Bawo explores new ground on Surf’s Up

West London rapper Bawo expands his sound with live instrumentation, rock influences and UK rap collaborations on Surf’s Up

Bawo returns with Surf’s Up, a seven-track EP that pushes his mix of UK rap, grime, garage and soul into new territory while keeping his roots firmly in place.

Released on 25 September 2026, the new EP follows several months of new music from the West London rapper, with “And Still”, “Clueless” and “Shelloff” arriving ahead of the full project.

A Different Direction for Bawo

The beginnings of Surf’s Up can be traced back to a 2024 session with artist and producer Ken Samson. That work helped change Bawo’s approach to live instrumentation, opening the door to a more rock-influenced sound. He has also spoken about getting deeper into Nirvana and the energy of rock music.

That shift can be heard across the project. “Wrestlemania” brings an alternative rock and indie feel, while “Clueless” leans towards the dancefloor. The dreamy “Surfboard Club” features Jam City, adding another layer to the EP’s wide-ranging sound.

Bawo, Scorcher and JME on “Shelloff”

One of the EP’s biggest collaborations comes on “Shelloff”, which brings Bawo together with Scorcher and JME. The track connects Bawo’s current sound with two established names from UK grime and rap.

The track arrived in August with a visual directed by J.L.A-Davis. The video plays with community, individuality and surreal imagery, giving “Shelloff” a visual identity of its own.

Bravo Video

Listen to Surf’s Up by Bawo

Across seven tracks, Bawo moves between reflection, rap energy, live instrumentation and more melodic moments. The project also follows recent collaborations with artists including AntsLive, Knucks and Jam City as he continues to broaden his musical range.

Surf’s Up EP

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