UK rap newcomer N8tive has shared his new single ‘FLAVA’.
Out now, it comes as a wave of hype descends on the rapper – with co-signs from Ghetts, Jim Legaxcy and Che Lingo, he’s clearly one to watch. Citing J Hus and DC as formative influences, N8tive wants to create his own sound, utilising some wicked genre blends in the process.
The fashion-forward rapper comments: “My sound has influences from so many cultures, which is why I’m called N8tive. Part of my identity is to take things from diverse cultures and put them into one.”
Need an example? New single ‘FLAVA’ is rooted in UK culture and experiences, while also reaching outwards; the beat is filtered through grime and afrobeats, but there’s also a kind of West Coast swagger to it.
Lifting a sample from Craig Mack’s 1992 iconic cut ‘Flava In Ya Ear’, it’s an act of confidence, placing his own art alongside a true hip-hop classic.
’Flava’ is a song that represents the diverse cultures that has influenced my sound. It fuses an iconic American sample, with a hard hitting African inspired beat pattern merged in with my British vibe. The usage of the Craig Mack’s sample for me was a powerful statement.
I knew the weight the song held in music history and as someone who considers themself a scholar of music, I had to make sure that I understood the history and importance of the song and its weight and value in hip-hop. I wanted to make sure I did the sample justice and leave my own imprint on the song. ‘Flava’ symbolises the love and respect I have for music, but also shows my intention to evolve what was given to us by the ones before us.
In the video N8tive wears an exclusive one-of-one varsity jacket by cultural London fashion brand Cortiez – tune in now.
