Lately, the UK underground garage scene has been missing fresh faces and tunes, but luckily Louis Ottley came to change that. The newcomer has big plans to shake up the music world with his debut single ‘YOU WHA M8’, released on November 22nd. It’s his vision of Britpunk with a modern twist, mixed with a bit of UK hip-hop influences.
Born in Berlin and raised in Birmingham, the experiences and influences of the big city life have had on the artist can be heard in ‘YOU WHA M8’, a track that sounds like it was made to be played in the background of a “Skins” scene: In 2:16 minutes Louis angrily belts out everything that is wrong with the world, accompanied by a fast-paced beat of bass and drums.
Shouting about how he’s been “breaking out of the town, I been breaking them bricks / I got outta down I was dodging the sticks”, Louis Ottley voices his frustration and brutally honest opinions. He is angry at the world, or, as he puts it, “complains for a living”. His opinions are loud and strong, and he screams them at the listener just as loud. At times a bit provocative, his “thoughts on the current mess we call reality” are meant to be heard, aiming to get a reaction out of the listener as he sings about “Whities acting woke, still inhaling cold”.
Paired with some catchy riffs and heavy, screechy guitar sounds, it makes for the perfect recipe to bring a fresh perspective to the British underground scene. ‘YOU WHA M8’ is an anthem for the rebellious, for those not turning a blind eye on the conflicts of today’s world, as it’s loudly calling out the status quo and all the issues Louis Ottley has had to deal with as a black artist.
The track is raw and loud, ever so honest and ends with a hint of frustration, with the musician admitting that he “needs a break”. Though that does not mean that Louis has given up – if anything, this song has proven the opposite. Louis Ottley has come to bring a wake-up call to the music scene: He’s had enough and he’s here to make a change.
Written by: Svenja Nowak
Edited by: Noah F.
