Live @ Crate: 'HOUSES' - Cappo

Saturday 26th 2025

A couple of weeks ago we were treated to rare intimate performance from Nottingham hip-hop legend, Cappo, hosted at Crate by TH3 Collective. This coincided with the release of another album to add to his ever-growing arsenal - HOUSES on Plague Records, so before we get into how good the performance was, you've got to know about this album.

Set 20 years after his previous album 'S.T.A.R.V.E' left off, this album is semi-autobiographical in nature again, and explores an average, day-in-the-life narritave of a middle-aged father of two, known only as 'P', in contemporary Nottingham, UK. Navigating the trials and tribulations of balancing fatherhood with societal pressures, whilst simultaniously touching on multiple themes from mortality to race & class. He has described this peice of work as 'the Ying to S.T.A.R.V.E's Yang.'

The opening track 'Ghosts' acts as a bridge in time between the two bodies of work, highlighting P's transition from an angsty, suicidal man in his early 20s, to an overwhelmed father in his early 40s. The story of the album itself is heavily influenced by classic literary works involving paternity, 'Hamlet' by William Shakespeare, 'Odyssey' by Homer & 'Ulysses' by James Joyce.

Whilst the album has some darker themes, there are still some light-hearted moments. My favourite being the track 'HMRC', which loosely follows the events within 'Ulysses', whereby 'P' receives a dreaded brown envelope through the front door, only to find the opposite of what's usually contained within them. I don't want to say much more, so you're going to have to go and listen for yourself.

Cappo's approach to production has always been sample led, using AKAI MPCs to create spacious beds for his intelligent word play, and HOUSES is no different. From the opening monologue in 'Ghosts', to the epilogue in 'While You Sleep', nothing is out of place. Each track seamlessly flowing into the next to keep the listener engaged and hanging on his every word. A true master of the craft of wordsmithing.

Cappo performing in Crate - Photo by TH3 Collective

Since it's opening in 2024, Crate has hosted a variety of DJs across the dance music spectrum, and since teaming up with TH3 Collective they have been able to branch out into Live PAs, having hosted Brighton natives - A Sunny Place for Shady People - last month, they came back again to host a hometown heavyweight.

Upon arrival, Cappo walked through the crowd handing out brown envelopes, a nod to his 'HMRC' track. At first glance you'd be completely fooled into thinking he was actually serving you with a notice from the government, however they were branded with the 'Plague Records & Cassettes'. A genius stroke of marketing. Speaking to him after the show he said they actually had trouble in getting these printed because the likeness was too close to the actual HMRC letters, but managed to get it over the line in the end, thankfully!

We were treated to some old gems from his discography, as well as first plays from the new album, all delivered with eloquence and passion in equal measure. Caps made some apologies before a few tracks, letting us know that he might not know all the lyrics, but honestly, I don't think he missed a beat. You could tell from the beads of sweat running down from beneath his snapback that this was a special performance. Crate was packed wall-to-wall, with crowds even gathering at the window to try and get a peek inside.

There are still copies available on frosted clear vinyl here, and with it you get a 12" booklet with a synopsis of each track to read as you move through the album, along with a curated magazine featuring some brilliant words and poetry from some of Cappo's peers and friends. A lovely touch, and a steal for only £26 for a full length album of this quality.

Being able to see a legend in such an intimate environment wouldn't be possible without teams like TH3 Collective & Crate. I don't think I'd be out of line by saying this kind of intimate performance is currently unique in our city, something venue boss, Declan, is particularly proud of, and for good reason.

I for one, am keeping an eye on all their socials for when the next date is announced, and you can too on the links below;

TH3 Collective: @official_th3

Crate: @crate_____

Cappo: @kafka_poe_murakami

Plague Records: @Plague_11