If you were to ask any Hip-Hop head what city produced Theophilus London’s illuminating “Humdrum Town,” I think Brooklyn would be the absolute last place they’d pick. Even though the concept revolves around a small town, this remarkable rapper/producer has delivered a radio-ready single unlike anything I’ve ever heard delivered from the rap capital of the world. Instead of preaching poverty over your typically beloved boom-bap, this earth-dwelling MC politely rides his dance-infused drum-track and empowering signal synths with poetic, positive lyrics taking the driver’s seat, never once sounding corny along the way.
Aside from the Hovs of the world, does it really surprise anyone that by Theo tip-toeing outside of the box a lil’ bit, BK might finally get out of the Clear-Channel slump they’ve been in for years?
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Download — Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”
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Not really my cup of tea. Pass.
Just because it sounds like some hipster shit doesn’t mean it’s an automatic smash. Or automatically worthwhile music. This is just as generic as some poverty-boom-bap shit, sorry.
“never once sounding corny along the way.”
really? Even when he’s whining about ‘when the rain falls down’? You’ve never heard someone sing those words before?
This sounds like a GAYFISH kanye remix to an unknown kid kudi song!
Good song, This Charming Mixtape had alot of ‘em.
something tells me nether Beware or London are from Brooklyn.
b.lluunndd spoke the truth.
@ BLund…
Coming from a rapper….from BK…no, I don’t really think lines like that are corny. I think ‘look how big the chain on my dick’ is corny. I think ‘I’ll murder your whole crew because I’m so gutter’ is corny.
PLUS…if this is what hipster shit sounds like? How come hipsters aren’t getting the Top 40 spins, because IMO, it sounds way more like Top 40 than hipster, which I consider like, Moka Only or someone organic like that.
NO, I’m not from Brooklyn. If you frequent the site, you know exactly where I’m from.
All I’m saying is…this is a good song and not one I’d expect from a Brooklyn rapper.
I can dig this. This joint has that “Walking on a Dream” feel.
I think it’s time Afrika Bambatta made a comeback with all these electro-ish songs to come out.
Maybe it’s time for Doug Lazy to make a comeback
Theo’s got a style- that’s not here to exploit current trends. Anyone who has listened to “This Charming Mixtape” will understand it’s not for radio or “Hipster shit”. He uses great samples (current and from the past) and warps them into his own vision of unique 80′s aesthetics with hip-hop. thank god someone’s trying to do their own thing. Hip-hop could use a fresh face other than Wale.