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<209>
‘First Minute, First Round’
(Bohemian Records)

Street rapcore from the south london massive, <209> are the closest British equivalent to LA’s Downset. They stand out because of vocalist Abisola Obasanya’s style (no doubt perfected on the estates of Lewisham - thats SE6 to you bruv!) which is reminiscent of Bonz from Stuck Mojo and most of all their poignant lyrics. Check out ‘UnUnited Kingdom’: ‘....Is it yours? Is it yours or mine? Sometimes I wish a sleeper cell would level the playing field...’. Nuff said, ‘First Minute, First Round’ is 13 sermons of the gospel, blow for blow, toe to toe.