I will play a lot throughout the year. Festivals in the summer, and in the fall I will be touring in the USA and in Europe from October to December, says Bladee (pronounced like the English blade), born as Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald.
Despite a hectic tour schedule for the "Martyr world tour", Bladee has a modest rider: just a little tea for the throat is his wish to the dressing room before a show.
What are you most looking forward to now?
Being done with all the shows and chill a bit.
You have become bigger in the USA than in Sweden, why do you think that is?
I do not know. It clicks better in the USA and then it gets noticed in Sweden afterwards. Sweden likes more pop maybe, but I also have many fans here, says Bladee whose most streamed song "Be nice to me" has about 58 million listens globally.
"Sweden has good things"
He is a part of the loosely composed underground collective Drain Gang which, apart from Bladee, consists of Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital and producer Whitearmor. Together they often collaborate with Yung Lean, producer Gud and Yung Sherman.
Earlier in the summer, Bladee was nominated for the government's music export prize. A somewhat unusual event for the rapper, who is associated with an existential, emotional and gothic rap style.
I have nothing against being noticed in that context. I think it's fun. Sweden has many good things. We have done our thing for Sweden in the world. Americans appreciate it as a Swedish thing, for me it's maybe not the first thing I think of, but you are Swedish, after all.
Can guest Charlie XCX again
Last year, Bladee released his latest album "Cold visions" and together with Yung Lean, he also guested on Charlie XCX's remix album "Brat and it's completely different but also still brat".
Charlie XCX is also guesting at Way Out West, where Bladee plays together with Yung Lean, something that should open up for spontaneous guest appearances during the festival.
It may happen. I came out on her concert in London so we might do something similar. But we'll see, it's up to her.
"Cold visions" continues Bladee's self-willed sound world which mixes experimental r'n'b with rap and has song titles like "Sad meal", "I don't like people" and "Don't wanna hang out".
Your music is often described as nihilistic, do you agree with that?
No, I do not agree with that. I think it's quite hopeful. I do not feel nihilistic, says Bladee.
Name: Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald
Born: 1994 (31 years old)
Lives: In Stockholm
Occupation: Rapper, singer, producer, artist, designer, model
Albums: "Eversince" (2016), "Red light" (2018) "Exeter" (2020) "333" (2020) "The fool" (2021) "Spiderr" (2022) "Cold visions" (2024).
Collaboration partners (selection): Yung Lean, Drain Gang, Charlie XCX
Current with: The world tour "Martyr world tour" and a concert at Way Out West in Gothenburg together with Yung Lean on August 8.
