Flashback is the debut single from Carasel’s sophomore album ‘Dreams Of Paradise’ which dropped earlier this year. The album is an explosive showcase of the Bristol Emcee’s lyrical ability traversed across a soundscape of A-list producers, achieving what we believe could be a nod for hip-hop album of the year.

Flashback has been produced by long time friend and collaborator Crissy Criss, better known for his earth shattering Drum and Bass tracks & his year stint as tastemaker on BBC 1xtra. Crissy steps up with a nostalgic pounding boom bap beat that feels straight out of the New York golden era. Carasel starts the track by exclaiming ‘Damn Crissy this is giving me Flashbacks!’ and the scene is set as he bounces around melody delivering nostalgic odes to his inspirations and what gave him that spark to do music in the first place.

The clever hook subtly switches each time with a different reference of communication and musical formats starting with landline phones and walkmans and progressing to Whatsapp and Wav files at the finale whilst delivering numerous flashbacks to pop references from days gone by. The track is then enhanced further by Crissy’s intricate sound FX that take you back to that moment in time.

The track is backed up by a phenomenal music video shot and directed by Joshua Perret and we have never see anything like it. The video has a moving animated paper mache effect which collages items, media and nods to Carasel’s musical upbringing.

Carasel sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Wow that’s a big question! I would say my first experience of hip hop was getting a WWF tape when I was 3 or 4, SlamJam! Those wrestlers had bars! From that my journey has varied tremendously from being the biggest Wu-Tang fan to knowing every word from Skitz’s Countryman album to jungle tape packs and raves. Check my track Flashback on my album, I break down all my inspirations verse by verse and my pay homage to those that sparked that energy in me to pick up the microphone.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I would love to work with Calibre, on the drum and bass side he is the goat to me. Hip-hop wise every one wants a Premier beat right? As far as UK artists go I think Kano is top of the pile, his live show is unbelievable and shows the levels we can push this art for to.

3. Your Album Dreams Of Paradise has just dropped, tell us about that?

It has been built to a backdrop of extreme highs and lows. I started building the ‘Album’ before the birth of my first Son, I was steaming into it making great progress then the pandemic hit which at first that was helpful as it gave me lots more time to work on the project but then Leo (my son) arrived which was unbelievably incredible but we quickly realised something was not right, he was diagnosed with serious liver disease shortly after birth & we were told he would need a transplant. We ended up staying in hospital for over 100 days in Birmingham! Obviously this was super hard to deal with we came so close to losing him on a couple occasions and even when we got home our world was flipped upside down with all the extra meds and care. This set the tone for the project and I touch on that struggle on various tracks. It’s quite reflective in parts but also upbeat at others and I have a serious cast of guests that joined me. Legends like Rodney P, Dynamite Mc, Navigator & Harry Shotta, leading UK lights like Inja, Sonnyjim, Wishmaster , DRS and Blacksmith plus production from D&B dons on a hip-hop tip like Break, Crissy Criss & Jam Thieves alongside Hozay, Badhabitz, Highrolla and Frenic.

4. How would you describe your sound?

On this album, the sound is traditional Boombap but I think I bring my D&B delivery and influence over. People know me most from drum and bass scene and I have had releases on most the big labels over that side. I love hip-hop as it allows me to be expressive and open up and curate entire songs rather than straight up dance-floor tracks.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

This and my debut album Progression are very proud moments for me, I look back at them as special moments in time & its an honour to have collaborated with artists I have so much respect for. In terms of shows Glastonbury is always special, My sets their have been broadcast live on Radio 1 with Annie Mac, Rampage in Belgium in from of 30,000 and big stage takeovers with my labels AFT Records and Raps always gets me proud as I get to see the label artists shine.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Buckle in tight, enjoy the ride and understand you need losses to respect the winnings.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

My boy Blacksmith is doing big things and collaborating with some huge artists stateside. Gotta rep my Bristol gang Wish Master, Jay 0117, Slowie, Gardna, Datkid , Baileys Brown to me are doing the most right now but I could list u 20 more. We have a whole heap of shellers in Briz and showcase new talent bi-monthly at our AFT Raps nights, u should pull up some time!

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Heavy on Griselda their output as a camp has been relentless, new Nas hit hard, all the Bristol Artists I mentioned and gotta give props to D&B artists like DRS, Dynamite, Harry Shotta, Degs and Inja coming with full vocal projects. R.I.P to the late great Skibadee.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

Look after my son he takes up more time than I could of ever imagined! Apart from that I run the labels get to the Football when I can and watch a couple series of Netflix or whatever. Damn this question made me realise I do music 90% of my time tho, every free moment I get, I’m on it.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

A good engineer, I don’t really like recording on my own anymore I good engineer makes all the difference. Other than that water and my phone with all my bars in, that’s all I need.