Artist Profile: 10r
This weekend, the Chicago Marathon is yet again turning the windy city into a place of motion. Thousands of runners are pushing through brisk temperatures and city streets in an attempt to be number one at the finish line. The Midwest trek never fails to bring out the incredible grit and endurance of the human spirit. Just as in running, spirit lives through music as well. For those who prefer their fighting spirit set to 808s instead of footsteps, look no further than 10r.
Hailing from the UK, the young rapper has built incredible momentum for someone whose first music releases date back just two years. His sound — a collision of rap, hyperpop, and sleek iPhone-age beats— reflects the fast-paced energy of a growing talent. It is hard to say if he has any specific influences, as his sounds are truly original and something Gen Z can call its own.
His breakout single, “Ice King”, now has over 325 thousands streams on Spotify. The tune fires up almost immediately with high-pitched beeping before adding some thumps and rapped vocals. It feels like a pleasant summer day in the pre-COVID era, out of a time when the television show responsible for the song’s namesake was still airing.
His most recent release, “whatamidoingwrong?”, explores a late-night spiral hidden behind a thick reverb, the same tension marathoners know too well. A washed-out guitar loop and trap drums give the strong a wavy, atmospheric sound, reminiscent of Joji or Juice WLRD. However, the ticking, high-speed tempo of the music gives the song a high degree of danceability, hiding the subject matter behind a thin veneer of excitement.
You can find 10r on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Instagram. And if you’re chasing the next sound worth running toward, follow our Conundrum Nation Radio playlist for more artists redefining endurance in Hip Hop.