Over the weekend, Anthony Yarde challenged Artur Beterbiev for the light heavyweight title. Broadcast live on ESPN+ in the United States, International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley Jr. were on hand to call the fight. Prior to the opening bell, ESPN directed its cameras ringside. Sitting near the apron, heavyweight champion Tyson Fury received a warm welcome from the two champions. Then, the camera shifted toward chart-topping star Stormzy.
“I don’t know who that is,” both commentators noted as the camera slowly moved back toward the action.
Given that Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley Jr. are both older than Stormzy, it’s safe to say that they honestly just didn’t know who he was. With that said, it’s safe to say that a lot of listeners in the United States are often unaware of major stars in the U.K. While it’s not done with harm, it is oftentimes unfortunate because a ton of great music is being produced overseas at the moment. Within the space of rap, Clavish, Kojey Radical, Santan Dave, Little Simz and the aforementioned, Stormzy, are just a few of the artists out of the U.K. that are consistently putting out incredible music. Similarly, the U.K. is producing a number of great, young R&B acts. Whether it’s JVCK James or Debbie or any other artist we have covered, it’s impossible to make an R&B playlist without including a few new artists out of the U.K. Therefore, it’s pretty significant when an act like North London’s Col3trane shares a link to an artist’s music and calls them the “best new R&B artist” in the U.K.
“[This is the] best new [R&B] artist in the UK. [There’s] no doubt in my mind,” he tweeted over the weekend.
The artist Col3trane was speaking about is none other than Tejy. Based in London, Tejy stands out not only because of the support of guys like Col3trane, but also because he has a strong voice. The term voice is not simply limited to his vocals, but his visuals, production and lyrics are inextricably linked to his story. In other words.
Recently, Tejy delivered a new video for his track, “Damned If I Do.” Just in time for those who won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day in a good mood, the Alex Naim-produced track walks the London-based artist through a relationship that will not work regardless of what he does.
“Damned if I do. Damned if I don’t. Hol’up, what you need? TLC? Pull up and get this passion, expeditiously. I rented a room in a hotel suite. I said, ‘I did it fo you.’ You said, ‘I did it for me.’ Oh, either way I lose,” he sings.
“Maybe, I should move and find somebody new. Truth, I might bend the rules, but I come right back to you. That’s what a real one is supposed to do.”
“Damned If I Do” by Tejy sounds like the start of something special. Check out the visual below and put your friends on before he becomes the next big thing in R&B.
