808Ink

808Ink is a London, United Kingdom hip hop group. It forms around producer and rapper 808Charmer and rapper Mumblez Black Ink, with creative director Black Anubi$ later joining the collective. The group grows out of an encounter on a video shoot, when 808Charmer sees Mumblez Black Ink rapping over a hip hop instrumental.

Formation and development

808Charmer also has drumming experience and has performed with M.I.A., Chiddy Bang and Tinie Tempah. What begins as a bedroom collaboration develops into a broader multi-instrumental and visual project, with Black Anubi$ bringing a visual approach built around glitch art. His earlier work focuses on the female form and the expression of sexuality, which he then merges into the 808Ink project.

Style and significance

The group works within UK and alternative hip hop and is associated with London’s underground hip hop scene. Its sound and presentation are built around rearranging the usual expectations of a hip hop album through both music and visual elements.