Rarelyalways

Rarelyalways (London, UK)

Producer / Songwriter / Multi-Instrumentalist / Artist

London-based multidisciplinary artist Rarelyalways is known for his shapeshifting sound. Known to blend hints of great British one-offs like Tricky, Roots Manuva, or the more laid-back Dizzy Rascal, trip-hop, jazz, and undercurrents of rock, and J Dilla-style beats–he is impossible to pigeonhole.

From a young age, Rarely learned that music had functions beyond entertainment. Born in London to a West African family and raised by his single, gospel-loving father, who was a drummer, Rarely attended The BRIT School, and spent long afternoons playing practice spaces, honing the power of playing music for music’s sake.

Influenced by his time in the South London gig circuit playing trip hop and heavy rock alongside artists like King Krule, Henry Wu and the Tomorrow's Warriors jazz collective, his music adopts a dark, mysterious tone and moves freely across hip hop, jazz, and beyond.

His 2020 debut EP Baby Buffalo was praised by The FADER and Pitchfork for its minimalist swagger and distinct flavor before his first album WORK, which came out on the record label Innovative Leisure in 2023.

The Must Hear Rap Song of the Day: Though Rarelyalways comes out of the London jazz scene, his music has its own distinct flavor. [...] He synthesizes his influences while effortlessly carving out a niche for himself." - *Hubert Adjei-Kontoh, Pitchfork Editor*

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"With its sputtering garage-inflicted production (a relic that he found on an old hard drive) and self-aware quips, London jazz-rapper Rarelyalways' newest single "Caption" feels like a concise exhibition of his minimalist swagger." **Salvatore Maicki**, Fader Editor

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Rarelyalways live at EFG London Jazz Fest 2023

Cutcraft songwriter Rarelyalways at London Jazz Fest

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