Digga D and Strandz
Becca Wheeler
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In recent years it has become standard for U.K. rappers to cite 50 Cent as an influence. J Hus arguably started the trend, regularly citing 50 as a major factor in the way he mixes hard-boiled tales from the street with pop melodies. Elsewhere, the likes of Fredo, AJ Tracey, and Nines have all namechecked the rapper and offered up a timely reminder that, away from his TV mogul status and online troll behavior, 50's music is timeless.
"Us Against The World," the new song by south London's Strandz, isn't a subtle homage to the Get Rich Or Die Tryin' era, but it is an effective one. From the opening beat to the "I like the way that you're moving around me" hook, it seems as if the M.O. in the studio was to make something the algorithm might throw on after "Candy Shop." There's an opulent feel to the production, something a sample of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles' “Who's Gonna Take The Blame" adds to, while Strandz paints a romantic image of two young lovers against the world, hustling their way toward a better life.
The newly shared remix adds a verse from drill MC Digga D, who has previously sampled 50 Cent's "21 Questions" on last year's "Hold It Down." For his part he flips the script, explaining why he needs a girl in his life as he battles cold sweats and paranoia. It's a typically smart cameo from one of the U.K.'s finest and one that pushes this past homage territory and closer to being in conversation with the original influence.