Brooklyn to Brixton

"Brooklyn to Brixton" is a song performed by British singer-songwriter Alesha. It was written and produced by Alesha and Shell Ruin for the former's sixth studio album Bigger Than God (2009). The album version of the track featured guest vocals from rapper Latavia, but a solo radio edit with new verses was ultimately released as a single on June 8, 2009. "Brooklyn to Brixton" responds to criticisms of Alesha as a negative influence and carries anti-government themes. Musically, "Brooklyn to Brixton" is a propulsive, electronic track with tribal drums, inspired by A. R. Rahman’s score for the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008).

Critics responded positively to "Brooklyn to Brixton," who enjoyed the song's production and sense of "punk rebellion." Upon its release, "Brooklyn Brixton" continued Alesha's top-two streak, but it was Alesha's lowest-selling single since 2007's "Power Power". The song's car chase music video was a continuation of "Apocalypse City" and guest starred Shell Ruin. Alesha promoted the single with concerts in Brooklyn and Brixton respectively, and performed "Brooklyn to Brixton" on 2009's Apocalypse City Live tour.

Background and composition
"Brooklyn to Brixton" was originally a demo written for Alesha by Shell Ruin during early sessions for Alesha's sixth studio album Bigger Than God (2009). The demo drew heavily from The Clash's "Straight to Hell". Alesha composed an updated version of "Brooklyn to Brixton" that was inspired by A. R. Rahman’s score for the film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Alesha and Ruin finalized the song with a verse by Latavia.

Deciding that she had released too many collaborations – three in 2007, two in 2008 and one in 2009 already – Alesha recorded an updated radio edit of the song with new verses. Released as a single on June 8, "Brooklyn to Brixton" included covers of Kelis and Andre 3000's "Millionaire" (with Ruin filling in for Andre 3000) and Teddybears' "Yours to Keep". A live cover of Jack Stevens' "The Priory" from POP BOX is included on CD1 of the single.

Critical reception
"Brooklyn to Brixton" was well received by music critics. Ryan Dombal of Pitchfork noted that Alesha had made a punk rock rebel anthem with the song. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic praised the song as one of the best tracks of the album, calling it "infectious." Alan Braidwood from BBC Music felt that the song was "insane" with its electronic, chaotic, fast and manic pounding synths: "There is so much going on here it'll take several plays to really get it, but it's ace." Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly described "Brooklyn to Brixton" as "downright thrilling" and "deploys a shrewd little form-versus-content paradox." USA Today ' s Edna Gunderson said that the "funkified" synth-pop of "Brooklyn to Brixton" attests to Alesha's "undiminished" skills as a shrewd pop composer.

"Brooklyn to Brixton" entered the official singles chart at number two on June 14, 2009, continuing a streak of top-two singles effective since 2007's "The OH in Ohio"/"Candy Cigarettes". However, "Brooklyn to Brixton" was also Alesha's lowest-selling single since the streak began. It sold just 250,700 copies, barely receiving a platinum certification (before the digital era, 250,000 copies represented a platinum certification).

Music video
The music video for "Brooklyn to Brixton" was envisioned as a sequel to Alesha's previous music video "Apocalypse City". "Brooklyn to Brixton" was directed by Michael Haussman. The music video was included in the enhanced CD of the single as well as the digital EP.

At the end of "Apocalypse City," Alesha is sentenced to death in an electric chair by a totalitarian government and the shot is concealed by flames. "Brooklyn to Brixton" continues from this point, but as the flame dies down, Alesha has completely disappeared from the chair. Alesha is seen in the dingy public bathroom of a dim, abandoned building, washing black hair dye out in the sink. She gets into a car, where the getaway driver is Shell Ruin. They run red lights, nearly causing an accident, and pass a trio of Rottweilers clawing at the cage fence they're behind. A helicopter flies overhead with its searchlight on, causing Alesha and Shell to briefly drive cautiously. Later, the girls are stopped by a police vehicle. The officer notices a baggy of drugs in the cassette tape player, and asks the girls to step out of the car. Recognizing Alesha, he handcuffs them both and goes to his vehicle to bring up Alesha's record and call for back-up. When he's done, Shellesha are gone, but their car is there.

The camera shows footage of the Brooklyn streets, including signs of wanted posters labeling Alesha a "public enemy." A group of teenagers are beating up the police officer who had attempted to arrest Alesha and Shell. Alesha hands the teenagers a stack of money each, and Shellesha steal the police car. One of the boys dumps gasoline on the police officer, before striking a match and dropping it as Shellesha peel off. The pair drive through shady back alleys and side streets, past prostitutes and drug dealers. One of the men recognizes Alesha and silently expresses his support for her cause with a fist in the air. Shellesha drive past another police cruiser, who, after doubletaking, turns on his sirens and chases Shellesha. He is soon joined by two more police cars. Shell veers off to mislead the cops; two are unphased but one crashes into the side of a building.

Shell and the remaining police cars pass through a tunnel, when Alesha begins firing a gun at the police officers. As they drive by each light in the tunnel, she shoots it out. One of the police cars starts spinning and crashes against the wall, sparks flying. The car rolls over in the middle of the tunnel. As Shellesha exit the tunnel, three additional police vehicles are on their tail. One starts firing back at Alesha. Shellesha approach the Brooklyn Bridge as a bullet shatters the back window of the car. Shell causes a number of wrecks. As they are about to make it to the bridge, a laid-out spike strip bursts the tires. The car swerves and hits a cement wall. Shell lies in the front seat unconscious and bleeding, while Alesha is gone. She is seen riding away on a motorboat across the East River as police sirens in the background become blurry and distant.

Live performances
Alesha performed "Brooklyn to Brixton" during her headlining set at Radio 1's Big Weekend. She also performed the track at Urabeachstar, alongside "Disciplinary" and "Apocalypse City". To promote the release of "Brooklyn to Brixton," Alesha performed a series of concerts in Brooklyn, New York and London's O2 Brixton Academy.

"Brooklyn to Brixton" was performed during 2009's Apocalypse City Live tour, Alesha's third world tour in as many years and her first to use stadiums as venues. The tour told the story of a dystopian future much like the one described in the song's lyrics. "Brooklyn to Brixton" was performed during the "Revolution" section. The following year, Alesha sang "Brooklyn to Brixton" in a medley with "Guerrilla" and "Shoot to Kill" on The Reckoning, a joint world tour with Putanovska. It was performed independently at Judgment Day, a televised greatest hits concert held at Wembley Stadium in June 2010.

Track listing

 * CD1
 * 1) "Brooklyn to Brixton"
 * 2) "The Priory" (Live at POP BOX) (Jack Stevens)
 * CD2
 * 1) "Brooklyn to Brixton"
 * 2) "Millionaire" (feat. Shell Ruin) (Kelis Rogers, Andre Benjamin)
 * 3) "Yours to Keep" (Patrik Arve, Joakim Åhlund, Klas Åhlund, Erik Olsson)
 * 4) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (Zimbabweans with Cholera MetroMix)
 * 5) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (music video)
 * Free poster


 * Digital EP
 * 1) "Brooklyn to Brixton"
 * 2) "Millionaire" (feat. Shell Ruin)
 * 3) "Yours to Keep"
 * 4) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (Zimbabweans with Cholera MetroMix)
 * 5) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (Fred Falke Remix)
 * 6) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (Vegas Dub)
 * 7) "Brooklyn to Brixton" (music video)