AOTW: FRIEND OR FOUX

Who’s my friend or foe?

Hailing from East London, Lance O. Omal, better known as Lancey Foux, has carved out a distinct and influential path in the UK music scene with his unique style. His 2019 album Friend or Foux is a great example of this, showing his blend of alt-punk and psychedelic trap that was unlike anything else coming out of the drill heavy UK at the time.

While many UK artists were leaning into sounds like grime or drill, Lancey was a pioneer of a more experimental sound. His unconventional approach and artistic vision helped lay the groundwork for a new generation of UK rappers like YT, Len, Fimiguerrero (who he does do features with, including a collab album), and his influence has even reached across the Atlantic. He's often compared to artists like Playboi Carti, and some would argue he was a foundational influence on the "Opium" sound. Lancey himself hinted at this in his unreleased song "Get It," where he says, "I done gave your favorite rapper my style, I don't need the credit," a line widely interpreted as a reference to his impact on not just the music genre, but style and fashion.

Friend or Foux remains a landmark project that solidified his place as a trailblazer, demonstrating his ability to fuse abrasive trap beats with melodic, often-autotuned vocals and a fashion-forward, mysterious aesthetic. It's a project that's as much a statement as it is an album, and its influence continues to be felt throughout the global underground rap scene.






7.5/10