UK grime and hip hop artist Isaiah Dreads has revealed his brand new 6 track EP ‘South West’, a slickly lyricised production dropped alongside the official video for opening single ‘Where Have You Been’, released on the newly kindled Payday Records.
Following the success of his ‘Real Friends’ single, described by DJ Target on his 1Xtra show as Isaiah’s “best record yet”, the EP showcases the varied styles and talents of the Dorset artist, who named the EP after his surroundings growing-up.
“It represents where I come from and my friends are from there,” he added.
Having performed on BBC Radio 1xtra with MistaJam, and providing Charlie Sloth with a widely acclaimed Fire In The Booth performance, Isaiah’s ‘Where Have You Been’ kickstarts the EP, showcasing his punchy flow, and aggressive, rapid delivery.
Proving he can mix it with the more melodic, ‘Blue Eyes’ ft Lily Mckenzie displays Isaiah Dreads’ cleverly crafted production talents, providing a more downtempo feel, before ‘Turn Up’ takes things back to his grime roots, with a snarling bassline pierced by the Brit’s frantic lyrical style.
The hard-hitting truths of ‘Believe That’ also feature on ‘South West’, before rounding things off with ‘Breakthrough’; a track providing a strong narrative element to the release.
Initially inspired by old school MCs like JME and Bashy, Isaiah was the subject of praise from ‘The Godfather of Grime’ Wiley in 2016 , prompting his ‘Lone Wolf’ EP which was championed by BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens. Isaiah followed up the release with the widely acclaimed ‘Hot Spice’ feat One Acen, and ‘White Tee’, with the latter earning a place in Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist, and a 4-week stint on the 1Xtra playlist.
Still only 20 years old, ‘South West’ follows his sold-out 2017 headline show in London, and showcases Isaiah’s unmistakable signature sound and cleverly written bars.
