The Brit Loyle Carner has been in the spotlight since his younger years; initially mainly because of his acting, but since his first musical statement – the EP A Little Late (2014) – the Londoner has mainly focused on his career as a rapper. His songs reveal his sheer love for soul, funk and jazz, but also for the harsh, socially critical lyrics that bolted hip-hop onto the world map in the late eighties. His debut album Yesterday's Gone (2017) immediately earned the English MC nominations for a prestigious Mercury Prize and two Brit Awards. The follow-up Not Waving, But Drowning (2019) fared even better in the charts. Carner, who released his third album last year with Hugo (2022), offers a vulnerable glimpse into his soul through his particularly personal songs. During live shows, in which he is accompanied by a five-piece band, the 28-year-old artist is equally upfront, leading to an immersive and disarming experience.
