HERITAGE: Emeli Sandé Lends Her Golden Vocals For This Live Version Of Magnetic Man's "I Need Air" (2011)

HERITAGE: Emeli Sandé Lends Her Golden Vocals For This Live Version Of Magnetic Man's "I Need Air" (2011)


October 11, 2019

Magnetic Man — the supergroup alliance between Artwork, Benga and Skream — arrived just at the right moment as dubstep was reaching its apex and was one of the biggest examples of the scene's changing directions.

One of their biggest hits was "I Need Air", one of many from their one and only self-titled album. Originally recorded with American-Trinidadian singer-songwriter Angela Hunte, when they were invited to perform the track at BBC's Maida Vale studios, they decided to take it to the next level by bringing in Emeli Sandé for vocals.

As you might expect, the results were explosive. The Sunderland-born icon, backed by an orchestra, lifted the roof of the studio and made the track all her own. That may not come as a surprise but it's worth remembering this is pre-"Next To Me", pre-Our Version Of Events... in fact, her only substantial release at this point was "Never Be Your Woman" with Wiley and Naughty Boy.




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