Group – “1” (EP Review)
Group is a superduo consisting of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom graffiti writer, MC & producer Jehst alongside Runcorn, Cheshire emcee/producer Lee Scott. Both of whom have stood out in the UK hip hop scene for decades, starting their own labels YNR Productions & Blah Records respectively. They’ve also crossed paths with one another on several tracks over the past decade or so, kicking off a 2-part series of extended plays by dropping half of it in the middle of a global pandemic.
The self-produced “1 2” starts with this lo-fi boom bap instrumental setting it all off checking their microphones whereas “Everything I Know” featuring Lord Apex brings all 3 of them together talking about not wanting to know why this individual would like to dissect the knowledge each of them posses. “See Thru” takes a dustier approach to the beat keeping 12-gauge shotguns at point-blank ranges & the closer “José” assures everything will be around no matter what’s said.
If this is only the beginning for Group, then it has me excited to hear what else Jehst & Lee Scott could do now that they’ve combined their musical powers for an entire extended play that I have no doubts would satisfy a great deal of UK hip hop fans. Regardless of when or if the planned sequel will ever see the light of day, putting both England heavyweights over boom bap production for a dozen minutes with only 1 guest to heighten their chemistry.
Score: 9/10
