ALBUM REVIEW - Genod Droog – Ni Oedd Y Genod Droog

Tremadog hip-hop band Genod Droog, release their debut album ‘Ni Oedd y Genod Droog’ courtesy of Conwy label Slacyr on 2nd August 2008.

Now, I had long dismissed Welsh hip-hop as a bit of a joke, as much as I tried, I simply could not get my head round the band Pep Le Pew, in my (fake) 2001AD eyes they were laughable, I simply did not understand my ignorance… Pep Le Pew did all the usual Welsh TV, Radio and gig circuit, gaining plaudits along the way until eventually morphing into Genod Droog.

Lo and behold ‘Ni Oedd Y Genod Droog’ hit the streets in 2008 after the outfit spent two years working on it at Blaen-y-Cae; a recording studio situated among the Welsh pyramids and magic mushroom farms of Garndolbenmaen.

Genod Droog, loosely translated means Bad Girls, with a play on the Welsh word ‘drwg’ – meaning ‘bad’ and pronounced droog. This was inspired by the unruly gang of ‘droogs’ in Stanley Kubrick’s infamous 1971 film, A Clockwork Orange, which in turn was based on Anthony Burgess’s dark novel of the same name published in 1962. The Super Furry Animals also referred to the name on their ‘Moog Droog’ EP (Ankst, 1995), which is a play on the Welsh slang for smoking weed (mwg drwg = bad smoke).

As a result of Genod Droog’s energetic performances, their fresh sound and their fun attitude the group became an instant success. In October 2006 they played at The Barfly in Camden, as part of the BBC Electric Proms; and in July 2007 they were the main band at Sesiwn Fawr festival in Dolgellau. The inevitable crowning of their achievements came at the BBC Radio Cymru Rock and Pop Awards in 2007 – Best Live Band and Radio Cymru listeners’ Most Popular Group – and they made regular appearances on S4C’s rock programme, Bandit, during the period.

With ‘Ni Oedd y Genod Droog’ out in the public domain, this mix of melodies, rap and uplifting anthemic dance music was contagiously catchy, and I rate it as one of the finest Welsh language releases ever! The unpredictable nature of their theatrical live shows added excitement, and they managed to create such an impression in a short period of time.

The NME wrote: “If they’re to overcome the maelstrom of hype they’ve generated from the word go, they’re going to have to subvert a few preconceptions… Well, breathe easy…it’s as bold, brilliant and bonkers a pop debut as you’re likely to hear”.

As is with many bands after releasing their debut album, all the effort, the hype and energy expended seemed to take it out of them. Within months of its release Genod Droog announced their disbandment after performing at the Noise Festival, Cardiff. They stated they had come to the end of their journey, feeling that there was no more to achieve as a Welsh-medium group.

Former Kentucky AFC drummer, Gethin Evans went on to play with Yucatan. Vocalist / rapper, Ed Holden soon became world renowned beat-box artist Mr Phormula and Dyl Mei went in the direction of broadcasting and producing for Radio Cymru.