Grime king’s masterpiece

Wiley’s newest album, “100% Publishing,” proves yet again Brit-hop is miles ahead of the American hip-hop scene.

Perhaps it’s the clever British humor, or maybe it’s the fact that heavy Cockney accents sound like a foreign language when rapped at high speeds.
Either way, Wiley presents a stellar collection of original material.

No matter the song, Wiley’s beats, grimy and drum-heavy, weave in a seamless fashion with his rhymes.

The rhythms are spot on, and they fall perfectly over backgrounds tailored especially for each piece.

Even the more gimmicky of his songs are interesting.

“Boom Boom Da Na” is built over that annoying melody played at every circus, yet somehow misses being obnoxious.

“Pink Lady” bounces over a groove that sounds like an intro to a Michael Jackson song. In describing his dream woman, Wiley doesn’t deliver in typical hip-hop terms. Instead, he presents an artistic, playfully sexual portrait.

The only problem the album encounters is, ironically enough, the individuality of each song.

Each stands on its own, sometimes making the album feel a bit disjointed. Nonetheless, it’s also what keeps the audience listening.

Wiley has somehow managed an album that’s pensive, accessible and catchy. It’s something every audience can enjoy.

Listening to his album is like discovering something so rare and exciting that you want to share it with everyone.

By Kelly Fritz