New Joint – TrueMendous

TrueMendous – “Sweetheart” (@ItsTrueMendous / 2020)

Distorted bass, twisted flows and clever punchlines on this Chemo-produced track off the UK lyricist’s new High Focus Records EP “Huh?”.

New Joint – Fliptrix / Coops

Fliptrix ft. Coops – “Inhale” (@HighFocusUK / 2018)

Chemo-produced cut from the UK artist’s brilliant recently-released album “INEXHALE”.

Album Review – Fliptrix

Fliptrix

“INEXHALE”

(High Focus Records)

One of the greatest pleasures as a fan of music is to see and hear an artist you’ve followed since the beginning of their career truly grow with each release. That doesn’t mean changing a signature style or offering a completely different sound each time said artist drops a new project, instead I’m referring to the growth that occurs when an artist is able to expand their creative boundaries with confidence, having honed their craft to a point of true mastery and expertise.

London-born, Brighton-based emcee Fliptrix is an individual whom all of the above applies to.

Having dropped his debut album “Force Fed Imagery” in 2007, the past decade has seen the talented wordsmith deliver a massive seven solo albums (including this latest full-length effort), whilst also recording two projects as a member of the mighty Four Owls collective alongside Leaf Dog, Verb T and BVA.

All of which would be impressive enough, yet when you also take into consideration the fact that, artistic endeavours aside, Fliptrix has worked tirelessly to build the High Focus label he established back in 2010 into a true independent powerhouse with a dedicated fanbase (helping to provide an outlet for artists such as Dabbla, Ocean Wisdom and Strange U), it becomes clear that his passion for music runs extremely deep.

It may not seem that long ago since Fliptrix was considered a new voice within the UK Hip-Hop scene, but on “INEXHALE” the emcee who was once a student has now become a master.

Fliptrix is a lyricist’s lyricist. A writer’s writer. It’s been evident throughout his career that this microphone fiend has a real love for the process of piecing words together, meticulously crafting line after line, resulting in verses that are full of vivid imagery, life observations and, at times, esoteric thinking.

Fliptrix doesn’t make background music. His rhymes are written with the intention of the listener having to fully engage with them, demanding your complete attention so you can follow, understand and interpret what is being said as the emcee’s train of thought takes you on a lyrical journey from one point of reference to the next.

Possessing a tone, flow and delivery which is as effective puncturing holes in the egos of his competition as it is delivering commentary on aspects of the human experience, all facets of Fliptrix’s artistry are brought together brilliantly on “INEXHALE”, with the project giving a sincere nod of respect to UK Hip-Hop’s past whilst boldly striding forward into its future.

Backed by ambitious and skilfully delivered production from Chemo, Joe Corfield and Molotov, Fliptrix has selected an ideal array of soundscapes for “INEXHALE” over which to let his mind float.

The opening “Inhale” is an immediately captivating combination of swirling keys, wispy vocal samples and knocking drums courtesy of the always impressive Chemo, with Fliptrix commenting on today’s social media generation whilst recent High Focus signee Coops is on-hand to drop an intense, attention-grabbing guest verse.

The hypnotic “Flying” is a beautifully crafted slice of mind-expanding rap, with the weightless vibe of Chemo’s spacey synths and Carmody’s delicate vocals inspiring Fliptrix to have an out-of-body lyrical experience (“I’m levitating through wisdom to planes of escapism, From Great Britain to intergalactical states tripping…”).

“Bagging Up Music” is a boisterous blend of traditional punchline-laced rap and contemporary sonic flavours, whilst Molotov’s haunting, piano-laced production on “The Window” fits perfectly with Fliptrix’s plea for a unified world in which people see common ground rather than division (“Take visions to a limitless place, Go within find grace, You’re living by the colour of your skin? That’s waste, Or the place that you’re born, Or religion you’re in, You’re divided, Ain’t realised you’re united, See through the fabric of time like psychics, You are really God, It’s just that people trick you, Your spirit lives through…”).

Ocean Wisdom and Onoe Caponoe feature on the infectious “Inside The Ride”, a dope combination of double-time flows and off-kilter beats. The Joe Corfield-produced “Thriller” is another of the album’s impressive collaborations, with Fliptrix joined by inimitable UK Hip-Hop legend Skinnyman for a relentless display of rhyme power.

The closing “Exhale” finds Fliptrix acknowledging where he’s been on his journey and where he’s yet to go over a deep, mellow groove, making it clear that he is an artist who intends to continue living up to his potential (“It’s all manifestation, dedication, Every minute, every day, I’m always elevating…”).

Truth be told, there’s something therapeutic about listening to “INEXHALE”. The project resonates with a feeling, an energy, a vibration that does more than simply make your head-nod or inspire you to pick-out a few favourite quotables.

As dead prez once said, one thing ’bout music, when it hit you feel no pain, and Fliptrix is most definitely on target with his latest sonic opus.

Long may the man’s artistic travels continue.

Ryan Proctor

“INEXHALE” is available here.

 

 

New Joint – Fliptrix

Fliptrix – “Bagging Up Music” (@HighFocusUK / 2018)

Sparse, moody Chemo-produced track off the UK emcee’s forthcoming album “Inexhale”.

 

New Joint – Amy True

Amy True – “Gifted Misfit” (@Amy_True / 2017)

Organic, soulful vibes produced by Chemo and taken from talented UK artist Amy True’s new album “Eleven”.

New Joint – Amy True

Amy True – “Concentrate (Learning Don’t Stop)” (@Amy_True / 2017)

Inspiring Chemo-produced cut from the talented UK artist’s new album “Eleven”.

New Joint – eMCee Killa

eMCee Killa – “Never Been Afraid” (@eMCeeKillalot / 2017)

Produced by Chemo,

New Joint – Phoenix Da Icefire / Cormega

Phoenix Da Icefire ft. Cormega & D Martian – “Do My Ting” (@PhoenixDaFire / 2017)

The Triple Darkness emcee teams-up with Queensbridge legend Cormega for this Chemo-produced dose of street knowledge off the forthcoming “Winged Scarabz” project.

New Joint – Jam Baxter

Jam Baxter – “Bulletproof” (@HighFocusUK / 2017)

Downbeat, piano-laced flavour from the UK emcee’s “Mansion 38” album.

New Joint – Jam Baxter

Jam Baxter – “For A Limited Time Only” (@HighFocusUK / 2017)

Taken from the UK emcee’s forthcoming album “Mansion 38”.

 

New Joint – Dabbla

Dabbla – “Uh Huh” (@HighFocusUK / 2017)

The UK emcee wraps rapid-fire rhymes around a sparse Chemo-produced backdrop from his soon-to-be-released “Chapsville” project.

New Joint – J The Exodus

J The Exodus – “Beast Mode” (@JTheExodus / 2017)

Produced by Telemachus (aka Chemo) and taken from the South London emcee’s forthcoming EP “Heart’s Desire”.

New Joint – Jam Baxter

Jam Baxter – “Soi 36” (@HighFocusUK / 2016)

The UK emcee reunites with producer extraordinaire Chemo for his soon-to-be-released album “Mansion 38”.

New Joint – Da Flyy Hooligan

Da Flyy Hooligan – “Yamata No Orochi (Wu Baby 2)” (@DaFlyyHooligan / 2016)

The artist formerly known as Iron Braydz pays homage to his influences via this display of sharp Chemo-produced slanguage off his forthcoming “Ray Winstone” project.

New Joint – Amy True

Amy True – “Elevate” (@Amy_True / 2016)

Hip-Hop meets Drum & Bass on this motivational Chemo-produced track from the UK emcee’s soon-to-be-released album “11”.

New Joint – Amy True

Amy True – “Release” (@Amy_True / 2016)

Produced by the mighty Chemo aka Telemachus and taken from Amy’s forthcoming album “11”.

New Joint – Kingpin

Kingpin – “Practice What I Preach” (@KingpinLondon / 2015)

Chemo-produced head-nodder from the UK emcee’s impressive album “Art Of Survival”.

New Joint – Jam Baxter

Jam Baxter – “Caravan” (@HighFocusUK / 2015)

Taken from the UK emcee’s Chemo-produced album “…So We Ate Them Whole”.

New Joint – Onoe Caponoe

Onoe Caponoe – “Lord Of The Light (Sun Riddim)” (@HighFocusUK / 2015)

Mesmerizing beats and rhymes mixed with psychedelic visuals from the UK emcee’s forthcoming Chemo-produced album “Voices From Planet Catelle”.

New Joint – Jam Baxter

Jam Baxter – “Incoming” (@HighFocusUK / 2014)

Moody vibes from the UK emcee’s Chemo-produced album “…So We Ate Them Whole”.