Two by Brian Nasty
Brian Nasty — the London-based rapper, producer, model & overall polymath — returns with a brand new single “Two”. The single explores an aspect of imposter syndrome that makes its narrator strive for the impossible goal of perfection. “You feel like you could be better and that you probably could have if you tried a lil harder. You would have done it if you wanted to,” Brian says. “People always have comments and will tell you how to get things done. But you know what? I'm trying. And that's all that matters to me.”
“Two” was produced in collaboration with London composer and multi-instrumentalist Melo-Zed, who previously worked with the likes of noname, Childish Gambino, National Geographic and more. The single follows ‘Anywhere, But Here With You’ featuring singles “Here With You”, “I Have Nothing More To Tell You”, and “Good Boy (feat. Wiki)”. The mixtape catalogued a transitional period of Brian’s life, one that rides the highs and lows of the last three years. The project saw Brian looking within, reflecting on missed opportunities, personal growth, patience, and the inescapability of internal and external challenges. “Two” also hints at more music coming on the horizon and the end of an important chapter for Brian.
“I strive to try and put something out that's timeless, whether I listen to it now or in five years, I'm still gonna enjoy it. That's always my goal. I wrote about these little snapshots of my life in that time and maybe close the chapter. But I also have that as a record or keep it there as a book of reminders. That's always how I've treated my music. They've been like diary entries. ‘Anywhere But Here With You’ was a time that I respected and saw it through and now it's eternal. Now it's out and now it exists, it's not just a memory, it's something physical, it's a time in my life, people have come and gone, and I'm glad I got to commemorate that.” - Brian Nasty
Brian Nasty’s 2023 EP, ‘Growing Pains’, stood as a testament to his unique production and storytelling skills, blending elements of Highlife, soul, blues, rock, indie, and electronic music into a cohesive narrative about life's complexities. The EP came off the back of a busy few years for the artist, including collaborating with Metronomy on their 2021 ‘Posse EP Volume 1’; modelling for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Adidas Originals, Dickies and Marc Jacobs, maintaining a particularly special creative relationship with Carhartt, Aries and Crtz; and releasing the short film "Moon" with Luke Casey — part of a trilogy of dream-inspired shorts where Brian both starred and contributed to the original score — which was featured on esteemed video channel NOWNESS.
His 2020 EP ‘Not Here 2 Play!’, and previous full-length mixtape ‘Pyjama Party’ announced Brian as a new voice in the DIY world of experimental rap. His genreless approach to music making — which owes as much to the world of guitar-led indie rock as it does hip-hop, with lyrics that draw frankly on his own life experiences — was quick to gain the attention of outlets like The FADER, NME, Crack Magazine, Pigeons & Planes, Clash, The Line of Best Fit and more. With love also coming from Nilüfer Yanya and Joviale at 6 Music, Jamz Supernova at BBC 1Xtra, plus Boiler Room tapping him on to perform as part of their Low Heat series.
