Ever since the release of his debut single ‘Jiggle’ in 2016, slowthai has continued to prove that he’s ascending to claim the throne as King of a new generation for British rap, hip hop, and punk. In celebration of the Northampton native’s third studio album UGLY, out March 3rd, we’re deep diving into what makes Tyron Frampton so unique.
Here’s everything you need to know about slowthai.
‘UGLY’ is an acronym
The importance of slowthai’s third studio album lays within the album title: U Gotta Love Yourself. The acronym is a play on the word ugly, turning it into something beautiful and hopeful. To ensure he never forgets to love himself, slowthai now has the word UGLY tattooed beneath his left eye (as seen on the album cover).
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He helped Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland with the floodings
Having landed in Auckland a few days before the 2023 Laneway Festival was cancelled due to the mass floodings, slowthai made sure his time spent in Auckland was unforgettable by headlining a flood fundraiser concert on February 1st. The concert, which sold out almost instantly, donated its ticket sale profits to the New Zealand Red Cross for emergency support.
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A diverse range of features
slowthai has always been one to ensure he explores his different sonic influences by featuring on a diverse range of tunes with different sounds. These features range from Gorillaz’s ‘Momentary Bliss’, Idles’ ‘Model Village’, to Denzel Curry’s ‘Zatoichi’. A feature that’s worth highlighting is slowthai’s verse in Shygirl’s standout single, ‘BDE’. His rapping against the experimental production contrasts Shygirl’s silky smooth vocals so well that it’s a match made in heaven.
He livestreamed himself inside of a mirrored box
As an exercise for himself and to promote ‘Selfish’, the lead single from UGLY, slowthai spent 8 of an attempted 24 hours inside of a mirrored box with only paint, paper, and his own reflection. This concept truly aligns with the album’s ethos of learning to become comfortable with your insecurities in order to love yourself.
He’s a father
If you’re a dedicated fan of slowthai then you’ll already know that he’s a beloved father to his son, Rain. One to always post the cutest photos with Rain on Instagram, slowthai also tweeted in 2021 that he recorded his feature on Kevin Abstract’s song ‘SLUGGER’ whilst under a duvet “with my son asleep next to me, all credits reserved for Rain.”
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Fontaines D.C. contributed to ‘UGLY’
With slowthai going down a more punk-infused rap route for his upcoming album, he looked to his Irish friends Fontaines D.C. to contribute and shed some of their punk genius to the album’s title track, ‘UGLY’. Although we haven’t heard the song as it’ll release with the album, we know the Fontaines D.C. feature will be a monumental moment for slowthai’s cutting edge and forever evolving sound. Regarding the feature, slowthai told NME Magazine: “they’re men after my own heart, they love what I do, I love what they do. Together it’s amazing.”
He’s a Grammy nominated artist
Although he has various nominations for different accolades, 2020 saw slowthai become a Grammy Award nominated artist for his feature on Disclosure’s single ‘My High’, alongside fellow rapper Aminé.
While you wait for the release of UGLY, listen to his new single ‘Feel Good’ below:
