It IS Different a Review of Ain’t It Different feat AJ Tracey & Stormzy by Headie One
Written By Maia L Kuspa
If you haven’t yet dipped your toe into the grimey world of UK Hip Hop, allow me to shove you in with Headie One’s latest single. The controversial rapper from London is due to release his debut album this year. In anticipation, the London MC has managed to generate hype through his singles alone since his most recent release from prison in April. Most noticeably of the singles, “Only You Freestyle” taps Drake, a very vocal UK Rap advocate, for a feature giving Headie One a well-received introduction onto the global stage.
Headie One’s most recent single “Ain’t It Different” pulls in two of the currently biggest names in the UK Rap scene, Stormzy & AJ Tracey. Coupling the aggressive rap style of these UK acts with the world-famous riff from Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Pretty Little Ditty” (made extremely popular by Crazy Town in their single “Butterfly”) as well as sampling from M Dubbs and Lady Saw’s “Bump ‘ n ‘ Grind”, “Ain’t It Different” is a catchy, and accessible, single that could catapult Headie One to the top of the charts.
The lyrical content of “Ain’t It Different” isn’t outstandingly original in subject matter but there are one liner punches that definitely stick out in griminess and aggression. The three rappers delegate their features with a standard verse/chorus/verse separation but tie their different verses together by asking, “Ain’t it Different” before diving in to their respective commentary. But the allure of this song isn’t in the tribulations of Londoners involved in a violent trap scene, obsession with material goods, or even struggles with success and mainstream fame, but rather the seamless use of sampling and punching rap flows- and for that we have to thank the producers FRED and Toddla T. What sets this single apart for Headie One, elevating him to a mainstream artist, is a proven track record of enlisting artists that are more popular than him on tracks that are produced so perfectly you can’t NOT nod your head to the beat. This is by far one of the easiest introductions into the UK Hip Hop scene so sit back, and enjoy. HustleTV we love our music.