The drill aficionado tackles curation duties on his debut project, blaring the fundamentals of the genre he helped pioneer.
Curating a compilation is tough work. It puts the producer’s executive capabilities under the microscope. Take DJ Khaled, Metro Boomin and DJ Drama albums as examples. Closer to home, there’s the likes of Brixton’s Carns Hill with his own drill compilations over the years. Just like his peers before him, M1OnTheBeat’s mission is to work out a balance between the aim of a mixtape (a casual, unpolished crux) while impressing listeners with the songs. Fortunately for M1, he has plenty credit in the bank. The 24-year-old’s been tried and tested as a drill producer for some of the biggest names—and hits—in UK rap. He’s comfortably one of the greatest drill producers, and is responsible for a plethora of careers. In many ways, it’s time for collaborators to return the favour in the producer’s first solo endeavour.
M1OnTheBeat: The Mixtape plays like a traditional rap mixtape; fleeting tracks jammed with collaborations carrying an impromptu attitude. The all-British lineup are given the platform to freestyle hookless tracks, often leaving space for where a hook could’ve been (the well-rapped “Hustle Can’t Die” by Slim is a promising culprit). There’s a clear feeling that M1 wants to create an authentic drill offering free of any strings attached. It plays like a Plugged In session—each rapper entering and exiting the booth in swift rotation. You’re in then you’re out, granted 180 seconds to leave a lasting impression. Take Digga D’s performance on “Mexico” as a prime example; there’s piercing 808s, sabre-toothed bars and plenty censors, coupled with a simple yet sticky hook.
A majority of the project offers solo performances from notable and upcoming British rappers, including but not limited to: Headie One, K-Trap, Digga D, Slim, Abra Cadabra, Krept & Konan, Nemzzz, Cristale, Meekz, Backroad Gee, M1llionz and French the Kid. It’s largely familiar faces for what the producer’s ethos is, wisely trimmed to a 40-minute runtime while accommodating the heavy ensemble. Just like any executive producer, M1 is the conductor standing in front of the orchestra, dictating notes that are occasionally off-key but get back on track eventually.
Newcomers are littered across the fifteen tracks, but it’s the vets that offer the best performances, many of which arrive in the second leg of the project. K-Trap reclaimed his King of Drill crown in the last few years, verifying the title on project highlight “Stretcher”. From the other side of the city comes Abra Cadabra, whose bellicose vocals charge up “I Pray”. M1’s production is filled to a full tank during this leg, laying his signature drill whirs that are memorable rather than customary.
There are a couple honest moments at creating a full-fledged song rather than the Plugged In operative. The trap-infused “Top Form” brings together Rimzee and Skrapz, two rappers alike in their street sermon tracks, while Nafe Smallz is recruited for hook duties. Despite the thought for careful curation, the trio struggle to generate any chemistry. Closing track “Hear No Evil, See No Evil” with Knucks, Kojey Radical and Miraa May is the tape’s best attempt at a song with meat on the bone, deviating from the purely-drill approach while plucking appropriate collaborators.
Amongst the class of songs and collabs lingers a void. A hit’s hard to find on The Mixtape, holding the glaring feeling that M1’s best beats went to other artists’ projects, as well as their best performances. Even when the beats are top-notch, The Mixtape deserved better efforts from the guest appearances, particularly the newcomers who should have their own points to prove if not for the sake of M1.
The Mixtape colours inside the lines, comfortably positioned within the nucleus of drill. In ironic fashion, it’s M1’s beats that do the talking, proving he is the most valuable commodity in UK drill that requires sharper performers to uphold his vision.
6 / 10
Best tracks: “Stretcher”, “Hear No Evil, See No Evil”, “Mexico”
Mic Cheque 