PinkPantheress has joined forces with UK Garage pioneer MJ Cole to unveil a contemporary reimagining of his seminal 1998 anthem, “Sincere.”
Hailed as a definitive cornerstone of the UKG movement, the original track has remained a staple of underground club culture and DJ rotations for over two decades. While it initially reached No. 38 on the U.K. Singles Chart upon its debut, a high-profile re-release in 2000 propelled it into the Top 20, peaking at No. 13.
This updated iteration, titled “Still Sincere” and released via 892 Recordings/Platoon, sees PinkPantheress taking center stage. Her distinctive, airy vocals replace the chopped, rhythmic samples of the original, transforming the club classic into a modern pop-garage hybrid. You can listen to the collaboration below.
Reflecting on the partnership, PinkPantheress expressed her reverence for the producer’s legacy. “I’m so thrilled I got to work with MJ Cole on this remix,” she shared. “He’s honestly a garage legend, and it’s kinda surreal collaborating with someone whose legacy inspired bits of my early work.”
The UK Garage scene exploded out of London’s nightlife in the late ’90s and early 2000s, blending the steady pulse of house music with the soulful sensibilities of R&B and the heavy basslines of dub. The genre dominated the mainstream during its peak, producing chart-topping hits from the likes of So Solid Crew, Craig David, Artful Dodger, and Mis-teeq.
Born in 2001, PinkPantheress has frequently cited the genre as a foundational influence on her sonic identity. Her breakout 2021 single, “Pain,” famously utilized a sample of Sweet Female Attitude’s “Flowers.” In a previous interview, she noted that the ubiquity of these sounds in British culture made them an ideal blueprint for her music, describing UKG tracks as “super palatable” songs that everyone recognizes and can sing along to.
MJ Cole’s career reached new heights following the initial success of “Sincere.” His debut studio album of the same name earned prestigious nominations for the Mercury Prize and the BRIT Awards. Beyond his solo work, Cole has established himself as a versatile producer and remixer, lending his expertise to projects for artists ranging from Amy Winehouse and Mariah Carey to Dizzee Rascal and Alicia Keys.
