Blanco

Blanco Artistfacts

  • March 8, 1999
  • Joshua Emmanuel Pinto João Eduardo, known professionally as Blanco, is a British rapper and singer of Angolan heritage. He rose to prominence in the late 2010s as a member of the South London drill group Harlem Spartans. Blanco is known for his introspective and emotionally charged lyrics, often drawing from the realness of growing up in Kennington, South London.
  • Blanco started writing his rhymes aged 15, taking inspiration from the likes of 50 Cent, Biggie, Dizzee Rascal and Skepta. He first crossed paths with the members of Harlem Spartans at a local youth centre in Kennington.
  • Life isn't just rhymes and beats for Blanco. He was convicted in 2018 of possession of a firearm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. The charges stemmed from an incident when armed police pulled over a taxi with Blanco and his Harlem Spartans homie, MizOrMac. Cops found a loaded gun on Blanco and a samurai sword stashed in his trousers.
  • Blanco's debut mixtape, City of God, secured the #16 spot on Complex UK's list of Best Albums of 2021. It included his Central Cee collaboration "The Great Escape," which peaked at #62 on the UK Singles chart, Blanco's first charting song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.