If you’ve found yourself binging U.K. drill freestyles on YouTube, undoubtedly you will have crossed Tim Westwood’s crib session with the Homerton/Holly Street crew. Filled with smoke, records and subwoofers, the room’s settings are reminiscent of London’s early pirate radio stations; hungry emcees battle it out for the mic, with their bars holding the key to their credibility.
KO kicks off the proceedings, armed with an effortless verse and punctual cadence. A minute later, the spotlight is passed to a distinctively masked maverick - his disguise instantly stands out from the comparatively btec ballys. V9, in his pimped out Deadpool mask, murks a visceral selection of bars - which stay poignant for the video's remaining 20 minutes.
The Homerton Sensei’s hype has been prominent since 2018’s Charged Up. 2 years on, and the driller has just released his second mixtape. Yūdokuna champions his area’s healthy rap scene, enlisting Jimmy, Alchubbino Billy Billions and KO, all of whom featured on the crib session, for verses. Unknown T, another Homerton native, also provides his bassy vocal tones for the tape closer - Drip Drip.
Unlike many of the drill scene’s leaders, Headie One, K-Trap, Blanco et cetera, V9 is still meddling heavily with 808s and swift snares. These artists still make U.K.D of course, but V9 passionately pursues that sound as the mixtapes’ primary influence. Other rap genres are probed - Gasoline, with its trappy tendencies, has a melodic groove that both V9 and Billy Billions thrive over.
At 11 tracks in length, V9 could have been more experimental - different styles, tempos, and features from outside of London, would stretch his artistic dexterity. However, his flows feel crisper, the beat selection is ruthless and tunes like Buju Banton feel more sincere than previous work. If you are a drill fan, it is impossible to dislike Yūdokuna, and V9 is starting to show that he can broaden his sonic palette. Give the project a listen, and read our interview with the Homerton Sensei below.
For those that don’t know, what does Yūdokuna refer to?
Venomous in Japanese
^^^^^ STUPIDLY WHAT WE THOUGHT V9'S MIXTAPE MEANT. ALLOW GOOGLE DOING US DIRTY, NEVER TRUST URBAN DICTIONARY.
What games are you personally playing in lockdown?
I’m playing NBA, FIFA (NOT 20 WE HOPE - DEAD FIFA:/) AND CALL OF DUTY
Your love for Japanese culture is evident, even though shooting the Japanese 2.0 video sounded like a struggle, what is your favourite anime series?
YEA THE VIDEO WAS A STRESS STILL LOL BUT WE MADE THE BEST DRILL VIDEO IF U ASK ME… & DRAGON BALL Z <<< For those that don't know, the Japanese police were peak. Watch this interview for more explanation.
Which track on the mixtape did you rate working on the most? What about the process stood out for you?
GASOLINE WITH BILLY, NOT MUCH STOOD OUT ABOUT THE PROCESS, BUT IT WAS GOOD. WE HAD FUN STLL.
How do you feel your sound has developed since Homerton Sensei?
BARS AND FLOWS ARE IMPROVING I'M TRYING NEW THINGS. THIS TAPE IS DEFINITELY AN UPGRADE
Yūdokuna enlists a lot of rap genres other than drill, what have you been listening to that has inspired this?Are there any genres you rate that you haven’t explored yet?
I LISTEN TO LOADS OF DIFFERENT MUSIC. FIVIO, NBA, YOUNG NUDY, 21 SAVAGE MONEY MAN, POLO G. YEAH DANCE LOL, I'LL DO SOMETHING WITH CALVIN HARRIS IF THE MONEY'S RIGHT LOL <<< Calvin where you at man? Get V9 on some "molly music".
Bar C.S., all the features are from your area. Did you do this consciously? What is it about Homerton that produces such mad talent?
YEAH I DID, WE 98 LIVING BABY LOL. Our environment plays the biggest part I think.
How do you think the dead pool mask is a reflection of you and your music?
Dead pool wears a V9 MASK EVERYONE KNOWS THAT <<< FACTS