As a skinny white boy from Scotland, I generally struggle to understand and relate to hip-hop culture at the best of times; let alone hip-hop culture as perpetrated by two other skinny white boys from Scotland.
On their single, ‘Cross Borders’ Werd & Deeko team up with fairly credible London-based hip-hop duo S.A.S to help remind us that hip-hop is made in Scotland too.
The music on this single comprises of a beat based on 70s American rocker Eddie Money’s ‘Life For The Taking’ – it’s slow, heavy and perhaps this choice of backing track is a nod to what Werd & Deeko want us to think they’re doing with their lives?
Unfortunately, on first, second and third listens this does not seem to be the case.
Despite a competent opening from the Londoners that rolls smoothly, effortlessly reeling in the listener; Werd soon plunges us into a cringe-worthy pastiche of late-90s-era Eminem that serves as the track’s chorus.
His style lacks any real emotional dynamic or rhythmical interest in contrast to S.A.S and the quality of lyrical content featured in the track -most notably during the chorus- rarely rises above tired hip-hop cliché.
Deeko on the other hand treats us to a slightly more palatable and laid back tone, however his delivery also leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to rhythm, dynamic and lyrical content – I’m sure ‘the streets’ aren’t that angry all the time.
If I’m being a stuffy cynic, which I most definitely am; the message of this track even after repeat listens is little more than something akin to, ‘We’re from Scotland and we rap’, they’re from England and they rap too, why aren’t you listening to us?
Though their cause is noble and their effort is admirable this track goes nowhere and does nothing more than announce its creators.
If you’re not already a fan of Scottish hip-hop in particular, this is definitely not for you.
Words: Chris McCrory
