Guvna B X D Double E - ‘Very Original’
Guvna B is joined by East London royalty D Double E in the video for their new single, “Very Original” taken from Guv’s Black Edition Deluxe album, “everywhere + nowhere”.
Directed by Femi Ladi, the one-take video follows both rappers whilst they retrace their footsteps around the estate, captured on a 45mm film camera. Inspired by a chapter in his new book, it touches on the damaging reality of negative stereotypes whilst pushing to rewrite the script and uplift through challenging the unjust status quo. At the end of the video Guv includes hard hitting facts on youth violence with information on where and how to help, re-stating that “this isn’t exclusive to one side of the community, it’s not just a black issue or a white issue, this problem involves us all”. When speaking about the video Guvna B states:
We filmed this video on an estate in London because that's where we've seen it all. The love, the hate, the aspiration, the humiliation, the dreams, the nightmares. I've got hope that the young people of today will learn from the positive role models that came before them, just like I learnt from D Double E.
“everywhere + nowhere” is an album that embodies every layer of Guvna B’s complex artistry and it only felt right to follow it up in 2021, bringing a lockdown album very much into the present. The album is full of unapologetic honesty, emotion and self reflection and Guv offers insight into poignant topics including; his turbulent journey, grief, black excellence, masculinity and faith. The Black Edition Deluxe includes additional tracks with features from Wretch 32, Madison Ryann Ward, CalledOut Music, Still Shadey and Tidez.
The double-MOBO award winning artist has a lot to be proud of, the recent release of his new book, Unspoken: Toxic Masculinity and How I Faced The Man Within The Man, received an applaud of praise across the board for the underrepresented issues raised. Released on Harper Inspire, when speaking about the book Guv discusses outdated phrases such as “stiff upper lip” and “men don't cry” which are commonly passed down from generations and can be hugely detrimental to mental health and personal growth.
