Brewer : Get Familiar

If 2012 is the year when the ‘down to earth’ emcee returns to the forefront of popular Hip Hop, expect Nicholas Brewer – known simply as Brewer – to be a part of the movement in the UK. A 22 year old rapper from Ilford, East London, Brewer’s introspective, wit-filled rhymes have slowly began to catch ears and attention, capturing an everyman spirit as well as possessing raw rhyming traits.

But unlike those who either came up through battling, open mic nights and pirate radio sessions – Brewer emerges from the UK’s thriving Gospel rap scene. With the subgenre birthing rappers and producers at a fast rate, the rapper is beginning to make quite an impression.

Building his name through collaborations with MOBO Award winning rapper Guvna B as well as performing at numerous Gospel rap events, in 2010 Brewer released his impressive first mixtape Alone With My Thoughts – a project which spawned a number of reflective and humorous verses ranging from his own awkward relationships with girls, his appreciation of family and his personal relationship with God.

Produced entirely by the talents of The Confectionary (a production outfit to take note of for 2012) Brewer’s mixtape projected him as a future household name – both within and out of the Christian music sphere. One of the standout tracks “Breathe” fully captures the essence of Brewer – being street savvy, aware of his Christian responsibilities and his confidence when pursuing a Grime format of rhyming.

Returning with the sequel to the impressive mixtape in 2011, Alone With My Thoughts 2 further proved his potential crossover appeal, with UK Grime general Ghetts and vocalist NY feature on tracks, also collaborating with the likes of Guvna B, Franklyn and Jay Dolph outside of his own projects.

This year, Brewer remains on course to break further into the mainstreams vision with a continued run of consistent solid material. The warbling sounds of James Blake‘s “Not Long Now” are sampled in “Questions” [above], where the rapper muses over an ambiguous relationship, which excellently remixes the ominous mood the Mercury-nominated singer channelled on the original.

Performing recently at the poetry-meets-soul Vocals and Verses showcase, where alongside Joel Baker he performed an excellent rendition of Grime general Kano‘s banger “E.T”. Stripping away the machismo heavy mechanics of the original, Brewer adds his more down to earth, everyday struggle themes to the emphatic chorus, which is performed remarkably by Baker.

For 2012, everything is possible for Brewer. With an as-yet-untitled EP in the works for Spring, more live shows in store and upcoming guest appearances on other projects, Brewer’s stock both within and outside the Gospel circuit looks set to rise.

Brewer online: itsbrewer.com / Facebook / @itsBrewer