After opening 2024 with the soulful ‘Every Goodbye’, MC Nelson is back once again with another single, ‘Lingo’ in the lead-up to his debut album Dark City, set for release in Summer 2024. Nelson showcases a confident and crystal-clear flow over a hard-hitting, 808-focused beat produced by New York beatsmith Stoic.
Topped with layers of brassy synths and reverberant clean guitar melodies, the MC utilises the thin textures to his advantage, adding an almost chant-like atmosphere in the hooks and energy in the verses. Thematically, ‘Lingo’ is a song all about the culture and city of Liverpool. Nelson’s lyrics aim to take the listener through the city, referencing various landmarks, venues, parks, people and places.
The MC shares an insight into the track’s inspiration, “In this song I take the listener on a tour of my hometown of Liverpool. Kinda like a Scouse spin on Jay-Z girls, with women from different areas being referenced but, disclaimer, all characters are fictional. The song bounces from area to area postcode to postcode just like I did as a kid on my bike.”
Developing his lyricism and flow throughout his career, MC Nelson has been making a buzz in the UK underground scene since his first single. This was exemplified at the release of his debut mixtape ‘Anglosfear’, which received airtime on BBC Radio and coverage from Noisey, the Guardian and Wordplay.
Working with Punch Records, Nelson undertook his first UK tour, then spent time playing in Europe, sharing the stage with rap royalty such as Ghostface Killah, KRS ONE, Slum Village, The Pharcyde, De La Soul, Open Mike Eagle and R.A.P. Ferreira.
Nelson is also a founding member of Black Borough, a musical collective that released their debut EP in November 2022. ‘Lingo’ comes ahead of his anticipated debut album ‘Dark City’, set for release next month.
