Talented London wordsmith Kae Tempest is back with his latest single, “Statue In The Square,” a song that resonates with the pulse of South London. This audio snapshot encapsulates the voices, sights, and experiences emblematic of a place and its people. Currently released via Island Records and produced by the illustrious Fraser T. Smith, “Statue In The Square” is raw and reflective, much like the streets Kae grew up on.
The song begins with muted tension that grows into an increasingly layered portrait of the world Kae occupies. Tempest is a recording artist, lyricist, poet, playwright, and author. “Statue In The Square” portrays a space steeped in memory, contradiction, and the constant hum of city life. The track plays as a line in the sand, invoking what’s real, what’s left, and worth remembering.
A video, shot in Deptford by Boy Dykes, accompanies the song and brings a physicality to its heavy subjects. The video celebrates the community from which Tempest draws inspiration and support, featuring a dynamic cast of voices, including Princess Julia, Joelle Taylor, Sweatmother, Debbie Smith, and Dr Ronx. These diverse individuals held in common become a force for collective strength, further driving the book’s themes of togetherness, resilience, and living beautifully in the mundanities of life.
On “Statue In The Square,” Kae Tempest carves out yet more of his territory in contemporary music, a middle ground of poetic lyricism and a sound not afraid to simultaneously be challenging and comforting. The song is personal and universal, encouraging you to consider where you are from and the stories brought with you.
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