The long-awaited return of our Olympic performer Emeli Sandé carries a very important theme influenced by Tupac Shakur’s ‘Thugz Mansion’: ‘There ain’t no heaven for a thug’.

I have been a follower of Bugzy Malone since he bodied Chipmunk on the ‘Relegation Riddim’ back in 2015. The Mancunian artist who almost made Chip run out of bars has stayed firmly in the charts for the past few years. Although his motor accident at the beginning of lockdown caused controversy and a loss of support, his recent releases show more of Bugzy’s sentimental side that he had only saved certain tracks like ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

I will admit to fangirl screaming when I saw the name Emeli Sandé. I have been a fan of her since her older releases such as ‘Diamond Rings’ (which coincidentally has Chipmunk on it…) and one of my friends listened to her Our Version of Events album obsessively. In fact, I cannot believe it has been a decade since then. My friend is well, he just prefers Mariah Carey these days.

‘Welcome to the Hood’ is a social commentary that addresses mental health, criminality, unemployment, anti-intellectualism and other realities of working-class environments in the UK. It is a candid reflection on the life of the average working-class person who has learned to harden their heart and not expect anything from anybody. In a place where violence is rife and many must grow up well before they are due to, there is no room left for love or vulnerability, only lies and lust. For men, their only mental health support are their grief-stricken mothers to provide them with emotional support and for women, they are often expected to provide that support but never receive it themselves.

Drugs are pushed around these neighbourhoods, not only as a means of survival but also to numb the chronic pains felt by those who live this lifestyle. They are repeatedly slated by the wider community as jobless thugs and believe there is no way out. Religion may be a common presence however there is an acceptance that the forever lengthening list of sins that could be attributed to them will lead to an obvious denial from the Most High when they reach the Gates of Heaven. Afterall; ‘Most of us are afraid to pray to the above / Cause Pac said there ain’t no heaven for a Thug’.

As a student from a working-class background, the line: ‘And school’s a waste of time cos we’re learning out of books / And when you’re academic you get taken for a mug / Cos mathematics won’t help when you’re in a puddle of blood’ resonated with me. Not many people from my background pursue education and while growing up, it was scoffed at to expect anything that was taught in the classroom to help you in the ‘real world’. Teachers always seemed to be from a different world to their students and had certain detachment from the realities that many of us faced as school kids from low-income areas. Nobody will listen to adults who do not understand what seems like obvious traumas held by most children under their care. There are luckily public figures such as Akala who constantly promote the importance of education but ‘street smarts’ are what you are truly graded on growing up.

‘Welcome to the Hood’ is not a light-hearted grime or drill track like Bugzy’s typical discography. It highlights real life during a time where most are concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in situations such as those mentioned in the song have seen little change to their everyday life over the past year.

This track sent chills down my spine from when the first line started. It is a beautiful listen. This side to the King of the North is appreciated and so is an Emeli Sandé comeback.

Rating: 10/10 

Welcome to the Hood is available now via B-Somebody 

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