Ollie Millington/Redferns
Steel Banglez has spent years shaping UK rap, grime, and drill, but his latest project, One Day It Will All Make Sense, takes him somewhere new. Born to Punjabi Sikh parents in East London, he grew up surrounded by hip-hop, grime, dancehall, and the Punjabi music his family played at home. That mix shaped the way he listened to sound—not as separate genres, but as things that naturally overlap. His new album, One Day It Will All Make Sense, is a reflection of that.
Across six tracks, Banglez brings together artists from different corners of the world, not to force a fusion, but to let their voices sit side by side. AP Dhillon, Omah Lay, Afsana Khan, Lojay, Ikka, and Stefflon Don all bring their own distinct styles, but somehow, nothing feels out of place. In an interview with New Wave Magazine, Banglez discussed his intent behind the album: “I wanted to showcase where I come from and what’s popular from where I’m from, but also be one of the first producers to actually be able to put an album together of this magnitude in England and say that I’m here.”
The first taste of the project came with Mohabbat, featuring Afsana Khan and Lojay. Afsana, whose voice is powerful and rooted in Punjabi folk, brings an emotional weight to the track, while Lojay keeps things light with his smooth vocals floating over the beat. The contrast between them gives the song its energy.
“Never Let You Go” puts AP Dhillon and Omah Lay together, and it just makes sense. AP’s ability to weave Punjabi melodies into contemporary hip-hop production is what made him a global name, and Omah Lay’s laid-back Afrobeats flow makes this track feel effortless.
“On Only One”, Ikka and Stefflon Don bring sharp, punchy verses, switching between Hindi and English with ease. Ikka has been one of the most consistent voices in India’s hip-hop scene, and Stefflon Don’s signature confidence makes her the perfect match for this kind of back-and-forth. The track has the energy of two artists who know exactly what they’re doing.
Then comes “Times,” which might be the most surprising track on the album. Nas is one of those artists who doesn’t need an introduction, but Sid Sriram’s feature is what makes this song stand out. Sid, who moves between Indian classical music and R&B, has a way of making every note feel intentional. His voice is smooth but carries weight, and when placed next to Nas’ measured delivery, the result is something unexpected but completely natural.
“Flowers” slows things down with Pheelz and Talwiinder, giving the album a reflective pause before the final track. It’s simple but effective—no overproduction, just two voices sitting in the pocket of the beat.
The album closes with “One Day It Will All Make Sense,” featuring Idris Elba and Shae Universe. It feels less like a song and more like a final thought—Idris’s spoken-word style gives the track a sense of closure, while Shae Universe adds layers of harmonies that let the album drift to an end.
One Day It Will All Make Sense works because it trusts the artists to bring their own voices to the table. For Banglez, this project isn’t about trying to blend cultures—it’s about showing that they already exist together. Music has always been bigger than borders, and this album is just another reminder of that.
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