The young artist is making his presence known with his latest poetic single.
Photography: Rashidi Noah
Photography: Rashidi Noah
If there is one thing for certain, it’s that UK rap is due for a takeover. With the likes of Drake and G Herbo championing the sound from across the pond, our burgeoning artists are slowly but surely gaining the rep they deserve, and young bedroom-rapper Wesley Joseph is top of our list for deserved recognition. Since emerging last year with self-produced jazz-tinged debut single “Imaginary Friends”, the 23-year-old has been effortlessly delivering exceptional releases that tempt us into his hyperreal reality, and his latest release “Thrilla” is no different.
Debuting on Annie Mac’s prestigious BBC Radio 1 last night, the rapper’s latest cut introduces us to soul-drenched organs and bass-rupturing beats, creating a heady fusion that warms us throughout. Candidly exploring rebirth and artistic revivals, Joseph soothingly delivers confessions and truths as he glides over the poetic production. Shifting tonally after the bridge, the rapper’s vocals slowly fade into a hazy piano-led soundscape before sharply re-entering with more precocious word-play and bars.
Photography: Rashidi Noah
Putting his film experience to work, the rapper eagerly draws us into his imagination for the accompanying video, as he flickers between retro gull-winged cars, high fashion sets and his world of magic realism.
“When I was writing the song, images were already coming to mind visually, and I knew how the video was meant to feel texturally and metaphorically, too,” the artist revealed. “Directing this one really developed the relationship I have with myself as a musician and filmmaker. A lot of people said it wasn’t going to be possible and the idea wasn’t realistic, so I’m hugely thankful for everyone who cared and worked their asses off to make it real.”
Hailing from Birmingham, the rapper was a member of the OG Horse collective alongside fellow musician Jorja Smith, before relocating to London to study film. Converting his bedroom into a studio, the budding artist quickly honed in on his sound and the rest was history. With his debut project titled set for release this summer, we say keep a close eye on the artist because big things are set to come his way.
