Between Streets and Storytelling: French The Kid's Next Move with 'What Can I Say'

French The Kid re-emerges with a sound that continues to find its place between streets and storytelling. Recent work hasn’t gone overlooked—Wonderland, NME, Clash, GQ, Complex, and WAVE have all kept him in focus. With over 70 million streams behind his latest mixtape and radio support from voices like Kenny Allstar, DJ Target, Clara Amfo, Rebecca Judd, and Jack Saunders, his music has secured a space on playlists and airwaves alike. BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record only confirms what listeners already feel—he’s got something to say and people listen.

The track in question ‘What Can I Say’ - stripped back, personal, confident, easy flow, rides the beat, story teller, it’s still catchy and relatable to a younger crowd as well as the older ones.

It’s clever because the track has an easy adaptability - the right ears could turn this into a faster tempo, shift the gears a few. It’s a smooth listen, as I write this, I am lying on a sofa, lights projected onto the ceiling - he locks you in, the beat laced in emotion - introspective although that word has been used too much recently in writing, it fits here. 

His voice has that rare quality—it’s got the warmth to draw people in, while still holding the edge that connects with anyone who’s been through it. It’s the kind of sound that speaks to both sides without trying too hard.

You get the feeling there was no rush with this record, I can imagine French recording this in Paris late at night in the studio, but maybe he found the lyrics on a flight to LA. Who knows. 

“I’ve been making music with this sound for a while now. But I feel like going to Paris and working with Lucci and other talented producers that organically create this sound gave me a new energy. Felt like I had moved into a new gear. What Can I Say is a vibe. It captures a feeling. This track definitely provides my fans with an insight into what is to come from the new project”  – French The Kid.

‘What Can I Say’ dropped off the back off, Tijuana, the visuals shot in the heart of Australia, a subtle nod at his global presence. Galahad was another intro to this new project he’s working on, hitting over 2 million views on Youtube. 

Let’s explore the production behind the track. We have Léonard Luccini, aka Lucci, has worked with artists like HOUDI and Carbonne, while Warren Gonmma Bouissa, or Laskrt, has teamed up with Jrk19. The track was written by William Corbett, all bringing this ‘new energy’ that French mentioned. 

The track moves with a quiet weight, its atmospheric backdrop setting a contemplative tone for the 2:42 runtime.

The lyrics guide you through personal moments with a subtle intensity, while the production stays restrained yet intentional, amplifying the honesty of the delivery. It feels like he wanted to reflect on this beat, inviting listeners to step into the his world.

The music video for "What Can I Say" some of the scenes takes you back to those classic house parties – where the DJ is working with a small setup, limited track choices, but the liquor flows freely, maybe you’ve had one too many and your head starts spinning, the blue lights trip you up a little but the feelings good so you find a sofa in the corner and vibe out till the room drops back into focus again. 

Drifting like a memory - moments of movement, laughter, and pause. It feels like slipping through the in-between, where the night is alive but softened, edges blurred by shadow and light. Glimpses of faces, flickering neon, and motion dissolve into one another, a visual that pulses and then lingers with quiet weight. French moves through it all, a steady figure in the haze—part of the moment yet slightly apart, his presence cutting through the noise like a thought that refuses to fade.

Curious about how his track was connecting with listeners, I scrolled through the comments section.

The feedback was telling:

“One of the most underrated in the UK, bro—you deserve your flowers. You've been one of the best!”

“I don’t understand how it’s so underrated... people don’t care about music anymore. They just follow the crowd. French’s music makes you feeeeeel.”

I really connected with the last comment. French's music does have that power to make you feel something real.

And as he continues to evolve, there’s no doubt that his upcoming project will build on this emotional depth. I’m excited to see how he further taps into his bilingual signature, blending English and French in his tracks—something I hope he explores even more in his future releases. The next chapter is definitely one to watch.