The Dublin rapper Smokey picks the Irish rap songs he’s into right now, from Dole Q and Lethal Dialect to Emby, Earfzilla and DeathtoRicky.
Smokey is a Dublin rapper who grew up in Ballybrack, a part of the city where, as he tells it, anything the community needed had to be fought for by the people who lived there. That DIY spirit carries through his music, which draws on a childhood of French hip-hop records and Eminem verses traded between schoolmates, and a love of language that started in English class. He has since worked in arts management, label work, artist management and event curation.
His new single ‘Mariner’s Lane’ is a personal piece of storytelling about a chaotic chapter of addiction and paranoia, and a house that became infamous in his circle. It’s the first of a trio of singles in quick succession.
Dole Q – ‘Scary Eire’
Remember me and my mates banging this when we were younger. The Madness sample is a crazy flip, and Rira’s storytelling had me in the dole office with them all. It was the anthem when I was on the scratcher for two years. RIP Dada Sloosh.
Crutch – ‘Wartime’
Crutch is the general on this one, chatting through his war stories on a Detroit beat. I know the bloke years and I know what he’s been at, so to hear it on a record makes it a certified hood classic. When the war kicks off, I know what the anthem’s going to be.
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Babyface feat. Ruka & Survival – ‘RE/UP’
Love this chat with the boys, it kinda reminds me of ‘Poland’ by Yachty in a funny way. Babyface is one of the funniest boys out here right now, and Ruka and Survival play their part in a stellar way. It’s going on the Insta story if we’re out here getting bread.
Earfzilla – ‘Vintage Vuitton’
I love this chat. I find it crazy that he’s sitting in the Leaving but breaking boundaries with his sound. The production is so reminiscent of that 2010s sound, and Earf really hits every beat with a box to the jaw. Can’t wait to see what else he’s sitting on.
Lethal Dialect – ‘The Auld Chinaman’
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Lethal Dialect tell a story, but I love how he describes the pub and the characters he grew up watching, and he ends it perfectly in a nostalgic sense. The hook is haunting too, good for a stroll around the fair city.
Sputnik One & Emby – ‘Supa Natural’
There’s nobody coming near Emby when it comes to grime on the Emerald Isle. I love this track because Sputnik made the beats a bit more experimental for Emby to jump on effortlessly. He’s good at hitting those high notes on the hook too, I never knew he had it in him till then.
Lunitic – ‘Behind the Mic’
This is the first track on the Homemade Bombs mixtape from back in the day. Lunitic is the reason I got into this, and his Scouse accent at the beginning introducing the tape is gas. He comes through with some serious bars, the samples are killer, and it’s a trip down memory lane every time I spin it. Lunitic is the godfather of this and nobody can tell me different.
Readys – ‘Myphonesjump’
This fella has had my phone jumpin’ since he dropped this. The sample is a hilarious flip, I couldn’t get over it when I heard it. He does a serious job of hitting the pockets in the beat, laying out hilarious punchlines and making it look easy at the same time. He’s taking trap to a new level.
GOMiE X Lallee – ‘Find Me (Westend)’
The boys out west had the speakers jumping when they dropped this. Hearing them on a little garage beat and repping the area like Andre 3000 did in ’95. Their chemistry, bravado and banter make this track a 10/10. The west FOR SURE has something to say.
Jimmi – ‘Misty’
I think Jimmi is such an incredible rapper and producer and doesn’t get enough credit for his work. This track is definitely a bit more laid back than what I usually hear him on, but I love the intro, and his laid-back flow makes this such a smokers’ anthem. The bloke’s got cork on his back in my opinion.
Honourable mention: DeathtoRicky – ‘Victory Lap’
I don’t really know what more I can add to the conversation here. He’s plastered all over my TikTok and the way it’s blowing up is insane. DeathtoRicky’s workflow is unmatched, and the fact he’s got all the boys with him shows what a community spirit he has. The track itself is such a bouncy chat, and I’m mad excited to see what he’s got in store next.
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, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
