The Grime scene saviour – as Chip ordained himself years back – recently released his fifth studio album, “Snakes & Ladders”, while the dust settled down from the social media uproar caused by his streak of hit diss tracks.
Throughout the course of his music career, Chip has consistently put out quality projects while ripping apart rivals. He’s also brutally honest about his disdain for those whose music he regards as lacking quality.
So, it comes as no surprise that with the release of this album, he addresses the state of the quality of UK rap, shows how the OGs throw it down, and blesses listeners with good music, all in one breath.
On “No Goat”, the customary electronic Grime sound plays as a voice slowly drops an intro, then pauses; Chip comes out swinging with an interlude to cut down the ladders other rappers stand on to claim being the greatest of all time:
“You ain’t no G.O.A.T mate, you a sheep…talking about legacy and that
nobody knows you from where we’re from, nobody gives a fuck
you’re a fucking sheep man…your music’s shit,
you ain’t no fucking G.O.A.T, you ain’t no legend, man got no legacy”
As if this wasn’t enough to pass the message across, he goes in right off the beat with taunting lyrics: “Uh, if I take that shot, I won’t miss”. A sure sign that he’ll be firing bars like guns on this track.
Using J.K Rowling’s wizarding lingo, Chip is a pureblood who views other rappers that measure their ability off their chart numbers as filthy muggles.
Quality hardcore bars are his measure of ability, and he doesn’t shy away from saying it with a chip on his shoulders: “Men lie, women lie, so do numbers…I don’t care where you charted, you’re shit.”
Its an open secret that many artistes are in the game for just money, derive validation from the money and fame, and don’t care about substance.
However, the pioneering set of rappers and a few of their successors don’t use this to measure the true worth of an MC. Chip’s lyrics shows he belongs to this class of rappers at the top of the game with this view:
“I could see you, you could see me, I could see you’re not a true MC
You just want a Rolex or a AP to stunt for the gram, allow it leave”.
He also takes shots at other rappers in a condescending manner, mocking the trend of rappers dropping dance anthems and going viral off dance moves: “Never went viral dancing, show you the power of barring.”
His verses are clear statements about his undisputed spot at the top, and as is expected of Chip, he reminds all that he’s been there and done that: “Been here, done mileage, dem man are study me, learning rhyming”;and he is backed up all through the track by catchy voices in the background, and dope beats that makes this track a vibe.
If you thought Jay Z is the standard for rappers being cocky about their abilities, then you’ll be shocked by Chip on the next track.
“Allow It” is a hardcore joint on which Chip both brags about his musical prowess, and addresses critics who have his name in their mouths: “Keep your opinions on me, thanks, cah I can’t put those in the bank”.
Referencing the trend of comparing artistes’ catalogues online with the chorus, Chip lets everyone know he’s in a class all by himself:
“I’ve got so many bangers, I could have a sound clash by myself V myself, win or lose, all myself”.
Cocky? He was only getting warmed up; he refers to it again in his second verse, but this time compares two different stages in his career:
“Talk about a Chip-V-Chipmunk if you wanna chat bout who might be colder than me”.
The icing on the cake he’s feeding critics and rivals on this track is the fact that he’s one of the youngest in the game to ever do it: “I don’t wanna hear your boss talk, I was a young bull bossing man older than me”.
It’s easy to get caught up in his cocky act but at the core of this track, he expresses himself about his struggles to get to where he is, and how he put in the work all by himself to get to the top.
The lyrics also hint at experiencing betrayal from those close to him: “If they do you how they did me, on my life you’d quit fam”. It sheds more light on the title of the album.
Versatility is one of Chip’s most talked about trait. He has always been able to adapt/jump on any sound to do his thing. So, don’t be surprised when you hear the drums of an Afrobeats tune on the next track.
Afrobeats and the UK music scene have a growing partnership, and Chip taps into this on “See Through”. He features UK based Afrobeats sensation Kida Kudz on a Maleek Berry sound production.
These heavyweights don’t disappoint; the groovy vibes associated with Afrobeats blends perfectly with Chips lyrics and delivery. His lyrics are a direct shot at fake individuals and how he sees through them all:
“Niggas only hit you when they want something, bitches never hit you when you aren’t popping…
You think you’re opaque, but you’re see through…”
He also throws in a little word play mixed with biblical allusion to pass across the message of betrayal:
“Undertakers and Kanes turn into Cain and Abels, eyes closed I can spot the Judas at the table”
Kida’s hook about fakes/betrayers compliments his lyrics on the same issue:
“All eyes I can see through you, now you moving like a snake,
I can see it in your face, I can see the Judas ways, I don’t want you in my space”.
A collaboration between members of the Grime hierarchy to dump on everyone else best describes “Ignite”, a track earlier released in 2020. Chip features Dizzee Rascal, a Grime pioneer, and JME on a very fiery track.
Transitioning from hardcore tracks to a pop sound on “Grown Flex” offers listeners a fresh variety. What’s more refreshing about this track is Chip tapping into his softer side with somewhat romantic lyrics alongside Bugzy Malone.
“Done Know” is a drill track that touches on a grim reality. Chip features Headie One, and they let listeners in on a view of the streets with lyrics that carry a heavy touch of solemn sincerity about life in the UK.
Chip sums up the whole picture in a few lines of the chorus:
“I see youths on ends patrolling, strapped up, riding, rolling
I salute them like I know them…hate when they see you progress no matter how much love you show them…
Step with God on my side, these times everyone’s carrying knives, but where I’m from that’s just life”
True to Chip’s earlier brag about the new school learning from him, Headie One references it in his lyrics when describing his come up from the streets with drill: “Growing up in Tottenham, tryna learn how to rhyme like Chippy,
I live life on the edge, but I thank God for the life I’m living”
It’s a testament to Chip being a role model to the youths on how to aim for the top without succumbing to the street culture of violence.
“100K” is also a drill track but Chip switches it up from the previous conscious music to a rave centered hardcore joint using a delivery with faster pace, and he features MoStack.
Tapping into his roots, Chip features Mavado to record a track in Patois. “Give Tanks” portrays a reflective mood about life, and the ability to give thanks for the little things in life, as well as life changing events.
It’s a track that is infused at the perfect point on the album to tone down all the talk about self, and acknowledge the factor of the spiritual.
The Afrobeats influence on the album continues with the next track, “Top Shelf”, on which he features one of the biggest female Afrobeats stars, Tiwa Savage.
Chip is all about female positivity on this track, although, some may not agree with how he goes about it, especially when he says: “Girls spending money to look like the Kardashians, its hard in these times of Meghan Thee Stallion”.
His second verse describes his type of woman, and he gives a shoutout to independent women. Tiwa goes on to serenade listeners with her smooth voice on a chorus that portrays a lady whose sense of self-worth is top tier.
The albums interlude, “Skeletons”, highlights the prevalence of promiscuity in recent times. It serves the purpose of cooling off the running theme on the album so far.
“Eskimo Dance” features Parker Ighile, whose sound production has been superb so far on the album, and he uses a fire tune to carry the track. His chorus and the beat did the heavy lifting, leaving Chip with little to do.
“No Reason” also gives off groovy vibes without any depth in the bars, and it feels like Chip has one foot down on a pivot while feinting around with the other foot.
Then in a move like pulling off a feint, and then following up with a jump shot, Chip switches back to diss mode. “Killer MC” is one of his previously released diss tracks.
Chip’s ability to rip apart others on a diss track with not so subtle bars is legendary, and it is put out on display in this track.
On “Lumidee”, Chip takes listeners back in time, it also feels like he commemorates his sojourn in the US, by sampling a popular track in the US and other parts of the world in 2003.
Lumidee’s hit track “Never Leave You” with her famous bridge of (uh oh, uh oh) is sampled by Chip. He also features American rapper Young M.A, and Young Adz. It’s a perfect blend of styles and a merge of different times.
If Chip’s intention is to show that he is skilled at crafting lyrics charged with sexual innuendos, then he pulled it off smoothly on “Hershey’s”. It should be noted that this track has a rating of above 18!
One would think Chip is a dancehall maestro with his performance on “Party Ah Keep”. He opens the track spitting in Patois to a loud snare beat and other background sound effects. Haile and Stylo G feature on the track, and they all drop vocals in Patois to record a mad vibe.
“Own World” has Chip laying himself bare about trust; a line stands out to relay his state of mind: “I’ve been so surrounded, I still feel alone”. Its on point as it goes along with the prevalent theme of the album.
Closing out the theme of the album by paying tribute to a real one, and entirely switching up the mood is a show of mastery of his craft by Chip. “0420” is a tribute to Chip’s longtime friend, Black the Ripper.
The beat and sounds set a very solemn mood as Chip bares open his soul to show the raw pain experienced from the loss of a loved one.
Through his lyrics he offloads a lot on his mind with a very personal touch:
“Got the message that my uncle died, couple hours later, Ashley at my door knocking
opened up said Black the Ripper died…I can’t lie I probably need a hug, but it’s Corona times”
The mandem’s number three in the charts, everyone congratulating but I’m numb as a rass
I was damaging my lungs before this virus, darg but Black said light it when he dies, that’s why I’m burning it darg”.
The general belief that the death of a loved one induces a state of existential crisis plays out as Chip introspects:
“I’m tryna read more, have less sex and drink water…torn between seeing a therapist or a pastor
Think about it, Heaven or Hell, what would you rather? I’ve lost friends I still hope to see in this life after”
The next lines coming from Chip would seem preposterous considering his perceived image in the public of feeding off conflicts with other rappers:
“They can hate me but can never say my heart isn’t clean, when Bugzy came off his bike
I closed my hands on my knees and prayed for him, half the industry grudgeful, me I’m out here grudgeless”
It is a very emotional track and shows all that none is spared from personal battles and pain in life.
It wouldn’t be out of character for Chip to include the other highly controversial diss track which his pen did a murder on. He had a feud with Stormzy and decided to hand him “Flowers”.
It is an undisputed fact that on the UK rap scene, Chip is one of the very few rappers on top of the food chain with a deadly reputation of preying on those in his path with heavy bars, and that is exactly what he did.
“Hot 97 (Outro)” and “Daily Duppy” are also hype tracks and complete a trio of bonus tracks used to end the album.
Chip put together a well-rounded project, and without doubt it solidifies his spot on the top rungs of the ladder many wish to climb up to get at him.
