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Iris Gold Releases New Single “Build It Up”
British-Danish artist Iris Gold releases “Build It Up”, out now via GL Music Entertainment A/S. The new single from her album ‘Sugar On My Lips’ arrives as a powerful statement of hope and agency in a world marked by war, conflicts, and global challenges. Inspired by Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, the track focuses on the possibility of creating a better future for coming generations—and the importance of taking action.
“Build It Up” was developed in collaboration with PlanBørnefonden (Plan International Denmark), for whom Iris has been an ambassador since 2023. The song is based on experiences from a visit to Zimbabwe in 2025, where Iris worked with Zimbabwean musician Kotiion and gained insight into concrete initiatives that strengthen children’s and young people’s rights and opportunities in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
The journey offered a clear perspective on how music, collaboration, and cultural exchange can create momentum and new opportunities.
“That meeting reminded me of how much creativity, strength, and ambition there is in the world. When people work together across cultures, something truly special can emerge,” says Iris Gold.
But the idea for the song emerged in a more everyday moment. One day, Iris was in a hurry to move on when her son stopped and pointed to a small flower that had broken through the concrete. Only afterwards did she realize what he was trying to show her: that something strong and beautiful can emerge even under difficult conditions.
The experience became an image of the song’s central point: that new solutions often begin with the ability to see possibilities where others see limitations.
“I wrote ‘Build It Up’ because I needed to believe that we can still create something better together. When the world feels divided, it’s important to actively strive for harmony—and act on it, for example through music,” says Iris Gold.
PlanBørnefonden works for children’s and young people’s rights in more than 80 countries. This isn’t Iris Gold’s first collaboration with the organization—in 2024, she released the song “Boys, Boys, Boys”, which spotlighted violence both in Denmark and globally.
“Build It Up” continues this commitment to using music as a tool for social change, addressing global challenges whilst maintaining an essential sense of hope and possibility.
The single is taken from Iris Gold’s third album ‘Sugar On My Lips’ (out now), a 12-track “celebration of life” collection featuring a collaboration with Eurythmics legend Dave Stewart on the title track. Following radio support from BBC Asian Network, BBC 6 Music, and BBC 1Xtra, plus press acclaim from Clash, Afropunk, Complex, Dork, Noctis, DMY, and Kaltblut Magazine, the album has been described as an alchemical journey where base metals were transformed into gold.
“The process of making the album started out difficult but ended up as a pure high,” Iris Gold explains. “It’s a feeling of freedom that has been suppressed for a long time, so now a whole lot is coming out. Songs that can lift you back up, a boost like an espresso shot.”
The release of “Build It Up” marks the start of Iris Gold’s spring tour across Denmark—her first “real” tour in the country in 4 years. She kicks off at Pavillonen in Grenaa on 5th March, bringing the songs from ‘Sugar On My Lips’ to stages across the country throughout March, April, and May.
Born in London and raised around Christiania, the half-Indian, half-Jamaican artist has been nominated for “Best New Live Act” at Danish Music Awards 2019, played major European festivals, and performed for Queen Margrethe II and French President Emmanuel Macron. She’s opened for Taylor Swift, Doja Cat, Robbie Williams, Miguel, and Blur, and will take on the lead role in a Tina Turner musical later this year.
IRIS GOLD DANISH TOUR 2026
March
05.03 – Pavillonen, Grenaa
06.03 – UKH, Grindsted
07.03 – Tøjhuset, Fredericia
20.03 – Mantzius, Birkerød
21.03 – Gjethuset, Frederiksværk
April
02.04 – Posten, Odense
04.04 – Vesterbro 10, Viborg
17.04 – Rotationen, Holbæk
18.04 – Toldkammeret, Helsingør
May
02.05 – Hotel Cecil, København
13.05 – Radar, Aarhus
14.05 – Musikkens Hus, Aalborg
15.05 – Vejle Musikteater
16.05 – Alfa, Aars