Even though it’s still early, Dels & co give it the beans, bowling onto stage with some killer tracks – ‘Capsize’ being a favourite. This is a guy raising the game, very bass heavy, grooving hip-hop, overlaid with squeaks and bleeps and jazz swing samples. Great lyrics too: ‘Aint nothin’ changed since Britain turned blue/ ‘cept more cuts more problems more loss/ looks like we’re all fucked with no lube and Cameron better steer clear of my arse’ brass band samples.

To us, it’s what hip-hop should be, a lyrical expression of someone’s social and cultural surroundings. It’s all wrapped up in a head-nodding, ass-shaking, one hand in the air package.

Ghostpoet is a whole lot more cerebral. And we can’t understand a damn word he’s saying. Whilst it’s undoubtedly clever, it’s not necessarily easy to listen to. We overhear someone standing in front of us say to his mate, ‘I feel like I’m in an art installation man!’

He combines the frenetic, improvisational style of say, The Bays with moody hip-hop posturings. On record we do quite like the languid style, the philosophical and reflective lyrics, but on this occasion, the second time we’ve seen him live, his presence or talents don’t blow us away.

Maybe that’s just us. We’re not damning him, there’s clearly talent there, but we prefer live hip-hop delivered the way Dels does it. Next year, Rodney he might just be a millionaire.

Dels & Ghostpoet
Concorde 2
Friday, August 19

WORDS BY ED ISAACS