“Hip-Hop is dead.”
That phrase is often thrown around among modern scholars of the genre. Critiques of the expansion, and diversification of the sound seem to get off on asking the question: has today’s Hip-Hop lost touch with its roots?
The Man Shamz is here to single-handedly answer this question, and his reply is a resounding “NO!” Classic boom bap is still very much alive among New Zealand’s youth, and Shamz is leading the charge; bursting onto the scene and he’s commanding us to listen.
I Call Myself The Man is a strong debut, that not only pays homage to the sound of the late 80’s and early 90’s that so heavily influences both Shamz’s flows, and his production; but also carefully considers the city, and neighbourhood that raised him, shouts out New Zealand artists through its lyrics, and lifts up his contemporaries through a vast array of features.
This project delivers a strong message of community that harkens back to a pre-gentrified society rich with block parties, and diverse collaboration. The sonics beg to be bumped in a drop-top, and every song on the album is a potential summer anthem. Some stand outs are Southern Line, Auckland, So Right, It Takes Time, and Stargazing. The project cements Shamz as not only a powerful creative voice, but a strong leader of this generation, and I for one can’t wait to see what else he has in store.
Listen for yourself here
