Like A Blessing Gatuslang Exclusive 2001: A Hidden Gem in Swedish Hip Hop
Man, this album hit me like a ton of bricks when I first heard it. Like A Blessing Gatuslang Exclusive 2001 by Peter Umah, aka Phonetik, isn’t your typical hip-hop record. Released back in 2013 under the Gatuslang label (yeah, Sweden’s got more than just IKEA), it feels raw, unfiltered, and straight-up personal. It’s one of those projects that sneaks up on you, grabs your soul, and doesn’t let go.
The title track, “Like A Blessing (Gatuslang Exclusive, 2001),” is where the magic starts. I swear, every time I hear it, I’m pulled into some kinda time warp. The beat? Smooth but gritty, like walking through Stockholm streets at night with snow crunching under your feet. And Phonetik’s flow? Dude sounds like he’s spilling his guts over the mic—no frills, no fake bravado. He talks about life, struggles, blessings, all that deep stuff, but it never feels preachy. Instead, it hits home hard because it’s real. You can tell this guy’s lived what he raps about. When he says “like a blessing,” you don’t just hear it; you feel it.
Then there’s another banger—I won’t name it here ‘cause everyone should discover it themselves—but damn, the way Phonetik switches up his delivery halfway through? Chills. Like, goosebumps-on-your-arms chills. One moment he’s laid-back, almost conversational, and then BAM—he flips into this rapid-fire verse that makes you rewind just to catch every word. That’s the thing about this album—it keeps you guessing. Nothing feels forced or formulaic. It’s like listening to someone pour their heart out without caring if anyone’s even paying attention.
What sticks with me most is how human this album feels. There’s no shiny autotune or flashy features trying to distract you. Just pure, uncut emotion wrapped around dope beats. And honestly, that’s rare these days. Most artists try too hard to be cool or fit trends, but Phonetik stays true to himself. Listening to this album feels like having a late-night convo with an old friend who gets it.
Here’s the kicker though—why’d they call it Gatuslang Exclusive 2001 when it dropped in 2013? Was it recorded years earlier? Is it a nod to something deeper? I dunno, maybe I’m reading too much into it, but that mystery adds another layer to the whole experience. Like, was this project ahead of its time, or did it come too late? Either way, it landed right when I needed it.
So yeah, if you’re looking for something different—something that’ll make you think, feel, and nod your head at the same time—give Like A Blessing Gatuslang Exclusive 2001 a spin. Just don’t expect perfection. Expect truth. Oh, and hey, if you ever meet Peter Umah, tell him thanks from me. His music might’ve saved my sanity during a rough patch last winter. No joke.
