Berwyn, a singer, rapper, producer, and instrumentalist who was born in Trinidad and raised in Romford, discusses how “unapologetic love” helped him overcome his traumatic experiences of growing up as an undocumented immigrant in the UK. He expresses anger towards the architects of Britain’s hostile environment policy, as well as towards racists and bigots who targeted him when he was a child. Despite the difficulties he faced, Berwyn managed to keep going by harnessing the power of love. His release of Mercury Prize-nominated debut mixtape ‘Demotape/Vega’ in 2021 quickly followed a year later by the album ‘Who Am I’, in which he documents his identity and the forces that have shaped him.
Berwyn elaborates that his experiences through love, both romantically and non-romantically, helped him in his difficult times. For instance, in his song ‘Neighbours’, the line “Fuck the neighbours, turn the music up” is his way of blocking out the noise and immersing himself in the experience of love. Berwyn’s approach to life is admirable considering the adversity he has faced, including homelessness, poverty, and state persecution. Berwyn’s debut album is a raw, unfiltered, deeply introspective attempt to understand himself and his worldview.
Berwyn continues to express how immigration law shaped his identity since moving to the UK at the age of nine. His immigration status barred him from opportunities, both creative and academic. Once poised to join the BRIT School, he had to make up excuses to his teachers as he did not have the proper documentation to attend. Berwyn has since earned discretionary leave to remain in the UK, but his critique of the immigration system echoes the stories of others who have endured the same inhumane treatment.
Berwyn’s album ‘Who Am I’ documents his ongoing struggle to answer this question, with twelve tracks that crackle with vibrancy and life. The recordings of his parents’ voices that flesh out the context of his upbringing and family dynamics are amongst the raw and unpolished moments that Berwyn collages throughout his music. Berwyn’s music is not simply about his life, but about carving out a space for different voices that are trying to speak truth to power
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