After a number of overlooked mixtapes, singles and collaborations worthy of a lot attention, 808INK, as seen by their latest album, are HUNGRY. And in 2016 they’ve been coming for every rappers neck.
808Charmer, the mastermind behind the charged, synthetic production that brings together old school sounds from across the States (West Coast G Funk; UGK Southern Rap) and electronic influences from James Blake and Aphex Twin whilst maintaining a distinctly London sound, has been on a killing spree, producing bop after memorable bop.
Mumblez Black Ink, the main rapper of the group, seems to easily traverse different worlds on this LP, moving from the description of the depraved Deptford streets that he’s from, to the sentimental and introspective Mummy Called, to the frustration and braggadocio of a artist who has a hunger in their belly for more than one reason.
If there’s anything that can define 808INK it’s their ability to resist definition, not just in their music but in their videos, produced by PureAnubi$, who captures the mood of their tracks through a uniquely realistic and stylized scope.
Standouts
Dream’s Kitchen – A fittingly experimental intro for an experimental album, which summarizes the theme of well, hunger.
Beeper – A smoky G-Funk inspired track with a feature from Daniel OG, who cuts through the track with a recognizable smoothness.
Mummy Called – A cut which slows the album down before its end, reminding us of why 808INK are so hungry.
Chubby (ft. JD Reid) – A track that sounds like if Aphex Twin and Danny Brown raised a child in South London. Trust me, you won’t find a track like this from anyone else.
808INK have made an impact on culture in 2016 with Hungry. 2017 will be theirs.