Loyle Carner Interview
Loyle Carner Interview
Loyle Carner
Over the past few years, South London based Loyle Carner has paved a path and cemented his status as one of the best rappers to come out of the London and the UK. What makes Carner’s music stand out from his contemporaries is his honest and personable narratives. It’s an underlying thread that binds his songs together on debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, and is forever present on his recently released sophomore effort ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’. Addressing mental health, ADHD, grief, love and everything else in between, the record features contributions from the likes of COLORS alumni Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei and Jorja Smith.
Loyle Carner – HGU | A COLORS SHOW
Since making his COLORS debut in 2019 with a stellar performance of ‘Ice Water’, South London’s Loyle Carner has cemented himself as one of the UK’s finest rappers. In recent years, the Mercury Prize-nominated artist has released a number of standalone singles including ‘I Wonder Why’ (with Joesef), ‘Yesterday’, and ‘Let It Go’ (with Erick the Architect and FARR). In October 2022, he dropped his third studio album ‘hugo’, a reflective record featuring singles such as ‘Hate’, ‘Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)’, and ‘Georgetown’ (ft. John Agard).
For his return to the COLORS stage, Carner shares an emotional performance of ‘HGU’, the final track from ‘hugo’. Featuring a classic beat as well as excerpts from real life conversations, the track is a cathartic message of forgiveness to Carner’s estranged biological father. Through the song, the artist explains that he: “Understand[s] the reasons that you’re sinful ’cause Earth’s evil / Yeah, ’cause hurt people, hurt people / Especially the ones who weren’t equal, the burnt treacle /Wonder what would be expected in the sequel“. Take a deep breath before hitting play, this one’s special.
Loyle Carner – Ice Water
Over the past few years, South London based Loyle Carner has paved a path and cemented his status as one of the best rappers to come out of the London and the UK. What makes Carner’s music stand out from his contemporaries is his honest and personable narratives. It’s an underlying thread that binds his songs together on debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, and is forever present on his recently released sophomore effort ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’. Addressing mental health, ADHD, grief, love and everything else in between, the record features contributions from the likes of COLORS alumni Tom Misch, Jordan Rakei and Jorja Smith.
For his A COLORS SHOW, Loyle Carner serves up a cool and calculated performance of ‘Ice Water’, which is taken from his ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’ album. Soundtracked by a super slick, classic hip-hop beat that’s accompanied by a radiant sample, Carner works his way through the song with an equally chilled delivery. Dive into the refreshing rendition of ‘Ice Water’ up top, and be sure to give Loyle Carner’s new album ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’ too.