In “Been a Minute,” Leigh‑Anne seamlessly merges nostalgia, Caribbean energy, and contemporary production, crafting what many in the Black community might call a summer anthem built for celebration and reconnection. She stakes her independence with sonic pride, sampling Masters at Work’s classic “Work” and layering it over dancehall-inspired rhythms, a sound that immediately resonates with those who grew up on island music and kicking it with friends. Leigh‑Anne herself describes it as reimagining “a song that shaped me growing up,” turning it into the “soundtrack to my comeback.”
Produced by Elijah “GYW Eli” Ross and Lasse Qvist, the track embraces island sonics and nostalgia without becoming pastiche, it’s modern, confident, and firmly grounded in Black diasporic identity. Critics have praised its “blazing bassline and island sonics” as a standout contender for Song of the Summer.
For many Black fans, this is more than just a catchy tune, it’s about visibility and authentic space-making in mainstream pop. Leigh‑Anne, who has long spoken about being the only Black girl in Little Mix and later ensured her solo team was “60 percent Black”, is embodying the kind of self-definition and leadership often missing in UK music.
The music video, directed by Femi Lade, turns this ethos into vibrant visuals. Inspired by Caribbean carnival, it calls back to joy, community, and freedom, elements which feel especially meaningful amid the often-sterile aesthetics of pop releases. Fans on platforms like Lipstick Alley noted the video’s Caribbean appeal and heaps of missed opportunity for fuller choreography, an observation reflecting expectations that Leigh‑Anne deliver not just sound, but cultural movement too.
Reviews from fans, from Reddit to Musicboard, reflect a proud sense of homecoming. Comments praised the song’s fun energy, its nods to Caribbean and dancehall roots, and seeing Leigh‑Anne reclaim narrative control after label delays or unclear rollout strategies. Some voiced frustration that her talent hasn’t always been matched with promotional support, particularly in the UK market. Yet “Been a Minute” feels like the moment the narrative shifts.
At its core, “Been a Minute” is about returning, in joy, in sound, and on your own terms. Leigh‑Anne sings not just about reconnecting with others, but about reconnecting with herself and steering her career in a direction rooted in identity, autonomy, and cultural uplift. It’s a Black girl reclamation anthem, beat-heavy, sunlit, and unapologetically who she is.
Final Verdict
“Been a Minute” isn’t just Leigh‑Anne’s comeback, it’s her declaration of belonging. For Black listeners, it offers representation beyond surface; it’s sonic and visual acknowledgment of Caribbean heritage and UK Black femininity getting centre stage. Nostalgic, bold, and right on time, it’s the kind of song that sounds familiar because it feels like home.
