SL announces UK & EU headline tour + shares Block Tales release date for September 5th

“One of the most intriguing prospects in UK rap … SL’s talent is unmistakable” – The Guardian
“Now an even sharper writer with an even more refined flow” – TRENCH

“Conversational, unhurried and sonically expansive” – Clash

“Unique … gripping” – Pigeons & Planes

“An already-unmissable new talent” – NME

Today, SL announces his debut UK headline tour to celebrate the release of his forthcoming full-length mixtape Block Tales – set for release on September 5th. The generation-defining rapper will conquer 5 dates across the UK and Europe’s major strongholds, culminating in a victory lap on home turf at London’s KOKO. The pre-save link grants fans early access. Alongside the news, he reveals the complete details of its tracklisting including the project’s heavyweight cast of collaborators including Sainté, Knucks, Giggs, Aystar, Booter Bee and many more.

The news follows the announcement of his new mixtape which was shared at the end of the music video ‘Summertime’, a 24-karat release which saw iconic UK rappers SL, Sainté and Knucks share the same beat for the first time. Block Tales is an act of what SL describes as “street cinema”. It unfolds as a collection of interwoven stories drawn from personal experiences and reflections of life on the block. The lives of his characters are a lens through which SL untangles the knots of social pressure and survivalism, boys too eager to become men, the snares of gang culture and the possibility of aspiring for more than the circumstances you were born into. South London is a living, breathing character in itself: SL’s lyrics and production choices have been chosen to feel as if you’re there, a fly on the wall.

When forerunning singles ‘Robbery’ and ‘Paranoia’ immersed listeners in the darkness of a dangerous path, ‘Summertime’ is SL showing us that there are also glimmers of light to hold onto. The track conjures the nights of freedom his characters are chasing; a coming-of-age story of girls, Henny and parties of a life less complicated than the trials he writes of in Block Tales.

The UK tour – SL’s first, as an artist of astronomical popularity, but until now, always inaccessible – marks a defining moment in his career. He is one of UK rap’s leading storytellers, penning generational classics before he had even sat his GCSEs as a teenager with accolades from JME and Stormzy to Drake and Virgil Abloh – and yet his story has remained closely guarded. His signature balaclava has concealed his identity while his tracks have amassed streams in nine-figures. The likes of ‘Tropical’ and ‘Gentleman’ – proof of his lyrical dexterity and unforgettable melodic cadence – have soundtracked the house parties and night bus rides of his peers.

The phenomenon of SL has progressed in step with his own coming-of-age story, from teenager to young adult – and, finally, an artist in full command of his gifts. Block Tales gives us unprecedented access into his world, and the UK tour is a celebration of his achievements with the fans who have been invested from the very beginning. See full routing in the tour poster below.

The last couple of years have seen SL grow as an artist, but also as a teenager becoming a young man. The 2017 release of his life-transforming debut single ‘Gentleman’ arrived when he was only 15-years-old. His career began in secret so he could complete his GCSEs. He has released three EPs so far – Everything Good Is Bad and Selhurst SE25culminating in 2020’s Different Dude – whilst also setting up a foundation in response to the Black Lives Matter movement, empowering young people from ethnicities across the UK.

Having been raised on golden-age kingmakers like Wu-Tang Clan, DMX, and Jay Z, it’s SL’s multi-faceted approach – where the production, visuals and compelling storytelling all go hand-in-hand – that has seen his formative work carve out a singular lane in contemporary music.

SL fans can sign up to his mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming gigs, news, merch and more.

SL – Block Tales Tour Dates

October 3 – Paris, FR – Le Hasard Ludique

October 4 – Amsterdam, NL – Bitterzoet

October 5 – Cologne, DE – Yuca

October 7 – Berlin, DE – Privatclub

October 8 – Hamburg, DE – Turmzimmer

October 10 – Warsaw, PL – Hydrozagadka

October 16 – Glasgow, UK – SWG3

October 17 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy

October 18 – Birmingham, UK – O2 Institute2

October 19 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew

October 20 – London, UK – KOKO