Sampha and Little Simz collaborate for the first time on “Satellite Business 2.0,” an expansion of the interlude from Sampha’s 2023 album LAHAI. After hearing the song live during Sampha’s residency show at Brooklyn’s Pioneer Works, Simz joined him for an early revision of the track in London this year. A dynamic, constantly evolving song, “Satellite Business 2.0” now features a boastful Little Simz verse about her resiliency and ambition.
In the press release for “Satellite Business 2.0″,” Sampha explained how it was one of the last songs recorded for LAHAI. “I’d always imagined a guest verse to expand on it,” he said. “Simz’s music has been close to my heart and ears for some time now, which makes her being on this song that more special. She’s one of my favorite artists. Her confidence and creative bravery are so refreshing, it’s amazing to see someone giving so much to their art.”
Simz echoed this sentiment in her own statement, saying, “I’m so honored to be a part of this record with Sampha. He truly is one of the most important voices in music today. We have great musical chemistry and respect of each other’s process. Glad I got to stand alongside him on this.”
Listen to Sampha’s “Satellite Business 2.0” featuring Little Simz above.
People seem to forget about R&B mastermind Sampha, as well lyricist extraordinaire, Little Simz. Both are residents of London, England and are also extremely underrated. They do not have the flashy draw of their more mainstream contemporaries, but we feel their talent outweighs those that have a bigger following. Sampha and Little Simz are both Picasso’s of the music world, as they are able to paint vivid personal accounts and convey thoughts in a clever way. Take for example their first-ever collaboration together, “Satellite Business 2.0”. If this song title sounds vaguely familiar, that is because it is a title from Sampha’s latest record, Lahai.
The stunning vocalist finally dropped off his sophomore album after pouring in six hard years of work following his debut, Process. The original cut is just “Satellite Business”, and it was more an interlude. While it did sound intriguing, you could tell it was unfinished as it all it really had was a fairly repetitive verse and an outro. Now, on this “2.0” extended version, it becomes a refrain, and the run time grows from 1:24 to 4:53. The theme of the song centers around the meanings of life, its limits, and how he is able to see people, both in the past and present, in his existence. It is a very beautiful and thought-provoking track and Little Simz verse more than enough extra zest to the mix.
Her rhythm coincides perfectly with the dreamy instrumental, as she raps on topic. She talks about how she lives through her mother’s strong work ethic and how trusting in God has helped throughout her musical journey. “Satellite Business 2.0” is inspirational listen in multiple ways. After hearing it, it makes us wonder why this did not make the original album!
Pray to the Jah, Allah Never sold my soul for the pound or the dollar God flow done like no other Your dark energy won’t fade my color It’s surprise that we manage to survive But you grow thick skin when you grown up in the gutter
BTS is currently on hiatus, but the group’s RM isn’t: Last month, he announced a new solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person. That’s set to drop soon, on May 25. Now he has given fans a more complete picture of what the project is going to look like by sharing the tracklist today.
The album is an 11-track effort that notably includes features from Little Simz (on a song called “Domodachi”) and Moses Sumney (“Around The World In A Day”). Domi & JD Beck also produced “? (Interlude).”
A press release previously explained, “As the self-explanatory name Right Place, Wrong Person suggests, the album delves into the relatable sensation and moments of feeling like a stranger, out of place. With 11 tracks infused with alternative music and rich sounds, RM contributed to writing the lyrics for each, delivering candid expressions throughout.” Big Hit also said, “Right Place, Wrong Person embodies facets of RM as a solo artist, distinct from albums released under BTS.”
Check out the Right Place, Wrong Person tracklist below.
RM’s Right Place, Wrong Person Tracklist
1. “Right People, Wrong Place”
2. “Nuts”
3. “Out Of Love”
4. “Domodachi” Feat. Little Simz
5. “? (Interlude)”
6. “Groin”
7. “Heaven”
8. “Lost!”
9. “Around The World In A Day” Feat. Moses Sumney
10. “ㅠㅠ (Credit Roll)”
11. “Come Back To Me”
Right Place, Wrong Person is out 5/24 via Big Hit. Find more information here.
Little Simz started her Drop EP series back in 2014, with its first five editions surrounding the release of her 2015 debut album. Drop 6 arrived in 2020, acting as a transition between her critically acclaimed studio albums, Grey Area and Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Unlike her Inflo-produced albums, the five-track EP included production from numerous beat-makers, including Kal Banx, BLK VYNL, and St Francis Hotel.
Since 2019, Simz and Inflo have been on a 3-peat run of stellar hip hop masterpieces. They have consistently outdone themselves as one of hip hop’s most talented rapper/producer duos. In 2022, they dropped their third full-length collaboration, No Thank You. With Inflo’s help, we are currently seeing Simz at what appears to be a long-lasting creative peak. As we await her next album, Little Simz is back with Drop 7, a new EP fully produced by British musician Jakwob. It gives us an exciting glimpse into the next phase of her artistic evolution.
Little Simz and Jakwob are frequent collaborators. He notably produced “Rollin’ Stone” from Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. However, this is their very first time locking in for an entire project. From Grey Area to No Thank You, Simz and Inflo built their own unique sound chemistry, but Drop 7 sees Jakwob pushing her out of her comfort zone. Little Simz explores completely new musical territory on this EP. Over the course of seven tracks, she covers a range of genres.
The first two songs blend hip hop with Brazilian funk. This sound may be new for her, but it is unsurprising considering she once rapped about being “in São Paulo eating palm hearts.” “Mood Swings” is a minimal yet energetic opening track that is dynamic in how it transitions between a calm hook and hard-hitting verses. The song seamlessly flows into “Fever,” another danceable Brazilian funk track. From there, we get hip hop bangers like the fast-paced “Torch” and the bouncy “Power.” There is also “I Ain’t Feelin’ It,” which has a wavy trap instrumental. Songs like the house fusion, “SOS” and the Jersey Club-inspired “Far Away” also test the limits of Little Simz’s sound. She traverses each of these musical styles with ease, freeing herself of artistic boundaries.
With Jakwob’s multifaceted production skills, Drop 7 proves to be a short yet adventurous listen. His beats recall the aesthetic of Little Simz’s earlier work but with a more diverse soundscape. The experimental production is part of what makes this EP such an enjoyable change of pace. Still, Little Simz is always the star of her own show. Much like on Drop 6, she tries new flows and cadences.
Simz sounds more playful than ever on songs like “Fever,” where she raps in Portuguese and gives another nod to São Paulo. She proclaims herself as “International Simbi.” There is also “Torch” where she tries different voices. She playfully asks listeners if they “wanna see some more” before telling them “don’t be afraid of the bounce” as soon as the beat drops. The aptly-titled “Mood Swings” shifts between soft-spoken lyrics over muted percussion and demanding bars over explosive drums.
Simz also flexes her success and realness on “I Ain’t Feelin’ It.” On this track, she references her Top Boy character as she says, “shell, shell, shell when they see me / Shelley’s nail bar only exists on the TV.” No matter how she raps, Little Simz is always commanding in her delivery, demanding the attention of the listener. She even reaches beyond rapping as she sings on the closing track, “Far Away.”
Overall, Drop 7 comes and goes as a 15-minute listen, but its seven songs leave a lasting impression of the potential next steps in Little Simz’s creative progression. It is a quality reminder of how the Drop series has helped foster this growth. Drop 7 is ultimately satisfying as a short EP that builds anticipation for her next full-length album. The latest installment in the series hopefully signifies what is next to come from the UK wordsmith.
It’s a big month for new music releases, and our R&B Season playlist update is here to round up the best soulful jams from this week. Leading the way is a massive one, which comes paired with an even more massive event. Moreover, Usher previewed his Super Bowl halftime show with a brand new album, COMING HOME, which released over the weekend. It has a lot of different melodic styles, aesthetic approaches, and dynamic displays of his vocal range and songwriting talent. If you’re looking for a couple of tracks to clue you into the project, we’d recommend “Kissing Strangers” and “Stone Kold Freak” as particular highlights.
Furthermore, our R&B Season update also contains a pretty big team-up between superstar artists in the fields of R&B and hip-hop. Of course, we’re referring to the new collaborative single between Jermaine Dupri, Nelly, Ashanti, and Juicy J, which is titled “This Lil’ Game We Play.” It’s a fast-paced and heavily danceable jam with a lot of personality, lust, and plenty of charisma from its artists. It’s been a long time since we got a radio-style song that encompasses pure fun, and nothing more to crowd up the mix.
In addition, the most underrated pick on our R&B Season update is easily the new release from Tommy Richman, a dual single with “SOULCRUSHER” and “WHAT DO U LIKE.” Specifically, we want to shout out the latter for its creative flip of Jersey club rhythms in a wavier and more melodically constant atmosphere than what those beats typically match with. It’s a pretty catchy song with simple synth embellishments and a lot of layered harmonies. If there’s something more long-form on the way from Richman, we can’t wait to dive in.
Finally, for the best music release of the week, we have the one and only Little Simz’s new EP, Drop 7. Similar to “WHAT DO U LIKE,” which brightened and re-contextualized Jersey club, Simz’s “Far Away” revitalizes those drums, while also giving the same treatment to drill. It’s a gorgeous cut vocally, and the tender pianos anchor it in a dreamy mood. Let us know what your favorite R&B Season pick was this week, and what else we missed too. Check out the playlist above and, as always, stick around on HNHH for the latest great music releases around the clock.
One of the most intriguing rappers from the UK area is back to bring something fresh to her discography. We are talking about London’s Little Simz. Arguably the best the country has to offer, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is always blending creative instrumentals with pinpoint lyricism. If you have the mindset that female rappers these days are trash, just check out a Little Simz project. She is as close as a sure thing gets with every release. The amount of effort that goes into each song is something to behold.
Little Simz dropped her last full-length record just a little over a year ago with NO THANK YOU. It was a terrific listen that quickly became an album of the year candidate right before the end of 2022. Simz had some beautiful songs about being comfortable with yourself and loving everything about you. Today though, she is adding onto a series that she started in the early stages of her career.
The colorful musical mind has sporadically put out an EP series called Drop. Usually, the tracklists a do not exceed five songs, but this seventh one ironically has seven. This also marks a decade long achievement for Simz. On Drop 7, she explores some dancier sounds that have a faster pace to them. There are some melodic cuts sprinkled in as well, allowing for Simz to show off her singing talents. The one drawback is that a good deal of the songs are too short. But, this is an EP and this may not be the last we see of her this year.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new EP, Drop 7, by Little Simz? Where does this project rank in her discography and why? Do you think that something bigger is coming later in the year? Which songs are you gravitating toward the most right now? If she added features who should she have brought on? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Little Simz. Finally, stay with us for the most informative project posts throughout the week.
The 2024 BRIT Awards are only a little over a month away, and today, the nominees were announced, with one making history.
RAYE was nominated for seven awards, making her the most-nominated artist in a single year since 1977 — the year the BRITs were founded.
She is up for artist of the year, best new artist, pop act, R&B act, album of the year for her debut 21st Century Blues, and two songs of the year: “Escapism” with 070 Shake, and “Prada” with with cassö and D-Block Europe.
The 2024 BRIT Awards nominations have been announced. R&B-pop chanteuse RAYE, whose album My 21st Century Blues was included on many publications’ “Best Of 2023” lists — including Uproxx’s Best Pop Albums Of 2023 — is not only the leading nominee but also makes history with seven nominations. That’s the most nominations for a single artist in a single year since the first BRIT Awards in 1977.
Raye is nominated for artist of the year, best new artist, pop act, R&B act, album of the year, and two songs of the year: “Escapism” with 070 Shake, and “Prada” with with cassö and D-Block Europe. Meanwhile, other nominees include Dua Lipa, with three nominations, Central Cee with four, and J Hus, also with four. The Rolling Stones also won their first nomination since 2013 — more than a decade — for alternative/rock act.
When Are The BRIT Awards 2024?
The BRIT Awards are set for Saturday, March 2, at the O2 Arena in London. The show will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX.
Here’s The Complete List Of 2024 BRIT Awards Nominees
Mastercard Album Of The Year
Blur — The Ballad Of Darren
J Hus — Beautiful And Brutal Yard
Little Simz — No Thank You
RAYE — My 21st Century Blues
Young Fathers — Heavy Heavy
Artist Of The Year
Arlo Parks
Central Cee
Dave
Dua Lipa
Fred Again..
J Hus
Jessie Ware
Little Simz
Olivia Dean
RAYE
Group Of The Year
Blur
Chase & Status
Headie One & K-Trap
Jungle
Young Fathers
Best New Artist
Mahalia
Olivia Dean
PinkPantheress
RAYE
Yussef Dayes
Song Of The Year
Calvin Harris/Ellie Goulding — “Miracle”
cassö/RAYE/D-Block Europe — “Prada”
Central Cee — “Let Go”
Dave & Central Cee — “Sprinter,” Dave & Central Cee
Dua Lipa — “Dance the Night”
Ed Sheeran — “Eyes Closed”
J Hus — “Who Told You” Feat. Drake
Kenya Grace — “Strangers”
Lewis Capaldi — “Wish You the Best”
PinkPantheress — “Boy’s A Liar”
RAYE — “Escapism.” Feat. 070 Shake
Rudimental/Charlotte Plank/Vibe Chemistry — “Dancing Is Healing”
Stormzy — “Firebabe” Feat. Debbie
Switch Disco & Ella Henderson — “REACT”
Venbee & Goddard — “Messy in Heaven”
International artist of the year
Asake
Burna Boy
Caroline Polachek
CMAT
Kylie Minogue
Lana Del Rey
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
Taylor Swift
This weekend, Format Festival 2023 is preparing to plant its roots in Bentonville, Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. Beginning Friday, September 22, through Sunday, September 24, three major recording artists are slated to headline, namely Leon Bridges (9/24), Alanis Morissette (9/23), and LCD Soundsystem (9/22).
Over the three days, dozens of entertainers will perform across the five performance spaces (North Of OZ, South Of Oz, Drag Me To The Disco, Next Door, and Rode House). Below, you will find the set times, which were announced by the organizer. Notable acts listed across the lineup include Modest Mouse, Poolside, Tash Sultana, Little Simz, Channel Tres, Kari Faux, Madeline Edwards, Serpentwithfeet, and Sudan Archives.
Similar to last year, in addition to the primary and secondary stages, there are also unconventional spaces on the grounds, such as forest enclaves, pavilions, barns, and speakeasies for more intimate performances. Outside of the musical performances inside the Fermentation Hall, geared toward video art programming. Featured visual artists include Jeremy Deller, Jon Rafman, and Ragnar Kjartansson x The National.
There are a limited amount tickets that are still available for Format Festival 2023. For more information, click here.
The schedule is subject to change. For an up-to-date timeline, visit the official Format Festival website.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
