A British hip-hop pioneer who never quite got his commercial dues, Roots Manuva is back with a new single, "Facety 2:11," produced by fellow maverick Four Tet. It marks the first piece of music Rodney Smith has released in two years, and it's a stunner—up there with the best of his work. Filled with Manuva's trademark Cockney slang, "Facety 2:11" is an abrupt reminder of the London man's genius and makes us question just why we forgot about him in the first place.
Adored by critics both in the U.K. and Stateside, his following is tantamount to a cult, yet he's never quite achieved the commercial breakthrough that cements his name in stone (a big reason for that is his refusal to sign to a major label). Before grime was even a "thing," Roots led the way for British lyricism. The son of a strict Pentecostal preacher, he has always been an eccentric character, and now in his 40s, he still stands out from the crowd as a sonic revolutionary.
Making his name spitting over heavy bass lines and futuristic electronic beats that jittered and stuttered, the outsider from Kennington has been an inventive maestro since day one. His talent has earned him unique collaborations with Gorillaz, Jamie Cullum, and even the Maccabees, and his smooth flow separates him from many of his U.K. contemporaries. Here are 10 Roots Manuva songs you should know.
Sam Moore is a writer for Complex UK. Follow him @Sam_Moore95.