O.T Recordings – Left 2 Rot – The Review

Well, if you have been following the blogs reviews recently, you would’ve have no doubtly noticed I start each review with a history lesson. In this case, there is no exception. For regular listeners to Grime, or those who have been steadily following since it’s emergence, this crew really should need no introduction needed. Formed by Dogzilla back in 2005 with manager Mikee, OT Recordings are responsible for bringing talented MC’s into the game, probably most notable of those, Devlin. The crew were at the infamous pirate radio station Rinse FM so much, Dogzilla often referred to it as his home. Dogzilla is an MC which in my mind holds grime scene legend status. His ability to to tell stories within his songs (see: Never Ending Story, Burning, STD) is something special. Also a member of OT is Deeperman, featuring on all of OT’s releases to date without yet releasing something of his own. Devlin has been spitting on radio shows since the age of 13, where he was noticed by Dogzilla and the crews now manager Mikee, who brought him into the fold after meeting him through a friend.. Resident producers Shotz and Ratchet have always been on hand for the team to provide them with hard hitting and emotional beats. The crew & there near-relatives The Dogenham Alliance (M.Eye, Benson, Rema, Kozy, Props & Meshie) have released a number of mixtapes, all selling out very quickly and to this day still sought after. But lesson over, it’s now time to look at the product ahead of us. Producers names in Italic Bold.

Now I’m Seeing Lights (Dogzilla, Deeper & Devlin) (Rachet)

A nice way to open the CD, O.T doing what they do best, grab the tissues (To cry, of course !) A nice production with a catchy chorus from Dogzilla. 7/10

Milatry Strengths (Dogzilla & Devlin) (Ganjaman)

A deadly combination of Devlin & Dogzilla going back to back, literally destroying the tune !! I was really feeling the production, both MC’s accompanied well. Was kind of ruined towards the end when Dogzilla started making silly noises. 6/10

I Got Your Back (Devlin, Deeper & Dogzilla) (Rachet)

One of them classic emotional O.T songs, with that forever effective Dogzilla chorus. The beat got kind of repetitive in the end which ruined it for me. 6/10

I Am O.T (Dogzilla) (Shotz)

The 1^st solo tune on the CD, wasn’t really feeling it to be honest. A basic production with Dogzilla’s vocals not doing much justice unfortunately. 4/10

Superior (Devlin, Dogzilla & Deeper) (Shotz)

I’m still slightly 50/50 on this one. I particularly liked Devlin’s verses, but nothing here to excite me. 6/10

Devlinstein (Devlin & Dogzilla) (Ganjaman)

One of the better tunes, with a real evil-like sound. Played this several times, theres a mildly disturbing sample at the end, reminding me promptly where the remote is. 8/10

It’s A Shame (Deeper) (Rachet)

I haven’t been Deeperman’s biggest fan over the years, but I really did like this one. His flow might not always be bang on point in time, but he certainly gets his message across. I think the idea of including the solo songs was good, because now I’m content to listen to him more later on in the CD. 8/10

We Run This Shit (Devlin, Sharkey Major, Deeper, Stormin’ & Dogzilla) (Rachet)

WOW !!! One of my favourite tunes by a long shot. Every MC smashed their part to pieces, was fantastic to see all these MC’s on one track letting everyone know there still here. Especially Sharkey and Stomin’. 9/10

Left 2 Rot (Devlin) (J Beatz)

Well, if it’s got J Beatz written on it then it’s likely to be genius. This was a great combination, more “evilness” if you like. Devlin’s flow was bang on point, showing us why he’s still one of the scenes top MC’s with witty lines and clever comparisons. J Beatz providing nothing short of a great production. 8/10

Spitting Icicles (Devlin, Deeper & Dogzilla) (Points)

If my memory serves me correctly, I haven’t heard anything from Point before. I liked this production, similar to Shot’z production on track 4, but with more force. The MC’s however seemed all over the place and provided a hook nothing short of mild disturbia. 6/10

Screwface (Devlin & Dogzilla) (Shotz)

Yet again, that unstoppable combination is back. Both MC’s really put in the effort. 7/10

Roll Low (Devlin, Dogzilla & Deeper) (Ganjaman)

Also one of my favourite songs, the production is absolutely out of this world. Dogzilla providing them catchy chorus’ as per usual, also providing an outstanding verse, just like Devlin and Deeperman does also. Contender for my tune of the year so far ! 9/10

Spit Bars For The Geez (Dogzilla) (Shotz)

As fore-mentioned, I feel Dogzilla has achieved an almost hall of fame like status in Grime. I said about his ability to almost narrate on a track, but this is different. A real “Greezy” tune. Addressing all his haters and the people that stand in front of him. The CD seems to get better as it progresses !! 8/10

Heavily Armed (Deeper, Dogzilla & Devlin) (Rachet)

Just when I thought track 12 was going to be this CD’s pinnacle I listen to this. A refix of his own “Dumplin” beat, Rachet has provided us with a magical beat. This is O.T at there very best. It will take something momentous from them to better this tune. 10/10 !!!

Lost Souls (Deeper & Dogz) (The Cabinet)

The old emotion card is back again, a very emotional chorus from Dogzilla. Deeperman actually impressed me here as well. The Cabinet’s production is soft and soothing, but does it’s purpose very effectively. 8/10

Armegeddon (Devlin, Deeper & Dogzilla) (Shotz)
A bit of a disappointing way to end a fantastic CD really, I think the droning headache-providing production just made me switch off. 6/10

Summary: Wow. That’s pretty much it. A bit of a shaky start, but really progressed as it went on. Defiantly one of the best CD’s around at the moment. Dogzilla gets a lot of flak from critics and listeners but I really can’t see why. Maybe because he’s slightly older ? But who knows. Deeperman didn’t really appeal to me before this CD, but he seems to have come quite a long way since I last heard material from him (Roughly around late06/early 07.) Some of the productions on here were an absolute hit; some others questionable, but with that being said, nothings ever perfect is it. Here’s the deal:

Lyrics (Content, Rhyming , Chorus’ etc): 8/10

Productions (Quality Of Beats, Combination, Relativity etc): 6/10

Originality (Number Of Tracks, Previous or New Material, Airplay etc) : 8/10

Grand Total 22/30

Mic Rating: 4. An outstanding release.