They have been described as two of Scotland’s hip hop pioneers and quite rightly so, Steg G & the Freestyle Master were certainly among the first in the game in Scotland.
Part of the hip hop and break dancing movement at the end of the 80s, the pair grew up in the same south side scheme listening to the fast-paced ‘jungle-like’ British speed-rapping.
They say they lived through the golden age of hip hop and are proud to be the first Scottish group to release material using an authentic Glaswegian accent.
Inner City Pressures is a lyrical melting pot; opening the title track Freestyle Master paints us a vivid picture of the non-stop grind of Glasgow life to a backdrop of slow, melodic bass.
He refers to the city as an “organism I can never flee,” likening it to his wife and mistress in a clear Glaswegian accent.
‘Guessing Games’ is similarly slow paced with a bleak chorus courtesy of Pete Mcoy but quick and clever rhymes in which Freestyle Master questions where the spark has gone in his relationship, while ‘Criminal’ brings a welcome increase in tempo and is a bouncy, bassy bag of lyrics asking what constitutes a criminal these days.
‘Mantra’s and Molecule’s’ has an excess use of apostrophes and is also possibly written after an excess of the “sticky green” by the sounds of things, but that does not detriment the creative vocals that inspire colourful visions of “vaporising molecules”, “language in oracles” and a “transdimensional pulse” to “awaken the shakras”.
‘Connects’ brings us male and female German rap set to a trebly upbeat guitar rhythm and penultimate track ‘The Morning After’ has a catchy Pharrell Williams-esque chorus provided by Guests of Nature, while the lyrics lend some classic Scottish comedy with phrases such as “baw deep” and “waking up to Michelle McManus” scattered over a playful tempo.
Perhaps the most interesting and controversial track on the EP is it’s last, ‘A New Reality’, which explores Scotland’s coming future, acknowledging that it will never be the same again whether it chooses “aye” or “naw” in the referendum.
It’s clear by the repetition of “freedom” which way Steg G & the Freestyle Master lean, as Scottish history is lyrically explored from colonisation to paganism with some lyrics from the national anthem thrown in.
‘A New Reality’ doesn’t mess about, delivering a strong message and even with rhyming “bawbags” and “false flags”, it maintains a powerful tone.
Inner City Pressures is a raw and honest culmination of musical prowess honed over many years of hard work that does not fail to impress with an endearing blend of smooth beats and even smoother lyrics.
The EP is out now and with the genre is still in its infancy here in Scotland leave stereotypes outside and open the door for Scottish hip-hop, because something big is coming.
Words: Sophie Mead
