Stormzy and Raye team up on new noughties-facing track ‘The Weekend’

Stormzy and RAYE have teamed up for new track ‘The Weekend’, a retro-tinged effort that sees the pair looking firmly back at the 2000s.

The track, which marks the second collab between the pair since 2016’s ‘Ambition’, sees them leaning into noughties R&B as they tell a story of early romance. It’s a theme that continues with the Omar Jones-directed video, which sees them fully leaning into nostalgia of the era.

It’s the second single of the year from Stormzy, following his collaboration with Fredo on ‘Toxic Trait’, which was produced by Dave.

While his third album ‘This Is What I Mean’ only arrived in November, Stormzy also told Rolling Stone UK last month that he’s already working on new music.

 “I think I’m just where I’m meant to be, and I’m who I’m meant to be and I’m doing what I’m meant to do. I think the album reaffirmed my confidence, and it let me know that I should always stick to my guns, and I should always be brave,” he said.

He added: “I think even going forward with other albums, and new music, it’s like, ‘Just always trust yourself, back yourself to be brave, and be confident with your musical decisions, and carry on being free, and carry on being the cowboy and carry on just going into whatever musical terrain or musical experience that you want to do.”

Discussing new music, he explained: ““When I’m making music, it’s always super deep, but it’s never that deep. I can’t explain it, it’s deep because I take music so seriously, and it’s my craft and it’s my passion. I promise you, I’ll just go to the studio and however I feel that day, that’s what I do. I try not to be super premeditated.”