NAME:
Wretch32
ABOUT
With over 15 years under his belt, there are a few wordsmiths in UK rap that have continuously pushed the sound and craft forward quite like Wretch 32. To build a legacy from the ground up, alongside your peers, is a testament to the ingenuity and staying power of rap in the UK.
The legacy of Wretch 32 is deep and expansive which shows through the enduring presence of his voice that has led him to become one of the elder statesman of UK rap.
Wretch 32 has always spoken truth to power through his vivid storytelling and ability to be empathetic towards the world around him. His previous album, Upon Reflection, tackled issues of police brutality and grief while also being more experimental and loose in the sonic fabric of the project. A lot can change in 15 years but one of the most impactful is the growth in perspective and wisdom, reflected through Wretch 32’s latest project little BIG Man. A transformation was needed in order and for listeners to really soak this project in, Wretch himself had to enjoy the process of making it: “At this stage in my career, I have to excite myself and that means taking myself out of my comfort zone.”
Described as an audio soundtrack that leans towards the conversational, little BIG Man reflects on a series of events that often seem like normality for many, from youth violence, prison and poverty. Here, he zeroes in on how these issues affect those younger than him. “I was trying to put myself in a 17 year-old’s body and trying to see how they feel. How does it feel to come out of prison at that age? What struggles do I face? As a senior, I’m seeing a pattern and a cycle and this was about me trying to understand their experiences.” The album’s opening track ‘The Beginning’, embodies the excitement and fanfare that comes with an 18 year-old fresh home from prison, reflected in the electric guitar riffs and thumping bass however, it also conveys a feeling of bittersweetness. Being fresh home from prison at 18 shouldn’t be a normal experience but there’s a message of hope in it; you still have your whole life ahead of you.
Reflecting on the life he’s lived and the experiences young people now face coming from environments he was raised in. He calls on rising talents such as K-Trap, Nafe Smallz, SL and M Huncho as a way of bridging the gap between rap generations. More importantly, through this album, he sparks a necessary conversation between generations that are often seen at odds when it comes to societal issues such as policing, youth violence and poverty. More than anything, there was a level of trust Wretch 32 received from the younger artists on the record through understanding the worlds that they come and giving them the space to be more experimental with their styles.
Through his poignancy and deft observation, Wretch 32 crafts a narrative that explores the complexities of growing up in the hood but this time, from the perspective of an elder who has wisdom to offer. ‘Next Door’, the album’s penultimate track, details the life of a young person who offers perspective on the impact being on road can have on those around him and the oft-cut off reality young people from this life live. Little BIG Man closes with a monologue on ‘The Endz’ from No Signal’s Henrie Kwushue on how young people have been affected by knife crime, focusing on the aspect of reoffending and the cycles of violence that occur on our streets.
Wretch 32 closes with a lasting message that leaves listeners with hope: Little man, your life is worth so much more than you give yourself credit for and us adults every time you point the finger, you’re missing the point. It takes a village to raise a child. Be conscious of what part you play in that village.
ExpandThe legacy of Wretch 32 is deep and expansive which shows through the enduring presence of his voice that has led him to become one of the elder statesman of UK rap.
Wretch 32 has always spoken truth to power through his vivid storytelling and ability to be empathetic towards the world around him. His previous album, Upon Reflection, tackled issues of police brutality and grief while also being more experimental and loose in the sonic fabric of the project. A lot can change in 15 years but one of the most impactful is the growth in perspective and wisdom, reflected through Wretch 32’s latest project little BIG Man. A transformation was needed in order and for listeners to really soak this project in, Wretch himself had to enjoy the process of making it: “At this stage in my career, I have to excite myself and that means taking myself out of my comfort zone.”
Described as an audio soundtrack that leans towards the conversational, little BIG Man reflects on a series of events that often seem like normality for many, from youth violence, prison and poverty. Here, he zeroes in on how these issues affect those younger than him. “I was trying to put myself in a 17 year-old’s body and trying to see how they feel. How does it feel to come out of prison at that age? What struggles do I face? As a senior, I’m seeing a pattern and a cycle and this was about me trying to understand their experiences.” The album’s opening track ‘The Beginning’, embodies the excitement and fanfare that comes with an 18 year-old fresh home from prison, reflected in the electric guitar riffs and thumping bass however, it also conveys a feeling of bittersweetness. Being fresh home from prison at 18 shouldn’t be a normal experience but there’s a message of hope in it; you still have your whole life ahead of you.
Reflecting on the life he’s lived and the experiences young people now face coming from environments he was raised in. He calls on rising talents such as K-Trap, Nafe Smallz, SL and M Huncho as a way of bridging the gap between rap generations. More importantly, through this album, he sparks a necessary conversation between generations that are often seen at odds when it comes to societal issues such as policing, youth violence and poverty. More than anything, there was a level of trust Wretch 32 received from the younger artists on the record through understanding the worlds that they come and giving them the space to be more experimental with their styles.
Through his poignancy and deft observation, Wretch 32 crafts a narrative that explores the complexities of growing up in the hood but this time, from the perspective of an elder who has wisdom to offer. ‘Next Door’, the album’s penultimate track, details the life of a young person who offers perspective on the impact being on road can have on those around him and the oft-cut off reality young people from this life live. Little BIG Man closes with a monologue on ‘The Endz’ from No Signal’s Henrie Kwushue on how young people have been affected by knife crime, focusing on the aspect of reoffending and the cycles of violence that occur on our streets.
Wretch 32 closes with a lasting message that leaves listeners with hope: Little man, your life is worth so much more than you give yourself credit for and us adults every time you point the finger, you’re missing the point. It takes a village to raise a child. Be conscious of what part you play in that village.
Social Feeds
