British hip-hop artist Speech Debelle is back in the spotlight with her latest single, “11:11“, taken from her fourth studio album, Sunday Dinner On a Monday, which is out now. This album marked a significant return to the music scene for the critically acclaimed artist, whose career took off with her Mercury Prize-winning debut album, Speech Therapy, in 2009.
Speech Debelle’s music has always been characterised by its sensitivity, introspection and an ability to weave poetic testimonies, playful narratives and thought-provoking discussions on power, politics and pleasure. Her sophomore album, Freedom Of Speech, produced by Kwes in 2012, further solidified her reputation as an artist unafraid to explore a wide range of themes in her work.
After taking a step back from music for a few years, Speech Debelle devoted her time to her other passions and impressed audiences as a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, showcasing her culinary skills and inventive recipes. Unifying her love for both music and food, Speech created the podcast The Work Brunch, where she cooked and discussed music, life and inspiration with esteemed guests such as Lianne La Havas, Nitin Sawhney, Shabaka Hutchings and Mikill Pane.
With her third album, Tantil Before I Breathe, Speech took her artistic expression to a new level by pairing each of its nine songs with a delicious, inspired recipe, combining the elements of music and food into a unique, immersive experience.
More recently, Speech Debelle was featured in the BBC‘s three-part documentary series First Ladies of Hip-Hop. This documentary celebrates the remarkable contributions of female Hip Hop artists over the last fifty years and recognises the triumphs of British women in Hip Hop.
Now, Speech Debelle is making headlines once again with latest single “11:11”, a track that encapsulates elegance, grace, bravado and rap. Produced by Skripture, with additional production by Dem Drums, the song exudes the energy reminiscent of classic hip-hop. The single arrives alongside an equally impressive music video directed by Aiden Harmitt-Williams.
Speaking about “11:11”, Speech Debelle says, “The track reminded me instantly of classic Hip Hop. It has that energy that makes you want to let everyone know what you as a rapper are meant to do with a beat“. “11:11” is a testament to Speech’s continued creativity and her ability to evolve as an artist while staying true to her unique style.
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Speech Debelle
- http://www.speechdebelle.com
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- https://www.facebook.com/speechdebelle
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/3i1MgHZrjt5ztR8InGmFsH
Lyrics:
My past is my past, I don’t too look back
My stripes are stripes, fit coordinate
Thy compass set to real, ancestral energy
I don’t sit on fence, I sit on face
Drippy, I’m not like them I’m real hippie
I burn sage, bill spliffs, I suck titties
No clubhouse, doing up lippy lippy
Road taught me well, I hid it quickly
Pounds of herb, we don’t penny pennies
We know them susu, we know they watchy watchy
Won’t find me Belgravia eating no sushi
I’m in my kitchen getting cheffy cheffy
Red wine jus with morello cherry
Food combos like duck and berries
Straight hard food, like we cooked it already
Your food is wash, it’s been cooked already
Smoke in the park till the sun low
We park no Ringo
11 11 the wind blow
Watch my ting go
I’m not like you I no comment
You walkie talky in office sir
If that’s who you are, then that ain’t problem
I just want to see you stand on your word
When you from UK you don’t swim at no beach
But when I fly and sleep, no crease in my knees
I don’t do don’t queues, I Uber eats
You get the bag, and bring it to me
I’m a Pisces but I’m petty petty
I was judgy judgy before therapy
I’m spiritual but I want my money
I’m sorry for you if ancestors hear me
Don’t let me call on the main line
My girl is my main guy
I’m very very connected, my neck is very very protected
I’m a living legend in this
Your career live cause I help it live
Very content I can do this for kicks
Jogged her memory and train her, she lift
I can see they don’t all go up top floor
Visions is short, light quality poor
Two margaritas, still do happy hour
I’m not as sad I was, I grew flowers
Courgettes and cucumber, I got green fingers
This sativa heals you like its ginger
I only serenade, I do not surrender
Spring up round may, you’ll fall by September
Won’t let them contain me, put me in container
Sell date sell off, I poster up for paper
I caught the spirit, chifinoro is the keeper
Inshallah I go home kuyamika wopanga