Music > Live Reviews

We went to Boom Bap Festival

11/06/15

I have been so excited for Boombap festival from the minute last year’s ended, so as soon as I got on site I chucked my tent together, threw my things in and ran to find the sweet, sweet sound of hip hop.

Boom Bap is like no other festival I’ve been to; minimal décor just makeshift walls to get tagged and painted throughout the weekend, everyone there LOVES hip hop, and everyone is there BECAUSE they love hip hop…I think it’s what heaven will be like.

The sun was shining and the rain looked like it wasn’t coming back (after a slight drizzle scare that morning).To kick off the weekend we had Norwich’s own Music Lessons. As per usual the boys did not disappoint in getting everyone ready for the ridiculous weekend ahead. The line-up this year left very little time for me to sit down, so straight off to the main stage was where I was going to be planting myself for the rest of the afternoon with Smellington Piff, Black Josh and Jman all getting us ready for Split Prophets that afternoon. Last year (apart from Ghostface Killah) Split Prophets were definitely my highlight, so as you can imagine I was looking forward to getting to see the Bristol crew again! When they finally came onstage everybody went mental; although lacking a member or two (Datkid serving a lengthy incarceration in Her Majesty’s finest) they absolutely smashed it.

That evening Earl Sweatshirt and Skepta graced the main stage with their presence, with people going crazy for these massive names. All the Odd Future clan were out in force to support Earl. Dead Players, who definitely got everybody rowdy and stomping their feet. They also spoiled us to the brand new follow up to Yeah and Nah as well as a couple of other bangers from their new album. Definitely keep an eye on them this year (uber-excited about the new album). After the live music finished everyone who still had energy headed over to the Boom Bap Back Yard where the Lionpulse Soundsystem (UUUURGH beautiful, massive wooden soundsystem) was waiting for the late night stompers, and they supplied us with drum and bass until the early hours of the morning!

Saturday morning came along and I went to tickle my tastebuds with what Boom Bap had to offer me for breakfast this year. I was not disappointed, Simon’s Big Breakfast bought me back to reality after last night's antics with a massive sausage bap. Lush. We then headed over to the Sika Studio tent to catch Fliptrix and Verb T. Big Flip and Verb did not disappoint and prepared me suitably for the treats in store that evening. I took advantage of the few hours that afternoon where there was a gap in the line-up to go and check out the graff that had appeared everywhere and generally try and prepare myself for another mad one!

Startinf off the evening was one of my favourite live acts, the one and only Dirty Dike. With his highly anticipated album Sucking on Prawns in The Moonlight rumoured to be coming out this year I was hoping to hear some cheeky bits of new material. He did treat us to one new song but that was it (we want more soon please Mr. Dikestar!). Dike always draws you in immediately; with such a massive personality his stage presence is just so natural it’s always an utterly amazing show, especially when he dedicates Waste of Beer to a very loud feminist in the front row…

Next was Jam Baxter, and having released a lot of new music since last year he continued to keep the crowd hyped up ready for Jeru. By the time Baxter came on everyone was ready for the legendary Jeru The Damaja and he played all the classics. Following him was the Four Owls, who ended the night with a bang. Like Friday night, when the live music turned off it was time to head to the gorgeous Lionpulse Soundsystem where they blessed us with hours of jungle and D&B!

Sunday came along way too quickly. After filling myself with freshly made smoothies and Simon’s bloody big breakfast I was ready to face the day. Off to the Sika Studio’s tent it was for Ocean Wisdom then Buggsy. After last year's Boom Bap, Ocean Wisdom released a tune called Walkin’  produced by Dirty Dike. Having heard  that track it was impossible to deny that Ocean Wisdom was going to absolutely kill the hip hop scene this year, and oh my, he’s sure on his way! His set was AMAZING and just proved that he has got a lot to give (another highly anticipated album!).

After a quick nap and some noodles it was time to brave the main stage for Skinnyman. Luckily everyone was feeling a little fragile at this point so I got to laze in the sunshine situated not far from the bar and consequently got sunburned as hell. Nonetheless it was time to get some food in before the Skitz Showcase. After some pulled pork and some aftersun (for my poor flaky nose and unevenly burned back) it was back to the main stage where we really had a little bit of UKHH history.The Skitz Showcase bought us legends like Rodney P, Chester P, Skinnyman, Buggsy and Si Philli who were joined by the likes of Jman and even Ocean Wisdom. 

Next to the stage was Problem Child, who came on with a bang jumping around and getting the crowd rowdy.  Their new album is off the chain. All their beats are so massive and all their bars are so ridiculous; Illaman with lungs of steel, Dabbla with an inconceivably speedy windpipe and the Don that is Dubbledge they absolutely smashed it, and I copped a cheeky free album that they chucked generous handfuls of out into the crowd.

Finally, the last act on the main stage…Foreign Beggars, which took me back a few years. They played all the classics (including Glacial!!!) and a load of new material, as well as bringing pretty much all of the other artists on the stage for a mad mosh pit to finish off the set, as well as showing off Ocean Wisdom’s skills. After the madness of Foreign Beggars it was time to head off to the Sika Studio to catch the late comer Devilman who destroyed the set with his Straight Outta Birmingham grime style!

Overall this year Boom Bap was AMAZING and did not let me down! I will certainly be going again next year, and the year after that, and the year after that…and would highly recommend it to anyone who is a hip hop fan.

PEACE x

Thanks to Anis Ali for the photos accompanying this piece.