Idris Elba is everywhere these days. He killed it on SNL the other night and is now adding to his growing discography as a recording artist.
The multi-talented actor, rapper, DJ and producer, has shared the new video for his single “Stand By Me,” which features Jamaican dancehall artist Kranium and British singer Tanika, released via Elba’s own label, 7Wallace.
Already supported by the legendary David Rodigan on his BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA show, “Stand By Me” is the first in a collection of tracks, inspired by Idris Elba’s directorial debut YARDIE, which gets its US box office release this Friday, Mar. 15.
Set in 1970’s Kingston, Jamaica and 1980’s Hackney, London, the movie is based on the 1992 book by Victor Headley, and heavily features sound system culture in Britain and Jamaica, watch the trailer here.
Each track in the collection samples dialogue and original score from the movie to create each artists own interpretations of the sound system soundtrack to the movie. Idris Elba produced “Stand By Me” and collaborated with Kranium and Tanika, who also stars as Rita in the movie, for the reggae edition of the collection.
Born in Hackney with a father from Sierra Leone and a mother from Ghana, Idris famously funded his early acting career by DJing as Big Driis. He released the albums Mi Mandela and Murdah Loves John, both inspired by his lead roles in the film Mandela: The Long Road To Freedom, and the TV series Luther.
He has always been ahead of the curve and had a close ear to the clubs and roads. He performed on the intro to JAY-Z’s American Gangster album (2007). He’s been plugged into the resurgent afro-music wave for a long time, producing a documentary for BBC Radio 2 called Journey Dot Africa in 2014 and featuring as an artist on D’Banj’s 2015 single “Confidential.”
“Stand By Me” is available on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify. Check it out below.
You can follow @IdrisElba on Instagram.
