Whilst speaking backstage at East London’s ‘All Points East’ Festival, Kayne explained her recent track is part of a new project, saying: “This next project is about my experience in London, and in this industry as well, ‘Rat Race’ is about my perception on London and how everything is so fast, and you’ve got to keep up. It delves into that. It’s a bit of a brain-fart that one, but I love it.” Kayne was conflicted about whether she wanted to release the track publicly, adding, “It’s definitely a diary entry tune, and it’s wicked that people love that stuff. I didn’t really think that was going to come out when I first wrote it, so it’s rewarding.”

@willowkayne Rat Race, out 22nd August. Pre save link in bio #JustJack #fyp #newmusic ♬ Rat Race – Willow Kayne

The genre-blurring pop provocateur picked up the Rising Star Award at the Ivor Novello Awards back in 2021. This award allowed her the opportunity to work and receive mentorship from ‘Chic’ icon and legend, Nile Rodgers. Kayne explained that the experience taught her that there’s no, “crazy, tactical formula to making a banger. There’s no real ‘this is what you have to do to make a banger’. It’s just going with it, which was very lucky to hear actually, it released a lot of stress.”  Nile Rodgers has called Kayne a “genuine star in the making.”

Willow released another single in July this year named,”White City”. She described the inspiration for this tune on her instagram, stating, “I wrote this song as a diary entry about London last year. It’s crazy to see history/communities being knocked down and replaced with these gigantic skyscrapers that nobody can afford to live in. Having the two extremes of wealth and poverty right on the same street, not just in White City but everywhere here it seems. “Everyone in the place is seeing a different sunshine” I always think it when I walk down the street in my area, we all have such different perceptions of this place as our home, different views of the same exact place”

Kayne’s genre-fused style has developed from her early upbringing and the eclectic taste of music both her parents had. In an interview Kayne said, “I used to think I wanted to be a pop star, but I’ve realised that’s kind of limiting. If I can change the direction that pop can be, then that’s what success sounds like to me to be honest.”

Willow’s up and coming tour dates:

Official Charts have reported the album to of been streamed over 25.5 million times last week. His album, based on the realities of growing up in the ghetto of London and his turbulent life, is dedicated to his late mother Edna Duah.”Having my album go to number 1 means a lot to me. Edna this is for you,” Headie told Officialcharts.com.

Headie One’s pays tribute to his mum as Edna debuts at Number 1 on the Official UK Albums Chart ❤️ @HeadieOnehttps://t.co/MFvKrNPb49

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) October 16, 2020

His album, a mix of UK Rap, drill, trap, dancehall and US hip-hop, is released just 6 months after he was jailed for carrying a knife. The 26 year old described his experience to The Guardian “It was a wake-up call that it really is a thin line – one wrong move and it’s all over, it’s back to what you used to dream to get out of.”

Headie’s stint in prison is drawn upon throughout his album following convictions at the age of 17 for drug and knife possession. In 2014, he was convicted after being caught in possession of nearly £30,000 worth of drugs and sentenced to 30 months in prison.

During these times, music became his sanctuary and he developed his musical skills. He told The Guardian that other people inside, “didn’t feel the music like I did. Not just lyrics or beats, but the emotions, the sounds, the concepts.” His latest single, ‘Ain’t if Different’ ft AJ Tracey, is a catchy track with a hidden message about the dullness and hardships of prison life.

On his first day being released from prison in 2017, he spent the day recording a song and filming the video for it and released it the following day. From then on, he put all effort into his music, working intensely on new songs that later led to six mixtapes.

Headie has already had top 10 hits with rapper stars Stormzy and Dave and recently collaborated with rapper superstar Drake on their track ‘Only you freestyle,’ who describes Headie as, “The best Drill artist in the world.”- The Guardian. As well as dominating the album charts this week, Headie One also takes over this weeks official singles charts in top 40 with ‘Ain’t it Different,’ ‘Princess cuts,’ and ‘Parlez-Vous Anglais.’

Shabs Jobanputra from Relentless Records speaks about Headie’s recent successes to Official Charts, “Another subculture of British music has just permeated mainstream society. Headie is at the top of his game and he truly deserves everything that is coming to him off the back of his authenticity and talent.”

The NME reviewed that, “”Edna is proof that he’s the unmistakeable, global ‘King of drill’, and much more besides, It’s a move into the mainstream, without forgetting where it all began.”