Little Simz surprised her fans by announcing her fifth studio album NO THANK YOU on December 6, and it was released six days later on December 12. In this new album, the artist has added 10 more songs, including songs from the album. Opening track "Angel". This is the second time Little Simz has written a song about his legacy, dedicated to her late friend and model Harry Uzoka, following "Wounds" from her third album GRAY Area in 2019.
Having previously said that the writing process for "Wounds" was a form of therapy, "Angel" solidified Uzoka's role in the singer's life and even in her death. Uzuka died in 2018 after being stabbed in the heart by fellow model George Koh, who was convicted of Uzoka's murder in August that year. "I remember waking up and googling it, trying to find out as many details as possible, and then bit by bit getting to the studio," the 28-year-old recalled to The Guardian . "I sat in the dark crying and I didn't want to see everyone on social media posting 'RIP' - and because I didn't do that, I wrote 'Wounds' and later 'Angel' ".
"Angel" portrays Uzoka as little Simz's guiding light, helping her cope with the pressures she often faces as an independent artist. She also praised Invero, her long-time collaborator and producer on "Angel," comparing their relationship to that of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. "Our chemistry is unparalleled," she told NME . "When you make an album with someone, there's got to be a high level of trust because it's not going to be easy." Additionally, Little Simz warns major labels after citing Meghan Markle in song And the music industry as a whole, she's not afraid to fight established conventions.
Read the lyrics to “Angel” below.
[Verse 1: Little Simz]
Never care about "whether" immortality
How could I stand with the naysayers instead of with the tribe?
They sell you a dream and then hope you go to glory
Ignoring all the signs, I suddenly woke up
Why should I give you a key that is authorized on my behalf?
Now I'm scarred and ashamed
What do I expect from people who live a corporate life?
Unfortunately, honesty is not the norm
Must get my stuff together and organized
If you had your hand in my pocket I would call them all
However, I don't want to be the cause of more disagreements
I guess that’s just the nature of my water sign
I'm a bit like
doesn't make any sense in my stupid mind
Lend me your ears for the night
Shot in the dark, I guess I've never seen the light
Revoke access, I'm running it, yeah
Missed opportunity, I wish I was that urgent
Yeah, I say that off my damn chest.
You need me and you feel lost in my absence
The novelty will wear off after a few years
After shedding a few tears while challenging new fears
Learn everything I didn't learn when I showed up
We were busy making music until the sun came up
every day all summer
Never learned business and now I'm ducking for cover
what the hell
It might just leave a bad impression and think I'm a fool
Get it out of my damn face, nigga, did I stutter?
It would be a sad thing if you saw my brother
I know how artists can be tainted and frustrated
They don't care if your spirit is on the edge of darkness
As long as you cut someone's paycheck
Send their kids to private schools in a spaceship
Yes, I refuse to go on a slave ship
Give me all my masters and lower your wages
Ha, I'm serving more than just a feast for the beast's belly.
I didn't know I was throwing something heavy into the street
Fuck politics, I'm gonna put Meghan on your neck
I need the best seat in the house
It's going to be one hell of a scene when the truth comes out
harry in heaven listen to replay
He stood up for it when no one believed it.
They scream "Play games, play games"
You can play games, I don't think it's necessary, no need
[Chorus: Cleo Saul]
feel so energetic
I wake up and pray for a sign
I know good things take time
God sent you to me as an angel
when you are alone
Little thoughts no one knows
The hardest thing is to stay strong
I know I need an angel
[Verse 2: Little Simz]
My saturn return is in effect
Life has no presets
My frequency is seamless
They want you to give more and dream less
Made me confess all my secrets
You're not the only one who's under a lot of stress
Please don't mistake my kindness for weakness
Let G check your disrespectful behavior
Perception and observation are clinical
More head room, I've been shaving my occiput
They say you can't hate someone you don't love
They say love is unconditional
I'm ready to do the incredible
F**k rules and all that traditional stuff.
Giving your heart to someone might just get you into some kind of trouble
[Chorus: Cleo Saul]
feel so energetic
I wake up and pray for a sign
I know good things take time
God sent you to me as an angel
when you are alone
Little thoughts no one knows
The hardest thing is to stay strong
I know I need an angel
Angel
[Section 3: Little Simz]
How do you fight against the same system that you were colonized by?
Brother, you have compromised everything
Have these conversations with yourself rather than other people
When I socialize, I think they don’t understand me
I need an angel to accompany me as armor
I need accountability, mate.
I know all these blessings are karma
I need to light a fire by the sea
I have the purest Manuka in my beehives
Give me some time to let the rhythm run
Is there a golden key to sweet life?
I don't know what's wrong with me
But at least when I have free time, I make time for myself rather than for others
New woman, don't tell me I shouldn't because you can't
They said, "Don't give up too much of the truth to them."
Well, I also prepared nine songs for them
Now is the time, I want to speak now
Head high, back straight, feet down
The posture is going crazy
I gotta stand up when they try to break me down
Fuck you guys didn't let me
I said you would never penetrate me
Dim my lights? Are you crazy?
Yo, we're two worlds apart, you know, lady, lady, lady
Flo and I are like De Niro and Scorsese
Stop trying to trap me. You can't trap me.
Impress them with classics and then I get a little lazy.
When I remember I'm JAY-Z, I gotta get a pen
I had to interrupt you because I found you to be very cunning.
I have angels guiding my steps and guarding my life from now until death
Perspective is everything, I wonder what they saw
If you hurt others, you'll hurt others, I understand, but don't play with me.
My saturn return is in effect
Life has no presets
My frequency is seamless
So please don't regard my kindness as a weakness
Because I have an angel
