: It peaked at number 73 on the UK Singles Chart in early 2018 and was later certified Platinum by the BPI in 2022.
: Released when SL was just 16 years old, "Tropical" solidified his reputation for having a distinctively laid-back, "wavey" flow that differed from his peers. Key Details Artist : SL Released : December 25, 2017 Platform : Mixtape Madness Director : Kaylum Dennis Certification : Platinum (BPI) SL – Tropical Lyrics - Genius SL - Tropical (Music) MixtapeMadness
: Despite its title and sunny beat, the lyrics maintain a gritty reality, discussing street crime, dodging authorities, and defending territory. : It peaked at number 73 on the
: Directed by Kaylum Dennis, the music video famously subverts the song's name by swapping London for the icy, snow-covered landscapes of Iceland. Critical & Commercial Impact : Directed by Kaylum Dennis, the music video
While many drill tracks of the era favored dark, aggressive production, "Tropical" introduced a more melodic and luxurious sound.
: Reviewers at Pitchfork noted that the song's "combination of grace and grit" represented a significant step forward for the genre.
The track is celebrated for taking a hyperlocal sound and making it feel global.