Artist: Ocean Wisdom
Title: Fight Club
Type: Full Length (CD, LP, Digital)
Drop: 08.30.2024
Released just before Labor Day weekend of 2024, Ocean Wisdom has stormed back onto the UK Hip-Hop/Rap scene. The UK Grime artist is offering his fifth full release, ‘Fight Club’. The Camden born MC has complimented his skill and God given talent with notable career progression throughout this recorded effort.
Fans of Ocean Wisdom have been patiently waiting for over three years to digest his breathtaking lyrical prowess yet again. With a rapid fire delivery, Wizzy often leaves his listeners in awe. He tailors a streamlined consciousness style of rap, akin to early Ghostface Killah of The Wu-Tang Clan. Using adlibs to bolster his thoughts, punchlines and themes during each round of tracks, he avoids boredom and confusion to the average listener. This is not commonplace for an artist of his caliber. Most of the time, these types of motifs and rhymes go over one's head. These techniques alone supplant him among the record industry's best spitters.
However, over a period of time, you'll notice the record has a lack of cohesion. Several tracks appear to be out of order, in a sense that, less is more. The album has one interlude, yet, most of the songs are about how “Wizzy's nothing to f with” or “nobody beats the Wiz.” In the new era of rap, it's seldom that you'll find an echo of superbly crafted albums. Most of today's music are singles strewn together to complete a long play effort. In this case, ‘Fight Club’ is not entirely that but if one is to look for uniformity, it falls short. Inherently, this record boasts about grinding in the craft of MCing at an elite level but there's only superficial depth there. The meat and potatoes are peppered throughout the album, although Ocean's delivery and vocabulary give a beautiful landscape amongst a choppy ride.
In all, several songs should be reorganized within the album to give a better flow, mood and vibe. For measure, his two previous releases, 2021's Stay Sane and 2019's The Big Talk Vol. 1 felt a bit rushed. The latter seemed to be an experiment away from the social norms of Hip-Hop creativity, whereas, the former signaled tracks pursued with contractual obligation. In his defense, one album was made shortly before the Covid shutdown and the other was released on the heels of it.
While not seamlessly done, Ocean Wisdom takes this record by both hands and molds it into a landscape of vivid detail and colorful artistry. Themes of mental health on ‘No Squids featuring K Koke,’ gracefully tugs on your heartstrings as the song ruggedly laments inner city blues. Moreover, ‘Stubborn Again featuring D Double E’ and ‘Near Life Experience’ deplore regret and sorrow for mistakes of the past but without rumination. You get a sense of acknowledgement in order to release and move on. Only an artist that experiences personal and professional growth, can truly tap into this power and space while being thoughtful and honest.
The lead single ‘I Exist’, which also hails a music video, allows Wiz to key in on all who oppose and those indifferent to his existence across space and time. A novel idea in its essence as respect is his aim for this release. Ironically, it's not necessary because the gap between him and lower ranked rappers are as far apart as the length of the English Channel. "Mama Mia", ‘Beware featuring Giggs’ and ‘Fools’ dabble in the realm of battle rap tracks posed against competitors who dare his skill and dedication.
Other guest appearances are from frequent collaborators Method Man of The Wu-Tang Clan, Ghetts and P Money from The London Posse. These key elements mentioned earlier are the cornerstone for an independent international artist creating something of a masterpiece. Through the application of the everyman, you get a picture that lights, glitter and fool's gold can deter one's goals and dreams. Bringing this to life is what separates the champs from the tomato cans.
Even though this record has been highly anticipated, Ocean Wisdom has dropped five albums in eight years. He's no stranger to consistency or buzz as his ‘Tom & Jerry’ single (from the Wizville LP) was released on the FIFA 2019 Soundtrack. He's also set a world record for most words rapped per second at 4.45 words per second against Eminem's ‘Rap God’ which has 4.31 words per second.
In all, ‘Fight Club’ is not a classic album but something new from a seasoned rap veteran is welcomed in this new era of grime. Remember, there's only one rule for ‘Fight Club’.
This album is 7/10
Written by Collin Jones of Urban Monk Media/Out Of The Box
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