stuff at all until a cousin timed me into pirate radio. Wow. It was like I got rhythmically punched in the face. I was feeling rappers but it was also reggae dancehall DJs as well.

Bob Eskimo: My cousins playing in a lovers rock group called Storm and seeing them on Top of the Pops!

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Juice Aleem: The RammEllZee is a big influence on a lot I do and it's a blessing we got to work with him as New Flesh.

Ebu Blackitude: ⁠Ninja Man, RZA, Omar.

A Guevara ***: When I heard rappers delight, of course I liked it. But I LOVED the message. I adored planet Rock and play at your own risk same time I did love Yellow man and Peter Tosh.

Bob Eskimo: MC Mello was a massive influence on me from how he used his voice and how he mashed up the dance.

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): Most of the influential artists I want to work with aren't with us anymore. Erika Badu would be nice though.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

Ebu Blackitude: ⁠Full Metal Rabid - Rabbit Cuts / Juice Aleem - Everyting Shiny / various NRST GRN mix sessions.

Juice Aleem: Myself and Ebu have an EP coming out this Spring entitled Everyting Shiny.

A Guevara ***: The next project i got is called NRST GRN (nearest green) it's total hip hop social commentary vibes.

Bob Eskimo: Me and A Guevara(NRST GRN) have an album coming soon plus there is a new OXGN album.... Plus this is Vol 1..........

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): I'm designing a gatefold album sleeve for Philadelphia producer 'Sturks', it's gonna be COLD!!!

4. How would you describe your sound?

Ebu Blackitude: ⁠Skank/Funk/Bashy/Dub amalgamations

A Guevara ***: The sound is boom bapified but has blatant reggae elements 

Bob Eskimo: Sound Clash of the Titans meets Watership Down meets The Eye of the Tiger meets The Wu.

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): New world music - continually tapped into source.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

Ebu Blackitude: Years ago I bought Das FX single ‘Mic Cheka remix’. Didn’t listen to it, just took it straight to the house party, took it out the sealed sleeve in front of 50 people in the packed room, put it on the turntable and it played and we all went nuts. reloaded it about 5 times OR rocked the mic in Belgium at a beach festival and thought I could walk through the crowd to get a drink but instead got mobbed and people were making me sign my own Album and crying and shit.

Bob Eskimo: FMR

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): I'm proud and honoured to still have the creative energy to continue making 

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Ebu Blackitude: Be original. Once you’ve perfected someone else’s style, evolve it into your own. Copies don’t last, originals are forever.

Bob Eskimo: Authenticity runs the City. Be nice to the people you see doing the running around!

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): Just do it! like the Nike motto says.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Ebu Blackitude: Opifawarndem.

A Guevara ***: Artists on my radar? Dan Brown.

Bob Eskimo: FMR FMR FMR and Dan Brown, Cymon Temp, DC3, Kofi Stone.

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): I'll second everyone here and add Farma G, FlipTrix and Jah Digga.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Ebu Blackitude: None, I listen to music on player.muuzbox.com. check out the curated playlists for new original music.

Juice Aleem: I don't use Spotify.

Bob Eskimo: Spotify is contentious ya na - Essa 'Resonance Deluxe', Da Flyy Holligan 'Supreme Cut Untouched Magnificence II', Juice and Ebu 'Everyting Shiny EP' Dubplate, Dan Brown 'All the Time'.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Ebu Blackitude: Code

Juice Aleem: Making things with the Afroflux community, short films, Capoeira and the like.

Bob Eskimo: Pet my bunny.

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): Walk the whippets.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

Ebu Blackitude: Midi keyboard, Ableton Live, BaderDynamic headphones.

Bob Eskimo: Water, good vibes and plenty of pre-sleep.

Keith Hopewell (Part 2): Good coffee, tobacco and a turntable.