What makes the soundtrack stand out is the wide range of artists and styles it brings together. Big names like Earth, Wind & Fire and MF DOOM sit side by side with newer acts such as Little Simz, Turnstile, Denzel Curry, Scowl, and Skegss. Tracks like ‘New Heart Design’ by Turnstile, ‘Mood Swings’ by Little Simz, and ‘Hit The Floor’ by Denzel Curry and Ski Mask the Slump God show how different the moods can be. From punk rock to hip-hop to indie and beyond, the list reflects the mix of sounds that shape skate culture. It feels less like a single genre and more like a playlist built by a community of skaters with varied tastes.

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The way the music appears in the game is also different from what players might expect. Instead of being limited to menus or radio-style playlists, songs will come from the world around you. As you skate through San Vansterdam, you might hear music coming out of a passing car, a street speaker, or a local hangout spot. This design helps the soundtrack feel like part of the city itself rather than something separate. EA has also promised that new tracks will be added each season, meaning the soundtrack will grow and change just like the game world.

Of course, there are some challenges with such a big and varied playlist. Licensing songs from so many artists and genres isn’t easy, and some tracks might not be available in every region.

Even with these challenges, the soundtrack already looks like one of the strongest parts of the new Skate. It manages to honor the older games, which were famous for their memorable playlists, while also moving forward by shining a light on fresh talent. By combining classic songs with new voices and making the soundtrack feel alive inside the city, the developers are turning music into an essential part of the skating experience.

The developers have not announced a release date for the full game, but early access is available to players in the meantime.

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During an interview on the Louis Theroux podcast, the rapper opened up about her ‘most personal’ album yet. She said; “I’m not like made of like stone or something. I feel a lot and I feel it’s hard to like lose people and it’s sad but I’m always going to have my music and that’s what I’m so grateful for. I think the album is my most personal yet. The album that was probably the hardest for me to make on so many levels. Because I knew if I’m going to take it now, I’m going to take it there and I’m going to have to touch on things are going to be uncomfortable and that are going to be hard to talk about as well. Because it’s essentially dealing with grief. […] letting people in on that process and how that feels and how I’m dealing with it. And like you said, there’s a lot of anger.”

Simz also spoke about how she felt “plagued” with self-doubt during the process of creating the album: “I’m moving on, other people are moving on, things are coming to an end, you know? A team, breaking up, a separation […] you know, and there’s so much investment into that friendship or whatever it is. Whether it’s working on music or you know, but that legacy will always be there and that will always continue. But it’s not just this next phase, this next chapter is no longer, then that hurts. I’m not like made of like stone or something. I feel a lot and I feel it’s hard to like lose people and it’s sad but I’m always going to have my music and that’s what I’m so grateful for. I’m always going to have this thing even it was so challenging to make this record and as I say, big up emotionally. And big up Miles because he really like helped me overcome a doubt that I just felt like, I don’t know how I’m going to… I might be wasting your time here, mate. I’ll be honest, really, you know? I can’t look at you and say, by the end of this, we are definitely going to have an album that’s going to be wicked. You know, I don’t feel that I’m not feeling it at all, but I’m going to show up every day. Every day I’m going to come here and I’m going to give my best. And if you’re just patient with me, I’ll do what I can. I just have to be honest with everyone. Like, I don’t know what you think you’re stepping into, but I don’t feel like I’ve got it right now. Whatever it is that you think I’ve got, I definitely don’t feel like I’ve got that.”

‘Lotus’ will be out on June 6th 2025 via AWAL Recordings.

The playful, punky spirit of the release leans into a more comical side of Simz’s artistry, from an artist who’s commonly remembered for her heavily thoughtful, thematic works. Over a sharp bassline, Simz drops some catchily simplistic flows about everyday English living: “A bottle of Rio and some chicken and chips/In my fuck-me-up pumps and my Winehouse quiff”

The energetic music video comes from director Dave Myers, who previously worked with Simz on her video for ‘Gorilla’ from her 2022 album ‘NO THANK YOU’. The video sees Simz dressed as a boisterous old lady, causing trouble from her window and on the streets, before performing with a band at a punk party.

Simz said she was happy to share a less serious side of herself with this new single: “I was able to tap into a character. That was fun for me. It’s just a moment of light heartedness.”

The single is the third offering from her upcoming ‘Lotus’ album, after the Mercury Prize-winning rapper shared ‘Free’ and ‘Flood’ earlier in the year. ‘Flood’ features a similar bass-led, drum-heavy sound to her latest single, while ‘Free’ gives a soulful, tender production with lyrics about loving others and yourself.

In a press release for the highly anticipated record, the LP was described as an embodiment of “renewal and growth, mirroring her evolving artistry and the album’s thematic voyage through life’s intricate phases.”

In an interview with Jack Saunders of BBC Radio One, Simz explained her fascination with lotuses, being one of the only plants to bloom in muddy waters – she felt that this is a fitting metaphor for “anything” to become something “extraordinary” no matter the conditions.

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The rapper recently shared the tracklist for the upcoming album, containing 13 tracks with a roster of collaborators including Michael Kiwanuka, Moses Sumney, Sampha, Obongjayar, Wretch 32, Moonchild Sanelly, Yussef Dayes and more. The record, which has had its release date delayed before, is now expected to drop on June 6. You can pre-order/pre-save it here.

Simz is also ready for the 2025 edition of Meltdown Festival at London’s Southbank Centre, where she will be performing an orchestral set alongside a stellar lineup featuring The Streets, Lola Young, Ghetts and more. You can read our MXDWN coverage on that here.

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The album will include tracks ‘Free’ and ‘Flood’, already available to listen to on all platforms. Lotus explores themes of renewal and growth, showcasing the rapper’s evolving artistry. Simz’s 2021 release ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ saw her win a Mercury Prize as well as Brit Awards, MOBOs, and an Ivor Novello. She also surprised fans back in 2022 with ‘NO THANK YOU’ whilst making an appearance in 2023 in Netflix acclaimed Top Boy show. She finally came back to the stage in 2024 with a performance on Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage.

On top of the release, the rapper is curating the Southbank Centre’s 30th Meltdown Festival in June with a lineup that includes artists such as The Streets, Ghetts, Sasha Keable, Lola Young, and Jon Batiste, with Simz closing the festival alongside Chineke! Orchestra. A show that sold out in minutes.

In a talk with Rolling Stones, Simz said: “Simz said: “I’m super excited to be the 2025 Meltdown Festival curator! My team and I are preparing eleven days of art, music, workshops and more. So many incredible artists have curated this festival so it’s a true honour to be a part of it. Thank you to the Southbank Centre for having me. Meltdown 2025 the Simz way is going to be epic. I’ll see you there.”

‘Flood’ served as the lead single and first taster of the sixth album ‘Lotus’. A press release describes the LP as an embodiment of “renewal and growth, mirroring her evolving artistry and the album’s thematic voyage through life’s intricate phases.”

Simz will be joined onstage by the Chineke! Orchestra, one of Southbank’s six Resident Orchestras. Made up of primarily black and ethnically diverse musicians, it strides to champion diversity in classical music.

Simz has also curated the lineup for this year, hand-picking a number of artists to perform, including The Streets, Lola Young, Ghetts, Jon Batistse and Sasha Keable. In a press release, Jane Beese, Head of Contemporary Music at Southbank shared her excitement for Little Simz Meltdown Festival plans: “Ranging from jazz, hip hop, R&B, electronic and soul with a lineup of both renowned legends alongside the creators of the future, this is only the start for what’s going to be London’s go-to festival this summer.”

Simz will be playing hits from her catalogue as well as new tracks from her upcoming album, ‘Lotus’. Throughout her career, her production has featured live instrumentation and orchestral elements, most notably on her fourth album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’. The grand textures of that release were admired by critics, with Pitchfork saying: “The arrangements here are glorious: huge swathes of string and horn, cascading drums, choral flourishes. These songs luxuriate in their own richness.”

Around a month ago in February, Simz announced her new album ‘Lotus’, which is scheduled to release on May 9 2025. Alongside the announcement, she released a single from the upcoming album called ‘Flood’, featuring Obongjayar and Moonchild Sanelly. With a striking cinematic, black-and-white video, the rock-tinged, tension-building track sees Simz reel off valuable lessons in navigating fame as well as some confident brags: “Talk nice, but my silence is louder / Spend ’nuff, but my finances louder”

Simz had a busy 2024, a year which saw her praised for her standout performance at Glastonbury, honoured with a MOBO award, and named one of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Top Artists for the year. She released her “Drop 7” EP last February to critical acclaim. She also made a couple of guest appearances, on Sampha’s “Satellite Business 2.0”, Coldplay’s “We Pray” and Wretch 32’s “Black and British”.

In December she dropped the single ‘Hello, Hi”, teasing to fans that new music was on the way. After some cryptic social media posts, she announced that her new album was on the way.

Tickets for Meltdown 2025 will go on sale to Southbank Centre members tomorrow (Wednesday, March 26) at 10am, and to the general public on Friday (March 28) here.

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MELTDOWN.

I’ll be curating Meltdown Festival in London this summer at The @southbankcentre !! Over 11 days there will be live performances, panel talks, workshops, DJs & more. Gonna be epic thoooo. Can’t wait, more announcements soon

Shot by Thibaut Grevet pic.twitter.com/FBfqb5FhC5

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) February 12, 2025

Born in London, Little Simz has rapidly emerged as one of the most innovative voices in the UK music scene. Known for her incisive lyricism and genre-defying sound, she has captivated audiences with a blend of introspective storytelling and bold, forward-thinking production. Her chart-topping single ‘Introvert‘ not only resonated with fans but also cemented her reputation as an artist capable of bridging deep personal narratives with infectious, contemporary beats.

As she continues to evolve, the rapper’s influence on the UK music landscape remains profound and her appointment is seen as a natural evolution for the festival, aligning with its longstanding tradition of showcasing innovative artistry and challenging musical boundaries. Additionally, a new album is rumoured to be on the way.

The 2024 Meltdown Festival, curated by the legendary Chaka Khan, took place from June 14 to June 23, 2024, at London’s Southbank Centre. Celebrating her 50-year career, Chaka Khan both opened and closed the festival with performances at the Royal Festival Hall. The opening night featured her greatest hits, including classics like ‘Ain’t Nobody‘ and ‘I’m Every Woman‘. Other acts included the British singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé and the feminist punk band Big Joanie.

Fans are eagerly anticipating the fresh, diverse lineup, that is expected to be announced later in the spring, to reflect Little Simz’s dynamic approach and commitment to creative exploration. As the countdown to June 2025 begins, all eyes are on Southbank Centre, where the fusion of legacy and contemporary vision promises to deliver a truly unforgettable celebration of music and art. For more information, visit the Meltdown Festival’s page on the Southbank Centre’s official website.

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The post has her fans hoping there could be new music on the way – leaving comments such as “We are so back (hand praising emoji),” while another added “We’re album ready.”

The British-Nigerian rapper remained active in 2024, dropping the 7-track EP ‘Drop 7‘, experimenting with a range of sounds from electronica to Brazilian funk. She released her final single of the year, ‘Hello, Hi’ in December, further showcasing her versatility, hopping on a smooth sample-based drill beat.

Flexing her status, she rapped “Noising up the whole street anytime I start my car/neighbours can’t believe how black woman got this far”. She also subtly teased more to come in 2025 – “SS Simz ’25, you ain’t never seen this season”.

Simz has solidified a strong presence in hip-hop, both in the UK and internationally. Her latest studio album ‘NO THANK YOU’ came out to widespread acclaim from critics. Before that, her ambitious, orchestrally layered album ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ was universally lauded, loved by reviewers and fans alike, and has since been commonly listed as one of the ‘best hip-hop albums of all time’.

Last year she played a set on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival, proving her skills as a performer, backed by just a DJ and a couple of instrumentalists. She didn’t miss a beat, with The Guardian giving her 5 stars, branding it a “triumphant coronation of a true UK rap great”.

Recently, she’s jumped on tracks with Glastonbury headliners Coldplay for their single ‘We Pray’, and with veteran UK rapper Wretch 32 for his introspective comeback single ‘Black And British’. Speaking to The Line of Best Fit, Wretch said of his collaborator: “Even like within being in the studio and just working on music with Simz, just creating, just creating. I’m just like, ‘She’s just so talented, so gifted.’”

As fans eagerly wait for a new album in 2025, Simz is nominated in the Hip-Hop/Grime/Rap Act category for the upcoming Brit Awards. She’s in the running alongside Stormzy, Central Cee, Ghetts and Dave.

This year’s Brits will take place at London’s O2 Arena on Saturday March 1, and broadcast exclusively on ITV1 and ITVX. Jack Whitehall has been confirmed as host, and several artists are set to perform. You can see the full list of nominees here.

Since her debut album, ‘A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons’, released independently in 2015, Simz has cemented herself as a trailblazer in UK Hip-Hop. Her creative storytelling and experimental production has earned her widespread critical acclaim.

Across her discography – which includes five albums and an EP – she has explored themes of identity, self-discovery, and societal critique, resulting in widespread critical acclaim and accolades such as the Best Album Award for ‘GREY Area’ at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2019 and the 2022 Mercury Prize for ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ in 2021. 

Hello, Hi

OUT NOW on all platforms https://t.co/CUHjwmFPL5

See you in 25’ pic.twitter.com/xtVOOChImn

— Little Simz (@LittleSimz) December 30, 2024

Since her last studio album ‘NO THANK YOU’ in 2022, Simz’s fans have been eagerly awaiting her next release. In announcing ‘Hello, Hi’, she hinted at more music to come in 2025, teasing on Twitter: “See you in 25.” This cryptic message has sparked excitement, as listeners prepare for what could be another transformative phase in her career. 

The new single ‘Hello, Hi’ is a two-minute exploration of new sound for the British-Nigerian rapper, boldly pairing a laid-back acoustic guitar sample with a drill beat. Despite the shift in instrumentation, Simz’s effortless flow and rhythmic precision anchor the track, showcasing her ability to innovate without losing her distinct identity. 

Lyrically, ‘Hello, Hi’ delves into her experiences with fame and the challenges of navigating success. She reflects on her journey with lines like, “Neighbours can’t believe how a black woman got this far”, while addressing critics with a sharp tone, “Too much winnin’m these haters is mad about.” The song also offers insights into her life and perceptions of her local community with hints at the future through the evocative declaration “SS Simx ‘25, you ain’t never seen this season.”

Simz’s artistic impact extends beyond music. She has demonstrated her versatility as an actress featuring as Shelley in Netflix’s ‘Top Boy’ and made a memorable cameo performing her song ‘Venom’ in the Marvel blockbuster ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’. Earlier this year, she also partnered with the Tate Modern to curate a unique evening of music, conversations, and workshops. 

As the year ends, ‘Hello, Hi’ not only serves as a reminder of Simz’s artistic prowess but also sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in 2025. Whether through music, acting, or her wider cultural contributions, Little Simz continues to redefine creativity, earning her place as one of the UK’s most compelling and multifaceted artists with more to come in the New Year.

‘Black and British’ reveals profound and nuanced insight into the experiences and reality of being Black and British. Wretch 32 and his collaborator’s abilities to present a powerful message throughout the track highlights the necessity for such tracks to be released during Black History Month.

This single is bold and impactful, following themes of marginalisation, discrimination, heritage and belonging within forms of individual and collective identity. The single explores this much needed topic which is relatable to Black Britons whilst being insightful to White Britons and racial allies.

Black and British out now pic.twitter.com/5obmF6AAGd

— Black and British (@Wretch32) October 26, 2024

The North London rapper also provided insight into the collaboration and input of Little Simz on the single. He revealed to NME: “It’s an honour to work alongside a sister who carries themselves in the right way. Someone who puts the art first, someone who’s not cutting any corners… She’s an artist in every sense of the word. I’ve always known that girl was extremely talented. I’ve always said that girl is a special one… It would be an honour to have a female perspective on a record titled ‘Black and British’, especially hers”. Little Simz’s contributions to the track display the reality of being a Black women from Britain.

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‘Black and British’ is the lead single from the rapper’s upcoming seventh album. Despite portraying the Black British experience, according to NME, Wretch 32 believes his upcoming album is for individuals who “need soul food and need something to fulfil them, that have messages and will help them grow”.

This newly released single alongside the promise of a new album, explores a profound and compelling presence of introspection, which further elevates Wretch 32’s music.

‘Black and British’ features a sample at the end of the track. This sample is from Wretch 32’s grandmother Beverly Scott, taken from her contribution to the Broadwater Farm estate documentary, Scenes From The Farm, televised in 1988.

The single ‘Black and British’ accompanies the release of the track’s music video. The music video takes the main theme of heritage by including familial scenes alongside clips of Wretch 32 and his collaborators reciting their lyrics against a backdrop of an archival exhibition on Black British culture at V&A East museum in Stratford.

Wretch 32 debuted the music video at an event on October 23, delving into the single along with giving wider insight into his upcoming LP, which remains untitled.

The release of Wretch 32’s latest single, ‘Black and British’ all in all welcomes a new musical era for the talented rapper. An era which signals a carefully conducted and thoughtful contribution to 21^st century British rap music whilst placing Black experiences at the forefront.

Simz took to Instagram to voice her thoughts on the release, as well as her love for her fans, commenting: “Love you all, I need you to know. Your continued support gives me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and experiment with the thing I love most like any true artist should. So thank you for giving me grace and allowing me the space to do so. hope you enjoy.”

She also revealed her excitement surrounding her new website visuals, adding: “Also my website is fire. Will be giving exclusive news and more only to those signed up to my mailing list so be the first to get the latest”.

The EP was co-created by music producer, songwriter, and DJ James Jacob, who composed the soundtrack for A24’s exhilarating, coming-of-age film How To Have Sex. Crafted by artists Marco Grey and Jeremy Cole, the black and white artwork depicts Simz wearing some kind of futuristic, chrome armour with a butterfly floating next to her, with her new highly stylised website showcasing the same sci-fi, avant-garde imagery. Once on the explore page, the site presents fans with a series of different symbols with options to buy merchandise, stay connected on her social media pages, join her mailing list or stream the new EP, which can be selected by clicking the same butterfly symbol, a thread in the album’s storyline that remains unclear thus far.

Following a sold-out UK tour last November, the British Vogue cover star appears to be at the top of her game, with plenty more exciting announcements planned for the year ahead. ‘Drop 7′ is out now on Forever Living Originals via AWAL Recordings. You can listen to the first track ‘Mood Swings’ below:

 Full ‘Drop 7’ tracklist:

1. ‘Mood Swings’
2. ‘Fever’
3. ‘Torch’
4. ‘SOS’
5. ‘I Ain’t Feeling’
6. ‘Power’
7. ‘Far Away’