Bawo - Surf’s Up (EP)

West London rapper and vocalist Bawo steps into a new chapter with his latest EP, Surf’s Up, a confident and adventurous project that pushes his distinctive blend of UK rap, grime, garage and soul into fresh territory.

Taking its name from a phrase Bawo has long used with friends, Surf’s Up represents a readiness to embrace whatever comes next. “It means I’m ready for anything, the good and the bad,” he explains. That mentality runs throughout the project, particularly as he leans further into live instrumentation and the raw energy of rock, something sparked by late 2024 sessions with Ken Samson and the creation of ‘Wrestlemania’.

Across the EP, Bawo moves comfortably between reflection and swagger. ‘And Still’ captures a sense of personal transformation, while the explosive ‘Shell Off’ brings together Scorcher and JME for a meeting of different generations of UK rap. ‘Surfboard Club’ offers a brighter, breezier moment, before ‘Wrestlemania’ explores the fallout of a relationship and closing track ‘Moon & Back’ leaves Bawo looking towards whatever comes next.

Following recent collaborations with AntsLive, Knucks and Jam City, Surf’s Up feels like another expansion of Bawo’s musical world. As he puts it: “I’ve learned that I’m infinite as a musician. There is no end to it, and that abundance feels rich.”

Bawo will bring the new project to London’s 100 Club on 12th November, following his recent appearance at COLORS’ TONES Of London showcase at Outernet.