Okay, things are about to get complicated: Bubbz is a London- and Bristol-based rapper/producer of Ghanaian and British descent. His band, the Black Notez, comprises producer Ghettozoid (Sophie Ruston, formerly of Bristol and now based in electro mecca Berlin) and drummer Chelsea (absent due to visa problems). They all sound fascinating, of course, but they also have a fascinating sound -- rap that is danceable, a bit grimy, and backed by minimalist tracks with a heavily electronic aesthetic.
It didn't take Bubbz long to show that he is a born performer. Cold weather forced all of the shows for the Dirty Boots London party to a cramped stage at the back of the bar. A bundled-up crowd milled around in a loose semi-circle and restlessly tugged at their perfectly folded scarves. This could have meant instant death, especially in a crowd potentially unfamiliar with the group's music, but Bubbz and Ghettozoid took charge immediately. They set up in front of the stage, rather than on it, and exhorted everyone to step in closer. As he rapped and danced, Bubbz stepped out into the crowd, made eye contact, and even reached out his hand and gestered a more reticent young woman forward for a quick dance. For "Kutu Kutu," we got a quick lesson in Ghanaian language for some crowd participation on the chorus.
Each of Bubbz's tracks were an instant party, but "Kutu Kutu" stood out because it had what makes good songs great: a unique viewpoint, sense of place, and a crystal clear flow. As Bubbz stepped out and graciously shook people's hands after the show, both he and Ghettozoid had made believers out of the crowd. And now I know at least one Ghanaian phrase, and a lot more about the new face of British hip hop.
http://www.myspace.com/bubbzmusic
