The question of how rappers should age gracefully has become a topic of much debate recently. One possible answer to this conundrum is exemplified by André 3000, whose most recent release was a flute album that deviated sharply from the type of music that made him famous. This issue is now affecting foundational MCs of the less financially successful, developmental era, as UK rap and grime attempt to remain relevant as they approach middle age.
One artist who appears to be defying nature’s expectations is Ghetts, who will celebrate his 40th birthday this year. His recent releases have demonstrated that his music has surpassed all his previous efforts in terms of quality. Ghetts is now an artist who understands the importance of imbuing his work with important social commentary. His major label debut, Conflict of Interest, released in 2021 and peaking at Number Two in the UK charts, was always going to be tough to follow, but the release of On Purpose With Purpose proves that, as he ages, his art is also evolving.
Ghetts’s intricate storytelling on the album gives it significant replay value, as every listen offers something new. The repartee on ‘Double Standards’ picks apart the numerous contradictions we are forced to endure: “I was on the phone with a pal of mine / They asked me why they’re helping Ukraine and not Palestine / And I replied, ‘Brown skin.'” The work gives the impression that Ghetts isn’t just a humble MC, but a rapper who carefully incorporates social commentary into his art.
On On Purpose With Purpose, Ghetts demonstrates his versatility beyond just being a lyrical dextrous rapper. He ingeniously features on tracks like ‘Tumbi’ and ‘Gbedu,’ where he skilfully navigates through the sonic universes of gqom and afrobeat, both of which originated in South Africa, offering a glimpse of something altogether different. While the first half of the album is sure to please the purists who are eager to hear Ghetts at his most lyrically gifted, the Kano and Wretch 32 collaboration, ‘Mount Rushmore,’ will undoubtedly ignite online debates about whose verse was better.
Ghetts’s latest record provides an excellent example of how to create mature rap music while preserving a legacy that has taken years to establish. If Ghetts continues to develop, he may finally create the classic album that has eluded him so far.
RELEASE DETAILS
– Release date: February 23, 2024
– Record label: Warner
Read the full article on NME here: Read More