Wretch 32 - HOME? (Album)
Revered British artist Wretch 32 releases his deeply personal and socially resonant sixth studio album, ‘HOME?’, out now across all major platforms. A 15-track tapestry of cultural memory, sonic heritage and personal truth, ‘HOME?’ sees the North London wordsmith at his most reflective, ambitious, and emotionally open to date.
The long awaited album ‘HOME?’ delves deep into the heart of the British-Caribbean diaspora. With a rich soundscape that seamlessly blends reggae, dancehall, grime, and Afrobeat, Wretch 32 crafts a musical world that mirrors the complexity and vibrancy of the communities he represents. The album is a powerful reflection on the strains, joys, and injustices experienced by Black British people, offering a poignant commentary on the broader social and political landscape. But more than that, the record is universal, a powerful and relatable story of place and identity, one that cuts across the many intersections of society, from hurricane Beryl that has devastated Grenada and other places in the Caribbean, the increasing widespread homelessness in Britain, refugees seeking solace from wars in countries like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Palestine, Congo, many things make people question the concept of home. ‘HOME?’ is a generational story told in sound, spanning from the experiences and trials of the Windrush generation to the social, political and musical upheavals of today.
Listeners were introduced to the album with “Black and British” ft. Little Simz and Benjamin A.D. Wretch's Grandmother Beverley Scott is poignantly sampled at the end of the track, taken from the milestone ‘Scenes From The Farm’ Broadwater Farm estate documentary, first televised in 1988. Followed by, “Like Home”, featuring Teni, with its stripped-back, rhythmic Afro-beat shuffle, showcases a different side to the record. The accompanying music video reflects the single’s tranquil essence, capturing Wretch and Teni in moments of solitary calmness. Wretch 32 launched “Black & British” ft. Little Simz at Hope 93 Gallery with a video premiere and archive photo exhibition celebrating Black British culture. He also delivered a powerful COLORSperformance of “Feels,” and guest edited The Voice newspaper, to spotlight Black British narratives and champion fellow creatives across art, literature, music industry and economics. In fashion, he collaborated with LABRUM, walking their runway and revealing a merch collaboration described by Wretch as “a wearable extension of the audio so we can be layered in layers.”
The album boasts an incredible list of collaborators, a testament to Wretch’s influence and resonance within the culture, including Kano, Little Simz, GHETTS, Skrapz, Mercston, Cashh, WSTRN, Benjamin A.D, Angel, AV Allure, Tiggs Da Author, and global voices like Skip Marley and Protoje, whose contributions root the album in Caribbean rhythms and international solidarity.
Over the past two decades, Wretch 32 has been crowned as one of the most impactful, creative and poetic voices in British music. From mainstream chart success to the critical acclaim of albums Growing Over Life (2016) and Upon Reflection (2019), to his current role as Creative Director at 0207 Def Jam, to the release of his first book Rapthology: Lessons in Life and Lyrics with Penguin, later re-released by #Merky Books, he has emerged as a vital player in the voicing of contemporary Black British expression and art. In 2022, for Stormzy’s viral freestyle Mel Made Me Do It, he scripted the widely lauded poem narrated by Michaela Coel, powerfully capturing the tides of Black Britain’s current artistic renaissance.
Wretch 32 continues to make waves both in and beyond music, cementing his influence across fashion, education, and culture. Recently, he graced the prestigious British Fashion Awards, asserting his presence in the style world—an impact echoed by his striking cover feature for Arena Homme+. In a move to uplift the next generation, Wretch has also partnered with BIMM / Black Music Coalition to launch a dedicated scholarship supporting Black music industry professionals, reinforcing his commitment to creating lasting change. Never one to shy away from his roots, he recently delivered a hard-hitting freestyle for Link Up TV,reminding audiences why he remains one of the UK’s most respected lyricists.
‘HOME?’ is more than an album; it is a moving search for belonging and an enduring celebration of the sounds and cultures created in that wander. It’s Wretch’s legacy channelled through music, a sonic representation of who he is and what he represents, forward-facing yet existing firmly in the here and now.