mxdwn.co.uk » Send Them To Coventry https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:12:06 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Pa Salieu Announced as Winner of BBC Music Sound of 2021 https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pa-salieu-announced-as-winner-of-bbc-music-sound-of-2021/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pa-salieu-announced-as-winner-of-bbc-music-sound-of-2021/#comments Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:32:54 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=29209 Pa Salieu has been announced as the winner of BBC Music Sound of 2021. The BBC have described him as; “Britain’s most exciting musical talent thanks to his adventurous, infectious tracks with hard-hitting lyrics about life and death on the “frontline” in Coventry.” 

Pa Salieu was among the talented artists announced on the longlist last month such as Alfie Templeman, Berwyn, Bree Runway, Dutchavelli, Girl in Red, Greentea Peng, Griff, Holly Humberstone and The Lathums. 

He was selected by a panel of expert artists including Billie Eilish, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Wolf Alice, AJ Tracey, YUNGBLUD, Foals, and Charli XCX. He joins previous winners who have gone on to have amazing careers such as Sam Smith, HAIM, Adele and most recently Celeste.

Speaking about the win, Pa Salieu said; “I was just really happy to even be included on the list alongside some amazing artists, a few of who I know personally. They’re all crazy talented, so to be the winner of something like this so early in my journey just feels mad.”

This comes less than a year and a half after the rapper had been shot in the head outside a pub in his home city in 2019. Thankfully he recovered and then went on to release his debut mixtape Send Them To Coventry, which was named after the saying for deliberately ostracising or marginalising someone.

Speaking about the shooting, Pa Salieu explains that it could have been a very different story; “If I died last year, If I actually died – in their eyes, I would be a criminal. ‘Gang related. Drive-by shooting.’ Trust me, the whole perception would be different right now. You would have never heard of me. If you do hear of me, it’s, ‘That’s that kid that died.’ ‘Gun crime.’ ‘These foolish youths.’ No.”

“Police used to say I’m in a gang. I wasn’t in a gang. I was never in a gang. Because I used to try to survive? I got caught with a knife when I was 17? What, because I’m paranoid of the streets? I got shot in the head. People get killed every day for no reason where I’m from. I don’t expect no-one to understand.”

BBC DJ Annie Mac spoke about PA Salieu’s win saying; “I’m delighted for Pa Salieu winning the prestigious Sound of 2021. As a man whose childhood was split between The Gambia and Coventry, he has a unique perspective on Britain. His songs are exquisitely produced, with enough restraint for Pa’s voice to shine through and have the space to tell the stories of his life. They are stories of friendship and family, of violence, exclusion and racism and they act as timeless evidence of British street life at the turn of new decade.”

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pa-salieu-announced-as-winner-of-bbc-music-sound-of-2021/feed/ 0 Pa Salieu and Mahalia Deliver Impactful Visuals In New Music Video For ‘Energy’ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pa-salieu-and-mahalia-deliver-impactful-visuals-in-new-music-video-for-energy/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pa-salieu-and-mahalia-deliver-impactful-visuals-in-new-music-video-for-energy/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2020 19:56:17 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=26534 Known as one of the UK’s most promising rappers, artist Pa Salieu has released the new music video for ‘Energy’, his latest collaboration with RnB rising star Mahalia. Directed by Femi Ladi, the visuals match the earnest atmosphere of the track itself. The first shot is a close up of the artist in black and white, rapping to the camera as he surrounds himself with symbolic representations of some of the country’s most prominent issues. However, this is quickly contrasted by Mahalia’s entrance, the visuals exploding in colour as she delivers her verse. This is followed by shots of the two dancing on rooftops, while delivering a genuine message about isolation, and the importance of self-care. “Organic. I loved it” Salieu told Cub Magazine when asked about working with Mahalia. “I’ve been a fan of hers. She’s sick, she works with the producers I work with a lot, so it was organic.”

‘Energy’ was released as the closing track of Pa Salieu’s debut mixtape ‘Send Them To Coventry’, which dropped on the 13th November. Throughout, artist deals with themes of isolation and austerity, remaining genuine as he opens up about his personal life and wider social issues. It’s a candidness that feels refreshing and intimate, and is made even more impactful by backed by pounding synth beats and deep bass tones that can be heard in each track. “All my songs are based on real-life scenarios,” the rapper explained. “They all mean a lot to me, like memories and moments. They all have a meaning.” 

The EP has received praise from fans and from critics alike, cementing Pa Salieu’s reputation as one of the most talented upcoming rappers in the UK music scene. “Everything British-Gambian rapper Pa Salieu touches turns to gold right now.” NME critic Dhruva Balram wrote in his 4-star review of the release. “And rightfully so: his sound, which lurches between Afro-swing, dancehall and flecks of UK road-rap, is refreshingly original and inventive.” This release follows the artist previous success with his single ‘Frontline’, which dropped earlier this year. “I’ve been working more, hella work, non-stop.” the artist told i-D Magazine. “I try not to look left or right… just progress.”

You can listen to Pa Salieu’s debut EP ‘Send Them To Coventry’ below.

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