Description

Abstract Orchestra & Guilty Simpson – Big Bad Wolf (7″) [Abstract Records ARL001]

Known for being the late J Dilla’s favourite MC, Detroit rapper, Guilty Simpson has been a force on the Detroit hip-hop scene for over 20 years. His deep, gravelly baritone voice and commanding delivery give him a distinctive and powerful presence. He can throw lyrical blows with the best of them and has become known for his forceful battle rhymes. However, he also maintains a penchant for storytelling and is quietly adept at waxing philosophical on life and love. Guilty has worked with Madlib, Slum Village, Phat Kat, MED, MF DOOM, Black Milk, and of course J Dilla. Recognised as one of the greats, his heavy-weight lyrical swagger is 100% Guilty.

Abstract Orchestra is a UK Hip-hop ensemble formed by producer Rob Mitchell. Abstract cut their teeth covering the work of J Dilla and MADVILLAIN, leading to a collaboration with Dabrye and MF DOOM on the remix of ‘Air’, and the original release of ‘New Day’ featuring Illa J (brother of J Dilla). Abstract has become part of the Slum Village family, after working with Young RJ on two of his albums, reworking ‘Fantastic Vol. 2’ in collaboration with SV, and most recently, appearing on the new Slum Village album ‘F.U.N’.

Mitchell, a long-time fan of Guilty Simpson, shared the same album credits with Guilty on Young RJ’s (one half of Slum Village) ‘Two Hands Up’ album. Mitchell had originally sent a beat to Guilty Simpson a number of years ago, but it got shelved. Fast forward a few years, and Mitchell decided to rework the track by completely re-writing the beat and instrumental to Guilty’s vocals… now becoming “Big Bad Wolf”.

The track starts in a dream-like state before the live drums drop. Guilty Simpson’s heavy, low baritone voice delivers lyrical punches with intensity. The track feels like it’s in two parts, the 1st part creating tension through the percussive strings and broken bass line. The 2nd part drops with a much thicker texture and more layers, creating a lush and deep sound that includes synths, strings and deep reverb vocals, all before a return to the dream-like outro. Guilty Simpson is the Big Bad Wolf, with lyrics such as “back for revenge”, “when a good guy becomes a villain” and “tally up the men I bruise….Guilt” – Mic drop…..