After a series of breakthrough mixtapes, Headie One is ready with his debut album proper, EDNA. Named after the London drill star’s mother, who died when he was just three years old, EDNA sees Headie open up: about his relationship with Tottenham, where he was raised; about his experiences in the UK’s prison system; about his relationship with God; and more. The album departs from pure drill and dips into other UK/Afro-fusion styles, as well as more commercial rap territory (the unashamed Crazy Town/RHCP sample on recent single “Ain’t It Different” being one obvious example). It also features guests including Skepta, AJ Tracey, and Stormzy, not to mention cross-continental collaborations with Future and Drake, but Headie doesn’t need international A-listers to boost his own profile: he has star power of his own.
Elsewhere this week, US producer Machinedrum teams up with Freddie Gibbs, Father, and more for his new album A View of U, while ambient hero Laraaji releases his second album of 2020, Moon Piano. Take a listen below.
