Extra: YXNG BANE

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There is a growing notion that UK rap and grime is now the new pop music. You can see why that idea would be taking hold. In the last two years, music fans have fuelled the rise of a new generation of UK rap and grime stars, making these sounds the heart and soul of the British music zeitgeist. And surfing right on the crest of this wave is 21 year old East London artist, Yxng Bane.

Yxng Bane first appeared online when he dropped “Lone Wolf” on Soundcloud at the age of 19. Despite being an unknown artist with little to no following, the song went on to amass over 790,000 plays, making him an immediate ‘one to watch’. In the two years that have followed, he’s released an endless stream of dancehall-fused rap and R&B tracks that have set the internet alight. He’s yet to drop an official music video that hasn’t topped the million mark.

He’s featured on the colossal top ten record “Bestie” with Yungen, released his own blockbuster in the shape of “Fine Wine” (featuring Kojo Funds), and toured playing sold out shows from Dubai to Ibiza. “The maddest was Norway,” says Bane, “we had people climbing through the windows.” Earlier this year, the MOBOs honoured his rise to fame by making him a nomination for the Best Newcomer award and for Best Song (“Bestie” with Yungen).

At the start of 2017, it was probably fair to say that Yxng Bane was mostly known in the UK rap underground and not really in the mainstream world. That changed overnight in January when he decided to jump on Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” and sweeten it up for the raves.  “I knew everyone was watching to see what I’d do next, so I thought I’d surprise them,” says Bane. “I went to the studio and did it, then we shot the video with SBTV in my area.” The resulting track went viral, racking up 14million views on YouTube. It was enough to get Ed Sheeran’s attention, and he made the track an official remix.

Bane’s musical style is unpredictable and diverse. His delivery constantly treads the line between rap and vocals, with lyrics that can rapidly veer from steamy to serious in the space of a verse. One of his biggest singles of 2017 so far has been “Rihanna”, which entered the UK top 40 in August and has hit 6 million plays and counting. Named after the Barbadian queen of pop, it’s a luscious and candy-coated afrobeat track that’s layered with unforgettable hooks. “It’s dedicated to all the beautiful girls out there who are hard-working, focused and aren’t scared to take that risk,” says Bane, “but also aren’t scared to be a bit naughty.”

 

Yxng Bane will be performing a live PA at Sugarhouse on Saturday the 25th of November, tickets will sell out fast so get yours NOW!