It’s been five years since British Hip Hop artist AKS released his debut EP The Bus Stop to critical acclaim, with the likes of BBC 1Xtra, Hypetrak, Okayplayer, SoulCulture and the MOBO Awards among the tastemakers that championed the seminal EP. Boasting hugely popular singles "House Called Home" and "Truth Be Told (I, I, I)". The Bus Stop was also co-signed by Mercury Prize winner Speech Debelle, Roc Nation’s Young Guru and So Solid Crew’s Swiss.
Fast-forward to 2016 and AKS is back with the Train Of Thought EP – his long-awaited and highly anticipated sophomore EP and the second project in his three-part "Modes Of Transport" series – which is scheduled for release on May 27 via Less Is More Music. To accompany this announcement, AKS is proud to unveil "Stay With Me" featuring British soul singer-songwriter Sincerely Wilson, as the first single from his forthcoming EP.
Produced by long-time collaborator DemDrums, with piano accompaniment by Matthew Smith, "Stay With Me" is a soulful homage to three important elements in AKS’ life – his wife, his listeners and his music. Backed by grandiose piano licks, heavy drums and lush bass arrangements, and complimented by Sincerely Wilson’s smooth melodic tones, AKS delivers an impassioned account of how or even if he still fits into the UK Hip-Hop landscape.
The accompanying visuals for "Stay With Me", which were directed by Chas Appeti, brilliantly capture the very essence of the record. The simple yet captivating video offers a compelling and fitting narrative for AKS’ loving relationship with his music, providing one of the most reflective and personal visual efforts we’ve ever seen from AKS.
Speaking about his hiatus from the scene and the inspiration for ‘Stay With Me’, AKS said,
“The reality for me is that music is one part of my life and it became important for me to stop taking the rest of my life for granted. I had to live, I had to grow, and I had to love. So I did. I’m married now, which is testament to the growth during my time away. ‘Stay With Me’ is for the woman I love, the art form I live with, the people who've supported me as I've grown and for those who waited!”
Make sure you pre-order The Train Of Thought EP here. For now you can stream "Stay With Me" above.
Connect with AKS: Twitter | Facebook
Connect with Sincerely Wilson: Twitter |
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