Melboune duo Low Budget, consisting of MC Genetik and Polarity have produced their first full-length. On first listen it feels very familiar, its got everything that has brought Australian Hip Hop to its semi critical mass – competent beats and cuts, and sincere, playful, if at times parochial rhymes.
But give it another go, because there’s more to it for the discerning head. It’s obvious these guys have been at it for a while, it’s well beyond the amateurishness that too often characterises the genre. Both members have clearly worked hard to craft their contributions – Polarity’s homage to late night crate digging, ‘Stay Up Late’ is brilliant, with some very crafty pitch shifted flute and clever cuts. ‘Handle Ours’ is probably the stand out track, it rocks that summer vibe to perfection, complete with cymbal washes intact behind the horn sample, and effortless, syncopated rhymes.
The production is generally on that smooth, stripped back 90’s tip, covering all bases with competence – including disco slap bass… nice. Genetik is one of a relatively small number of Australian MC’s capable of carrying an entire album, with plenty of stock rhymes about the trials and tribulations of the game, a little braggadocio, and some well placed irreverence, for instance, “like an acid tab from Gary Ablett got ya overdosin”, and just a touch of social commentary.
If you’re into aussie hip hop check this out, because it’s somewhere near the top of the pile.
