Bashy said - “I’m taking you on my journey from Harlesden to Hollywood, standing in my truth, chronicling the harshness and reality of the life I experienced along the way, over a hardback bass inspired by the basslines of 140bpm and with Sticky’s personal blessing to sample his classic: Triplets II” adding that “This feels like how it was at the time; rough and raw, spitting with the same veracity as I did as a 19 year old on the Risky Roads 2 DVD.”
Last month, the London rapper announced his return to music with the release of a brand new track ‘Sweet Boys Turned Sour’ and news of his sophomore studio album titled Being Poor is Expensive - featuring guests including Scrapz and Roses Gabor and HAILE - coming on 11th July 2024.
Being Poor is Expensive was produced by Toddla T and Bashy, with additional production by Benji B, PRGSHN, and Aaron Levy. It is an 11-track tribute to coming of age in Bashy’s corner of the city, a breath-taking portrait of the roads, homes, trials and tribulations that shaped his generation. It is the sound of North West London, and a moving homage to the many migrations and journeys that came before him.
Sonically, Being Poor is Expensive pulls on a distinctly British-Caribbean soundscape which saw Bashy work with Toddla T to fold in genres, artists and songs which shaped him, with nods to icons such as Gabrielle and Spragga Benz; and samples that range from MJ Cole to Wookie, Dave and legendary British Reggae group Aswad, as well as North West London artists Gappy Ranks and Tubby T. The additional, specific sounds of London - which Bashy recorded himself during his journeys through the area – give the album an almost cinematic feel.
Coming 15 years after the release of first record Catch Me If You Can (2009), Being Poor is Expensive is an era-defining album that combines a rich cultural and musical heritage, reality and history into a bold, uncompromising record, a musically rich Black British origin story from one of the country’s most skilled and respected rappers.
