Chords

Chords is a Swedish rapper from Lund, Sweden. He is also known by his real name, Jens Resch, and is born in 1978. His work is rooted in hip hop, and he also has links to drum and bass and UK garage through the tags associated with him.

Early life and start in music

Chords grows up in Lund and begins developing an interest in music at an early age. He starts writing his own lyrics at 14, working out rhymes over beats. By 16, he records his first songs in a studio. He is influenced by acts such as Run DMC, and later says that old soul, hip hop and reggae are the music he most often listens to.

Career

He works with a range of Swedish hip hop artists and builds a reputation for punchlines and flowing rhymes. He spends much of a two-year period touring Sweden and Europe. He accepts a record deal from Juju Records in 2001, after already working extra at the label. His first single for the label is Idiot Savant, which is also the first single from his debut album, released in 2003.

Chords turns down a place at a journalism university in the United States and instead follows a music career, joining LoopTroop on tour in 2001. He writes his lyrics in English because he finds the words and rhymes come naturally that way. He also works with Juju Records founder and artist Timbuktu, and receives positive notices as a backing performer for Timbuktu and DJ Amato on tour.

Groups and collaborations

He is formerly part of the duo Chords & Scissors. He also records an EP with Swedish rapper Organism 12 as Smuts & Co, with some lyrics in Swedish. Other listed associations include Helt Off and Down South Ballers, and he is part of the reggae group Helt Off, with whom he tours to critical attention.

Releases

In 2006, he releases his debut album The Garden Around The Mansion in the United States through Empire Musikwerks.