Bringing It Back
by Digga D (featuring AJ Tracey)

Album: Made In The Pyrex (2021)
Charted: 5
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Digga D and AJ Tracey both grew up in West London's Ladbroke Grove. Here, the pair go back and forth sharing eight verses where they look back at their drug-dealing days, their come-up, and the rewards of their newfound fame. It is Digga D and AJ Tracey's first collaboration.
  • The song finds Digga D and AJ Tracey "bringing back" the cutting edge rap, which they both started their careers with in the mid-2010s. Each of them allude to one of their early freestyles that put them on the map, with AJ Tracey referencing his "Packages" flow from February 2016.

    My whole team gettin' bread and you know that
    I brought the old "Packages" flow back


    Tracey's single recorded for LinkUpTV's #MicCheck series has been viewed over 15 million times.

    Digga references his "Next Up?" flow from 2017.

    O, akh, bring that "Next Up" flow back
    Throwback, no cap, that pack's low fat


    In 2015, Digga formed the drill collective 1011. They recorded the "Next Up?" freestyle for the Mixtape Madness series in November 2017. The track blew up and garnered over 1 million views in less than two weeks. It was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry in October 2019, becoming the first Mixtape Madness freestyle with a certification.
  • "Bringing It Back" debuted at #5 on the UK singles chart, becoming Digga D's first Top 10 hit. This is despite the grime MC and his 1011 crew becoming the first rappers in the UK served with a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after they'd been convicted of conspiracy to commit violent disorder. The order requires them to obtain the police's permission before releasing any new music, and bans references in lyrics to real-life incidents and people.
  • The Metropolitan police ordered the removal of 1011's video for "Next Up?" as part of a clampdown on UK Drill videos that encourage and glamorize violence. Directed by KC Locke and Digga D himself, this song's visual sees the grime MC returning to the same place where he filmed the iconic "Next Up?" clip and wearing the same clothes as a way of giving the censors the middle finger.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Colbie Caillat

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Dan Reed

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.