South Londoner Greentea Peng (real name Aria Wells) has dropped a Melody Maker-directed visual for “Ghost Town,” a soulful single whose lyrics examine the impact of gentrification on neighborhoods.
“You can’t take my city from me,” she sings as she walks through a South London housing development. In closing remarks Peng says, “This song is for all of us, all of our cities, all of our towns and all of us people who bring these places to life. About the loss of soul, character and roots, in these soon to be Ghost Towns.”
Further expanding on the video on Instagram, Greentea wrote, “‘Ghost Town’ explores a number of issues but mainly it is a reaction to the rapid change we are experiencing, not just in London, but globally, in our environment. The steady stance – by our governments- to prioritise economic growth and wealth over local people, their communities and our natural habitat.
“From oil companies stealing land off the indigenous, to the demolition of urban tower blocks, who’s inhabitants are forced to leave their areas and reschool their children often miles away from anywhere they’re from.
To the lack of affordable homes, the increase in overnight, over priced, flat pack apartments that lay dorment awaiting foreign investors while our young people sleep rough on the streets. To the mindless desolation and disrespect of our Planet (the list goes on). Ghost town is my bun borris, bun ya fucking 5G, bun consumerism, bun capitalism, anti babylonian chant.
“More than anything though Ghost Town is for the people, the people getting lost in the ever broadening gap in our society, a message to those, to remind them that THEY make these places, their energy, their stories, their memories and that no one can take that, replace or replicate that.”
“Ghost Town” is now available on all streaming platforms. Enjoy the visual below.
