- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
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Aug 21, 2012Solid, purposeful, and crafted in a manner that betrays both Drew's age and the album's hurried road to release, Ill Manors makes heavy-hitter number three for the rapper, suggesting that Plan B doesn't issue albums, just milestones.
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Jul 30, 2012After this confrontational opening ditty, Ill Manors becomes less overtly political but no less vivid, as the remaining tracks depict in gruesome detail the dismal lives of London's underclass.
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MojoSep 19, 2012It's a punishing listen certain to prove divisive among his fan base. [Oct 2012, p.95]
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Sep 21, 2012Ill Manors is visionary, it's bold, but most importantly it's very good.
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Jul 24, 2012These songs contain the record's protest element as well as its exemplary musicality: heartbreaking soul choruses, classical samples and '80s rocksteady rhythms.
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Q MagazineAug 20, 2012Drew's work is lyrically dense and confrontational, but the music is blissfully rich and specious. [Sep 2012, p.100]
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Oct 30, 2012Ill Manors, depressing, blunt and provocative, fulfills one of rap music's most noble tasks--to touch the sore spots.
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Sep 11, 2012Obviously, hip-hop loves its thugs, too, especially if they're the antiheroes of a relatively nuanced piece like this one.
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Jul 20, 2012It's packed with neat touches.
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Jul 20, 2012Plan B acquits himself remarkably well here.
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Jul 23, 2012This is one of the most exhilarating albums of the year.
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Jul 23, 2012A fierce polemic that impresses and frustrates in equal measure.
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Jul 20, 2012On a production level, this album is cutting-edge, on a lyrical level it is brutally brilliant. It will melt your ears and your heart.
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UncutSep 14, 2012Drew's desire to be all things to all 'hoods is the weakness of the soundtrack to his debut movie. [Oct 2012, p.86]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 30 out of 37
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Mixed: 5 out of 37
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Negative: 2 out of 37
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Jul 9, 2013
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May 13, 2014
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Sep 6, 2012This is a really good album. Masterfully produced. Ben Drew can both rap and sing on the same high level. This dude ha some serious talent!