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 out 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.

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.

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.

Great with some hard hitting lyrics, will listen to again

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.”

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

who let the brits rap

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.

awesome

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.

Ce projet d'écouter 1001 albums (et quelques bonus) vient de m'apporter de nouveau une très belle découverte. Sorti en 2019, "GREY Area" de Little Simz est un album de rap anglais percutant. Avec un débit élastique, un flow nerveux, une voix uppercut et souple, cet album est un concentré parfait de modernité et d’influences old school. Produit par Inflo, cet album est tantôt brut et puissant, tantôt mélodique et envoûtant. Piochant dans des influences parfois punk, parfois R’n’B/Soul/Lounge, voire carrément horrifiques et cinématographiques, et même dans des sonorités qu’on penserait tout droit venues du continent asiatique, "GREY Area" surprend continuellement. Little Simz y aborde sa vie, ses propres névroses en faisant son auto-thérapie et, par la même occasion, en profite pour fermer quelques bouches. Elle assume également son énorme égo, et se défend de travailler dur et de ne pas avoir volé sa réussite. Au final, j'ai été agréablement surpris par cette artiste que je ne connaissais pas et je commence sérieusement à m'y intéresser en écoutant ses autres productions. Un beau 5/5

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

no notes, made me cum

This album is a lyrical masterpiece that blends grit with grace. The British rapper's flow is smooth as butter and her lyrics hit harder than a heavyweight boxer. She tackles everything from societal issues to personal struggles with a raw honesty that's both refreshing and empowering. It's a must-listen for anyone who appreciates intelligent, thought-provoking hip-hop.

fimma simz cookaði

I listened to sometimes i may be introvert before this one, but it's cool to see how Little Simz tone and clear understanding of her strengths and weaknesses sounds just as good over a glitchier electronic style album as it does over R&B and soul samples.

August 16, 2024 HL: "Selfish", "Wounds", "Venom", "101 FM", "Pressure", "Flowers" My curiosity about this album soared after getting the 2021 edition of the book. The front cover: Nevermind by Nirvana, very famous album cover, makes sense. Back cover: a black-and-white picture of, well, somebody I had never seen before. Oh, it's English rapper Little Simz! Side-by-side with Nirvana? Alright. I didn't actually listen to the whole thing before today, but I put on 2021's S.I.M.B.I. after the Simz hype finally reached me... this year. Actually that's not accurate, since I bought both this CD & Kiwanuka in a mall, after recognizing both artists from the book, *over a year ago*. Didn't think it would take this long to get either of them on the generator, but I can finally say the purchase was worth it. After acclimating to certain tracks like "Venom", "I Love You, I Hate You" (SIMBI), and "Gorilla" (2022's No Thank You), throughout the past year, I'm not exactly surprised that I like this whole album. The rawness of "Sherbet Sunset" & "Boss", next to the beauty in "Selfish" & "Flowers", delineates how fine-tuned the elements of Grey Area are; never overpowering each other, and often existing simultaneously (e.g. "101 FM") I haven't been the most enthusiastic about hip-hop recently (let alone British hip-hop) but to me, this is up there with the greats.

This slaps - her flows are awesome and the production is sick, and as others have noted, it's short and sweet - no skit bloat on this album! As an aside, I was listening to Herbie Hancock's "Head Hunters" immediately before this, and the backing track on "Offence" could absolutely have been a "Head Hunters" bonus track - confused me for a second there! 😆 Fave tracks - as well as "Offence", "Venom" is absolutely BADASS - gave me spine tingles!

The first album by Little Simz I heard was Sometimes I Might Be An Introvert and I was very impressed but I never went back and listened to this album and now I wish I had. GREY Area is incredible. The production is so meticulously crafted by Inflo utilizing some insane instrumentation, samples and drums. If you’re a fan of this album you should check out Inflo’s other project Sault which I’m also a fan of. Little Simz has some amazing flows and lyrics that kept me locked in for the whole ride. Always good to see Little Dragon getting a feature as well as Cleo Soul and Michael Kiwanuka, all phenomenal artists. The only downside to this album is that’s it’s over so quickly but it’s very effective to have 10 bangers at 35 minutes as opposed to a more overstuffed project. I’ll be repeating this one for a couple days.

Ah, nice choice. Little Simz is probably the best rapper about today, certainly the most interesting. Great flow, great lyrics, great beats, tinged with soul and jazz, and dirty great bass lines. What else do you want? Didn't know this record but I loved Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. That's even more genre-hopping and boundary pushing than this. However this is just over half the length, real nice and concise. Best tracks, Venom, Therapy, Flowers

Surprisingly lo-fi in places, sounds almost like a mo'wax record, but also British and urban and modern. Loved it all.

Really good rap record. First I had heard of Little Simz but one of my favorites. Offence is good. Selfish is great. There's a great line about how reading the Alchemist some times don't amount to shit which is funny/true. She's got a cool voice and great production.

Hard

Introvert by Little Simz is an album I really like, so when this came up I was really excited to get into it - I’ve heard it before, but as I knew Introvert better that was my go to so this was always second. I have been living my life wrong - this is better and (I think) will be my first 5 star album from this list. It made me happy, it made me tear up, and most importantly it made me think of Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage. Favourite track: Sherbet Sunset.

No grey area here. Solid five star performance.

I really enjoyed this album. It's fresh.

Really like her beats and the minor keys she uses. Australian accent? Accent is cool too.

From 'Offence' through 'Selfish', 'Venom', and 'Therapy' there's basically nothing I would like to be different on 'GREY Area'. Little Simz is a phenomenon.

GREY Area is the album where you started to realize that Little Simz could be one of the greatest rappers of her generation.

Awesome record - short poignant - aggressive in the beginning - introspective towards the end - kind of M.I.A without the conspiracy theories.

absolutely amazing love her sm

Modern classic

This is a great album, a repeat for me.

Very much in my comfort zone. UK rap is one of my favorite genres. No skips, awesome album.

Very well made album! The lyrics were beautiful, so deep and full of stories. I listened to this album multiple times

Really good album -- I was suprised. Little Simz has some great music. Love Venom.

Offence? Zersch denkt "hella yeah da tönt ja richtig geil" aber wtf macht de *Bugs Bunny running* Soundeffekt im Hintergrund?? I guess artistic liberty aber wer chan sich mit sowas im hintergrund die musik unironically geh? De rest findi aber echt sehr guet und han sogar es lied zwei uf mini liked playlist due. 4.7/5