Album Review: Word Smith

Dilz is a Rapper from Foxton. He started in 2012 with a fresh voice in Hip-Hop and has been continuously working and writing new music.

Everyone knows a Blacksmith moulds metal into shapes and objects, Dilz’ new 18 track album recently released in September is titled Word Smith which is very fitting as this mixtape displays potential and skills in rapping, rhymes, dynamics and quality beats produced with Starsky at Madstak Studios.

My first impression is that his rapping style is similar to Eminem and PNC, but the more you listen the more individual, unique and different his style really is.

The Intro Word Smith (feat. Smith) has an old school Death Row Recordings Hip-Hop vibe with a smooth rap style from Smith. Track 3 Underestimated has a dubstep/ garage drumbeat with interesting spiraling sirens which works in the mix with Dilz’ ultra fast rapping style. The following song Ghetto Qu’ran is a nice lush 90s sounding Hip-Hop song.

My favourite song on the album is My Time (with prod by Starsky) with its elevating basslines, smooth keys and brilliant rapping flow, this track has some outstanding production showing the skills of rapping that makes you want to dance! Each track is over or just shy of 2 minutes long.

Dilz definitely has his own style and an ultra fast tongue! It’s easy to see he has mastered the art of rapping and he could potentially rhyme over any genre.

It’s nice to see the underground Hip-Hop scene in NZ making a comeback. The evidence is strong in this production.

4½ Stars

_{Review written by Kerry Kingi}