After a role in Ben Drew’s Directorial debut ‘Ill Manors’ it seems mutual appreciation is being paid back as Drew (better known as Plan B) also appears on one of the bonus tracks on this, the re-release of Fellow Actor/Rapper RIZ MC’s (AKA Riz Ahmed) 2011 debut.
Originally released last year ‘MICroscope’ was a commercially low key affair which was a shame because in terms of musical and lyrical content it’s a vibrant, reflection of life in Britain in the last ten years backed up by colourful musical dips into grime, glitchy electronics and bass heavy Hip-hop. Lyrically Ahmed turns his attention to subjects such as gentrification of inner city areas (All in the Ghetto) to Political corruption (Hundreds & thousands) his words never preaching and always overflowing with humour and a cocky grin. It’s this same injection of humour that provides one of MICroscope’s downfalls as it can sometimes come across as whimsy and takes away from the message and intent that Riz MC is putting across with the admirable tackling of such subject matter.
Another let down is that for all the vibrancy in the music and lyrics, Riz MC’s flow is at times uninspiring and doesn’t have enough personality to leave any lasting impression. At points throughout the album Ahmed sounds like he is robotically going through the motions or, in the case of ‘People Like People’, he is racing through the track trying to finish as soon as he can. In some instances great lines and stinging couplets are lost because they pass by without demanding attention. For all of Plan B’s empty sloganeering masquerading as ‘Confrontational lyrical content’ the reason he has resonated with his audience and critics alike who seem to have fallen for his annoying posturing and his forced tough guy image is because he sounds like he means it (maybe that is the actor in him though). It’s the confident lyrical delivery that makes his music seem that much more hard-hitting whereas Riz MC’s vocal is monotone and lacking any spark, his delivery never doing his lyrics justice and leaving parts of ‘MICroscope‘ more kitchen-sink drama than vital social commentary. Saying that, Album closer ‘Sour Times’ still proves to be ‘MICroscopes‘ highlight even one year on. A stunning spoken word piece backed by gorgeous strings and the light of the female vocal cutting through the shade of Ahmed’s lyrical deconstruction of a religion and culture that has been demonized post 9/11 and 7/7. ‘Sour Times’ is where Riz MC shines mixing the personal and political and becoming a voice that needs to be heard in 2012. Never drifting into the ridiculous macho bluster that sadly still dominates areas of hiphop ‘Sour Times’ always keeps its calm while telling the truth in the midst of cultural accusation.
The eight remixes that have been put on this re-released version of ‘MICroscope’ end up forming the highlights of the record. Rack’n’Ruin’s remix of ‘All of you’ adds drum and bass and distorts Ahmed’s vocal giving it the edge it needs to make the song really work while the Bok Bok remix of ‘Dark Hearts’ adds the imposing synth and staggered beats of Dubstep, bringing the term back from the idiots who made it such an embarrassing word to say out loud.
For all its faults ‘MICroscope’ shows Riz Ahmed as an important face on the British urban music scene and hopefully his musical output will soon match up to the accolades he has deservedly received for his acting roles.
[Rating:3]
