Featured Artist: Wesley Joseph

Available for over a year

Birmingham-born, London-based songwriter, producer and filmmaker Wesley Joseph has been making waves over the past 12 months with his smooth flows, poetic lyrics and jazz-inflected beats. Before moving to London in 2016 to study film and craft beats in his bedroom-turned-studio, Joseph was a member of the OG Horse collective alongside Jorja Smith. This DIY mentality is still very much at the core of Joseph’s art; whether it’s shooting his own videos or crafting beats on buses, his sound is confident and authentic. Citing artists such as Jai Paul, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino as influences, it’s no surprise that his steady flows are set against soul-drenched melodies and softly thumping basslines. There is also a warmth to his sound that is often lacking in hip-hop music; much like fellow London-based rappers Dave and Loyle Carner, Joseph is unafraid to be vulnerable in his lyrics, driven by a strong sense of self-assurance, creating captivating soundscapes that allow you to indulge in the same feelings. Joseph released his debut single ‘Imaginary Friends’ in 2020 via EEVILTWINN, which was quickly followed by ‘Martyrs’ and ‘Ghostin’. The tracks have earned him support across BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, with Annie Mac debuting his latest cut ‘Thrilla’ in March 2021. With a string of impressive singles under his belt and an unwavering DIY mentality, Joseph is certainly one of the key voices coming through with the next generation of London rappers. FFO: Jai Paul, Loyle Carner, Jorja Smith