Richardine Bartee
Self-care is the best care.
Today exclusively through GRUNGECAKE, British R&B artist Alana Maria shares her spanking new video for ‘Switch It Up’ featuring Drill-Grime hybrid star rapper BackRoad Gee. It is a follow to her April release ‘Chargie’ with rising Afropop star Midas the Jagaban. As far as the production goes for this track, the chill tone of the nineties is an inspiration, and the lyrics are all about putting your needs first to get paid instead of focusing on love. The money counter in the background should let you know how real it is.
As the young singer-songwriter walks through the streets of London, she receives a text message from Backroad Gee, which calls for her attention and presence. “Yo Fam, I need you to roll with me on another”, it reads, and she replies with an eye-rolling emoji. Expressing it would be the last one, she says, “Alright snm, send me the location”, and the storyline continues.
About the record, Alana Maria shares that she loved “creating this song because it highlights the importance of putting your needs first before anyone or anything else, which is a nod to her thoughts about what makes a happy life.”
The nineties sound is what she grew up listening to, and “it triggered many nostalgic and euphoric memories” for her. “Having BackRoad Gee on the song transported it back to the present time, giving the song the perfect balance between old and new”, she concluded.
The British Bonnie & Clyde take on some opps for the bag in a warehouse. Watch the visual for the Mike Brainchild production below. If you are not familiar with his work, he has worked with Ivorian Doll and Sinead Hartnett.
