Bashy’s latest album “Being Poor is Expensive”

Being poor is expensive. The statement in itself seems so contradictory, how can a lack of wealth take more from you than it does from someone with wealth in the first place?

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But the true meaning behind it can only be fully understood by those who have found themselves in similar circumstances. Having to constantly lose aspects of your life due to poverty. A lack of security, innocence and happiness, all costing you in ways that go beyond monetary value.

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The West London born actor and rapper explores these feelings in his second official album “Being Poor is Expensive”, fully marking his return to the music scene. Bashy commits to us an in-depth personal reflection, where he focuses on his childhood growing up in Brent and how his experiences within his surroundings influenced his life and made him the man he is today. The album takes heavy

inspiration from his Caribbean roots as he raps on the rhythmic elements of reggae whilst using his unique flows to continue to pay homage to Grime, garage and dancehall. Bashy uses his culture and roots to create a piece that tells the story of the real and unapologetic truths of a young black man growing up in Britain by bearing his own insecurities and traumatic experiences for the world to see.

Kicking off the album is “The London Borough of Brent” which begins with the automated TFL voice for the London Overground, a sound so quintessentially British that you cannot help but smile when you hear it, depicting the journey Bashy would have undoubtedly made countless times growing up in Brent. The song focuses on what it means to grow up in his area and how being raised with so little can lead to the insatiable desire to crave more – a feeling I can relate to in more ways than one.

The bulk of the album proceeds with standouts like: “Sweet Boys Turned Sour”, “How Black Men Lose Their Smile” and “Sticky”. This opens up the floor to feelings of nostalgia and youth through an amalgamation of garage, dancehall and hip-hop sounds, mainly contributed to by the prolific UK producer – Toddla T. Produced with the vibrant and punchy brass instruments of reggae, “How Black Men Lose their Smile” shines a much-needed light on the struggles we as black men face. The lack and fear of our own identity that is systematically imprinted onto us from as early as primary school days and only accentuated as we carry on into society. 

Collaborating with Skrapz & Haile produced the track, “Blessed”,  which firmly asserts itself as a hit as we’re taken over by the hard-hitting verses of Bashy and Skrapz as they glide over dancehall and garage-infused production, separated only by Haile’s infectious hook. Finding itself towards the middle of the album, “Blessed” provides a nice interlude from our journey of navigating Bashy’s life as by this point, not only are we left in awe of Bashy’s versatility, but we’re also reminded of the weight Skrapz holds in the UK rap scene.

“Midnight in Balans” marks the end of the album, providing a full circle moment on Bashy’s journey through the theme of celebration. The iconic hook from Soul II Soul and Caron Wheeler’s “Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)” plays a role as he reflects on his life and how despite the struggles faced, he was able to change it for the better but still stipulating the fact that there is more to be done – a nod to the insatiable desires expressed in “The London Borough of Brent”. 

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From bursting onto the UK music scene as a unique and prolific rapper to being an award-winning actor, Bashy cements himself as a true artist who devotes his entire self to his craft and this album is only a testament to this. Best described as a bold and introspective narration of Bashy’s life,  “Being Poor is Expensive” authentically encapsulates an individual’s hopes and fears through a combination of rich culture and history, creating a body of work that at its core enables relatability. 

In the midst of such a new and era-defining time for the UK rap ecosystem, I would say this is one of the best projects to come out of the UK this year, getting better and better with each listen. Stream “Being Poor is Expensive” now!