Hot on the heels of their album listening party earlier this week – which saw performances from the likes of Big Narstie, Lethal B and many others – producer outfit Tee and Tank, better known as The Heavytrackerz, have released their debut album Odyssey: A Musical Journey today. The 18-track LP has dropped following incredible support for album singles ‘Rude Boy Flex’ and ‘Control’.
There has been much anticipation for the release of the album, with the first single ‘Rudeboy Flex’ – featuring grime royalty Lethal B, Ghetts & Face – getting strong support across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Kiss and Rinse FM. The second single ‘Control’, featuring verses from JME and P Money, has also been added to BBC Radio 1Xtra playlist, marking just the beginning of the album’s success.
A powerful retort to the duo’s experiences of the industry and its expectations, Odyssey: A Musical Journey quickly builds up with energy and flare that is characteristic of grime. In Tee’s own words, ‘it’s not about being rude for the sake of being rude, but more of an anti-establishment statement.’ Made up of 5 chapters, the album works its way through the duo’s diverse influences, ranging from French rap, dubstep and earlier works of grime.
Written and A&R’d independently over the course of two years, Odyssey: A Musical Journey encapsulates the diversity of Tee and Tank’s signature sound. Features from some of grime’s most recognisable voices in Ghetts, Lethal Bizzle, P Money, JME and D Double E play a prominent role throughout the project, while surprise voices like Shola Ama and Mikkil Pane nod to the esteem The Heavytrackerz are held in by the wider industry. It marks their transition from studio producers to artists in their own right.
In 2014, Tee and Tank were catapulted to the forefront of grime’s resurgence with Meridian Dan’s cult single ‘German Whip’. Following the success of this remarkable breakthrough, the duo are credited for bringing grime back to the mainstream public consciousness. The pair are also credited for Stormzy’s 2015 hit ‘Standard’ and have produced for the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Solo 45. Aiming to be the UK’s answer to DJ Khaled and Metro Boomin, The Heavytrackerz remain one of the most ambitious but quietly understated outfits in the UK, with their debut album giving a fantastic insight into what is still to come.
Tracklist
1. Odyssey Intro (Noel Clarke & P. Money)
2. Meet Paul (Interlude)
3. Control (JME, P Money, Kurt & Donae’o)
4. Rude Boy Flex (Face, Ghetts & Lethal B)
5. Welcome To My Office (Interlude)
6. Survivor (Doctor, Inch of Section Boyz & Joe Grind)
7. Feel The Love (London House Cats, Mikill Pane, Glorynade & Paije)
8. Days Like This (Tizzy)
9. Sorry (Monstaboy, Mark Asari & Big Narstie)
10. Kore wa odessei desu (Manga)
11. Hand Up (Teddy Bruckshot & Big Narstie)
12. In The Air (Alika & Lady Chann)
13. Lights (Shola Ama)
14. Concrete Jungle (Moelogo, Footsie & Duurty Goodz)
15. When I Wake Up (Tizzy & Face)
16. Way 2 Much (Young T & Bugsey / Big Tobz)
17. Black Widow (Ghetts, Capo Lee, Prez T & Double S)
18. Home (Tom Walker & Mikill Pane)
