While the likes of Dizzee Rascal and other so-called leaders of British hip-hop are trading in their streetwise, socially-conscious lyrics for songs about dancefloors, discos and holidays, it’s refreshing to discover a new act that still manages to bring the rawness of genuine UK rap music while continuing to keep things sounding fresh and exciting enough to prevent the genre from going stale. Anyone who agrees will be pleased to hear that Sound of Rum are offering exactly that.
For the South London trio’s brand-new debut album, it’s a case of ‘Balance’ by name and balance by nature. Sound of Rum are a hip-hop group like no other – using real instruments to create a sound that stands out from most other artists on the scene. However, this isn’t the only thing that keeps them from blending in with all the run-of-the-mill hip-hop outfits out there. Sure, they’ve got beats and enough rhymes to keep up with the rest of rap’s present-day contenders, but it’s their clever use of a range of incorporated genres that really sets them apart.
Beginning with the track ‘Rumba’ with its funked-up bassline and chilled beat, ‘Balance’ starts out with an easygoing and jazzy dance feel that makes the hip-hop elements seem all the more tantalising. Elsewhere, the music delves into the even bolder realms of soul and pop, meandering between light-hearted rhythms, jumping rock tracks and the darker corners of the musical spectrum.
However, listeners will not have missed the fact that it isn’t the music that defines Sound of Rum, but the gravelly vocals of their resident rapper Kate Tempest. Listening to Tempest’s relentless verses and breakneck-paced rhymes, skilfully executed to near-perfection in her own raspy style, it’s easy to see why the young vocalist counts people like Roots Manuva among confessed admirers of her talents. Her lyrics are equally impressive, mixing social commentary with personal experience in a way that manages to hit the nail on the head, as it were, for the increasingly diverse UK hip-hop scene.
It’s rare to hear a rapper with such conviction in their words these days, so to hear it from within the largely under-represented female hip-hop community comes as another proud boast from the trio. This, along with the frequently-shifting music from the band, makes ‘Balance’ a respectable and highly-diverse debut album.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
For the South London trio’s brand-new debut album, it’s a case of ‘Balance’ by name and balance by nature. Sound of Rum are a hip-hop group like no other – using real instruments to create a sound that stands out from most other artists on the scene. However, this isn’t the only thing that keeps them from blending in with all the run-of-the-mill hip-hop outfits out there. Sure, they’ve got beats and enough rhymes to keep up with the rest of rap’s present-day contenders, but it’s their clever use of a range of incorporated genres that really sets them apart. 
