Looptroop
Unsigned Hype

Brrr... have you ever been to Sweden?
This fascinating land, rich in traditions, home to the soccer champion Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
Well, I have been there this winter, to finally relax and enjoy my well-deserved vacation, away from school and the dreadful teachers. (I would dare to call them "aliens", I'm not kidding!!). During that long week of holiday, I went to a music CD store, looking for something local. And here I came across this rap product, a curious album, which I will gradually describe to you.

So, let's head north to the cold lands of Scandinavia, where we are about to analyze Looptroop, a Swedish group formed by DJ Embee, Cosmic, and Promoe. Names that, and I understand you dear users, might be completely unknown and indifferent to you. In my opinion, it's a big mistake to disregard the Swedish music scene, as it is very vast and interesting.

But what have they ever done? Are they worth it? Have they ever participated in any event? Well, in their country and in the American underground, you'll be interested to know, dear debaserian friends, that they are very well known and you should know that Embee even won a Grammy for his "Tellings From Solitaria". A vast discography, with more than 10 works among EPs, singles, official albums, and bootlegs... in short, a highly respectable trio, which should be placed, even if only in Europe, alongside more famous names like Iam (already reviewed by me) and MC Solaar (France).

The album in question by the band we're talking about is "Unsigned Hype", an EP consisting of 9 songs, four of which are instrumental. The productions are entrusted to the good Embee who creates a reflective and introspective atmosphere. Minimal instrumentals, where the drums and the resonance of the sounds dominate, so if you like "fat" beats (forgive me for the term not quite appropriate for musical language), this work in their simplicity will satisfy you a lot. Like a good DJ, Embee also samples phrases from American and local songs, sometimes accompanied by scratches. The choice to attach the tracks with their respective instrumentals was spot on, shorter than the original duration but still suitable for some good sound while enjoying the warmth of the fireplace (necessary in a cold land like Sweden).

The rap side is certainly the most striking, for the direct and incisive lyrics. The hard sound excellently accompanies the voices of the two rappers, direct and precise. Cosmic&Promoe, the MCs of the house, do not rap in Swedish, but choose the simpler route in English. I want to emphasize the fact that in my opinion, it would have been better to hear them sing in their mother tongue, it would have been (apologies for the repetition, I can't find other words) more interesting and curious. Of course, it's not ruled out that it's partly a good thing because this way the listener can more easily understand the lyrics, but I repeat, it would have been nicer to hear some verses in Swedish. They rarely fall into lackluster interpretation, I must say they remain energetic in almost all tracks ("Chamaleons" is proof of this, in fact, I consider it the best track on the album for its excellent beat and simple but effective lyrics). Only one featuring, the title track "Unsigned Hype" made with MC Wagie, a bit flat in its interpretation but nonetheless effective and strong with a melodic beat, always semi-honorary and in some way intellectual (I would define it as "hardcore/ecletic rap").

A very short work, but better than many other 20-track lackluster pieces. The three have made many other albums, this is just a taste. For fans of the genre, I recommend looking for, just as I am doing, "Fort Europa" and "The Struggle Of Continues", and I feel I will be satisfied. For now, my friends, let's keep and enjoy "Unsigned Hype".

Track List:

1) Flyers

2) Flyers (instrumental)

3) Chamaleons

4) Chamaleons (instrumental)

5) Up North

6) Unsigned Hype

7) Unsigned Hype (instrumental)

8) Illegal Commercials

9) Illegal Commercials (instrumental)

P. S. : If you're interested in knowing something about the land I visited, feel free to ask me, I can only tell you that there are some of those beautiful blondes...

See you soon!