Bashy

Bashy is a grime MC and hip-hop vocalist from Hammersmith, London. His real name is Ashley Thomas, and he is born in 1985. He records under Bashy Holdings Ltd.

Career

He develops a reputation in the UK grime scene through clash performance and direct, often comic punchlines. Early in his career he is a member of the Special Delivery crew, which has a regular set on the pirate radio station Freeze FM. He also broadcasts on the East London pirate radio circuit alongside artists including Kano, Dizzee Rascal, Dirty Goodz, Wiley and Lethal Bizzle.

His early recognition comes through battle rap, including clashes with Demon on Lord of the Mics 2 and with Ghetto. He is also known for his social commentary and for tracks that address everyday life and inner-city experience.

Releases and notable tracks

Bashy releases the mixtapes Ur Mum Volume One and The Chupa Chups Mixtape – Assorted Flavours, which help build his profile independently, without major label support. One of his best-known tracks is “Black Boys”, released in 2007. The song presents positive figures from black British life, and its remix brings together a large number of grime and UK hip-hop artists, including Nolay, Skinnyman, Ty, Big Narstie, Tinie Tempah, Wretch 32, Chipmunk, Swiss, Mike GLC, J2K, Skepta, Sincere, Akala and Scorcher.

Other tracks associated with him include “How to Pick a Wifey”, “4 o’clock in the morning”, “Death Is Just a Page Away” and “If You Met God What Would You Ask Him”.

Acting and theatre

Thomas is also involved in acting. He trains in theatre from the age of five, studies at the Brit School of Performing Arts, and receives an A* in GCSE drama. He performs leading roles in the plays Mind Blowing Decisions at Hackney Empire and Marcus The Sadist at Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

Film and other projects

He contributes the track “Kidulthood to Adulthood” to the soundtrack of Adulthood. Noel Clarke later asks him to act as assistant music supervisor on the project. He also takes part in the Roots to Routes project in Mali alongside Durrty Goodz, Akala, Kele Le Roc and Lady Lykez, and performs at events including Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage, Notting Hill Carnival on the Rampage BBC 1Xtra sound system, the Martin Luther King tribute at the Royal Festival Hall, the Marcus Garvey tribute in Brixton, the Capital of Culture celebrations in Liverpool with Damon Albarn, the Rise Festival in Finsbury Park and the Love Music Hate Racism event in Victoria Park.

Style and standing

His work combines grime and hip-hop, with an emphasis on commentary, wordplay and performance. He emerges as an independent artist who builds an audience through mixtapes, radio sets, clashes, recordings and live appearances rather than through a major label.