Tinie Tempah Gets Reflective In The Video For “Shadows”
The U.K. rapper joins forces with Bipolar Sunshine for the latest single from his upcoming album Youth.
With a musical career spanning over 10 years, Tinie Tempah has experienced every high and low the U.K. music industry has to offer. He's also dabbled in some big name overseas collaborations, working with 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Tinashe.
But on the unrelenting mission statement “Shadows,” taken from his third album Youth, Tinie is clearly feeling reflective as he returns to his roots and reminds his listeners how he got to this position in the first place. In the video, Tinie rests in solitude, surrounded by snakes, exotic plants, and occasionally a female companion. Accompanied by the hypnotizing tones of British vocalist Bipolar Sunshine, he chronicles his rise to stardom with a flow that never wavers: “I’m still rapping with soul ‘cause I never sold mine/ For the whole time did it without a co-sign.”
“In the hardest and darkest times it's very difficult to see hope and positivity,” Tinie explained in an email to The FADER. “I've been in that place and know what it's like. But without hope we have nothing. This song is like therapy for me, and I hope everyone who can relate hears this and tries to tap into the light and unlimited potential I believe we all have.”
Tinie Tempah’s third studio album Youth is out on April 14 via Disturbing London/Parlophone. Pre-order it here.