“At 20 years of age Rozmo has spent his youth immersed in the
Vancouver Hip Hop scene. He released his debut album ‘BROKE’ while
booking shows all over the lower mainland. He’s constantly improving,
sharpening his lyricism and on track to release 3 albums before the end
of 2015. Rozmo brings a modern approach to the classic hip hop sound
we all know and love. Underground beats layered with a new school
cadence make for a refreshing body of work.” – rozmosis.bandcamp
Rozmo brings something new to Vancouver hiphop with his debut album ‘Broke’. A unique and welcome blend of that classic almost Imaginations Treetrunk-ian style and a more current or worldly hiphop feel. This makes perfect sense if you know where Rozmo comes from and it’s an exciting prospect to witness this young artist’s evolution as a sort of bridge between where we’ve been and where we’re headed.
The lyrics on Broke are simplistic and the content can be meandering at times, but it works on tracks like ‘Sometimes’ and ‘The Badger’. Other songs carry more focused themes like ‘Pyramid’, where he touches on the societal trappings of status or ‘Control’ where he delves into his struggle as an artist. As is to be expected with a debut album his rapping can be a little rough around the edges but his timing is advanced and his cadence is unique. It may only be his debut album but Rozmo handles himself well over a beat.
Beat selection really helps sell the spacious relaxed atmosphere of the project. There are a number of different producers on ‘Broke’ yet the whole thing feels very cohesive. The themes and tone of the album stay consistently engaging whether it’s a low key vibe like ‘The Badger’ produced by Mosh/House or the in your face crash of ‘Tsunami’.
‘Broke’ starts out with some beautiful piano, as Roz lays into some storytelling and rounds out the little 1 minute opener with a chill chorus. Rain is probably my favourite song on ‘Broke’. Featuring Azrael of ILL-Legitimate the two trade verses on chill little jazzy track produced by George Borroso.
Rozmo sidesteps the abrasive narcissism of his contemporaries in his songwriting. Rarely can you find his ego blocking his most honest and personal expression. It’s like hearing music from someone you know, sincere and intimate. That’s not to say he doesn’t have his outbursts, but his occasional craziness is dynamic and serves to balance the album more than disrupt it.
Overall this is a great album to throw on and chill out to. I look forward to what’s next for this talented young emcee.
Follow him on twitter @RozRaps on Facebook and soundcloud