Shortee Blitz - ...1st Step (EP)
Mobo-award winning DJ Shortee Blitz steps into the forefront with ‘..1st Step’. An assured, well-crafted EP featuring a heavyweight list of hip hop names, including Joell Ortiz, Oddisee, Wavy Boy Smith, Blak Twang and more.
The opening track ‘Steel Sharpens Steel’ epitomises the goal of the EP, featuring a quote from Busta Rhymes that sets the tone for the rest of the project:
“...that’s the beauty of rhyming with incredible MCs, it brings out the best in each other”...1st Step’ is a showcase of everything great about hip hop. From the clever wordplay on ‘Excellence’ and thought provoking lyricism on ‘Truth’ to triumphant beats across the board and slick turntablism on tracks such as ‘Beast’.
Rather than turn to the most popular artists of the moment, Shortee has used his expertise, to bring together an all-star cast based on talent rather than numbers. Writer Ryan Proctor elaborates, “This isn’t a release that was inspired by popular trends and a hollow desire to simply appeal to the masses. Instead, ‘...1st Step’ proudly represents credibility and creativity. This is hip-hop at its finest.”