Album Review: Kelaa Sitä by Fintelligens – A Finnish Hip-Hop Gem
Released in 2000, Kelaa Sitä by Fintelligens is a bold and unapologetic slice of Finnish hip-hop history. Backed by Columbia Records, this album dives deep into the raw energy of early 2000s rap while staying true to its Nordic roots. It’s not perfect, but it doesn’t try to be. Instead, what you get is an authentic project that feels like flipping through the pages of Finland’s underground music scene.
The standout track here has to be “Kelaa Sitä (Originaali).” Produced and arranged by Fintelligens themselves, it’s got that gritty boom-bap vibe with lyrics penned by Elastinen and Iso H. The wordplay? Razor-sharp. You can tell these guys weren’t just rhyming for fun—they had something to say. Listening to this cut reminds me why I fell in love with hip-hop in the first place. It’s punchy, clever, and carries enough swagger to make you hit repeat. Plus, Jani Tolin’s cover art sets the tone perfectly—bold yet understated, much like the music itself.
Then there’s “Stockholm-Helsinki,” which brings a slightly different flavor to the mix. This one feels more introspective, almost like a travel diary set to beats. Antton Miettinen’s photography might not scream "hip-hop" at first glance, but somehow it ties back to the storytelling on this track. There’s a sense of movement, both literal and emotional, that makes it stick in your head long after the song ends.
Let’s talk about Wretch’s compositions too—they’re solid as heck. Whether it’s the stripped-down instrumental version of “Kelaa Sitä” or the Jonny Bro remix, each rendition adds layers to the original without overcomplicating things. That balance between simplicity and depth? Harder than it looks.
What really struck me about Kelaa Sitä, though, was how unpretentious it felt. These artists didn’t chase trends; they carved out their own space. Sure, some parts sound dated now (hey, it is from 2000), but isn’t that part of its charm?
In hindsight, this album feels less like a polished masterpiece and more like a snapshot of where Finnish hip-hop stood two decades ago. And honestly, that’s pretty cool. Who knew a bunch of Finns could take such a quintessentially American genre and flip it into something uniquely theirs? Guess that’s the magic of music—it finds a way to surprise ya when you least expect it.
