Birmingham’s Marnz Malone has been all gas, no brakes since coming out of prison on December 18, 2025. Since then, he has dropped multiple singles as well as the mixtape YAQEEN, which became one of the best-selling UK rap projects of 2026, just behind Central Cee’s ALL ROADS LEAD HOME.
His latest project, I WISH I COULD SING, is a 14-track body of work packed with collaborations from artists such as J Hus, Skillibeng, Byron Messia, Stardom, Clavish, Teeway and more.
In this review, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of our favourite tracks, as well as some of the project’s most anticipated collaborations.
Morgan Rogers
Named after former Aston Villa winger and current Chelsea and England international Morgan Rogers, Marnz Malone really went all-out attack when it came to this intro!
We like the fact that he started the project off strong, as artists can sometimes make the mistake of putting one of their weaker tracks first. Morgan Rogers lets us know immediately what type of energy Marnz is coming with throughout the project.
It’s an aggressive start that sets the tone and makes it clear that Double M isn’t easing listeners into the tape.
Unorthodox
One of the most highly anticipated tracks on the tape is Unorthodox, featuring J Hus.
The track definitely received mixed reviews online. In our opinion, Unorthodox may simply be the pair experimenting with a different sound. However, it isn’t a bad song at all and, honestly, we feel some of the criticism has come from one or two bars that listeners found slightly humorous.
Overall, the track is good and definitely shouldn’t be classed as a throwaway. However, it isn’t one of the strongest tracks on the project either.
With two artists of Marnz Malone and J Hus’ calibre on the same track, expectations were always going to be extremely high.
Generational Run
Ever since Marnz Malone was granted his freedom, he has been on a generational run.
For this track, he recruits fellow Brum artist Stardom. Stardom comes in first and reflects on the harsh realities that come with street life, particularly in his hometown of Aston.
Double M then follows suit and straight-up shells the beat.
Marnz really is a generational talent within the UK rap scene, and the fact that he has never received a MOBO nomination is a travesty. Generational Run is another example of why his name deserves to be mentioned among the strongest rappers coming out of the UK right now.
Shoot Your Shot:
In recent years Marnz Malone has featured upcoming rappers, with the best example being Revs Boogie on the Mixtape Yaqeen.
Marnz has done it again with this project and featured Luton rapper J Rellz on the track Shoot Your Shot. He has also stated that every project going forward will feature an upcomig rapper.
We need more of this in the UK Rap scene to help elevate upcoming rappers. We’ve recently released an Interview with the young rapper which you can see below.
You Deserve
This emotive track has Marnz rapping his heart out over a soft, string-based instrumental. Here, he reflects on his come-up, his time in prison and the life he lives now.
You Deserve serves as a mellow outro to a project that is jam-packed with bangers and heavy-hitting beats. Another thing we like about this song is that it doesn’t feel like a filler track. The production is high-quality, the concept is well thought out and it brings the project to a fitting close.
Overall
After taking in the full project, it’s clear why Marnz Malone has continued to build such a strong name for himself within UK rap.
The project covers various subjects, including love, the streets and introspection, while also showcasing Marnz Malone’s cultural influences. Tracks such as Shelly and Saxophone, featuring Skillibeng and Byron Messia respectively, help bring a Caribbean influence to the project and demonstrate Marnz’s ability to experiment beyond the traditional UK rap sound.
Overall, the project manages to balance introspective moments with the bangers and heavy-hitting production that Marnz Malone’s listeners have come to expect.
