Native James Drops “BLOCK” Featuring Professor Green and Double S
Photo: KJ Williams
Grime-metal trailblazer Native James has dropped a brand new version of his 2023 track “BLOCK” — and it rips! The reimagined version, “BLOCK (RR),” swaps grime-heavy beats for heavy riffs, slick leads and pummelling live drum. The new cut features not just original collaborator Double S, but also a guest verse from UK rap legend Professor Green.
The collaboration between Native and Pro Green came about after a chance meeting a “I bumped into Native getting a tattoo at One by One in Soho and a little while after he sent over a song called BLOCK” Professor Green explained “I heard it, ran to my studio and recorded myself freestyling – I lean into the songs I’ve made about the blocks I grew up in and amongst to get me where I needed to be at. Everyone on the track stepped fully out.”
The new take retains the fiery spirit of the original but injects a heavier, more guitar-driven backbone that Native has been teasing on stage. It’s a reinvention that speaks to Native’s evolving sound and wide-ranging influences — from the streets of Ipswich to the mosh pits of the UK’s underground.
“BLOCK (RR) is about all different types of people coming from a certain area, and making it a community where different cultures and people all live amongst each other, sharing and making the place where they come from unique,” Native explained. “I made this chorus a few years ago in my friend’s bedroom, so for this to now be a song with iconic artists on it is humbling.”
Native James is on the road starting this month, with a free headline show at Sebright Arms in London on 6th May. He then hits the road with alt-rapper Hyphen, with dates across the UK and Ireland, followed by two massive farewell shows with letlive. in July.
Native has also been making waves on the awards circuit. Earlier this year, he was nominated for Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBO Awards, standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Hak Baker and ALT BLK ERA, a huge moment for the rising artist after making the MOBO UnSung Top 20 previously.
Check out the full list of tour dates below.
Native James – 2024 Live Dates
6.5 – Sebright Arms, London (Headline show – Free Entry)
8.5 – Tufnell Park Dome, London * (Supporting Hyphen)
9.5 – Aatma, Manchester *
10.5 – Rough Trade, Bristol *
13.5 – Oporto, Leeds *
14.5 – The Attic, Glasgow *
17.5 – Bodega, Nottingham *
18.5 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham *
31.5 – MEFFS-FEST 2, Colchester
10.7 – Electric Ballroom, London (Supporting letlive.)
13.7 – Electric Ballroom, London (Supporting letlive.)
3.8 – Multitude Festival, Milton Keynes
30.8 – Burn It Down Festival, Torquay
