Chelsea Jade - I Have (ft. Signal)

We've all felt small. We've all felt like we were being judged and treated less than and there are times when those feelings can seem like all we have in our life but if we dig deep inside and find that voice that will lead us out of the dark, we can stand tall and strong. Chelsea Jade is giving light to those feelings. Taking the stigma out of talking about that doubt and fear is the first step in holding your head high and being proud of where you're at in life. These aren't generally the thoughts and ideas we expect to be sung about but when they are handled as expertly as they are with "I Have", it has the power to open a dialog and give power back to those that have had the power taken from them.

I was first made aware of Chelsea as a guest vocalist on grime artist Signal's track, "Basic" and now he has repaid the favor by providing a rap on this track. His particular brand of lyricism is amazing as his flow is creative and easy. His word play is thoughtful and intelligent and creates an experience within the song. He and Chelsea pair well together as they both flow across the beat like a leaf on the wind. They have an atmospheric quality to both of their styles that pair well together like they've been doing this as a group for years. Sometimes when you have a guest vocalist, it can sound gimmicky and neither one of them do on their respective tracks. They feel like they are the missing puzzle piece that bring it all together. I look forward to hearing more from both artists separately as well as together.

Signal - Basic (ft. Chelsea Jade)

Life in the shadow of the tower block has never been easy for anyone and the best you can do sometimes is the best you can do. Seeing Signal in his environment with his friends and family reminiscing about life and where he's come from and what's influenced him are all at the heart of his track. Seeing archival footage of a young Signal coming up against the slow, methodical jam and brilliant guest vocals by the lovely Chelsea Jade make this video a stunner. It's a slow burn that mirrors the attitudes and opinions we have when people think they know more about us than they really do. It takes them and makes all the noise and static void and they get passed onto the basic category. People that spend more time minding your business than they do their own, passing judgment on you and deciding for you what's best in your life. Those are basic bitches. People that have nothing better to do than to make assumptions about who you are and where you've been and the kind of stuff you're made of. It's a frustrating situation but you have to continually remind yourself that those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter.

The song is this boozy, slow burn that just meanders from start to front. It doesn't get in a hurry for anyone. It takes it's time and does what it needs to do. It's got a message and it delivers it as it needs to. Much like people deciding for you, this song doesn't care what you think It's going to get there when it gets there. Hearing Signal talk about his life and his crew and being accepting of all even when there are those that don't offer the came courtesy is a pretty astounding thing. Instead of get bitter and hate on those that have hated on him, he's taken his experiences and turned them into something better. Working on making himself something more. And that's what we have to do. Every day has to be a little better than the one before and we have to shake off the negativity and be part of something bigger.