Evans above
For Room Thirteen to review hip-hop is something of a rare occasion, generally preferring music of a heavier and rockier persuasion. It was therefore with some trepidation that I first listened to Tommy Evans double A-side "Another Hit"/"Revolutions". And therefore it was a great relief when I was met with not just one, but two singles of profound musicality and depth.
Hip-hop has always been a voice for those that suffer injustice, and Leeds, though now a "up and coming", and what I think is a very hip city, has over the years had it's fair share of injustice. It is therefore arguably why there has been such a good and well-established hip-hop scene there rivalled perhaps only by London and Bristol. Evans has come up out of that scene with a distinctly UK flavour to his rhymes.
This is not US hip-hop with it's over produced female vox and its pseudo-gangsta raps from the guys. Rather this is the voice of a young man concerned about his generation, the state of the world and the results of human corruption and injustice. A man that worries about such things finds a perfect arena to voice those opinions within hip-hop. And even though I feel that hip-hop is all about voicing those opinions, I don't think we've heard such altruistic thoughts since the likes of Digable Planets.
Both singles here give you a healthy dose of social humble-pie against some very dark and edgy UK vibes. Evans manages to adhere to this strict hip-hop code whilst simultaneously being very unique and having his own distinct voice. I'm sure that this Double A-side will guarantee that his is one that we won't have heard the last of!