North London’s MOBO Award-nominated rap rising star JBEE is back with a captivating new single titled ‘DEJA VU’, set for release on November 14, 2024. Known for his introspective yet hard-hitting lyricism, and his seamless blend of UK rap, drill and melodic sensibilities, JBEE’s new track captures the haunting feeling of experiencing moments that feel eerily familiar – a powerful reflection on the themes and cycles of life that shape us. The single marks a pivotal moment for JBEE, as he builds toward an ambitious 2025, after taking more than a year out of the game, and it’s sure to resonate with fans and critics alike with JBEE’s raw and introspective lyrics taking listeners on a journey of self-reflection and personal growth, offering them a glimpse of his journey through memorable highs and lows.

Perhaps most notable for his two BRIT Certified Silver-selling tracks ‘4AM’ and the ‘Next Up’ freestyle for Mixtape Madness, which has also garnered over 150 million streams, JBEE also comes championed by Jack Saunders and Clara Amfo at BBC Radio 1, KISS FM’s Ellie Prohan, DJ Semtex at Capital Xtra, and BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Target, as well as Clash Magazine, Wonderland, and Notion, among other tastemakers. His meteoric rise in UK rap has also seen JBEE grace the cover of Spotify’s much coveted ‘Who We Be’, ‘We Move’, and ‘Rap UK’ playlists, while also taking to the stage at the renowned Wireless Festival, Reading and Leeds, and Australia’s Listen Out festival, just to mention a few achievements garnered in under two years. JBEE now begins his new era in UK rap with this new drop ‘Deja Vu’.

So what’s the story behind your new single ‘DEJA VU’?

The story behind ‘Deja Vu’ is literally just feeling like you’re moving forward but never really going anywhere, that sense of having aspirations and goals but you’re stuck in the same spot you started in mentally and physically.

What’s the main message you want fans to leave with after they listen to ‘Deja Vu’?

That whatever you’re going through doesn’t last forever and at some point you’ll find yourself where you want to be and when you get there never forget the people who were and weren’t there for you.

What made you step away from the game for so long?

I wanted to work on myself and also my craft to be able to come back stronger, I wasn’t meant to be away for that long but I guess everything happens for a reason.

How have your lyrics, themes and storytelling developed from then to now?

I feel like my confidence in the booth and delivery has improved since I’ve been away. Telling a story in my music, I think, has always been the easiest part for me. If I feel like a concept or story doesn’t align throughout a whole song, I won’t drop it.

What are the main themes of the ‘Deja Vu’ video, and how did you come up with them?

Me and the director of the video, Bluedorm, ironically had the same ideas for the video, he had me on a treadmill in different parts of my city to bring the ‘moving forward but never really going anywhere’ effect to life.

What inspired the production and sonic aspect of this track?

The producer of the track KazTheWizard played me the beat and immediately I started writing to it. Normally my songs either relate to loop/sample being played in the background or however the melody makes me feel in that instance, and the beat gave me a nostalgic vibe.

Who are the artists and albums that you were brought up on musically?

More recently, it was Dave that – I would say – definitely motivated me to try and push my music way more than I did at the time, seeing the kind of success he had gained from it.

Who are you currently listening to and why?

My playlist right now has a bit of everything but I’ll say Drake, he’s just got a song for every mood in my opinion.

What are your plans for 2025?

 

Consistency most definitely. All 2024, I was eager to drop, so now that I’m in the space to do so, I won’t take it for granted.