Hybrid genres rarely offer the best of both worlds, with the rap-metal of Limp Bizkit et al having been particularly poorly thought of over the years.
Scarlxrd (pronounced Scarlord), a former YouTuber from Wolverhampton, comes at it from a different angle: while the music is pitch black trap, the metal element comes from his maniacal screaming.
Then there’s his look – tattoos and chains everywhere and a black surgical mask – less Japanese tourist with the sniffles, more Batman villain Bane does hip hop. Watching his videos is an intense, exhausting experience, but a popular one.
The clip for his biggest song, Heart Attack, has now been seen 55 million times, and the latest, STFU, hit a million within a few days this week.
He’s different enough to have charmed major label Island Records, who release his latest album, Infinity, today, and Oli Sykes of metal giants Bring Me the Horizon, who has invited Scarlxrd to appear on the main stage when his band headline Hackney’s All Points East festival in May.
There’s a London club show tonight to mark the album release – the fainthearted are advised to stay home.
Mar 15, Electrowerkz, EC1 (axs.com)
