'Make Afroswing Great Again' NSG Release 'The Big Six' Mixtape

The fab four or the big six? That’s a surprising question that comes to mind when you take a glance at NSG’s cover art of the newest project The Big 6, mimicking the iconic Beatles Abbey Road in the background, all dressed in black suits in a familiar pose that was taken in 1969.

The Beatles were arguably the most famous band to come out of the UK and were made up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

Now the six-member Hackney-based collective NSG: Kruddz, Mxjib, Mojo, OGD, Dope, and Papii Abz are expressing themselves with an openness and creative freedom, which is built upon their authenticity, The Big 6 is a fluid, moving project that expands on their distinct sound by intersecting on multiple genres to bring something new. Not unfamiliar with this, NSG’s versatility is their strength.

"Afroswing is a movement...This is our culture... Make Afroswing great again", the group said in a joint statement.

Produced by 4Play, The Big 6 is the group’s first full-length project in two years, it’s a mirrored reflection of the sonically of the modern black British experience. Or at least one facet of its depth. Their expression kisses rap, hip-hop, afrobeat, afro-swing, R&B, pop and jazz

Which has been reflected over the years since they broke through, as the meaning behind their name continued to watch from ‘No Sleep Gang’ to ‘Non-Stop Grinding’ and now ‘Never Stop Growing’ demonstrating that an artist or group can grow steadily alongside their audience.

“When opportunity arises we grab it with both hands”, opening with ‘Amen’, the group explore their rise as front runners in the UK Rap scene, and how it’s impacted their day to day, giving thanks to struggle.

The highest highs, sometimes there are times that you can’t help but think of that person, and in ‘Euphoria’, NSG find escapism in the feeling of love as they compare it to hard drugs, as they fall victim to the addictive but temperamental nature. Smooth hooks and chorus, lead into rap verses such as “It’s the though that counts, and your thought don’t mean sh*t, slap in the face like a dopamine hit.”

‘Venus’, one of the leading tracks from the rollout features Nottingham-born vocalist Lyvia, who provides a honey-toned texture to the song as they detail the beginnings of a light-hearted romantic experience.

Romance is further explored with ‘Tell Me’, featuring a smooth and sweet Tayc hook that is the perfect bridge for affectionate verses from the collective which range from warm mummurs and playful raps.

Introspection is also disguised in a nostalgic 80s-inspired production and perky beat, ‘Overnight’ with Brit award winner Casisdead tells the relatable tale of falling in love as they each take turns reminiscing over meeting the love of their lives.

There are also comments for the rave and the club, such as the catchy ‘A.Y.L.B.H.B’ which adopts the usual sing-a-long chorus mixed with braggadocious verses and ‘Coi Leray’ to name a few.

A carnival vibe is explored on the celebratory ‘Council Flat Boy’ featuring Jay Bahd, and then South London Rapper Blanco features on ‘Honestly’.

‘Tesco’ is an addictive riddim all about the consequences of fame and living their current fast lifestyle vs a standard nine to five, as the group alongside Medikal enjoy its thrilling nature.

At the heart of the project however is family, which is proven on the afro-jazz influenced ‘KALA’ featuring Psycho YP, which taking inspiration from African heritage applies a bilingual approach as they reflective on humble beginnings “Got to make it anyway, just for family’s sake, no money but something to say”, is crooned against a soft saxophone and percussion.

Acknowledging what it takes to get what you want, ‘Sacrifice’, the last track on the project can be taken as a song read in multiple ways, a pulsating eclectic guitar nudging you along, with the introduction of minimalistic percussion, however, sentimental at it’s root it’s about the working so that the people you care about, the people you love are better off the decisions you make, which symbolises the project.

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