U.K. hip-hop tastemaker DJ Semtex (“Your favorite rapper’s favorite DJ” – Okayplayer) is back with a massive arena banger featuring British-Congolese rap star BackRoad Gee alongside Ghana’s Kwesi Arthur, out now on all digital streaming platforms.
A veritable radio legend, Manchester, England native DJ Semtex is diving deeper into his production bag this year, pushing the envelope with thick and moody tracks that mine grade-A material from an eclectic, international cast of guest rappers.
“Floor Shake” is Exhibit A, boldly announcing itself with ominous, horror-movie chords before dropping into some seriously thick and syrupy synths. Kwesi Arthur glides over the beat with an infectious hook, while BackRoad Gee attacks the track with his unrivaled energetic flow. The result is a colossal, drill-inspired banger that more than lives up to its name.
“Last autumn whilst touring with Lil Tecca, and doing shows with Joey Badass and Black Sherif, I played this instrumental each night, and it went off every time,” DJ Semtex says. “‘Floor Shake’ shakes the room, building and everything else.”
“Floor Shake” is the latest in a run of genre-defying singles from DJ Semtex connecting Africa-based talent with top rappers from the U.S. and U.K, following October’s “Scary” featuring Dreamville’s Cozz alongside Ghana’s Twitch4EVA.
The author of the acclaimed book Hip Hop Raised Me and the host of the Hip Hop Raised Me podcast, DJ Semtex is known for iconic runs at radio stations BBC 1Xtra and his current home, Capital XTRA, where he holds down Friday nights from 9 to 11pm.
Having toured, opened and performed onstage with the likes of Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Rick Ross, Travis Scott, Skepta, Migos, Dave and Dizzee Rascal, DJ Semtex has earned the right to be called one of hip-hop’s most meaningful tastemakers. Since 2019, Semtex has been releasing his own music through his label, Seminal Sound, working with artists such as Afro B and Boy Nash.
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