Urban World

Tinchy Stryder: ‘Catch 22'

He's back to prove he's not a ‘one album' wonder.

I remember going to one of my first raves as a young teen -young man standing, and entering the venue was Tinchy Stryder and the rest of the Ruff squad group. There were girls screeching, waving, winking, the whole lot, he truly was a ‘star in the hood!' - But I must say, it's a delight to see where he is now.

The album starts of with a serious ‘take off'. He jumps straight into the big heavy beats which immediately sets you in an energetic, upbeat mood. This is continued throughout the album and Tinchy consistently accompanies each banger with a catchy hook, like his number one hit featuring N-Dubz, ‘number 1'. Collaborations also include Taio Cruz and Amelle from the Sugababes, as well as being produced and co written by award winning producer Fraser T. Smith. Now you know it's an album made to be successful!

There will always be the controversial issue of Tinchy Stryder ‘selling out' the grime scene, however, I must say, sell out or not, he genuinely makes good music. Each track was an array of unique sounds, so ear catching that you become engrossed in the beat rather than his lyrical content. Chipmunk jumps on one with ‘we got them', and sorry Tinchy, but Chipmunk won that ‘battle'. His lyrics and flow were not too impressive throughout the album, but it was definitely emotive. He expresses his thoughts on the ‘complicated business' of the music industry within his ‘catch 22' track. What I was impressed by, was the innovative idea to have a series of short tracks with the same beat, expressing his rise to fame. It enabled the album to flow nicely.

Although not a grime album ( well some may classify his ‘tryna be me' collab with his Ruff Squad as such) I wouldn't particularly categorise ‘Catch 22' as anything but a collocation of feel good music…period! It is something to pump before that big night out, or if you want to try a little stunting in your new whip. The base from this disc will definitely turn heads! But although the tracks were good tunes, I would have loved to hear more of a variation. From his beats to his lyrics and his flows, it did become all a bit jarring after a while.

Loved the songs all individually, but as a whole….hmmm

RATING: 3/5