Blossoming Afro-Latina rapper BIA is quickly becoming one of hip-hop’s most electric female emcees. From rocking her “jewelry at the bodega” to spitting verses alongside Dreamville’s J. Cole, the pair are equally as posh on their new UK-inspired single “LONDON.”
Off the back of her 2020 album For Certain, BIA’s return to the spotlight triumphantly comes with yet another high profile collaboration. Boasting features from Lil Durk, G Herbo and the instantly viral Nicki Minaj, the “Besito” wordsmith has not only firmly positioned herself as one of the game’s most notable female lyricists, but stunned J. Cole in their first studio session together.
The D-Day curator — who has been long known for his unequivocally robust feature verses — gifted BIA her flowers when the track dropped Thursday night (April 8), saying he was “blown away” by her talent in his latest Instagram post.
“I asked BIA to come through the studio for some whole other shit. First time meeting her. We chop it up. She plays me this new record she had just did. Mannnnn. In that moment, I was blown away. I thought about this song for a month straight, it was my favorite song and I only heard it one time.”
J. Cole via Instagram
The track itself is an ode to the UK’s signature drill style sound, as its coinciding visual showcases BIA living a lavish lifestyle — shopping, traveling with a pair of Dalmatians and attending a colorful tea party. Rapping about her affinity for designer clothes and captaining a “shop ‘til you drop” attitude, her hook is all parts catchy and entrancing. “Shop at the Prada, shop at the store / Shop at the Drop and stop in Dior,” she raps, as BIA also spoke with Rolling Stone to detail the new single’s culturally-infused nature.
“We really wanted to capture, celebrate and highlight London culture, while staying authentic to who we are. I definitely got in my London accent bag and people actually tell me it’s really good.”
BIA to Rolling Stone
While J. Cole’s track record following his Grammy-nominated album The Off-Season has been virtually spotless, the “STICK” emcee pens lines about the Royal Family while stunting on a yacht and hanging upside down — much like 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” music video. Aiming for the crown, Cole is truly exuding king-like energy on “LONDON.” “Straight cash for my Benzes / We don’t pay back interest,” Cole spits smoothly. “Aim at fences when I swing / Pay respects and kiss my ring / Even Elizabeth said I’m king.”
As BIA and Cole loom larger than Big Ben, the “LONDON” rapper is well on her way to become the heiress of hip-hop much sooner rather than later.
Watch BIA and J. Cole’s new collaboration “LONDON” below!
