Music is vital to London. This week we’re bringing you the sounds from three of our favourite London artists. Fill these genre-less tracks into your playlist.
TARA LILY
Tara Lily is an unapologetically original and free-spirited musician from South London. Tara's music is impossible to pigeonhole, as it is influenced by the city’s many facets and genres. Like most of the greatest artists of our time, Tara went to BRIT School at the age of 14. She dropped out after becoming disappointed with the school’s musical direction (If you research about BRIT School, there are numerous artists who had a similar experience). Later, Tara went to Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music to study jazz vocals and piano.
Tara's debut single "WHO SAW WHO" is a collaboration with grime artist Jammer BBK, the result of this unique blend is a genre - defying sound, which is the essence of today’s largely intersectional cultural landscape. Check out Tara's singles here:
Beg4Cred
I first found Beg4Cred through his work being all around Bloomsbury where I lived for my first year of uni. Samuel Mead, aka Beg4Cred, is a tattoo, street, music, and visual artist based in Peckham, but who can be found all over Central London. I had the pleasure of meeting him last year when I asked him if he had any prints I could buy. Together, Samuel and his partner Arizona (also an artist) put together The Lurner Prize, which is open to other self-taught artists. He also has a mailing list which acts as a more informal look into his artistic process and current ideas.
Recently, Beg4Cred has been releasing music, some of which collaborates with other artists such as Wawa and Ghilburt.
I would describe the genre of Beg4Cred’s work as a mix of rap, hip-hop and lo-fi. His style is reminiscent of artists such as Loyle Carner, Lausse the Cat, and Nix Northwest. In ‘method actor’ (my favourite song of his), he layers a solid beat with flowing lyrics and a small echo of chorus. In his collaboration with Wawa the songs are more moody, lo-fi, and with fuzzy synths. ‘Frank Ferrari’ is my favourite from that collaboration.
HALIMA
I first discovered Halima when I was walking in Camden and saw a poster of her newest single at the time ‘Downtown’. Halima has been raised between Lagos and London, and by the age of 14 was producing neo-soul and electronic tracks. At 21 she created her own label, One Percent Genius. She also scored the film ‘Violent Nights’ and, according to her Spotify, is working on Christian Ghosn’s feature length film.
Her music is upbeat, and layered, with electronic and syncopated beats and reverberated vocals. Her song ‘Ford Cardinal’ is slower, reminiscent of Q and Chiiild. In Wildflower, Halima’s vocals are the focus, and the lyrics are sadder than some of her other songs. Some of her older work has elements of steel drums and electronic pop influence.