Natty Wylah’s rapping style constantly fluctuates from impassioned assaults to calming whispers, and while his lyrics often tackle social issues like identity and ambition, he’s frequently drawn to the surreal. He has vivid dreams, and keeps a journal of their occurrences. “I like to notice the little synchronicities between waking life and dream life,” This atmosphere is evoked strongly on “FB Trap” in which his lyrics depict a hypnagogic scene of black mambas, acacia trees, and jabberwockys, over a live band instrumental of mesmerising jazz.
The live band in question are members of Sunken, who Natty has been performing and recording with. Although stemming from hip-hop, this live instrumentation element injects it with richness, adding flavours of post-punk, jazz, and ambient. The band – which consists of keys, guitar, bass, and drums – accompany him for gigs. “It means we can get experimental during shows,” he says, “really thrash it out.”
Forthcoming mixtape will land later this year.
