The beats remain innovative but there glossier sheen to the electro, soul and pop flavour.

Where Tinie Tempah's debut album Disc-Overy showcased a young and hungry rapper battling to escape his gritty neighbourhood, the swaggering Demonstration is the sound of victory. Courtesy Parlophone
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Tinie Tempah: Demonstration

(Parlophone)

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Everybody won in Tinie Tempah’s 2010 debut Disc-Overy. The London rapper became an arena-performing pop star, his producer Labrinth became a successful artist and the UK hip-hop community benefited immensely from the increased exposure. Where the debut showcased a young and hungry rapper battling to escape his gritty neighbourhood, the swaggering Demonstration is the sound of victory. The beats remain innovative but there is a glossier sheen to the electro, soul and pop flavours while the star-studded guest list includes Emeli Sandé, 2 Chainz, Laura Mvula and Dizzee Rascal. The latter is straight-out combative in the stomping Mosh Pit while 2 Chainz’s elastic flow makes easy work of Trampoline’s cluttered electro beats. Tempah and Labrinth’s chemistry continues to shine in Lover Not a Fighter – the opening beats sound like an homage to old-school Daft Punk. Tempah may now be rapping about living in mansions, but thankfully he hasn’t lost his sense of humour. The thrilling 5 Minutes has one of his best puns when he declares he got “citizens caned like Orson Welles”.

* Saeed Saeed

Tinie Tempah: Demonstration

Parlophone ⋆⋆⋆⋆

sasaeed@thenational.ae

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