How To Kill A Caterpillar
Multifaceted emcee Still Shadey truly embodies the complexity of his journey so far in the pen-smith’s enigmatic sixth-studio project ‘How To Kill A Caterpillar’.
Croydon’s own charming character has come to know the very definition of sacrifice along the way to his musical successions; seeing the blooming artist be exposed to a life of violence, injustice, and criminality from a tender age, having to battle not only on the roads but also natural conflict as a result of the unfortunate themes within his Nigerian-Christian household. Although, Shadey didn’t let this deter him from a road to success, leading head-forward onto a road of healing and self-discovery that would later see the South Londoner ‘weaponising the microphone as his source of expression’.
‘How to kill a Caterpillar’ takes Shadey’s audience on a sonic journey, tapping into the budding artist’s trials and tribulations faced over the years, opening up and becoming vulnerable for a moment to re-visit past trauma, but most importantly providing insights into his determination and grit to get up and fight through the tough times - essentially breaking out of the hardened cocoon that tried to tie him down, and prevailing into the flourishing talent we see today.
Shadey sources a fairy-tale narrative to ease us into the project on the intro, turning to a consoling voice to encourage the rapper to flourish into his final-form, but asking Shadey to take it back one more time to let the people know how he made it out of the ‘soil’.
Ensuing the versatile waves of the ‘Caterpillar intro’ seeing the rapper re-visit trauma and present his once juxtaposed mindset he had growing up till now (‘used to walk with my knife that was my protection/the eyes are the window to the sole, you can see the depths’), the talent forms an absolute gem inspired through all the pressure as a yute in the vibrant number ‘Diamonds’ ft. Jo Joey & Melvillous.
Following the free-following ‘Undone Ties’ ft. Condoseven that could comfortably hold a contribution from any DBE member, Shadey slows things down a little, digging deep and curating an ode to the ones he loves dearly, telling them not to worry once life moves on - but most importantly making the statement clear to give those you cherish flowers while they can still smell them.
Rounding the project off, Shadey finishes with a clean sheet in the final three offerings; starting off with the silky-smooth ‘Heaven’ previously charting at number 7 in Hip Hop Charts with his luxe harmonies upon a euphoric soundscape tying in that body-grooving afro-infused percussion wrapping this one up in a project stand-out.
Ensuing comes number two charting ‘Blessings’ in iTunes own ‘World’ charts, seeing Shadey tap into his roots gracing us with a full-fledged afro-beat single with bone-chilling sounds with that spirited percussion, consoling sax, all tied-together with Shadey weaving in-between those infectious hooks and paralleled cadence. A personal favourite for sure that finally leads us into the finale; the lulling ‘Love Like Yours’.
‘Love Like Yours’ sees Shadey reminiscing the amorous encounter with a romantic interest, stating that this one leaves him with ‘butterflies’, but keeps it interesting as he goes on to switch-up the sweet sounding vocals to the more assertive bars, turning back and forth to the life lessons that have led him to the revelations of today.
Forever flourishing, Shadey is not only making his community proud in the booth but also bringing pride within the unity he provides in the south; seeing the talent reaching out to charities such as the St Giles Trust to contribute to the fight against County Lines and Gang exploitation - and in doing so proving to be true pillar within his community and to this world!
Make sure to take in ‘How to Kill a Caterpillar’ on all streaming platforms and show some love to an artist that’s doing more than a lot of people in power right now, shout out Shadey!