Pioneering a whole wave of UK rap unbound by hip-hop classicism, here we catch ayrtn in conversation with fellow rising artist Niko B, talking Channel U, seafood salad and white wine combos and how he’s shaping the next stage of his sonic venture.

It’s a sunny April evening somewhere in London and ayrtn is clad in an unreleased Corteiz jacket that’s just sent the internet into meltdown. On it is a famous picture, taken by rap documentarian Simon Wheatley, of the late, great emcee Crazy Titch, who walks his dog in a park just outside two high-rise flats. You couldn’t get a more iconic image from grime’s glory days. Not to mention, ayrtn is absolutely rocking it.    

  

Corteiz is arguably the UK’s hottest streetwear brand, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that they’ve chosen the south east Londoner to model such a coveted piece. Founded by Clint, the label has frequently tapped the capital’s ascendant rap scene for their clothing campaigns. It feels like the passing of a baton, as we segway into a post-grime era inspired by the endless possibilities and interconnectivity of the digital age, and ayrtn is undoubtedly pioneering this new wave.    

  

Tackling music with a similar DIY ethos that famed artists like Tyler, The Creator, he controls all aspects of his creative expression. From skippy yet nonchalant flows patterns to asymmetrical beat constructions, the polymathic producer-rapper builds tracks meticulously, creating a world for fans to revel in that’s far more colourful than the one we live in today. The labyrinths of non-linear soundscapes are like portals that transport you to a more abstract, toylike space: bouncy 808s bundle around his playful punchlines, which reference everything from football legends like Edgar Davids to fictional characters like Apu from The Simpsons.    

It was in the UK’s brief SoundCloud rap phase where ayrtn first nurtured his musical talents. Releasing beat tapes and grime edits, before putting his own rhymes to songs, those adolescent productions have clocked up hundreds of thousands of plays, unbound by the constraints of hip-hop classism. What’s ensued is a discography that travels through the psychedelic aspects of early Playboi Carti to the depths of Detroit house, sampling everyone from soul star Solange to drill kingpin Loski along the way.    

  

Comfortable in his eclecticism, projects like TOO AWESOME have entered the UK rap cosmos with a notable swagger. Coming up to its two-year anniversary, the EP ayrtn deems to be the first he took seriously, feels like the moment you put on a grailed garment; the rich bass and braggadocious rhymes wrapping you with a sense of power that makes you feel unstoppable. His music releases with the hype of a Supreme drop and fans loyally engage, craving the escapism in these cartoonish productions.    

  

Joining us on the call is ayrtn’s close friend and UK rap accomplice Niko B, whose career has been galvanised by a similarly uncompromising approach. Having long been admirers of each other’s work, they first met at an Earl Sweatshirt gig. A brotherhood blossomed from there, and although they haven’t released any collabs, rest assured that they’ll be cooking something up over the summer – more on that later. Here, ayrtn takes a minute away from the busy Corteiz shoot to chat about his story so far and what’s next.   

Niko B: What have you been up to today? That’s the first question.   

ayrtn: I’ve been shooting for Corteiz. The Simon Wheatley x Corteiz drop. What have you been doing today?    

Niko B: I woke up, shot a fun video for my Instagram story because I’m releasing a song this week. Then I had some lunch, came home and now I’m just chilling. I’m glad that the day is going well for you though, what does an ideal day for ayrtn look like?   

ayrtn: An ideal day for me is a summer’s day in London, like a warm day in London where everyone is chilling, preferably on a Sunday or a Saturday. I’m eating a lot of food, maybe drinking a glass of wine, and I’m with my friends and we’re riding bikes. That’s the ideal day for me.    

Niko B: What would you be having for lunch?   

ayrtn: I’ll be having a seafood salad.   

Niko B: A seafood salad? I’ve never heard of a seafood salad.   

ayrtn: You’ve never heard of a seafood salad? You need to try one my guy.    

Niko B: It sounds very fresh, like a nice pick me up on a summer’s day.    

ayrtn: Hell yeah, and you have it with a glass of wine, white wine preferably.    

Niko B: I love white wine because it’s cold. Red is always room temperature. I don’t want to be drinking a room temperature drink. I want it to be cold.   

ayrtn: I want a refreshing, sparkly drink. If I drink tea, I need a freezing cold drink afterwards. I need that balance.    

Niko B: Your latest single, ‘NAOMI’, is incredible. The visuals are impeccable as always too. How involved are you with that side of things?   

ayrtn: I’m super-duper involved in everything. I come up with the overall theme and feel. I know the song the best, so I know how to visualise it and get the job done. I’m not behind the camera shooting myself, but I am directing this shit.   

Niko B: Me and you are like one-man bands. We do everything ourselves and the advantage of that is everything feels quintessentially us.   

ayrtn: I want to be hands on, and that’s one thing that I appreciate from you as well.   

Niko B: On the topic of music videos, was there any you watched as a kid that really stood out?   

ayrtn: On Channel U, there used to be this group called Bomb Squad. They made one song and disappeared, but the video was gully. 20 guys roll to a motive in New Era caps, baggy jerseys and baggy bottoms on some grime ‘ting and that stuck with me.    

Niko B: I’m not as one-man band as you are. You produce a lot of your own stuff as well. Do you remember the first time you made a beat?   

ayrtn: It just happened. I’ve always been curious and then my dad got a Mac when I was about 14 and it had Garage Band on it. I started playing with loops and piecing things together in my head. I’m not really a tutorial guy. I like getting my hands in that shit and feeling it out for myself. I feel like that’s the best way to learn.   

Niko B: What are your three rules for making a beat or is it different every time?   

ayrtn: Sometimes there’s intention and sometimes I just want to make something for the sake of making it. I feel like a lot of things are ruined by expectation, you just need to go and do it.   

Niko B: I feel like you’ve shaped and pioneered this new sound in the UK. I think this is the best time for everyone in our circle, making music, because the possibilities are endless, and the talent is insane. Where do you see the scene going? And what’s your favourite thing about it?   

ayrtn: I see it going to the moon. Honestly, there are so many different talents. Even today, Nia Archives was here. I’m talking to you right now. I think it can go to the moon, just as long as everyone keeps pushing, and grinding and just not caring. Caring, but not caring. We need to be pushing it without care. Like, this is my art; no questions asked.   

Niko B: I love that everyone properly loves each other’s work and loves their own work just as much, which is so sick to see. What have you been listening to lately? I hate it when people say, ‘What’s your favourite song ever?’ Because it changes every day. So, right now, this week, what have you been stepping out and listening to?    

ayrtn: I’m listening to JME. Right now, I can safely say that my favourite song is ‘CD IS DEAD’ by JME & TEMPZ. Hands down.   

Niko B: JME is so good.    

ayrtn: He’s one of the most influential from the UK, with his iconic durag, the flows and being Skepta’s brother as well. That’s what I’ve been listening to, I’ve been listening to a lot of grime.   

Niko B: He has the same approach as us, just having fun with it and being unapologetically himself. For you, where’s the best place to listen to music? I love listening in a car or when you’ve got errands to run, and you’re stepping out the house, whatever song is playing as I shut that front door, It’s like a title sequence to a film.   

ayrtn: I agree with both, but I would add one more. I’ll say at parties as well. I like listening to music when I’m waved. I will dance to anything when I’m waved, even Alicia Keys. It doesn’t matter.    

Niko B: Are you a good dancer?   

ayrtn: I’m an amazing dancer!   

Niko B: When you were younger, did you ever go to dance classes? I used to go to street dancing classes every Tuesday.    

ayrtn: Nah, I was never that guy. I always just had rhythm. I can boogie, man. You’re an amazing dancer as well, by the way.   

Niko B: I’m trying! I never learnt how to pin drop. This summer, I’m learning how.   

ayrtn: You need to make that your summer goal.   

Niko B: I’m gonna film a music video where it’s just me pin dropping over and over again. And when I get tired, I’ll tag you in.   

ayrtn: Let’s do it!   

Niko B: I wanna bring up your latest Instagram caption, ‘nü flo’s comin’, what do you mean by that? Do we have new music on the way?   

ayrtn: New music is on the way! I’m nearly there, I’m nearly there.    

Niko B: How’s it shaping up, is it different to past releases or are you going for that trademark sound?   

ayrtn: It’s a mix of the old and the new. We’re approaching a new sound. There are some more dance-focused cuts and then there are some different types of sounds, some different frequencies and I’m singing more nowadays.    

Niko B: I’m trying that as well.    

ayrtn: It’s gonna be good, man. It’s been a long time coming, so I’m excited for it.   

Niko B: And what’s next for you? As in, what are you doing later today?  What are you going to have for dinner? Where are you going to end up tonight? And then what’s next for you later in the year?    

ayrtn: I’m literally going to see Lil Yachty! I got a free ticket, dawg. I’m very happy, That’s my evening really. What are you gonna do?   

Niko B: I don’t even know. I might play some FIFA. I’m doing a music video tomorrow, which will be sick, but it’s early morning, which I hate. I’ll try and get an early night but I definitely won’t. And what can we expect from you later in the year? When 2024 ends, and you look back at what you did, what are people gonna see?   

ayrtn: A lot of drops, a lot of music and a lot of videos. I’m gonna be in a lot of magazines, so that’s exciting. My face is gonna be out here, man. I’m already on the cover of Notion! That’s an amazing achievement. Just more achievements, accolades and milestones.    

Niko B: That’s very well deserved.   

ayrtn: Thank you so much. I wanna produce for a lot more people as well.   

Niko B: This year we’re doing something; it has to happen.   

ayrtn: We’re doing something 100%, please, please.    

Niko B: The people need it: a dancey record, the vibiest song ever. It’s in writing now so we’re gonna have to do it.  

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