Bladee
AKA: Benjamin Reichwald, Evil Bladee, Drain Jesus, Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald
Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald (born 9 April 1994), professionally known as Bladee, is a Swedish recording artist, visual artist, graphic designer, and fashion designer from Stockholm.
Bladee had a musical childhood growing up, as after becoming friends with his classmate Ecco2k at the age of ten, the two formed a band called Krossad. They would continue making music together for a while, eventually releasing a demo CD, Jävla äckel, in 2007. Four years later, in 2011, he began releasing music under the moniker Ken Burnz, with his earliest release, “Tony Hawk,” featuring Ecco2k, being posted to their friend Whitearmor’s SoundCloud. This short-lived era ended in 2013, as he rebranded to the moniker “Bladee.” After meeting fellow artist Yung Lean through his brother that same year, he began collaborating with Lean and his collective Sad Boys. Lean enlisted Bladee on “Nitevision” and “Heal You // Bladerunner” off his debut mixtape Unknown Death 2002, causing him to garner his first bits of attention in the underground scene from Lean’s fanbase. Around this time, Bladee and Ecco2k formed the music collective Drain Gang, formerly known as Gravity Boys Shield Gang, alongside Thaiboy Digital, Whitearmor and Yung Sherman.
Bladee would later cite Chief Keef, Glo Gang, Lil B, The Beach Boys, Basshunter, and James Ferraro’s BEBETUNE$ as musical influences.
Bladee was previously signed to the Swedish independent label YEAR0001. He also releases music under his own label, Trash Island. He is also the creative director of Sad Boys' clothing brand, Sad Boys Gear.
Bladee’s music often features melodic Auto-Tuned raps about his lifestyle and struggles with depression and anxiety, layered over ethereal and atmospheric cloud rap production.