G-Scum - The Breakout

G-Scum

The Breakout
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

I can’t say that I am familiar with the hip-hop scene in Athens, Greece but apparently it is a hub for hip-hop.  G-SCUM aka Paul Kaliakoudis was born in Athens and in 2010 he released an EP entitled “Abusive”. Kaliakoudis considered it more or less a “demo” to pitch to producer and labels. The demo did in fact catch the attention of several producers but it was ultimately “Auditory” who had immediate innate chemistry with Kaliakoudis. The collaboration would eventually lead to the EP entitled “The Breakout”.

The Breakout is an eclectic hip-hop album but feels most influenced by 90’s hip-hop acts like Emimem, Cypress Hill, Beastie Boys, and N.W.A. Kaliakoudis sounds undeniably European and doesn’t try and mask it. He owns it, giving the album a distinct flavor that isn’t too common.

The EP opens with “Intro (Skit)” which is a somewhat funny back and forth dialogue before going into the first fleshed out song entitled “Another Day Another Dollar”. Kaliakoudis immediately establishes he has a slick tongue as Auditory lays down music that revolves around orchestral strings, synths and deep beat. The music has an upward intensity that reminded me of when Ditty covered Kashmir. “Option Success” is track that is meant for the club. Kaliakoudis sounds good but I think Angelika Yee may have stole the show here. She sounds like Rihanna when she belts out the hook. Strong, confident and undeniably powerful

“Better Shake That” is another song that is perfect for “da club”.  The music revolves around a Persian vibe that gets bombarded by the rhymes of  Kaliakoudis. The inclusion of lyrical snippets such as “Shake That Ass” may seem a bit worn but nonetheless work.

Kaliakoudis closes with a dirty, old-school hip-hop inspired song entitled “Slaughterhouse”. I loved the sound of the drums as it reminded me of something you would hear from N.W.A. The overall vibe in incredibly chill and perfect for a lounge setting.

The Breakout is a finely produced record that displays the talents of Kaliakoudis. This isn’t groundbreaking material but rather refines an established genre.

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