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A post shared by simz (@littlesimz)

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.

Walters announced the upcoming project via Instagram. The post depicts a tower block, with the short film’s title emblazoned in the foreground. Walter’s succinctly summed up his excitement for the release, by captioning the upload with a simple ‘can’t wait‘. Walters founded SLNda and worked the hit series, ‘Top Boy‘, in which he starred. The company focuses on ‘the heart of UK street culture‘. Therefore ‘Boys‘ will have similarities to the Netflix blockbuster.

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Can’t wait @slndauk @skytv ・ #BOYS #shortfilm #directing

A post shared by Ashley Walters /// Asher D (@ashleywalters) on Jul 18, 2020 at 5:00am PDT

Walters shot to fame as an emcee in the garage group, So Solid Crew. He performs under the pseudonym, Asher D. He contributed to the hit, 21 Seconds, and since the group split in 2006 he released four studio albums. His last musical release was the single ‘Love and War‘ in July. It is a soulful track that addresses romance and adulthood.

He now bounces between music and acting. Walter’s appeared in cult films such as, ‘Goal!‘ (2005), ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005) and ‘Anuvahood‘ (2011).  His main role was the lead in ‘Top Boy‘. He plays the kingpin Dushane, who wrestles for control of the summerhouse estate. The show was initially cancelled after the second season, however it was rescued by Canadian megastar, Drake. The multi-platinum artist confessed his love for the show and bankrolled its return, which has earned critical acclaim through the way of a BAFTA in Scripted Casting.

Ashley Walter’s is a British icon, due to his work in music and on the Television screen. He works with unerring consistency, and this suggests that his latest project will be as successful as his others. ‘Boys‘ is similar in production to ‘Top Boy‘, which confirms it will be highly watchable. Walter’s Instagram announcement was mysterious, and little is know about the plot. However, one thing that is known is Walter’s excitement for the upcoming project. If Walters is excited then his fans should be too. ‘Boys‘ is sure to be another UK street culture classic.