After pre-release songs “Contingency” and “Give Thanks,” Dapz On The Map’s debut album, Landed, has finally been released after more than a year in the works.
Although neither of those songs are on Landed, both producers have contributed beats to the album, along with Thomas Mellor, Corey K, Avey, and TRC. Back in March, the Birmingham native also released a quick two-tracker called Connecting Flights, which featured “Never Ever” with Infamous Dimez and “Hunger Games” with Swifta Beater.
In a recent interview with TRENCH, Dapz said, “The best way I can explain what I feel with Landed is that it links to a film called Flight with Denzel Washington. “It is based on a pilot who carries the weight of his entire life on his shoulders, but they are unaware of his drinking problem. He was flying a plane that crashed; he made a heroic landing by flipping it over, killing roughly 8 people but saving many more.
“They wanted his head when they checked him and tested him for alcohol and drugs. But he’s a good man, a skilled pilot, and a devoted employee. In the sense that I have responsibilities on my shoulders—I have children, a partner, and relatives who want to see me succeed, and I also have obligations from within—Landed is comparable. And despite having all of these responsibilities, I still have to fly the plane. Nobody wants an explanation; they don’t care if you had a good or poor day at work; they just want you to land the plane.
The album remains very much a grime album while presenting a more developed, grown-up sound, yet we get to experience a new side of Dapz here. With the exception of fellow Brummie and singer-songwriter Pheleba, a.k.a. PhePhe, on “Beautiful,” the only other distinguishing feature of Landed is the overwhelming presence of R&B. Much of that comes from the man himself, who handles the great bulk of the smoother, more melodic passages.
Dapz, who made some significant creative choices for this record, feels as though it represents a turning point in his career. It appears to be working thus far, as evidenced by increased news coverage and some eye-catching statistics.
