Madlib Joins Loyle Carner on Pensive New Single "Yesterday"

Loyle Carner and Madlib have teamed up to deliver their stunning new collaboration, “Yesterday.”

Clocking in at under three minutes, the single is a relaxing fusion of Madlib’s distinct production work and Carner’s inimitable flow. “Yesterday” hears the Mercury and BRIT-nominated rapper narrate his transition from a boy to a man as he grew to understand the world around him, including the courage to speak up against political and social discrimination.

Carner also lent his talents to the single’s accompanying music video, co-directing the visual with his brother Ryan as The Coyle-Larner Brothers. The video serves as a compelling and touching coming-of-age film that visualizes the full circle of Carner’s life, offering an impressive one-take video.

“It’s no secret Madlib is my musical hero. I wrote this almost 2 years ago, but at first had trouble with clearing the sample and thought it would never see the light of day,” Carner said in a statement. “It’s really just about what it is to be black and white, in a world where you pretty much have to be one or the other.”

He added, “It hurts the way I felt about my race back then, is the same way I feel now. Nothings changed since my last entry, nothing’s changed since the last century. I hope that soon this song is nothing more than a reminder of a different time, and collectively we’re able to move forward to a time of more respect, acceptance, and understanding.”

Watch the visual for Loyle Carner and Madlib’s “Yesterday” above.

Elsewhere in music, Phoebe Bridgers has announced her upcoming EP Copycat Killer.