“A blistering combination of drill (noise) rap and experimental music” (The Guardian)

Blackhaine (UK) – a.k.a. Tom Heyes - is a non-conformist British rapper, choreographer and artist. His stage name was inspired by the French black-and-white film La Haine (1995). Since his debut EP Armour (2022) – which includes a delicious collab with Blood Orange – he’s built up an impressive repertoire characterised by an inventive style incorporating drill noise and poetic, nihilistic lyrics. 

Heyes doesn’t care for formats. His latest ‘song’ And Now I Stand On A Hill is a 23-minute short film. Heyes also offers creative direction to world-renowned rappers such as Playboi Carti. His work, which includes immersive A/V installations, has been presented in the Tate Modern, the Centre Pompidou, the Biennale in Venice and Unsound in Poland. 

Blackhaine’s live performances shift between noise, punk, ambient, avant dance and poetry and are invariably aggressive and overwhelming. According to French multidisciplinary producer Crystallmess, “I feel like whenever he’s performing he’s bringing a total WORLD with him and that’s so commendable and moving”.

Crack magazine on his latest appearance on Le Guess Who?: “Blackhaine kicks the intensity up another notch, moving like boiling water through a strobe-obliterated, soul-bearing set that brings the first night to a climax”.