Wretch 32 is one of the most influential musicians at work in Britain today. He is also a lyricist of unparalleled ability, and an advocate of music as a tool to educate as well as to entertain. In an age of unprecedented social and political change, Wretch’s music stands as a medium of protest and of progress, helping to explain and shape a new era.
His recent book, Rapthology, is part autobiography, part cultural history, and part guide to the craft of lyric writing.
In this Tortoise Interview, we explore the use of words and language in song and rap lyrics. What makes a song work? What element causes us to stop, listen, and listen again? Is it a melody? Is it a beat? Is it the words that are sung, or spoken? Is it what they speak to within us or is it a combination of all of the above?
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