27 Apr 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Factor - EP Review: Champions of the Digital World

30 Jan 2019 // A review by jck2

The west side of Auckland is back in full effect with Factor's latest release Champions of the Digital World, which features many of west Auckland's finest MC’s including heavy hitters Pakkz Tha General, Alpha, Dlar, K.A.Y.P.E Devaur, Infinite Rensta DNC and KD Lok, to name a few.

Factor AKA Paul Wells is a Producer/Emcee from West Auckland. With a long history in the NZ music scene, Factor has had some dazzling highlights including playing at the Big Day Out and The New Zealand Hip-Hop Summit along with mentorship from DLT and winning the infamous Mai FM Rhythm Nation competition back in the early 2000's.

Factor had a musical awakening of sorts after focusing on his truck driving career for several years after participating in the popular West Side Cypher joint.

After seeing and hearing how strong Hip-Hop still is, he reached out to his peers to help him put together the first part of his trilogy EP Champions of the Digital World.

All the tracks were produced by Factor and mixed and mastered by Rahxx. These two guys work together well. The tracks sound high quality and professional

The EP has a West Coast flavour which makes perfect sense for these West Aucklanders who like their Los Angeles counter parts have adopted the W as their signature sign to throw up.

The stand out track for me was Everyday Music. Straight boom bap with a short piano loop. There's something summery and palpable about the vibe of this track. The hook is smooth and tasty and demonstrates some really strong hook writing.

This EP is solid traditional Hip-Hop release. No new school going on in this album. The joints have that 2000's feel to them. A lot of older heads that didn’t jump on the new school train will appreciate the return to the tried and true Boom Bap and Bars.

Seemz Like is a solid cypher giving the West Auckland team an opportunity to flex their lyrical muscle.

Keyboard Warriors featuring Factor, Dlar Madwar and Toko P was another track I vibed with. Dlar Madwar's verse standing out for juicy content about a few local rappers that the 1 Outs CEO has had frustrations with on the internet.

The track Rise has a really nice hook with some sultry female vocals from the smokey voiced Tayla.

The whole EP has a real classic Auckland Hip-Hop sound with the strong Kiwi accents combined with the strong West Coat influences and is an easy digestible listen for any fan of local Hip-Hop. 

A labour of love from Factor staying true to himself and the West Auckland sound. 

Don’t sleep on Champions of the Digital World and watch out for the next two releases coming soon.

Check out Factor on Soundcloud.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

Other Reviews By jck2

Vajra God - EP Review: Linkages
16 Jul 2020 // by jck2
Vajra God as far as I can make out is the alter ego and sexual side of David Patterson aka Esoligh. This EP is about sex and the songs are sexually explicit.
Read More...
The Robba - Album Review: Rob Arthur
06 Feb 2020 // by jck2
Rob Arthur by The Robba is an 11-track album of synth heavy rap songs dripping in The Robba’s very unique sound and style. The Robba is infinitely talented, taking credits for beats, guitar, rapping, singing, mixing, mastering and even making the music videos.
Read More...
Rei - Album Review: The Bridge
06 Aug 2019 // by jck2
With a music career on a continued upward trajectory, 25 year old musician Rei is reaping the rewards of his hard work and dedication to his craft with his third and latest album The Bridge going to number 1 on the iTunes Hip Hop charts.   Self-belief, positivity and connection to his Maori roots is how I would sum up what Rei is all about.
Read More...
Devaur - Album Review: Product Of A Vision
23 Feb 2019 // by jck2
Devaur is a West Auckland Producer and MC who has been dedicated to his craft for over 10 years. Producing numerous projects, music videos and mix tapes including albums for Synteck and Manix not to mention his numerous features and collaborations.
Read More...
Gig Reivew: Wu Tang Clan @ The Trusts Arena, Auckland - 14/12/2018
16 Dec 2018 // by jck2
The most iconic and arguably the best Hip-Hop group of all time graced West Auckland's Trust Arena on Friday night to celebrate 25 years of the Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) album, which they performed in its entirety.  The night started with DJ Sir-Vere and MC JB the War Villain followed by local Hip Hop group SWIDT who dropped tracks from their debut album including Ric Flair and No Emotion In The Wild.
Read More...
Zams Feat Zed Koen - Single/Video Review: New Money
05 Dec 2018 // by jck2
New Money is the hot new music video from Zaman Lewis AKA Zams, featuring rapper Zed Koen New Money brings the new school rules to the ring with their contemporary trap styles. Vibrant cinematography makes this video pop with colour and movement.
Read More...
SWIDT - EP Review: The Most Electrifying
15 Aug 2018 // by jck2
Onehunga's own SWIDT have released their 6-song EP The Most Electrifying. SWIDT's style is in the same contemporary direction as American Superstars J Cole and Migos, but with SWIDT’s exceptional talent of translating their big personalities, humour, wit and vibe to their records.
Read More...
Icepro - Single Review: Last Breath
24 Jul 2018 // by jck2
Icepro’s new single Last Breath, featuring Piri Mac, is a tribute to West Coast 90’s Gangster rap with a nod to the hook from the 1997 hit Going Back To Cali by Notorious B.I.
Read More...
View All Articles By jck2

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • FORTNIGHT
    Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • DOWN BAD
    Taylor Swift
  • THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
    Taylor Swift
  • SO LONG, LONDON
    Taylor Swift
  • I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART
    Taylor Swift
  • MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS
    Taylor Swift
  • BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM
    Taylor Swift
  • FLORIDA!!!
    Taylor Swift feat. Florence And The Machine
  • WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?
    Taylor Swift
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem