Review: Ghostpoet @ Clwb
Swn Presents Ghostpoet
Clwb Ifor Bach
22nd September 2011
Coventry’s Obaro Ejimiwe, aka Ghostpoet, has had a crazy sixteen months.
Following the release of his debut EP, The Sound of Strangers,in June 2010 he has risen from complete obscurity to securing support slots with the likes of Metronomy, a string of festival appearances including Glastonbury and Bestival, as well as a Mercury Prize nomination for his truly brilliant album Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam.
The twenty-eight-year-old embarked on his first solo tour this week in Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach and was clearly moved by the packed room he was welcomed into - a triumphant beginning for an artist destined for great things.
Ghostpoet takes the stresses and strains of urban life and melds them into questioning, angst-filled lyrics which are full of insight - something too often neglected in the hip-hop world of knives, cars and girls. Often compared to Roots Manuva, his is a lo-fi, downbeat and lonely hip-hop which speaks of cutbacks and credit cards - “Other MCs wanna talk about crime/ but that ain’t me let’s talk about life”. With lazy, hazy vocals, his music is rapped, spoken and slurred and with onstage support of crunchy guitars, drums and laptop loops surprisingly energetic live.
Highlights of the set included third single Liiines, an ode to struggling artists, “I keep on writing writing but them folk ain’t biting biting” and Survive It a reassuring soundtrack to tough times. New song Hampton South received much love - a catchy number which is likely to further widen Ghostpoet’s audience. However, his sound remains highly original and the independent label Brownswood Recordings are unlikely to push him into any specific direction which is only good news for the future.
After the show, Obaro waited on the stairs to thank audience members for their support - a personal touch which added to the warmth that the show generated. It was so refreshing to hear a new take on hip hop music with such meaningful lyrics and thrilling to see such a full Clwb to appreciate it. Keep your ears open for this talented, inventive MC whose feet remain firmly on the ground.
To listen to Ghostpoet tracks, remixes and more click here.
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Related Article: Review: Metronomy + Ghostpoet @ Clwb
IMAGE: Gareth Whatley
