Stain(ed) Art - The Bottom Line

Hear The Track Here

I've lost count of the number of times I have had the 'yeah but hiphop is shit' conversation, and I've no idea whatsoever why people should take this blanket approach. Like all music genres it has its good and bad, a bit like people really, and a lot of it is down to personal taste. I know some people that absolutely love the genre but also adamantly refuse to listen to the harder gangsta rappers because all the violence and swearing puts them off. Personally I have a preference for UK hiphop, artists like Stain for example. Like a lot of UK rappers, Stain uses the genre to its best effect - storytelling.

He has been clearing out his closet because The Bottom Line uses Mobb Deep's Shook Ones as the backing track. It was made about 3 or 4 years ago on another site where 'everyone on the site had to pick a well known instrumental to rap over'. Part of the From A to B (A Brief History) album, its an interesting piece to see just how far Stain has come since that time. Obviously there isn't a lot you can say about the track itself, its a well known track; albeit a lot rougher in this version, although this is something Stain does every once in a while. Jes' messing with our heads.

It's a Northern thing ;)

The track does show that Stain's own style (especially lyrically) has come a long way. Either the way the rap is performed or the beats themselves but - for me anyway - the whole thing was redolent of The Blonde One (Ed: I think he means Eminem but it could well be Madonna...). Once I got used to that it was evident that this was Stain alright. That flat, machine gun delivery and the accent gave it away but - above all - it was lyrically pure Stain; albeit one in battle mode. On that level, I guess The Bottom Line worked a treat because it should did on me, as rough as it is. Mind you, this is not a track to base an understanding of where he is now, better look for the Forcefield Kids for that...

Stain spitting large! Interesting look back. Recommended for fans for sure.