Bladee Explained

Bladee
Birth Name:Benjamin Reichwald
Birth Date:9 April 1994
Birth Place:Stockholm, Sweden
Years Active:2013–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 since his debut mixtape Gluee in 2014. In addition to his music, Reichwald creates visual art[1] and serves as the creative director for Yung Lean's clothing line Sadboys Gear.[2]

Early life

Benjamin Reichwald was born 9 April 1994[3] [4] in Stockholm, Sweden[5] and was raised mainly in the Skanstull area. His mother was a teacher and his father worked in restaurants.[6] As a child, Reichwald aspired to become a painter.[7] [8]

In 2004, he met Ecco2K. The two were classmates and formed a punk band named Krossad (Swedish for "crushed"),[9] releasing a demo CD in 2007.[10] Reichwald later met producer Whitearmor and rapper Thaiboy Digital through mutual friends. After leaving school, he worked at a daycare centre for about a year.[11]

Career

2013–2016: Drain Gang formation and debut projects

Reichwald began releasing music under the name Bladee in 2013. Alongside Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor, he formed the Drain Gang musical collective, at the time named Gravity Boys. Reichwald became friends with fellow Stockholm rapper Yung Lean, forming a working relationship between his own Gravity Boys collective and Yung Lean's Sad Boys Entertainment. He was featured on the track "Heal You // Bladerunner" from Lean's Unknown Death 2002 mixtape, which gave him attention from Yung Lean's fanbase.[12]

In 2014, Reichwald released his debut mixtape Gluee. It was described as "a summertime anthem for a suburban generation stuck scrolling through Twitter". Reichwald released his debut album, Eversince, on 25 May 2016. The album was produced entirely by Whitearmor.[13] It received mixed reviews from mainstream outlets, but was well received by underground and experimental critics.[14] [15]

2017–2018: Working on Dying, Red Light, and Icedancer

In 2017, Reichwald collaborated with production group Working on Dying to release his second mixtape, named after the group.[16] The mixtape included features from Yung Lean and Ecco2K.[17] A music video for the track "Lordship" was later released.[18] [19] After releasing "Decay" as a lead single,[20] Reichwald released Red Light, his second album, on 11 May 2018.[21] It features executive production by Whitearmor as well as production from Gud and Drain Gang member Yung Sherman.[22] In July 2018, Reichwald walked the runway at Alyx's fall 2019 menswear show in Paris, alongside Ecco2K. Reichwald's third mixtape, Icedancer, was released on 28 December 2018. The mixtape was produced by the production duo Ripsquadd.[23] [24]

2019–2020: EXETER, 333, and Good Luck

In April 2020, Reichwald released EXETER, a nine-song album he recorded during a week-long stay in Gotland with Sad Boys producer Gud.[25] The album included features from Ecco2K.[26] A music video was later released for the track "Every Moment Special".[27] In July 2020, Reichwald released 333, his fourth album and second project of 2020, via Year0001. Executively produced by Whitearmor, the album contains no credited features.[28] [29] A music video for the track "Reality Surf" was released.[30] After releasing tracks "All I Want", "God", and "Drama" as singles,[31] [32] [33] Reichwald released his third and final project of 2020. A collaborative album with Berlin producer Mechatok,[34] Good Luck was premiered on 10 December as part of an audiovisual livestream.[35] [36] A deluxe version of the album was later released, which included a remix of the track "Drama", featuring Charli XCX.[37] [38]

2021–2022: Real Sprin9 exhibition, The Fool, "Amygdala", Crest, and Spiderr

In May 2021, Reichwald released his fifth solo album, The Fool via Year0001.[39] The album included a feature from Thaiboy Digital, and was primarily produced by Ripsquadd producer Lusi.[40] The Fool was well received by critics,[41] [42] [43] and was placed 11th on The Fader's 2021 end of year list. During July and August 2021, Reichwald exhibited his first solo collection of paintings Real Sprin9 at the Residence Gallery in London.[44] In September 2021, Reichwald released a capsule Drain Gang collection in collaboration with the American-Swedish clothing brand GANT.

In January 2022, Reichwald released the single Amygdala in collaboration with Ecco2K and Mechatok, along with an accompanying music video.[45] [46] On 18 March, he released Crest, a collaborative album with Ecco2K, via Year0001. Produced entirely by Whitearmor, Crest was critically acclaimed.[47] [48] In September 2022, Reichwald released lead single Drain Story, announcing his sixth album, Spiderr. An accompanying music video directed by Ecco2K was released.[49] On 30 September, Reichwald released Spiderr via Year0001.[50]

2023–present: Various collaborations, Cold Visions, and Year0001 split

In January 2023, Reichwald appeared on the Skrillex single "Real Spring",[51] which shares its name with Reichwald's 2021 art exhibition.[52] The next month, Reichwald appeared on Skrillex's single "Ceremony" alongside Yung Lean. Music videos were released for both tracks.[53] Reichwald collaborated with fellow Swedish artist Jonas Rönnberg (Varg2™) for their first art exhibition, Fucked for Life, held at The Hole in New York from May to June 2023.[54] [55] In August 2023, Yung Lean released the double-sided single "Victorious" & "Bullets" in collaboration with Reichwald.[56] Both tracks were produced by Whitearmor and released via Yung Lean's personal label World Affairs.

On 13 March 2024, Reichwald and Yung Lean released Psykos, a surprise album,[57] via World Affairs.[58] Psykos marked their first collaborative album after over a decade of working together, and was a sonic shift for the two artists, incorporating elements of rock and post-punk as opposed to their usual pop and hip hop soundscape.[59] [60] Reichwald released Cold Visions, also a surprise album, via his label Trash Island on 23 April 2024.[61] [62] All 30 tracks were produced by F1lthy, with whom Reichwald had previously collaborated on the mixtape Working on Dying in 2017. Cold Visions features Yung Lean, Yung Sherman, Thaiboy Digital, and Black Kray[63] and was well received by music critics,[64] [65] [66] with it being described as Reichwald's "most realized project to date" by Pitchfork.

On 11 October 2024, Reichwald appeared on Charli XCX's album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat alongside Yung Lean. He was featured on a remix of the track "Rewind", which was met with mixed reviews.[67] [68] [69] [70] In November 2024, Reichwald and other Drain Gang members announced that they were no longer affiliated with their longtime label and management company Year0001.[71] In an interview with The Guardian, Reichwald stated: "I don't really care any more about being a bigger artist. The only thing that's important is that I'm doing something that's true to me."

Musical style and personal life

In a 2019 interview, Reichwald said that the music he creates cannot be fully described through genre. Jack Angell, a music writer for The Fader, described Reichwald's sound as "frostbitten futurism" and remarked that his music evokes "a wide spectrum of emotion". Nadine Smith, writing for Pitchfork, stated that Reichwald's work "introduces recognizable elements of American rap music to a new environment".[72] In an interview with 032c, Drain Gang members described their intuitive approach to music creation, with Reichwald stating that he does not write lyrics ahead of time. Reichwald has cited Hilma af Klint, Chief Keef, Lil B, The Beach Boys, Basshunter, and James Ferraro as influences on his work.

Reichwald is a private person. He has stated, "I really don’t like to talk about myself. I find it weird." In interviews, Reichwald has mentioned being struck by lightning during a trip to Thailand in 2019, alluding to it being a transformative experience.

Discography

Studio albums

Collaborative albums

Mixtapes

Compilation albums

Extended plays

Stand-alone singles

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 4 May 2023 . Drain Gang . 25 November 2024 . 032c.com . en.
  2. Web site: Here’s The First Look At The Re-Launch Of Yung Lean’s Clothing Line, Sadboys Gear . 25 November 2024 . The FADER . en.
  3. 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.
  4. News: 18 November 2024 . ‘I was really not OK’: Bladee on PTSD, Charli xcx and being struck by lightning . 25 November 2024 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  5. Web site: Benjamin Reichwald . 25 November 2024 . THE RESIDENCE GALLERY . en-GB.
  6. 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 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190920085056/https://www.thefader.com/2019/09/17/bladee-interview-drain-gang-trash-island . 20 September 2019 . 24 September 2021 . . en.
  7. 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.
  8. Web site: 21 September 2021 . The Tao of Bladee: Wisdom from the Drain Gang's Artist-in-Chief . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230420104715/https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/bladee-interview/ . 20 April 2023 . 2 February 2022 . Highsnobiety . en.
  9. Web site: 6 April 2021 . Meet Bladee, the Swedish Musician Who Stars in the New Heaven by Marc Jacobs Lookbook . subscription . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210416120741/https://www.vogue.com/article/meet-bladee-benjamin-reichwald-swedish-musician . 16 April 2021 . 24 September 2021 . Vogue . en-US.
  10. Web site: Dandridge-Lemco . Ben . Ecco2k: PXE EP . 25 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. News: Eklund, Jonathan . 5 June 2016 . Kliver ur Yung Leans skugga med briljant debut . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20180914165549/http://gaffa.se/recension/107456/kliver-ur-yung-leans-skugga-med-briljant-debut/ . 14 September 2018 . 14 September 2018 . . sv.
  15. 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.
  16. Web site: 28 December 2017 . Stream Bladee's New Mixtape, 'Working On Dying' . 25 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  17. Web site: 28 December 2017 . Bladee drops new mixtape Working On Dying . 26 November 2024 . The FADER . en.
  18. Web site: 27 March 2018 . Watch Bladee & Yung Lean's New Video for "Lordship" . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  19. Web site: Watch Bladee and Yung Lean’s video for “Lordship” . 26 November 2024 . The FADER . en.
  20. Web site: Bladee debuts “Decay,” our first taste of new album Red Light . 26 November 2024 . The FADER . en.
  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. Web site: 11 May 2018 . Stream Bladee's New Album, ‘Red Light’ . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  23. Web site: Darr . John . Hip-Hop Springboard: The best of late 2018 . 26 November 2024 . The Sunflower.
  24. Web site: Walker . Jackson . Bladee circles back to his old sounds in his newest album ‘Spiderr’ . 26 November 2024 . Massachusetts Daily Collegian.
  25. Web site: Alfonzo . Sebastian . 27 April 2020 . 'EXETER' by Bladee . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804103021/https://wakemag.org/online/2020/4/27/exeter-by-bladee . 4 August 2024 . 4 August 2024 . The Wake . en-US.
  26. Web site: Dandridge-Lemco . Ben . Bladee: Exeter . 26 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  27. Web site: 21 April 2020 . Bladee Drops Glitchy Lo-Fi Visuals for "Every Moment Special" . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  28. Web site: Yoo . Noah . 16 July 2020 . Bladee Surprise Releases New Album 333 . 26 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  29. Web site: 16 July 2020 . Bladee Releases Surprise New Album, '333' . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  30. Web site: 11 August 2020 . Bladee Asccends to Heaven in "Reality Surf" Music Video . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  31. Web site: Bloom . Madison . 24 November 2020 . Bladee and Mechatok Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song “God” . 26 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  32. Web site: 1 November 2020 . bladee and Mechatok Take To the Skies for Their "Drama" Visual . 26 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  33. Web site: Bladee & Mechatok – Drama · Single Review ⟋ RA . 28 November 2024 . Resident Advisor . en.
  34. Web site: Enis . Eli . 10 December 2020 . Bladee And Mechatok Are Winning And Losing At The Same Time . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20220827231443/https://www.mtv.com/news/1bz5ae/bladee-interview-mechatok-good-luck-2020 . 27 August 2022 . MTV.
  35. Web site: Bladee and Mechatok reveal collaborative album, Good Luck · News ⟋ RA . 26 November 2024 . Resident Advisor . en.
  36. Web site: Li . Nicolaus . 10 December 2020 . 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 . 9 July 2024 . 4 August 2024 . Hypebeast.
  37. Web site: Macias . Ernesto . 28 April 2021 . Bladee and Charli XCX Bring the "Drama" . 26 November 2024 . Interview Magazine . en-US.
  38. Web site: Yoo . Noah . 28 April 2021 . Charli XCX Joins Bladee and Mechatok for New “Drama” Remix . 26 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  39. Web site: Smith . Nadine . Bladee: The Fool . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  40. Web site: Yoo . Noah . 28 May 2021 . Bladee Shares New Album The Fool . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  41. Web site: Der Drain Gang-Kronprinz legt ein TikTok-Tarot. . 27 November 2024 . laut.de . de.
  42. Web site: Smith . Nadine . Bladee: The Fool . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  43. Web site: The 50 best albums of 2021 . 27 November 2024 . The FADER . en.
  44. Web site: BENJAMIN REICHWALD, Real Sprin9 02/07/21 – 15/08/21 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211019191424/https://www.theresidencegallery.com/benjamin-reichwald-real-sprin9-020721-150821 . 19 October 2021 . 2 February 2022 . THE RESIDENCE GALLERY . en-GB.
  45. 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.
  46. Web site: 19 January 2022 . Ecco2k and Bladee Experience an Ethereal Rave in the Visual for "Amygdala" . 27 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  47. Web site: Genesis als Cloud Rap-Drogentrip. . 27 November 2024 . laut.de . de.
  48. Web site: Smith . Nadine . Bladee / Ecco2k: Crest . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  49. Web site: Hussey . Allison . 16 September 2022 . Bladee Announces New Album Spiderr, Shares Video for New Song “Drain Story” . 28 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  50. Web site: Joyce . Colin . Bladee: Spiderr . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  51. Web site: Jones . Damian . 27 January 2023 . Skrillex shares new single 'Real Spring' with Bladee . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203024945/https://www.nme.com/news/music/skrillex-real-spring-featuring-bladee-3387668 . 3 February 2023 . 3 February 2023 . NME.
  52. Web site: 26 January 2023 . Skrillex and Bladee Team Up in "Real Spring" Music Video . 28 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  53. Web site: Arcand . Rob . 26 January 2023 . Skrillex and Bladee Share Video for New Song “Real Spring” . 28 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  54. Web site: Benjamin Reichwald & Jonas Rönnberg Fucked For Life . deviated . https://web.archive.org/web/20230518093448/http://theholenyc.com/2023/05/11/benjamin-reichwald-jonas-ronnberg/ . 18 May 2023 . 23 May 2023.
  55. Web site: Brady . Keegan . 27 May 2023 . Bladee and Varg2 Bring Drain Gang Lore To The New York Art World . registration . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230528020939/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bladee-and-varg2-drain-gang-new-york-art-show-1234743381/ . 28 May 2023 . 28 November 2024 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  56. Web site: 25 August 2023 . Yung Lean & Bladee Release New Collaborative Singles "Victorious" & "Bullets": Listen . 28 November 2024 . Stereogum . en.
  57. Web site: 13 March 2024 . Yung Lean & Bladee Release Surprise New Album 'Psykos': Stream . 14 March 2024 . Stereogum . en.
  58. Web site: Handler . Max . 4 April 2024 . Bladee, Yung Lean link up on ‘Psykos’ • The Tulane Hullabaloo . 27 November 2024 . The Tulane Hullabaloo.
  59. Web site: Yung Lean and Bladee Drop Surprise Album 'Psykos' . 27 November 2024 . Complex . en.
  60. Web site: Dazed . 18 March 2024 . Psykos: The story behind Bladee and Yung Lean’s new album . 27 November 2024 . Dazed . en.
  61. Web site: 23 April 2024 . Bladee Drops Gritty Surprise Mixtape 'Cold Visions' . 24 April 2024 . Hypebeast.
  62. Web site: Press-Reynolds . Kieran . Bladee: Cold Visions . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  63. Web site: 23 April 2024 . Bladee Drops Gritty Surprise Mixtape 'Cold Visions' . 27 November 2024 . Hypebeast.
  64. Web site: 1 May 2024 . Staff Picks: Favorite Albums of April 2024 . 27 November 2024 . Consequence . en.
  65. Web site: Staff . Slant . 26 June 2024 . The Best Albums of 2024 ... So Far . 27 November 2024 . Slant Magazine . en-US.
  66. Web site: Press-Reynolds . Kieran . Bladee: Cold Visions . 27 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  67. Web site: 'BRAT' album review and it’s completely different but also still brat album review . 27 November 2024 . www.34st.com . en-US.
  68. Web site: Solomon . Emma . 23 October 2024 . ‘Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat’ (quite literally) . 27 November 2024 . www.dailycal.org . en.
  69. Web site: Press . Maria Sherman The Associated . 13 October 2024 . Charli XCX’s ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’ remixes, ranked . 27 November 2024 . Toronto Star . en.
  70. Web site: 15 October 2024 . ‘Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat’: the remixes ranked . 27 November 2024 . DIY . en.
  71. Web site: Sad Boys and Drain Gang artists announce departure from YEAR0001 . 27 November 2024 . Mixmag.
  72. Web site: Smith . Nadine . Various Artists: Rift ONE . 28 November 2024 . Pitchfork . en-US.

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