Headie One’s debut album Edna was released in 2020, making him the first drill artist to have a UK Official Chart #1 album. Nearly four years on, the heavily prolific rapper from North London’s notorious Broadwater Farm estate is set to release The Last One, a 20-track masterpiece featuring a dazzling array of collaborators that’s simultaneously a closing of a chapter and the foundation for him to ascend onto a global stage.
Influenced by UK legends like Max B, Skrapz, Nines, and later artists from across the Atlantic like French Montana, Future and Post Malone, Headie has developed his own signature style and flow that has marked him out as one of Britain’s most innovative artists. His dedication to his craft has been rewarded with regular appearances in the charts – “Only You Freestyle” featuring Drake peaked at #1 in the UK Singles Chart, his fourth mixtape Music x Road reached the Top 5 in the UK Albums Chart, his collaborative mixtape with K-Trap Strength To Strength reached #4 in the charts and landed the duo a Brit Awards nomination for Best Group, while the Stormzy and AJ Tracey featuring lead single from his #1 album Edna “Ain’t It Different” peaked at #2. He demonstrated his versatility and ambition with the release of the 2020 mixtape GANG, created with Fred Again, Jamie xx and FKA twigs.
An enthusiastic collaborator, The Last One features a strong list of features (to be announced in the coming weeks). It’s a global lineup that reflects Headie’s ambitions to both honour the streets where he made his name and also address an audience across the world.
“Cry No More” featuring Stormzy is the centrepiece on an album that also features production from Skrillex, Jim Legxacy and Tay Keith, further evidence of Headie’s reluctance to stay locked into one genre. The result is a record that has worldwide appeal and a distinct London attitude – Headie’s charisma, storytelling and stunning rapping ability remain the central focus throughout.
Now he’s ready to take his music worldwide and, after travelling to Ghana earlier this year to perform, he has his sights set on America. Closer to home, Headie will debut tracks from the album at Glastonbury and will be performing the album at shows in London and across Europe.
