The fact that the current Coronavirus pandemic has brought the world to a virtual stop, it’s only naturally for unexpected types of creativity to flourish. Following the surprise announcement earlier this month, Skepta, Chip and Young Adz have joined forces to release the new album Insomnia, which features 12 new tracks from the London trio and a single assist from Dirtbike LB. Speaking to Apple Music, Chip explained how the long-awaited collaboration finally came together:
“I told him, ‘You always say that, though, it’s been 10 years.’ This time, he’s like, ‘No, I’m serious, man, and we need to get Young Adz on a couple of tunes, too.’ I was working on a joint thing with Adz, kind of, just making tracks. They didn’t know each other, but I made sure we all met up the next day at 6pm, and it started.”
One of the standouts from the project is the Cardo-produced lead single “Waze,” which sees the rappers making clear who the kings of the scene are:
If three man try link up and do a album, it’s not gonna sound like this/
Tryna sound like A, tryna like Skep’ and the rest tryna sound like Chip/
You ain’t been platinum, silver or gold, you ain’t even been bronze, you div/
You ain’t even done ten years in this ting/
Round here we don’t hear you’re a king, man will take your throne/
P*** on your forehead, know your role…/”
All three have given considerable blood and sweat to both the hip hop and grime cultures. North Londoners Skepta and Chip are considered legends in particular — Skepta as both a Meridian Crew alum and leading member of Boy Better Know. Chip has been shutting down recording studios and stages since a teenager, having signed major label deals and collaborated with the likes of Chris Brown and T.I. As far as the latter, he was once a part of the Grand Hustle family, becoming a member of Hustle Gang alongside Australian artist Iggy Azalea. Along with partner-in-crime Dirtbike LB, South London’s Young Adz is currently keeping the streets fed as D-Block Europe, named so after the legendary New York collective headed by The LOX.
You can press play on both Insomnia, as well as the visual for “Waze,” below.