ArrDee Discusses New Single ‘Different’ and Hints at a Major Project

ArrDee has shared insights into his new single ‘Different’, his eagerly-awaited debut album, and the current state of UK rap.

The Brighton star released his fifth track of the year recently – ‘Different’ – which samples The Shapeshifters’ debut single ‘Lola’s Theme’. The 21-year-old artist skillfully blends this house classic with his signature pop-drill style.

Speaking at Silverstone Circuit, he humorously mentioned that the song addresses “these girls that keep telling [him] they’re different [and] not like these other women,” and that he was “bored of hearing it”.

He elaborated, “It sounds kind of dark, and [‘Lola’s Theme’] is quite uplifting. You play that at the end of most raves and parties, and everybody comes to life. I wanted my take on it to have the same effect, so we played with the beat a bit more. Shout out to TSB, who’s a very cold producer, and the rest wrote itself.”

The ‘Oliver Twist’ rapper admitted the process to get the sample cleared was “long” and “weird”, a common issue in the current sampling era.

“Five or six of them cleared it straight away, and one was a bit hard to track down,” he shared. “But we got there eventually, and everyone involved in the original song loves my take on it, which is always a good sign that we got their blessing.”

‘Different’ is set to feature on the “big project” ArrDee has been working on for several years. This will be his first LP since his debut mixtape ‘Pier Pressure’ in 2022.

In discussing the new album, ArrDee revealed it will have “all kinds of flavours.”

“It may feel like I’ve been saying forever that I’m working on a big project, but I truly have been,” he said. “We don’t want to release anything unless we’re completely proud of it.”

Fans can expect some amapiano and Afrobeats songs, along with deep, meaningful hip-hop tracks and the “original drill sound” he is known for.

“I don’t like to confine myself to one genre,” ArrDee added. “You see me dipping in and out of various scenes, showing a little love to the drum and bass scene as well.”

He talked about his approach to creating new sounds, emphasizing the importance of organic collaborations with international artists.

Teasing a joint track with rising Afropop star Shallipopi, he said, “If I’m collaborating with him, I won’t go into the studio and play drill instrumentals because that’s more my style, and it might not showcase his talents in the best way.”

The rapper hasn’t announced the release date or title for the project but noted it’s “near the end, it’s actually a little bit of a joke at this point.”

“We’ve had it ready for a while,” he said. “But the scene is fluctuating so much that it [needs] the best music and the best chance of performing well. Some songs get swapped out, then put back in, and then taken out again if they fit the current vibe better.”

When asked about what fans can expect, he hinted at a “level up” without giving away too much.

“I’ve got a few things coming out that’ll answer a lot of questions about where I’ve been,” he told NME. “I think everyone needs to understand that I blew up when I was 18, and I’m growing up in front of you all. It’s all new to me, and people go through things, man. I’m human too. This project will show my evolution and deepen my connection with my fans.”

Earlier this year, ArrDee released ‘If The Shoe Fits’, his first solo track of the year, which took aim at the UK rap scene. Explaining his decision to release the song, he noted the country’s significant influence on the global rap industry and the need for constant evolution.

“Everybody needed a bit of a wake-up call,” he said. “My brand is about being cheeky, speaking my mind, and doing what I want. That’s how I approach my music.”

The song was inspired by the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud, sampling ‘Like That’ – a Metro Boomin-produced track that sparked tensions between the two rappers.

ArrDee also mentioned his admiration for the grime scene and its influence on him, particularly the rap battles between Chip and Bugsy Malone in 2015, which brought grime back into the mainstream.

He expressed his desire for up-and-coming UK rap artists to create impactful hits in the charts, clubs, and on TikTok, citing his own success with tracks like the remix of Russ and Tion Wayne’s ‘Body’ and ‘Oliver Twist’.

“I feel it’s been a while since a new rap star emerged with a big hit,” he said. “Where are the UK hits that live on for a while?”

“Some people thought I was dissing UK rap, but that’s wrong. I have a passion and love for it. I don’t want to see it fade away. Everyone in the scene needs to work to keep it vibrant.”

He praised artists like LeoStayTrill, Ghetts, Kairo Keyz, and Pozer, while also asserting, “It’s about time I get my flowers, how about that?”

Last year, ArrDee made his film debut in the British gangster sequel ‘Rise Of The Footsoldier: Vengeance’. In an exclusive chat, he shared that co-star Craig Fairbrass taught him “to try and be in the moment as much as possible.”

Reflecting on his acting experience, ArrDee said, “Branching out is something I always knew I’d do eventually, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I’m definitely open to bigger roles in the future.”

In other news, the rapper recently announced a lingerie line called ArrDoubleDee’s, though there’s no release date yet for this venture.

Source: NME, WireImage