Gripper

UK-based DJ Gripper has gained an increased groundswell in his international following over the past 12 months or so through his unique hard-surfaced and stripped-back style of hip hop. It’s material that has managed to prick the ears of hip hop aficionados, not only because of its left-of-centre approach to the genre, but also due to Gripper’s close association with keyed-in independent label Off World Sounds. Rhyme Flowin’ belts out seven kick-back yet brassed-up hip hop tracks (including three smashing versions of the title track) in Gripper’s trademark anachronistic style. That is, the sound of the past meets the sound of the future. This makes the material all the more relevant -“ pure vision and reference.