Droc Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz — Review
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert by Little Simz — Review
Released in September 2021, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the fourth studio album by North London rapper Little Simz (Simbiatu Abiola Ajikawo) and the record that cemented her status as one of the most formidable MCs working in any country. Produced primarily by Inflo (Dean Josiah Cover), the album is a sprawling, orchestral, deeply personal work that balances introspection with breathtaking technical skill.
The Sound
Inflo’s production gives the album a cinematic scope that few hip-hop records attempt. Full orchestral arrangements, choral passages, live instrumentation, and soul samples create a sound that is warm and expansive. The beats range from trunk-rattling bass on “Rollin Stone” to delicate piano-led arrangements on “I Love You, I Hate You.” The production never overwhelms Simz’s vocals — it elevates them, providing a stage worthy of her performances.
The album’s 19-track, 65-minute runtime is ambitious, but the variety of production styles and the interludes (narrated by Obongjayar) maintain momentum. Inflo’s arrangements reward careful listening — strings appear and disappear, percussion patterns shift subtly, and background vocals add harmonic depth that reveals itself over multiple plays.
Key Tracks
”Introvert”
The opening track arrives with a full orchestral fanfare before Simz enters with a verse that addresses her position as a public figure who values privacy. The arrangement is sweeping and dramatic, establishing the album’s scale immediately. It is a statement of intent that justifies every minute of what follows.
”Woman”
Featuring vocals by Cleo Sol, “Woman” is a celebration of Black womanhood that rides a warm, soulful beat. Simz and Cleo Sol’s vocal interplay is excellent, and the song functions as both anthem and affirmation. The production is rich without being overstuffed, allowing both voices space.
”I Love You, I Hate You”
The album’s emotional centerpiece addresses Simz’s absent father. Over a spare piano arrangement, she unpacks the complex feelings of loving someone who was not there — the anger, the longing, the eventual acceptance. The vocal performance is raw and exposed in a way that Simz rarely allows, and the restraint of the production amplifies the vulnerability.
”Rollin Stone”
A harder-edged track that showcases Simz’s technical abilities. The beat is heavy, the flow is rapid and precise, and the confidence is earned. After the emotional vulnerability of surrounding tracks, “Rollin Stone” reminds the listener that Simz can compete with anyone on pure MC skill.
”Speed”
Built on a guitar-driven beat with a propulsive rhythm, “Speed” captures the momentum and pressure of success. Simz’s delivery is urgent, matching the track’s energy while maintaining lyrical clarity. It is one of the album’s most immediately engaging moments.
Themes
The album title is an acronym — S.I.M.B.I. — reflecting Simz’s given name. This wordplay signals the album’s central concern: the tension between the public persona required of a successful artist and the private self that needs protection. Simz is deeply introspective throughout, examining her relationship with fame, family, identity, and mental health without self-pity or false modesty.
The father-daughter dynamic addressed on “I Love You, I Hate You” provides the album’s most powerful emotional thread. Simz does not resolve the conflict — she presents it honestly, acknowledging the damage while refusing to define herself by it. This emotional complexity extends to the album’s treatment of success, which is presented not as a destination but as a new set of problems.
Cultural Context
Little Simz occupies a unique position in British music. She is undeniably one of the most skilled rappers in the UK, yet her commercial profile has not matched her critical acclaim. Sometimes I Might Be Introvert addressed this tension directly — the album’s very existence, with its orchestral ambitions and deeply personal content, represented a refusal to compromise for commercial accessibility.
The album won the Mercury Prize in 2022, recognizing it as the outstanding British album of the year. It also topped numerous critics’ lists and earned Simz a Brit Award. The recognition was deserved and overdue.
For context on the thriving UK hip-hop scene, see our guide to UK rap essentials. For more on Inflo’s production work, including his contributions to Sault, check our artist profile on Inflo.
Verdict
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is a career-defining album. Little Simz’s lyrical precision, emotional honesty, and technical skill are matched by Inflo’s production, which gives the album a sonic grandeur that rewards its ambitions. It is one of the finest hip-hop albums of the 2020s.
Rating: 9/10