Lars Vaular is a rare artist. A Norwegian rapper with genuine language, rhythmic authority and musical talent. This is something that the domestic rap scene have sorely missed. A lyrical spitter with a message. Yup, it is a big cliché. Espescially in this young genre, the Norwegian hip hop heads have been hungry to have a voice ble to transfer the Afro-American rap expression into a Scandinavian, everyday context. The critics have more or less laughed at Norwegian rap music, because it has no correlation to the Oh So Hard Knock Life in less fortunate parts the States. «Hey, what the fuck are you talking about? “Valley Of Terror”? You live in Oslo, one of the most peaceful cities in the world!», is a classic statement from uninitiated people. Sadly this has also been the norm for critics who claim knowledge to the genre.
To come up with an answer why Scandinavian rap artists want to translate this gangster mentality, is too big a task for me. In a global perspective the culture originated forty years ago, yet it is still in its infancy in Norway. So, how long ago do you think rappers and others who showed interest in hip hop, startet out establishing this as a legitimate genre? In a country where the only beats they have been introduced to, was a random break from a rock band? Maybe that is gives D’e Glede such a vibrant feel. The combination of talented rock musicians and rappers is a good one in a nation widely influenced by rock, and luckily Vaular has constructed the album without the ghost of commercialized, formatted radio crossover acts.
To the point — Lars Vaular album entitled D’e Glede, translated ‘Tis Joy, reflects Vaular’s perception of life; he wants to spread positivity, and he does it to the fullest. The album is packed with midtempo hip hop ballads. And perhaps for the first time, I’ve been convinced that it will result in substance when you have the talent, vocabulary, charm and down-tempo production to match the rapper. The tracklist spreads out thirteen cuts whereas four of them are exceptions to this description; “Skyld på Lars Vaular”, the national hit single “Solbriller På”, “Skipp 24/7″ and “Full Effekt” featuring Pete’n and Girson from A-Laget, another beloved crew of the Norwegian west coast, help Vaular show his gangstarish side. The other nine songs, eight if we exclude the intro, is all about chilled out quality with a capital C, O and Q. I get dreamy just thinking about “Stikke Med Deg”, “Samme Nr Som i 99″ og “Inn&Ut”.
Jesus Christ, this dude hits a nerve. I never thought I would ever ask this, but is Lars Vaular an intelligent version of 2Pac?
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