Blaze Up a Fire

Album: Freedom Of Speech (2012)
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Songfacts®:

  • This track from British rapper Speech Debelle's second album Freedom Of Speech finds her capturing the mood of insurrection raging through the 2011English riots and translating her response into a state of the nation address: "Go tell the judge and the jury/They don't know half the story," she raps. "I feel it could give insight into the hearts and minds of some of the people that have taken part in, not only the peaceful marches for Mark Duggan in Tottenham and the Smiley Culture march for justice," she explained regarding the lyrical content. "But also I believe it speaks of the frustration of many young people who took part in the rioting and the consequent looting over London and areas of the UK. I am not attempting to condone, I'm attempting to be a voice of understanding."
  • The song features a guest spot from Speech's label mate Roots Manuva.
  • Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire on her BBC Radio 5 program, Speech said this was the first song written for the album. Though she penned it before the riots when they happened she immediately leaked the track.

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