Bugzy Malone - Facing Time

Bugzy Malone
Facing Time
2016
Spotify

Grime is a genre that has been sampled constantly and folded in to hip hop for years now, but it never really got the credit it deserves. In the UK it is obviously more popular than it is here but still it hangs on the fringes occasionally coming in, making a splash, then fading away. Despite it's somewhat ominous name grime's deep bass lines only serve to boost somewhat melodic tones that allow a rapper to move and change while the beat remains constant. Bugzy Malone has made a name for himself more in twitter battles and press coverage than He has in actual music, but that changes with Facing Time. This record has a really incredible sense of structure. It is built layer upon layer finishing with Malone's vocals. His voice is clean and clear allowing his lyrics to take center stage as He goes through his life leading up to his current situation. It is highly autobiographical, or at least seems that way, which adds to the authenticity of the record. From the first moment the album pops and never lets you down throughout. Being only eight tracks allows Malone to be direct and concise, He cuts through all the bullshit and moves straight to his message. There is a great balance between Malone flexing and actually dealing with real social issues something that a lot of rappers try, but usually fail at.

The album title is also not bullshit. A few months ago Malone was arrested for a robbery and is still facing those charges. It does not become the central theme of the record, but it does put it on edge like someone who is always looking over their back waiting for the shoe to drop. "Mosh Pit Gang" as the name indicates does feel like a punk rock version of hip hop and not in a manufactured way, but very organically. There are times where Malone's flows to get a bit bogged down and He paints himself into corners that He just cannot get out of. The record also tends to be a bit one note with Malone rarely moving from his standard flow style. The music allows him to stay in that lane, but some experimentation or a change of pace may add a great deal to Facing Time. You can't really imagine Bugzy changing his style after listening to this record, but for those completely new to him that really would not be an issue. There are many times when the album feels honest and raw, and others that it does slip into a comfortable zone just to get a track out of the way. A really solid outing from Bugzy Malone, and a peak at a genre that does not get it's due.

6.9 out of 10