Plan B, stripping away the pseudonyms, is one man and his guitar writing songs about personal experience. Been here before haven't we? Except that Ben Drew is trying something a little different - his penetratingly aggressive rapping jars against an otherwise mellow sound, giving his brand of UK hip-hop that all-important edge of individuality. Whether is works is another thing entirely.
Mama is a track urging Drew's mother to ditch her dead-beat boyfriend who is sponging off her for crack cocaine. Now, I'm pretty sure my mother would tell me it was none of my damn business who she chose as a partner, particularly now that I'm all grown-up like, but Plan B's response is "Fuck dat, dat's not how da man of the house acts, I gotta defend ma territory". If nothing else, at least he is obeying the sexist conventions of this genre.
Still, his concern appears touching with the tidy chorus of "Can't you see what he's trying to do to you and to me?". Catchy yes, but this really appears the only reason why this single has been heard. Not only are the verses littered with F'ing and blinding, these only really serve to cover up some pretty dodgy lyrics; "Fuckin takes da piss, bringing dat slut into our house, it's the ultimate diss" just doesn't tap into the hip-hop culture in the same way that artists like Task Force do.
This is a very accessible gateway into UK hip-hop for those who have not discovered it, which is ultimately why Plan B is so worthwhile. However, on branching out you will discover that hip-hop can be incredibly poetic, and that Plan B's shit is pretty wack in comparison - ya get me?
