Wretch 32 - Black and British (feat. Little Simz and Benjamin AD)

[@Wretch32]

LYRICS [Verse 1: Wretch] In all honestly all we’ve got is love We can only pay you in visits Family orientated I’ll never stray from my siblings Heard some war stories when uncle came from the prison He was good at making money but bad at making decisions Mummy’s got her hand in the pardner to make a shilling She’ll have to put an arm and a leg in to make a difference Daddy’s out chasing the women breeding the village breaking all kinda records to place the blame on the Guinness When my mother asked it was never up for discussion Some lessons learnt have different meanings for others Black history month where they taught me that I was nothing In the school of hard knocks where I had to fight for my cousin Roll up your sleeves Work twice as hard just to please Don’t beg nobody fi eat And never chat to police And on Black Boy lane I was caught on my own He Told me go back to my country I Thought I was home Guess I was wrong [Chorus] Really I just wanna spread love Know it’s been a minute still think about us Always on a wave cause it gets me through Really I’m just tryna stay up (yeah) Really i just wanna spread love Know it’s been a minute still think about us Always on a wave cause it gets me through When all is said and done Don’t want the baddest bitches I just really wanna move my address init Want my 40 acres with my palace init They don’t care about you when you black & British Course I got a knife you don’t cut me no slack Wanna touch the dreads you don’t know me like that Now you colour blind you don’t notice I’m black So we stay trapping cause my homie mind trapped [Verse 2: Wretch] Granny came here to build a future based on pure hope But the road weren’t paved with gold It was paved with go home Imagine being a doctor and they’ve doctored your role You’ve got the qualification they ain’t offering though You came here to seek employment Didn’t come here to clean the toilets Money haffi mek now we’re running were seeing boydem My cousin as well even my auntie’s on bail Fuck you my uncle from hell That’s cause you keep touching all the family That’s under your spell Everyone just turns a blind eye when they know you need help That’s Black and British when you come from a suffering world Stop saying that’s how he is If that’s the case he shouldn’t be sharing beds with the kids You put our feels to the side Bills to the side Out of sight out of mind Is my dad still alive? Step dad arrives Devil in disguise Tina Wanna ask your partner how it feels to be Ike? You put on a brave face It’s the bravest I’ve ever seen Got a jester for a king and you still a queen Lying when they ask why I’m crying I kept it in Now I’m grown it’s game of thrones if I catch him it’s guillotine (I swear) [Verse 2: Simz] I swear I’d never make my mother cry She taught me how to make a bed out of a bunch of lies And how a man’s supposed to wear his tie I was 12 when the world let you down a dozen times When you say black and British what is it that comes to mind How do you progress in life when you’re stuck behind I had a attitude with my teachers at school But soon as I got home I knew that tone could never fly Raising a teenage girl no help no channel of support No fairy no tales Barely could afford No wishing no wells No hands was avail With the hands’ we were dealt [Chorus] Really I just wanna spread love Know it’s been a minute still think about us Always on a wave cause it gets me through Really I’m just tryna stay up (yeah) Really i just wanna spread love Know it’s been a minute still think about us Always on a wave cause it gets me through When all is said and done Dont want the baddest bitches I just really wanna move my address init Want my 40 acres with my palace init They don’t care about you when your black and British Course I got a knife you don’t cut me no slack Wanna touch the dreads you don’t know me like that Now you colour blind you don’t notice I’m Black So we stay trapping cause my homie mind trapped

[@skirize]

Legends!

[@lesliesinclair4265]

Beautiful ❤

[@creedsfunhouse8091]

Adding Little Simz in this just made the whole song more Legendary✨.. Mad respect n love❤ to everyone who made this possible.. Love from Naija🇳🇬

[@mr.abijah]

Thank you so much for telling our story!

[@Nathanielw.1]

58k views, but I suppose that doesn’t matter does it when those that followed in your footsteps are still being promoted heavily despite ill gotten gains being the main source of investment from so many. Saved from nature aswell as your own people, however. Why act on behalf of others who are suffering due to yours and your affiliates lies? You believe your nation(whether it be Britain, Jamaica or Africa.) is not as proud of you as you may think. Racial profiling and prejudice is bigotry when you implicate those of a different heritage to yourself. You thought you were British? Why are protecting an individual you know to be complicit in ‘gang activity’, that has got out of hand? It wouldn’t surprise me if the proceeds from your music is taken and used a a partial repayment to the victims of crime. As well as donating to the people you claim to hold so close to your heart. It is a common feminine trait to lie uncontrollably. Sleep with as many females of other races as you can to then return to your own race thinking you are a hero? Ask for nothing as your ethnicity has already been helped beyond a level that can be deemed worthy of receiving. Ungrateful is the word that comes to mind. The whole world is now angry, due to the inconsideration of this genre. Blaming the police? Looked like Another ‘sacrifice’ in attempt to carry on this destruction.

[@DAV3NY]

You ever listened to a song that ever felt like a painting? That is what this is. It feels like I am standing in a museum and looking at a vivid, beautiful, striking piece of art that is just pulling me in over and over and making me smile, frown, cry, be angry, and blissful all at once.

[@LOVELYLONDONGURL]

Captured the Black British experience so well. Some bars cut deep. I'm mesmerised.

[@TheOneB1lal]

Remember Me! 💙

[@neeciiw7840]

The word play is crazy and every black & British person can relate ✨

[@sleep_gaminglife]

Felt the same!

[@ENGLISHMURPHY]

“Of course I have a knife” Do you think lines like this are helping black British people?

[@SandraWAsumu]

Listen… I’m black and spanish, as in from Spain. This is so complex seriously. I admire my generation and the ones coming behind me all over the world with the hunger of telling our stories, our experiences. No one can do it for us. We are living in a time where immigration is a huge issue in the western world and sometimes I feel in a Limbo because I know what my parents did for me, the things they went through… I no longer suffer from the same stories but I suffer from the aftermath. Here in Spain, many of us black people are living 50 years behind you black British people… but we are still connected and it’s beautiful. I’m just here to say thank you for putting your artistry out there (I’m an artist myself) and I pray and hope that our stories will make it, I pray that we keep gathering all over the world to express ourselves. That is truly what we have. ❤

[@user-dv3kq3rm4h]

I'm Black and speak fluent Spanish and am British. I appreciate your sentiments and I agree with what you're saying about Black people from Spanish and also Latino backgrounds being 50 years behind Black British people. There's a growing Black Latino and Portuguese community here and I've noticed that they don't really make the effort to integrate with British society or Black British people, they don't realise that ultimately, staying in their bubble will keep them held back. Honestly, I only have a few interactions with them here and there because I can speak Spanish. They are doing the jobs that Windrush Caribbean descendents did in Britain 60 years ago, so they could learn from Black British people on how to get on and navigate in this society. I appreciate your perspective because I don't see it here from the Black people that have arrived here via Spain, mostly Dominicans or Black people from Portugal is whom I'm referring to.

[@Laura-sg6ss]

By nationality?? Me too? De qué parte, wapaa🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾 oh my gosh! I wish we could all get together. Outside of my family/family friends there's no one else I know 💔 because I grew up in London! I know people have moved around from when my parents lived in Villaverde, Madrid in the 90s. Where are the Black communities, good places to go, restaurants etc ??? Also have you watched the documentary "Gurumbe"? I recommend 🫶🏾

[@Laura-sg6ss]

​@@user-dv3kq3rm4hooo interesting perspective and yes, I think that would be cool to become closer with one another. Yeah, they do seem quite closed off in a bubble. I mean not young people that chill with out Black Brits but within the community yeah. Which I think is fine to have but to bw more open would be cool! Maybe events and such can facilitate this I'm not too sure. We don't have any stable places to go and meet so to speak. Interesting thoughts. Thanks.

[@brentoniverson1020]

Luv and respect via US of Amerilkkka🔥🙏🏾💪🏿🩷🔥

[@alsoknownasbags]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. As a West African in America I find a lot of value in the perspective and experiences shared by Black ppl in other countries with a culture dif from the Amerikkkan Black experience. 🫱🏿‍🫲🏾

[@elsard922]

Little Simz is for sure an incedible lyricist but damn her voice really has something super captivating. She could talk to me for hours and I wouldn't get tired of it. She could rap anything and everything over 7 minutes that I would still listen to, I love her so much. Benjamin AD also has such a good voice and everything is honeyed and melodious. Overall it's very very very well written (thanks to Wretch 32 too!!!!!) and it's a very beautiful clip. Thank you very much Madam and Gentlemen we needed it (That violin in the last hook ? Lord have mercy.)

[@TheOneB1lal]

👏🏽

[@liveinthemomintbreathoffre9958]

And , Wretch 32?

[@elsard922]

@@liveinthemomintbreathoffre9958 he did an amazing job !!

[@AP-o2]

Imagine Wretch 32 making an entire album with featurings from Little Simz, Kojey Radical, Knucks, D Double E, Avelino, Kano etc.🙏

[@RealWrighty]

Ghetts and Stormz aswell 🔥 that would be remarkable 😩

[@lloyd4301]

YES PLEASE!

[@kwekueghana3683]

Tell him we need it

[@kwekueghana3683]

Enny integrity too

[@mr.abijah]

🖤

[@RiriJackson-s2v]

" they told me go back to my country...I thought I was home " I felt that damn

[@praise874]

Deep

[@celestebenitez6688]

This song proves to me, us black people struggle no matter where we are, or what language we speak. This song is B E A U T I F U L

[@curtis13star.]

Yo, being Black American listening to this and understanding each bar shows that we are all connected and experinceing life from similar lenses; maybe its in our DNA? Black and American, Black and Cuban, Black and Spainish, Black and Latino, Black and British. Blessings to all of my Bother and Sisters scattered across the continets, I love Y'all! ~ Moses, Saint Louis of the Americas

[@katiaorgiana4135]

Black and Brasilian

[@matteosakesito475]

Dont bother brother « white » or « black » why matter… every one is unique and all humanity is a Familly! Let’s unite no separation no nation just Union

[@laylah150]

So much pain, hurt and struggle but we still built resilient communities full of love & hope. I love being black 🇸🇴🇪🇷🇸🇩🇳🇬🇯🇲🇬🇭🇰🇪

[@jonanmbella2492]

Put this flag 🇰🇪

[@laylah150]

@@jonanmbella2492 done 🤝

[@bajaicaally5955]

🇧🇧

[@mbassamusic]

The way Little Sims starts is 🔥🔥🔥

[@DOVEY_84]

Wretch is like a teacher with the mic!….lyrics are delivered with intention to educate the listener!

[@Fiyah_Barz]

Lyrical Educator 🎙👨🏿‍🏫

[@markparker2893]

This isnt rap....this is art 🙌🏿

[@Sensiking19]

Rap is art

[@Cixx]

Exactly...thank you🫡💫💯​@@Sensiking19

[@victoriadove3363]

Masterpiece theater yes

[@liveinthemomintbreathoffre9958]

Indeed, less they forget ​@@Sensiking19

[@kano--]

rap is art ! don't diminish rap

[@haydenmorrison511]

For those that don’t know Benjamin AD is Young Adz older brother. Talent runs in the family.

[@PrettyKiKi1981]

Genes are deep... thought it was Adz 💯

[@jamesscott3022]

Ad better

[@pikey4life]

Benjamin is better - young adz is whack

[@jefmardo9]

If u don’t kno Benjamin AD he’s cold and so happens to be young adz bro.

[@iannjenga237]

Some crazy info still.

[@parrishillproductions3368]

This is not a song... this is an anthem... it transcends the story of The Black Man... Woman... and Child... it doesn't matter where you were born... Britain... America... Caribbean... Africa... etc.... if your skin color resembles the different shades of brown... this is your anthem

[@MicahJR9]

The kind of song that should be in our history books. This should be felt on a deeper level than just lyrics and instrumental

[@SAINtJHN]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 two of my favorites Wretch & Simz 🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@MrMan-ps7ym]

Add a comment:.. Frm Vat Can I sespeaseperate fell well with lucid eyes between the shtreets and the curb thought out of Tyne Bridge blah on us waist got clit on clap like loving with different

[@henryix2413]

To all the African folk in Diaspora, Much love from the motherland keep your head up

[@tamerajames5590]

Come on black Brits let’s support!!!!

[@brandonleehenry6393]

32 out here swinging at generational trauma 🫡 Keep shining in this final form brother 🖤

[@nkuliscorner_ZA]

I've watched this twice & I suspect I'll be back again. Stumbled on UK rap a few years ago & I'm SO glad that I encountered Wretch 32 & some of the OGs (Kano, Ghetts, D Double E, Giggs, etc.). It's such a treat to keep finding gems, purely off going down the UK rap rabbit hole. This South African hopes that all of you get the best of 2nd/3rd/4th winds on the world stage ❤

[@TakeMeBackPirateRadio]

Setting the right path for the youth to follow!

[@nurskarbz4105]

Im not black nor British, I just hear excellent, heart felt music ❤ a new perspective on life, wisdom and personal history, that is so cleverly written into a story. Respect. Love.

[@mdl11225]

I've always loved that black and white snap of your Grandma. Brought back memories listening to her talk at the end. 🙏🏾😇🇯🇲 She was good friends with my Mum and Aunt. Tottenham in da house! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@spiritualtech78]

Black Joy - Black Pain , wow listening to these three CULTURAL ALCHEMIST'S right here. I even go further and say this is a spiritual song because it's on a totally high level frequency lyrically and how it speaks to the truth and depth of the global experience of the Black Family / Black Community / African Heritage Diaspora .....whilst we still Healing ❤❤❤❤ we are still so profoundly DOPE on so many levels ....I Love us 😍 .....MAKWANDE .....Zulu for " let there be growth - Expand - Be Fruitful".

[@tyreseblk]

usually hard to make me cry with music but i felt this one fr

[@2DYSLEXIC00]

this has to be the sunny side of British rap, that drill shxt dont fly like that in the motherland. This song is beautiful!!!

[@Jorpl_]

I've cried so many times to this song, it's so beautiful.

[@Iwanj374]

This needs to be viral, wish they got more recognition

[@NovaSkyiOfficial]

Beautiful song, felt every word and syllable #black&british ✊🏾 Big urselfs for this art Simz & Wretch 🙏🏾

[@bossman6317]

I’m obsessed with this song 👌🏾

[@mikelcris8313]

How these guys don't win awards for this type of music baffles me, song is just amazing a real gem this one will echo for years to come

[@lp5670]

Ghetts double standards aswell, needs recognition

[@honeybeeluminous136]

This tune deserves an award…it speak to many generations 🫶🏾🌹🖤

[@danbull]

Such an elegant song and video

[@Jamila01x]

This speaks volume ❤️❤️❤️

[@PaulCross-vl9vf]

Black British poetry is so emotive. Love

[@skella722]

Can’t stress enough how this man lifts up the UK and has been for as long as I can remember Term Goat is thrown around too much Wretch gives it meaning

[@Fiyah_Barz]

Facts🎙👑

[@strausshamilton8854]

His the goat 🐐

[@GodsonX87]

Why has this only got 100k views.?? Wretch never disappoints.

[@MichaelOhajuru]

A beautiful video with so much going on lyrically and visually, interweaving so many wonderful images and sounds. They come together, then move apart, recreating the tragic and brilliant highs and lows of our Black British experience.

[@tammyharry5663]

Literal GOOSEBUMPS.... all I can say....

[@ReggieMack-c1v]

DOPE!!! Wretch gain a new fan from the US.

[@ionbriceag]

🔥🔥🔥

[@besitterplay]

Music, visuals and style. This has it all...

[@Sashajamayne]

Bars and Substance is about to take over in the Uk over the next couple years 🔥

[@TheOfficialHypez]

All 3 of them... SCARY talent...

[@musiciansfavourite]

This song deserves a Brit award! The story telling is incredible. You couldn’t have crafted a more perfect song to depict the black diaspora experience. Gives me chills every listen. ❤

[@AGPHILANI]

Powerful 🔥🔥💯

[@goldbullionfx]

What a master piece. Two of my most favourite UK rappers. My first time hearing dude on the hook and damn🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥what a beautiful song.

[@leighfloyd4386]

Big love from Aus Little simz is one of the best hip hop artists I've heard, Wretch 32 best out of the UK IMO and homie on the vocals killed it 🔥

[@bellywuffles7230]

Been waiting on this and had high hopes. This is a masterpiece from 2 of our goats. Flowers and love to all involved 💐 🌹 ❤

[@ajames3206]

Dammm bro U still killing the game after all these years U still one of the best in the UK💪🏿👍🏿🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jordzorigionale098]

Absolute masterpiece

[@Jbofficial29]

I would not mind hearing another track with these three together it worked well.. Real art deeper than music. This black & british thing should become a challenge to the artists who take the culture serious Chip / Ghetts or Skepta would tear this to pieces

[@TheOneB1lal]

This The Original Though!

[@MoneliaMakes]

I cried! This is so beautiful

[@elywananda]

My goodness. I'm glad to see some of these topics being brought up, and in such a powerful way.

[@capricebandicoot_]

Benjamin AD is one of the coldest 🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@victoriadove3363]

❤❤❤ from America... stay up forever we rising

[@getuptogetdown]

Black is beautiful 🖤

[@TEKT1ME]

Those who feels it knows it 🔥🔥🔥 another masterful work of art 🤴🏿

[@callumjaye]

Thank you Wretch 32, Little Simz and Benjamin for making this for all of us Black and British ✊🇬🇧❤

[@rachelstylelisa]

Visuals = Art in motion 🥂

[@ianmclean6399]

Wretch and simz, gonna be 🔥

[@lyneee__7]

The beat is so chill

[@OhemaaD1.]

1:35 Course I've got a knife you don't cut me no slack 🔥

[@dumilemzimela6461]

Chills!!!

[@Craftedbywaltz]

This is a spiritual record, wow...❤❤❤

[@Unorthodox473Vevo]

This one for the books🔥🔥🌎🌟👑💎

[@kathrinadunkley1197]

Work of Art! 🔥 The lyrics runs DEEP! 😮‍💨 Keep on killing it Wretch & Lil Simz A.K.A The Lyrical Educators 🎤✨

[@jayedeemusic]

Knew this song was gunna be levels when you first posted but this is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

[@MaryShelleysNib]

The lyrics are 🔥 Genius modern Wordsworth, the Guinness book of records ref is so sharp.

[@hao_9388]

An absolute masterpiece

[@egertonkamara4453]

Salute straight from Sierra Leone 🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱

[@kingkanapi]

Undeniable talent! Def an inspiration to continue stay lyrical.

[@WUNGIF]

Powerful meaningful music 🎶 I'm here for it!! #realness

[@minniemonroe4685]

Biggest Of My Past Memories Being Relived Everytime I hear This xoxo

[@pfcwells522]

Great collaboration... Definitely two great rappers who of different eras that mastered the craft.

[@keekz.00]

A UK PIONEER 💯🐐

[@TheOneB1lal]

When You Are So Great At The Craft Of Music, Your Words Can Affect A Person’s Soul, Some Times Disturbing Their Inner Calm. Music Can Make Hearts Race & Tears Stream. When Put Together With Visual & Great Execution, It Can Too Execute Happiness & Put You In Deep State. When Somebody Says Something Well & Delivers It So Blissfully It Can Interrupt The Existence Of Your Self Worth. But This Is True Form Of Having An Impact On The Listener & Can Also Too Be Used To Advert & Change The World.

[@richtrapattonibeats]

this is poetry

[@swapincentivesuk9190]

Love this, creative storytelling, Black & British, what an experience, May God bless you

[@gummyjase2548]

Beats got a bit of magic in it

[@SofreeyaSoul]

A deep tune and great collab! wow

[@wykethahoward7227]

Pure beautiful I'm not British but im Black and this song has spoken to me in ways i understand now that's powerful 🤍🤍🤍💪🏾

[@BornGiftedMusicGroup]

This is pure ART! It deserves 20x the views it's received so far

[@luciawright]

Goat x Goat!!

[@MaryShelleysNib]

What is a double GOAT? Super Goat, Master Goat, Spliced Goat ....

[@BENNYBIZZIE]

Proper enjoyed this experience! 🎉🎉🎉 big shouts to all ⬆️

[@BIGRGOFFICIAL]

Epic

[@EscapeCondition]

lotta soul in this

[@TinukeCircusmum]

This is absolutely beautiful. Everyone needs to hear this. And I mean really HEAR this. This is art.

[@ugottabwise]

Art! Important song ✊🏽🔥

[@brantub]

beautiful

[@nadz9469]

I love this!! Powerful message

[@ngatsand7862]

Damn !!!!! It's poignant. I shed tears. Damn. I can't stop crying. Thank you for this masterpiece.

[@strausshamilton8854]

Wow my favourite tune 🔥🔥

[@retroblak]

This should want to make Gen Z want to learn their history and understand that they stand on the shoulders of giants in their families and communities and the story continues with them to level the playing field for us and themselves because they are the future. Beautiful heartfelt track with visuals to match. I felt seen.

[@maiko73]

Wow that was amazing,monumental lyrics,every time I hear Simz and wretch feels like history being made/spoken...x❤

[@touchpotential3762]

Magnificent track, staying true to the long tradition on intelligent and thought inspiring black British tunes 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@teriyakov]

Beautiful! From the first bar to the end credits. This is gonna be in heavy rotation. Nothing but admiration and gratitude for this piece of art. Thank You.

[@Rubyrudeboi]

Genuinely only a few artists make mi choke up..

[@frithband3357]

Ahhhh... We need more music like this. The world is lacking.

[@aye3678]

You smashed it with this one, guys.