BLANCO RELEASES NEW MIXTAPE “GILBERTO’S SON”
One of London’s hottest rappers right now, Blanco continues his scintillating run of form with his most ambitious mixtape to date, the genre-blending Gilberto’s Son, which comes alongside the lead single, “Sombrero.”
Fresh from his South-American-infused offering Ponzi Scheme, the melodic single “Tyla” alongside Brazilian rapper Veigh, and the recent drill-infused “Charlie Sloth” featuring close friend and Harlem Spartans member MizOrMac, the Kennington native fully asserts himself with his new 13-track project. From “Soda Lime,” a work of careful beat selection and lithe lyricism, to the atmospheric sounds of “Trustfall” featuring London singer-songwriter Grace Carter, to the Amapiano-infused heater “OneEighteen” alongside Nigeria’s pioneering force Blaqbonez, Gilberto’s Son—named after Blanco’s late father—is the work of an artist who has already exerted a significant influence on a generation of music and is continuing to explore his own identity as an innovative solo musician. Showcasing his most heavyweight international collaborations to date across a truly eclectic range of musical influences, Gilberto’s Son emerges as a testament to his position as one of the UK’s most exciting and experimental lyricists right now.
Fresh from huge debut performances at Glastonbury Festival and All Points East, Blanco has been busy leading campaigns for the likes of Nike Air Jordan x END, as well as establishing himself as a prominent staple at Paris Fashion Week. This natural passion for culture and cross-pollination has been echoed by his recent collaboration with garage and bassline DJ Interplanetary Criminal for “Races,” and a musical pilgrimage to Brazil, which saw him meet with some of the hottest rappers and producers in the region as he sought to incorporate the South American cultural ties of his Angolan heritage.
Originally inspired by the nascent drill sounds emanating from US pioneers Lil Jay, Chief Keef, and Rondo Numba Nine, Blanco first came to prominence with his leading role in the renowned drill collective Harlem Spartans. A truly singular artist in the UK rap landscape, he continues to push boundaries and innovate beyond the genre to the delight of high-grade rap fans. Blanco’s multi-faceted ability and increasingly global vision mark him as one of the most significant names in the UK scene at the moment.
We sat down with Blanco for a Q&A about his creative journey, the making of Gilberto’s Son, and what fans can expect from his evolving sound and upcoming tour.
Congratulations on your new single, “Tyla”! What was the creative process like, and how did your collaboration with Veigh come to life?
As a Portuguese speaker, I’ve been wanting to collaborate with him for a while. We connected through his Supanova team. With around two hours of studio time, we created “Tyla.”
What was it like recording in São Paulo? How did the city and its vibe impact the track's creation and energy?
The city is a lot more fun than I expected. It’s like Miami mixed with London. There’s no beach, but the people there are a bit more energetic and lively. I make the best music abroad because I like to go off the vibe, and there are always good vibes abroad.
With “Gilberto's Son” dropping today, what are the themes and influences on the mixtape like? How does “Tyla” fit into its story?
The theme would be the story of my life. I take influence from everything around me and the things I hear—music is sound, and I especially like unique sounds from different regions. “Tyla” represents someone who was a part of my life.
You've been embracing a lot of international sounds. What draws you to these global influences, particularly from South America?
I’ve been embracing international sounds my whole life. I’m from London, after all, but I’m surrounded by different cultures every day. I’m a curious guy, and I look into other music, not just the ones around me. With the Brazilian sounds in my music, I grew up listening to Palop music from Cape Verde, my home country Angola, Portugal, and Brazil.
How has your background in drill with the Harlem Spartans influenced your musical approach today?
While my time with the Harlem Spartans was a significant part of my musical journey, it hasn’t directly influenced my current musical approach. But that experience helped shape my understanding of flow and storytelling within music. Since then, I’ve evolved and explored different styles and sounds. Today, I draw inspiration from a range of genres and influences beyond the drill scene.
What can we expect from the rollout for “Gilberto's Son”?
You can expect some wicked visuals and a wide variety of sounds. I've put a lot of thought into creating an immersive experience that fans can look forward to—there are unique concepts that reflect the different vibes of Gilberto’s Son. As for catching it live, I’ll be hitting the road starting on the 14th of February, with tour dates all across England and select stops in parts of Europe. It’s going to be an incredible journey.
Listen to Gilberto’s Son now here!