It All Leads Back to Hip Hop: Lucy Bedroque on What Comes Next

"C is album of the year," Lucy Bedroque declares with a shy smile, the declaration punctuating a momentary audio glitch in our Los Angeles-based video call. The oppressive London heatwave, a stark contrast to the Californian sunshine, had temporarily hobbled the journalist’s recording equipment, causing the connection to momentarily falter. When pressed for clarification, Bedroque, whose given name is Jeremiah Mark, confirms their statement refers to an upcoming project, their voice a hushed anticipation. This enigmatic pronouncement hints at a new chapter for the burgeoning artist, whose trajectory has been marked by rapid ascent within the complex ecosystem of internet music culture.

Born in the Bronx, Bedroque’s formative years were profoundly shaped by the global disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, as an eighth grader, their academic engagement waned in favor of a fervent dedication to music creation. "I think I was making a beat a day," Bedroque recalls, detailing how Zoom classes were largely bypassed in favor of an intense period of creative output. When not immersed in music production, their time was equally occupied by a voracious consumption of anime and a prolific drawing habit, mirroring the rapid pace of their musical development. This period of intense, self-directed learning laid the groundwork for the distinctive sonic palette that would later define their work.

Just over a year ago, Bedroque unveiled Unmusique, a project that significantly amplified their presence in the digital music landscape. Bolstered by breakout tracks such as "2010 Justin Bieber" and "Yes, You May," the album introduced a wider audience to Bedroque’s signature blend of blown-out 808s, emo-rap sensibilities, and fragmented elements drawn from digicore and rage music. The artist expresses a degree of surprise at the project’s enduring appeal: "The project actually aged well in a way I didn’t think it would," they admit. "I wasn’t expecting it to have the longevity that it has." This sentiment suggests an organic evolution of their sound, resonating with listeners long after its initial release, a testament to its foundational impact.

A Meteoric Rise: Festivals, Tours, and Digital Acclaim

The period following the release of Unmusique has been characterized by a remarkable acceleration in Bedroque’s career. The artist has embarked on extensive tours across the United States, secured coveted slots at major music festivals, and performed as a supporting act for prominent artists including the rage scene’s breakout star, Jane Remover, and EDM innovator, Ninajirachi. More recently, Bedroque made a notable appearance at the renowned Rolling Loud Festival, gracing the stage in a custom Chrome Hearts ensemble. Their presence in the lineup, positioned alongside artists such as OSAMASON, CHE, and Ken Carson, underscores their growing influence within the hip-hop and adjacent urban music scenes.

The digital sphere has played a pivotal role in amplifying Bedroque’s visibility. A photograph circulating backstage at Rolling Loud, featuring the artist alongside a constellation of influential figures, quickly became a viral sensation on niche internet meme pages. This surge in online attention prompts reflection on Bedroque’s evolving relationship with their burgeoning fame. "I think I now interact with fans very differently from how I used to," they explain. "There was a lot more grace back then, because it was a much smaller circle of people. I’m trying to gauge what makes sense to respond to and what doesn’t," they add. This measured approach to online engagement is understandable given their recent transition into adulthood; "I literally just turned 20, like, two weeks ago, so I feel it’s kind of difficult to work out." This developmental stage highlights the challenges of navigating public life while still solidifying personal identity and artistic direction.

Defining the Sound: A Hip-Hop Foundation

The ongoing process of defining their musical identity is a theme that permeates Bedroque’s reflections. When asked to categorize their sound, the artist acknowledges the nascent stage of their career: "I think six years of a career is very rookie numbers," they state. "I feel like I’d need at least another five or six to even think about having some kind of label. I feel like I haven’t done enough to give myself a title." Despite this self-effacing assessment, Bedroque offers a concise and overarching descriptor: "At best, I just say it all leads back to hip hop." This assertion anchors their diverse sonic explorations within the rich tradition of hip-hop, suggesting a deep respect for its foundational principles while simultaneously embracing experimentalism.

The early influences that shaped Bedroque’s artistic sensibilities are deeply rooted in visual culture and early internet phenomena. A childhood characterized by strict bedtime rules, which limited television viewing to before 9 PM, paradoxically fueled a fascination with shows like Pokémon, Digimon, and Dragon Ball Z. These animated narratives, often consumed in hurried bursts, contributed to a developing aesthetic. "The nerdy side of the internet is where I nailed my interest and figured out what I like," Bedroque reveals, pointing to the digital realm as a crucial space for self-discovery and the cultivation of unique tastes.

This early immersion in digital subcultures, combined with a formative exposure to alternative and nu-metal genres, has sculpted their current artistic output. Bands such as My Chemical Romance and System of a Down were significant influences during their fifth-grade years, before a deep dive into the SoundCloud music scene opened a vast panorama of independent artists. This eclectic background informs their willingness to engage in collaborations, having already partnered with artists like Kuru, Jane Remover, and Slayr. Looking ahead, Bedroque expresses a keen interest in working with members of the influential Sad Boys and Drain Gang collective, specifically citing Ecco2k as a significant artistic touchstone: "I think working with a lot of the Sad Boys / Drain Gang members would be cool – especially Ecco2k because he’s one of my favorite artists of this generation." Such collaborations would undoubtedly further push the boundaries of their already innovative sound.

A Trilogy Unveiled: The Future of Bedroque’s Sound

Despite their insistence on still "figuring things out," Bedroque articulates a clear vision for their upcoming projects. They outline a comprehensive trilogy, commencing with the project simply titled C. This will be followed by an EP, and culminating in a full-length LP scheduled for release in the winter. "This project is a mix of almost every project I’ve worked on," Bedroque explains, emphasizing its role as a cohesive narrative arc designed to appeal to both established "Lucy Bedroque veterans" and new listeners alike. This ambitious multi-part release signals a period of significant artistic consolidation and expansion, promising to further solidify their unique place in the contemporary music landscape. The structure of this trilogy suggests a deliberate attempt to synthesize their diverse creative explorations into a coherent artistic statement, bridging their past explorations with future ambitions. The anticipation surrounding C and its subsequent installments is palpable, indicating a growing fanbase eager to witness the next evolution of this distinctive artist.