Only Da Brakes would use birdsong as a breakbeat. Weaving a songbird’s whistle into the complex beat tapestries of Can We Try is a Da Brakes special. He creates an upbeat party sound with the type of far-reaching wordplay that entertains both the brain and the boogie. His sound is so easily solid that he’s able to build on a sensitivity rare in upbeat feel-good hip hop. You only have to hear our three tracks here to understand how Da Brakes made it from The Most Promising Unsigned Talent in the UK to bringing out the successful Business as Usual.
Like all the best poets his non-stop wordplay comes out effortlessly. As he puts it his is “persistent, consistent rap” but full of humour and his own laughter. Lines like “ I was born in the night / not last night / Get your cards right.” “You were really stressed with me / but when we’re out I feel like an accessory.” are examples of the linguistic agility he flips before and for you.
Da Brakes doesn’t need to strut the track like an alpha male, his wordsmithery and irresistible rhythms are enough. There’s honesty to Da Brakes speaking out directly to you as if a mate down the phone! Jewellery is a refreshing take on the Male Hip Hop MC. In it he tackles his frustrations, as a trophy man declaring, “I’m not your jewellery”, but this man could never be simply a commodity, he’s too distinctive. The soft underside of this non-stop MC reflects back with some angelic sounds tripping through and around his intricate raps.
Understand gives a raw feel-good fiesta sound a slick clarity getting those hands in the air. Can We Try is an infectious song that wouldn’t be out of place in a house set either for it’s expansive female vocals. The cut into instrumental beat formations is an example of how Da Brakes uses the classic Hip Hop tune to take you on a deeper journey. Before you get too hazy a few acid house screams bring you back and the rhymes and the party goes on.
Da Brakes is unafraid to use his trademark softness as a voice to bring together all the strengths of the British Hip Hop scene. Enjoy crisp production and honey harmonies mixed with rougher, intelligent rhymes and you’ll find you feet moving on their own. Whilst his lyrics unpeel a sensitive side every track is guaranteed to get you in serious motion.
