"I Did It" (Carly Wilford Mixes) Big Zuu x Mae Muller

Tuesday 7th December 2021

Release date: Out now Label: Big Joints Ltd / eOne Music UK

Big Zuu today shares another offering from his anticipated debut album ‘Navigate’ which sees its release this September. New single ‘I Did It’ is a passionate collaboration with one of the brightest rising voices in the UK music scene, Mae Muller. 

Opening with the tracks soulful reprise backed by producer Owen Cutt’s susurrus hi-hats and syncopated drum beats, Big Zuu’s new single is another show of his chameleonic versatility. Flirting with a more commercial sound ‘I Did It’ gives a sheen of the adventurousness we can expect from his debut album. Playful keys and swelling trumpets giveaway to Big Zuu’s iconic “B I, B I” as his familiar gravel-flow spits of humble beginnings and his ascension to a grime MC with a BAFTA-nominated TV show. 

“Mae has been an artist I’ve admired for years. She’s so talented and I think everyone’s going to love what we’ve made. This tune really represents the kind of vibes on my debut album ‘Navigate.” explains Zuu.

“I told my mum I’d make her proud” sings Muller as her fuzzy, laid-back vocal carries the song's ear-worm worthy chorus. Famed for her plainspoken, dead blunt lyricism Muller slips from background to foreground interweaving her sultry London-lilt with Zuu’s paired-back grime bars. A meeting of talent and minds, I Did It is an equal slice of appreciation and empowerment.

“Collabing with Zuu on this song was so much fun and the energy was just perfect from the very beginning” explains Mae. “We just wanted to make a feel good song that people could listen to and feel proud of themselves for whatever they’ve achieved. Zuu is the best and I’m honoured I got to be a part of his debut album.”

The official video directed by Kelvin Jones (Aitch, Stormzy) begins with Zuu sitting against the backdrop of a family home, resplendent with memories and a mantlepiece of achievements. Before, cutting to Mae and cameos from some familiar faces, namely Zuu’s beloved mum, Tubsey, Hyder and rising artist Gigi Moss. The video paints a powerful picture; underlying the message of staying true to yourself in the face of adversity whilst relishing in your hard-earned successes.

An empowering message is at the core of Big Zuu’s music. Often rejecting the emptiness of excess and common tropes of juvenile braggadocio, his loyalty to his family and friends has become increasingly intertwined with all facets of his output. From his early days as a youth-support worker to a grime MC pushing the genre forward into an empowering and eclectic new terrain, Zuu, on the cusp of his debut album release, has stayed true to himself whilst practicing humility as he grows.

Big Zuu’s new single ft. Mae Muller is out now and his debut album ‘Navigate’, featuring a litany of impressive names including AJ Tracey, Kojey Radical, JME, Novelist, Unknown T, Donel alongside his recent hit single ‘Variation’ with grime OG D Double E, will be out on the 24th September, 2021. Pre-order ‘Navigate’.

Posted by Craig Jones