Deeq just dropped his new 8-track project “Rose Hill”, produced with Mankub, and honestly the chemistry between the two is easy to catch early on. Nothing feels thrown together. You can tell this was shaped with care, even in the smaller moments.
The project opens with a unique intro that immediately sets the tone. Dark. Focused. You’re pulled into the atmosphere quickly and from there the EP moves with purpose. Mankub’s production stands out throughout. There are small and clever details tucked into these beats that reward close listening. It’s the kind of work where you notice new touches on the second or third run.
“Ashhurst Way” rides on a steady rhythm with a well shaped instrumental that sounds like it was built specifically around Deeq’s voice. His delivery sits comfortably in the pocket and never forces anything. That balance shows up again on “Fool’s Errand” where the beat and flow lock in nicely. The mixing here is great and gives the track a grounded edge.
“Talisman” featuring Raz Ghoul, brings a strong moment of contrast. Both voices cut through the beat with confidence and the writing carries most of the weight. There’s intention behind it. You can hear it. Then “Toulouse-Lautrec” pulls things inward a bit. More personal. More reflective. The beat lingers in your head, and Deeq sounds fully in his element here. It ends up being one of the tracks that sticks with you.
“Black Summerz” hits with raw energy and a great instrumental backbone while “Precision” featuring EF Knows, Jaroo & Amos expands the sound without losing the EP’s core identity. The title track “Rose Hill” closes things out in the most perfect way possible. The project feels complete. Not overextended. Not padded.
What really holds this EP together is the throwback spirit running through it. There’s a clear old-school influence in both the production choices and Deeq’s delivery, but it doesn’t come across like nostalgia for the sake of it. It feels lived-in. Natural.
This is a strong and focused release. The production is smart, the instrumentals are well chosen and the lyrics carry real weight. We like how Deeq’s voice fits this darker sonic space. It sounds comfortable there, like this lane was always meant for him. Mankub deserves real credit here too. His production holds the whole project together and we really liked his skills and touches.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Deeq’s style is best described in his own words, as ‘dark imagery.’ Uncompromisingly deep and poetic, but with the skill and ferocity to rival the very best spitters out there.
An Oxford native – originally hailing from Rose Hill, Deeq has left an irrefutable impression on the OX Hip-Hop scene. Picking up the pen at age 14, and emboldened by the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Sunz of Man, Task Force and Mobb Deep, he set about constructing his unique lexicon. Outside influences such as Dylan, The Doors, Joy Division, Bukowski and Kahlil Gibran underpin his more seasoned verses.
A darkness pervades and binds to each bar scribed, providing an unnerving beauty. This is almost certainly a by-product of his tough upbringing, and a reflection of internal battles.
Unholy War, Deeq’s first solo project, is testament to his love of writing… a most vivid and brutal debut. Obsidian and The Slower the Trajectory followed suit, and with upcoming albums produced by such esteemed artists as Farma G (Task Force), Palmer Eldritch, and a second album with Broom Man (Herrotics), Deeq’s legacy seems assured.
