SLAY: 0161 TO THE WORLD

Slay’s heritage played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic journey. Growing up in a household where his father built sound systems & reggae music filled the air, Slay was also influenced by his older siblings’ musical tastes. This early exposure set the stage for his gravitation towards UK Garage, sparked by Sun City tape packs. However, it was a Sidewinder set featuring pioneers Slimzee, Dizzee Rascal, & Wiley that ignited Slay’s ambition to pursue a career as an MC.

2005, Slay made significant steps by connecting with the Grime collective Mayhem. This marked the beginning of his rise within the Manchester Grime scene. A few years later, in 2007, Slay, alongside Shifty & Blizzard, seized an opportunity presented by an Electronic Arts competition. Their efforts won them the contest, but due to a technicality regarding the use of EA’s name in the song’s hook, the track was excluded from the game. Nevertheless, EA’s support in producing a music video for the song catapulted it to the top of the Channel U charts, making Slay & his crew household names overnight.

As the Mayhem Crew began to disband, Slay found himself at a crossroads, seeking to carve out a solo path. This period of exploration led him to collaborate with Manchester’s own @chimpomcr , who introduced him to the world of Drum & Bass. Although initially inexperienced with the genre, Slay’s successful foray into DnB opened new doors & solidified his transition from a Grime MC to a DnB artist.

Embraced by the DnB community, Slay’s performances on the online station Bloc2Bloc, alongside @bou_dnb , became a regular highlight. Their collaborative energy in the studio birthed a track that after being leaked on Soundcloud quickly went viral, leading to a contract with Island Records. “Closer” soared to number 23 on the UK charts in 2023, marking a milestone in Slay’s career.

Today, Slay continues to push the boundaries of his music, collaborating with increasingly prominent figures & plotting his next moves. His evolution from a UKG enthusiast to a celebrated DnB artist speaks volumes about his adaptability & commitment to his craft, promising more innovative contributions to the UK music scene.