Music

Rejjie Snow at EP2017: The homecoming of a new-age Dublin rap star

Set in the Electric Arena proves his skill is natural and not studio gifted

Rejjie Snow raps on the Electric Arena stage with satin-smooth clarity.Photograph: Dave Meehan/The Irish Times

Dean Van Nguyen
Fri Sep 1 2017 - 20:20

Rejjie Snow
Electric Arena
★★★★

When Rejjie Snow rolls out his fluid, dexterous flow over jazzy hip-hop beats, he reminds me so much of his hero, MF DOOM.

Snow’s voice might be more pristine than the gruff tones of rap’s metal-masked arch supervillian – plus, he sometimes leans into his north Dublin accent – but it’s the way he caresses the syllables, like a well-tuned drummer caresses his symbols.

His set in the Electric Arena at Electric Picnic on Friday proves that skill is natural and not studio gifted.

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Over tracks like Pink Beetle and Olga (1984) Snow raps on stage with satin-smooth clarity, while more barbed bangers like Flexin rattle the crowd from side to side. ("Let's open up this mosh pit!" he demands before Blakkst Skin.)

The set draws to a close with a tricolour flashing on screen and chants of “Rejjie! Rejjie!” The homecoming of a new-age rap star.

In three words: jazzy, nimble rap

If you like this, go see: A Tribe Called Quest

EP17Rejjie Snow