Slowthai’s 'Selfish' Shift In Mentality Sees The Artist Create Most Self-Assured Work To Date

Slowthai has always been the kind of artist where, regardless of what he does, you always stop to listen and pay attention. There have been times in the past where you’ve almost had to cover your eyes, but now, as he returns with his exceptional self-reflective new single ‘Selfish’, and the announcement of his highly-anticipated new album ‘UGLY’ there is a feel of a new-found maturity that is resonating through his personality and consequently through his music.

Credit: George Muncey

In his latest single release, ‘Selfish’, Ty finds himself exploring his thoughts on what it means to be selfish, wrestling with conflicted feelings about not having enough time for those around him: “I want to be there for them but I’m always striving, working, reaching further.” All about navigating his way through the concepts that the obsessive ambition to succeed may be seen as selfish to those around him, but in his mind his sole desire is to thrive so everyone else around him has a better future. It is a brilliantly thought out song, both melodically and lyrically, but then again, Slowthai has an unequivocal knack for doing so.

Whilst some previously may have found it hard to comprehend the Northampton-born rapper, his upcoming album ‘UGLY’ sees him pulling apart and exposing his anxieties in what is an open invitation into what goes on behind the mind of the multi-talented artist. The ‘UGLY’ album is an anagram for U Gotta Love Yourself, and musically, infuses elements of both ‘Tyron’, and his Mercury-nominated album ‘Nothing Great About Britain’. Talking on the concept of growing, Slowthai explains: “It doesn’t matter what or who people think you are, you’ve just got to stay true and respect yourself. I have UGLY tattooed on my face because it’s a reminder to love myself, rather than put myself down constantly or feel the impression people have of me should determine who I am as a person.”

The mentality now displayed by Tyron shows a beautifully matured mindset, and one that is so impressive to the point where you feel that this will be his most accomplished body of work to date. Produced by Dan Carey, longterm collaborator Kwes Darko, and musicians spanning the likes of Ethan P. Flynn, Jason Budgen, Liam Toon and Fontaines D.C. ‘UGLY’ is out March 3.

Listen to 'Selfish':