Slayr is an American recording artist and producer from Philadelphia. He is known for his songwriting and for collaborations with acts including tana and Steele 11. He records in styles associated with digicore, EDM, electronic, hip hop, rage, pop rap and rap rock.

Early life and aliases

Slayr is Evan McDonald, born in 2007. He starts making music at the age of 11 and learns production from instruments his mother gets him, even though she is opposed to him recording. He grows up listening to rock and rap, taking rock inspiration from Crush 40 and rap inspiration from Lil Uzi Vert.

Before using the names Slayer77 and Slayr, he performs under the name SwagSlayer, a name inspired by Demon Slayer.

Releases and career

His breakthrough debut album is lost files (exclusives), released in 2022. Tracks including “FOURTH GEAR CYPHER” and “Snakeman” attract attention on TikTok, and the release helps him reach 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time. After that, he continues releasing singles and tapes.

He later gains renewed attention with the mixtape Half Blood, which becomes known for its melodic vocals and production. The project is briefly removed because of sample issues with the track “Power 4”, then returns under Columbia Records.

He later releases the deluxe version of Half Blood, titled BLOODLUXE, which adds ten new tracks, includes a guest feature from Lucy Bedroque, and features production from artists including prettifun and M8I. He also releases the EP Avant Nova, which is linked to a later mixtape titled Fabula Nova.

Style and collaborations

Slayr works across digicore, EDM, electronic, hip hop and rap rock, with rage also listed among his associated styles. His work is connected to the LA Familia and lockehearts affiliations, and Columbia appears as his label.