Disc-Overy – Tinie Tempah

Year	Album	Artist	Stars	Score	Genre
2010	Disc-Overy	Tinie Tempah	★★	44	Hip-Hop	Pop Hip-Hop

I wouldn’t say Tinie Tempah’s debut record Disc-Overy is good, but I wouldn’t say it’s bad either, and like so many other hip-hop records with pop-leaning production of the post-blog era, there’s a fair amount of mindless fun to be had if you don’t try to dig too deep. 

As a British rapper, Tinie Tempah brings a different kind of swagger and flow to the project that makes it stand out a little in the crowded mess of debut hip-hop records being pushed in 2010. This album in particular leans pretty heavy on the electronic side of the pop spectrum, touching slightly on the hip house and electro hop styles his London peers like Dizzee Rascal explored in the mid-2000s. 

The majority of electronics here, though, tend to take more from London’s Taio Cruz and Labrinth, Ellie Goulding and Swedish House Mafia (the latter three make appearances on the record). There’s glitchy computer and 8 Bit sounds, revving synths and quick drums. When the songs take off — like on “Simply Unstoppable,” “Pass Out” and even “Frisky” and  “Miami 2 Ibiza” —  it’s actually pretty fun, even if it is basic. 

The beats are clearly dated now, but they fit into that timeframe pretty well and do give the album a little extra character and energy, even if it’s obvious Tinie Tempah isn’t one of the best vocalists or lyricists out there. He’s hung out to dry on the more conventional hip hop tracks like “Till I’m Gone” featuring Wiz Khalifa (technically a bonus track that’s added in mid-tracklist  on rerelease) and “Written In The Stars,” but the pair of singles served their purpose as American radio hits well, even if they aren’t anything special. Sill, a lot of this record could have been worse, and being just passable is a triumph in itself.