I’ll cut right to the chase here: 2009 wasn’t really all that for Boy Better Know’s Skepta. Microphone Champion didn’t really live up to the so-promised hype, and whilst group efforts Too Many Man and We’re Goin In’ were enjoyable iPod fillers, as singles they had very limited success. But, that was last year, with the turn of the decade Skepta is back, and looking more promising than ever.

The initial track listing for Been There Done That had me feeling just a little bit sceptical, but after a make-over and an eventual release, this is a worthwhile CD. Proceedings are kicked off by Two Plus Two featuring the ever so easily identifiable rolling drum patterns battered by Skepta regularly, and it works well with a catchy hook and some nice rhyming, much like English Breakfast. Skepta’s always been able to make a catchy chorus – something quite evident on fan-favourite Nokia Charger Wire, after going along with the hook just once you’re drawn into the rest of the tune, and that’s not bad in any sense..

Of course we all know the Bloodline hold a special place in Grime’s archives, and with their recent return Over The Top 2 see’s the North London outfit linking up on a tune with Skepta once more, much like the good old days of Merdidan Crew ! Big H particularly stands out with his unique flow, and Bossman goes in as well ! There is a much more deeper appreciation of Skepta’s greezy-ness on tunes like this, and the intense factor can also be found on Spit Big Bars featuring the aforementioned distinct sounds of Skepta along with South Londoners Blacks and P Money (OG’s). The song title and likewise the chorus plays on an old D Double E lyric “I Spit Big Bars / Par With The Big Stars / In Big Cars / Heavy Heavy Leng That Will Leave Big Scars”, make sure to check out D Double’s Gunman Riddim to see what I mean. Blacks’ in-your-face style suits the rhythm well, and P Money’s ever un-catchable flow leaves you feeling slightly dazed !

Long term followers of Skepta’s transpiration from DJ to Producer/MC won’t be surprised to learn that there is something in store for the more “Rhythm and Grime” fan out there. All Over The House is an ode to love making – yep, you guessed it – all over the house. Majestic and Shorty feature also, the slow vibes break up the continuing onslaught of disgusting tunes, and B O Double S does a bit of the same. Another slow tune, but not vibe-wise, things are kept up-beat whilst something a little more rap-like is showcased as opposed to the grimier side of things. But not too worry though because the dirty, full on grime is non to distant. The glory days are brought back to life on Stupid Skeppy going in absolutely hardcore over his self produced classic DTI. The tune is actually one from his archives – so if you;ve heard that then you’ve got to have heard Private Caller 2.

It’s the first in the 3-deep string of instrumentals available, it’s electronic gloryness is followed up by the ultimate Grime/Dubstep hybrid UFO. Made famous by Big H on Big Hooligan last year, the beat is being used on a shitload of sets, MC’s are screaming out for it ! It’s wave-like pitch lines sit well for easy listening, much like Red Bull Academy !! The instrumentals come as a tidy little bonus for this CD, the vocal offering is supreme enough on it’s own and for once a Skepta CD that I don’t have to trim down to conserve valuable MP3 space.

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Review by Frankstah (House Of Grime)