Naeem
Artist Reconnects with Alter Ego for a Bold, Genre-Defying Track Featuring Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders
Naeem, the artist formerly known as Spank Rock, has unleashed a dynamic new single, “Bankroll Peelers,” reintroducing his alter ego and merging his past and present creative energies. The track, which features Spank Rock in full flow, is a vibrant mix of genre-defying hip-hop, with production contributions from Sam Greens, Noah Beresin, Matti Free, and Arctic Monkeys’ drummer Matt Helders, who adds his signature backing vocals to the chorus.
In his latest release, Naeem doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the presence of Spank Rock, inviting his younger, fearless self back into the creative fold. “Spank Rock is the Goat! Actually, he’s not the goat; he’s a Coyote, Monkey, Loki, or Eshu,” says Naeem in a press statement. “Instead of feeling at odds with my past and where I want to go, I invited my younger self back into the room. Spank Rock’s ephemeral energy rearranged the order of things.”
The track’s brash, bold lyrics — which humorously touch on themes of wealth, rebellion, and ridding the world of corporate powers — are matched by a sonically adventurous backdrop. The collaboration is a testament to Naeem’s ability to fuse the eccentric, unpredictable energy of Spank Rock with his own evolving musical identity. It’s a genre-bending moment that harks back to Spank Rock’s earlier, boundary-pushing releases while embracing Naeem’s more introspective current artistic trajectory.
The single follows Naeem’s 2020 solo album Startisha and marks the return of a persona that was instrumental in shaping his artistic evolution. The track was previewed with a live performance at Los Angeles’ Silverlake Lounge on August 14, where Naeem performed both as himself and Spank Rock, alongside a DJ set and performances from collaborators such as Noah Beresin, Gloworm, Glassface, and Mucky.
While Bankroll Peelers marks a clear return to Spank Rock’s irreverent energy, Naeem’s career continues to evolve. His ability to seamlessly integrate his past and present selves makes for a sound that is both innovative and nostalgic—one that defies convention and continues to surprise at every turn.
Listen to Bankroll Peelers here.
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