END. spent the day with Kennington-based rapper Blanco in his home suburb, delving into the importance of self-expression and forging your own creative path.
Looking back on the musical career of Blanco, what immediately stands out is an artist steadfast on pioneering his own sound. The 24-year-old has unapologetically forged his own path of creativity, continuously positioning himself at the forefront of genres and movements as they burgeon and blossom in the UK. From his formative years as an integral part of the UK’s drill-defining group, Harlem Spartans, to his ever-inventive solo output today, Blanco represents a pivotal figure in the creativity and evolution of the UK’s underground rap scene.
At the time, I didn’t think it was that important – obviously because you’re a kid and that, you don’t really know what’s good for you at the time. I realise now that I didn’t really have any ambitions, really, I was just following guys on the estate, so I don’t know what I would have been without Alford House. It was so essential, man. Life changing.
I think it was when we started getting proper views and getting recognised – people were actually listening to us because they liked our music. So, I thought, “yeah, let’s keep going with this”. But, at that time, I was in a group, so I didn’t think I could do it solo. The point where I realised I would do it myself was 2018. I realised I have to do it myself, because not everyone I was with was around.
Obviously, I’m Angolan, so we used to listen to Portuguese music a lot when I was growing up, so it could be Brazilian music or Angolan music. That made me curious, because I was bored of drill, I was bored of just doing the same thing. I was looking for new sounds and what sounded cool. One day, I was on a Brazilian beat, and that sound just fit perfectly with my lyrics and everything.
It keeps the interest alive. I’m really into TV shows, movies, art — anything that requires you to think of things yourself and come up with concepts and ideas. I admire that and have huge respect for any creatives. Music, TV and art all go hand in hand, there’s a level of similarity between all of them. It just inspires me, it keeps me going with ideas. When I’m bored, I’ll look to things like movie synopsises and write a story based off that — I find that approach fascinating. You can write a song about the whole concept of the movie, it’s sick.
"The more you express yourself, the better. I know you look at TikTok or Instagram and a lot of the generic stuff works, but when people are themselves, have their own ideas or experiment with their own ideas, trust me, it works"
Obviously, I know a lot of people say this, but talent without hard work isn’t anything, to be honest. I learnt that the hard way. Also, don’t get complacent. Blessings will come, but don’t get complacent — just view it as you need to work harder. Also, avoid any trouble. Obviously with rapping, it comes with this sort of image, with the notion of you have to be this or you have to do this — just avoid all of that.
The more you express yourself, the better. I know you look at TikTok or Instagram and a lot of the generic stuff works, but when people that are themselves, have their own ideas or experiment with their own ideas, trust me, it works. People will associate you with your own music a lot more. It can get boring just doing the same thing. You’ve got to stay consistent and level headed, but also mix it up a bit.
I think more originality. There was a point in 2017 where there was a lot of versatility, and I feel like we need more of that. More talented, original artists need to be at the forefront, as a lot of this I feel is fading. A lot of the generic American music is taking its place. There’s a lot of talented people that don’t really get recognised, it happens all the time. But I also understand a lot of it is about image and the story you want to tell, and that’s what resonate with audiences. It’s a difficult one.
As an artist, I’m always working towards something. I love the new stuff I’m working on, I can’t wait for people to hear it. I’ll probably release a tape next year, but I’m really working on it to ensure it’s as best as it can be, and I feel like it’s going to be amazing. So that’s what I’m working towards.
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12/09/2023