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Rowdy Superstar is the name of the London-raised singer/rapper and producer who willfully rebels against preconceptions to create music that transcends trends and guidelines. Prince and Bowie meet M.I.A and early 90s Madonna in a grimy London backstreet on Rowdy's culturally minded yet simple and catchy songs.

Rowdy cites the diversity of his mum’s record collection, ranging from Dennis Brown to Adam and the Ants and her interest in politics, mixed with the boom of pop culture just outside their front door triggered something deeply inspiring. “I never had any idea of social rules when I was young, my mum never limited me by saying ‘no’ or ‘you can’t.’ She didn't stop me from drawing on my bedroom walls. I guess she spotted this as me expressing myself.”

Rowdy's music embodies the ethos of early hip-hop, punk and 90's pop to concoct arrestingly bold songs, wily structures and melodic top lines. After uploading a collection of demos called Avoid Lines, down tempo hip-pop track 'Tick Tock' and its art house video directed by Ollie Evans (The Gossip, Noisettes, The Klaxons) brought attention online, leading to collaborations with Patrick Wolf, Micachu and a feature with Zero 7. Rowdy continues to build a reputation on the underground in London for his riotous live performance art with dance duo The Hype Girls (Di and Fresh).

2012 will see the release of Rowdy's solo debut record 'Battery' co- produced with electronic pioneer Matthew Herbert. Rowdy says of the experience:"Working with Herbertronic was literally a dream come true, we had so much fun playing with sound. He facilitated every vision i had for this record and completely supported and pushed me in my no limits approach to making music. I tend to have lots of ideas and put them all into one song, Matthew taught me how to strip the fat."

‘Battery' is a call to arms and sees Rowdy speak not just about the concerns and issues of his own life, but the challenges facing a whole generation. There is humor and moments of great lightness spread throughout the album, but there is also darkness, frustration and rage at the waste of a generation addicted to mediating itself through pervasive technology.

This show is free entry!

ROWDY SUPERSTAR - Single Launch @ Shacklewell Arms 30th May

24 May 2012