Credit: @Joe.howat
MOBO nominated artist Strandz drops his incredible self-produced debut project “No Time”. Over the last 8 month Strandz has been releasing a slew of incredible singles in the run up to his debut. The EP traverses the whole emotional and sonic spectrum, with community, confidence and self-assuredness at its centre. The new anthemic single ‘How You Feeling?’ kicks off the record with true artistic purpose.
‘Igbo Boy Interlude’ and ‘Take Your Time’ bring full and symphonic production that contrast with the elegant economy employed in ‘No Peace, No Time’ and ‘An Idea Was Born’. The powerful self-belief that backs his witty lyricism lends Strandz true credibility. “No Time” only has three features, provide by rap innovator Lancey Foux (Feeling Alive), British rising star tendai (An Idea Was Born) and fashion favourite Tora-i (How You Feeling?). Closing his first body of work with his raw and unfiltered ’Take Your Time’, Strandz shows fans his craft in its purest and finest form.
Strandz explains the thought behind the EP: “This EP is very important to me because it encapsulates the come up, theres songs on there that I started 3+ years ago and have developed over time, spent many months being across the whole process from production to mixing to make sure it really represents the era of sound I’m trying to push forward. To anyone listening I want you to understand you are a part of this journey just as much as me, this is only the beginning.”
‘No Time’ Tracklist:
- How You Feeling? feat Tora-I
- Feeling Alive feat Lancey Foux
- No Peace, No Time
- Attention
- Igbo Boy Interlude
- Us Against the world
- An Idea was Born feat tendai
- Take Your Time
This past week Strandz finished his sold-out English and Irish tour with the final date in London at the hallowed venue Lafayette which saw surprise performances from British behemoths NSG & the formerly mentioned Tora-i. Strandz has been a familiar face on the fashion scene attending events by the likes of Christian Louboutin, BFC, GQ & British Vogue.
More on Strandz:
At the age of 14, Strandz got a job in a local music studio in Croydon, using his wages to pay for his own studio time. Strandz learnt to engineer and in 2015 he met the likes of Stormzy & Ruff Squad. This dedication saw him learn to play the piano for his BRIT School audition and secure a spot. Strandz’s creative hot streak kicked off with a string of singles in 2020. He carved out a sound that channels the luxurious feel of ‘00s hip-hop and R&B, but refreshes it with experimental flourishes and contemporary production techniques.
Strandz was born in Hamburg to a German mother and a Nigerian father. The family moved to Lagos and then to Nnobi, a village in South Nigeria. His close family then relocated to South London with little money. Strandz was struck by the social divisions created by the British class system, a sharp contrast to the nurturing community spirit he experienced in Nigeria. Strandz’ sound and passion for music stems from a truly eclectic sonic upbringing (the likes of Fela Kuti, Quincy Jones, Feist), whilst being deeply inspired by what existed across the pond on the east coast in the 90s & 2000s.
Over the last 12 months Strandz has not stopped and was brought out by the likes of Digga D at Glastonbury Festival (as well as at The Royal Albert Hall, supported Wu-Tang Clan & Nas and Tion Wayne at Reading & Leeds – wowing fans, naturally, with his own sets at both festivals. He featured on the soundtrack for the latest season of Netflix’s Top Boy, sat front row at MAINS’ debut London Fashion Week show by personal invitation from Skepta as well as attending shows by Labrum, Robyn Lynch & Saul Nash.
Strandz’s star is rising at a meteoric rate.
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