Plan B – Prayin’ (679 / Atlantic)
4/5
By: Theo Krekis
Plan B’s conceptual re-launch as a soul artist was as startling to me as it was to anyone. I remember the surprise upon watching the video to ‘Stay Too Long’ with the once aggressively hooded, podgy youngster who rapped about crack, genital warts and underage sex now jumping around, singing as if he’d overdosed on helium, in a ballroom, filled with cosmopolitan women in sequined dresses, sipping Champagne. It appeared that Plan B had traded in his Stan Smith’s for some Brogues.
Shocked. Baffled. Confused. How had this young angry teen (who I’m sure was the driving reason behind David ‘Call Me Dave’ Cameron starting his “Hug A Hoody” campaign) develop and transform this way as an artist? There didn’t seem to be any progression in his music before which may have hinted towards his take on soul. Either way, I’m glad it happened. From Who Needs Actions When You Got Words? only being played in a few bedrooms, (young teens ooo-ing and aaaaa-ing at his naturally delivered yet intrinsically warped lyrics) to ‘Stay Too Long’ and his latest track ‘Prayin’’ now getting play time on Smooth Radio, I’m shocked x2. Baffled x2. Confused x2. But his bank balance will have doubled as well.
Parent LP The Defamation of Strickland Banks is one of my favourite conceptual albums of recent years, following the story of the fictitious titular character (played by Plan B), whilst paying homage to the soul artists who influenced this reinvention. In essence, ‘Prayin’’ is a track no different from ‘Stay Too Long’, or ‘She Said’, a relentlessly catchy soul number which had me trying to hit all the same high notes, but failing miserably.
Artists in this article: Plan B
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