These days everyone has a soapbox to stand on, everyone has something to say! U.K. phenom E-Tizz is poised to catch the ears of the world on his sophomore release What I Gotta Say.  E-Tizz is part of the U.K. version of the super friends which is a conglomerate of fire spitters from “across the pond.”  

This album is full of energy from the start and once it starts rolling one thing is apparent, the U.K. is on something a little different than the U.S. in terms of what’s popular in rap music. It starts off pretty normal with the usual suspects, auto tune and 808 drums on the hyper “Out Killin”. E-Tizz has bars, but they are focused. The beat can dupe you into bobbing your head reckless but dude is spitting truth. This is one of the harder tracks on this album much like other traditionally hip hop tracks, such as the hot anthem “You Already Know What I’m About”. Co starring the whole Forerunner fam, this cut is ministry heat over a lava beat. One sound that has proven popular by U.K. artists is music with a reggae feel; E-Tizz and Jahaziel lace “Mr. DJ” which is really up-tempo. My only fault with this song is the music gets kind of cloudy in spots maybe due to a sample or cluster of instruments. E-Tizz makes good use of the features he puts on this album aside from his group counterparts, he definitely maximizes the guest spots. The bulk of this album is carried musically by club style songs in one form or another, like I stated earlier the tracks are very deceptive when considering the lyrics dropped on them. Whether it’s the Electro pop joints ”What I Gotta Say”, “Clap Clap” (featuring newly crowned queen of the hooks Jai), or the Diddy Dirty money type “I’m Tellin' Em All” (featuring KJ-52). Tizz even went emo with the drum heavy “I’m Sorry”, and what may be one of the hottest joints on the album “Stating Truth”

As far as originality goes, I doubt E-Tizz will win any awards for being supremely different from the crowd. I think this is one of those albums that aim to give the people what they want as well as what they need. The style in which the records are delivered is certainly en vogue with what is prominent in clubs all over the U.S. and the U.K.

The beats were decent on this album, like I stated earlier it carries an overall club song, pop feel which is definitely left up to the preference of the listener. The danger of riding with one producer sometimes locks you into that person’s signature sound or the vibe that they are on at the time. E-Tizz seems to revisit that sound on this record, weather it was at the behest of him or G.P. is unknown. Overall the production was very clean and they did some things that really gave a boost to certain songs like switching beats up in the same song or letting the tracks ride out a little longer which made for a welcome change of pace from the average rap record.

E-tizz’s Lyrics are sharp and witty and he stays on task as he weaves in and out of songs. For all the Hip Hop heads that are looking for deep thought provoking lyrics or cryptic complex rhyme schemes you will be disappointed. That being said, Christ is still very prominent in that the music heralds more than it teaches. E-Tizz’s wordplay is more modern compared to those that have a classic hip hop sound. Delivery is on point from start to finish but I would say although it is genetic the accent could be a hurdle for some, for me it makes it pretty cool because of the change of pace sonically.

From an arrangement, concept point of view again I would have to say that would be based on what you are listening for. If you were looking for energy from start to finish you got it. If you were looking for a record that played out with a particular concept driven home personally I didn’t hear it. But over all I thought it was a dope album and would make a great record to give someone new in the faith or someone who spins as a DJ or if you just like high powered Christ centered music, E-Tizz is that guy!

Categorical Ratings Breakdown:

Originality/Creativity: 3.5/5
Lyrics: 4/5
Delivery: 4/5
Beat Selection/Production: 3.5/5
Concept/Arrangement: 3.5/5

Click HERE to hear previews, releases 2/7