Ctrl S by Skep: A UK Hip Hop Gem That Still Slaps in 2023
Yo, let’s talk about Ctrl S by Skep. This ain’t your average rap album—it’s got teeth, grit, and some kinda weird electronic twist that makes it stand out like a sore thumb. Released back in 2004 on Dockrad (a label most folks probably forgot existed), this project is raw as hell, blending UK hip hop with glitchy beats that feel both futuristic and dusty at the same time. And yeah, I said “UK hip hop,” so if you’re expecting American flows or cookie-cutter production, you can bounce now.
The tracklist? Wild stuff. Tracks like Pwyllgorau! and Fampires Roc A Rôl slap hard, but two joints really stuck with me—Ctrl-S and Cariad Canol Dydd. Let me break ‘em down for ya.
First up, Ctrl-S. The title track hits different. It’s chaotic, man. Like someone took a broken keyboard, threw it into a blender, and pressed play. But somehow, it works. Skep spits bars over this janky-ass beat that feels like it’s falling apart but never does. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded why underground music used to be fire before everything got polished to death. There’s no sugarcoating here—just raw talent flexing its muscles. You either vibe with it or you don’t. No cap.
Then there’s Cariad Canol Dydd. This one’s smoother, almost dreamy compared to the rest of the album. It’s still got that grimy edge though, like Skep knew he couldn’t go full soft without losing his street cred. The hook sticks to your brain like gum under a shoe, and damn if it doesn’t make you wanna hit repeat even when you hate yourself for liking something so… mushy? I dunno. Call it what you want, but it’s memorable as fuck.
Other tracks like Diaspora and Lifftiau A Derbynferched keep the energy high, but they’re not as iconic to me. They blend together after a while, which might sound harsh, but hey—that’s how albums go sometimes. Not every song needs to blow your mind; some just hold the vibe down.
Reflecting on Ctrl S, it’s wild how underrated this album is. Skep was doing his own thing way before people started hyping "experimental" artists. He wasn’t trying to fit into any box, and honestly, that’s what makes this record special. Sure, it’s messy, but life’s messy too. Maybe that’s why it resonates.
And here’s the kicker—I listened to this album while stuck in traffic last week, pissed off because my car AC died. By the end of Ctrl-S, I wasn’t mad anymore. Instead, I felt like punching something. In a good way. Fucked up, right? Music shouldn’t fix your problems—it should amplify them until you can’t ignore ‘em. That’s what Skep did with Ctrl S. Props to him.
So yeah, check it out if you’re tired of hearing the same old shit. Just don’t blame me if it ruins your playlist game forever.
