The Croydon rapper, who started working in a music studio aged 14, is now performing at the Wireless Festival

Strandz, who was born in Germany but later moved to South London, takes to the stage this Saturday at Wireless Festival 2024. Making his debut in 2020, Strandz combines his love of 90s hip-hop with his multicultural background.

The 22-year-old spent his early years in Nigeria and Germany before settling near Crystal Palace. Strandz developed an early interest in music, but had no connections in the UK, so worked part-time in a recording studio and later attended the BRIT School.

He told MyLondon: “My family didn’t have a lot of money, which made me think big early on. I started working at a youth club studio which sparked my interest in music and once I set that goal I didn’t stop until I got into the industry – because I can be quite stubborn.”

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Strandz emphasized the importance of networking for those without connections in the industry. He said: “People born in London often have musical contacts but I don’t. So my advice is to be creative and make connections in music, be around that environment as much as possible to get your foot in the door.”

In 2020, Strandz debuted with a few singles, but exploded when he went viral on TikTok with Us Against the World, a trapper’s take on Bonnie and Clyde. This year, he released his first EP, No Time.

Now he’s set to perform at Wireless Festival, which comes to Finsbury Park from July 12 to July 14, the same day 21 Savage headlines. He told us he was very excited, calling it a special moment to give back to the city he considers his hometown.

Strandz added: “It’s a moment I’ve been looking forward to – I mean it’s the London festival. And I will give my all to give the best performance to my hometown.”

He added that his set will celebrate the diverse cultures of London, drawing inspiration from his rich upbringing. Strandz said: “London’s multiculturalism is one of the most beautiful things about this city, and that has deeply inspired my music.”

Strandz is also looking forward to seeing fellow artist Vanessa Bling perform. He said: “I’m a fan of her style and production, so I’m looking forward to her performance!”

You can get tickets for Wireless Festival on Ticketmaster. Explore Strandz’s music on Apple Music and Spotify.