Devlin
Tales From the Crypt
Album · Hip-Hop/Rap · 2006
On the evidence of this debut mixtape, it’s no surprise that James Devlin’s fanclub includes Kanye West, Ed Sheeran and Skepta. At just 17 here, he ably holds his own alongside Wretch 32 (“Dealers”), provides piercing social commentary (“Take Me Away”) and, in one of grime’s fiercest diss tracks, takes on Wiley (“Extra Extra”). The music draws largely on brash grime classicism although “High Rise”’s whip-smart braggadocio is set to an intoxicating hip-hop piano loop.
Tales From the Crypt
Devlin
On the evidence of this debut mixtape, it’s no surprise that James Devlin’s fanclub includes Kanye West, Ed Sheeran and Skepta. At just 17 here, he ably holds his own alongside Wretch 32 (“Dealers”), provides piercing social commentary (“Take Me Away”) and, in one of grime’s fiercest diss tracks, takes on Wiley (“Extra Extra”). The music draws largely on brash grime classicism although “High Rise”’s whip-smart braggadocio is set to an intoxicating hip-hop piano loop.
