Release Date: June 20th, 2011
The UK’s hip-hop grime scene is one that many attribute back to one individual’s work. Wiley – the London based producer and rapper – was instrumental in producing, and subsequently popularizing, grime. His seventh studio album, 100% Publishing, displays that Wiley can pair his silky smooth flow with the grime in his heart
Although Wiley’s sound has yet to be fully embraced stateside, he makes a strong case as to why it should. 100% Publishing has no frills over the course of its 13 tracks. It’s a straightforward effort that serves more as a declaration of Wiley’s love for the genre he helped father than anything else.
The album’s titular track features a hook that declares Wiley’s allegiance to being DIY, but also that his music may not be far-reaching “I know some don’t care about the grime scene/But I’m gonna until I die.” It seems as if Wiley has something to prove to his comrades in grime, and he kind of does. His departure from grime in 2008 saw his track “Wearing My Rolex” find mainstream acceptance, and he caught some major flak because of it… What does all of this mean for 100% Publishing?
If anything, it’s that Wiley is using this record as yet another attempt to regain his shaken street cred.
Everything about the album is signature Wiley, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Having a refined approach is always commendable, but grime feels entirely too incestuous, and seems to lack the progression of many other styles of hip-hop. The beats are raw, the tracks are short and Wiley’s flow and lyricism is certainly impressive, but after an album of songs with little-to-no diversity it loses its impact.
To say that 100% Publishing is anything other than pure would be to misconstrue what it is that Wiley has done. The album doesn’t feel as if he is merely trying to preach to the converted, as there is a genuine feel throughout that he believes he can take grime to a new plateau. Even beyond his ambition, it is obvious that he’s having fun, as evinced by the energetic, albeit a bit flawed, “Boom Boom Da Na.”
So what’s the problem with 100% Publishing? Not only is it far too congruous throughout, but it just feels incredibly average. It’s not as aggressive as Wiley’s American counterparts, and it’s not as hooky as those occupying the mainstream’s consciousness. Wiley exists within a niche that is microscopic stateside, and appears that he has no desire to push himself down new avenues.
100% Publishing is by no means bad, but there’s nothing that makes it stand-out either. In the hip-hop genre, people are always pushing forward with production and style, but Wiley seems to think as long as he has a solid flow he’ll survive. Unfortunately, that’s just not enough to make this record relevant or demand much replay.
Wiley – 100% Publishing Tracklist:
- “Information Age”
- “100% Publishing”
- “Numbers in Action”
- “Boom Boom Da Na”
- “Your Institution”
- “I Just Woke Up”
- “Wise Man and His Words”
- “Talk About Life”
- “Yonge Street (1,178 Miles Long)”
- “Pink Lady”
- “Up There”
- “One Hit Wonder”
- “To Be Continued”
