Remembering Cadet: My top five tracks

Speechless.

That was my immediate reaction when I learned about the death of Cadet (real name Blaine Cameron Johnson) as a result of a car crash on his way to perform at a university.

Cadet’s sudden and unexpected death was honestly the last thing I expected to read on my Twitter timeline on Sunday 10th February. With a slot booked in Wireless and having just featured on the popular 'Trendy' track,  2019 was set to be an even bigger year for one of grime’s most impressive lyrical MCs.  An inexplicable death of young talent like Cadet makes you ask God: Why though?

I did not know Cadet personally in any way other than through his Commitment EPs and other tracks where he featured but, as many people have pointed out, he was such an authentic rapper through his raw lyrics that you felt like you knew him on some level. 

Having watched the heartfelt videos of a memorial gathering in Hyde Park which I was sadly unable to attend, I decided to honour the Clapham rapper by listing my top five Cadet tracks.

​So, without further ado:  CADET! CADET!

5. Cadet - Wanna Know Why (Album: The Commitment)

The riddim on this track reminds of the old grime sound from the Channel U days. When I would listen to this during my gym workouts, the energy and pure hype  had me lifting weights and making angry faces at the gym. If you want that hype Cadet track, this one definitely does it.

4.​ Da Beatfreakz x AJ x Deno x Swarmz x Cadet - Pumpy

Obviously, this is not a strictly Cadet track however, of the tracks Cadet as appeared on, this one is my personal favourite. I love his flow and the playfully boastful lyrics:  "She wants the ball like she's Pele" and "I got asthma let me pump that" always bring a stupid grin to my face.

3. Cadet - Don't It Take Personal (Album: The Commitment 2)

In my opinion, this is the best track on The Commitment 2. Although, i'll admit, I am very biased. Ghetts is my favourite MC so seeing him featuring on a Cadet track was always going to gas me up. And the pairing did not fail to deliver. The bars are deadly from both MCs. Who says East and South can't come together and create pure fire.

2. Cadet - The Stereotype (Album: The Commitment)

I think a lot of grime fans will agree that this  track was the first taste of Cadet's masterful storytelling. This is such a strong track because of the vulnerability and rawness of Cadet's lyrics. Few MCs would dare be this honest.  No bravado.  No hype. Just a brother barring his soul for us to listen to. An amazing track and a classic.

1. Cadet - No Way ft Donae'o (Album: The Commitment)

This was the first Cadet track I listened to (in a ponsy club in Shoreditch which I didn't expect) and I used my shazam app to find out who this MC was. I love Cadet's flow on this track (he was one of the few rappers who could truly rap to any tempo) and Done'o gives the track that nice touch with the addictive hook.  This will always be my favourite Cadet track. 

What are you favourite Cadet tracks? Feel free to leave a comment below listing your top five tracks.