UK drill is a genre that has bloomed into the British mainstream over the past couple of years, with artists such as Central Cee and A1 x J1 dominating the game. These artists have set a blueprint for those hoping to make it in UK drill; an upbeat pop sample, a catchy hook, and playful wordplay. Manchester rapper Nemzzz (real name Nemiah Sims) has released his newest singles, “PTSD” and “Money and Vibes,” where he’s flirted with the blueprint of his predecessors but hasn’t fully embraced it.
Nemzzz has chosen to chase something deeper, with jazzier and more soulful tracks like “Elevate” and “Nemzzz Type Beat.” Nemzzz has remained consistent in his style, and his soul-bearing freestyle “8AM In Manny” proved this. His debut mixtape is a reflection of the artist’s growth, with Nemzzz using an emotional style of drill that tackles various issues.
The 19-year-old has laid his struggles out on the table across the tape’s 11 tracks. Nemzzz has teamed up with longtime producer Zel to create a soulful and silky brand of drill, which explores his feelings and conflicts on the road to the top of Manchester’s thriving rap scene.
Nemzzz’s emotions are on full display in “PTSD,” where he opens up over a warped sample of Sade’s “Like a Tattoo,” driven through a lively beat. Sade’s song is about a soldier returning from Vietnam traumatized, and this emotional theme is echoed in Nemzzz’s lyrics: “No one chat to me when I needed / Overthink too much / I get distracted, start to deep it.” The rapper also discusses money but avoids bragging about his wealth, stating on “Reflection,” “This track ain’t for me to flex / I’m just here to vent, okay.”
Nemzzz’s lack of interest in the typical designer lifestyle lyrics of other artists is apparent, as he focuses on real-life issues like mental health, relationships, and rivalries. Though his sound still has room for improvement, Nemzzz is a breath of fresh air in the UK rap scene. With his debut mixtape, “Do Not Disturb,” Nemzzz shows he is steering the UK drill genre into an even brighter future
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