Today, SL announces his forthcoming full-length mixtape Block Tales to be released in September. Aligned with the scale of the project’s ambition, he fires on all cylinders with new single ‘Summertime’ where SL, Sainté and Knucks – three generational heavyweights at the forefront of UK rap – share the same beat for the first time. LISTEN HERE + WATCH HERE.

‘Summertime’ marks a new chapter in the evolving story of Block Tales: an act of what SL describes as “street cinema”. It unfolds as a collection of interwoven stories drawn from personal experiences and reflections of life on the block, with SL drawing on an insane cast of voices to bring it all to life: Giggs, Sainté, Knucks, Aystar, Booter Bee – and many more. The lives of his characters are a lens through which SL untangles the knots of social pressure and survivalism, boys too eager to become men, the snares of gang culture and the possibility of aspiring for more than the circumstances you were born into. South London is a living, breathing character in itself: SL’s lyrics and production choices have been chosen to feel as if you’re there, a fly on the wall.

When forerunning singles ‘Robbery‘ and ‘Paranoia‘ immersed listeners in the darkness of a dangerous path, ‘Summertime’ is SL showing us that there are also glimmers of light to hold onto. The track conjures the nights of freedom his characters are chasing; a coming-of-age story of girls, Henny and parties of a life less complicated than the trials he writes of in Block Tales.

Watch: ‘Summertime’ (Official Video)

SL rides the knife’s edge between global celebrity and absolute anonymity. He is one of UK rap’s leading storytellers, penning generational classics before he had even sat his GCSEs as a teenager with accolades from JME and Stormzy to Drake and Virgil Abloh – and yet his story has remained closely guarded. His signature balaclava has concealed his identity while his tracks have amassed streams in nine-figures. The likes of ‘Tropical‘ and ‘Gentleman‘ – proof of his lyrical dexterity and unforgettable melodic cadence – have soundtracked the house parties and night bus rides of his peers. The phenomenon of SL has progressed in step with his own coming-of-age story, from teenager to young adult – and, finally, an artist in full command of his gifts. Block Tales, his long-awaited debut album, gives us unprecedented access into his world.

The last couple of years have seen SL grow as an artist, but also as a teenager becoming a young man. The 2017 release of his life-transforming debut single ‘Gentleman’ arrived when he was only 15-years-old. His career began in secret so he could complete his GCSEs. He has released three EPs so far – Everything Good Is Bad and Selhurst SE25 culminating in 2020’s Different Dude – whilst also setting up a foundation in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, empowering young people from ethnicities across the UK.

Having been raised on golden-age kingmakers like Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, and Jay Z, it’s SL’s multi-faceted approach – where the production, visuals and compelling storytelling all go hand-in-hand – that has seen his formative work carve out a singular lane in contemporary music. SL fans can sign up to his mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming gigs, news, merch and more.