Bladee

Swedish rapper (born 1994)

Bladee

Bladee in 2016

Background information
Birth name| Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald[1]
Born|  (1994-04-09) 9 April 1994 (age 31)
Stockholm, Sweden
Genres|

* Cloud rap
* experimental[2][3]
* trap
* alternative R&B

Occupations|

* Rapper
* singer

Years active| 2013–present
Labels|

* Year0001
* Trash Island

Member of|

* Drain Gang

Musical artist

Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald (born 9 April 1994), known professionally as Bladee, is a Swedish singer and rapper. In 2013, he formed the Drain Gang music collective alongside childhood friends Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor. Bladee began releasing music that same year, and gained attention after collaborating with Yung Lean.

Bladee released his debut mixtape, Gluee in 2014, and his debut album, Eversince, in 2016. In 2017 he became art director of Yung Lean's Sadboys Gear clothing line, and released Working on Dying, a collaborative mixtape with the production group of the same name. Bladee released Red Light and Icedancer in 2018.

Throughout 2020, Bladee released three projects: Exeter, 333, and Good Luck, a collaborative album with producer Mechatok. Bladee released his fifth studio album, The Fool, in 2021, which was met with critical praise. Later that year, he exhibited his first solo collection of paintings, Real Sprin9, and released a collection in collaboration with American-Swedish clothing brand GANT. In 2022, he released Crest, a collaborative album with Ecco2K, as well as Spiderr, his sixth solo album.

In 2023, he released several singles in collaboration with Skrillex and Yung Lean. The next year, in 2024, Bladee released Psykos, a collaborative album with Yung Lean, as well as Cold Visions. That same year, he appeared on the remix of Charli XCX's song "Rewind", and announced his departure from longtime label and management company Year0001.

## Early life

[edit]

Benjamin Reichwald was born 9 April 1994[4][5] in Stockholm, Sweden[6] and was raised mainly in the Skanstull area. His mother was a teacher and his father worked in restaurants.[7] As a child, Reichwald aspired to become a painter.[8][9]

In 2004, he met Ecco2K. The two were classmates and formed a punk band named Krossad (Swedish for "crushed"),[5][7][10] releasing a demo CD in 2007.[11] Reichwald later met producer Whitearmor and rapper Thaiboy Digital through mutual friends.[7] After leaving school, he worked at a daycare centre for about a year.[9][12]

## Career

[edit]

### 2013–2016: Drain Gang formation and debut projects

[edit]

Reichwald began releasing music under the name Bladee in 2013. Alongside Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor, he formed the Drain Gang musical collective, at the time named Gravity Boys.[7] Bladee became friends with fellow Stockholm rapper Yung Lean, forming a working relationship between his own Gravity Boys collective and Yung Lean's Sad Boys Entertainment. He was featured on the track "Heal You // Bladerunner" from Lean's Unknown Death 2002 mixtape, which gave him attention from Yung Lean's fanbase.[7][13]

In 2014, Bladee released his debut mixtape Gluee.[14] It was described as "a summertime anthem for a suburban generation stuck scrolling through Twitter".[12] Bladee released his debut album, Eversince, on 25 May 2016. The album was produced entirely by Whitearmor.[15][16][17]

### 2017–2018: Working on Dying, Red Light, and Icedancer

[edit]

In 2017, Bladee became art director of Yung Lean's Sadboys Gear clothing line.[18] Later that year, Bladee collaborated with production group Working on Dying to release his second mixtape, named after the group.[19] The mixtape included features from Yung Lean and Ecco2K.[20] A music video for the track "Lordship" was later released.[21][22]

After releasing the track "Decay" as a lead single,[23] Bladee released Red Light, his second album, on 11 May 2018.[24][8] It features executive production by Whitearmor as well as production from Sad Boys producer Gud and Drain Gang member Yung Sherman.[25] In July 2018, Bladee walked the runway at Alyx's fall 2019 menswear show in Paris, alongside Ecco2K.[10] Bladee's third mixtape, Icedancer, was released on 28 December 2018. The mixtape was produced by production duo Ripsquadd,[26][27] and had guest appearances from Yung Lean and Thaiboy Digital.[28]

### 2019–2020: EXETER, 333, and Good Luck

[edit]

In April 2020, Bladee released EXETER, a nine-song album he recorded during a week-long stay in Gotland, Sweden with Gud.[29] The album included features from Ecco2K.[14] A music video was later released for the track "Every Moment Special".[30] In July 2020, Bladee released 333, his second album of 2020, via Year0001. Executively produced by Whitearmor, the album contains no credited features.[31][32] A music video for the track "Reality Surf" was released.[33]

After releasing tracks "All I Want", "God", and "Drama" as singles,[34][35][36] Bladee released his third and final album of 2020. A collaborative album with Berlin producer Mechatok,[37] Good Luck was premiered on 10 December as part of an audiovisual livestream.[38][39] A deluxe version of the album was later released, which included a remix of the track "Drama", featuring Charli XCX.[40][41]

### 2021–2022: Real Sprin9 exhibition, The Fool, "Amygdala", Crest, and Spiderr

[edit]

In May 2021, Bladee released his fifth solo album, The Fool via Year0001.[42] The album included a feature from Thaiboy Digital, and was primarily produced by Ripsquadd producer Lusi.[43] The Fool was well received by critics,[44][42][45] and was placed 11th on The Fader's 2021 end of year list.[45] During July and August 2021, Bladee exhibited his first solo collection of paintings Real Sprin9 at the Residence Gallery in London.[46] In September 2021, Bladee released a capsule Drain Gang collection in collaboration with the American-Swedish clothing brand GANT.[9]

In January 2022, Bladee released the single Amygdala in collaboration with Ecco2K and Mechatok, along with an accompanying music video.[47][48] On 18 March, he released Crest, a collaborative album with Ecco2K, via Year0001. Produced entirely by Whitearmor, Crest was critically acclaimed.[49][50][51] In September 2022, Bladee released lead single Drain Story, announcing his sixth album, Spiderr. An accompanying music video directed by Ecco2K was released.[52] On 30 September, Bladee released Spiderr via Year0001.[53]

### 2023–present: Various collaborations, Cold Visions, and Year0001 split

[edit]

In January 2023, Bladee appeared on the Skrillex single "Real Spring",[54] which shares its name with Bladee's 2021 art exhibition.[55] The next month, Bladee appeared on Skrillex's single "Ceremony" alongside Yung Lean. Music videos were released for both tracks.[56] Bladee collaborated with fellow Swedish artist Jonas Rönnberg (Varg2™) for their first art exhibition, Fucked for Life, held at The Hole in New York from May to June 2023.[57][58] In August 2023, Yung Lean released the double-sided single "Victorious" & "Bullets" in collaboration with Bladee.[59] Both tracks were produced by Whitearmor[59] and released via Yung Lean's personal label World Affairs.[59][60]

On 13 March 2024, Bladee and Yung Lean released Psykos, a surprise album,[61] via World Affairs.[60] Psykos marked their first collaborative album after over a decade of working together, and was a sonic shift for the two artists, incorporating elements of rock and post-punk as opposed to their usual pop and hip hop soundscape.[60][62][63] Bladee released Cold Visions, also a surprise album, via his label Trash Island on 23 April 2024.[64][65] All 30 tracks were produced by F1lthy, with whom Bladee had previously collaborated on the mixtape Working on Dying in 2017. Cold Visions featured Yung Lean, Yung Sherman, Thaiboy Digital, and Black Kray[66] and was well received by music critics,[67][68] with it being described as Bladee's "most realized project to date" by Pitchfork.[65]

On 11 October 2024, Bladee appeared on Charli XCX's album Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat alongside Yung Lean.[5] He was featured on a remix of the track "Rewind", which was met with mixed reviews.[69][70][71][72] In November 2024, Bladee and other Drain Gang members announced that they were no longer affiliated with their longtime label and management company Year0001.[5][73] In an interview with The Guardian, Bladee stated: "I don't really care anymore about being a bigger artist. The only thing that's important is that I'm doing something that's true to me."[5]

Bladee released the EP Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt on 30 April 2025.[74] A week later on 6 May 2025, Bladee annouced the Martyr World Tour via Instagram.[75] The tour features 10 different countries, making it the largest Bladee tour.[76][77]

## Musical style and personal life

[edit]

In a 2019 interview, Bladee said that the music he creates cannot be fully described through genre.[7] Jack Angell, a music writer for The Fader, described Bladee's sound as "frostbitten futurism" and remarked that his music evokes "a wide spectrum of emotion".[7] Nadine Smith, writing for Pitchfork, stated that Bladee's work "introduces recognizable elements of American rap music to a new environment".[78] In an interview with 032c, Drain Gang members described their intuitive approach to music creation, with Bladee stating that he does not write lyrics ahead of time. Bladee has cited Hilma af Klint,[49] Chief Keef, Lil B, The Beach Boys, Basshunter, and James Ferraro as influences on his work.[7]

Bladee is a private person.[5][9] He has stated, "I really don't like to talk about myself. I find it weird."[7] In interviews, Bladee has mentioned being struck by lightning during a trip to Thailand in 2019,[9] alluding to the experience being transformative.[5][7]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

* Eversince (2016)
* Red Light (2018)
* Exeter (2020)
* 333 (2020)
* The Fool (2021)
* Spiderr (2022)
* Cold Visions (2024)

### Collaborative albums

[edit]

* AvP (2016) (with Thaiboy Digital)
* D&G (2017) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)
* Trash Island (2019) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)
* Good Luck (2020) (with Mechatok)
* Crest (2022) (with Ecco2K)
* Psykos (2024) (with Yung Lean)

### Mixtapes

[edit]

* Gluee (2014)
* Working on Dying (2017)
* Icedancer (2018)

### Compilation albums

[edit]

* GTBSG Compilation (2013) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)

### Extended plays

[edit]

* Rip Bladee (2016)
* Plastic Surgery (2017)
* Sunset in Silver City (2018)
* Exile (2018)
* Ste the Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt (2025)

### Stand-alone singles

[edit]

* "Into Dust" (2014)
* "Dragonfly" (2014)
* "Destroy Me" (2017)
* "Gotham City" (2017) (with Yung Lean)
* "Sesame Street" (2018)
* "I Chose to Be This Way" (2018) (with 16yrold)
* "Red Velvet" (2019) (with Yung Lean)
* "Trash Star" (2019)
* "All I Want" (2019) (with Mechatok)
* "Apple" (2019)
* "Vanilla Sky" (with Ecco2K) / "Birdbath" (2019)
* "Undergone" (2020) (with Ssaliva)
* "Opium Dreams" (2020) (with Yung Lean)
* "Shinie" (2021) (with Varg2)
* "Amygdala" (2022) (with Ecco2k)
* "Real Spring" (2023) (with Skrillex)
* "Every Summer" (2023) (with Nation and Varg2)
* "Requiem" (featuring Thaiboy Digital) / "Obsessed with Death" (2023)
* "TL;DR" (2024) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)

|

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "ACE Repertory". www.ascap.com.
2. ^ Press-Reynolds, Kieran. "Bladee: Cold Visions". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
3. ^ Maicki, Salvatore. "Watch Bladee's new video for "Be Nice To Me"". The FADER.
4. ^ Aim Nothyng [@BladeeCity] (9 April 2016). "Thanks everyone that wish me happy birthday" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 29 August 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022 – via Twitter.
5. ^ a b c d e f g "'I was really not OK': Bladee on PTSD, Charli xcx and being struck by lightning". The Guardian. 18 November 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
6. ^ "Benjamin Reichwald". THE RESIDENCE GALLERY. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Angell, Jack (17 September 2019). "Being Bladee: In a rare interview, the Drain Gang CEO opens up about the distinctive world he's created". The Fader. Archived from the original on 20 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
8. ^ a b Dunn, Frankie (15 May 2018). "10 things you need to know about bladee". i-D. Vice. Archived from the original on 24 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
9. ^ a b c d e "The Tao of Bladee: Wisdom from the Drain Gang's Artist-in-Chief". Highsnobiety. 21 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
10. ^ a b "Meet Bladee, the Swedish Musician Who Stars in the New Heaven by Marc Jacobs Lookbook". Vogue. 6 April 2021. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
11. ^ Dandridge-Lemco, Ben. "Ecco2k: PXE EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
12. ^ a b "Bladee, old swedish hardcore punk mix". atractivoquenobello. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 12 September 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
13. ^ ""Taking Arizona Iced Tea and Making It Cry": An Interview with Yung Lean and the Sad Boys". The FADER. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
14. ^ a b Dandridge-Lemco, Ben. "Bladee: Exeter". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
15. ^ Cooper, Duncan (25 May 2016). "Hear Swedish Sing-Rapper Bladee's Debut Album Eversince". The Fader. Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
16. ^ Eklund, Jonathan (5 June 2016). "Kliver ur Yung Leans skugga med briljant debut". Gaffa (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
17. ^ Jenkins, Craig (25 May 2016). "Stream Yung Lean Associate Bladee's Chilly, Gorgeous Debut Album 'Eversince'". Noisey. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
18. ^ "Here's The First Look At The Re-Launch Of Yung Lean's Clothing Line, Sadboys Gear". The FADER. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
19. ^ "Stream Bladee's New Mixtape, 'Working On Dying'". Hypebeast. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
20. ^ "Bladee drops new mixtape Working On Dying". The FADER. 28 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
21. ^ "Watch Bladee & Yung Lean's New Video for "Lordship"". Hypebeast. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
22. ^ "Watch Bladee and Yung Lean's video for "Lordship"". The FADER. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
23. ^ "Bladee debuts "Decay," our first taste of new album Red Light". The FADER. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
24. ^ Darville, Jordan (11 May 2018). "Listen to Bladee's new album Red Light". The Fader. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
25. ^ "Stream Bladee's New Album, 'Red Light'". Hypebeast. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
26. ^ Darr, John. "Hip-Hop Springboard: The best of late 2018". The Sunflower. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
27. ^ Walker, Jackson. "Bladee circles back to his old sounds in his newest album 'Spiderr'". Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
28. ^ Jones, Daisy (2 January 2019). "All the Music You Might Have Missed Over the Xmas Break". VICE. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
29. ^ Alfonzo, Sebastian (27 April 2020). "'EXETER' by Bladee". The Wake. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
30. ^ "Bladee Drops Glitchy Lo-Fi Visuals for "Every Moment Special"". Hypebeast. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
31. ^ Yoo, Noah (16 July 2020). "Bladee Surprise Releases New Album 333". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
32. ^ "Bladee Releases Surprise New Album, '333'". Hypebeast. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
33. ^ "Bladee Asccends to Heaven in "Reality Surf" Music Video". Hypebeast. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
34. ^ Bloom, Madison (24 November 2020). "Bladee and Mechatok Announce New Album, Share Video for New Song "God"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
35. ^ "bladee and Mechatok Take To the Skies for Their "Drama" Visual". Hypebeast. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
36. ^ "Bladee & Mechatok – Drama · Single Review ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
37. ^ Enis, Eli (10 December 2020). "Bladee And Mechatok Are Winning And Losing At The Same Time". MTV. Archived from the original on 27 August 2022.
38. ^ "Bladee and Mechatok reveal collaborative album, Good Luck · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
39. ^ Li, Nicolaus (10 December 2020). "bladee and Mechatok Deliver Arresting Dancepop With 'Good Luck'". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
40. ^ Macias, Ernesto (28 April 2021). "Bladee and Charli XCX Bring the "Drama"". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
41. ^ Yoo, Noah (28 April 2021). "Charli XCX Joins Bladee and Mechatok for New "Drama" Remix". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
42. ^ a b Smith, Nadine. "Bladee: The Fool". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
43. ^ Yoo, Noah (28 May 2021). "Bladee Shares New Album The Fool". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
44. ^ "Der Drain Gang-Kronprinz legt ein TikTok-Tarot". laut.de (in German). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
45. ^ a b "The 50 best albums of 2021". The FADER. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
46. ^ "BENJAMIN REICHWALD, Real Sprin9 02/07/21 – 15/08/21". THE RESIDENCE GALLERY. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
47. ^ "Ecco2k and Bladee share new single "Amygdala"". The FADER. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
48. ^ "Ecco2k and Bladee Experience an Ethereal Rave in the Visual for "Amygdala"". Hypebeast. 19 January 2022. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
49. ^ a b "Drain Gang". 032c.com. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
50. ^ "Genesis als Cloud Rap-Drogentrip". laut.de (in German). Retrieved 27 November 2024.
51. ^ Smith, Nadine. "Bladee / Ecco2k: Crest". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
52. ^ Hussey, Allison (16 September 2022). "Bladee Announces New Album Spiderr, Shares Video for New Song "Drain Story"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
53. ^ Joyce, Colin. "Bladee: Spiderr". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
54. ^ Jones, Damian (27 January 2023). "Skrillex shares new single 'Real Spring' with Bladee". NME. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
55. ^ "Skrillex and Bladee Team Up in "Real Spring" Music Video". Hypebeast. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
56. ^ Arcand, Rob (26 January 2023). "Skrillex and Bladee Share Video for New Song "Real Spring"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
57. ^ "Benjamin Reichwald & Jonas Rönnberg Fucked For Life". Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
58. ^ Brady, Keegan (27 May 2023). "Bladee and Varg2 Bring Drain Gang Lore To The New York Art World". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
59. ^ a b c "Yung Lean & Bladee Release New Collaborative Singles "Victorious" & "Bullets": Listen". Stereogum. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
60. ^ a b c Handler, Max (4 April 2024). "Bladee, Yung Lean link up on 'Psykos' • The Tulane Hullabaloo". The Tulane Hullabaloo. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
61. ^ "Yung Lean & Bladee Release Surprise New Album 'Psykos': Stream". Stereogum. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
62. ^ "Yung Lean and Bladee Drop Surprise Album 'Psykos'". Complex. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
63. ^ Dazed (18 March 2024). "Psykos: The story behind Bladee and Yung Lean's new album". Dazed. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
64. ^ "Bladee Drops Gritty Surprise Mixtape 'Cold Visions'". Hypebeast. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
65. ^ a b Press-Reynolds, Kieran. "Bladee: Cold Visions". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
66. ^ "Bladee Drops Gritty Surprise Mixtape 'Cold Visions'". Hypebeast. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
67. ^ "Staff Picks: Favorite Albums of April 2024". Consequence. 1 May 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
68. ^ Slant Staff (26 June 2024). "The Best Albums of 2024 ... So Far". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
69. ^ "'BRAT' album review and it's completely different but also still brat album review". www.34st.com. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
70. ^ Solomon, Emma (23 October 2024). "'Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat' (quite literally)". www.dailycal.org. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
71. ^ Maria Sherman (13 October 2024). "Charli XCX's 'Brat and it's completely different but also still brat' remixes, ranked". Toronto Star. Associated Press. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
72. ^ "'Brat and it's completely different but also still brat': the remixes ranked". DIY. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
73. ^ "Sad Boys and Drain Gang artists announce departure from YEAR0001". Mixmag. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
74. ^ Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt, 30 April 2025, retrieved 1 June 2025
75. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
76. ^ "bladee Concert & Tour History | Concert Archives". www.concertarchives.org. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
77. ^ Strauss, Matthew (6 May 2025). "Bladee Announces Martyr World Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
78. ^ Smith, Nadine. "Various Artists: Rift ONE". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 November 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Bladee discography at Discogs

* v
* t
* e

Bladee

Albums and mixtapes|

* Eversince (2016)
* Red Light (2018)
* Trash Island (with Drain Gang, 2019)
* Exeter (2020)
* 333 (2020)
* Good Luck (with Mechatok, 2020)
* The Fool (2021)
* Crest (with Ecco2K, 2022)
* Spiderr (2022)
* Psykos (with Yung Lean, 2024)
* Cold Visions (2024)

Featured singles|

* "Take Me by the Hand"

Related articles|

* Drain Gang
* Year0001

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* 2

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