West London emcee Collistar began his music journey in 2015, tearing up sets across the city and building momentum for the release of his debut project, Valentine, which gained national attention with airplay on platforms like 1Xtra. However, it was the 2017 release of Welcome to Britain that truly catapulted him into the underground spotlight, attracting thousands of new fans.

The six-track EP, produced by JK, quickly became a cult classic, blending whimsical lyricism, distinctly British imagery, and funky, varied beats. The project introduced a unique hybrid sound, fusing the energetic flow of grime with the dance-floor bounce of UK garage. Fans were drawn to Collistar’s relatable references, from his musings on cups of tea (‘I like mine strong, very strong tiny bit of milk’) to his sharp social commentary on the nation’s wealth divide.

By 2019, it seemed like the young emcee was on the rise: fresh out of university, killing sets on 1Xtra with Sir Spyro, and performing to packed venues across the UK. But in January 2020, fans were left baffled when Collistar’s music vanished from YouTube and streaming platforms, with his Spotify discography greyed out and unplayable. Speculation on forums like r/Grime led to a surprising revelation—Collistar had found God. Many fans reported receiving direct messages from him confirming that he had quit music, believing it to be sinful, and had left his former lifestyle behind.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, last week saw a surprise post on Collistar’s Instagram that reignited hope for his return. The short video referenced his time away from the music scene and included reactions to the confusion that followed his sudden disappearance.

Most notably, Collistar announced a long-awaited new single titled “1952,” sending fans into a frenzy. The post racked up thousands of likes and comments, and with his old tracks re-uploaded to YouTube, some have since gone viral on social media platforms like TikTok, creating a fresh wave of eager listeners. Collistar has since returned with a full album drop, and even more is expected from the emcee in the near future.