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Herald rating: * * * *
Verdict: Potty-mouthed Brit spins a cutting yarn
A lyricist with a little more I in his IQ is Plan B's Ben Drew. Not since the Streets' Original Pirate Material has Britain produced such an exciting hip-hop talent. Unlike most rappers his age, the 21-year-old Londoner has smarts to match his attitude. His language is ugly but it's no uglier than his inspiration.
Rather than glorifying society's ills, B takes a moral stance against everything from drugs, murder and violence to the rich bitch who wears fur. Drew's London belongs to drug addicts, violent kids and abusive parents.
That theme is deftly explored in Sick 2 Def, the stand-out track that will have you laughing out loud and hanging on to his every rage-stained word from beginning to end.
Adding to the fresh, ready-made element is his trusty acoustic guitar, performed with Latin flourishes and embellished by pianos, strings and a few borrowed pop hooks.
