Tommy Ill

Three EPs in, prolific MC, Tommy Ill, is a svelte yet metaphorically obese young man – as his proverbial belt is having to be stretched yet again to make room for his self-titled debut LP. Having released “Toast & Tea Kettles” (Empathy Recordings) in 2007, “Matchsticks” (LOOP) in 2008 and “Come Home Mr. Ill” (LOOP) in 2009, Tommy Ill has made his name with haphazard live sets and his humorous tales that document the foibles of your average, slightly awkward, fellow with Dionysian-leaning tendencies. Now on his debut LP, Tommy Ill combines all his powers of past EPs with a new rap repertoire, kind of like when the Planeteers combined their powers to summon Captain Planet. The result - a fresh take on past offerings mingled with completely new tracks. You can also still expect songs that tackle the everyday issues of hangovers, heartache and bills – party tracks full of dry witticisms and cheeky rhymes set to askew pop tracks from the 50s and 60s.

For Fans of: Mos Def, Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest