EP REVIEW: Batz Inda Belfry ‘Two Fly’

"lyrical content that is largely unparalleled as female artists"
Rating:
Rating:

When you think of Manchester, you likely think of three things; the football clubs, bands like The Stone Roses and Oasis and of course, the rain. It was a smart move by Batz Inda Belfry, the brightest duo to emerge from the city in years, to name a track on their debut EP Two Fly after the latter then.

In fact, the aforementioned track ‘Rain’ pays tribute to the home they share with Messrs Scholes and Gallagher, declaring that despite the continuous downpours, the city is still just as vibrant as any other. “Please believe me, my city’s the best /yeah I love the North West” Envy, one half of the duo, spits before her partner One Da tells the story of a typical day shopping in the city: “Just my hood up, no hat on /spot of shopping with my mac on /stop and chat for a sec, then I plug my track back on /singing in the rain, man we crack on”. It forms the EP’s finale, but its unique, slowed-up beat and honest wordplay make it a strong platform to build on as the lead single.

Another of the six track offering that shares that chilled vibe is ‘Seaweed’, the release championed by Radio 1’s Huw Stephens following the recent short film which forms the video. The girls distort their voices for the spaced-out hook: “let the tide roll out and let it flow in, seaweed in the ocean” before pairing it with rock hard bars like One Da’s “I beat the beat so hard it needs a plaster / don’t see you people in labour, so I have no need to gas ya”.

However, the versatility that has allowed Envy to work with artists like JME and seen One Da hailed by Mistajam as one of Manchester’s ‘Top 3 to Watch’ is demonstrated superbly on faster tracks like the truly gritty ‘White Van’ on a beat that’ll take you back to old school sounds of The Streets. Like much of Batz Inda Belfry’s material, it’s unforgiving, boastful and thereby refreshing as seen in Envy’s: “I’m unorthodox, pour Courvoisier in the cornflake box, masturbate to Family Guy and go to sleep with a porno on”.

It’s no surprise, judging by this first production at least, that there is so much excitement surrounding Batz Inda Belfry. They combine to create lyrical content that is largely unparalleled as female artists and while their potential is indisputable, they’re already putting out sharp tracks that are forcing more and more onlookers in the scene to pay attention.

Tom Rodwell
@TR23__

Tom Rodwell

Tom Rodwell

Nurtured on heavyweights like Jay Z, Nas and Kanye, Tom is a huge hip hop fan. Having also since discovered grime music's charm and enjoying a taste which becomes increasingly open-minded, he has grown comfortable with music in widely contrasting forms.