So now they know me

“Who’s rockin’ this place? It’s Wally!” proclaims the first track on Portlaoise MC Wally’s album. Despite bearing a name that instils as much fear in your heart as a basket of kittens, as a statement of intent, ‘It’s Wally’ is a pretty ballsy one as it’s as confrontational as a gang of football hooligans and doesn’t let up for a second. But then, our hero is facing an uphill struggle (most will turn their noses up at the idea of a white rapper from the Midlands) so you can’t really blame him for coming out with all guns blazing. Wally’s rhymes work best when he’s being slightly tongue in cheek, and ‘Rather Be A Rapper,’ which takes a good-natured swipe at headbangers, is a definite highlight on an album which is packed with surprises.

Key Track: 'Rather Be A Rapper'