18. NOVEMBER 2011
ADDICT AW11 OUTERWEAR SHOOT WITH DEVLIN
Addict has had a deep connection with the UK music scene since day one, and this season we continue to pledge our support by teaming up with young British Rapper/MC ‘Devlin’. A rising star and current festival stalwart, Devlin took time out of his demanding schedule to participate in a photo shoot with Addict and Joe McGorty from the acclaimed Stem Agency.
The results demonstrate just how good the gear looks when worn on the streets, in all weathers. Leaving behind the material ramblings of an archetypal MC, listening to Devlin, you’re more likely to hear tales of conspiracy theories, politics and Pavarotti.A lover of Bob Marley, The Supremes and Bruce Springsteen, Devlin isn’t your average grime artist.
The enigmatic, Dagenham born Devlin set the bar for a new generation of Grime music in 2006 with his underground classic, Tales from the Crypt. In December 2009 Devlin was named on the BBC’s Sound of 2010 Longlist, cited as ‘one of the hottest names on the underground grime scene’. In March 2010 Devlin was signed to Island/Universal.
His official debut album ‘bud, sweat & beers’ was released in November 2010. 2011 saw Devlin on the festival circuit performing at Glastonbury, Radio 1’s Big Weekend alongside other British artists like Example, Tinie Tempah, Jessie J and more. Devlin also joined Jessie J live on tour to perform the ‘Shux remix’ version of the massive hit ‘Price Tag’ making 2011 one of his biggest years to date.
Leaving behind the material ramblings of an archetypal MC, listening to Devlin, you’re more likely to hear tales of conspiracy theories, politics and Pavarotti. A lover of Bob Marley, The Supremes and Bruce Springsteen, Devlin isn’t your average grime artist. The enigmatic, Dagenham born Devlin set the bar for a new generation of Grime music in 2006 with his underground classic, Tales from the Crypt.
Devlin’s first CD was It Was Written by Nas, and he began listening to garage music at a young age, which developed in to a love for Grime similarly to many of his music-loving counterparts. East London Grime groups such as Outakers and Nasty Crew and the MC’s within those groups such as Kano, Sharkey Major and D Double E were so original they inspired Devlin not to imitate, but to mastermind his own presence in the music scene.
Devlin joined Dagenham grime entourage Outakers (or O.T) in 2004, when he was just 15. His crew-mates included Dagenham-MC Dogzilla and the manager of OT Recordings, Michael Carnegie who were both instrumental in his introduction into the grime scene. Devlin’s first ventures onto pirate radio at Flava FM and began to establish him amongst musical peers from East London and further afield.
The most significant episode during this time was the release of Tales from The Crypt; a dark, intelligent first mixtape allowing Devlin to shoot gritty lyrics over 19 tracks, pouring over his thoughts and encapsulating teen angst at it’s darkest ebb; drugs, sex and violence, a catalogue of Devlin’s spare thoughts reads like a comic thriller; jumping from Friday hype on Firein, Dealers and Tales from the Crypt to a contemplative Sunday over Community Outcast, High Rise and Take Me Away.
The mix of personal introvert & musical extrovert makes Devlin’s music a hotchpotch of passion, vigour, sincerity & intelligence. Admiration for his innovative and overt use of language and lyric began to establish Devlin as a new-age poet; his online following grew, as did an influx of overseas followers.
Devlin’s new found hiatus in the music scene led to the rekindling of his friendship with Plaistow MC Ghetts who had formed an allegiance with a number of the most influential MC’s in Grime and asked Devlin to be a part of it. It was called The Movement, and as well as Devlin and Ghetts, it featured MC’s Scorcher and Wretch 32. A mixtape was released entitled Tempo Specialists and a memorable edition of F*ck Radio was recorded before the enterprise came to a natural demise a year or so later.
Prior to his subsequent mixtape release, The DEVZ EP was a four track special, given away complimentary to fans who had been requesting tracks such as Nothing New, Super Trigger, Dumplin and From the Bottom to the Top; the four tracks were on heavy radio rotation, across the UK on stations such as Rinse, BBC Radio 1Xtra and Kiss FM.
Devlin released The Art of Rolling in 2008, the 14 track strong mixtape included tracks Why, Paid my Dues and Shot Gritty. Hungry fans were given a dose of Devlin’s vigorous flow and punching lyrics whilst he continued to work on his album behind the scenes. The release prompted a sell out signing and performance at Soho’s Uptown Records in London.Furthermore in 2008 Devlin enjoyed a window of fame after Kanye West posted a video of him MCing on his Blog, labelled ‘Gangster Rap’, a freestyle video featuring Dogzilla which was posted on Youtube in 2006.
Devlin was on our screens more than ever in 2009, after signing with independent music label 360 Records and EGA Music Management. Head of Music Colin Batsa took over as his manager released 3 videos in as many months; London City, Community Outcast 2009 and Giant, have totted up over 2 million Youtube views combined, to date. London City remained at number one of the Channel AKA music charts, unmoved, for 10 weeks.
In December 2009 Devlin was named on the BBC’s Sound of 2010 Longlist, cited as ‘one of the hottest names on the underground grime scene’.
ADDICT AW11 OUTERWEAR SHOOT WITH DEVLIN
