N-DUBZ: Uncle B
N-DUBZ unleash their debut album Uncle B
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Saturday, 15, Nov 2008 01:08
All Around The World Records, out November 17th.
In a nutshell...
Diz album is da bomb! LOL!
What's it all about?
Hailing from a Camden council estate, N-DUBZ are comprised of cousins Dino (Dappy) and Tula (Tulisa) as well as Richard (Fazer). Following heaps of airplay on Channel U and label wrangling, this is their debut album.
Who's it by?
The sort of young people who wake Daily Mail readers up in a sweat.
As an example.
"We's addicted to money like two fingers tapping on wherever there's a vein/And believe me yeah we proud, Coz life is getting sicker by the day/And therefore we'll always stick around, So now you see the size of me/You wouldn't think im any harm innit?"
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
About as unlikely as Napalm Death being hired to play at the next state funeral.
What the others say
"N-Dubz's inadvertent satire of adolescent attitudes is far more astute than Vicky Pollard's. Shame they take themselves so seriously." - Guardian
So is it any good?
Firstly, it would seem appropriate to state some basic background interest this reviewer has as of N-DUBZ. As an advocate of the lower echelons of Sky television, N-DUBZ have been gaining my attention for a good few years already.
Initially lured in by lead rapper Dappy's taste in headwear (crap but memorable) and by chief warbler Tulisa's more than impressive chest, it wasn't long before they became a household favourite. Having followed their videos keenly, it's hard not to feel some sort of paternal fondness for the trio.
Secondly, an album like this is so clearly not aimed at curmudegenly cynical reviewers like myself, it's nearly embarrasing. It's the equivalent of getting my grandmother to pass verdict on the latest Grand Theft Auto game.
Fortunately then, it is my pleasure to announce that the debut by N-DUBZ really does deliver the goods. If the goods you desire happen to be well produced hip-hop with great pop hooks to hang it on that is.
Only a cloth-eared loon could fail to be impressed by Strong Again. A nice plump backside of a bassline bounces along, with suitably chest beating lyrics to accompany it. It's both interesting, and shockingly tuneful, and will surely anger those that are pretty keen to write off not just bands such as N-DUBZ, but, let's face it, people such as N-DUBZ.
That N-DUBZ seem to have built such a huge fan base is particularly pleasing, and could teach a good few identikit indie bands a lesson or two about individuality and perserverance. Videos on Youtube have picked up millions of videos, sell-out shows seem to be the norm, and the band have picked up a MOBO, despite the music press and the critics paying no attention whatsoever.
Far be it from me to provide social commentary, but I would hazard a guess that people like the members of N-DUBZ have the odds stacked against them. With the working class of England increasingly becoming the butt of cruel and ignorant jibes from the pseudo-intellectual ('chav', anyone? 'hoodies'?), it seems harder than ever for an act to break through these constraints. Sure, critics will ignore artists like N-DUBZ, so called 'serious' music fans will write them off as being invalid, but then similar dull figures said the same about the Sex Pistols.
The album is given structure and an identity, largely due to the bands' patron and funder, Dappy's father, 'Uncle B'. With said Uncle passing away during the making of the album, his shadow certainly looms long, especially when you learn he died whilst watching a music channel, hoping the band's video would come on. The songs on the album about Uncle B, notably Papa Can Hear Me manage to be heart felt without resulting in the saccharine pap that is usually offered by rap acts obligatory slow numbers. For this, again, they should be applauded.
Buy this album and enjoy it for what it is: the sound of young Britain. Resistence is futile.
Now I'm off to play the CD loudly in the car with the windows open, in the hope that I drive past some youths and they nod approvingly.
9/10
Thomas Williams
"They are soo beautiful. I love them ,Tulisa is a sweet girl." - Zana Salaha
"Listen u r an ignorant prik therz noffin wrong wiv em, wer r u m8 wot the fuk do u do." -Anthony Gardner
(Erm... I'm pretty sure Thomas gave the album 9/10, which is a positive review, isn't it?? - Entertainment Editor)
"Been something of a guilty pleasure for myself also. Which for a 25 year old white male with complete disdain for all things 'chav' is rather surprising. I'm also finding a perverse amount of enjoyment in the fact that my 'image verification text' comprises 'F 2 K U G' which looks suspiciously like 'F**k You G' :-D." - Aidan Williamson
"It is well good m8 it's like da best." - Da Ni
"I love Dino, aka Dappy, lol." - Telieah