Released 20 years ago
Da 2nd Phaze
Wiley · 2006
65 min · 20 tracks · drum and bass
A raw blend of grime beats and reflective lyrics that showcase Wiley's trademark flow and streetwise storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Eskiboy Start here — This track exemplifies Wiley's distinctive flow and inventive wordplay, encapsulating the essence of grime while addressing themes of authenticity in the genre.
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Carry Out Orders — The song features a minimalist beat paired with sharp lyrics that reflect Wiley's street influences, establishing his narrative style and lyrical depth.
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Be Yourself — In this track, Wiley promotes individuality and self-acceptance through a catchy hook and relatable verses, resonating with listeners amid a bustling urban landscape.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Wiley's flow and storytelling but has moments of unevenness in composition and pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief intro that sets a gritty tone, followed by a series of tracks that maintain a consistent mid-tempo pace.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal delivery, with Wiley's flow often overlapping with background beats and samples.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier energy.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- urban energy in every track
- dynamic journey through intensity
- short bursts of lyrical fire
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, cohesive pieces
- seek mellow, laid-back vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped popularize grime music globally, following his initial recognition.
- Themes
- streetwise storytelling· grime scene evolution
- Career context
- By the time Wiley released Da 2nd Phaze in 2006, he was already recognized as a leading figure in the grime scene following his breakthrough with his debut album, Treddin' on Thin Ice, in 2004. This album solidified his position and showcased his evolution as an artist navigating between various styles within the UK garage and grime genres.
Tracklist
- 1 Intro 1:46
- 2 Eskiboy Start here 2:53
- 3 Gangsterz 3:19
- 4 U Ain't Real 3:48
- 5 Stormy Weather 2:38
- 6 Carry Out Orders 2:02
- 7 I Like the Way 3:03
- 8 Be Yourself 2:58
- 9 Johnny Was a Badboy 3:29
- 10 Grim 2:52
- 11 One Avalanche 3:53
- 12 Keep Moving 3:57
- 13 Friday Night 2:48
- 14 Mystery Girl 3:10
- 15 Ice Pole Remix 4:05
- 16 Saw It Coming 4:25
- 17 God's Gift Freestyle 1:36
- 18 Streets That We Live 4:52
- 19 So Amazing 3:08
- 20 Oi 4:30
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Against All Oddz
Lethal Bizzle
Features gritty storytelling and a similar blend of UK garage and grime influences.
Konnichiwa
Skepta
Captures the raw energy of grime with reflective lyrics about street life and personal struggles.
Grime MC
Jme
Combines sharp storytelling with a hard-hitting grime sound, reflecting the genre's evolution like Wiley.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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