aaamusic | On 29, Jan 2011

With dubstep slowly but surely blowing up in the US, the time for Trinidadian MC Juakali to make himself heard is most certainly now.

Despite having resided in California for some time Juakali – a former poet – has is quite a popular name to drop on the UK underground dubstep and jungle scenes. His reggae-tinged vocals have even been championed by the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs on the BBC and, furthermore, Juakali was picked to host the first, real US dubstep event ‘Dub War in NYC.’ However, dubstep has only recently started making a real impact in America, with UK acts like Chase & Status producing some Rihanna and Rusko producing a Britney Spears track. Nonetheless, even if Juakali doesn’t make waves at home, he’s sure to create a formidable fan-base over here in the UK.

In fact, his new EP ‘Freak You Back’ contains a very British sound. The original mix of the title track is the sound of commercial dubstep blended with grimey, raggae MCing – think ‘Fire,’ the Magentic Man collaboration with Ms Dynamite. Menacing synths and Juakali’s distinctive vocals are forced to clamber in and around a deep, grooving bassline produced by Londoner Plastician (an esteemed London DJ). Nice and dark.

There are two accompanying remixes of ‘Freak You Back’ on the EP. The first is a ska-tinged remix by Tes La Rok (from Finland), who lightens the tone and subdues the bass making Juakali’s vocals more prominent. The DLX remix is an amped up revamp; the thudding bass drum makes for the heaviest and most energetic mix of the track.

Rounding off the EP is ‘The Chillski,’ a psychedelic dubstep number showcasing Juakali’s raggae-tinted rapping skills. Welsh producers Stagga & Monky compliment the hip-hop with a wobbly bassline, looping bongos and bleeping samples.

Juakali has at his disposal a distinctive MCing flair that will, in time, make him a real contender in the British underground dance scene. But only time will tell whether the Yanks will take to him. Dubstep fans should definitely check out ‘Freak You Back’ upon its release on February 4^th, through Foreign Familiar.

Author: Clive Rozario