SYLL drops new single “Used to Be”

Manchester-based artist SYLL has spent decades immersed in hip hop culture, building his own creative vision as a producer, rapper and poet. His work reflects years of artistic dedication, influenced by real experience as much as musical ambition and between penning intricate verses, constructing soulful beats or collaborating with fellow artists, SYLL comes at every release with a deep respect for hip hop’s origins while remaining open to new ideas that continue to take his sound forward.

His deft balance between tradition and progression has become a recognisable pillar of his output and while hip hop may sit squarely at the centre of his creative world, his musical expression stretches much further, drawing influence from R&B, reggae, rock, indie music and even classical arrangements. SYLL allows an array of styles to inform one another, creating a sound that’s tethered to classic hip hop while remaining fluid and highly original.

On the production side, inspiration from figures such as RZA, Prince Paul, Pharrell, Liam Howlett, J Dilla, Kanye and Tyler, The Creator have all helped shape his understanding of sound and rhythm. Lyrically, he draws from equally influential voices including Biggie, Nas, Eminem, Tricky, Wu-Tang Clan, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, absorbing different approaches to storytelling while maintaining his own identity in the process.

His relationship with music, however, extends beyond artistic expression and throughout periods of mental illness, songwriting and beat-making became an essential outlet. Writing lyrics and producing music offered focus, structure and a means of processing difficult experiences, transforming creativity into a form of personal therapy. SYLL first introduced his solo sound in 2017 with the debut single “Why Do You Stay?” and since then, he’s expanded his catalogue through a succession of impression singles and larger projects, gradually forming a musical offering that values thoughtful lyricism as highly as compelling production.

His latest single titled “Used to Be” lands as the second release from an upcoming EP, following the earlier track “Bring Me to Life.” Flowing around a relaxed, reflective atmosphere influenced by neo soul production, “Used to Be” explores the familiar phrase “back in my day” with equal parts curiosity and scepticism. Not merely celebrating earlier times, SYLL questions whether those memories are genuinely more meaningful or whether nostalgia itself has a tendency to reshape reality.

Split into two versions, the boom bap mix lands with the shimmer of twinkling instrumental tones as the steady snap of drums and pulse of bass forms a grooving arrangement. Capped by smooth vocal leads, SYLL’s mellow voice glides above before slipping into slick rapped delivery, offering a laid back hip hop jam that pairs energising bars with memorable melodic hooks. The sunset radio mix presents an alternate take on the track that leans into the track’s more chilled out side while retaining the catchy songwriting, engaging instrumentation and superb vocal performance of SYLL.

It’s a stunning new release that balances appreciation for classic sounds with a desire to explore modern hip hop perspectives, showing that respecting tradition can still result in exciting new musical shapes. With “Used to Be,” SYLL continues to pair lyrical flair and carefully considered production to create a captivating hip hop sound and with a forthcoming EP on the way, he’s sure to win over more and more listeners across the UK and beyond. Drawing on decades of experience while remaining focused on the present, he’s showing no signs of slowing down on his thrilling musical voyage.

Listen to Used to Be below

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