Review Summary: Who knew a white ginger Muslim with glasses and a lisp could produce quality rap music?
As an American fan of UK battle rap, I was excited for "Humble Beginnings", the debut EP by rapper/battler Cee Major. Upon listening, I am glad I copped this free release. With a total of five tracks, this EP manages to showcase the best of the UK spitter in his transition from battler to musician. Hailing from the poor districts of London, Cee Major does not possess the typical rapper appearance; of course, this has earned Cee Major a plethora of haters (a white ginger Muslim with a lisp and glasses). However, this release illustrates why Cee Major is so skilled at his profession and is one of the best UK MCs to grace the scene.
The lyrics on Humble Beginnings are nothing short of brilliant, full of multisyllabic rhyme, double time, and ghetto wisdom. Coupled with Cee's flow, each song entices the listener to pay attention throughout the entire record (example- "They want that fast money zooming in their cars money/Buy a couple stones try stunting like they hard money/But it’s all a farce sonny, 'cuz you see them man are blind/You don’t know how much you can see until you look past money”, from "East London 2"). The metaphor-laden rhymes really illustrate Cee's poor upbringing in Bow and his struggles in life, as do the surprisingly well-executed hooks. Many times throughout the album, Cee Major packs some eye-catching bars in his choruses, something rarely seen in the mainstream.
In addition, the instrumentals fit the tracks well. "Lost Souls, Pt. 2" sees Cee rap over an Arctic Monkeys beat with vigor. Cee Major self-produced the majority of the EP (with additional aid from Phocus Beats), and each beat, whether minimalist or grandiose, accompany the bars excellently. The trumpet/trombone outro on "Lost Souls, Pt. 1" elevates the entire track just that more, as well as the horns on "East London 2." All this helps "Humble Beginnings" stay true to its theme.
Anyone longing for new tastes in underground hip hop should check out this free EP. Whether battling or recording, Cee Major crafts each rhyme with a purpose. This record's only flaw is its brevity, but for what it is, Humble Beginnings proves to be a stellar release.
