Sneakbo’s debut album is an ode to a place he feels he is greatly indebted to, a place which he feels has moulded his very being – that place is Brixton. Brixton is an introspective body of work in which Sneakbo uses 19 dynamic tracks to lament, reminisce and critically analyse the journey he has taken to get to his current position. Throughout the album, there is a seemingly dark overcast – although grateful for his current success, he has regrets, is hungry for more and it pains him deeply that some of his childhood friends aren’t here to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

Production wise, Intro is a fantastic track and a brilliant opener to the album. The use of strings, the powerful crescendos and the thumping drum beat create a sense of premonition; a storm is coming, and that storm is Sneakbo. Sneakbo himself doesn’t open the track but instead, a voiceover does; “He kicked open some doors, no-one can deny that man/ Like what people do in the scene, people need to recognise/genuine artists who have done stuff, opened doors for a lot of man, a lot man, it’s mad”.  This voiceover is perhaps a subliminal to those who have discredited his work in the past.

Intro is epic and laden with passion, energy and is one of my favourite tracks on the album. The “Touch a button” reference was seamlessly executed and a pleasant surprise. Once he says “Let me show you the wave”, the track sky rockets, the pace accelerates and Sneakbo then proceeds to rap ferociously over a perfectly syncopated beat. And with that, the tone for the rest of the album is set. The Touch A Button rapper was more refined, poised and ready to offer you his debut album.

The album invokes an incredibly nostalgic tone. This is primarily due to Sneakbo naming the album Brixton, but also because he raps continuously about his upbringing and journey. On Back Then, he speaks lengthly about the area which moulded him and provides great detail of his former gang activities. “Back then I used to hop in the ride/Load up my nine/This was my life. . On this track, he also reveals struggles with his mental health “Push me to the edge, all my friends are dead, f*ck fame I got issues in my head”. 

Sneakbo later raps about his issues with success and those waiting on his demise. On They Don’t Wanna See, Nah ft Not3s and I Heard ft Yungen, he speaks about those plotting on his downfall and people who only want to be around him for his success. Amidst his rise Sneakbo still remains humble, on Most Hated he says “I’m tryna get one mil, two mil and then go and eat at Morley’s”. 

With 19 tracks, the album is a lengthly project. I find with longer albums that the artist is either waffling or is intent on articulating a particular point, for Sneakbo, the latter was the case. Sneakbo slows down the pace on the latter half of the album by drawing on influences of Afro-swing. However, the latter half lacks the pace and vigour which the first half offers and a few tracks could have been omitted. Another con of the album is the disappointment that is Active ft Giggs. The track had much potential but surprisingly falls flat.

Although not groundbreaking, the album is worth taking a listen to. The album’s significance lies not in its longevity, but because of the passion and great storytelling Sneakbo offers on every track. Sneakbo offers a very raw and in-depth narration of his journey and a deep appreciation and love for Brixton. This appreciation is even more poignant and timely due to the way in which gentrification has erased and altered the Brixton we once knew. The final track is Outro and he ends the song by repeating “I Love you brixton, the place I grow/I love you brixton/my block my home/ I love you Brixton I miss my bros/I love you Brixton I love the roads”. This phrase essentially encompasses everything that the album is and what Sneakbo wants you to take away from it.