'Growing Over Life' Review
Artist: Wretch 32
Release Date: 02/09/16
Tracklist:
1. Antwi
2. Pressure
3. Take Me As I Am (ft. Jordan Thomas & Kranium)
4. All A Dream (ft. Knox Brown)
5. Dreams (ft. Pantha! & Shakka)
6. 6 Words
7. Open Conversations & Mark Duggan (ft. Avelino &Bobii Lewis)
8. Liberation
9. Cooked Food
10. I.O.U (ft Emeli Sande)
11. Something
12. Church (ft. Loick Essien & Teni Tink)
Let’s start by appreciating the great song ‘Something’, my favourite off the project. In his Not For The Radio interview Wretch stated that the song was not for anyone in particular and he had taken elements from different relationships that he himself has been in as well as relationships he has witnessed and merged them into one. The song leaves you in awe to find the kind of love and happiness he describes. There’s just something about this song..LOL.
Open conversations was premiered on a live lounge Wretch done before the album was released and was already one of my favourites. The rainy beat was complimented by a fully honest Wretch. The second half of the song was soulful I loved that Wretch said this song was bigger than him, me and you and I truly felt that.
Antwi was a great intro to the album, and a great tribute in memory of Wretch’s friend and mentor Richard Antwi, who sadly passed away in 2016. In his NFTR interview Wretch revealed that this song was the last track he got to play for Richard (RIP♥). This track sets the tone for the album which I believe was creating a vivid image of what it means to be Wretch 32.
Overall this album as a whole is a solid piece. The whole body of work shows you Wretch’s versatility and strength as an artist. I can tell that this album means more to Wretch than just charting, it is a testimony of what it means to be Jermaine Scott and Wretch 32 and just breaths positive energies. Wretch is most definitely in my top 5 UK artists, top 3 even, his way of storytelling, inspiring faith and making people feel good through his raps is one to be admired.