Theophilus London’s mixtape from a year or so ago was one of my hip-hop highlights from the past few years. The first rapper I’ve ever heard reference The Smiths, his outlook and style is in direct opposition to the dark nihilism of Odd Future, incorporating melodies, choruses and bright instrumentation into his beats. You’d never get an Ace Creator jam called “Hum Drum Town”, that’s for sure. I’m not sure he sees it the same way, having had a major fallout with UK newspaper The Guardian over being called the rap Morrissey.
Anyway, last week he released a new single, ahead of his debut album proper. When I first heard it, I thought it was a direct response to his less literate fans being unable to pronounce his name, as chorus merely repeats “last name London, first name Theophilus“.
However, on repeat listens, I found that this track has just the right balance of dirtiness, texture, melody, wit and rhythm that I look for in my favourite hip-hop. It definitely feels like it’s a post “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” track, but that is by no means a bad thing.
I am now looking forward to London’s LP quite a lot and you can listen to “Last Name London” below.
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