Blak Twang

Blak Twang

Blak Twang is a British rapper from Deptford in south-east London, born Tony Olabode in Manchester in 1972. He also uses the names Taipanic and Tony Rotton. He grows up in Deptford, Lewisham, and becomes associated with UK hip-hop as one of its leading figures, often placed just behind Roots Manuva, with whom he works several times early in his career.

Career

He makes his debut as a solo artist with the single “What Goin’ On” in 1995. His first album, Dettwork South East, is sent out for self-promotion but not officially released. The album title is a pun on the rail company Network SouthEast, and it includes underground tracks such as “Real Estate” and the title track.

His second album, 19 Long Time, also faces record-label obstruction. It includes “Red Letters” and “Shhhoosh”, another collaboration with Roots Manuva. In 2002 he releases Kik Off, which is issued by his label and produces the singles “Kik Off”, “So Rotton” and “Trixsta”, the last of which features Estelle. These tracks receive radio play and achieve some commercial success.

In 2005 he releases The Rotton Club. The album is supported by “GCSE (Ghetto Children Sex Education)”, which features K9 of Rottonus Records, and by “Travellin”, a single that includes Barrington Levy on the original album version. The video for “Travellin” uses the First Man remix with Tali.

Style and collaborations

Blak Twang is known for live performances around the world and for using South London slang and place names in his lyrics without drawing attention to the technique. He is often described by fans as the original “Hip-Hop Geezer”. He works repeatedly with Roots Manuva, features Estelle and Barrington Levy on later recordings, and appears with Ty on the UK remix of Talib Kweli and Hi Tek’s “Down for the Count”.

Awards

His honours include a MOBO award and a Kora award, and he receives a nomination for Best International Hip-Hop Act from The Source.

Personal life

He lives in Shirley, Croydon, in south-east London.