Dr Lekta – Flowers For The Illest (Album Review)

The new album from adept UK rapper Dr Lekta is as large as life as seasoned listeners will have come to expect. Rife with nifty pop culture references, tongue-in-cheek lyrics and whirlwind collaborations with some of hip-hop’s most promising names, there are yet some surprises up the artist’s sleeve.

Best known for his savage and unapologetically original lyrics and fresh rapping style, Dr Lekta’s music will quickly become addictive even to those not up to date with the UK’s underground rap scene. ‘Flower’s For The Illest’s opening track ‘Staleair FM’ is a stellar introduction to all the rapper flaunts on the album; Dr Lekta’s audacious flow (“I’m one of the dopest without even trying”) thundering across a somewhat chaotic instrumental.

‘Feasting’ featuring guest rapper Ghostface Killah, is at once arresting in its energetic beat and quirky bass line. Dr Lekta’s unmistakably candid lyrics and resolute vocal tone work so well in comparison with Ghostface Killah’s brashly swaggering verse, and lend the track a thrilling dynamism as the artists continue with their ferocious verbal assaults.

The 3rd track, ‘Stomping’, commences with the rapper’s signature confident flow on the song’s opening line “I’m stomping, crushing everything like I am Godzilla”, which is phrased smoothly over the top of a brassy instrumental. The rapper’s diction here is superbly addictive in its punchy brazenness; the artist sounds as assertive as ever in the chorus lines “This is what the **** we’re bringing, knocking down civilians, King Kong spitting”. The mirroring of Lekta with Godzilla is strangely fitting; a towering juggernaut that thunders his way to the top of the UK underground rap scene.

The beginning bass guitar line on ‘The Real’ hits hard, but not quite as hard as the combination of Dr Lekta and Kool G Rap. “Real hip-hop in this” spits Lekta after delivering a blindingly epic verse and flaunting his staggering flow that must surely be the envy of countless up-and-coming rap artists. There are no holds barred here; this is real hip-hop, as gritty and grungy as ever.

READ: Dr Lekta – The Manuscript (Album Review)

A retro-sounding instrumental characterises 5th track ‘In The Back’ as a throwback to the classic hip-hop talents. There is nothing dated about Dr Lekta’s lyrics or delivery though; his penchant for tongue-in-cheek lyrical quips (“drinking a can of red cola, then throw it at someone’s nan said on the stroller”) and his steely, almost deadpan execution highlights the punchlines of his lyrics to an expert degree. This is an artist who wants to stake his rightful claim over the UK rap scene, and just going off this album, he is certainly proving he has the means to do so.

More surprises come with the 6th track ‘Here Comes The BoomBap’, which is exactly what it suggests; a love letter to the old-school days of hip-hop. As the head nodding 90s style beat continues, Dr Lekta, along with a fearsome crew of guest rap stars, carelessly cruise through verses like a knife to hot butter. The accomplishment of this track really stems from this team effort, as well as the way all artists are able to deliver a hearty dose of nostalgia to Lekta’s loyal listeners.

‘No 62’ is immediately striking in its bold string intro paired with Lekta’s no-nonsense rapping style. As the rhythm shifts Lekta manipulates his flow like a natural, and it makes for amazing entertainment. “Welcome to No 62, where I do what the **** I wanna do” sputters the rapper; this is his playground and we are all invited into his crazy world.

The intro to ‘The All Seeing’ is as wondrously psychedelic as a fever dream; one that is soon crashed by the spunky tone of guest artist Cappadonna, punctuated by Dr Lekta’s playful rhymes. Meanwhile on ‘Sega’, a glitchy video game-esque instrumental is the foundation for Lekta’s pop culture reference filled verses. Over the top of the lively beat, the rapper compares his competitive spirit in gaming with his ambition to make it big in the rap scene (“All I wanna do is win, there’s no signs of compassion”).

The final track ‘The Score’ featuring the formidable voice of Big Maydon, is a song that allures listeners with its foot-tapping tempo and the ease with which both rappers command attention with their dynamic rap sections. “I’m the best when it comes to this, I’m being modest” spits Lekta, and at the end of this tumultuous album, no one is disagreeing with him.

Score/Excellent: Dr Lekta’s carefree style along with his compellingly light-hearted lyrics make for some incredibly enjoyable listening. It’s not hard to see why he is the shining star of the UK’s rap scene, with Dr Lekta killing track after track and leaving listeners hungry for more.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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