The Goo 1
Jack McBain HIP HOP Happy New Year everyone, what
a year it was for Irish rap music. A genre that was largely ignored and disregarded by the Irish music industry for many years, last year was when I believe people really have started to notice a community of immense talent. Two days. Into the new year fans of Irish hip-hop were treated to a brand new EP from one of our finest talents in Ahmed, With Love who dropped ‘Ahmed, With Friends! Vol.1: Friday at Kylté’s’ which is a three track EP in collaboration with Curtisy and producer Kylte, two of the country’s finest talents in their respective fields. This EP is a solid start to 2025 from the Irish rap scene’s most beloved duo after a stellar 2024 from the both of them. There is a huge album on the way from Travy whose debut mixtape titled ‘Spooky’ drops on the 10th of January. Anyone who heard the tape he dropped with Elzzz last year ‘Doghouse’ knows the quality he possesses. Travy was one of the Irish rappers who really broke out of Ireland last year making a name for himself in the rap scene in both the UK and Ireland. A tape that I have been really enjoying recently is the new project from Mickzart & Kadillac titled ‘Custard Cream Dreams’ which is a soulful laidback rap project that is uniquely Irish and a great listen all round. I love when Irish rappers 40 include references and bars about everyday life in Ireland, it adds to the relatability of the rappers in the scene. In terms of upcoming gigs in Dublin over the next few months there are two in particular that are definitely unmissable. Jpegmafia returns to the capital on the 30th of January for the ‘Lay Down My Life’ tour at The Olympia which is one of the most hotly anticipated rap shows in Dublin in a long time. Anyone who has attended the last couple of Peggy shows in Dublin at the Academy a few years back will know this is one not to miss. We also have MIKE coming to the Button Factory, one of the most exciting rappers around. I got MIKE in the Soundhouse early last year and it was a brilliant show from the New Jersey man. What I’m Listening To: ‘GNX’ By Kendrick Lamar: Hasn’t left my rotation unlikely it will for a long long time, greatest rapper of all time, isn’t a debate. ‘Catfished’ By Crutch: Really big on this new Crutch tune, would love a full length project from him this year. One of Ireland’s brightest talents in rap. ‘Veteran’ By Jpegmafia: Re listening in anticipation of the Olympia gig. A chaotic, vicious raw masterpiece of an album. Morrissey fans stay away!