Mass Appeal

Anchored by Atlanta producer Quentin Miller, Piers James demonstrates ‘Mass Appeal’ on his latest offering. The new track from the Ipswich born, London based artist is accompanied by a video shot in Barbados, which exhibits a diary cam perspective of Piers’ life, highlighting the exquisite, picturesque scenery. A musician who never shies away from breaking the mould, borrowing from a range of genres like grime, R&B and US hip hop, Piers’ authenticity shines brightly on this sun kissed effort. 

Miller, whose name carries tremendous weight having worked with the likes of Drake, produces a snappy and effervescent beat, catering expertly to the razor sharp, potent flows of the UK rapper. Lyrically a proud and uplifting storyteller, Piers breezily rides the beat, touching on personal themes like cultural identity and unyielding aspiration. The ideological hook, ‘Never Been A Gangster But I Got Mass Appeal’ is a superb double entendre that Piers commented on:

“I never really felt the need to fit into the mould of what’s popular to be successful. I grew up listening to Grime & Hip Hop and one of my favourite groups who inspired me was ‘Gangstarr’ so when I say “Never been a Gangster but I got a Mass Appeal” that’s me paying homage to my past inspirations whilst always striving to champion a new wave”

An intelligent homage to rap group Gang Starr’s hit single ‘Mass Appeal’ on the surface, if you delve deeper, the phrase carries further connotations. The lyrical content and general image of UK rap, now more than ever with the emergence of drill, is heavily influenced by violence and gang culture. With this in mind, it almost feels like Piers is defying the convention of a rapper - to portray themselves as violent or some kind of gangster - and highlighting the fact that talent and freedom to express is what rap is about for him. A gutsy message on a track that is a statement of intent from one of alt raps most charismatic characters.