Location:

London/Brighton, UK

Biography:

Dr Syntax is an emcee who has been making noise on the underground hip hop scene for years, via a slew of releases and live appearances across the UK and beyond. This quick-witted wordsmith first came to widespread attention as a guest on ‘Asylum Speakers’, the critically acclaimed 2003 debut LP by UK crew Foreign Beggars, where he appeared on standout tracks, ‘Glacial’and ‘What Goes Up’, showcasing a knack for tight rhyme patterns and catchy hooks, together with his inimitable deep cadence. Since then he has performed with the Beggars countless times at every major hip hop night across the UK, as well as their headlining spot at the Hip Hop Kemp Festival 2005 and a prestigious appearance at Glastonbury 2005.

Review:

Self Taught

Following the rave reviews for his debut single ‘Subcultures’, south coast stalwart and self-proclaimed ‘miopic visionary’ Dr Syntax followed with his second single, ‘She’s Quite Some Picture’ as the lead up for the release of his smash debut album ‘Self Taught.’

After numerous guest appearances on tracks by notable hip hop artists in the UK, ‘Self-Taught’ is the work of an artist reaching maturity in fine style. In an age of bland, sales-orientated copycat rappers, Syntax refuses to follow fashion, showcasing a knack for witty social commentary, strikingly original concepts and straight up, tight rhyming in the truest sense.

After the success of the Subcultures 12’’ release and She’s Quite Some Picture 7’’, this deep and thought provoking album will cement Dr Syntax’ well earned position at the top of the UK’s Hip Hop food chain. With features from the likes of UK legends Orifice Vulgatron, Stig Of The Dump and Wordsmith and a mix of upfront, tight rhymes and breakneck beats, Dr Syntax has excelled again.

Production duties fall to Brighton’s finest crate-diggers Ido and The Evil Sun, as well as Foreign Beggars’ heavyweight Dog Nabbit, and are no less diverse: ranging from laid back, lo-fi head-nodders such as ‘Seaside Postcard, to all-out, raucous b-boy anthems like ‘Pack Mentality’.

On ‘She’s Quite Some Picture’, Brighton beat-smith extraordinaire The Evil Sun provides the ideal backdrop for Dr. Syntax’s musings with sloppy, funk-drenched drums driven by an infectious, punchy bass line guaranteed to cause severe neck strain in the crib and club alike, proving he’s one of British hip hop’s best kept secrets. The duo prove themselves with tracks like ’Max Miller’, a laid back crowd rocker, packed with punch lines, delivered with a nonchalant cockiness that’ll have wannabe emcees ‘writing wills like the prince’s signature’ way before the final break down arrives.

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Already a tried and tested favourite at Brighton’s premier hip hop spot ‘Beer and Rap’, and having already been given props by Rodney P and Skitz on their ‘Original Fever’ show on BBC 1Xtra, this artist looks set to be a certified UK Hip Hop head honcho for years to come.

Track Listing

1. Arrival feat. Wordsmith, Enlish and Manipulate 2. Subcultures 3. Max Miller 4. Slow Down feat. Mole 5. Animal Hides 6. She’s Quite Some Picture 7. A Dose Of Godzilla Slang feat. Stig Of The Dump and Manipulate 8. Ido Skit 9. Sacred 10. My Night 11. Seaside Postcard 12. rime 13. Pack Mentality feat. Koaste, Orifice Vulgatron and Manipulate 14. Ourtro

Links:

MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/drsyntax

Label - http://www.beerandrap.co.uk

Tunes: