The most controversial and the most recognised grime artist around Wiley has released yet another solo record, just shy of 6 months after the last one ‘100% Publishing’. The legend has made a name for himself as being rash and a grafter in the music business. Even from the early days in being in the Garage crew The Hit Squad, starting up Roll Deep and his twitter account, the headlines seem to have followed him in being a troublemaker. But that hasn’t stopped him making a name for himself by putting all of his eggs in one basket and continuing to release new, unique work. His new album ‘Evolve or be Extinct’, follows that trend as Wiley creates an album so different, you wouldn’t really believe its Wiley initially. After a few beats and off the wall lyrics, you come accustom to the charm that is the South London MCs whit and charisma.

This fresh 14 track episode of Wiley’s life is for the best part, hand crafted by the man himself. Only 4 tracks see a few hungry, exciting talents from the UK get a turn of creating something vibrant on Wiley’s new record. In the end however, the MC has done it all by himself with his choice of topics his style of music

Wiley is heading down a dark avenue it seems. You just need to read the title of the album to know this is going to be something completely left field to the previous club tunes Wiley has produced in the past. The title of some of the album tracks as well makes you wonder a bit since they have some other connotations. The songs ‘Weirdo’ and ‘Scars’ lead to the personal in-securities of Richard Cowie being examined under the microscope by himself. Others like ‘Can I Have A Taxi Please?’, ‘Miss You’, ‘Immigration’ and ‘Money Man’ dwell not just himself but people around him. The track ‘Customs’ isn’t a track, more of a skit where Wiley is trying to go to Barbados but can’t get through customs without getting stopped because he looks high, very strange. He hasn’t completely lost it though as ‘Link Up’ and ‘Boom Blast’ still continue to deliver the bouncy vibes the Grime scene craves.

All in all, Wiley has set himself a challenge to not be the same as the last record and change the message, principle and feeling throughout this album as opposed to others. Most of the time, different doesn’t necessarily mean better and this is the unfortunate case in this sense. However, there are some positives for Wiley’s fans to look out for. The deliverance of deep insight in Wiley’s heavily publicized life is a step in the right direction but perhaps a case of too much too soon as the vibe suffered tremendously. The last track ‘This is Just An Album’ is a meaningful insight putting everything into perspective. Stating the record he has produced is only just an album where he has to concentrate on more important issues for the man, like his children.

With Wiley’s break from Roll Deep this year, perhaps we will see another release of Wiley and his dark and funny lifestyle. Wiley is certainly evolving, there is no way Richard Cowie will be extinct.

MOBO gives Wiley’s ‘Evolve Or Be Extinct’ a respectable 3 M’s out of 5.

Purchase 'Evolve Or Be Extinct' on 19th of January.

Words By Dean Woodhouse

For more information on Wiley, visit his website