Mixtape Review: Ceebo's 'LAMBETHNOTLA'

Aug 23

Unfiltered and untamed: South West London rapper Ceebo's new mixtape is an ode to his bustling childhood stomping ground…

Man in front of Lambeth sign — Cover art for Ceebo's *LAMBETHNOTLA* mixtape, shot by Aisha Abdulwahab. Image property of Ceebo and Liberation Records.

We're in LAMBETHNOTLA. Suppose LA is the entertainment capital—home to the illustrious Hollywood sign, the city of angels where dreams come true. In that case, Lambeth is a borough of hopeful souls in a dance with adversity. Despite being home to many of London's many sought-after attractions, the rhythm of daily life for a young Black man is not always so attractive.

South West London rapper Ceebo leaves no stone unturned on his latest mixtape LAMBETHNOTLA. His musical roadmap of Lambeth takes us on a sonic rollercoaster from heavy loop beats and oscillating basses into light guitar strokes and sombre piano melodies. Alongside noteworthy producers such as DJXHNWAV, JEDSOUL and JayDottCee, Ceebo breathes new life into the UK rap pantheon.

Featuring 11 tracks, the emerging rapper blends the infectious, upbeat rhythms of Afrobeats with the deep, soul-plunging meadow of R&B, effortlessly playing with genres like a casual Saturday morning kickabout. He introduces us to his world with "LAMBETH AKA A DUNRAVEN BABES", telling a story of blind infatuation, naivety and betrayal. He simultaneously explores his ill-fated relationship with a girl while referring to his home–Lambeth (also the girl's name) and immediately sets the tone for his beautifully harrowing project.

Steeped in nostalgic blues, Ceebo tugs at the heartstrings with "MEMORY LANE". He coaxes us in with a silky blue jazz-tinged track while reflecting on carefree school days and the tragic loss of cherished friends claimed by the relentless tide of violence. His slice-of-life mixtape is an unflinching, candid portrayal of the harsh realities faced by a young Black man in South London, delivering the stunning sorrow of a tortured poet. His standout track "MATANGA"—Congolese for funeral or mourning period—grapples with seeing blood on the streets and praying his mum won't have to lay flowers on his grave.

man with a camera — Ceebo in 2024. Image property of Aisha Abdulwahab.

Ceebo has no intention of shying away from the truth, relaying various experiences be it religious, cultural or economic. In his interlude "TRAUMA SOLD SEPERATELY", he addresses how Black trauma is sold through entertainment with pop culture references to movies such as Django Unchained and Moonlight and how continuously seeing trauma affects the Black consciousness. His words cut deep into the heart of the Lambeth, unafraid to uncover the hardships, traumas and corruptions that apply not only to the streets of Lambeth but even to young Black individuals everywhere.

Real and raw, the savvy emcee's debut overflows with the weight of reality. Through bleeding heart poetry and a harmonious fusion of London's musical palette, Ceebo's tracklist is undoubtedly one worth shouting about. Lambeth's gifted us with a true wordsmith.

Be it storytelling, flow, wordplay—you name it: Ceebo's got it. His sharp verbal wit has already resulted in clips going viral at Balamii, and the industry is starting to take notice. So open up your ears and turn up your headphones for this up-and-coming word wizard who you definitely don't want to miss.