It’s been more than a minute since a 16 year-old KarimThaPeasant blessed listeners with ‘MAD’. His return, in the form of a five-track EP entitled ‘KTP’ is a sharp reminder of both the East Londoner’s impressive versatility and his irrepressible self-belief. 

Throughout, Karim posts up comfy at the intersection of hip hop, trap and grime, bossing each production with effortless, unhurried flows. But don’t get it twisted, while his delivery remains calm and controlled, the underlying message revolves around fierce independence and hard graft.

There’s an intoxicating, woozy trap element to KTP’s opening one-two. Kicking off with the boastful, braggadocios energy of LCS produced lead single ‘They Don’t Sound Wavy,’ Karim takes aim at any ‘big talker with the big man chest’ and pays rightful homage to his East London roots. This ultra-confident vibe carries into ‘Lola,’ a certified shutters about catching the attention of ‘the prettiest girl in the room’ and not getting gassed.

An upward gear-change follows as Karim flexes over Cassell The Beatmaker’s grime-enthused production on ‘No Days Off.’ We’re now zoned in on the tireless work-rate required to secure the bag in the music industry, and grime sensibilities are the perfect representation of that required determination. His choppy, fast flows work well here, matching the industrial energies of the production without ever sounding forced. ‘Legacy’ extends the theme of hard work. Our boy ‘don’t give a fuck about no number two.’ He wants top spot status. He wants to put on for his guys. And he intends to do it all on his own terms, with morals, heart, and backbone.

The reflections of ‘Busy Damn Week’ are an intelligent way to close out ‘KTP’ where we find Karim strapping zoots, bouncing from studio to shows overseas and considering the sacrifices he’s making to live his dream. The pensive thoughts expressed in the track’s first verse are blazed away in the second. ‘Fuck it, I do it myself,’ our boy boasts with customary cockiness. 

It’s this unshakeable self-assurance which underpins the entire project, and that’s why the future is undoubtedly full of promise for KarimThaPeasant.