Grant JonesBritish cuisine gets a bad rap, although it’s often justified considering it primarily features varying shades of brown and beige that don’t photograph well, and the best food you can get in the UK does tend to be imported, copied or straight-up stolen. If you go on social media, student favourite ‘beans on toast’ often gets it in the neck from Americans, despite Heinz, an American company, introducing Heinz Baked Beans to London in the 1800s. Many Brits’ favourite meal remains the Sunday Dinner (or Sunday Roast), which isn’t that different to a traditional Christmas or Thanksgiving meal, minus the Brussels sprouts and Pigs in Blankets (no not those, these). Rotund, pasty families will still insist on eating one in the middle of summer, in Spain if they can, and they’ll often shuffle towards carveries in pubs, salivating at the giant slabs of meat being carved up, like the greedy parents in Spirited Away shortly before they are placed under a curse. It’s hearty and relatively simple, something you can work through with a pint by a log fire in a countryside pub, not something you find in a chain restaurant. This tradition owes its place in the weekly schedule to Christianity – it’s long been the predominant religion in the United Kingdom, and this post-church feast on the day of rest naturally found its place in the United States as well. Considering it’s Thanksgiving this past week, it only seems appropriate to revisit last year’s “Sunday Dinner” album from Atlanta rapper Nick Grant, particularly as he’s just released the deluxe edition this month. It’s an album I’ve been meaning to cover, as it deserves more coverage than it got last year so I’m happy to revisit the kitchen for a second helping.
“I’m tryin’ to get my people right, you’re worryin’ about a classic”
Right from the first minute, this “Sunday Dinner” ensures the listener is welcomed into Nick’s home, with a soulful selection of beats and an insightful array of lyrics. This is most certainly not a British Sunday Dinner, as Nick admits “I ain’t got no white neighbours, still I’m on the waviest shit”. The album is inspired by his grandmother, who was a safe presence, hosting post-church get-togethers on Sundays, as his parents battled addiction. It’s not as nostalgic as that premise suggests, but is a homecoming of sorts, given he’s stated a desire to create a record with more vulnerability. What he’s achieved here is an increased sense of identity – I now know what Nick Grant represents, and even what his sound is, something I couldn’t say six years ago when I was bumping the shit out of “96 Bulls” on his mixtape “Dreamin’ Out Loud”.
Truthfully, “Sunday Dinner” could probably be even more vulnerable, but the door is opened wider than it usually is. Production is caramel smooth, and, aside from the trap-infused “Two Sides” (loved the nod to the Big Tymers flow!), the album carries itself with a warm, rich set of beats that may not be cosy, but certainly comforted this tired rap fan.
“Bravo” reminded me of Nas, in both its delivery and its tone, undoubtedly revealing its influence while wearing it proudly. The way Grant weaves words together possesses that hunger many legendary Queensbridge emcees have had, and there aren’t many who make rap music that glides out the mouth so effortlessly. The fact he’s had a co-sign from Mr. Illmatic himself should come as no surprise, and hearing personal favourite Ransom on “Art Dealer” doesn’t just feel like a statement, but one that’s underlined for confirmation.
“I’m such a threat that it kills them to support me”.
Another highlight is “Since Elementary”, which, despite the predictable premise of placing finances over romances, sees him demonstrate his versatility as an emcee over a silky Amarah and Tae Beast instrumental (frequent collaborates of Nick’s). The hook, the song structure, the one-liners, it’s a great song with all the right switches of flow, and the perfect example of what Nick Grant does so well.
If you’re after something a bit more crunchy, “Almighty Dollar” is like listening to a meaner version of Blu & Exile in their pomp. That piano loop is mouthwatering, as is the surprisingly strong singing found on the hook. “Heard About Us” is catchy thanks to an uncredited vocalist. “Heaven” sees Tweet pick up her skirt twenty years later for a classy, if simple assist, on another song that feels tailor-made for Grant’s vision of what his brand represents – vulnerable enough to connect with the everyman, but delivered with all the swagger of the coolest guy in the room. Lyrically, I think Grant’s approach is difficult to criticise, aside from the glaring abundance of n-words. The standard sixteen tracks have it said 197 times, and while it’s not a dealbreaker, it’s worth pointing out how excessive it feels.
Stallone & Weathers lit up my headphones a year ago with OC on “Convertible Steez”, and Grant uses a similar hook for “This Thing Of Ours” to even more fruitful effect. “Keep the love, I prefer loyalty” he quips as he holds Hip-Hop close to his heart, protective over his craft and culture, but reflective over his own position so far:
“I feel I hurt the ones I love the most
Never intentional, I promise not to do it no mo’
The more dirt on my name, it’s like the more that I grow
Same environment, but not tyrants like the one that I know
I left my granny for what I thought was a better life
Came home, memory gone, she closer to the light
Recognise me with gleamy eyes putting up a fight
She passed away before her baby boy could reach new heights
What is life?
Cops pull up to squat watchin’ bodies drop in here
Local hustler whip it til it loc’ like rasta hair
Chopper hanging out the window like some botched veneers
A funny career, I’m slept on but I’m revered
As one of the best, but the price is the life I live
Cautious of these crooked smiles in this tryin’ biz
Nasty, filthy, sucio, savage
Never let no rat n**** do damage to this motherfucking thing of ours”
The mark of an excellent artist is an ability to transport the listener, and “Sunday Dinner” successfully achieves this through a blend of relatability and battle-tested wordplay. Grant has cooked up a proper album after dabbling with EPs and mixtapes for several years. Hopefully, this elevates his status, and he gets his just desserts, because this “deluxe” revision of one of 2023’s best efforts, shows that he’s fully capable of cooking with gas. He hasn’t made a meal of it, and yet, simultaneously, he has. It feels like a home-cooked meal, compared to the fast-food approach of other emcees. This is something to savour, and if you’ve made it this far without throwing up at all the food puns, I hope you’ve been well-fed regardless.
Seriously though, this is a great album, that warrants repeated listens. Nick Grant continues to be overlooked, and “Sunday Dinner” deserves better. The Deluxe version contains three additional songs: “Truz and Vogues Part 2”, “Frienemies”, and the sincere “Selfish”, channelling that neo-soul era of two decades ago.