Berwyn (musician)

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Berwyn
BornTrinidad
OriginLondon, UK
Genres
Occupation(s)

Berwyn (styled BERWYN) is a Trinidad-born rapper, producer, and songwriter, who is now based in East London.[2]

Early life[edit]

Berwyn Du Bois[1] was born in Trinidad and moved to Romford, east London at the age of nine.[1] His father was a bus driver and his mother a youth worker.[3] According to Berwyn, his father has also worked as a DJ, and his family were "always musical".[4] 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.[3][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.[4] 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.[2][4]

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

In late 2021, his mixtape Demotape/Vega was shortlisted for the Hyundai Mercury Prize album of the year. He became beneficiary of a recent rule change to the Mercury, that allows people who have been resident in the UK or Ireland for more than five years to be eligible. The change was made after a 2020 protest by Japanese-British pop singer Rina Sawayama, whose debut album was deemed ineligible because she did not have a British passport.

In November 2021, Berwyn was nominated for 'Best Newcomer' at the MOBO Awards.

Discography[edit]

Mixtapes[edit]

  • Demotape/Vega (25 September 2020)
  • Tape 2/Fomalhaut (18 June 2021)[5]

Singles[edit]

  • "Glory" (7 May 2020)[6]
  • "Trap Phone" (16 July 2020)
  • "017 Freestyle" (22 September 2020)[7]
  • "Vinyl" (25 November 2020)[8]
  • "100,000,000" (9 April 2021)[9]
  • "I'd Rather Die Than Be Deported" (28 April 2021)
  • "Rubber Bands" (11 May 2021)
  • "To Be Loved" (18 June 2021)
  • "Mia" (10 November 2021)
  • "Lose Control" (12 August 2022)
  • "Path to Satisfaction" (26 October 2022)
  • "3450" / "Chasing Lights (Demo)" (14 December 2022)
  • "Bulletproof" (7 March 2023)

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 Minsker, Evan. "Berwyn Announces New Album Demotape/Vega, Shares "017 Freestyle"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Every school's a stage with unique Shakespeare festival". Evening Standard. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Berwyn Has Always Been Ready". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  5. ^ O'Reilly, Caitlin (17 June 2021). "Berwyn - Tape 2/Fomalhaut review: rising rapper ruminates on loneliness". NME. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Berwyn Delivers Cathartic Debut Single "Glory"". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  7. ^ "East London's Berwyn Raps From The Heart On "017 Freestyle"". Complex. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Berwyn comes through with visuals for brand-new single "Vinyl"". GRM Daily. 26 November 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  9. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 April 2021). "Berwyn returns with first single of 2021 "100,000,000"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Berwyn_(musician)&oldid=1218893278"