UK Figa It Out: Crying Out Loud

Track: CRYING OUT LOUD... The Remix!!!

Artist: SELF-TAUGHT BEATS ft. Bashy, Baker Trouble, Malik, Blak Twang, Big
Cakes, NoLay, & Realism!

From the forth coming album 'SELF-TAUGHT BEATS'


”I’m a Lonondian Yardinian African Man” !!! lalala…(Baker Trouble) Classic line!!! hadn’t heard anything from him before but now I am very keen to hear more!


Intro was different, kind of set the tone for the rest of the track. At first I was thinking what’s this – a spoken word piece? I found it a bit disjointed from the start of the track , but it worked in that it was ‘different’ and not just your standard intro. Thinking as DJ however it may cause problems when mixing into another track – its one where you would have to crush the other track completely or mix into an instrumental (little tip for you aspiring DJs there) I like the way it actually made you think even before you get into the logistics of sound.

I’d describe the overall feel as an old school hardcore beat reminiscent, of early Brooklyn hip hop era. Loved the use of the East is in the house sample – (Blazay Blazay – Danger ) Quality production on the beat from every angle. Even though there was the use of a sample in the track, the actual construction of the beat is still very musical. It’s well crafted. Horns popping in and out - the genius drum roll on each 4th count.. Quality! I must also commend Self-Taught for not taking the easy option and just speeding up and looping the sample. Kudos for that.

Initially on seeing the track details I did question if there were going to be too many people on one track - did it work? I would say Yes. Each person gave a slightly different commentary on I’m guessing political and social issue that are real to them or that they feel strongly about. The concept seems to have arisen from the sample ‘for crying out loud’ which runs through the track..(the title is a give away here ..hehe) Each artist kept it Positive and showed their political awareness.

If you like your hip hop with an old school flavour in ya ear then this is a refreshing twist on what has realistically been done before. But it does work, Makes you think.

Nolay as usual stands out, not just because she is the only female on there but the way she structures her lyrics, her strong and multi-directional tone along with her unique swagger & flow deffo stands out against the other MCs.

All around nice track, cant see people jumping around to it unless I’m at an underground ‘serious’ hip hop event, but hopefully the airwaves will give it some air play and show that there is more to Uk music in general than the jig up jig up and bang bang tracks that seem to be so popular.

It’s even got a Gordon brown skit at the end of the track very cleaver!!

Took a couple of listens to really catch the depth and knowledge that was being offered and I’ll probably need a few more listens to catch everything but in this way I suppose that’s how track really grows on you, and gets into your subconscious. May be back with my own retort on the actual issues raised …watch this space..

Link to this track to follow!

3 / 5 for me