Yungun - Grown Man Business Album Review

Yungun & Mr Thing
Grown Man Business
Album Review

When I first put this album on I was sceptical, knowing who both Yungun & Mr. Thing were, and what they do. Having seen them both at the Faversham in Leeds playing New Bohemia, a night I became increasingly tired of, very quickly. And with guest vocals by the likes of Jehst, Devise and Lowkey, I grew ever more of a sceptic. Anyway, I was surprised, and I'll tell you why. Here it is, 'Grown Man Business'.

The production, from the start, is a vintage funk/soul loaded affair, with nicely understated beats accompaniment. This album single handily bridges the gap that was left in British hip-hop. Reminiscent of the good old days of hip-hop, where it was just a funk loop and MC's flowing over the top. Breakers, Graffiti jams, you know what I mean. Well, that side of hip-hop has been largely overlooked by the

British scene until now. Lyrically there's nothing too heavy going on, some nice lazy flows, fantastical rhymes and classically produced beats. Not that these guys don't have things to say, they're just not caught up in being 'real' and pushing the grimey side of their neighbourhood, or banging on about their drug dealer mates who on the run. It's refreshing to hear. 'real' MC's are a clich' now. Another thing about this album, is you can almost hear the rapport that Yunggun and Mr. Thing have. You can tell they're good friends, the way they play off each other, almost as if they're members of a band jamming things out, they've had the time they need to make this album, no pressure. There are some real party anthems on here, if you've seen these guys you'll know they know how to work a crowd, and they've translated that onto 'Grown Man Business'.

Well what can I say. I have been proved wrong. I thought I was over Brit-hop, tired of hearing the same things, in the same accents with similar production tricks. This album has truly reaffirmed my fair that there artists out there trying to change the face of the British scene, without relying too heavily on American sounds, or grime, or garage, etc, etc. If you like the Nextmen, some of the more light-hearted side of from this side of the pond, then you'll like this.

Thom Holmes