Photo Credit: Spotify

UK rapper Slew makes a name for himself after four years of pursuing music alongside professionally modelling. 

Since Slew’s first track, ‘Sopranos’, was released in 2021, the model has made himself a name in the music scene. The West London-born artist taps into British nostalgia. When I listen to his music, I am transported back to an early age, watching my older brother grow up in the early 2010s. Watching him go to house parties wearing Nike Air Max 95 in the OG neon colourway paired with a Lacoste tracksuit. He’d pop open a WKD, getting ready to Skepta and Young Lord’s ‘It Ain’t Safe.’ I desperately wanted to grow up to experience this. Slew takes me back to those times, especially when I watch his Blackberry-quality music videos.  

Heavily influenced by my brother’s music taste, my teenage years were characterised by UK rap, drill, and grime. I spent all of my wages on seeing my favourite UK artists live. 

Slew’s flow and energy reminds me of Knuck’s ‘Home,’ which I saw live in 2021. Like Knucks, Slew’s lyricism focuses on the real side of managing the pressures of masculinity in London: knife crime, political oppression, family matters, and navigating relationships. The fusion of grime speaks to life’s rawness and rap’s tendency to show off and stunt tells the story of Slew. The artist has also been compared to the UK’s well-loved Nemzzz and 5EB for his experimental use of new jazz and hyper-trap drums in British rap.

Becoming the face of Burberry

In Spring 2024, Slew became a face of Burberry alongside Rachel Weiss, Damon Albarn and Bukayo Saka. Slew told the Evening Standard that Burberry’s senior music manager discovered him on Grime Daily. There was a hesitancy from Burberry’s visionary Riccardo Tisci to take the rapper on. Slowly won around, Slew’s experience of modelling made him a perfect candidate.  

There is certainly a high fashion element to the rapper’s music, which resonates with a 2025 audience. Slew’s singles reference his ties to Burberry, but we must not forget Burberry’s roots in ‘chav culture’. Hooligan youths of the 1990s tarnished the image of Burberry. Instead, it became an iconic symbol of the working class, Brit pop fans and football supporters. The 2000s witnessed the downfall of Burberry as a prestigious brand until Kate Moss revived the designer style, bringing a sex appeal to attract a new clientele. Today, Burberry is worn by a diverse range of consumers. Thus, Burberry fits with Slew’s grime and rap music but also his high-fashion status.

Rise to fame overnight?

Slew grew up in Hertfordshire but would take trips to London to fulfil his raving tendencies. This was a catalyst for his music career. He developed a reputation for effortlessly hopping on new jazz and hyper-trap beats.

The artist seems to be enjoying his ever-increasing statistics. In December 2023, Slew had 7,000 followers on Instagram, which has shot up to 26,000 at the time of writing this. No doubt, these figures will keep stacking up.  

Reactions to Slew 

TikTok users are showing Slew love on the platform amid a recent appearance on DJ AG ONLINE’s live stream. He teased ‘NEW TO ME’ in an END store, which caught the attention of new listeners and his cult following. One user remarked, “I knew this guy was next up.” Another user stated, “Don’t really like the UK music scene but this is harddd.”  Slew’s progression not only as a model but as an artist is commendable. Keep a close watch on this musician; he might just become your Spotify number one artist by 2026.

Listen to Slew’s new release ‘NEW TO ME’. If you enjoy what you hear, check out my favourite EP of his, ‘UGLY’, released in November 2024.