The 25-year-old artist posted an emotive statement concerning his decision.

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A post shared by ALPHA (@octavianessie)

During his career, Octavian has released one EP, various mixtapes and multiple singles. The rapper began to gain traction within the industry and became a critical success. The artist’s first mixtape, 22, was released in 2016 under the stage name Octavian OG. In 2017 the first EP Essie World was released and 13 singles followed, one particular single became the catalyst to his rising success. “Party Here” was released in 2017 and sired great attention. In January 2018 Drake posted an Instagram video featuring a sing along to the single, the post went viral and brought Octavian to the spotlight. In August 2018 the artist was signed with the major label Sony/ATV Records.

The former BRIT School student has collaborated with some of music’s most popular artists. On 2019 single “Bet”, the rapper teamed up with Michael Phantom and hitmaker Skepta. Octavian and Skepta worked together again the following year on the single “Pap Chulo”, the track reached number 37 within the UK singles charts.

In 2019 Octavian released the single “Lit” which featured American rapper, ASAP Ferg. The single was taken from the artist’s second mixtape, Endorphins, released on 13th June 2019 via Black Butter Limited. Octavian has also lent his talent to other artists, his most notable collaboration has been with Gorillaz. In 2020, the rapper featured on the group’s single “Friday 13th” taken from the band’s seventh studio album.

The buzz surrounding the artist paid off and the London based rapper won the BBC Sound of 2019 award. Octavian was presented with the prestigious accolade for new artists in January 2019 and was described as a maverick. The winner is decided by a panel made up of 136 industry professionals, each member is asked to nominate three promising acts. In 2019 the panel included prior nominees Ellie Goulding and Stormzy. The title has previously been won by Adele, Haim, Sam Smith and Sigrid. Octavian was the first rapper to win the award since 2003, 16 years prior 50 Cent was awarded the prize. Speaking on his win over two years ago the rapper stated, “That’s lit, I don’t even know how to feel right now… Mum, I made it!“.

Born as Octavian Oliver Godji, the artist faced some controversies during the end of his career. Last year the artist’s ex-girlfriend accused him of abuse, subsequently, the reports led to his debut album being pulled and his relationship with Black Butter ended. Octavian denied all allegations and provided the following statement to the BBC. “I wholly deny Hana’s allegations, which are only one – grossly distorted – side of a troubled relationship. Much of what she has said, and has been reported, has been manipulated or is simply untrue. I will not go on trial by media, but I will repeat that I have not been violent or coercive towards Hana, and I am not a misogynist.”

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Gorillaz present Song Machine Live  Coming to you live & direct from London A global live stream on 12 & 13 December 2020 Tickets & Gorillaz Live goods available now  gorillazlivenow.com

A post shared by Gorillaz (@gorillaz) on Sep 17, 2020 at 9:41am PDT

Beginning in January, there are now six ‘Song Machine’ episodes, with collaborations including Slowthai, Georgia, Skepta, Octavian, and The Cure’s Robert Smith, who most recently featured on the latest episode and single titled ‘Strange Timez’. The three live shows will air over 12th and 13th December on LIVENow, and tickets are available from the website now. It is yet to be announced who of the featured artists will appear, if any.

LIVENow’s director Marc Watson said, “We are really proud to work alongside Gorillaz to create something truly special for fans all around the world. ‘SONG MACHINE LIVE’ will raise the bar on what to expect from live-streamed concerts.” The band made the announcement via social media, simply posting a trailer with caption, “Gorillaz present Song Machine Live. Coming to you live & direct from London.”

Furthermore, the band revealed last week that they will be releasing a new album, ‘Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez’, on 23rd October. This will include previous releases as well as new works with Beck, Elton John, 6lack, Leee John, Kano, and Roxani Arias. As if that wasn’t already astounding news, there will also be a deluxe edition featuring St. Vincent, Earthgang, and more.

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Introducing the all-star cast of Song Machine Season One STRANGE TIMEZ Featuring: @slowthai @beck @st_vincent @eltonjohn @therealkano @mikewillmadeit @georgiauk @groovyq @chaiofficialjpn @fatoumata_diawara__ & many more Pre-order  gorillaz.com

A post shared by Gorillaz (@gorillaz) on Sep 14, 2020 at 1:09pm PDT

Check out the full track-lists below.

1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (ft. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13th (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)

Deluxe
1. Strange Timez (ft. Robert Smith)
2. The Valley of The Pagans (ft. Beck)
3. The Lost Chord (ft. Leee John)
4. Pac-Man (ft. ScHoolboy Q)
5. Chalk Tablet Towers (ft. St Vincent)
6. The Pink Phantom (ft. Elton John and 6LACK)
7. Aries (feat. Peter Hook and Georgia)
8. Friday 13th (ft. Octavian)
9. Dead Butterflies (ft. Kano and Roxani Arias)
10. Désolé (ft. Fatoumata Diawara) (Extended Version)
11. Momentary Bliss (ft. slowthai and Slaves)
12. Opium (ft. EARTHGANG)
13. Simplicity (ft. Joan As Police Woman)
14. Severed Head (ft. Goldlink and Unknown Mortal Orchestra)
15. With Love To An Ex (ft. Moonchild Sanelly)
16. MLS (feat. JPEGMAFIA and CHAI)
17. How Far? (ft. Tony Allen and Skepta)

The tracks are named ‘Chapter 1‘ and ‘Rari‘. The first is a slow skit, which lasts just over a minute. The beat flutters around Octavian’s slow, tuned, vocals before breaking into a passionate array of drums for the final sequence. ‘Chapter 1‘ builds like an album introduction, fading out as it reaches crescendo.

‘Rari‘ features superstar Future. It crackles with energy, as Octavian’s characteristic hook flexes around Future’s verse.  Future’s flow  skips effortlessly over the high-tempo instrumental. The two songs, when played back to back, mix into one and other. This indicates that the album may play like an old-school mix-tape, in which the tracks blend together to create a singular body of work.

Excitement ahead of Octavian’s album release is palpable. However, the artist is yet to confirm the release date, or the name of the project. It is due to be Octavian’s first studio album, having released the E.P’s ‘Spaceman‘ (2018) and ‘Endorphins‘ (2019) to critical acclaim. It is also produced by British icon Skepta, whom Octavian collaborated with for the singles Bet (2019) and Papi Chulo (2020). The album is set to play through three distinct ‘chapters’, which explains the new track’s title.

Octavian also released a visual, which packages the two tracks together. The clip’s imagery seeps in artistic metaphor. It depicts heartbreak, fame and death through clashing scenes of gore and affluence. It is the work of an artist that is always looking to break boundaries.

‘Chapter 1‘ and ‘Rari’ give fans an electric sample as to what they can expect ahead of Octavian’s debut album. They clash stylistically but cohere as a sample to a larger body of work. The tracks serve as a teaser, which remind fans of Octavian’s toe-tapping talents, whilst ultimately leaving a desire to hear the rest of the album as soon as possible.

Song Machine | Episode Four
Friday 13th ft. @OctavianEssie
Premieres 09/06 5pm BSThttps://t.co/y0t2TUppYx#SongMachine pic.twitter.com/Tp3XTozbNb

— gorillaz (@gorillaz) June 8, 2020

Dubbed as “Episode Four” of a series (perhaps a cheeky jab at lockdown enforcing our addiction to online boxsets?), the band’s Twitter account teased the release on Sunday, revealing French-British rapper Octavian to be the latest addition to a roster of big name collaborators who have already put their name to the project. The trio of Song machine EPs that have been put out this year boast appearances from the punk duo Slaves, Malian singer-songwriter Fatoumata Diawara, former Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook, and no less than Northampton’s child himself (slowthai). 

Though “Friday 13th” has been billed as the fourth edition of the Song Machine series, it’s actually the fifth new song the virtual group has put out in 2020. Last month’s “Song Machine: How Far?” (above) on which Skepta’s delivery took front and centre, arrived with little to no fanfare since the song’s other guest musician, the legendary afrobeat drummer Tony Allen, had passed away a few days prior at the age of 79. Gorillaz’s unofficial creative director Damon Albarn had been a longtime admirer of Allen’s before the two went on to become firm friends. After Albarn sang “Tony Allen really got me dancing” on the 2000 Blur song “Music Is My Radar”, the Nigerian music pioneer got in touch, and they would both go on to perform together in the supergroups Rocket Juice & The Moon (with Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bass player Flea) and The Good, The Bad & The Queen (with The Clash’s Paul Simonon and The Verve’s Simon Tong).  

In a similar vein to “…How Far?”, “Friday 13th” also places its grime artist in the foreground. But whereas Skepta’s delivery cut cleanly through the mix on the former, Octavian’s flow is allowed to seep a little into the track’s hazy production – a stylistic choice reflected in the video by having Octavian’s translucent outline blend into his surroundings. Watch the video below:

Check it out at the link below. For the two grime icons, it’s been a busy time of late. Octavian released his latest mixtape, ‘Endorphins’, not long after his win at the BBC Sound of 2019. On the mixtape features the collaboration, ‘Bet’, between the rapper, (real name Octavian Oliver Godji), and Skepta.

For Skepta, he released ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ last year, to rave reviews from critics. NME hailed it “a diverse-sounding, assured success, a muscular record that conveys global ambition, drawing on a dizzying collection of sounds and influences.”

In November last year, Skepta & AJ Tracey released the music video for their single, ‘Kiss & Tell’.

The music video depicts Skepta and AJ Tracey in a hotel, the footage appearing almost grainy and homemade, mixed with shots from his ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ Tour, with AJ Tracey serving as a supporting act. ‘Kiss & Tell’ was produced by Skepta.

Boardmasters recently announced the line-up for their 2020 festival. As well as The 1975 and Kings Of Leon, Skepta is also slated to headline. The festival runs from August 5-9 at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall.

2020 marks the festival’s 40th anniversary. Skepta will headline on Friday, with Kings of Leon on the day after, and The 1975 bringing the festival to a close.

Other acts scheduled for the festival include Little Simz, Dizzee Rascal, Mura Masa, Sam Fender, and The Kooks. Indie acts Mabel and Loyle Carner are also billed. Check out the full line up from their Twitter post below.

Plus, joined by Lewis Capaldi and Tyler The Creator, Skepta will be headlining Manchester’s Parklife 2020. This is the UK’s largest metropolitan festival.

Since the attack, the London-born rapper, Octavian has called the country’s authorities “a little bit racist”, following his own ordeal and the treatment of A$AP Rocky, who was released from prison on Friday the 2nd of August 2019.

Speaking on Tim Westwood TV, Octavian said: “Fuck Sweden. I walked into the venue at my own headline show with a cup in my hand. It had alcohol which wasn’t from the venue, it was from outside. I was going straight from my tour bus into the venue and we got beaten up.

“We got beaten up by the security at my own headline show. I’m not saying the people in Sweden are racist, but the authorities are a little bit racist. They’ve got a serious problem against black culture and rappers in general.”

The Londoner is due to return to Sweden, this weekend, as he is scheduled to play, at Way Out West festival, in Stockholm. Before A$AP Rocky’s troubles, in Sweden, Octavian referred to being attacked in Sweden, during his headline gig, at London Forum, back in March. He asked the crowd to give “a big middle finger to Sweden”, during his show.

The news comes after A$AP Rocky had been held in prison, in Stockholm, since the 3rd of July 2019, on suspicion of assault. He had been arrested following an altercation between the rapper’s entourage and another man. Rocky’s trial began last Wednesday, the 31st of July 2019. After pleading not guilty, Rocky was released, on Friday the 2nd of August 2019, until the verdict of the trial is announced. This is expected to be on the 14th of August 2019.

This eerie instrumental is equipped with bassy 808s and is reminiscent of the recently famous trap sound being exported from America. Octavian kick starts the verse with a jumpy flow that takes influence from Drake’s newer material and pays respect to the Canadian artist using his alias, “Flow like 6 God, I was broke oh Lord.”

This track gives an insight into Octavian’s dark lyricism and serves as an intimidating warning to anyone thinking to test the pair. Representing the U.K in this Anglo-American link up, Oct raps, “Could be your day, so get out my way, I kill a man, then I throw up the flag.” In true American fashion, Smokepurpp gives an insight into the artillery he owns; as he professes his intent to cause damage, “I got my Draco straight from Russia, foreign bussin’, my Draco with me n****, that’s my foreign cousin.”

The wavy visuals are set in a dark top floor apartment with the nighttime city skyline as the backdrop. The night vision aesthetic is attributed to Octavian’s verse and chorus, with the daunting green glow in his eyes and the tip of his cigarette matching his lyrics. The visual effects are switched up for Smokepurpp as he spits his verse surrounded by phone flashlights aimed in his direction. The black and white filter is set throughout his verse, but it doesn’t stop the diamonds on his jewellery dancing as he performs amongst the energetic cameos.

You can watch the video to ‘Take It Easy’ below.

Releasing under Sony’s Black Butter Record label, ENDORPHINS is due to showcase Octavian’s continued versatility. Managing to effortlessly merge the sounds of U.K drill, American trap and jumpy house melodies into a single body of work, making him a perfect listen for any setting.

Octavian is not one to shy away from fashion either, appearing in Nike’s Tailwind sneaker campaign earlier this year and walking at Louis Vuitton’s SS19 catwalk show back in 2018. So, alongside the new mixtape he has assigned Louis Vuitton’s artistic director and most renowned designer of recent times, Virgil Abloh to create exclusive ENDORPHINS merchandise.

With guest appearances from U.S artists Smokepurpp and ABRA, and a production cameo from Atlanta’s very own London On Da track, Octavian’s unique sound has garnered the attention of American fans and artists alike. Other notable appearances come from Theophilus London, Jessie Ware and J.Rick, an Essie Gang affiliate and producer of Octavian’s ‘Party Here’ track which acquired global recognition.

Featured on a solo interlude following track 9 is Rocko Smiles – Octavian’s alter ego. Speaking to The Face magazine earlier this year about this new character Octavian says, “He’s more of a rockstar, the dark side of Octavian.”

Keeping with his current aesthetic of psychedelic-smiley faces and nude women, Octavian called upon Paris-based artist, Courtney MC to design the mixtape’s colourful cover art. Uploaded onto his Instagram are a personalised, hand-painted Louis Vuitton duffle bag and buttoned shirt covered with the mixtape’s artwork, created exclusively for Octavian by Courtney MC to commemorate ENDORPHINS’ release.

ENDORPHINS tracklist below:

1. Gangsta Love Intro
2. King Essie
3. Molly Go Down
4. Take It Easy (Ft. Smokepurpp)
5. Bet (Ft. Skepta & Michael Phantom)
6. Feel It (Ft. Theophilus London)
7. Risking Our Lives >> AAA+ Interlude
8. No Weakness
9. Walking Alone (Ft. J.Rick & Jessie Ware) >> Rocko Smiles Interlude
10. My Head (Ft. ABRA)
11. Lit (Ft. A$AP Ferg)

This year is a special edition of Body & Soul festival, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary by returning, with another impressive and electric celebration of music, to Ballinlough Castle, Co. Westmeath, taking place over three-days between the 21st and 23rd of June 2019. Hennessy and Body & Soul have teamed up to present, The Midnight Circus Stage, which revealed its impressive line-up, of Irish and International hip hop acts featuring the likes of Octavian and Ms Banks.

Hennessy and Body & Soul are set to present the Midnight Circus stage, on the first night of the festival, Friday the 21st of June 2019. The stellar line-up featuring an impressive line-up of some of today’s best known and up-and-coming Irish and international hip-hop acts, which have been specially curated by MangoXMathman collaborator, DJ and producer, Adam Fogarty.

Body & Soul’s Midnight Circus, in collaboration with @HennessyIRL and curated by Adam Fogarty AKA Mathman present some of today’s most exciting hip hop and rap artists.

Explore the line up and book at https://t.co/7CRPxSJtxl ! #BodySoul19 pic.twitter.com/cPhNxCVfDq

— Body&Soul (@BodyandSoulIrl) April 19, 2019

Speaking on his curation of the Hennessy and Body & Soul presents the Midnight Circus stage, Adam Fogarty (also known as Mathman), said: “Over the last number of decades, Hennessy with its own rich traditions, has always supported Irish talent in music, arts and culture, and it’s a brand synonymous with hip hop music. It’s for these reasons I’m honoured and extremely excited to collaborate with Hennessy and Body & Soul to curate the Midnight Circus Stage on the Friday night this year.

“Their support of urban music means our incredible Irish talent can stand side-by-side with its international counterparts all on one line-up. I’m proud to say that exactly half of our stage is made up of Irish acts, which shows the strength of talent this country has to offer. The other 50% is made up of some of the most exciting, eclectic and sought after artists in the game right now, both male and female. From beginning to end, the night will be an artistically rich experience celebrating Irish and international talent, and in the truest essence of hip hop – a raucous party.”

Taking to the Hennessy and Body & Soul Midnight Circus stage to set pulses racing, into the night, will be Manchester hip-hop songstress IAMDDB, with her intoxicating mix of hip-hop; striking trap, silky Afro jazz, genre-defying rapper and BBC Sound of 2019 winner Octavian; multi-Award winning South London rapper Ms Banks; Ireland’s MangoXMathman, leading figures in a new wave of electric Irish urban music; and West Belfast trio KNEECAP, who have recently garnered critical acclaim, will rap as Gaeilge.

Speaking about Hennessy’s collaboration with Body & Soul Festival, Moët Hennessy Market Development Manager, Elaine Cullen, said: “Hennessy is intrinsically linked to Ireland and has been supporting Irish culture for decades. Body & Soul has been a showcase for amazing Irish and international culture for ten years now and each year is known for creating a magical line-up of musical delights, artistic exploration and more.

“It’s fantastic to be able to collaborate with Mathman and the festival to bring some of the leading names from the Irish and international hip hop scene to the Hennessy presents Midnight Circus stage. The Hennessy Sound Lounge proved a great success last summer so we’re looking forward to introducing it and a new group of vinyl collectors to Body & Soul’s curious, creative and imaginative audience.”

The announcement of the line-up for the new Midnight Circus Stage follows last weeks announcement, which saw another 50 additional names added to the already stellar line-up. Among the 50 names announced was MODESELEKTOR (Live), The Blaze, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Santigold, Princess Nokia, Mashrou’ Leila, Kate Tempest, Mano Le Tough, The Black Lips, Talos, and King Kong Company.

JUST ANNOUNCED: We’ve added more acts to our #10thYearofJoy including @mashrou3leila @confidencemanTM & @kittphilippa

Limited Spring Release tickets & instalment plans still available at https://t.co/7CRPxSJtxl. #BodySoul19 pic.twitter.com/jrKMlbOYGr

— Body&Soul (@BodyandSoulIrl) April 16, 2019

Joining the likes of Octavian and Ms Banks at this year’s tenth anniversary of Body & Soul will be Confidence Man, Dream Wife, SOAK, Wyvern Lingo, Chymera,  Baikal, Kiddy Smile (Live), Monolink, The Drifter,  Moxie,  Pillow Queens, Coely, OSHUN. LAOISE, whenyoung, The Murder Capital, ROE, FEET, Meltybrains?, THUMPER, Tulla Céilí band, Tebi Rex, True Tides, Flynn, JyellowL, and Rushes.

The following names have also been announced to be performing at the festival and joining the already impressive line-up is Molly Sterling, Junior Brother, Proper Micro NV, Sing Along Social, PrYmary Colours, Kitt Philippa, Æ Mak, Just Mustard, Happyalone, EMBRZ, TPM, Post-Punk Podge & The Technohippies, Fonda, Extravision, Lowlek, Ghostking is Dead, Eve Clague, Nudy Boy Nature, Myles Manley, Fixity, Fia Moon, The Clockworks, Niamh Regan, and Cáit.

Finally, concluding the 50 names added to the line-up is Mother DJs, Kelly-Anne Byrne, Sevensol, Neil Flynn, Faune, Automatic Tasty, HomeB2beat DJs, Kate Brennan-Harding, Disconauts, Donal Dineen, Cian Finn, Hatchlings, Conor Connolly, JP Trio, Meabh Begley, Marlene Enright, Sive, Anna Mullarkey, Lewis Kenny, Sam Clague, Cat Dowling, Pete Pamf, John Francis, Róisín Seoighe, Helen Diamond, Kev Sheridan and My House.

Speaking about taking home the title, Octavian said: “I knew that one day I was going to be successful. I get inspired and I try to make a new sound every day. It’s going to be a very loud year for me. Loads of music, loads of visuals, loads of albums.” He continued, “If I can get this, I can get anything. 2019 is going to be a great year.”

Octavian is the first rapper to win the BBC Music Sound Of… since 50 Cent topped the inaugural list in 2003. He was chosen by a panel of 136 critics, broadcasters and DJs, including former nominees Ellie Goulding and Stormzy – who were each asked to name three of their favourite new acts.

Also among the voters was Anna Karatziva, head of talent and music at MTV UK, who called Octavian “a unique and exciting talent with an incredible vision and passion.” Meanwhile, BBC Radio 1 DJ Benji B, the first to play Octavian on Radio 1 and 1Xtra, said: “From the very first moment I heard his music I was hooked. The first couple of tunes he released – Party Here and Hands – were some of the most futuristic, forward thinking, raw and inspiring tunes to come out of the UK in the last two years.”

The rapper was born in Lille, shuttling between France and London throughout his childhood, eventually landing a scholarship to the Brit school – the performing arts school that trained Jessie J, Leona Lewis and Adele. However, he dropped out and, amid friction with his family, became homeless. Speaking about that time in his life, he told the Guardian, “I didn’t have no money, but I still managed to eat, to live. It wasn’t the worst thing in the world. Once you’re there, that is your life. You can only look up, because down there’s nothing left.”

Rapping over genre-straddling production that is a mix of US trap, UK drill, grime and more, Octavian’s rise has been prompt, with him releasing his debut mixtape, in September 2018. Canadian superstar Drake was filmed rapping along to Octavian’s breakthrough track ‘Party Here’, and he was chosen by Louis Vuitton designer, Virgil Abloh, to model for a collection.

The, Drake endorsed, rapper beat, runner-up, pop singer King Princess at No 2, widely tipped this year after debut track ‘1950’ gathered 183 million plays on Spotify. Rounding out the top five are British balladeer Grace Carter, Northampton punk rapper Slowthai, and Spanish neo-flamenco star Rosalía.