After a 2-year interlude since their contrasting duo package, 7 days and 7 nights (2017) Konan and Krept are back with their 2nd studio album ‘Revenge Is Sweet’. This album comes through at a time where the duo have experienced a period of pain/testing with Cadet’s passing (someone has been charged for the killing) and Krept getting stabbed.
Even with them being very quiet since 2017 they’ve made some big waves in Drill both in and outside of music with; I Spy, AirForce Remix and the emotional Ban Drill. These factors amongst others have me intrigued for what this album has to offer!
1. Goat Level*
This operatic opener is absolutely gruesome. The breaks in the slapping 808’s for Krept’s punchlines lay it up perfectly for the calm onslaught from Konan. This is most definitely a gym worthy intro.
They say your network is your net worth
Probably got half a billi in my phone book – Konan
2. Salaam
I probably could’ve asked some of my Muslim friends what this means but according to Google, it’s peace, which makes sense as it couldn’t go any further up from that bombshell intro. Even though I’m not a Muslim I can respect the angle, the guitar strings, soft vocal sample, and keys. Not too sure about the position of the track though, it could’ve been nearer the end.
3. I Spy ft Headie One & K Trap
Where do I even start with this slapper which I’ve rinsed all summer? The production has the old school garage infused sound with the swervy drill reverbs. This was a great followup on doubters who thought they couldn’t come back with another banger like the AirForce Remix (FYI, this was completely shut down by Headie).
4. Keep Talking ft Cadet & Stormzy
Now that I have had “I Spy” I really couldn’t do with another “Salaam” so I’m happy with this. It’s high energy and has a spooky bop of an old school Grime set. Cadet’s verse actually gave me chills, RIP man.
5. Love and Guidance Skit
“The best revenge is massive success,” say no more.
6. Revenge Is Sweet
I’m liking this slowdown switch-up here, it’s very well placed next to the skit as well. I can feel the frustration in their verses from not getting the acknowledgment they deserve for being trailblazers (and not goal hangers) in the rap scene. A lot of these this new wave dons who spit the most crud really are able to do so because of these two and few others. I haven’t been impressed by many of the UK projects this year but this is solid so far.
I invested in my girl then watched her double the bread
Then she doubled it and double then it doubled again – Krept
7. G Love ft Wizkid
This tune is an absolute WAVE, it’s an elite example of the Afro-Swing flavors. The Konan and Wizzy’s cohesion is crazy, not much more I can say but WAVE.
8. First Time ft Spice and Tory Lanez*
B U M B A C L A R T THIS TUNE IS MUD. I’ve been sent this song so many times but I avoided it because I wanted to hear it with the album. So many artists take on this riddim and fail to do the World Boss “Ramping Shop” justice but this is exceptional. I need to hear a Vybz verse on the remix.
9. Cheating on Wifey ft MoStack
Man, I’ve been thoroughly impressed with this album so far not a single mediocre track all are straight 7’s and up. They’ve given us street, love, faith and here’s the gangsta banter (that Jay1 line hahaha). A cool track with a really catchy hook.
10. Tell Me ft D-Block Europe & Ling Hussle
There hasn’t been one feature on this project which has missed and this most definitely isn’t one. They have this way of blending into the waves whilst still delivering punchlines that fly over most people’s heads. Ling Hussle came through perfectly too adding some much-needed smoothness.
11. Forgiveness*
Still not at the end of this album but boy I’ll say it already they’ve killed this album man. The balance between rap, melodies and just spazzing out has been completely on point. In this, the duo gives us some powerful dashboard and rearview reflection.
I’m looking for a keeper all they want to do is couple goals
Young black CEOs, radio and TV shows – Konan
12. Before It’s Too Late Skit ft Ramz
Wow, this is a very deep skit man. I saw Ramz’s song on suicide recently and I can truly respect him for coming out and being honest about his mental health.
13. Broski
It was so sad to hear the story of Nash Chagonda who was such a key brother in Konan & Krept’s circle of friends. This is real rap emotions touching on real topics of mental health, deep closer.
This album was a very well crafted body of work and easily the strongest project I’ve heard from the duo much better The Long way home. The album gave us sprinkles of all the bubbling sounds in the UK from Drill to Afroswing whilst still having that crossover element with songs like “First Time”. They also touched on so many elements most rappers skip over from faith, love and most notably mental health which Dave covered exceptionally. This is easily my second-highest rated UK project of the year and provides a body of work which has an identity in light of the unjust criticism of them being wave riders.
Top 3 Tracks: Goat Level, First Time and Forgiveness
Rating: 9/10
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