Between the incandescent glow of Joey Bada$$ and the divine patience of Ka, Chuck Strangers, New York producer and rapper, slowly grew in stature in the shadows, finding his best form in A Forsaken Lover’s Plea, an album released in 2024 by Lex Records, where he definitively placed himself at the center of his writing and addressed the ups and downs of his relationship with art and life, not only in his own instrumentals but also in those of Alchemist, Animoss, Graymatter, zoomo, and Eyedress. His external and internal journeys took place between New York (where he was born, grew up, and showed himself to the world) and Los Angeles (where he killed his ego), but also between the comfort of community and the discomfort of seeing himself in a corner while others flourished.

Che Jessamy, his baptismal name, received his first MPC (in 2000) at the age of 13, and beats were, until recently, his most reliable and recognized vehicle, from his fundamental contribution to 1999, kicking down the door to stardom for Pro Era in mixtape format in 2012, to the production of one of workaholic Boldy James’ several 2025 releases, Token of Appreciation. The list of memorable beats he has written is quite long, ranging from “Brand New 911” (Joey Bada$$ & Westside Gunn), “ROCKABYE BABY” (Joey Bada$$ & ScHoolboy Q), “Oatmeal” (Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin), “Baby Powder” (Roc Marciano), ‘Alignment’ (Navy Blue), and “’02 Roc” (Medhane) to Affordable Luxuries with Milc. Not to mention what he used for his own benefit.

Before the full-length album released last year, Consumers Park was the title of his solo debut in a longer format, in 2018, clearly showing where he came from and what he represented as part of a renaissance that evoked the golden age of New York, a certain boom bap revivalism that didn’t shy away from the past and still injected new energy. After that, the EPs Too Afraid Too Dance (2020) and The Boys & Girls (2023) were firm steps towards sustained growth surrounded by good collaborators. In between, more specifically in 2022, he participated in Languish Arts’ “Unindulged,” a song that was part of one of Ka’s (R.I.P.) last projects and an unmistakable stamp of quality: very few MCs received that invitation. An honor turned into responsibility: “…too G to take a knee, still I gave you all of me.”
AR

Farrusco is not just a rapper who carries Odivelas in his heart. The way he narrates the street as someone who knows it inside out is unique. He manages to mix the cold of the night with the warmth he feels among his closest friends, without any illusions about what he himself is feeding. His place in culture was built on verses that inevitably leave images engraved in the minds of his listeners, making his message clear and perceptible. No half measures in between.

With his next album “Virar Jogo” just around the corner, we are promised that there is more to talk about, and even more to listen to.

Brian Nasty is a multidisciplinary artist whose creativity moves fluidly between music, visual art, and subculture. Based in London, Brian blends sounds, visuals, and style in a way that feels effortlessly cohesive — pulling from his worlds as a musician, illustrator, photographer, and a model.
In November 2024, Brian released the first installment of his ambitious two-part mixtape, Anywhere, But Here With You, via Big Dada. This project captures a transformative period over the past three years, delving into themes of missed opportunities, self-reflection, and resilience. Collaborations on the mixtape include artists such as Felix of Paris Texas and New York rapper Wiki, with production contributions from Joe Armon-Jones of Ezra Collective, LA musician Jerry Paper, and English producer Paul White.
Looking ahead, Brian is set to release the second installment of Anywhere, But Here With You in November 2025. The rollout has already begun, with singles like “Two” and “Belly Of The Beast” introducing a deeper dive into themes of connection, chaos, and clarity. A few more tracks featuring Eyedress and Sofie Royer are set to drop before September, building anticipation for a body of work that continues to blur the lines between sound, story, and subculture – all delivered through Brian’s unmistakable lens.
Beyond writing a trove of new solo material, Brian has had a busy few years, including collaborating with Metronomy on their 2021 Posse EP Volume 1; modelling for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Adidas Originals, Dickies and Marc Jacobs, maintaining a particularly special creative relationship with Carhartt, Aries and Crtz; and releasing the short film Moon with Luke Casey – part of a trilogy of dream-inspired shorts about wolves, monsters, and our impending doomsday – in which Brian both starred and contributed to the original score.