Can I Rip It Like That? Phat Pharrell’s Hidden Electro Gem from 2005
Alright, so here’s the deal—Phat Pharrell dropped this little-known album back in 2005 called Can I Rip It Like That. It’s one of those projects that doesn’t scream for attention but sneaks up on you when you least expect it. The genre is electronic, with heavy nods to electro and house vibes, and honestly? It’s got this raw, unpolished charm that feels super UK. Released under Not On Label (yeah, literally), it’s kind of like finding a mixtape at a thrift store—you’re not sure what you’re getting into, but once you press play, you can’t stop.
First off, let’s talk about the title track, “Can I Rip It Like That.” Man, this song hits different. It starts off all chill with these hypnotic beats, and then BAM—it flips into this wild rhythm that just grabs you by the soul. There’s something about how the bassline bounces around while the synths swirl in the background. You know those moments where music makes your body move without even thinking? This is one of them. It’s cheeky, kinda playful, and yet somehow still smooth. Plus, the way he layers sounds gives it this gritty, lived-in feel. Feels like being in a dimly lit club somewhere in London, sweat dripping down your neck, just vibin’.
Then there’s another standout moment—I won’t spoil every track—but there’s this one cut that builds slowly, teasing you with soft clicks and clacks before exploding into this euphoric drop. I mean, come on. How does he do that? It’s the type of thing that sticks in your head long after the record stops spinning. Like, you’ll be walking to the shop or waiting for the bus, and suddenly you hear it again in your mind. These aren’t overproduced bangers; they’re real, dirty, human beats that make you feel alive.
What gets me most about this album is its lack of pretension. You can tell Phat Pharrell wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here—he just wanted to create something fun, something honest. And maybe that’s why it works so well. In a world full of shiny, polished albums designed to go viral, Can I Rip It Like That reminds us that sometimes the best stuff comes from letting loose and ripping it however you want.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this now, in 2023, feels kinda nostalgic. Not because it’s old, but because it captures something timeless about dance music—a vibe that doesn’t rely on trends or algorithms. Honestly, if more people knew about this album, we’d probably see DJs throwing these tracks into sets left and right. But hey, maybe it’s better this way. Sometimes great music stays hidden, like a secret handshake between you and whoever else stumbles across it.
So yeah, give it a spin. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself asking…can I rip it like that too?
