2021: I haven’t heard as much great innovative hip-hop from female artists in recent years. The Cardi-Doja-Stallion-Minaj releases are kinda meh. This Brit-Hop artist is certainly as exception. This is one of my favorite hip-hop records of the last 5 years.

Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the fourth studio album by British rapper Little Simz, released on 3 September 2021 by Age 101 Music and AWAL. The album title is a backronym of Simbi, which is part of Simz’s full first name, Simbiatu. The album is a reflection of Simz’s personality and experiences as an introverted artist who has a lot to say through her music. The album covers topics such as identity, family, love, racism, sexism, mental health, and fame, with honesty, vulnerability, and confidence.

The album consists of 19 tracks, including four interludes and an introvert. The album features guest appearances from Cleo Sol, Obongjayar, The Crown actress Emma Corrin, and the Urban Soul Orchestra. The album is produced by Inflo, who also worked on Simz’s previous album Grey Area (2019), as well as Jakwob, Miles James, and Simz herself. The album’s sound is diverse and eclectic, incorporating elements of hip hop, soul, R&B, electronica, Afrobeat, jazz, and orchestral music. The album showcases Simz’s versatility and skill as a rapper and singer, as well as her poetic and powerful lyrics

The album received universal acclaim from music critics, who praised Simz’s ambition, creativity, and craftsmanship. NME gave the album five out of five stars and named it the best album of 2021, calling it “a stunning portrait of the artist in flux”. Pitchfork gave the album an 8.6 out of 10 and named it Best New Music, writing that “Simz has made a record that feels like a world unto itself”. The album was also a commercial success, debuting at number four on the UK Albums Chart and becoming Simz’s highest-charting album to date. The album won the 2022 Mercury Prize and was nominated for the 2022 Brit Award for British Album of the Year. It also won the Libera Award for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Record.