Blackhaine Takes Aim At His Imitators On ‘Northside Needs Me’
Blackhaine has released ‘Northside Needs Me’, the second single from his forthcoming debut album. The industrial rap track challenges artists he sees as borrowing the Northern experimental scene’s sound and identity without reflecting the lived experiences of people in the region.
He says he once felt that everyone was copying him, though he no longer feels that way. The song refers to problems affecting his community since the 2011 Salford riots, and its video depicts police beating him as a child watches. ‘Saints In The Wethouse’ is due on 13 November via XL Recordings; the 12-track album follows his 2022 EP ‘Armour II’ and features Rainy Miller, Croww and Space Afrika.
In short
- Blackhaine’s new single challenges imitators of Northern experimental music.
- It reflects on problems in his Salford community since 2011.
- His 12-track debut album is due on 13 November.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Blackhaine’s critique can be seen as a defence of a regional scene whose sound and identity are rooted in lived experience. Artists who draw on that aesthetic without engaging with the communities behind it may gain recognition while leaving those communities unheard; the song’s references to Salford’s history make that concern personal and specific.
The case against
Musical scenes develop through influence and exchange, so borrowing sounds does not necessarily mean claiming others’ experiences or exploiting a community. Artists may share an aesthetic while bringing different perspectives, and a charge of imitation can risk narrowing who is welcome to participate in experimental music.
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