Into the studio we go for a few words about nothing in general, or just plain nothing. Or something. How and ever, here it is.
What's the crack? Could you give an
introduction of yourself to the crowd, let em know?
I'm Badhabitz, part of the Split Prophets
collective from Bristol.
What is Badhabitz, and what is Krate
Krusaders?
Badhabitz is my name and Krate Krusaders is a production duo I'm part of with One Step. I use this for releases outside the SP group.
Is there a colab you could say you'd be most
proud of to date?
I've been privileged to work with a whole load of artists
from here and abroad, however apart from working with my SP fam this latest
project I've done with the legendary Life MC has been a real honour. I have
always rated him so when he said let's do an album I was mad hyped!
In contrast, has there been a time, maybe more
than once, when you've been in the studio just thinking 'this is a ball of
wank'?
Yep, most weeks tbh. Sometimes I feel like I
gotta get shit done but just can't get in the right frame of mind. Or I spend
an hour digging thru wax.
On a night out on the town, what would a beverage
of choice be?
Spiced rum is my poison.
Is Tupac still alive?
Of course he is.
Do you have a system for producing tracks, ie:
drums then bass then whatever, or is it let whatever happens happen?
Depends what I find first. If I got a nice
break I'll chop that then find samples to fit, or if I find a nice loop or
whatever then I'll chop that, work out a sequence then add drums later. Either
way it's the same formula really.
Have you any interest in rapping, or is it all
production?
Haha, you never know, I may drop a verse on the SP album, but in
general no I'm all about sounds. If you heard my voice it's kinda boring and
would probably send you to sleep.
Which Indiana Jones was the best?
Raiders of
the Lost Ark all day.
What vegetarian-progressive-lounge-hop artists
are you listening to these days?
I prefer uplifting vegan techno.
In regards to the samples you use, are you a
believer in found sound?
I believe if I find a sound I like I'll use it; source
ain't really a thing, it's what you do with it.
Who's the illest MC you've done a track with?
Too many, if I touch it then it'll be gold!
On a scale of 9 to 10 out of 10, what rating
would you give Aguilera's Back To Basics album?
That's a hard one, can I pass? Haha.
Peace out man, anything else?
Look out for the new
album dropping from Life MC and myself dropping March 5th. Also keep your ears
peeled for the SP album and a whole bunch of projects from the team! Safe.
Bandcamp with Life MC: https://splitprophets.bandcamp.com/album/deep-in-the-trenches Diggin Up The Past: https://splitprophets.bandcamp.com/album/badhabitz-diggin-up-the-past
Long overdue and incredibly appropriate, I first conceived the idea of reviewing this back before it was released. However, Buddhist monks and unwanted procrastination resulted in a bit of a delay, if I do say so myself. How and ever, needs must and I felt a rustling in my jimmies of creation, so today was to be the day. Sicker than sick and doper than dope, this album is a laid-back slammer.
Kicking off with Chro Logic, fittingly produced with a feature from Dub Logic, the soft intro is followed by a skimpy beat. The background flute thing keeps the flow continuous, which is contrasted with the harsh vocals. iNDEX's lyrics are real, no bullshit. The vocal diversity showcases his ability as an artist, and not just here, but through the EP. With more references to the ol' medicinal than Cheech and Chong, I think he might like zonking out a bit more than I do. Sometimes the accent changes in the song, giving the impression that it's someone else. Variance is key. The basic beat and flute just keep flowing, never ceasing, and it is perfect. The production is bliss, credit to Chro.
Breathing into Cake House, an old school introduction keeps the style. Some aul' one's talking about cooking or something, but yeah, keep it real. The groove is sweet and the soft/hard snare is just gorgeous. Reference to Fully Peng. The riff in the back keeps the swing, and the scrappy guitar notes here and there keep the vibe. Quite perfect, I must observe. Reference to the dutch. Again with the food, except this time it has a mention of guacamole. Hmmmm, no. Not for this here. The vocals are immense, and the harsh projection fits perfectly. I like his style, projection, lyrics, etc. But cayenne and crazy leaf sounds a little less appetizing to what I'd be used to. How and ever, everyone to their own. Again, Chro's production is pure perfect, and again, there's more reference to the gwokmoli. I'll leave it at that.
Get Live would have to be one of the earlier standouts on the album. The driving beat and bouncey synth really start the track off kicking. Shouts to Fully Peng. As said, it's a bouncey anthem, but still retains the chill atmosphere of the album, showcasing the talent of the duo. iNDEX's rapping suits this track impeccably, and he's really making a statement. To get fucked. A few shout outs to the likes of Squared Roots and such lets us know who's behind him, always nice to hear. That beat keeps your neck in motion, no doubt. I think he might like the herbalist mentality. Again, real lyrics, no shit. The beat is key, and variance is appreciated. Everything combined with the high piano notes dancing in the back fuses into the perfect slammer.
Peter Profit EP - by Google Image search
Drifting into Dime Bag, the list of names is endless in the sea of English hip-hop. All the list is missing is... um, English Tupac?... A true big-ups to the whole fam on this one. Eric the Red can be heard at the start, and his voice always produces a chuckle or three from me. He sounds so similar to Leaf Dog at times it's uncanny. iNDEX naturally starts her up, with a lighting of said blunt. The synth line stands out as being quite separate and unique compared to the rest of the album, but as mentioned, variance is key. The end of each bar - showcasing production - has this strange piano chord left hanging there, never resolving. Keeps you guessing. Through Eric, with his odd-as-cabbage voice, we glide to Res. Res always has this beefy voice that cuts through the mix, which can easily be heard here. A few... references to the herb. Basil or oregano? Hmm. O.A.B. has a heavier voice again, sitting in a completely different place in the mix, but still coming through and hitting heavy. Did the song take a turn towards a darker atmosphere for a while? I think so. Diversity ftw. You'd truly know Datkid anywhere. Like Res, maybe it's a Prophets thing, he cuts through very clear too. Typically giving out about bad smokers, he's quite at home. Sean Peng has his unique voice, adding a different dynamic yet again. Bring him cheese like Gromit, haha. Beaver sounds a bit different, like he was mixed differently, but it just shows a different light. Welcomed with open arms. Piff is on game, what with his new album and all, and he's no different here. His lyrics are a bit wacky though. Each vocalist sounds so different that one can easily see Chro as a top-notch producer. Much love.
One might be familiar with Weed Music from, like myself, the Badhabitz remix tape. The version on PP has the same qualities, yet sounds so vastly different it truly sounds like two different songs. Not saying that it shouldn't, but you know. The beat on PP is a lot harder, which is... cordial? The guitar just hangs there, with an air of suspense surrounding the track. iNDEX has that powerful delivery that really stands out, and aside from the suspense, there's this feeling of melancholy present. Thematic, one might discourse. Haha, Pineapple Express quotes are just too perfect. I laughed. The timing, compared to Badhabitz'zz is a lot different, in that bars start and end in different places, if you understand what I mean. Once you listen to both you'll see. Not a bad thing though, it adds impact. Shows a totally different take on a song. At least he's eating lunch, haha. Too many lolz. The lyrics are beautiful on the track, and again the production is on form. A match made on MatchFinders. More Pineapple Express quotes :D
Keeping her laid back in the shack, play this track... Lay Back, with Sean Peng, is fairly self-explanatory. A relaxed introduction, chill as a cucumber, is the perfect start. Big-ups to the fuckin' muesli bruv. The beat is blessed by the filtered synth, and it is just chill, chill. Peng sounds on form, and the breaths you can hear before the lines he spits adds a deep impact. No attempt to hide it, nor no need to. The chorus, with iNDEX half-assing it again gives a deeper impact to the words. Why force everything when it's supposed to be laid back? Another verse makes the riff pure exceptional, and the doubling of the vocals is like a homage to the atmosphere. Another strange as fuck sample. Hmm, where he get dese?
Previously released, with the vijjo at the bottom of the page, S.A.G.E. is probably the best known off the album. Is it the standout of the album? Not to me, to be fair. However, it's still a banger. The video itself is simple and effective, and shows a happy iNDEX. A peaceful intro, and a much happier atmosphere bring forth a different iNDEX. Still has his powerful delivery. A sense of reminiscing is present, if you follow my drift. Give here a listen and you'll see. The long, long snare is beauty, keeps the flow in the back. The clear-cut samples carry the flow in the front, and Chro is at one of his best moments here, keeping you moving. The strings and vocals build up, then drop repeatedly, giving an ebb and flow impression. Perfect. Fuck fame.
3Tusli would probably be the standout to me. I like that shit, more of it. The funky guitar teeters around, then drops in to a full absolute mix. The beat is delicate and easy going, and when iNDEX starts off, he fits excellently. That beat is so so nice. Too nice. Nicer than those shitty Nice biscuits you see in shops that aren't even that nice, fuckin' deceptive fascists. A few samples here and there about the herby, and another Pineapple Express quote (winning), the album fades out with a Tew Tew tew tew... Not sure why, but hey.
Fin
Great success
Chro and iNDEX pair perfectly, and although I knew iNDEX before this EP, and was quite a fan, I must indulge and present the facts that I knew not of Chro. He's on the way up though. Sick beats, or beef if you say it right. Chro on the beef.
This album wasn't really expected, in the sense that I was familiar with Appreciation and Scribble The Pen; this album is quite dark in its themes. Variance is key.
Highlight of the album has to be either 3Tusli or Get Live, personally. Nothing against the other tracks, they just hit home.
I look forward to the next release, and who knows? If I lick enough ballsack might just get an interview, tee hee.
Averagity rating: Above average. Sky high. Big ups.
