Album Review: Rejjie Snow, Baw Baw Black Sheep

Rejjie Snow is back! And make no mistake: with Baw Baw Black Sheep, he confirms his right to a place at the top table, alongside rappers like Joey Bada$$ and Earl Sweatshirt.

The theme of youthful adolescence permeates the record. There’s dreamy references to growing up in Drumcondra, where Rejjie says that he always considered himself a “Black Sheep”. It is all underpinned by the smooth flows and choice production.

‘Mirrors’ is one highlight: flirting with a poppier direction, it boasts killer hooks from executive producer Cam O’bi and Sno Aalegra. The hypnotic ‘Oreos’ is another: Rejjie’s rapping is brilliant and conjures up peak André 3000. ‘Disco Pantz’ screams mass Electric Picnic head-bob, with Tinashe and Grouptherapy stealing the show, the latter skillfully riding the beat like a master. Die-hard fans of Rejjie may clamour for more bars from him – there’s a large number of featured artists on the record (the late MF Doom showing up on ‘Cookie Chips’) – but Snow has crafted a cohesive ‘tricky second album’ that really packs a punch.