slowthai vows not to let coronavirus disrupt plans for release of new LP Tyron

slowthai performing at the O2 Academy in Brixton in 2019. Photo by David Jackson.

slowthai has reassured fans his second album Tyron will be released next month as planned despite the ongoing disruption caused by the coronavirus.

The Northampton rapper is due to release his second album on February 5 and today, writing on social media, said he would not allow this virus to “keep holding us back”.

The statement came hours before BBC Radio 1 made his new track Mazza, which features A$AP Rocky, its ‘Hottest Record In The World’.

slowthai said: “Earlier today, me and my team had a conversation about pushing back Tyron due to the national lockdown and not being able to bring to life all the ideas we had planned for you all but I cannot allow this virus to keep holding us back.

“Films, art and music have helped me most in my darkest moments with the majority of this album being made last year I would hope that it can help someone as a distraction amongst the chaos and shift their mindset positively.

“‘normality’ may not return, but we do have a chance to create a new normality.

“One built with humanity at the core, one that is inclusive of all with compassion and love as a focus.

“Although it’s hard, I try my best to ast and visualise this every day.”

Tyron is the follow up to 2019’s Mercury Prize nominated debut album Nothing Great About Britain.

The new record features the previously released tracks NHS and Feel Away.

It sees slowthai again team up with Skepta on the track Cancelled and also features the likes of Dominic Fike, Denzel Curry and Deb Never.

While new single Mazza is a track the pair worked on more than a year ago, a lot of Tyron was recorded during the lockdown.

Talking about the album, slowthai said: “I’ve personally struggled more with my own mental health during this time and wanted to let you know that you’re not alone if you feel the same.

“However, I’m trying to do my best to stay positive and look forward on ways in which we can come out of this and make the whole world a better place for every one of us.”

Tyron is available to pre-order now at https://shop.slowthai.com/collections/bundles