Pete & Bas deliver a sound that is simultaneously jarring and deeply impressive. It is authentic UK drill, characterized by sliding 808 basslines, ominous minor-key synth stabs, and the frantic, syncopated percussion typical of the London scene. However, the vocals are what truly set the room on fire: two voices that sound like decades of tobacco and pub talk, delivering technically proficient, high-speed flows that would put rappers a third of their age to shame.
What makes them distinctive is the total lack of gimmickry in their performance. While the concept of 'rapping grandads' sounds like a comedy sketch, their technical ability is undeniable. They lean into their South East London identities, using local slang and references to 'the old estate' and 'dents in a Peugeot' to create a persona that feels like a Guy Ritchie character stepped into a modern recording studio. The juxtaposition of their weathered, baritone timbres against hyper-modern production creates a unique sonic friction.
Start with 'The Old Estate' or 'Shut Ya Mouth' to hear the origin of their viral rise. These tracks showcase their ability to ride a beat with precision while maintaining a menacing yet playful energy. It is the perfect entry point for anyone who appreciates the technical side of grime and drill but wants a perspective that is entirely outside the genre's usual demographic.
Pete & Bas () are a British hip hop duo based in London, formed in 2017. The duo consists of two rap artists, Peter (Pete) Bowditch and Basil (Bas) Bellgrave, who are both in their 70s. They are notable for songs such as "The Old Estate", "Dents in a Peugeot", and their debut single, "Shut Ya Mouth”. They released their first single in 2017 with "Shut Ya Mouth". Pete discovered his enjoyment for hip hop after his granddaughter played rap music on his car radio. He shared this with Bas, and they decided it would be fun to release it on YouTube. "Shut Ya Mouth" was an immediate success and went viral, prompting them to begin creating new music. They have also performed successfully in gigs and concert tours across major European cities and have over a million followers on Instagram. The duo have collaborated with several notable artists. Their single "The Old Estate" features rapper M24, and includes a video filmed on an estate in Rotherhithe, and at The Den, the Millwall football stadium. After releasing a song named after the singer T-Pain, he joined Pete & Bas on a remix version in 2024. Pete & Bas have also collaborated with Norman Pain and Patrick Karneigh, Jr. of the Northern Boys. Their first album Mugshot was released on 22 November 2024.
Shares studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style); trap, boom bap (subgenres)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style)
Shares studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style); trap, boom bap (subgenres)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); urban night, dive bar, road trip (atmosphere)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style)
Shares trap, boom bap (subgenres); studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style)
Shares studio polished, drum machine, compressed loud (production style); confident, aggressive, energetic (moods)
Shares trap, boom bap, drum machine, rap (signature)
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