Nines – One Foot Out (Album Review) 💥 💥

One Foot Out is the debut studio album by English rapper Nines. It was released on 10 February 2017 by XL Recordings for digital download. It serves as Nines’ debut commercial release after releasing four free mixtapes – WE REVIEW
Nines – One Foot Out

This is Nines first major album release since his first mixtape release in late 2012, with ‘Church Road to Hollywood’. All 4 mixtapes released prior to this release have had a significant impact in the music scene. Under the guidance of label XL Recordings. Nines shows that there’s much more to him than the trap life.

Intro

An introspective piano loop sets the tone for the Intro which finds Nines in a somewhat sombre mood as he reflects on the time he spent in prison and those who’ve been in so long they’re now institutionalised. The vibe steps up in the closing section as he then opens up shop about his hustling ways to make it out the trap.

‘Going In’

Is Nines in full G mode as this invitingly buoyant with a hint of menace beat kicks in. immediately you get the range of his lyrical dexterity as he spits “Had machines as a kid like Dexters Lab / I got the magic stick / If I hit that hoe for 20 minutes / I guarantee she’ll be coming first like bolt in the Olympics.” This is vintage hip hop and the production is DJ Premier stamped in terms of its likeness.

‘Trapper of the Year’

Exists as the ultimate flamboyant show piece of the album as its declaration to say who the daddy is when it comes to the hustle. The construction of this sizzles with searing 808’s combined with a threatening melodic backdrop.

These Keys’ Searing in its melancholy imaginings. It tells the story of Nines street life to Music Industry transition and the delicate path that he has to pace. The hook honestly explains his plight as Nines sings “How can I give this all up / this is all I wanted to be / this music money isn’t enough / I just can’t get caught with these keys.” 

‘Hoes’

Shows off Nines storytelling ability as he dissects women in the industry who are likely to be in it for money in the first verse. The second verse looks at it from a female’s perspective with men’s behaviour being examined closely. The betrayal and ultimately the devastation that follows is symptomatic of the adulteress nature of the temptation within the music business.

High Roller

“Me and the gang come like some Arabs / spending all this crack money in Harrods / Just whipped up see the white under my nails / told my Niggas fix up as we don’t fight under girls.”

The open drug references are used as a clever metaphor to describe his music sales. Nines is on fire on this one.

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‘I Wonder’

Clever in its concept as Nines ponders on the what if questions surrounding his life such as rappers selling their soul for a quick buck. Woman he may have married if their reputation was better. How his friends felt when they were given life. If he’d still receive the same love from his woman if he was broke. How guns get in the area and why we care about celebrities more than Syria. This track is punctuated by Akala’s thoughtful observations regarding the nature versus’s nurture argument.   

Outro

“Came a long way from me & Helm going halves on a half O / now we bury money like Narcos / Built a pack line so it’s hard to move O’s / would have been on rap more but I can’t do shows.” This outro shows the vulnerabilities of a young man trying to move from one environment to the next. Candid street tales in details shows the honesty of Nines as he attempts to navigate into a higher social order whilst evading the barriers around him.

Top notch with first album effort that keeps you invested from beginning to end. A few fillers but nothing that terribly awful.

 7 / 10 💥  💥 💥  💥 💥  💥 💥

One Foot Out by Nines on Apple Music

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/one-foot-out/id1203360144