Da BlinGz - The Octagon

It's amazing how the transamerican accent can become so easily embroiled with the Glasgow hip-hop/rap scene. Simple beats and looped waves back up Da Blingz while he raps about not swearing, a general elation at having an LP ("This is my destiny/ Destined to be the best in S-c-o-t-l-a-n-d") and having a career at 17. It would be nice to hear some culturally related lyrics that reflect his actual Scottish life rather than the American detritus of 'babygirls' and clublife. The musical influences are astonishingly obvious even for novice rap/hip-hop fans, and its uninspiring nature accompanied by a played out message overshadows and obliterates evidence of Da BlinGz's talent. There's some interesting beats and tunes on Tip Toe and Number One but it's not enough to make the album a stand-out contribution to music. [Alex Burden]