![]() ![]() On “Black” however, he turned his attention to the even more sensitive subject of race. “Question Time” off his Game Over EP was a scathing attack of government policy both within and outside the UK. ![]() Now Dave, ever since - and even before - releasing those pair of EP’s at the age of 19 was never one to avoid using his platform to talk about socio-political events going on around him, in fact, it seemed like he relished the opportunity. The third song on the record is quite possibly the most iconic one. He once again tries to be a voice of encouragement to young people, especially those from his own neighbourhood (Man are dead or in jail, that’s useless / Tell a yute, “If you’ve got a brain, then use it). On “Streatham” Dave talks about his childhood and some of the incidents he experienced growing up in Streatham, a district in South London. He uses the album to talk about a number of important issues and this is only the first of many. Then he gives a piece of advice to people who may be going through a similar experience to his, ( If you’re thinking ’bout doing it / Suicide doesn’t stop the pain, you’re only moving it) admonishing them not to use suicide as means to overcome what they are feeling. With about a minute left, the beat drops off, leaving a simple piano accompaniment as Dave talks about struggling with his having to stay strong for his single mother, insecurities about his career and struggling with his mental health. The backend of the song is where things get very interesting. He displays his clever lyricism and flow, switching up the tempo during the song. The song features some haunting background vocals, courtesy American singer Ruelle’s “Game of Survival”, and it delves into his blossoming career, struggles as a child and a number of other subjects. ![]() By carefully managing the number of times the character appears on the album, Dave ensures that he is a net positive addition to the album rather than being an over-used gimmick that becomes tiresome after a while. The therapist provides a different dimension to the music and creates a continuity between songs by speaking about themes that were just explored or about to be visited on another track. This choice was apparently inspired by the therapy sessions Dave’s brother went through in prison, which he decided to incorporate into the album. Psychodrama is a psychotherapy technique that uses dramatic self-representation and other methods to help patients better understand themselves and their conditions. The album starts off with “Psycho”, an introspective track that also introduces the character of a therapist, who appears on multiple songs on the record and is an extension of the mental health theme that begins with the name of the record. ![]()
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