Models and MCs aren’t known for their humility, but Slew is both and still finds time to offer me a croissant. Despite his high-flying model career and recent pivot to rap, the West Londoner has a striking way of cutting through the smalltalk and calling things how he sees them. So, when the conversation turns to Dave’s surprise new album, which had recently been announced for the same day as Slew’s latest mixtape, Slew dismisses any suggestion of pushing back his release date because “no one is dropping anything as good as I am”, I know he really believes it.
It’s a conviction that defines the rapper’s brazen sound, which mixes US-style, 808-exploding rage beats with unashamedly British delivery, and which, in many ways, is a sonic manifestation of Slew’s early 20s as a salt-of-the-earth Londoner moving in fashion circles around the world. This blend caught the eye of Burberry chief creative officer Daniel Lee in 2021, who was compelled to seek out Slew for the brand’s Spring 2024 campaign after hearing his music. And, most recently, Slew hit big as one of the highest-performing freestyles on On the Radar Radio’s UK series. True to character, Slew named his recent project, released last Friday (October 24), Who Else? – “Because who else sounds like me?” he tells Dazed.
This no bullshit attitude also kept Slew grounded through his experiences modelling. “It was never my aspiration to be a model. It doesn’t take skill or talent; you’re just lucky you look a certain way,” he explains. “I was working with my cousin in the flower market. I’d get up and do flowers at four in the morning, go do a modelling job and then head straight back to the shop. There’s people who complain about getting up at six in the morning to make 5000-fucking-pounds. It’s bullshit, bro.”
Fortunately, Slew feels far more comfortable in music than fashion, though modelling did initially help him get there. “It feels like this is the thing that I’ve always wanted to do,” says Slew. “I had loads of free time and money in COVID, so I just decided to record this track that I’d had for ages. People liked it and pushed me to bring it out. Everything happens for a reason. If I didn’t do modeling, I wouldn’t have been able to make music.”
Below, in honour of Slew’s latest mixtape Who Else?, which comes complete with an illegal rave-themed cover, the British model-turned-rapper breaks down his dream night out, from sipping on “special water” to late night munch at Maroush on Edgeware Road.
What day of the week is this?
Slew: It has to be a Friday, and everyone’s about on a Friday.
What essential party supplies are you bringing out with you?
Slew: A bottle of Evian water.
Where’s the pres at?
Slew: Probably someone’s gaff. It’s always good at a friend’s gaff when everyone’s turning up and getting ready. I don’t really like pubs. Probably a friend’s gaff in west [London].
Where’s the venue?
Slew: I’d reopen Printworks
What time are you pulling up?
Slew: I like Printworks because you can turn up in the daytime and it’s pitch black and you don’t know what time it is.
Are you performing at this event? Who else is on the lineup?
Slew: Nah… wait, fuck it. Yeah I’m performing. You get a different type of buzz after performing. Then I can celebrate. Also, Ricardo Villalobos, Joy Orbison and Omar S. Then, Young Thug.
Is that two rooms?
Slew: The YSL stage, Thug and Slew.
What are you drinking?
Slew: Tequila, water or special water.
What songs are you requesting from the DJ?
Slew: Nothing. I just want to hear Villalobos play some mad percussion shit. Omar S is on some crazy Detroit shit. Thug will play all the classics from Slime Season 2.
When’s the right time to leave?
Slew: When your brain tells you to go home, go home. So, whenever that is for you just go home. You know those ones where you think, ‘I should go home’, and then you end up at someone’s gaff at like seven in the morning. You should just listen to yourself.
Sounds like lessons learned through hardship.
Slew: More stupidity than hardship.
Finally, where you headed for some late night food?
Slew: Maroush on Edgeware Road.
Who Else? is out now.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.dazeddigital.com ’
