It’s the start of the year and we have already been blessed with brand new Brad stank music in the form of new single ‘Cry Baby, Ft. Lord Apex’. In what already could be the collaboration of the year, the enigmatic duo offer up hazy, minimalist jazz with a nod to the underground rap scene; “I made this beat inspired by some of my favourite underground rap songs, but kept all the instruments live”, says Brad, “It’s moody, romantic and hypnotic”.
Fresh off the back of his critically acclaimed LP ‘The Good Fight’ and about to embark on an extensive European tour, Lord Apex is a musician at the peak of his creative powers and, according to Brad himself, “the best rapper in the UK”.
The West London based rapper was recently included on Complex UK’s Rappers to Watch for the year, and his latest LP has features ranging from Madlib, Freddie Gibbs, Greentea Peng and MAVI. Championed by the likes of Complex, CRACK Magazine, KISS FM & BBC 1Xtra alongside impressive sessions with both COLORS & Boiler Room, Apex is certainly starting to make a serious name for himself in the rap world.
In the studio, they complement each other with ease and their knack for effortless, yet poignant, lyricism is evident on the track.
The sultry sax (performed by King Krule collaborator Gal Go) allows Lord Apex creative freedom to let loose with his thought provoking musings, whilst Brad takes a step back with a simple message to himself,” to the overthinking part of my brain, accepting that things can get a bit heavy sometimes, but reminding myself to keep my head up”.
With new album ‘In The Mist of You’ set for release on the 26th Jan, 2024 promises to be an exciting year for Brad stank. A US and EU tour is set to be announced after recently teaming up with brand new agency Anniversary Group, and a highly anticipated UK tour awaits. Brad will be gracing the stages of Jazz Café in London to King Tut’s in Glasgow, as well as more intimate instore shows such as Banquet Records and Rough Trade East to promote the new album.
A hectic schedule ahead, but for now it’s time to take it slow, and as Brad suggests, “get lost in this one a little bit”.
