Liquid Love
A 1 track jazz rap/hip-hop single (4m 16s) — released February 14th 2024 on First Word Records
First Word Records is proud to bring you 'Liquid Love' - another absolute classic UK Hip Hop cut from Essa (previously known as Yungun), released digitally for the first time on Valentine's Day 2024.
Whilst First Word celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, it also sees the 20th anniversary of Essa's debut album 'The Essance' (which was released under his previous artist name, Yungun). This debut full-length from the master lyricist is widely regarded as a classic of the genre. Having been unavailable for many years, we are delighted to say we are now releasing it for the FIRST TIME EVER on vinyl and digital at the end of February!
'Liquid Love' is one of the all-time great Hip Hop love songs, and a bonafide underground staple from UK Hip Hop's own "golden era", influencing a huge number of artists.
This certified gem is produced by the legendary DJ Harry Love, the pioneering producer responsible for a slew of UK Hip Hop classics, including Klashnekoff's 'Murda', Jehst's 'Alcoholic Author', Blak Twang's 'U Know' and many more.
In Essa's words "although this was just an 'album cut', it's one of the most impactful records of my career. I've had people tell me that listening to this song helped them through tough times. Writing it did the same for me. The events of the story are not true, but the emotions are. I was low and heartbroken when Harry played me the beat down the phone. The eerie piano and hard drums felt haunting at first, but took on a deeply poignant feel when the sweet vocal harmonies poured in. The beat itself began telling the story of the bittersweet feeling of heartbreak. With that as the foundation, once the extended water metaphor idea came, the rest wrote itself. This song was heavily inspired by "The Hypnotic" by The Roots. I'm proud to know that, in turn, other artists have been inspired by this song."
The artwork for this single is made up of Essa's original hand-written lyrics from the time he wrote the song.
Nothing could be more apt to drop on you for Valentine's Day.
Stream / Download 'Liquid Love' on all DSPs now.
'The Essance' is available on vinyl & digital from February 23rd 2024.
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