OLS | OneLion Sound are an established promotions team, record label and clothin line based in the Southwest that focus on hip hop and urban music | Hip Hop reviews & Artists Interviews | Hip Hop in Devon
  • Home
  • Artist Roster
  • OLS uk hip hop Blog
  • Event Tickets
  • Contact us
  • Links
  • Music Downloads
  • Releases

OLS - HIP HOP BLOG

​IT'S A STATE OF MIND

BVA - Be Very Aware - Album Review & Interview

10/2/2014

Comments

 
Picture
Here at Onelion HQ we were seriously hype to wake up this morning and find the new BVA MC album sitting in our inbox. This Glastonbury based MC has been at the forefront of the conscious hip hop movement in the UK since his first release back in 2005.  Although it's been a number of years since his last solo project,  BVA's relentless workflow is evident as a key member of the group 'The Four Owls', and teamed up with long term mic veteran Leafdog with their new project 'The Brothers Of The Stone'.  The new album titled 'Be Very Aware' see's BVA bring some of his hardest hitting lyrics to date, spitting truths that leave you analysing the way you live your life from the very first verse. 

Be Very Aware features collabs from many of the usual suspects including Fliptrix, Verb T, Leafdog, Dike and Rag N Bone Man as well as an appearance from Kashmere one of our favourite UK rappers. From the get go this album is golden, opening with a cut from a wildlife documentary;
"For the beaver these are idyllic days and the true harshness of winter has not yet set in."
Aside from the comedy effect of the beaver based sampling BVA delivers serious messages throughout, "Rain or Shine' the second track on the album covers the concept of self worth, the beat hits hard with a sick boombap style kick and snare accompanied by soulful samples and one of those hooks that get stuck in your head for days to come.  
It's easy to hear the progression from his much earlier solo releases that can be found at the RLD bandcamp. The new material bangs hard with production from Leafdog and illinformed accompanied by a bag of new flows and heartfelt messages. Track 4 "Frontin' is one of our favourite beats on the album. With a smooth orchestral loop and deep lyrics its deserves a place at the top of any UK hip hop playlist.

Picture
Another track that grabbed our attention was number 11 'That old bitch' The track features the extremely talented Rag N Bone Man who recently signed a deal with Waner Brothers Records and is certainly someone to keep an eye on in the year to come. The track puts across a simple yet poignant message that jealousy brings no good and BVA delivers the lyrics in such a way that even your stoned little brother will get the point. Although this is a relatively short track at only 2.30 it was definitely one of the highlights of the album.

In our opinion this has got to be one of the strongest HighFocus releases of the last year, with every track delivering not only BVA's powerful opinions on modern society, but valuable knowledge and advice that will resonate with the hip hop community across the UK and the globe.

Album Drops on 14/02/14, and can be pre ordered before that from the high focus website

BVA Interview.


Who produced the tracks on your new album?

BVA: Its pretty much a 50/50 split from leaf dog and illinformed, except for one beat from a guy called amdek aswell,

What artists did you listen to growing up that you feel have had an influence on your sound?

BVA: My mum used to listen to alot of reggae when i was younger that i listen back to now and realise it all had quite alot of rapping in it all so that was probably the first influence i can't remember much of that obviously but she said i particularly liked eek a mouse and freddie mcgregor. Then at about 10/11 ish i was getting into coolio, fugees, biggie, salt n pepa things like that, then as i got a bit older i got into wu tang, gangstarr, slick rick shit like that, first UK Hiphop thing i heard (other than mark morrison haha) was Countryman by Skitz when i was about 16, that definately inspired me to rap myself rather than just being a fan and was a real good introduction to what the UK had going on - taskforce, rodney p, skinnyman etc.

What was the name of the first release you featured on and how old were you at the time?


BVA: My first release was 'Lost but not Forgotten' as part of 'The 3 Amigos' which was me, leaf dog and a producer called naive in 2005. It featured the first track we ever recorded called 'the truth' and i was about 18 when it came out i think, maybe 19.

As well as your solo work, you're also a member of both 'The Four Owls' and 'BOTS' can we expect another album from either of these groups dropping this year?

BVA: There could definitely be another 4 owls album this year, we've started working on one. Me, leaf and illinformed have also been working on some stuff for a new Brothers of the stone album as well but you can expect a leaf dog album before that appears and leafs album will be out this year for sure.

What's been your favourite gig in the last year?

It has to be outlook festival 2013 really, its so much more than a gig, it was a holiday/festival with 2 gigs, we did a high focus boat party and a high focus showcase on the mainstage and apart from some miltitant security the vibes real good out there. It did leave me with a fear of high speed water sports, shouts to jam Baxter though the invincible man of steel!

What artists are worth keeping an eye for in 2014

BVA: Me and leaf are bringing out two guys on our label RLD Records called Smellington Piff and Jack Jetson there two new dudes that are gonna fuck shit up in 2014 for sure. There really is to many to mention though, anywhere i go north, south, abroard there's always talented rappers n groups it seems. 

Do you have any advice for people starting out rapping, that you wish someone had told you.

BVA: I mean a lot of people told me a lot of things hahaha some good, some bad, and everyones path and life is different, eh, but my advice to someone starting out rapping in the UK would be do it original, don't chip anyones style, don't front/come across like a badman if you ain't, don't expect to get nothing you don't work for and don't expect to get rich. But really just enjoy doing it, keep at it and don't be afraid to push yourself and approach people, that's all you can do, there's a world full of people making music that want to connect and build all the time.

Favourite non hip hop artist or band?

BVA: ......Bob Marley

Favourite food (aside from the obvious tree stumps?)

BVA: Hahaha..pretty much any asian dish with duck in it, and i don't just mean duck with pancakes! i mean the extra-curricular shit!

Picture
Comments

    Authors

    Joe Read
    Cal Ince
    Benjamin Hewin
    William Malpass

    Archives

    September 2021
    July 2021
    February 2021
    September 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Artist Roster
  • OLS uk hip hop Blog
  • Event Tickets
  • Contact us
  • Links
  • Music Downloads
  • Releases