Now Hear This: Never Give Up (single)- Rebel ACA & French Monkey Wrench (feat iSTAND & Danny Sprang)

Rating: *** 1/2

Rebel ACA & French Monkey Wrench have a new collaboration called "Never Give Up" that they just dropped. It's a single and a music video, with rumors of even more content upcoming.

Often described as the British Run The Jewels, Rebel ACA & French Monkey Wrench release this one hot on the heels of their very successful album "Chilagon". That release got them serious critical acclaim and was a #1 Billboard hit. So, like, no pressure right?

I'm gonna fire up the youtube machine and watch along while I listen and will report back on the song itself as well as its visual accompaniment. BRB.

Watch video for "Never Give Up" on YouTube below:

This one shows a strong influence from the early 80's ska and dub scene. Total Eddie Grant vibes. Most folks know that anything that sounds even remotely ska-based can rub me the wrong way, but I actually am feeling this. It's a real mood-lifter with a positive message and the bars laid down by Rebel ACA are rock solid. I generally love British hip-hop (The Streets, Plan B, etc.) so this is definitely connecting with that part of my brain and soul. In my opinion this is an excellent example of hip-hop not trying too hard to be what it isn't and just letting the positivity flow naturally. Nothing about this comes off as forced.

This one is just a delight from start to finish. I give it a slight markdown because the ska/dub influence will never make it a repeated listen for me, but for this genre, it's a real gem. Highly recommended for fans of this style of hip-hop, and a solid rec for almost everybody else.