Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Drapht, The Collection

I've decided it was about time to, at least, get started on this review which I've been planning on doing for a while. So, as usual, I'll beging with a brief history lesson.

Drapht is a Skip Hop artist from Perth, Western Australia. Drapht is a member of the Syllaboliks crew, which comprises fellow Skip Hop artists from Perth and is currently signed to the Obese Records record label.

Drapht was born, Paul Ridge, in Perth, Western Australia. His father, Garry Ridge, a jazz drummer introduced Drapht to music from a very young age and he had his first taste of hip hop at the age of eight.

Drapht attended Perth Modern School in Subiaco but wasn't involved in the school's music program. At school he did become friends with Damien Allia (aka DJ Armee) who introduced him into hip hop.

Drapht became a vital part of Perth's hip hop crew Syllabolix at the age of 17. He quotes; "I was real lucky. I hung around all the Sbx members before I even started rapping. I was right in the middle of it all, I had access to the fucking dopest producer at the time Dazastah, freestyle sessions at Hunter's and constant schooling from the whole crew. So it was hard for me not to learn quick and be involved with it all."

Drapht's first track, "Misunderstood" was released as part of the Culture of Kings - Volume 3 release in 2003. This is a huge honur for a Skip Hop artist.

His first album, Pale Rider, was released in 2003, with all production handled by Dazastah (Downsyde), Fdel and Drapht. Special appearances on the album include: Fdel (Invada Records), Downsyde, MC Layla, Hunter, Selekt, Carlsani and Porsah Lane

The follow-up, 2005's Who Am I, was also produced by Dazastah (Downsyde), Fdel and Drapht. The songs touch on topics including politics, sex, and addiction to drunken antics. Guest appearances on the album include Pressure (Hilltop Hoods), Downsyde, Layla, Pegz (Obese Records), Clandestien, MJ (Funkola) and Hunter. Two tracks from the album, "Drink Drank Drunk" and "The Music", received minimal airplay on Triple J, mostly on the Super Request program. Who Am I is more an introspective album

Drapht has opened for acts such as; Hilltop Hoods, Dilated Peoples, Downsyde, Koolism, Apathy, Rodney P & Skitz, Mystro, Killa Kela, and Resin Dogs.

The song "The Music" was selected by Triple J as a featured track for Ausmusic month in 2005. He released a music video for "The Music", which was shown on Rage. He also performed a guest verse on the Hilltop Hoods album The Hard Road on the track "The Blue Blooded".

Drapht was nominated in the Best Urban/Hip Hop Act category at the 2007 West Australian Music Industry Awards.

Drapht's third album, Brothers Grimm, was released 10 May, 2008, with the first song from the album, "Jimmy Recard", receiving significant airplay on Triple J

Drapht appeared for the first time in a Triple J Hottest 100 with two entries in the 2008 countdown; Jimmy Recard at number 10 and Falling at number 77.

In March 2009 Drapht undertook a national tour of Australia with fellow Western Australians, Downsyde with a number of the eastern states performances being supported by Pez.

So, that is a history lesson on Perth's own, Drapht. Let me begin the actual reviews with Drapht's first album Pale Rider


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Pale Rider (2003)

Pale Rider
is the debut full length album from Western Australian hip hop artist, Drapht. It was released in October 2003 through Australian Hip Hop label, Obese Records. The album features contributions by MC Layla, Dazastah & Optamus (Downsyde) and Hunter. The title is based on the Clint Eastwood movie of the same name and the fact his entire life, Drapht, had really pale skin.

This album only consists of 11 tracks, with no extras;
  1. "Intro" - 1:45
  2. "Hang 'em High" - 3:39
  3. "Can't Escape" - 3:42
  4. "Abuse the World" - 3:50
  5. "Optical Illusion" - 1:24
  6. "Prolific" - 4:08
  7. "Observe" - 2:55
  8. "Uncontainable" - 4:46
  9. "Weather Man"- 4:30
  10. "Front Line" - 4:00
  11. "End That Way" - 4:20
The album is shorter then most but that doesnt mean it doesn't have the same effect. It is a lot more aggressive then most albums but still has that 'chill' feel about it. Really the only track that has that effect is Prolific other then that most of the tracks are very aggressive. Both lyrically and rythmically.

My favourite track is easily Prolific possibly cause its not as aggressive. That being said the aggressive tracks are just as good. Tracks like; Weatherman, End That Way, Hang Em High & Can I Escape all are very well written.
This album is good, but not his best effort, its well produced but not as good quality as his latest ones.
8/10.



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Who Am I? (2005)

Who Am I is the second full length album from Western Australian hip hop artist, Drapht. It was released in June 2005 through Australian Hip Hop label, Obese Records. It was released in both in a CD and a limited 2 LP vinyl format. The album features contributions by MC Layla, Dazastah (Downsyde) and Pressure(Hilltop Hoods).

This track consist of a whopping 15 tracks, four more then the last.
  1. "Intro" - 1:19
  2. "Who Am I" - 4:27
  3. "Drink Drank Drunk" - 4:35
  4. "Inspiration Island" (featuring Downsyde & Layla) - 6:01
  5. "What Have I Got"- 3:43
  6. "Verbally Flawless" (featuring Pressure) - 3:42
  7. "The Music"- 3:36
  8. "Get A Hold Of Me" - 4:14
  9. "Yah Think" (featuring Dasastah & Pegz) - 4:11
  10. "Deep Sleepers" - 4:11
  11. "Who Can We Trust" - 5:09
  12. "The Sylla Squad" (featuring Clandestien, MJ & Hunter) - 5:58
  13. "Hold Up" - 3:30
  14. "Don’t Take No"- 4:17
  15. "Wet T-Shirts" (featuring Dazastah) - 3:47
This album, while certainly close to his best work, isn't, but it is still a work of art. It is your typical Skip Hop album, 15 tracks of humor, politics, sex, beer, booze and everything an Aussie MC goes through. Its got everything you want and more. The amount of names featured on this track is amazing, its really a good representation of Skip Hop from all over Australia.

My favourite track, there are a lot more on this one then on most, Drink Drank Drunk is a classic, written about all the things someone has to deal with before, during and after a big night. The Music is a great track, about how music can affect peoples lives and Yah Think is also excelent, it just proves Skip Hop artists are the toughest on the market.
This album is great, I really enjoy it and it probably made Drapht's career
9/10


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Brothers Grimm (2008)

Brothers Grimm is the third album from Western Australian hip hop artist, Drapht. It was released in May 2008 through Australian Hip Hop label, Obese Records.[1] The album features contributions by Dazastah (Downsyde), Ciecmate (Hospice Crew), Trials & Porsah Laine.

The album debuted at #64 on the ARIA Album charts, reached #9 on the V Energy AIR (Association of Independent Record Labels) Charts and #10 on the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Top 40 Urban Album charts.

There are, like Who Am I?, another 15 tracks on this album;
  1. "Intro" - 1:26
  2. "Falling - 3:40
  3. "The Money" - 4:27
  4. "Insomnia" - 3:13
  5. "Jimmy Recard" - 3:33
  6. "Dreams & Dreamers" - 5:17
  7. "A Good Year" - 3:46
  8. "Boom Boom Boom" - 3:48
  9. "Sound Man" - 4:34
  10. "Don't Wanna Work" - 3:31
  11. "Rest In Peace" (ft. Dazastah, Ciecmate & Trials) - 4:16
  12. "Where Yah From" - 3:52
  13. "Put On A Record" - 4:44
  14. "Lost" - 4:19
  15. "Lose Control" (ft. Porsah Laine) - 4:01
This album is Drapht's best work, its got songs reppin' the entire country, songs about not working, songs about money issues, songs to drink to, songs to chill to, songs to cry to, songs to laugh with, just everything. Its an excelent reppresentation of what Perth has to offer on the Skip Hop scene. I know a lot of people who dislike this album because hes flow is a little slower on this one but it doesn't change the fact the man knows how to write a rhyme.

Favourite tracks were difficult to decide as there are so damn many; Where Yah From, this track would be my top of my top 5. Its got a great beat, excelent rhymes and awesome lyrics. Boom Boom Boom, a drunk song through and through and Sound Man, puts you in the perspective of himself.
Best of the best 10/10

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