Review of Ghetts’ “On Purpose, With Purpose”: Filled with refined rage.

Review of Ghetts’ “On Purpose, With Purpose”: Filled with refined rage.

R

It is impressive that rappers who were teenagers when grime became popular are now reaching the age of 40. Ghetts, who has spent half of his life rapping, is among the few seasoned rap artists who are still gaining recognition. Despite not having a radio hit that crossed over, he was a well-received recipient of the Mobo Pioneer award this year. He is seen as a genuine inspiration and icon in the UK black music scene. His latest album, Conflict of Interest, was his most successful work to date, earning him a nomination for the 2021 Mercury prize after reaching number two on the charts.

In a society where André 3000 questions the relevance of older MCs, Ghetts’s On Purpose, With Purpose continually proves his own significance in his characteristic, passionate manner. The collaboration with Sampha on Double Standards is a remarkable display of his eloquent anger, tackling issues of hypocrisy, colorism, pedophilia, and prejudice with bravery and insight. Mount Rushmore (featuring fellow artists Kano and Wretch 32) boasts the best combination of beat and flow, while tracks like Tumbi, Blessings, and Hallelujah showcase his skill on Afrobeats and amapiano. This is a well-crafted album that may benefit from a few more standout tracks, but will undoubtedly satisfy the larger audience he gained with Conflict of Interest.

Source: theguardian.com