Different Dude

The prince of UK hip hop, SL, comes for the crown on the eclectic, experimental, kaleidoscopic and cinematic mixtape ‘Different Dude’. An incredibly individualistic artist, there is complexity and juxtaposition flowing through the project; the wordsmiths laidback, conversational flow is a stark contrast to the lyrical content, with themes of violence, greed, ambition and lust consistent ideologies, bringing out subtle elements of humour and nuance. Despite still being a teenager, on Different Dude, SL demonstrates maturity, versatility and craft well beyond his years. 

The opener, the tapes namesake, begins the project in the manner it means to go on - wholesome, jaw dropping and vivid beats, combined with SL’s signature full bodied, road rap bars and charismatic delivery. The follow up, ‘Need More’, is like a scene from a Western shoot out. The roaring 808’s and droning synths immerse the sonic landscape with intent and focus, while SL bullies and controls the beat. ‘Felt Tips’, the lead single from the project, features coy, humorous lyrical content and colourful production. ‘Trenches’ offers the tapes first feature, with Ayo Britain coming through with a melodic and compelling hook, combining well with SL, who brings out his most introspective bars of the project so far on the guitar based instrumental. 

‘Quarantine Freestyle’ and ‘Now & Then’ feel and sound more like SL’s earlier work, with the flows incandescent and full of arrogant depictions and grizzly imagery. ‘Excuse me’, one of the stand out tracks, uses atmospheric synths, pianos and heavy bass frequencies to welcome in one of the biggest names in drill, Unknown T. The two rappers playfully compliment each other vocally, exchanging tales of treachery and trapping. An energetic, focused number that compels with its visuality and realism.

‘Who Knows’ takes a darker, authentic turn, with sprawling synths and stark one-liners. ‘Super High’ offers up another vibey feature from Nafe Smallz on a cultured, well crafted cut as SL floats on the airy, spacious instrumental. The finale, ‘Bye Bye’ completes the body of work on an unsetting and melancholy note, with emotive synths and strummed acoustic guitar, and SL reflecting on his lifestyle, decisions and difficultly with relationships. 

In the 28 minutes run time, we discover so much about our flawed protagonist - he’s ambitious and driven, calculated and cold, and also humane and funny. This tape has some serious narrative depth, as we enter the world of our raconteur and hope that he makes it out alive and kicking. Packed with juicy, vibrant production, sparring hilarity and excellent features, this is a bona fide, zealous classic that firmly cements SL as one of the best new rappers in the UK.