After a relatively long silence from Sweets, the rising Manchester based emcee is finally back with his strongest single yet, Crack Baby. It’s his first track since 2021’s mellow, sunny Yellow, now released over a year ago - but what an explosive return to the scene Crack Baby is.

We got to see him preview the track at London’s iconic XOYO in June, but now it’s finally arrived on streaming services, and will hopefully put national attention on the young artist. With an IDLES and Slaves-esque aggression, Sweets spits passionately over the intense production, which showcases an exhilarating kaleidoscope of punk, D&B, and hip hop.

The heavy instrumental sounds like the masterful workings of a slowthai and Mura Masa session, ala Doorman, but Sweets brings his own unparalleled, infective energy to the track which makes him one of the most standout voices in the Manchester scene.

As hard-hitting riffs, and Mike Skinner-esque storytelling ensues, Sweets’ lively vocals declare ‘the prophecy is etched on the tablet’, providing a perfect sense of mystique to this electric single, before erupting into drum and bass chaos.

Hectic, shouted lyrics in the tracks boundlessly animated hook, like ‘dopamine in the worst fucking way’ have us hanging onto every word Sweets yells as this mosh pit of a track progresses, building more and more anticipation for every drop by the second, refusing to slow down or give us chance to breathe.

You can already tell this track will be a fan favourite at every live show for years to come, it has a timeless feel to it, and a hunger that is sorely missing in a lot of new, upcoming talent. Lines like ‘you little cry baby, I’d rather have a crack baby’ are already ringing in our ears from sweaty audiences bellowing the words at future gigs.

He’s surely struck gold with this one. Make sure Sweets is on your radar and listen to the track here.