Low-Life | UK Hip Hop Story | Serocee :: Biography / Demo Rewiew

Intro

Early Doors:
1979-1985

False Dawn:
1985-1990

Underground Years:
1990-1995

The Renaissance:
1995- 2000

The Future:
2000 & Beyond

Artists &
Discographies

Serocee :: Biography / Demo Rewiew

Tracklist:
1. Dedication
2. Freestyle
3. Whaa Gwaan Mrs?
4. Interlude
5. Ho!
6. Memories
7. Failah Forgive Me

Who Is He?

Serocee is a Birmingham-born, Kingston, Jamaica raised MC. He has been developing his rhyming skills over the past 16 years; starting with being a dancehall DJ and later moving into rapping. This cat has freestyled with the cream of Birmingham talent and has competed in many battles from the early days at the 'Q' & Porsche Club in Birmingham to more recently 1Xtra's 'Battle Of The MCs' where he won both his heat and the grand finale. He also went on to win 1Xtra's Ras Kwame's 'Home Grown Cuts' competition. Serocee has cultivated his own individualism, which is at the heart, and in the soul of any pure artist and feels he has completed his apprenticeship in UK Hip Hop.

What Are His Inspirations?

Serocee draws his inspirations from the likes of Bounty Kille, Cutty Ranks, Tiger, Bob Marley, Tracy Chapman, Redman, Nas & Pharoe Monch. He feels that they have a lot more to say than the average artist and would like to join their fraternity; believing it is not just about giving a reflection of society, but offering individual solutions at the same time. @Music has no boundaries'.

"We all seem to be preaching the Gospel according to Jay-Z. Nothing wrong with that; but I didn't live that life. I feel we need to be more original, that is the only way we, (UK Hip Hop) will get recognised".

Who Is He Respecting Out Of The UK Hip Hop Artists?

"Right now it's all about Twangsta, Out Da Ville, Hoodz Underground and Mystro. Lyrically they know where it is at. I also listen to a lot of RnB and I'm feeling Terri Walker and Hill St. Soul".

What Is He Up To Now?

He is currently working on his debut album 2nd Generation Windrush Pickney that at present includes collaborations with RogueState and J Poet from Hoodz Underground.

The Demo

The demo CD kicks of with the down tempo semi spoken work vibe Dedication track which features some soulful gospel vocals. It is is a heartfelt dropping of props to those people in Serocee's who have meant a great deal to him in his life. Freestyle is backed by a mellow flute, but the bumping beat really changes the overall vibe of the track which is much darker than you would expect. There are some tasty line in this off the dome verse which fades out after one and a half minutes which is too soon.

Whaa Gwaan continues on the down tempo vibe, but the production incorporates some experimental sounds which in the recent past could be associated with Dancehall more than Hip Hop. From the title you could guess that this is about Serocee getting busy with the girls. The Interlude is a chat between Serocee and an unnamed girl over a low volume backing which continues the subject matter as they discuss the difference between slags and studs.

Ho! has more of a club feel and from the intro sounds like it should really bounce, but the development in the beat which I was expecting never really materialised and I was left dissatisfied with this track. It is tracks like Memories which perhaps suit Serocee's more laid back and conversational style. There is also the occasional cut on this track, but unfortunately due to lack of production notes or credits I can't inform you of who the DJ is.

The final track is perhaps the most impressive in terms of having delivery, a more funky bassline and overall better mixdown. On this Serocee asks his father to forgive his wild living youth and is a track that can only be made by someone who has experienced life and had to become more mature and learn from situations presented to them.

Overall this is a nice demo, but Serocee is not an impact rapper who will blow your socks off. It will give you a good taster of where he is coming from, but to do himself justice he needs to get this stuff mixed more consistently. Admittedly I played this on small computer speakers, but a good mix should work on all sets.

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