Today, Chiedu Oraka unveils his new single ‘Own Kind’ featuring grime titan Manga Saint Hilare, the final single from his forthcoming debut mixtape Misfit, set for release April 26 via Launchpad+/EMI North. Its release follows supporting Skepta and headlining The Line of Best Fit‘s showcase at SXSW, as well as opening for CASISDEAD on his UK headline tour.
Born from the belly of the beast in Hull’s council estates, Oraka’s bars are unflinching social poetry which portray the Black, working-class experience from the frontlines of the north – with lashings of its colourful slang for good measure. “The Black Yorkshireman” is a representative of a new sound and a fierce amplifier of stories yet to be told in the depth they deserve.
New single ‘Own Kind’ sees Chiedu Oraka join forces with Roll Deep alumni Manga Saint Hilare to take aim at the music industry’s binary-driven approach to Black artists and shares their experiences of being sidelined for not conforming to expectations.
Speaking on the track, Chiedu Oraka shares: “In this song, I’m airing out my frustrations with the UK Black music industry and its inability to cater for artists who don’t fit the generic mould. I often think if I rapped about selling drugs or committing violent crimes would my career have hit a bigger trajectory, would I be more profitable to these institutions and would my name be mentioned more when industry tastemakers decide which artists to push on their platforms? ‘Own Kind’ is a reflection of not feeling wanted by my own scene and the people who run it.“
Manga St Hilare adds: “I feel that “Own Kind” represents an energy that I’ve been running with for a while. It’s okay to be different. I’m happy being on the outside. At least when you’re an outsider, you don’t have to deal with all that fake industry pally-pally stuff. It’s about going where the love is and not chasing validation from people who don’t care. I like Chiedu’s energy on this track and his verse and chorus really resonated with me. I knew exactly what to do when he sent me it.“
1. Misfit Gang
2. Rhythm Of My Pain
3. Favourite Rapper
4. Helly Hansen 6
5. Mayne
6. Champs On My Grave
7. Own Kind (ft. Manga Saint Hilare)
8. Top 3
9. No Need
10. Counselling
11. If I Had A Fire In The Booth
12. Standing Ovation
‘Own Kind’ accompanies the announcement of his biggest project so far, Misfit, a hard-won statement of the artist Chiedu Oraka has evolved into being after defying the odds. This time, he’s going deeper on both fronts – the anthems and the message – than ever before.
He says: “Misfit is a significant body of work which will be a pivotal moment in my career so far. This project will represent my life as an often-outsider but will also help celebrate the differences that make people unique. I intend to highlight the underrepresentation of northern Black artists in the mainstream music industry, to advocate for and represent Black creators who do not fit the conventional mould.”
Photo credit – Luke Hallett