Audio By Carbonatix
Theophilus London‘s This Charming Mixtape, released early last year, was a hit seemingly as soon as the Brooklyn MC hit “upload.” There was that clever Smiths-referencing title, of course, which got more than a few click-throughs from people who wouldn’t usually be interested in a hip-hop mixtape.
But the unofficial release then stood on its own musical merit. London is more of an overall composer than a by-the-books lyricist, bringing a melodic, genre-blending musicality to his tracks. He’s definitely a child of the Kanye school, reaching for a sort of post-rap amalgamation of styles that touches on electro, pop, and even a touch of indie for a sound with broad audience appeal.
The Overthrow were the first promoters to bring him to the city, at Rokbar, back in May 2009. They’ve snagged him again for a sophomore appearance on Saturday, June 19, this time at Grand Central. Full details haven’t been announced yet, but Overthrow HQ says they’ve also tapped him to spin a DJ set at Louis the night before.
London also boasts two new releases to whet your appetite. First, there’s his recent, third mixtape, I Want You, hosted by 26-year-old New York-based, Trinidad-born female MC and video director VA$HTIE.
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Then, there’s his new single, “Humdrum Town.” It once again lifts a little from the Smiths,
its sung hook cribbing the “when the rain falls … in this humdrum
town” lyric from “William It Was Really Nothing.” That’s about where
the connection ends, except for the track’s perhaps Smiths-ian
bittersweet mood. Stylistically, though, it’s a continuation of
London’s pop-absorbiny experiments, with his laid-back flow coasting
over a bouncy, danceable beat and tinkling keyboards.
Download: Theophilus London – I Want You mixtape featuring VA$HTIE
Download: Theophilus London – “Humdrum Town”
Theophilus London DJ set. Friday, June 18. Louis, 2325 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. 305-531-4600; louismiami.com
Theophilus London live performance. Saturday, June 19. Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. 305-377-2777; grandcentralmiami.com
