Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Insane MacBeth ft. The Icepick

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Insane MacBeth ft. The Icepick - True Heart CD [Insane Recordings]

Tracklist:
1. True Heart
2. The Icepick Freestyle
3. True Heart instrumental

This is an interesting release as two stalwarts of the UK Hip Hop scene come together for this classic single release which is taken from Insane MacBeth's The Retardation Project LP. Insane MacBeth has a long history in the game and was responsible for the production on Kinetic Effect's acclaimed 12" releases. Icepick, a fellow Brixtonite has developed close by in parallel. He was first known for his fantastic opening lines on the classic Three Knights' Burial Proceedings In The Coarse Of Three Knights which was also released on MOL. Icepick has not been prolific by any means, but heavy releases followed including: Phenomenal Criminal, The Icepick EP and Five Paper Style, all released by Backbone between 1997 and 1998 with the latter release being in association with Ruf Beats.

The wax gets started with True Heart, a track which depicts life on road in the urban jungles of London. Icepick drops raps in his own unique tones and delivers some serious spittage as he represents the true art. Many of the elements in this track hark back to the classic britcore sound and the heat is definitely brought. The production makes use of a great repetitive loop and the way it is mixed means all elements come through clear. In the initial lines Icepick mentions his old label - Back Bone and goes on to say how his shit sells like sensi and how he has his shit on lock and how the streets say he is legit. Partly biographical, this is a fiery comeback from one of the sweetest MCs in the country.

The Icepick Freestyle is a short one and a half minute affair on which Icepick throws out a dope freestyle in which he displays his battle and brag rap skills dungeon style. He edges up the aggy tone in his voice as he exposes fakers and explains why he is known as the first round man. Anyone stepping to the pick should fear a dismembering in a nasty and bloody way. Disappointingly this freestyle is over the same beat as for True Heart as it would have been good to have more variety on the release.

The 12" is topped off with the True Heart instrumental which is properly steaming, but overall, although the content is really heavy this release does feel a touch short, but at the same time this does leave the listener fiending for more. This release has already been played by the usual specialist Hip Hop DJs including Westwood, 279, The Chubby Kids and Disorda and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes that raw shit.

Tel: 07951 354 944 :: mailto:[email protected]
Icepick contact: Boss Media 07890 347 745