Vagrant Real Estate, Scotland On Sunday, 26 February 2023
Vagrant Real Estate | Off Axis Artist of the Week in Scotland On Sunday, 26 February 2023
Words by Derick Mackinnon and Olaf Furniss. Read on Scotsman.com
Aberdonian producer and DJ, Vagrant Real Estate (aka Nick Cronin), has carved out a niche in the world of rap working with local heroes such as BEMZ and Ransom FA, as well as UK grime pioneers Wiley and Manga Saint Hilare. At the end of 2022, his collaboration with London-based rapper CLBRKS, The Iceberg Theory, sold out its vinyl pressing.
Having played in guitar bands at school, his path into hip-hop, was laid by his grandad who had run a London jazz club. When he digitised his vinyl collection, he passed a USB onto the young Cronin, who promptly taught himself how to sample and cut up tracks. His skills came to the attention of another London rapper, Namesbliss (pictured right), with whom he notched up 400,000 streams with Rubicon Lychee, after it ended up on the Adidas playlist.
The pair recently played Sweden’s Future Echoes festival and release the follow-up, Biggest Belief, on 14 March. Cronin is also set to open a studio in his home city as part of his Hours platform, which champions local artists and hosts a special night on 24 March as part of Aberdeen Jazz Festival. With a string of collaborations imminent, visit https://www.vagrantrealestate.com/ to keep track. Facebook @VagrantRealEstate | Instagram @vagrantproducer | Twitter @vagrantproducer | Spotify
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