Slim Returns With The Reflective but Hard-hitting 'Still Working 2' Mixtape

Expressing a newfound clarity, South London’s Slim’s latest mixtape Still Working 2 follows the recent trends of a resurgence of UK Rap.

Similar to his return to music since getting out of prison, he felt that the story from his 2019 Still Working mixtape needed concluding and the best way to be that was going back to the essence.

The project gives the sense that we are picking up from the first one. “I have to treat it like that. When I was caught up in my graft and my grind, I was non-stop,” says The Lewisham rapper.

“That’s me. 110% at all times. Sacrificing meals just to work. Sacrificing family time. Now I’m here. The main difference is the fact that police aren’t going to be kicking off the studio door because we’re doing something illegal.”

Slim’s approach provides realism and focused detail on the individual and collective experiences of being involved with the roads and crime. As a result, the project is dark-toned, but with interjections of brightness as Slim looks forward to a beckoning music career.

However, a big part of his experience is his time in prison and how it jump-started his career. “It was an outstanding case, so I knew I was going to go in,” he explains.“The trap rappers and the real rappers were coming through,” he remembers. Plus, “I had a schedule I needed to fill.”

Made up of 13 tracks, the opener ‘Matter of Time’ feels like the opening sequence of a movie. Quickly, transitioning into the hard-hitting ‘Picture Me’ featuring East London’s Potter Payper, Slim raps “I’m getting flashbacks serving off of sofas/ was cooking in the caravan high off the ammonia.”

Other appearances are made by OFB member Headie One on ‘Let’s Talk Money’. Speaking about it, Slim said ‘Headie featured on my first project Still Working so I had to get him back for 2. No joking let’s talk some serious stuff is the mood for ‘Let’s Talk Money’.

Also featuring on the project is Mnelia who provides an R&B feel on ‘Coming Up’ that is revisited on the romantic ‘You Need Me’.

‘Any Minute’ featuring M Huncho is also a nice break from the traditional rap sound as Huncho provides a melodic fluidity to the track.

However, the lead single ‘Double R’ is an atmospheric trap record that depicts the harsh realities of the roads, focusing on the normalcy of violence and death despite his materialistic success it.

Speaking about the track, Slim says: “It’s coming back from a bad situation. I’m showing them you can come back heavy and hard. No matter what you’re doing, everyone goes through sticky times.

It doesn’t have to be jail. It could be anything: a family member could die, your mental health [could be bad]. When you come back refreshed, this song is how you might feel.”

On ‘Passenger Side’ he further acknowledges the consequences of the lifestyle by reminiscing about close friends behind bars.

Slim adopts a personable flow on ‘Have a Laugh’ as he has a one-sided conversation speaking directly to the youth. ‘Timmy Story’ is a gripping fictional autobiography inspired by real events, authentically showing how a young person can fall into the roads.

Concluding on the funky ‘Be Myself’ the south Londoner explores his changing relationships with his loved ones over the years, as well the change in his fortunes and growth. He touches on financial freedom and generational wealth.

It signals a change in direction and focus for Slim, as we witness him become more cautionary and disillusioned of the roads. And ultimately more self-aware.

Full tracklist here

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