Songer eyes America without sanding down his bars
The British artist behind “Toxic Freestyle” tells Rolling Stone his next goal is growth, not compromise.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Songer has a Britney Spears-powered hit, a sixth album on deck and no plan to reshape himself for the United States.
The British artist, real name James Alfred Songer, told Rolling Stone that crossing into America would be a dream, but not at the cost of the independence and blunt writing that built his audience in the U.K.
Speaking to Rolling Stone by the Grand Union canal near London’s Paddington Station, Songer said he would love to expand his reach in America. He also said he does not want to feel he has to compromise to enter a new market.
From Wokingham to the charts
Songer grew up in Wokingham, near Reading, outside London. According to Rolling Stone, he first broke through in 2017 at 17, when a freestyle for the British YouTube platform Bl@ckbox went viral.
His profile climbed again with “Vino Bandit,” a collaboration with drum-and-bass producer K Motionz that reached the U.K. singles chart. Then came “Toxic Freestyle,” which uses the instrumental from Britney Spears’ “Toxic” and became the second-highest selling U.K. rap single of 2024, Rolling Stone reported.
Despite the commercial noise around him, Songer told the magazine he remains independent. He also pushed back on easy labels, saying he is not a rapper, MC, producer or singer, but someone who writes things down and releases them.
His sixth album, What If I Say No?, is due Friday, according to Rolling Stone. The record follows Dream Workz, Lyrics for Sanity, The Sunrise Project, SKALA and The Price of Therapy.
Pub roots, sharp bars
Rolling Stone traced Songer’s musical roots to family and pub culture. His grandfather fronted a pub band called Alfie & the Alcoholics, and Songer said his middle name, Alfred, came from him.
He grew up around his grandfather’s Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash covers, while also listening to Arctic Monkeys and Eminem. At school, he and friends practiced rap through insult battles, and he later became an MC at drum-and-bass events around Wokingham, Reading and Bristol, Rolling Stone reported.
That mix still shows up in the songs. Rolling Stone described one side of his catalog as built for Friday nights, lager and hard-running beats, including “Vino Bandit” and “Balling.” The other side leans into mental health, anxiety and self-examination, heard on tracks including “No More Candles” and “Confession Tape 17.”
Songer told Rolling Stone that honesty is central to his appeal. He said that without it, he would just be someone who rhymes quickly.
Football, politics and a possible U.S. crowd
The new album also finds room for football. On “What’s the Punchline,” Songer raps about Gareth Bale and David Beckham while taking aim at lazy football references in lyrics, according to Rolling Stone.
The interview took place before England’s semifinal loss to Argentina. Songer had bought a ticket for the final for about £5,000, Rolling Stone reported, but sold it after England went out and watched from home.
He also spoke about politics and the future, telling Rolling Stone he is not optimistic and raising concerns about power, elites and technology. Still, he said he views the World Cup as a force for good.
For Songer, breaking America would not be measured only by Billboard success. He told Rolling Stone he would see it as building a wider community while keeping the integrity of his lyrics intact.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.