Kesensa Mordi
Updated: Mar 8
Newham’s finest, Zino Vinci has released his first E.P since 2021. Filthy and Disgusting uses a mix of traditional and modern hip hop beats as the soundtrack to Zino’s self reflection on life, childhood and growing up. A recurring theme includes the aid brought to Zino from reading comic books; “Comic books saved my life” (Filth), “comic books kept me blind” (Jeff), “mans got comic books as well” (Western Union).
‘Western Union’ is a smooth intro that tugs on our own personal nostalgia growing up using both Zino’s lyricism and the dialogue heard throughout the song. It touches on interactions with older youth in the area, getting ‘sent shop’ and most importantly the Lyca phone card which allowed many of our immigrant parents to keep connected with family back home as well as abroad. The EP continues to stay out of the box with tracks such as ‘First Time’, a more pop/indie track that keeps you on your toes as it moves into a more uptempo drill-esque inspired production and ‘Benson’, a more lo-fi track reminiscent of underground uk rap. First Time shows Zino coming through with an unheard before flow and cadence on the last half of this hard-knocking track - a flow that is seemingly brand new but feels familiar which is warming. His sound is loud and clear no matter whether the production is like that of A Tribe Called Quest or Ruff Sqwad.
‘Filth’, the single that was released back in June, was already a personal fave. Sitting second on the EP, Zino invites us further into his world. Melodic bridge elevates the song to an inexplicable level - Zino’s passion and artistry is clear. Filth goes on and covers relatable topics such as self-esteem, identity, loneliness and growing up in low-socioeconomic areas. Battling whether “maybe [he’s] meant to lose”. Starkly different from the reflection in Filth, the playful production in ‘Tamagotchi Crocs’ is sure to keep your head bopping from left to right. The production dips into the river of experimental hip hop some people describe as cloud rap. On this track Zino dons a more typical macho persona of rap as he elegantly boasts about the “Black queen on his right” that he’s taking home. The track is genre bending as it is not quite traditional hip hop but neither a pop rap hit.
The final track on the EP is a clear head nod to the jazz era of hip hop. ‘Jeff’ (shortened version of Zino’s real name Jefferson) similarly to the production on Western Union finds Zino returning once again to a more traditional hip hop beat often used by the now popularly acclaimed A Tribe Called Quest. Jeff is Zino’s heart to heart himself which he invites us into. The saxophone throughout the back of the song is key in solidifying the track. They are like the ending credits of a film or the epilogue to your favourite story. This is Zino Vinci’s goodbye (for now).
Zino Vinci has presented us with a 15 minute ode to Newham, to growing up, to the older ones on the block, to the death of phone cards, and to finding your footing in life. It is clear that Zino Vinci is not just one to watch but one to stay. Essentially, filthy & disgusting has never sounded so good.