The self-proclaimed West Mids Wordsmith is making serious waves in Birmingham’s underground rap scene. With a razor-sharp pen game and beats that echo the cold realities of city living, Hunter Bavaro stands apart, offering something refreshingly raw.
Bavaro’s journey into rap was anything but typical. Before hip-hop even entered his orbit, he was sharpening his craft through poetry, finding solace in words as a school kid. Now, he channels that same lyrical dexterity into music, taking cues from heavyweights like Kano, Little Simz, and Kendrick Lamar. The result? A sound that’s unmistakably his own—thoughtful, hard-hitting, and deeply personal.
His last two projects, All Things Considered and A Meal In Winter, caught the attention of tastemakers at BBC Introducing, Balamii, UK Underground Rap, and No Signal, cementing his status as one to watch. Now, he’s stepping up yet again, ready to mark a new milestone with his first headline show at Bene Culture in celebration of his latest release.
Released on Friday, 7th March, What Of It? follows 2024’s A Meal In Winter and delivers a brutally honest fable depicting a reality so many can relate to in modern Britain.
‘“What Of It?” – it’s a borderline rude phrase that embodies a mind-your-own attitude and that’s exactly what this project alludes to,’ Bavaro explains. ‘It’s got dark tones, lyrics soaked in melancholy, but there are moments where light seeps through—"a slither of hope" as I put it in the opening track Start.’
The EP is a deep dive into Bavaro’s world, pulling listeners into the heart of Birmingham—Castle Bromwich, to be precise. Across the project, he paints a picture of his reality, from pub brawls to battles with depression, leaving no stone unturned. It’s gritty, unfiltered storytelling—more novella than mixtape—delivered with the confidence of an artist who knows exactly what he’s doing.
With What Of It?, Hunter Bavaro isn’t just proving he belongs in the conversation—he’s making damn sure you won’t forget his name.
Comments