GREY Area

Usually when I get record assigned from the list that I’ve never heard of, from an artist I’m completely unfamiliar with (especially newer records), a shiver runs up my spine, a sense of trepidation sets in and I begin to question my life choices. Can you blame me, though? Each and everyone of us has been burned by this dumb list and have had to sit through our fair share of underwhelming to straight up awful records. Well, that initial reaction couldn’t have been more unfounded with GREY Area. This is a fantastic record. Little Simz has impressive flow and the instrumentation is funky and engaging. At 35 minutes long, it’s concise, hits hard right out of the gate and doesn’t over stay its welcome. In fact, it leaves you wanting more.

lol this was the musical equivalent of those memes trashy people share on Facebook when they don't want to admit they're bottom feeders, and think everyone around them is the problem, holding them down. Just a whole heap of mindless "street philosophy" about removing toxic people from your life and being true to yourself. SPARE ME. 1/5.

I am really impressed at Little Simz' skill here. She has a lyrical deftness, a flow and capability I do not regularly hear. The brevity of the album is also a big factor here. A lot of rap albums have so much filler, skits and interludes that just... ugh. It makes it difficult for me to want to come back to the album and do a complete re-listen. Hearing the "n-word" so often I did start to tune it out. It is tough to hear in people's albums nowadays. Definitely a nice change of pace album for me. I really enjoyed this and the showcase of her skill as well as how the MC really compliments her.

The sole interesting thing about this album is the amount of actual live instrumention it employs instead of just sampling. Otherwise it can fuck off.

Damn, nice surprise here. I've never heard of her but Little Simz (and her team?) is talented. Really good lyrics/wordplay on a bunch of tracks (Offence, Venom...despite copious use of the p word, Pressure, Sherbet Sunset) and she can rap (Missy Elliott fast). Great bass lines and beats on the first two tracks (I could listen to Boss over and over) and some of the later ones (101 FM, Therapy). Tight album. Gonna have to listen to more of her music.

Very cool British hip-hop album. I enjoy her vocals and flow quite a bit. No complaints.

Anyone who is friends with Michael Kiwanuka is a friend of mine. This is the rap I’m here for

Great with some hard hitting lyrics, will listen to again

I don't need to hear any more rap before I die, thanks. Despite the general lack of misogyny (which is not surprising from a female) I continue to be offended by the casual racism.

This Little Simz album from 2019 was added as part of the newest update to 1001 albums (circa 2021). While not the newest album on the list, it is still fresh enough that it's quite bold to put it down in the list of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Regardless, Little Simz is a rapper I'm already familiar with, having released the fantastic Sometimes I Might Be Introvert in 2021 (which could very well be album of the year for me). Truly, I have few qualms about this being added to the list. Simz hits hard with her rhymes, switching up her flow and vocal styling to keep you engaged. Simz is accompanied by production from Inflo, who brings beats and structure to the songs that are unlike anything else right now. Genuinely incredible. Compared to her follow-up, I think I still prefer SIMBI for the satisfying framing and continued pushing of boundaries, but this is still a great album through and through.

who let the brits rap

I was expecting to skip this. It was better then i was expecting. I'm not into British hip hop, modern hip hop, people with little in their names. This wasn't bad. I'm not sure I'd listen again but i didn't hate it.

Little Simz is easily one of the greatest modern Hip-Hop artists even outside the UK. Her passionate and interesting lyrics work perfectly on the different beats that range from Jazz Rap to Neo-Soul. The album begins with 'Offence' that not only features a great chorus, very funny production choices but also an on-point introduction into a lot of themes the album gets into later. She couldn't have chosen a better opening track. 'Boss' shows her ability to not only write typical pop oriented songs but also Hardcore Hip Hop with a little experimental note. This song really differs from the opening track and even more from the next song. 'Selfish' is not the average Hip-Hop song. It's Neo-Soul, meaning Soul music with the usage of Hip-Hop beats and less focus on raps. The very emotional singing, the short but nice Rap verse and the very memorable chorus make this a highlight of this project. The next song 'Wounds' has a chorus that brings in a Reggae perfomance onto a Trip Hop inspired beat. Something that sounds like it shouldn't work but it does! I only think that it goes on for a little bit too long. Now to the song that everyone knows: 'Venom' has become a short but wide spread internet phenomenon due to the subject matter of this song being female empowerment and with the incredible hook it became a standard in the feminism Tik Tok. For me that kind of destroyed the song as a lot of women used the song in a very cringe way and in the end did the exact opposite of what Simz intended. Still, a genius song! The second half starts with another big highlight: '101 FM'. Bringing in elements of classic chinese music and an incredible flow from Simz, the song is without a doubt one of the best in her whole catalogoue. 'Pressure' starts with a nice Jazz piano and keeps a low pace, contradicting the very fast-paced rapping. In the second half of the song is a more upbeat beat, still slower than Simz rapping. The feature is also really nicely worked into the song. In the end, the piano returns to slowly end the song. With the next song 'Therapy' Little Simz gets into some great storytelling that goes in depth on her own problems (hence the name). A deep song supported by a great produced beat. 'Sherbet Sunset' for some reason feels like a Kendrick Lamar song to me. But because I'm an absolute Kendrick glazer (except DAMN. that is a mediocre album) that only makes this song better. I love the chorus, it just feels so warm and soulful. This incredible album closes with 'Flowers' which is my least favourite song but still I like the build-up on the beat with the trumpets and the choral singing in the background of it. Overall an incredible Hip-Hop album, pretty much as good as it gets. And tbh I was really close to giving this album a 10. favourites: Offence, Selfish, 101 FM, Venom least favourites: Flowers, Wounds (both still great) Rating: decent to strong 9 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

5 stars. This album was great. Catchy, interesting and creative

I like her. Has a Guy Ritchie vibe. She could easily score any Ritchie or Soderburgh movie. Selfish is a beauty of a track. Wounds sounds like an Eminem track. VENOM! So much being said there. I need to revisit that one. This was a true project. Tons of work, talent, hooks, beats, all of it. If you're going to make a hip hop record today, this is required listening.

Little Simz provides a refreshing perspective through her lyrics + "Wounds" sounds super slick.

Don't know this. Don't like this. Don't care about this. For me this whole project is about listening to groundbreaking or influential albums or even masterpieces that have shaped their respective styles. So why bother us with a random dime-a-dozen modern rap album?

amazing 6/5

Bops on bops on bops. I've been craving some more modern female MCs that I vibed with, and this delivered that and more.

Tops. Voice, lyrics, beats. Vibes. You’re not ready for pussy in power. Venom.”

First time that I heard it, it didn't impress me that much. However repeated listens showed me how brilliant this record is. Her rhyme schemes work masterfully with the laidback yet creative production.

Nothing great, boring to OK at best.

I tried to find any pretext to rate this album with 4 stars, but I couldn't. I am fascinated. GREY area explores flawlessly diverse textures and engages the listener song after song.

Surprisingly good.

Impressive flow and lyrics

Excellent, progresses while keeping you in your toes.

Outstanding, significant, meaningful, entrancing. I should have listened to her before.

2019 will go down as the best year of the decade without a doubt, wish I was across this in real time but listening to it in 2022 will have to do. There are some absolutely massive tracks on this.

Great rap album out of the UK

Surprisingly laidback and Contemplative for something in the modern grime Era, and I am certain Little Simz has a career for many years to come with this unique take on the sound.

Muy disfrutable. Una grata sorpresa en esta reentrada a la dinámica de los 100001 discos. Me seguí con sus otros discos. Mood: baked

Modern, yet timeless rap album that non rap loving listener can still love

a good find

immediately replayed for a second time and then a third.

Little Simz is the next big thing in hio hop. This record and 2021's "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" are definite proof

Wow! This is great! Low key beats and awesome flow. Love the accent on the raps.

This album came up on the list as I was discovering Little Simz through her newest album, "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert." I already knew from repeated listens of that album that I liked her as an artist. GREY Area grooves just as well. It's perhaps a little more aggressive than its follow-up. It does stay strong from start to finish though. Boss has an amazing beat and I love the keyboards at the end of the track. She has amazing wordplay on all of the tracks and both the words and the beats stay with you long after the album is over. Apart from Boss I'd say my favorites are Wounds, Venom, Therapy and Sherbet Sunset.

GREY Area They play LIttle Simz on 6 music quite a bit, but it’s always tended to pass me by a bit, so it’s nice to give this a go. The first 3 tracks in particular are superb but it’s very good throughout. The drum pattern on Offence, with the excellent bass is fantastic, and I love the flutes and strings. The bass riff on Boss is also great, a proper head nodding beat. I’ve heard Selfish quite a bit without really knowing it, but the hook is great and the jazzy piano driving the rhythm is lovely. Wounds is a nice downbeat and sad contrast to the ebullience of the first two tracks and the jazziness of Selfish. Venom has a great ominous feel to it and some excellent sexual swear words. 101 FM I’ve definitely heard before, the east Asian inspired synth line is fantastic, and I like its nostalgia themed lyric, it’s only slightly let down by the Giles Peterson sounding DJ bits. Pressure feels quite Michael Kiwanuka with a nice rapid delivery before the Little Dragon parts. Nice track. Therapy’s good too, nice bass and a very good hook and I like the almost LCD Soundsystem sounding beat of Sherbert Sunset, with more great bass. And then Kiwanuka does appear on Flowers, which is a nice soulful jazzy end to the album. Delivery-wise she takes a bit of getting used to, but I really like her flow, and lyrically, particularly on Boss, it may not be for the kids of grandparents but I like her point of view and descriptions of her experiences and general ruminations on things. It’s an easy, solid 4, looking forward to listening to it some more, and the next one after this, which is supposed to be even better. 🩶🩶🩶🩶 Playlist submission: Offence

Review of Grey Area by Little Simz Little Simz’s third studio album, Grey Area, released in 2019, is a masterclass in sharp lyricism, raw emotion, and musical innovation. Clocking in at just over 35 minutes, the album packs an incredible punch, showcasing Simz’s versatility and growth as an artist. From the opening track, “Offence,” Simz sets the tone with unapologetic confidence and defiant energy, proclaiming, “I said it with my chest and I don’t care who I offend.” This boldness threads through the album, making it as much a personal manifesto as a musical journey. The production, helmed by Inflo, is impeccable—seamlessly blending gritty beats with soulful undertones and live instrumentation. Tracks like “Selfish,” featuring Cleo Sol, offer a softer, melodic reprieve while still exploring themes of self-empowerment. Meanwhile, “Venom” dives into darker territory, with Simz’s rapid-fire delivery cutting through the eerie, string-heavy production as she confronts systemic oppression and gender inequality. What makes Grey Area so compelling is its balance of vulnerability and strength. On “Sherbet Sunset,” Simz opens up about heartbreak, painting a vivid picture of emotional turbulence, while “101 FM” takes a nostalgic look back at her journey from bedroom studios to international acclaim. Simz’s storytelling is both deeply personal and universally relatable, capturing the complexities of adulthood, identity, and ambition. Her ability to oscillate between introspection and bravado keeps the listener hooked throughout. In Grey Area, Little Simz solidifies her place as one of the most important voices in contemporary hip-hop. It’s an album that demands attention, rewards multiple listens, and cements her reputation as an artist unafraid to push boundaries. Rating: 9/10 A concise yet impactful body of work that is as bold as it is introspective, Grey Area is a modern classic.

Jazz-rap, funky and spacey beats, lyrics and flows are incredible. Unique artist, loved this. Great album.

Some decent smooth and jazzy production and a reasonably interesting flow. She’s got a fair amount to say with some interesting introspection. Just not a massive fan of her tone and the whole thing was a bit down tempo for me.

Well, I think this is the best British rapper that I've been served on this list. I can say that. I can also say that she at least sounds modern in the era that she's working in, unlike many of the other British rap entries on this list. It's fine. I don't get why this album in particular was singled out (other than that it was British), but it's at least fine. I still haven't gotten a Kendrick album on this list yet, though, at that fact becomes more glaring every time that I get an album by a British rapper who I've never heard of 3/5

I feel a bit of presh that I've never been that into Lil Simz and everyone creamz about her. I enjoyed some songs more than others, but general just ambivalence. Soz

It's a good enough album. Some standouts feature novel and effective instrumentation - ie - the opener, pressure, sherbert sunshine But too much just fades together. The main question - why is this anywhere near this list? Not bad. But 1 of 1001. Not so much.

Not my favorite taste. Interesting instrumental arrangements

Objectively a good record, but I still haven't clicked with British rap. Blimey crumpets, god save the king or whatever. Feels weird to say that instead of "God save the queen". I have nothing to say about this, I'm just writing random words.

I was wondering when I would get my first rap album. Expected Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop, Eminem, Jay-Z, NWA, Biggie, or any other of the pioneers of rap. Instead I got a no name, marginally talented, British rapper that no one has heard of. Trying not to let that effect my rating, listening to this with an open mind, it still was below average at best.

Well this is fucking terrible

I’ll paraphrase her ‘she’s just a bad jayzee’

Solid album but understandably unheard of. Inspired by Fugees and maybe Mereba.. 3/5

Didn’t hate it but it’s not my thing. Liked her voice and the song with Michael Kiwanuka

Production sounds good but this isn’t my jam.

meh

… it’s eh 101 FM was a cool song, I liked the production for the album but i’ll die before I call a mf brit a “good rapper” I have a deep hatred for those wankers that think they can rap so honestly i’m kind of on chaotic ends in this album, great beats, terrible vocals/rap I’ll give it a 4/10

This at least proves that female rap artists can be just as crap as their male counterparts. Score 1 for equality I guess. Just as all rap albums the problem is not so much the music but the awfully annoying vocals that makes this such an assault on the ears.

Good, just not my style.

I don't think there was anything in this that I liked

First listen. Never heard of him before. Not for me.

Not for me.

It feels like I’ve been giving a lot of 5s lately but if Pearl Jam got one, this deserves a 6. Little Simz kills it and the production is top tier. No skips at all. The drop on Venom is insane.

venom.... 😈😈

Solid! Lyrical genius with a beautiful flow! 5/5

Great rhymes and great back beats from beginning to end. All with no friggin' autotune. Leave it to the brits to take hip hop and do it better. Welcome surprise.

Absolute banger from a hugely talented artist. Love this recent addition to the list <3 Many great songs: Selfish, 101 FM, Pressure, to name a few favourites.

"Some people reads the Alchemist and still never amount to shit" I believe I listened to most of this years ago and it stood out but slipped through the cracks. I've listened to her 2022 project and grew eager to see where Little Simz would go. I was great to finally absorb this more and pick up on the lyrics and overall narrative. Listening to this after Lauryn Hill also gave me an interesting perspective due to them having many of the same themes but 20 years and an entire continent apart. The synth on Boss feels like something Tyler, the Creator/Roy Ayers would add for texture and its beautiful. They layering and mixing on Venom is otherworldly adding suspense and unease to her career in a male dominated field. Therapy and Sherbet Sunset also stood out. Lots of variety and no reliance on features. Excited to hear what she does on Lotus in June.

Very good. Listened to it twice. Reminded me of tribe called quest but edgier.

Fire

This is just so good.

Waar Nirvana het boegbeeld van begin jaren 90 was, zal Little Simz later misschien bekend staan als het boegbeeld van eind de jaren 10, begin jaren 20. En ook dit is een fantastisch album. De drie albums die hierna komen? Minstens even goed. 4.5

Made me discover a new artist who became an instant favourite. Great music and I love when I can understand the words!

Amazing album! Great artist that deliveres a fantastic experience. Love it!

I like the distortion and horn elements

Not my usual thing, but I actually really liked it. Have listened about 3 times already.

I came in with kinda low expectations which is honestly the way to do this list. I was blown away. Loved the wide amount of instruments involved. I was thinking it was giving me slight Michael Kiwanuka vibes and he collabs on the last track! Venom was a highlight for me but I loved it all a lot.

yeah yeah yeah this is the stuffffff

incredible album. one of, if not THE best female rapper to come out of the UK.

Hard to express how happy I am that Simz is getting recognition on a list like this. I'm tons of people will be unimpressed and not understand her inclusion but she's one of my favorite musicians so I am going to celebrate it. This particular album is simple, concise, but still has a feel all its own with just very high quality in every aspect - instrumentals, lyricism, and performance. I would say it's pretty subtle in most of these aspects; it won't hit you over the head or might not be mindblowing at any point, but just undeniably fantastic. Simz truly is a Boss in a f***ing dress. 9/10

All time great

Blown away by this album, I do already like her Introvert album but this album really shows how diluted rap has become, relying too much on sampling and voice changers. This brings it back to its core.

5/5 Simz's straight, passionate, killer flows permeate the fantastic varied instrumentals brilliantly. There are catchy hooks and elements of lush production foreshadowing SIMBI, but GREY Area has its own energy. From the dark Venom to the bass-driven Boss to the east Asian-video game infused 101 FM, it's simply a tight, consistent album of well-written bangers. Inflo and Simz deserve their place as one of the best rapper-producer duos of the modern era. Offence 4.5/5 Boss 5/5 (FAV) Selfish 5/5 Wounds 5/5 Venom 4.5/5 101 FM 4/5 (LEAST FAV) Pressure 4.5/5 Therapy 5/5 Sherbet Sunset 5/5 Flowers 4.5/5

Simz, hva kan jeg si

awesome

cliseitä cliseitä... ei kiinnosta kun ei heikkouksia arvoida vaan albumia arvoidaan ei heikkouksia...

From the top, I'm inclined to like Little Simz. Oh, and not because SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE INTROVERT was such a highly acclaimed album, bo; I haven't even heard it. No, it's actually 'coz she already has the "Gorillaz feature" seal of approval. I figure, hey, if I like her there, I'm probably bound to dig her on her own shit. Which, I mean, that isn't a **100%** rule (Martina Topley-Bird was on a Gorillaz song and I didn't like MAXINQUAYE at all, even if it hasn't **her** album), but I get the feeling following it will land more hits than misses. And, hey — I'd consider this another hit. Like, as someone who's melody first, this thing has some damn good beats. "Offence", for real? Dang. "101FM", too. I just hadda groove to it in my seat. On that front alone, it gets good marks from me. Then there's Little Simz as a rapper — a British rapper, specifically. Now, sure, there's a lot of points over the album where I thought to myself, "Is this the only tone of voice she's gonna have the whole album? Everything, in this one tone of voice? Goodness." On a lesser album, that sort of thing would've dropped the whole project down a few points — "Try a bit more variety," y'know? "Try being **interesting**." But, I'unno, matched with these beats and the topics I was able to catch... I'unno, it kept me engaged. It all just worked. You back her up with a few stellar features (including, hey, someone else with the Gorillaz seal, Little Dragon), and... Ahh, goodness. It's all so good. (The entire thing's not even 40 minutes, too, so, dang, this thing goes down pretty easy, I think.) So, this album did the best thing it really could have: make me actually wanna go and check out SOMETIMES I MIGHT BE INTROVERT. "If Little Simz is this good here, imagine if **that** lives up the hype!" On the fact of that alone I could give this a 4. But judging it on its own merits — heck, I'll bump it to a 5. Honestly, I really did enjoy it that much. No "grey area" for me. (I mean, is it cheesy to shove in the album title like that as a closing line? I'unno. But I'm tellin' yah: the Gorillaz seal of approval works.)

As someone who only knew Simz from her collab with Gorillaz, this really impressed me with how much I dug it, especially considering the other British rap/hiphop artists we've gotten on our journey so far. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 5. This album has a very unique balancing act to follow, and it rides that tightrope incredibly well. This is an album that deconstructs toxic confidence, yet still portrays a healthy confidence while lifting up female empowerment. It shows the honest struggle of a devil-may-care attitude, yet still shows the honesty of wanting to make an impact, both at a local and global level. It’s an album that attempts to find beauty in tragedy, and yet, no matter how hard she tries, she never quite succeeds at finding it. That last one’s not a diss at her; it’s a testament to her songwriting that she refuses to sugarcoat this stuff, but still manages to present it in such a captivating way. It’s a very push-and-pull driven album, a lot of which feels based on her own personal experiences, and that honesty is what truly sells this album. I can’t think of many current rappers that could pull an album like this off – so much of modern mainstream rap culture, save for a handful of artists, places value within the material things, so to get an album like this, one that tries to lift up the soul itself as the core of all earthly possessions is such a welcome message & a breath of fresh air. It’s also a breath of fresh air to get an artist I’m familiar with – Little Simz is fantastic, and while I hadn’t listened to this album before today, I have heard her 2021 album “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert”, which genuinely deserves a spot on the 1,001 albums list as much as this one does. This was great – really strong production throughout, the occasional showcase of some crazy flows, great storytelling & lyricism across the board, and it’s just a really tight 35 minutes that leaves no stone unturned. I do think “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” is an even better album, but this one easily sets the framework in motion for that album to exist and thrive like it has. I really liked this; easy 5 for my tastes.

A modern classic, maybe my favourite British rap album tbh. Fave Tracks: Offence, Boss, Selfish, 101FM, Pressure, Sherbet Sunset 4.5/5

I had only heard a few tracks from Little Sims, but she is incredible, great dark beats and lyrics and flow to match. Really all tracks are mint this is a must listen too. Stand out tracks: - Offence - Boss - Wounds - Venom - Therapy - Flowers

Little Simz is one of my favourite artist of the 2020s and definitely my favourite rapper. I saw her in concert a few years back and it was probably one of the best concerts I've been to. My favourite album by her is "Sometimes I Might Be Introvert" which is way more laid-back and jazzy than this. I think that album is too new for this list, being released in 2021. Anyway, on to this album. I really like the beats and vibes of this album. The beats are aggressive and Simz rhymes flows are just great. Coming out swinging from the get go with "Offence". The most famous track is "Venom" and it might be the first Simz track I heard. Her raps are not the strongest on that track but man the drum beat after the word "Venom" is really great. "101 FM" is also one of my favourite tracks on the album as well as "Selfish" and "Sherbet Sunset" which is more like the later album. All in all as always high quality from "Simz" and while it's not my favourite album by her it still deserves a 5.

Best yet VENOM

Seriously some of the coolest beat production I've heard on an album since Dre. There so much musicality in them and you don't get the feeling that you're just listening to a back track only there to give the rapper something to flow off of, but it's an integral part of the song. And the grime scene lyrics are so good. I can really appreciate a break from the whole 'bitches ain't shit but hoes and tricks' shit. There's a lot of variety on this one too. There's not just one style of beat, there isn't just one flow. Everything you want to see in a rap album.

Great lyricism for most songs

I haven't been this blown away by a 'recent' record in some time. From the first note it draws you in. Every song gives more. Beautiful words. Jaw-dropping style and delivery. Production on point. A perfect album Stone cold *5

Little simz has bars! Thought this was very good. Listened twice. Never heard her before. Nice to have some UK rap on the list. Really good flow and writing I thought, and of substance too. Highlights: Venom 101 FM Pressure I'll be back. 4

This is way more interesting than I expected it to be. Her flow is pretty good and the music is also dope. Usually I really despise Rap at all. This is good music.

lyrical mastery

Really solid album. Incredibly varied but with a distinct tone and character shining through. I hadn’t heard of Little Sims before this and I’m really glad this project made me aware of her.

As one of the latest additions to 1001 Albums to Hear Before You Die, it’s easy to be sceptical of Grey Area. Don’t be. In just 36 minutes, Little Simz delivers a masterclass in lyrical precision over a simultaneously modern and timeless production that fuses jazz flourishes with the grit of hip-hop and grime. The inclusion of live instrumentation adds a fresh dynamic. Tackling relationships, the struggles of adulthood, and mental health, Simz remains assertive throughout, dropping truth bombs with confidence—even when confronting the darkest moments. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? No Would this release make my personal list? Strong candidate Will I be listening to it again? For sure

Really cool jazz hip hop. 5/5

Absolutely incredible, very powerful