Album Review: C.R.I.$.I.$ Mr Swagger - Soultrain

I never thought I'd see it: technically flawless east coast (of America) style hip hop made by a Perth MC. That MC is Zambian-born, Perth-based C.R.I.$.I.$ Mr Swagger. The man raps like he was born doing it and this six-track EP features production so sharp you could cut yourself. Jesus Christ. I had to listen to Soultrain three times because I couldn't even believe it. The metaphors are complex, Swagger's samples are fearlessly independent of each other, there is little imitation and almost no repetition or recycling. Back To The Future, track one, is a stand-out in particular.