Guvna B - Hands Are Made For Working
Upon hearing Guvna B’s new album ‘Hands Are Made for Working’, my initial thought was ‘this just doesn’t sound like him’, but not in a way that disappointed me, rather I was captivated by the fresh sound of his recent artistry. Perhaps this was due to the vast diversity of talent that he worked with to cultivate the album such as Melvillous, Martin Smith and Samm Henshaw that give it unique sound in comparison to his previous work; or maybe it was due to the recent loss of his father that released a more mature sound that would resonate with his fans on a deeper level.
Coming from a background as a dancer, Guvna B was often one my go-to for a grime/urban Christian alternatives to get me moving and his songs always had me smiling. Though this album initiated a different response. It wasn’t that this songs didn’t get me moving or ‘bopping’, it’s more that I don’t think that’s the tone he was going for, and that’s okay, because I found myself paying close attention to issues that arose in his tracks where maybe I haven’t before.
Guvna B focuses this album a lot on addressing real life deep issues, both personally with the loss of his father, where he uses tracks such as ‘Carry On’ and ‘Heart of a King’ to recall his experience of the death of his father and some of the memories they had shared together. And societal problems like systematic racism and gang culture in his area. It’s as though Guvna wanted to use this album to give a voice to the public affairs that are so rife in our generation at this time. Which I love. Not only has he paid an amazing tribute to his late dad but he has shone a spotlight over the social dilemma’s people groups are facing day in and day out.
Yet in all of this, even when Guvna B expresses a sense of having his world shaken, he doesn’t lose his fervour to continue to worship and exalt God through tracks such as ‘Cast Your Cares’, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and his remake of ‘King of my Heart’. It’s been awesome to see Guvna go from the fresh on the scene 18 year old who produced ‘Narrow Road’ Album with tracks such as ‘Kingdom Skank’ to the well-established artist we see today. To produce an album of this calibre after the year he had, I applaud you Guvna!
Bonus track ‘Dun All the Hype’
Check out the whole album yourself on Spotify... then go and buy it on iTunes or physical CD!
Check out these lovely links:
www.youtube.com/guvnamusic
#MusicWeLove by Y’etsha Bennett-Grant