Sam Wise is a student of the craft. A rapper who wants to have input on every area of his art, he’s able to blend sober observations with hilarious observations, all while blurring the lines between old production and new school innovation. The Londoner’s role in House Of Pharaohs brought a slew of co-signs, but now he’s going it alone – and the results speak for themselves.
New EP ‘None The Wiser’ follows the self-admitted “reset” he put himself through in 2020. Lead single ‘Guess Who’s Back’ was a bold return, its rugged beat blurring the line between boom bap physicality and more modern developments. It’s a foundation that forces Sam to switch up his flows, in turn incorporating different aspects into what is essentially an old school framework. “Doorman let all the ravers in,” he gushes, before adding: “It’s a London ting put our name on the map…”
Matching an awareness of history with a deft display of his personality, ‘None The Wiser’ unfolds into something taut, creative, and undeniably entertaining. Just check out the soulful introspection on ‘Thankful’ – “man, this life was just a dream” – or the straight-up fun that energises ‘Chattin’s’.
‘The Game Is The Game’ drops the tempo a little, the production palette relishing those infinitesimally small flourishes. There’s a hint of Kool & The Gang’s ‘Summer Madness’ in the background, the hazy, dream-like atmosphere punctuated by vocals from Nigerian alte force Maison2500.
Closing with the neat, cyclical guitar line that underpins ‘Fever’, this is an EP that aims for immediacy, while also providing no end of subtlety. Equally at home in 2k22 trap-leaning production as it is with old school elements, the EP is a defiantly British take on hip-hop – it’s little wonder that BBK lynchpin Jammer gets a shout out. A bold step forwards, ‘None The Wiser’ proves that few can do it like Sam Wise.
8/10
Words: Robin Murray