Headie One x Stormzy x AJ

Headie One has hit fans with a new 2020 release 'Ain't it Different'. This latest track features both Stormzy and AJ Tracey creating a triple threat with 3 of the biggest UK artists on 1 track.

The acoustic trap beat samples the metal-rap track 'Butterfly' by Crazy Town and has very short release 808's giving the track a minimalistic feel with very stripped back instrumentation. This allows for the mc's to breathe as opposed to a busy instrumental.

Headie opens the track with his verse, using his drill flow, however, on the track the artists all use the same flow. Some could argue that it gives the track a sense of consistency and continuity but, personally, I feel that it has made all the verses homogenous so any individuality the features may have added to the track is absent.

Sometimes it is nice to hear how different artists approach the beat in different ways. 'Ain't it Different' has actively chosen not to allow this creative license when it comes to the flow and so, in regard to the vocals, it becomes boring very quickly.

AJ Tracey usually has quite a fast, grimey flow and doesn't take as many breaks as he does on this track. The same thing can be said for Stormzy.

If all the artists are using the same flow, the track may as well have been just one artist. Here, the features don't add anything different accept a different voice saying the same thing.

Considering these are the best in the UK scene right now, it is quite a disappointing track.

Headie One ft. AJ Tracey & Stormzy - 'Ain't it Different'

★ ★ ★