South London rapper SL shares new single ‘Paranoia’

Photo by Sara Vieira
April 26 2025

PRAISE FOR SL

“One of the most intriguing prospects in UK rap … SL’s talent is unmistakable”

The Guardian

“Conversational, unhurried and sonically expansive”

Clash

“Unique … gripping”

Pigeons & Planes

“An already-unmissable new talent”

NME

‘Paranoia’ is out now, buy/stream it here.

Following his long-awaited return with ‘Robbery’, today SL unveils a new chapter of the unfolding story with new single ‘Paranoia’. One of UK rap’s most leading storytellers at the forefront of the scene’s youth culture, the track and its accompanying video is a bold statement of SL’s evolution as an artist. LISTEN + WATCH HERE.

‘Paranoia’ is a nocturnal slow-burn. Shrouded in darkness and thick with smoke, SL leans into the character of a substance-skewed, suspicious mind. With empty dial tones, the failed flick of a lighter and unanswered phone vibrations, we are immersed in the world he’s building – both in story and atmosphere. The video ends in a moment of revelation; SL removes his balaclava. But he remains beyond our reach, as unknowable as ever.

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, 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.

Known for his lyrical dexterity, captivating melodic cadence, and world-building ambition, SL is one of the UK rap’s most distinctive voices right now. Wearing his signature balaclava, he is anonymous and yet globally recognisable. With generational classics including ‘Tropical‘ and ‘Gentleman‘, SL has amassed streams in the billions with a dedicated fan base around the world. He made a decisive return with new single ‘Robbery’, the first story in an unfolding anthology. The beat is built on a guitar lick which expands into a sound which is almost transatlantic in rhythm and spirit, redefining the artist you believe SL to be.

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. With early co-signs spanning JME, Stormzy and Drake to Virgil Abloh and collaborators like Kenny Beats and Pa Salieu, SL has retained his elusive profile whilst refusing to be pinned down. ‘Paranoia’ is the marker of an artist who is bringing the furthest extent of his vision into reality.

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