While Dizzee Rascal has been grabbing all the attention on these andhis home shores, another act and acquaintance of his has been waitingpatiently in the wings, ready to unleash his sound on the masses. Wileyhas finally arrived on the scene, though it seems almost like he's cometo the party late, when the UK underground scene already feels ancientand waning. With Mike Skinner getting his lauds and Dizzee pulling therest of the fans, it hardly seems like there's room for Wiley unlesshe's got something original to push. Luckily, he does have that, andenough creative subject matter to keep the ears glued to the speakersand the feet on the dancefloor. Wiley and Dizzee were both members ofthe Roll Deep Crew — both even throw shout outs to them on theirrecords — so like influence produces like stylings; though where thelatter is after the minds and hearts, the former is definitely afterthe rumps and booties. Wiley is a producer, not just a rapper, and hisproduction values are excellent, with clean bass, beats, little or nosamples, and double-tracked vocals with echoes and repeats in oddtones. Plus, his delivery is a bit clearer, making him easier tounderstand through the cockney slant, which also makes him a bit morelikeable. It's to be expected that rhymes will be about the same oldschtick that street hoods chat about, but Wiley's got another messageabout making things work, working through the problems, and succeedingon one's own steam. He raps and speaks with a super smooth flow, andeven when he tells the tale about pies that are missing it doesn'tsound ridiculous, just a regular occurrence in his world. That'sperhaps the most glaring trait that makes Wiley excel: he doesn't takehimself too seriously, willing to joke and jar but do it all with thesame skill and respect as his more driven material. There are guestrappers that add some variety and camaraderie, and some interludes thatare pleasant enough but would have been so much better if he'dcompleted them as finished tracks or integrated them more. If there's amedal to give for this game these days, though, I'd give it to this catover the others. He's obviously put the work in, the years in, takensome hits here and there, but his sound is all his and ultra-original,ready to take on the world or help it along if needs be.Read More
