Meet Bxnkz: The Winner of Sony and Cristale’s Rap Talent Search

Meet Bxnkz, the rising star you need and the winner of our latest talent competition in collaboration Sony and Cristale. This 23-year-old rapper, singer, and multi-talented producer from Croydon is already carving out his space in the industry, blending versatility and raw talent into something undeniably fresh.

Performing alongside runners up, RENAYA, Redrum and MOBI1, the night at Pop Brixton captured the promising and exciting place that UK rap is in right now. With Cristale hosting, DJing and performing too, the evening captured the skill of all four competition shortlisters, bringing together the best the London scene has to offer.

With his winning track, ‘Open Heart’, Bxnkz delivered a performance that was nothing short of captivating. Striking a balance between emotional vulnerability and slick lyricism, the song showcased his unique ability to channel both his melodic side and his rap influences. It’s clear that Bxnkz draws from a wide pool of inspiration, citing everyone from Drake and Blxst to Cristale and Blanco. His style effortlessly bounces between genres like drill, Amapiano, trap, and even old-school 2000s beats — proving he’s a force to be reckoned with in today’s music landscape. Bxnkz’s musical journey began at age 11 when his mum booked him a studio session at none other than Abbey Road Studios: it was in that iconic space that he fell in love with the craft, and he hasn’t looked back since. Now, over a decade later, his skills as a rapper, songwriter, and engineer are sharper than ever.

As competition host Cristale mentioned on her Instagram, “The future is yours to own, Bxnkz. Keep pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.” With such high praise and a wealth of creativity to tap into, there’s no doubt that Bxnkz is ready to take the UK scene by storm with RENAYA, Redrum and MOBI1 all ready to step into their future’s too. If you’re not already familiar, it’s time to get acquainted.