Preparing for his debut studio album, Edna, the incomparable Headie One gives us the first glimpse with new single “Ain’t It Different.” As a performer who continues to both represent and celebrate the UK scene in his music, it only makes sense that he has enlisted fellow UK titans AJ Tracey and Stormzy to feature on the new track.
This is not the first collaboration between Headie and Stormzy who collaborated last year on the monster Top 10 single “Audacity” which was featured on the latter’s Heavy Is The Head album.
The powerful trio are like a force to be reckoned within the UK music industry, and as each name goes on to deliver their commanding bars we are treated to the distinctiveness that they each offer both as MC’s and as artists. With each of their verses reflecting on their own experiences, we continue to get more insight into the mind behind the artist. Example being the opening verse where Headie reflects on his time in prison:
“Ain’t it different? I left my ting in LA / Why I can’t fly to the states? ‘Cause I got too much conviction / all I talk is prison, but I don’t know no different / I was in jail up north, runnin’ another coalition”
The enigmatic track is produced by Toddla T and FRED and samples Red Hot Chilli Peppers “Pretty Little Ditty” and M-Dubs “Bump and Grind.” It also features vocals from Lady Saw’s collaboration with M Dubs “Bump ‘n’ Grind.” The accompanying gritty visuals were directed by Taz Tron Delix and contain cameos from the rapper’s RV and OFB.
Headie One continues to showcase his versatility as an artist following his recent Drake-assisted “Only You Freestyle” as well as his previously notable releases of collaborative mixtape GANG and 2019’s Music x Road. His ability to encapsulate different genres and break boundaries within music makes and Edna one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2020.