“There’s bare positive black boys around you making movements…”, and this man is making major ones. So, if you don’t know Bashy, find out quickly. He is one of our own: a UK artist and actor. I see Bashy as a member of the ‘old guard’ or rather an ‘OG’ of the UK grime/rap game. I’m sure many of us can remember “Chupa Chups mixtape”, “Black Boys”, “Ransom”, his colourful fashion choices, love for lollipops and the infamous clash with Ghetto. Overall, he is unique. To me, he is one of the most positive role models that I’ve spotted from the scene. He has been one of the most influential artists; it’s almost a shame that many young people today won’t have a connection to what he has done. Bashy is an enormously creative artist, a fighter and an influential leader. But why is that? What makes him so special? What did he do that others didn’t?
Interesting facts about Bashy
1. ‘Bashy’ was born Ashley Thomas on 4th February 1985 in Chiswick, London.
2. He is the first born of a Jamaican mother and a Dominican father.
3. He attended The BRIT School for Performing Arts as a Theatre student
4. Prior to embarking on his music career, he worked for Royal Mail as a Postman and also as a Bus Driver.
5. He was also invited to perform at the ‘Love Music Hate Racism’ Rally in 2008 at Victoria Park, to a crowd of 100,000.
6. He also starred in the 2008 British drama film, ‘Adulthood’ playing whilst taking the role of assistant music supervisor for the entire film.
7. In June 2009, he released his debut album; “Catch Me If You Can” Hiphop.com rated the album as “good” citing that, “it’s a debut album that perfectly encapsulates how Hip Hop has become the world’s local music”.
8. In April 2010, BBC Learning launched ‘Off by Heart Shakespeare’, a recital contest for secondary school pupils. For the project, he took on the role of Shylock from ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and delivered one of the character’s most memorable speeches; “To bait Fish withal”.
9. In early 2011 he signed on to play the lead role in, “The Man Inside”, alongside Peter Mullen, David Harewood and Michelle Ryan.
10. His first television role came in the winter of 2011, in the Emmy award winning series “Black Mirror” by Charlie Brooker for Channel 4 as ‘Judge Wraith’.
11. In early 2016 it was confirmed that he would appear as ‘Calvin Hart’ in the HBO limited series “The Night Of” directed by James Marsh and Steve Zaillian.
(Source: freshhiphopmag.com)
So where do I start? “The Chupa Chups” mixtape seems fitting. If you listen to UK grime and you haven’t listened to this mixtape then it’s time for you to go back and take this in properly.
The 2008 release, had particularly unique and creative artwork, especially if we compare it to other old school mixtapes. The mixtape release proved Bashy to be a budding marketing genius. He gave away free lollipops with each CD sale. Now who back then wouldn’t have been intrigued by a MC giving out free lollipops, dressed in vibrant colours? The tape boasts a legendary track listing, which includes: “How To Pick A Wifey”, “My Nightmare”, “Where I’m From”, “We Can Do Anything” ft. Loick Essien, “4 O’clock” and the widely celebrated anthem “Black Boys”. The tape is full of energetic, audacious and entertaining verses. With themes including, the black community, love, relationships, “the ends” and reinvesting your money — there are many clear messages throughout the tape. It has a very fresh selection of beats, including a cover of “Music Sounds Better With You” and “Wifey Riddem”. What I loved the most about this mixtape is that it was different. He came with a new vibe, with very little focus on the typical ‘aggressive’, ‘hype’ or ‘reload’ grime. The mixtape was well thought out and on most tracks he concentrated on writing around a sustained idea. The mixtape also has clear “Kidulthood” inspirations, such as a cover of “Blinded” by Lights. The Official Mixtape Awards nominated it for ‘Best Mixtape of the Decade’ in 2010. One of my favourites is “4 O’Clock” in which he recalls a story about a night out where he meets a woman and then goes back with her. Unfortunately, he cannot remember a lot of the night due to being heavily intoxicated. Suddenly he remembers where he was, as well as the fact that he isn’t single. For me it’s in his top 3 songs of his career so far, amazing song.
To me he is an ‘unconscious activist’, a role model and a leader, but how?
“Black Boys” turns 10 years old in October, not to make any of you feel any older
“Yo look, no we ain’t hooligans
Just young and talented nubians
With potential and promise
Innovative young masterminds like Sean Wallace
We need role models
So younger’s know what success is
That’s why I feel boom inside when I see a black man like Tim Campbell can win The Apprentice”
“Black Boys”, is the most important song of the last 10 years from the scene, period. I’m so proud of him for this song, especially in a time where it wasn’t cool to be ‘conscious’ or ‘woke’. He believed in us before everyone else did; now look at the UK scene today: THRIVING. A lot of that has been due to the support we have shown each other. Take Krept & Konan jumping on the remix of “Robbery” with ‘Abra Cadabra’ for example, which led to a Mobo award. Trust me, we will always be stronger together. The song and Bashy himself should show all black people that we can make something of ourselves whether it is in the music business or somewhere else.
Bashy created a lane for himself through his label ‘Ragz 2 Riches’, which he stated that was made out of a ‘necessity’. So I guess it’s true, if no one wants to give you an opportunity, you have to create one for yourself. As I was researching Bashy, I found out that his original passion was acting. And here again he created a lane for himself by marketing his acting qualities in “Ransom” featuring Scorcher and Wretch 32. Another classic track, but one thing I’ve always wondered was whether or not ‘Chantelle’ was in on all of it? Guess there isn’t a Part 2 coming.
Since then we’ve seen Bashy in “Shank”, “4.3.2.1”, “Black Mirror”, “Top Boy” and now most recently “24: Legacy”.
Bashy get’s very intense in the 24:Legacy trailer and looks set for a huge role
Bashy is the original ‘carefree black boy’, a pioneer. Throughout his career he has only ever been himself. He’s always been very charismatic, relaxed and free. Even with the way he dressed back then, with the vibrant colours and his customary lollipop. Most importantly, Bashy is real. Being a Postman and Bus Driver to fund his career is a very powerful message for all young people today. Not everyone can be Raheem Sterling, Ace Boogie, or born rich. You have to grind and Bashy being so open about that progression was huge. Most people just have to chase their dreams in another way.
Overall, Bashy’s career has been a huge inspiration to me. I think the first video I watched was his clash with Ghetto. (To this day, I still wonder who the hell Carlos is?) I feel he has set an example for all young black people to follow. He has shown hunger, creativity and perseverance. So lets compliment each other more. Support each other more. Give each other constructive, polite and structured criticism. And to the young men reading, we owe it to our women to be better: more understanding, more empathic and more protective. Because…
“One day we might have black boys, and we gotta teach them to be black men”
Øracle
‘See ourselves as equal
Big up P.D.C. and Northstar ‘cos there’s strength in numbers
When you’er black and single, you’re feeble
Stick together my young black people’
- Bashy
