“Ya know me, I kill vinyl like Sony” – Riddem Killa

One of the most respected Rappers in and outside of UK hip-hop, as part of early rap crew London Posse Rodney P was a true innovator of the art. After leaving the group and countless features, the original riddem killa blessed us back in 2004 with his only album to date, The Future.

As fresh as the day it drop, it’s a timeless classic that embraces all the colours of roots culture and it’s role in the evolution of music in England. With its backbone built on early Jungle, Drum n Bass, Garage and Reggae it manifests a great Hip Hop album that plays like a modern sound system bleater. Vibrating base, catchy verses and big rhymes echo of long lost warehouse gatherings while providing a current soundtrack to the soul of the city.

One of those unique times when the beat and artist are inseparable, in Rodney you find Caribbean roots entwined with south London upbringing, watering an edgy ragga style adored by so many. You just have to fall prey to the infectious bounce of Da Hot Style, the dub gripping Trouble or the aptly named and sampled goodness of Riddem Killa to understand what Rodney P truly represents. Like a great autobiography, It’s not a surprise a sequel hasn’t followed when you consider these 15 tracks say it all.

Supremely produced like it’s brilliant artwork (Guy Featherstone), it’s a cornerstone in any good music collection. And like any good album, it stands for something more then music: A generation born in the cultural melting pot of London. His charisma blankets every track approaching a variety of issues but what really adds that extra spice is his social conscious being. Tracks like Fading, The Future and I Believe are an honest, personal insight into his mindset whilst providing a greater reach for many an ear to absorb. 

Words Ali Raymond
Rodney P on Lastfm
Buy The Future