18th August saw the release of ‘Doing OK feat. Jacob Banks’ the second single from Wretch 32’s forthcoming third studio album. With the airwaves and festival fields already warmed up following his top 10 hit ‘Blackout’ and stellar live performances at Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Park Life already under his belt, Wretch’s sounds are without a doubt the soundtrack to this summer.

True to form, ‘Doing OK’ once again sees Wretch showing his support for new home-grown talent as he calls on the dulcet tones of Birmingham’s finest, Jacob Banks who recently supported Alicia Keys on her UK tour. Bank’s velvety vocal melts over a flowing piano melody that is blanketed by the sound of a rolling snare drum cushioned with a cruising bassline and soaring tribal vocal sounds that set the scene of rolling African plains.

Lyrically showcasing Wretch’s effortless flow, this is a reminiscent track recalling memories of life before fame and the unconditional need to keep grating and to build a better life for his family. ‘Doing OK’ is a humbling retrospective of the recent journey Wretch has embarked upon in becoming a bona fide artist, musician and role model. Both ‘Doing OK’ & ‘Blackout’ capture the mood and the essence Wretch has created on the forthcoming album.

In 2011, Wretch 32 released his gold-certified LP ‘Black And White’ which amassed over one million record sales and had three top 5 singles including the gritty ‘Traktor’ and ‘Unorthodox ft. Example’. Crowned ‘MC of the year’ by MTV for two years in a row and as one of the focal artists for the 2012 Olympic Games, Wretch 32 has evolved his style into a seriously unique sound; chilled melodies, trademark bars and soaring choruses.

Last month Wretch announced he will be taking his critically acclaimed live show on the road for a 9-date UK headline tour, kicking off in Manchester and finishing on his home turf in London.  Prior to his headline tour in October, Wretch will be hotting up the festival circuit with live performances at Wireless, Reading, Leeds, Oxygen and Isle of Man Festival to name a few.