<\/p>\n
Models and MCs aren\u2019t 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\u2019s surprise new album, which had recently been announced for the same day as Slew\u2019s latest mixtape, Slew dismisses any suggestion of pushing back his release date because \u201cno one is dropping anything as good as I am\u201d, I know he really believes it.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a conviction that defines the rapper\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s UK series. True to character, Slew named his recent project, released last Friday (October 24), <\/span>Who Else?<\/span><\/em> \u2013 \u201cBecause who else sounds like me?\u201d he tells Dazed.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n This no bullshit attitude also kept Slew grounded through his experiences modelling. \u201cIt was never my aspiration to be a model. It doesn\u2019t take skill or talent; you\u2019re just lucky you look a certain way,\u201d he explains. \u201cI was working with my cousin in the flower market. I\u2019d get up and do flowers at four in the morning, go do a modelling job and then head straight back to the shop. There\u2019s people who complain about getting up at six in the morning to make 5000-fucking-pounds. It\u2019s bullshit, bro.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fortunately, Slew feels far more comfortable in music than fashion, though modelling did initially help him get there. \u201cIt feels like this is the thing that I\u2019ve always wanted to do,\u201d says Slew. \u201cI had loads of free time and money in COVID, so I just decided to record this track that I\u2019d had for ages. People liked it and pushed me to bring it out. Everything happens for a reason. If I didn\u2019t do modeling, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to make music.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Below, in honour of Slew\u2019s latest mixtape <\/span>Who Else?<\/span><\/em>, which comes complete with an illegal rave-themed cover, the British model-turned-rapper breaks down his dream night out, from sipping on \u201cspecial water\u201d to late night munch at Maroush on Edgeware Road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n What day of the week is this?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew:<\/strong> It has to be a Friday, and everyone\u2019s about on a Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n What essential party supplies are you bringing out with you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>A bottle of Evian water.<\/span><\/p>\n Where\u2019s the pres at?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>Probably someone\u2019s gaff. It\u2019s always good at a friend\u2019s gaff when everyone\u2019s turning up and getting ready. I don\u2019t really like pubs. Probably a friend\u2019s gaff in west [London].<\/span><\/p>\n Where\u2019s the venue?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>I\u2019d reopen Printworks<\/span><\/p>\n What time are you pulling up?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>I like Printworks because you can turn up in the daytime and it\u2019s pitch black and you don\u2019t know what time it is.<\/span><\/p>\n Are you performing at this event? Who else is on the lineup?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>Nah\u2026 wait, fuck it. Yeah I\u2019m 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Is that two rooms?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>The YSL stage, Thug and Slew.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What are you drinking? <\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>Tequila, water or special water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What songs are you requesting from the DJ?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>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 <\/span>Slime Season 2.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n When\u2019s the right time to leave?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>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, \u2018I should go home\u2019, and then you end up at someone\u2019s gaff at like seven in the morning. You should just listen to yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n Sounds like lessons learned through hardship.<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>More stupidity than hardship.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, where you headed for some late night food?<\/strong><\/p>\n Slew: <\/strong>Maroush on Edgeware Road.<\/span><\/p>\n Who Else?\u00a0is out now.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n