Album: Wiley, 100% Publishing (Big Dada)

Andy Gill
Friday 17 June 2011 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The title of this seventh album from grime pioneer Wiley hints at its main failing.

Referring to its being entirely written, produced and performed by the rapper himself, the phrase establishes the obsessional careerism that gives the album such a dully solipsistic tone. Tracks like "Up There", "One Hit Wonder" and "Numbers in Action" all fret constantly about success and status, which makes the album every bit as interesting as overhearing the coffee-shop chatter of ambitious yuppies – which is to say, not particularly. Away from his favourite theme, Wiley struggles to bring interest or insight to his workaday observations, and while many of his grimey "eskibeat" grooves have an infectious, spartan quality about them, it's likely that in future they'll be more profitably employed behind other wordsmiths.

DOWNLOAD THIS: 100% Publishing; Wise Man and His Words

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in