FKA twigs is one the most intriguing and spellbinding acts in R&B right now. Blending aspects of the genre with electronic and pop with her soft, yet powerful voice has separated her from her peers, respectfully.
On Thursday (Nov. 18), she added another another genre to the mix with a contribution from fellow British native and rising rapper Central Cee for “Measure of a Man.”
Most recently, Central Cee landed on OhGeesy‘s solo debut album GEEZYWORLD for the ninth track “Startn Up.” He found himself on a feature roster for an album that included solidified stars like YG, DaBaby and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
“Measure of a Man” is the lead promotional single for the upcoming film “The King’s Man,” set to release on December 22. “The King’s Man” will be the third film in the “Kingsman” film series which began in 2014 with “Kingsman: The Secret Service.”
The song lasts three minutes and 15 seconds, as twigs’ opening verse and hook set the stage for an epic performance. “Measure of a Man” tells the story of a protagonist who is fighting inner demons by himself. FKA illustrates this beautifully by explaining that to be a good hero, you must first be a good man.
Nobody feels the pain behind the love you show
Nobody feels the burden that is yours alone
If when the morning comes, you’re not with me (Destiny)
I know that you’ll return with destiny
Only you can truly understand
The measure of a hero is the measure of a man
“Measure of a Man” — FKA twigs featuring Central Cee
While twigs is not necessarily in the pocket of music she generally makes, she masterfully executes her portion of the song over the hip-hop inspired, distinct claps on the beat.
Central Cee takes command of the second half of the song with his verse by relating to this unnamed character. He explains that while people did not look out for him, he found success and is hungry for more.
It’s the manners that make a man
But the hammers that break a man
Damn, they wanted to see me broke
But I flipped the script and I broke the band
Young and wealthy
Don’t let it overwhelm me, I still get fed
“Measure of a Man” — FKA twigs featuring Central Cee
Overall, these two English artists mesh better than anticipated, crafting a profound song that would likely fit great into a scene in a drama film.
Stream “Measure of a Man” by FKA twigs and Central Cee below!
