HIGHER

Diagnosed with autism in 2003 at three years old, I was non-verbal until around 5–6. As my speech developed I built a hybrid accent — London base with subtle American tonality — reflecting both my background and the way I process language.

Music became my outlet. Early influences: DMX, Nas, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Kanye West.

I studied A-level Music Technology at Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form from 2016 to 2018. I chose it because I loved music, with no experience playing or making it — just an obsession with lyricism, flow and production. As I remember it, my teacher Mr Smith did all my coursework and told me to focus on the exam. I credit him as the main reason I could go on to study music at university. He has since passed away; I believe it was around 2019 or 2020, before or during COVID, but I don't remember the exact date.

I started at the University of Staffordshire in 2018, completing a BA Music Business and Production in 2021 before returning that September to do an MA Music Production. I completed the MA in 2022 — producing, mixing, mastering. In 2022 I stepped to the mic, inspired by artists who create and perform their own music. Since then: four EPs — ME (2023), Discovery (2024), REBORN (2025) and BEFORE REVEALING MYSELF (2026) — charting my growth as an artist and storyteller.

After returning to London in 2022, Wired4Music and the Roundhouse played a huge part in my development from music producer to fully independent rap artist, writer and producer. Wired4Music is a Sound Connections music network for Londoners aged 16–25, and the Roundhouse supports young creatives through its Creative Studios membership. Both go by age — I was a Creative Member at the Roundhouse right up until my 26th birthday in April — and I'm now an alumnus of both, their influence stays with me.

From beats to bars. For years I was the guy behind the desk — drums, samples, mixes, masters, no mic in sight. Picking up the pen changed everything. What started as loops turned into multisyllabic schemes, double entendres and full storytelling arcs, and the pen game got sharp fast. Now the producer and the rapper are the same person: I build the beat, then I out-rap it.