“Irish hip-hop” has already given us Tom O’C and the rise of the Rubberbandits this year so I think it’s about time the “scene” capitalised on the enormous media interest they created.
Here I’m laying out a four-point plan for the genre’s renaissance. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the ultimate guide to the most likely candidates to be saviours of Irish hip-hop right now*.
1. Barry “Achilles” K
You may remember Barry Achilles K from a rather bizarre Martial Arts ‘Dear Coach’ song and then a Rubberbandits diss track. Well, big news. There’s an album on the way! It’ll feature future hits like ‘What the Fuck is Love’, ‘C’ant [sic] Beat the Soldier’, ‘An Garda Siochana’ and ‘Memba D’Jacho’ – a schizophrenic tribute track to Michael Jackson which a mate described as “music made by someone who hasn’t ever heard music but has had it described to them by a four year old.”
Apparently, Achilles is 100% real even if ‘Rockin’ This Place’ sounds like five songs playing at once. He is a lyrical genius though – that cannot be questioned. He does seem to have a lot of vendettas as expressed by this Rubberbandits diss track. Note to budding rappers: If you’re dissing a pisstake hip-hop group then you should probably give up.
2. Go West
Irish rap should try and emulate “in the club, sipping Cristal” American rap videos more. Like these guys, KK & P1easy from Limerick with their tune My Beorghs. There’s a whack of So Solid Crew of this one. This was shot in the Trinity Rooms. Another here.
3. An Irish legend for a hip-hop crossover?
What would it take for the geriatric population of Ireland to take an interest in hip-hop? The answer is simple. Get a bona fide ledgebag to “rap” at his concerts. Sure, they wouldn’t notice what he’s saying anyway. Prime candidate for going gangsta – Daniel O’ Donnell. He’s already done it y’all.
4. Be Unique
Isn’t it much better for Irish people to appropriate an American accent and the bravado of a gangsta? Of course it is! How else would these guys ever be taken seriously?
Waterford represent!
Cork represent!
Limerick represent! It’s the infamous Nailerz!
Dublin we ain’t forgetting about you! Here’s the Millionaire Boyz with their ode to Dublin. Thanks to Una for this.
MP3: Millionaire Boyz – Dublin
Or they could take a lead from Anto and Finton’s ‘Gerrup Outta Dat’, Lisa Dee, Raggaman Bob, Captain Moonlight or Ophelia who actually use their own accent and have their own identity but that’s not “keeping it real” is it?
This guy isn’t bad actually. He samples DJ Mujava’s Township Funk here. The song is about “sexy robots”.
* – Or not.
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
I feel so thug with the millionaire boyz name checking my street and all – thanks Nialler – gold!
In fairness all the tracks you’ve used there are awful examples! Except anto and fintan which is meant to be funny anyway.
Hah, deadly post, long overdue!
Course he used bad examples Nug. It’s a pisstake.
I’m just glad my own stuff isn’t quite so cringe inducingly awful to make the list.
Ah right! Oops my bad. Good choices then! but ya missed out on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hzFHC5VPfY
Thanks for this post. I read the comments and realised I have some Nugget tracks somewhere that are pretty good.
Scary stuff Nialler, but I think you picked the wrong D O’D track – check him out live featuring Cliff Richard on Fuck the Police:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxiwGWxErBg
Big up, etc.
Jim.
I love Achilles’ rapping style. I believe it’s known as “shh, you’ll wake me ma”.
That ‘My Beorghs’ one is fucking brilliant. So desperate. I bet those poor girls thought they’d be superstars…
Barry Achilles is at the forefront of outsider Irish hip hop. He is the equivalent of Daniel Johnson or The legendary stardust cowboy. There is something very brilliant and original about him.
I received the Memba D’Jacho album in the post on Tuesday and it’s mesmerising. How about some of you established hiphop merchants give young Achilles a support slot?
that one about robot bitches cracks me up every time.
wow the achilles stuff sounds like a tinker , laying vocals , over a burial produced michael jackson mashup remix……way ahead of his time lmfao 😀
Achilles here……….i am currently working on 2 new albums, one titled ‘The King Is Comin” and the other one is not to be reveiled….If you want a sneak peak or want the album sent to ya hit me up on my email at [email protected]…….Album to be released in 2 months time at the latest
Cheers froodie!
Brilliant.
Takin the piss out of amateur bedroom producers/rappers is both big and clever.
its neither big nor clever ,its just hilarious
your all fuckin idiots, pasty irish people cant pull off hip hop, “we should try and copy the in the club sippin cristal” shows how stupid you are, that would look so fuckin lame… irony of it all is ye all preach keep it real, well why the fuck dont you all keep it real and stop bein such wiggers,
kinda worried that achilles has the letters kkk in his email address
Jimmy the smell,wind yer neck,you sound like a hillbilly,get a life.
You rascal!
wanna collab?
lol man
wb
niall in fairness u need a good kick up the arse for even writing this. instead of writing such a sarcastic piece that lacks any integrity why not focus your time on acts in ireland that are actually decent. same shambolic bullshit as always, some little indie hipsters sing like their favourite american band and everyone goes wild for them but when its a rapper its a completely different story.
bstbstbst2010 youtube.
bstbstbst2010 youtube.
Hey check out my fusion stuff
I do it all for shit and giggles
but have some really positive feedback also
Some of it is a bit raw but generally I am improving
anyway any feedback is cool.
Brian, I did check out your channel and soem of your shit is good, especially the piss take songs funny. My advice would be pursue that side more, you are funny and the tunes are good as well
youtube channel bstbstbst2010
if you hating on fake irish wannabe rappers check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Ns0Xt7XS8