Roy Chukwuemeka Nnawuchi (born 1984), better known by his pseudonym Dean Blunt, is a British singer-songwriter, musician, producer and contemporary artist. He is best known for his current solo work as well as his previous work as part of avant-garde duo Hype Williams (with Inga Copeland), and more recently, the hip hop group Babyfather. Blunt was also the founder of London rock band Graffiti Island.[6] He has been described as "a prolific, category-rejecting artist"[7] and "an art-pop provocateur."[2]
Although little is known about his personal life, Blunt has said he comes from a family in Hackney, London that he describes as "Sun readers, working class, kind of ignorant in ways".[8]
Music career
Blunt performed music with Russian-born artist Inga Copeland (also known as Lolina) as the electronic duo Hype Williams from 2007 until 2012. Supposedly founded in 2005 as a "relay" project passed between artists every five years, the group has given few interviews, leaving music journalists and the media in doubt as to the exact nature of the project.[9][10] The group's lineup has remained obscure, although Blunt's artistic style has been heard within newer releases, and a variety of other names have also been invoked as members. A mysterious representative named Denna Frances Glass has alternately been posited as either the manager of the project or a fake identity created by Blunt and Copeland.[9][10] In 2016, Glass announced that Blunt and Copeland were no longer part of the project, which would be continuing with other members.[11]
Blunt embarked his solo career in 2011, releasing a set of albums as well as several EPs and singles. His first few full-length studio albums, The Narcissist II (2012), The Redeemer (2013), and Black Metal (2014), received attention and praise from various music publications.[12][13]"BBF" Hosted by DJ Escrow, his first album under experimental group Babyfather, was named the best album of 2016 by Tiny Mix Tapes and Resident Advisor.[14][15]
In 2018, Blunt contributed heavily to ASAP Rocky's album Testing, with production and writing credits on "Purity" and "Gunz N Butter" and additional vocals on "Calldrops". Blunt's work on the album followed collaborative singles between the two artists prior, such as the Babyfather track "Benzo Amore".[16] The pair have since collaborated on multiple recordings.[17][18][19]
In 2024, the collaborative album Backstage Raver was released with longtime collaborator Joanne Robertson.
On January 1st, 2025, Blunt would release lucre, a collaborative EP with Iceage lead singer Elias Rønnenfelt and producer Vegyn.
He has produced theatre works including The Narcissist at HAU1 in Berlin in 2012; Lord Knows at Le Romandie in Lausanne in 2013; and I’m Just Passin Thru To Show Some Love in 2013 and Urban in 2014, both at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.[22] In October 2017, Blunt also debuted Inna, an opera directed by himself with music from Mica Levi, at the same institute.[23]
Blunt has put on a number of art exhibitions, including New Paintings at the Triangle and W44VY at Arcadia Missa.[24][25] He has also published a book compiling "excessive expenses made in the most popular VIP clubs in the hip hop scene", entitled Cîroc Boyz: Vol 1.
Personal life
Blunt is known for his playfulness and obfuscation. In 2015, he sent his bodyguard to accept his Philip Hall Radar Award at the NME Awards.[26] In 2016, he listed a toy Foxtons estate agents Mini Cooper with a splatter of pink paint filled with marijuana on eBay for £250.[27] At a New York concert, in March 2016, media guests were asked to check in under aliases that they had received with their ticket confirmations.[28]
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