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Berwyn (musician)

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Berwyn
Berwyn in 2024
Berwyn in 2024
Background information
Birth nameBerwyn Du Bois
BornDiego Martin, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
OriginRomford, London, England
Genres
Occupations
Websiteberwynberwynberwyn.com

Berwyn Du Bois,[2] known mononymously as Berwyn, (styled in all caps) is a Trinidad-born rapper, producer, and songwriter, who is now based in East London.[3]

Early life

[edit]

Berwyn Du Bois[1] was born in Diego Martin, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Romford, East London at the age of nine.[1][2][4] His father was a bus driver and his mother a youth worker.[5] According to Berwyn, his father has also worked as a DJ, and his family were "always musical".[6] Berwyn attended the Royal Liberty School, where he was inspired by his music teacher who would take him to a folk club. Berwyn stated that he is still into folk music.[5][1] Due to his uncertain immigration status, Berwyn was unable to go to university despite earning adequate grades and also struggled to find work. This was a factor in pursuing a career in music.[6] Berwyn previously worked at a Subway franchise in a hospital.[1]

Career

[edit]

Berwyn's debut mixtape, Demotape/Vega was released on 25 September 2020, though it was written in two weeks in 2018.[3][6]

In late 2020, Berwyn was placed third in the BBC Sound Of 2021 list.[1]

In late 2021 Demotape/Vega was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize album of the year.[7] Berwyn was eligible due to rule change to the Mercury, allowing anyone who has been resident in the UK or Ireland for more than five years to be nominated. The change was made after a 2020 protest by Japanese-British pop singer Rina Sawayama, whose debut album Sawayama was deemed ineligible because she did not have a British passport.[7]

In November 2021, Berwyn was nominated for 'Best Newcomer' at the MOBO Awards.[8] He released his debut studio album, Who Am I on 12 July 2024.[9]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]

Mixtapes

[edit]
  • Demotape/Vega (25 September 2020)[11]
  • Tape 2/Fomalhaut (18 June 2021)[12]

Singles

[edit]
  • "Glory" (7 May 2020)[13]
  • "Trap Phone" (16 July 2020)[14]
  • "017 Freestyle" (22 September 2020)[15]
  • "Vinyl" (25 November 2020)[16]
  • "100,000,000" (9 April 2021)[17]
  • "I'd Rather Die Than Be Deported" (28 April 2021)[18]
  • "Rubber Bands" (11 May 2021)[19]
  • "To Be Loved" (18 June 2021)[20]
  • "Mia" (10 November 2021)[21]
  • "Lose Control" (12 August 2022)[22]
  • "Path to Satisfaction" (26 October 2022)[22]
  • "3450" / "Chasing Lights (Demo)" (14 December 2022)[23]
  • "Bulletproof" (7 March 2023)[24]
  • "Neighbours" (26 April 2024)[25]
  • "I Am Black" (14 May 2024)[26]
  • "Dear Immigration" (11 June 2024)[27]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "BBC Sound of 2021: Berwyn's breakthrough songs of 'blood, sweat and tears'". BBC News. 5 January 2021. Archived from the original on 6 January 2021. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Okundaye, Jason (5 July 2024). "'Theresa May made the whole country rally against migrants': UK rapper Berwyn on poverty, perseverance and hostile politics". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Minsker, Evan. "Berwyn Announces New Album Demotape/Vega, Shares "017 Freestyle"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Berwyn: a unique young talent nearly lost to immigration papers". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Every school's a stage with unique Shakespeare festival". Evening Standard. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Berwyn Has Always Been Ready". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  7. ^ a b Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (12 July 2024). "Mercury prize 2021: first-time nominees dominate shortlist". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  8. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (11 November 2021). "Dave tops nominations at 2021 Mobo awards". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  9. ^ Reilly, Nick (11 June 2024). "BERWYN announces debut album 'Who Am I' and shares powerful track 'Dear Immigration'". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  10. ^ "BERWYN announces his debut album, WHO AM I". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  11. ^ Minsker, Evan (22 September 2020). "BERWYN Announces New Album DEMOTAPE/VEGA, Shares "017 FREESTYLE"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  12. ^ O'Reilly, Caitlin (17 June 2021). "Berwyn - Tape 2/Fomalhaut review: rising rapper ruminates on loneliness". NME. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Berwyn Delivers Cathartic Debut Single "Glory"". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  14. ^ Quach, Maddy (20 July 2020). "BERWYN bares his soul in new single "TRAP PHONE"". Earmilk. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  15. ^ "East London's Berwyn Raps From The Heart On "017 Freestyle"". Complex. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Berwyn comes through with visuals for brand-new single "Vinyl"". GRM Daily. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  17. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 April 2021). "Berwyn returns with first single of 2021 "100,000,000"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  18. ^ P, Seth (28 April 2021). "Premiere: Berwyn delivers hard new track "I'D RATHER DIE THAN BE DEPORTED"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Berwyn shares new song 'Rubber Bands' - Far Out Magazine". Far Out. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  20. ^ Wynter, Courtney (17 June 2021). "BERWYN Makes Debut Colors Appearance With Moving Performance Of "To Be Loved"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  21. ^ Skinner, Tom (11 November 2021). "Listen to BERWYN's "spiritual" new single 'MIA'". NME. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Berwyn unveils new single "Path To Satisfaction"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  23. ^ Holden, Finlay (14 December 2022). "BERWYN has released two new tracks, '3450' and 'Chasing Lights (Demo)'". Dork. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  24. ^ Watson, Elly (8 March 2023). "Berwyn releases new single 'Bulletproof'". DIY.
  25. ^ Wescott, Andrew (28 April 2024). "BERWYN releases new single 'Neighbours'". Dork. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  26. ^ Murray, Robin (15 May 2024). "Berwyn Shares Powerful Single 'I Am Black' | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  27. ^ Strauss, Matthew (11 June 2024). "Berwyn Announces Debut Album, Shares New "Dear Immigration" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
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