Bladee Explained

Bladee
Birth Name:Benjamin Reichwald
Birth Date:9 April 1994
Birth Place:Stockholm, Sweden
Years Active:2011–present

Benjamin Reichwald (born 9 April 1994), known professionally as Bladee, is a Swedish rapper, singer, record producer, designer, and member of the artistic collective Drain Gang. Reichwald has released music through the Stockholm record label Year0001[1] since his debut mixtape Gluee in 2014. In addition to his music, Reichwald creates visual art, which frequently appears as cover art for his releases.[2] [3] Reichwald also serves as the creative director for Yung Lean's clothing line Sadboys Gear.[4]

Early life

Benjamin Reichwald[5] was born 9 April 1994[6] in Stockholm, Sweden and was raised mainly in the Skanstull area. It was here where, in 2004, he met Zak Arogundade, also known as Ecco2K. The two were classmates and formed a punk band named Krossad (Swedish for 'crushed') when Reichwald was 13, which led to Reichwald's interest in music.[7] [8]

After leaving school, Reichwald began to get into making music whilst working at a daycare centre.[9]

Career

Music

Reichwald released a few tracks in 2011 under the name Ken Burns,[10] [11] [12] but properly began releasing music in 2012. He eventually became friends with Swedish rapper Yung Lean, who was a friend of Reichwald's brother. Reichwald eventually sent a message to Sad Boys member Yung Sherman on SoundCloud, asking to collaborate, which resulted in a working relationship between his own Gravity Boys collective and Lean's Sad Boys Entertainment. Reichwald and Lean then made "Heal You // Bladerunner" from Lean's Unknown Death 2002 mixtape, which gave him attention from Lean's fanbase.[13]

Reichwald released his debut mixtape, Gluee in 2014 on the Year0001 label[14] which was described as the "summertime anthem for a suburban generation stuck scrolling through Twitter." The mixtape was successful on the audio distribution platform SoundCloud, racking up over 2 million plays.[15] This mixtape, coupled with several singles going viral and features on Yung Lean's debut mixtape Unknown Death 2002 was able to rocket Bladee into underground hip hop fame.[16]

Reichwald released his debut album, Eversince on 25 May 2016.[17] The album received mixed reviews from mainstream outlets, but was well received by underground and experimental critics.[18] [19] In 2017, Reichwald teamed up with production group Working on Dying to release his second mixtape, named after the group.[20] The next year, his second album, Red Light, released.[21]

Reichwald's third mixtape, Icedancer, was released 28 December 2018. This album was executively produced by Australian collective Ripsquadd featuring production from Whitearmor and PJ Beats.[22] In April 2020, Reichwald released EXETER, a nine-song album he recorded whilst in Gotland with Gud.[23] It is the first Bladee project produced by Gud on the Year0001 label.[24]

In July 2020, Reichwald released his fourth album and second project of 2020, 333 via Year0001. The album was produced primarily by Whitearmor, with additional production coming from close collaborators Gud, Mechatok, and Lusi (Ripsquadd member), as well as Joakim Benon of the Swedish band JJ. Notable is the absence of any vocal features, especially of longtime collaborator and fellow Drain Gang member Ecco2K, who contributed to the previous 3 Bladee albums.[25]

In December 2020, Reichwald released his third and final project of 2020, a collaborative album with the producer Mechatok entitled Good Luck via Year0001. Both Reichwald and Mechatok performed all of the tracks on the album as well as an additional set from Mechatok in a livestreamed performance on 10 December, the same day the album was released.[26] [27]

In May 2021, Reichwald released his fifth solo album, The Fool via Year0001. The album was executively produced by frequent collaborator Lusi.[28]

In January 2022, Reichwald released the single Amygdala in collaboration with Ecco2k and Mechatok.[29] That same year, a collaborative project, Crest, with Ecco2K was released via Year0001 in March.[30] The project was recorded in spring 2020.

On 30 September 2022, Reichwald released Spiderr.[31] In January 2023, Bladee featured on the Skrillex song Real Spring.[32] Seven months later in August 2023, he released the songs Victorious and Bullets with Yung Lean.[33]

Reichwald and Yung Lean released Psykos, a surprise album, on 13 March 2024.[34] Reichwald released Cold Visions, also a surprise album, on 23 April 2024.[35]

Art and fashion

In July 2018, Reichwald and fellow Drain Gang member Ecco2K walked Alyx Studio's S/S 2019 menswear show in Paris, on invitation from Matthew Williams.[36]

During July and August 2021, Reichwald exhibited his first solo collection of paintings Real Sprin9 at the Residence Gallery in London.[37]

In September 2021, Reichwald released a capsule Drain Gang collection in collaboration with the American-Swedish clothing brand GANT.[38]

In 2023, Reichwald collaborated with fellow Swedish artist Jonas Rönnberg (Varg2™) for their first art exhibition, "Fucked for Life," held at The Hole in New York.[39] The exhibition featured a series of unique paintings, merging traditional and contemporary art styles, created using both traditional and unconventional tools. The artistic process mirrored their collaborative approach in music, with the paintings reflecting the fleeting moments of the digital age. This venture further established Bladee's multifaceted career in music, visual art, and design.

Musical style

Reichwald has described his style as "pain" though saying, as of 2018, he had "evolved into some sort of auto-tuned dark angel".[40] He often experiments, incorporating various genres. He has stated that he finds the process therapeutic.

In an interview with Reichwald, Jack Angell, a music writer for The Fader, described Reichwald's sound as "frostbitten futurism" and remarked that Reichwald's music evokes "a wide spectrum of emotion". He has received attention for his collaborations and live performances with Yung Lean.[41]

Reichwald has cited Chief Keef, Lil B, The Beach Boys, Basshunter, and James Ferraro as influences on his work.[42]

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Mixtapes

Compilation albums

Extended plays

Stand-alone singles

Notes and References

  1. Year0001. Accessed 19 July 2018. http://www.year0001.com/ .
  2. Sami Baha. "Bladee – Cover Up (Prod. Sami Baha)". Soundcloud audio, 2:38, 27 June 2018. https://soundcloud.com/samibaha/bladee-cover-up-prod-sami-baha.
  3. Bala Club. "Woesum – Sapphire". Soundcloud audio, 5:05, 23 December 2017. https://soundcloud.com/balaclub/woesum-sapphire .
  4. Web site: Tesema . Feleg . 5 of Our Favorite New Collections & Where to Buy Them . . 14 May 2018 . Titel Media . 19 July 2018 . 20 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104633/https://www.highsnobiety.com/ . live .
  5. Web site: Borelli-Persson . Laird . Is There Anything He Can't Do? Meet Stockholm's Stylish Multi-Hyphenate Zak Arogundade . . 2 September 2016 . 7 July 2018 . 10 February 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170210072437/https://www.vogue.com/article/musicians-zak-arogundade . live .
  6. Aim Nothyng . BladeeCity . 718871748674850816 . 9 April 2016 . Thanks everyone that wish me happy birthday . en . 3 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829044210/https://twitter.com/BladeeCity/status/718871748674850816 . 29 August 2022 . live.
  7. Web site: Angell . Jack . 17 September 2019 . Being Bladee: In a rare interview, the Drain Gang CEO opens up about the distinctive world he's created. . live . 24 September 2021 . . en . 20 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920085056/https://www.thefader.com/2019/09/17/bladee-interview-drain-gang-trash-island .
  8. Web site: 6 April 2021. Meet Bladee, the Swedish Musician Who Stars in the New Heaven by Marc Jacobs Lookbook. 24 September 2021. Vogue. en-US. 16 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210416120741/https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-bladee-benjamin-reichwald-swedish-musician. live.
  9. Web site: Bladee, old swedish hardcore punk mix. 9 July 2014. atractivoquenobello. en-US. 14 April 2019. 12 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140912230937/https://www.aqnb.com/2014/07/09/bladee-old-swedish-hardcore-punk-mix/. live.
  10. Web site: Tony Hawk. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200115194504/https://genius.com/Bladee-tony-hawk-lyrics. 15 January 2020. 17 September 2019. Genius.
  11. 9 September 2017 . Bladee – Tony Hawk ft.Ken Burns & Malcolm S. . Lean Swagger . . 3 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221127213243/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipMrg0edjBM . 27 November 2022 . live.
  12. 6 February 2018 . Bladee – Always High (rare) . Lean Swagger . . 3 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221104021238/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nC0I-z9ONs . 4 November 2022 . live.
  13. Web site: "Taking Arizona Iced Tea and Making It Cry": An Interview with Yung Lean and the Sad Boys. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190422194819/http://www.thefader.com/2014/07/16/taking-arizona-iced-tea-and-making-it-cry-an-interview-with-yung-lean-and-the-sad-boys. 22 April 2019. 14 April 2019. The FADER. en.
  14. Web site: Bladee – Gluee Year0001. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414140123/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0005. 14 April 2019. 14 April 2019. year0001.com.
  15. Web site: BLADEE (GLUEE). live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201112044049/https://soundcloud.com/bladee1000/sets/bladee-gluee. 12 November 2020. 16 September 2020. SoundCloud.
  16. Web site: Osman. Jibril. 20 December 2017. Chronicling How Sad Boys and Shield Gang Became Sweden's Top Rap Groups. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414140127/https://medium.com/thoughtsofamusicwriter/chronicling-how-sad-boys-and-shield-gang-became-swedens-top-rap-groups-c90925789e6c. 14 April 2019. 14 April 2019. Medium.
  17. News: Cooper, Duncan. 25 May 2016. Hear Swedish Sing-Rapper Bladee's Debut Album Eversince. en-us. The Fader. live. 10 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914165413/http://www.thefader.com/2016/05/25/bladee-eversince-album-stream. 14 September 2018.
  18. News: Eklund, Jonathan. 5 June 2016. Kliver ur Yung Leans skugga med briljant debut. sv. Gaffa. live. 14 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914165549/http://gaffa.se/recension/107456/kliver-ur-yung-leans-skugga-med-briljant-debut/. 14 September 2018.
  19. News: Jenkins, Craig . 25 May 2016 . Stream Yung Lean Associate Bladee's Chilly, Gorgeous Debut Album 'Eversince' . en-us . . live . 10 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180708020003/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/6e43we/stream-yung-lean-associate-yung-bladees-chilly-gorgeous-debut-album-eversince . 8 July 2018.
  20. Web site: Bladee - Working On Dying YEAR0001 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190414140202/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0044 . 2019-04-14 . 2024-07-30 . Year0001.
  21. News: Darville, Jordan . 11 May 2018 . Listen to Bladee's new album Red Light . en-us . . live . 10 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180515100603/https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/11/bladee-album-red-light-stream . 15 May 2018.
  22. https://genius.com/albums/Bladee/Icedancer "Icedancer"
  23. Web site: Alfonzo . Sebastian . 2020-04-27 . 'EXETER' by Bladee . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804103021/https://wakemag.org/online/2020/4/27/exeter-by-bladee . 2024-08-04 . 2024-08-04 . The Wake . en-US.
  24. https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0105 "EXETER"
  25. Web site: 333. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200716194339/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0115. 16 July 2020. 16 July 2020. Year0001.
  26. Web site: Luck. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201223185422/https://year0001.com/label/cases/bladee-mechatok-good-luck. 23 December 2020. 31 December 2020. Year0001.
  27. Web site: Li . Nicolaus . 2020-12-10 . bladee and Mechatok Deliver Arresting Dancepop With 'Good Luck' . https://web.archive.org/web/20240709155437/https://hypebeast.com/2020/12/bladee-mechatok-good-luck-album-stream . 2024-07-09 . 2024-08-04 . Hypebeast.
  28. Web site: Fool . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210528020952/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0145 . 28 May 2021 . 28 May 2021 . Year0001.
  29. Web site: Ecco2k and Bladee share new single "Amygdala". 2 February 2022. The FADER. en. 3 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203100502/https://www.thefader.com/2022/01/19/ecco2k-bladee-amygdala. live.
  30. Web site: Crest . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220320131611/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0158 . 20 March 2022 . 18 March 2022 . Year0001.
  31. Web site: Bladee – Spiderr Year0001 . 2 October 2022 . year0001.com . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220930031531/https://year0001.com/label/cases/yr0168 . live .
  32. Web site: Jones . Damian . Skrillex shares new single 'Real Spring' with Bladee . NME . 27 January 2023 . 3 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203024945/https://www.nme.com/news/music/skrillex-real-spring-featuring-bladee-3387668 . live .
  33. Web site: Victorious//Bullets by Yung Lean . 3 September 2023 . Genius . en . 3 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230903104642/https://genius.com/albums/Yung-lean/Victorious-bullets . live .
  34. Web site: 13 March 2024 . Yung Lean & Bladee Release Surprise New Album 'Psykos': Stream . 14 March 2024 . Stereogum . en.
  35. Web site: 23 April 2024 . Bladee Drops Gritty Surprise Mixtape 'Cold Visions' . 24 April 2024 . Hypebeast.
  36. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2019-menswear/alyx "Alyx S/S 19 Menswear"
  37. Web site: BENJAMIN REICHWALD, Real Sprin9 02/07/21 – 15/08/21. 2 February 2022. THE RESIDENCE GALLERY. en-GB. 19 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211019191424/https://www.theresidencegallery.com/benjamin-reichwald-real-sprin9-020721-150821. live.
  38. Web site: 21 September 2021. The Tao of Bladee: Wisdom from the Drain Gang's Artist-in-Chief. 2 February 2022. Highsnobiety. en. 20 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104715/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/bladee-interview/. live.
  39. Web site: The Hole NYC » Benjamin Reichwald & Jonas Rönnberg . 23 May 2023 . 18 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518093448/http://theholenyc.com/2023/05/11/benjamin-reichwald-jonas-ronnberg/ . live .
  40. Web site: Dunn . Frankie . 15 May 2018 . 10 things you need to know about bladee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180724093406/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/xwmzgz/10-things-you-need-to-know-about-bladee . 24 July 2018 . 24 July 2018 . . Vice.
  41. Web site: Wang . Steffanee . Bladee debuts "Decay," our first taste of new album Red Light . . Andy Cohn . 19 July 2018 . 19 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180719233919/https://www.thefader.com/2018/05/02/bladee-decay-video-red-light-album . live .
  42. Web site: Being Bladee . 17 September 2019 . 16 November 2019 . Jack Angell . . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920085056/https://www.thefader.com/2019/09/17/bladee-interview-drain-gang-trash-island . 20 September 2019 . live.

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