Gawd Status: Firmamentum - VINYL LP

Gawd Status: Firmamentum - VINYL LPTitle: Firmamentum Artist: Gawd Status Label: Tru Thoughts Product Type: VINYL LP UPC: 5060609660925 Genre: Rap Hip Hop Release Date: 2019 08 30 Number of Discs: 1 Additional Details: LIMITED EDITION, COLORED VINYL, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD CARD, GOLD 'Firmamentum' (out 30th August) is the debut album from Gawd Status aka King Kashmere and Joker Starr. Fronted by lead singles "Heavy Metal" which was premiered on Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music) show and "The

Title: Firmamentum
Artist: Gawd Status
Label: Tru Thoughts
Product Type: VINYL LP
UPC: 5060609660925
Genre: Rap/Hip Hop
Release Date: 2019-08-30
Number of Discs: 1
Additional Details: LIMITED EDITION, COLORED VINYL, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD CARD, GOLD

'Firmamentum' (out 30th August) is the debut album from Gawd Status aka King Kashmere and Joker Starr. Fronted by lead singles "Heavy Metal" - which was premiered on Tom Ravenscroft (BBC 6Music) show - and "The Alchemist ft. Fae Simon", the LP showcases Gawd Status' versatility and eclecticism as an unconventional prodder/MC duo, delivering a killer and off-kilter record that lies in between the worlds of hip-hop, psychedelia and soul. Confounding categories, Gawd Status originated from the UK hip-hop scene, with the duo initially meeting at a King Kashmere's Raiders Of The Lost Archives launch party back in 2008, joining forces a couple of years after. Slough resident Kebbie Conteh aka Joker Starr solo career ranges from the AA single "Raw Spittage / The Anthem" (2001) to his most recent LP 'G.A.W.D' (2019) which demonstrates Joker's flair for originality as an MC. While King Kashmere, as well as being a talented producer, is known for being a legendary UK MC in his own right, most notably for lending his vocal talents to producer Dr Zygote (aka The Maghreban). Together they form Strange U, releasing on the prolific Eglo Records and esteemed UK label High Focus (who have released music from Ocean Wisdom and Rag'n'Bone Man), plus picking up praise in The Ransom Note, The Quietus, The Wire and on NTS. Individually the duo have supported the likes of AZ, M.O.P, Kool Keith, Necro and Phife Dawg. "Heavy Metal" is an experimental hip-hop meets psychedelic trip-hop listen that is boisterous, chaotic and marked by a profound sense of urgency. Exploring disparate but interwoven themes of Roman Catholic priests, Afrika Bambaataa, Braintax, the origins of humanity, Babylon and devilish behaviour - Joker Starr's intention is to uplift and discomfit the listener; "heavy metal for the devil" he ominousness preaches in sinister and satanic voice. King Kashmere perfectly matrimonies the seriousness of Joker Starr's flows with the textual palette of his production: "As the project was taking shape I knew it had to have a tribal sound to it... almost like the ancestors were being invoked". "Heavy Metal" closes with a psychedelic outro, that pays a closer tribute to the experimental pop of early Animal Collective than their UK hip-hop counterparts. The single is paired with a Hitchcock-inspired black and white music video, which follows a possessed girl around a London estate before going deep into the woods to bury her secret. "The Alchemist ft. Fae Simon" pours hypnotic soul and genuine jazz vibes, reminiscent of the hey-day of trip-hop kings Massive Attack. Featuring as a guest vocalist, Fae Simon adds her darkly sensual melodies to track. Introduced initially to King Kashmere through fellow UK rapper Jehst (who Fae Simon collaborated with on "Timeless"), Fae's smooth, effortless and instantly recognisable voice allures vocal valour. While DJ Jazz T guests showing off him turntablism skills, scratching sparsely with choice vocal clips below hip-hop rhA1 Heavy MetalA2 Messiah HybridA3 I Am An African ft Micall Parknsun & Big CakesA4 Amplified Science ft Anyway Tha GodB1 The Alchemist ft. Fae SimonB2 Admiral ByrdB3 UraniumB4 From Nibiru With Love

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