Lord Apex
Background information
Birth nameShaeem Wright
Born (1996-06-12) 12 June 1996
White City, West London, England
GenresHip hop
Years active2013–present
Labels
  • Believe Digital
Websitewww.lordapex.com

Shaeem Santino Wright (born 12 July 1996) known as Lord Apex, is a British MC who grew up in White City, London, United Kingdom.[1][2] His music crosses multiple styles of rap, including UK hip-hop, alternative hip hop, and lo-fi hip hop.[1]

Style and projects

Apex's stage name was inspired by hip-hop producer Madlib's alter ego, Quasimoto aka Lord Quas.[3]

Apex frequently states that he doesn't like to be put into any one genre with his music.[4][5] Journalists, and Apex himself, often reference lo-fi, 90s US hip hop acts like J Dilla and MF Doom as influences.[6] He often also talks about his love for anime and vintage clothing, both of which have inspired the visuals for his music and his general aesthetic.[7]

Since releasing his first track in 2014, Apex has seen over 7 million views on his YouTube channel, with 50,000 subscribers as of February 2021.[8] Apex also appeared on the popular German music YouTube channel COLORS, where he performed his track Vintage Garms.[9][2]

He has also featured in promotions, and released his own radio segment, for the US hip hop affiliated workwear brand Carhartt.[4]

In 2020 he released a studio album with New York-based producer V-Don called Supply and Demand. Reviewers noted Apex's "swaggering and ominous" vocal delivery and "off-kilter flow" throughout the Supply and Demand project.[10][11] The album featured several other prominent American rappers, such as Murs of Rhymesayers Entertainment and CJ Fly of the Pro Era collective.[2] Another feature on the record was from New York's Westside Gunn, formerly of Shady Records, on the deluxe version track London Fog.[12]

As well as his collaboration with Carhartt, he was also part of a promotional campaign for musical equipment maker Novation Digital Music Systems, featuring a live performance of his track Miyagi Blueprint using their Launchpad X.[13]

In 2020 Lord Apex was nominated for a UK Music Video Award in the Best Hip Hop/Grime/Rap Video Newcomer category, for his video with Kam-Bu entitled Different.[14] In January 2021, he featured on Complex's 21 UK Rappers to Watch in 2021 list, in which they said he is "perfectly positioned to rise to the top."[15]

Touring career

Discography

Albums/Mixtapes

  • Smoke Sessions, Volume One (2016)
  • Smoke Sessions, Vol. 2 (2019)[16]
  • Supply & Demand (with V Don) (2020)[17]
  • Smoke Sessions 3 (2021)
  • Off the Strength (2022)
  • The Good Fight (2023)

EPs

  • Gxlden Era (as Tino Apex) (2013)
  • C.R.A.T.E. Diggin' (as Tino Apex) (2013)
  • Sounds of the Blade (with Tunami) (2015)
  • Live from Los Santos (with N2Deep) (2015)
  • Vinyl Dust (2016)
  • Lord Vibes (with Lo Vibe) (2016)
  • Bamboo Forest (with Walterwarm) (2016)
  • Cosmos/Genesis (2016)
  • Stuck in Motion (with Finn Foxell and Flowzart) (2018)
  • S.O.I.L (with The Kount) (2018) [18]
  • Darkskies (with Bushi Vibes) (2020)

References

  1. 1 2 "Lord Apex is the cult MC floating to the top". Crack Magazine. Yemi Abiade.
  2. 1 2 3 "Lord Apex, sombre Sensei des bas-fonds londoniens". BACKPACKERZ (in French). 4 September 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. "Lord Apex is thecult MC floating to the top". Crack Magazine.
  4. 1 2 "Artist Feature: Lord Apex". Carhartt WIP USA. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  5. "Backstage Pass: Lord Apex | Wonderland Magazine". Wonderland. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  6. "West London Rapper Lord Apex Shares Meditative New Video 'Up Early'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  7. "Wise Words of The Sensei: Interview with Lord Apex - @SENSEIAPEX with @MisterrCha - Producers United". Producers United. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  8. "LORD APEX's YouTube Stats (Summary Profile) - Social Blade Stats". socialblade.com. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  9. "Lord Apex Performs "Vintage Garms" For Colors". GRM Daily. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  10. "Lord Apex + V Don - Supply & Demand [Stream]". The Pit London. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  11. "Track Of The Day 24/8 - Lord Apex". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  12. "Lord Apex & V Don ft: Westside Gunn - London Fog". WORDPLAY. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  13. "Everything Just Synchronises | Novation". novationmusic.com. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  14. "NEWS: UK MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2020 NOMINATIONS". VideoStatic. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  15. "21 UK Rappers To Watch In 2021". Complex. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  16. "Lord Apex premier EM3". Complex UK.
  17. "Lord Apex & V Don feed the streets with Supply & Demand". Hot New Hip Hop. 9 September 2020.
  18. "Lord Apex & The Kount S.O.I.L EP". Lyrical Lemonade.
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