Each week, Music Week profiles a red hot brand new artist. Under our microscope this week is Octavian, a 21-year-old rapper from South-East London...  

Key Track: Party Here
Label: Drilla Records
Management: Stack House
Twitter: @OctavianESSIE

Who: A 21-year-old rapper who’s spent 2017 under the radar. Until now, that is.

What: Loose, textured and hazy UK rap. Heavy on melody and swing.

Where: South-East London.

So, what's the deal?

Octavian has been turning heads with Party Here, which has just been given a full release. He recently co-headlined a Boiler Room show with Bad Gyal, and there’s a 10-track album, Essie World, to dig into on Bandcamp, too.

What’s it like?

Very chilled and full of bangers. There’s a stoned-out riff on R Kelly’s Ignition Remix on Come
With Me, and even a classic Nokia ringtone on Yhyh. Octavian conjures a vibe that’s all his own.

And what's next?

Well, the industry is looking at Octavian to light up the year ahead. UK rap has been huge in 2017, and isn’t going to disappear any time soon. BBC Radio 1’s Benj B is already a confirmed fan. More will follow...

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