Jords - Dirt In The Diamond (Album)
Dirt In The Diamond covers a lot of ground both thematically and genre-wise. It perfectly encompasses how Jamaican culture and the grimy streets of London have mixed and influenced the realm of music. Jords has incorporated in this record UK hip hop, grime, drill, dancehall, gospel and, in places, more soulful grooves.
Thematically it’s even broader. He moves from braggadocio to politics, social struggle, romance, sex, love and family. Family is woven into the fabric of this album. All the way through it, there are snippets of conversations that he had with his grandfather and other people who are dear to him. I think this represents well how Jords sees himself and his family as inextricably connected to the broader society. “With me, there is always we,” he says. “It’s about the community and the village that raised you.” While that quote is about his film it also applies to his music and his general attitude to life as he demonstrates by his co-foundation of the Pickni Uniforms initiative, which helps kids from low income families to afford school uniforms.
Jords has taken on a big responsibility with this album. It’s the first UK rap album to be released on Motown Records. He’s making history and no doubt paving the way for others.
Every track in this generous 15 song collection brings something different but equally valuable. There are collaborations with his idol Wretch 32, Kranium, Toddla T, Lil Sykes, Tay Iwar and a load of others. Producer and drummer Mcknasty is credited with pulling Jords out of a bit of a creative block and sorting out the Wretch 32 collaboration. And the collaborations don’t stop at music. Inspired by films such as ‘Small Axe’ Jords, along with director Renee Osubu, he has created a trilogy of short films to go with the music, the final part being released with his new single ‘Fist in the sky’. They’re beautiful cultural and political pieces that enhance the music in a non-traditional music video style.
I think this album requires a dissertation not a review to truly cover it so let me wrap it up by picking my top 3 tracks.
Track 2, Drill vs Grime feat. Lil Sykes. It’s full of just the right kind of boastful lines. It’s tough and a little bit bouncy. I cannot wait to hear this in a club.
Track 9, MoBay with Tay Iwar. You may already know it, if you know it you surely love it. This is far and away the sexiest track on the album.
Track 6, Fist in the sky feat. Jordan Mackampa. This is Jords’ favourite and stands out for me too. My first thought when I heard it was ‘Is Jords the UK’s Kendrick?’. It’s proud, it’s strong and powerful. In his own words “This song is my favourite, it’s just the one I go back to every time, to me, it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever made. I knew it as soon as I was done.”
If I may humbly offer a compliment, this album is a serious accomplishment.
Words: Kate Vice