ol' burger beats & vuyo: dialogue
Francisco Espregueira
Inspired by spiritual and revolutionary jazz records, soul music and classic East Coast hip hop, Dialogue is the new album from the Oslo-based Ol’ Burger Beats and Vuyo, released by the legendary label Jakarta Records. In 2020 the duo had already unveiled part of their collaboration with the All Yours EP that eventually reached commercial success, although consisting mostly of leftover productions from the brand new album that dropped last friday. This is the work of two essential artists in the contemporary independent hip hop scene from Europe.
Ol' Burger Beats is a hip hop producer, DJ and jazz record collector that has been steadily releasing beats and independent hip hop albums since 2014. The beatmaker, that has been extensively covered in O Sótão, has established a dedicated following due to his heavily jazz-and soul influenced sound. Vuyo is a South-African/Norwegian rapper that quickly became one of Norway’s most exciting lyricists. In 2018 Vuyo released his debut EP Home Cooked Meals with the arts collective North Of and since then has been building a reputation with hugh-karat projects. This is another one. Together the two Oles - Ole Vuyo and Ole-Birger - create a deep and introspective work that can mark the European hip hop scene in 2021.
Dialogue is a left field and conceptual rap album, exploring Ol’ Burger Beats’ incredible sample choices and instrumentals, Vuyo’s diaspora experience, as well as the youthful hunger of the two creatives urging us all to take part in their conversation. In their dialogue. Available in vinyl, this is a record that warms up our dim-lighted sunday night. All raps by Vuyo. All beats by Ol' Burger Beats.