K9 - The Re-Education Of King Nine LP - OneLion Review

By Lu Kuss

We embrace all aspects of roots culture here at OneLion and we have found an album that encompasses all that we embrace in 15 heavyweight tracks. This one’s for the Reggae fans, the hip-hop fans and fans of ground breaking conscious music alike.

London based veteran K9 (A.K.A King 9) has been putting out releases for a number of years (many of which are available for FREE from his Bandcamp page) to underground critical acclaim and he has become a certified master of purveying thought provoking realism through his often ragga influenced back catalogue. 

K’s most recent album ‘The Re-education Of King 9’ is completely self-produced and was released back in June this year. It serves as a guide to K9’s heritage, background and belief system as well as an opportunity to gain an insight into a culture that many may not have candid access to whilst offering more than enough originality to keep people with a deeper knowledge entertained and enthralled.

The project has too many stand out tracks to name them all. In fact, there a few low points to speak of. The selection of different production styles and deeply inspiring patois interludes are positioned well amongst each other and give the project flowing nicely.

Tracks like ‘Escape From Babylon’, ‘Fiya’ and ‘Warr’ really demonstrate nine’s various musical abilities as he comes with catchy dancehall hooks and topical, intelligent rhymes as well as managing to produce the head-nodding roots influenced instrumentals underneath.

There are some more hip-hop centric tunes on there and the contrast of styles coming together really compliment each other. A really good example of this is an oppression opposing banger featuring Revorg Records & Triple Dark representative, Phoenix Da Icefire. Its aptly titled ‘Break The Chains’ and see’s both artists kill it with engaging lyricism and another catchy hook.

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Something a bit different about this one is towards the end of the album in a track about the joys of fatherhood. It features a heartfelt guest verse from UK legend Blak Twang and an almost enchanting chorus sung by London based Singer Leon Jacques. It shows a different side to K and is a great testament to their personal experiences.

This project is a seamless journey of varying musical styles outside the usual hip-hop force field that combine to make a well rounded rap record that will allow you a greater insight into the minds and consciousness with every listen.

Full album available now through iTunes!
Check K9 out on Soundcloud and Bandcamp!