Check The Vision
Phil Udell
The very concept of an Irish hip-hop crew may raise a few eyebrows amongst the less open minded, but Creative Control’s second release is of such ridiculously strong quality, that all those issues pale into insignificance. Aware of their roots, but not obsessed with them, the trio of tracks on this 12” only release all sit comfortably within hip-hop’s lineage while bringing their own elements to the party.
The title track, built around an acoustic guitar and floating flute, has an uplifting Jurassic 5 vibe; ‘I’d Give My Right Arm’ is stacked full of humour, while ‘The Overdose’ is given a dramatic orchestral backing.
A million miles away from the crass shamrock shenanigans of House Of Pain and with far more in common with the criminally ignored Marxman, all that can hold Creative Control back are the prejudices of their own audience.
Phil Udell
Latest Related Articles For This Artist
Messiah J & The Expert make a triumphant return to Whelan's on October 9th in the wake of the monstrous success of their third album From The Word Go.
News: 2009-10-07
Messiah J demands the full attention of his audience, and while at one point he even leaps offstage into a throng of screaming fans, lyrically he never misses a beat.
REVIEW: 2009-04-01
The Dublin hip hoppers are also at 14-1 to win the Choice Music Prize.
News: 2009-02-09
They're Ireland's leading hip-hop duo but there's more to Messiah J & The Expert than gangsta stereotypes. Over brunch, they talk about their move towards using live instruments and their hotly-tipped new record.
Interview: 2008-10-30
Latest Related Videos For This Artist
Messiah J & The Expert release their 12-track From The Word Go LP this month, with an Irish tour set up over the coming months.
2008-10-02
Messiah J & The Expert release their third album, From The Word Go, through Inaudible Recordings in October.
2008-08-06
Messiah J of hip-hop duo Messiah J & The Expert is to helm three Saturday night shows on Dublin's Phantom FM over the coming weeks
2008-03-13
Dublin rap outfit Messiah J & The Expert are looking for fans to help create the artwork for their new album.
2007-12-04
Messiah J & The Expert have announced a Dublin date in November.
2007-10-10
Dublin hip-hop outfit Messiah J & The Expert will be performing live on Nadine O'Regan's The Kiosk show on Phantom FM.
2007-08-03
It’s not often someone threatens to ‘slash your ears off’ at a gig, but when 2FM DJ Cormac Battle says it, he means it – in a good way!
2007-05-31
“Rick Astley, Glenn Medeiros, Shakespeare…” – the beauty of a MJEX record is that you know that it’s going to do something different. This has gone beyond a question of ‘Irish’ hip-hop, the duo make great records full stop and ‘All The Other Girls’ is no exception, a rap track about women that is neither offensive, clichéd, tiresome nor afraid to wear its heart on its sleeve.
2007-05-18
Messiah J And The Expert’s wonderfully titled Now This I Have To Hear (insert clever “Now this you have to hear” comment here) put rap firmly on the Dublin ‘Can do’ list. While you won’t be jumping around the place shouting about roofs going up in flames with ‘Place Your Bets’, you will be very impressed by the lyrics, and more than a little excited about the production. Next up: Messiah J retires and The Expert develops his own clothing line.
2007-02-19
With last November’s inaugural trek such a huge success, RTÉ are wasting little time in unleashing the next 2FM 2Moro Tour.
2007-02-14
Messiah J & The Expert prepare to take Limerick by storm at the fourth Heineken Green Sphere event.
2006-11-22
Messiah J and The Expert aim to put Dublin hip-hop on the map. To do so, they must tackle several deep-set prejudices – such as the belief that Irish people can’t rap.
2006-11-08
With Now This I Have To Hear, Dublin duo, Messiah J & The Expert have delivered an album that fully justifies their braggart handles.
2006-10-25
After the relative disappointment of their debut record, we really need these two to come back strongly and prove that Irish hip-hop actually is a viable concern. The good news then, is that ‘Something Out Of Nothing’ is a belter: a cool and funky old-skool tune topped off with a classy female vocal. Nothing particularly new to be sure, but carried off with confidence and humour.
2006-09-22
Although Ireland’s still finding its own sound in terms of hip hop, MJEX keep the bar raised with this sweet little ditty. Featuring Def Jux’s C Rayz Walz, bolstering both their reputation and record sales, it’s a catchy track with simple beats and an infectious hook that will definitely keep our heads nodding into the summer. An indication that their second album, due out in autumn, has been worth waiting for.
2006-04-11
The boys previously known as Creative Controle are back again with tour dates and their first single in over two years.
2006-03-20
Attention all hip hop fans - Messiah J & The Expert will be playing the Temple Bar Music Centre on Saturday 27 August.
2005-08-23
Messiah J & The Expert will be playing six dates across the land from February 19
2004-02-10
Messiah J & The Expert's DJ Flip picked up the coveted title at the weekend's World ITF DJ Championships
2003-12-09
Messiah J & The Expert will headline a night of homegrown hip-hop at The Shelter
2003-12-02
The second coming of Messiah J & The Expert, Ireland’s finest hip hop band.
2003-10-09
They’re one of the sharpest, most exciting bands – of any genre – this country has.
2003-09-17
With new album in tow Messiah J & The Expert will shake their thing in the east and west
2003-09-11
Creative Controle change their name, new album details and a bunch of live dates
2003-03-24
Fantastic Irish hip hop pioneers Creative Controle bring it to Cork for a live appearance at Telefunkin' in the Savoy
2002-07-02
hotpress.com
Blogs on hotpress.com
Additional Sites on hotpress.com
Join Us
Contact Us
Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500
Email:info@hotpress.ie
Click here for more contact information.
Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.
Advertise With Us
For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540
©Hot Press 2011. Why be a member? | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy