About
Born 2 B – The Untold Architect of UK Jazz-Rap
Before Us3 became a global name, before Ninja Tune Records was a household label for crate-diggers, there was Born 2 B – a South-East London MC with a storyteller’s heart, a Hip-Hop and Jazz lover’s ear, and an unshakable sense of authenticity.
In the mid-1980s, while UK Hip-Hop was still an underground import, Born 2 B was already cutting his teeth on the mic. In 1982, he emerged as the voice of a South-East London sound system, blending block party energy with a distinctly British perspective. By 1990, his feature on Moments in Love with Invision hinted at the fusion of styles that would later define his work – an intricate weaving of Jazz, Funk, and Boom Bap into something unmistakably his own.
The real turning point came in 1991 with the release of The Band Played The Boogie. Credited to NW1 – the original formation that would evolve into Us3 – and released on the then-emerging Ninja Tune Records, the track was a bold fusion of live Jazz energy and Hip-Hop grit. Born 2 B’s confident delivery and narrative flow anchored the record, helping to cement Ninja Tune’s early identity and laying the groundwork for what would become the UK’s defining Jazz-Rap moment.
Behind the scenes, an offer came: to join Geoff Wilkinson and Mel Simpson as the act now known as Us3. The name itself was intended to represent the trio. But Born 2 B, unwilling to compromise on royalties and wary of being sidelined in the media spotlight, declined. It was a decision that would change the trajectory of his career – and the history of the group – forever. While Us3 went on to sign with Blue Note Records, Born 2 B took the independent path, retaining full creative control over his music and legacy.
A Legacy of Integrity
Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Born 2 B carved out a career rooted in the purist ideals of hip-hop. He refused to dilute his art for commercial gain, staying committed to a sound that merged Jazz sophistication, Boom Bap punch, and Funk energy. His lyrics have always been grounded in sharp observation – reporting on suburban London life, political tensions, and human resilience – but often delivered with a touch of humour and a moral twist.
“I was one of the first white rappers on the UK hip hop scene long before Eminem, Third Bass or House of Pain,” he reflects. “I’m a product of my environment. I represent my influences my own way, and I speak on what I see.”
Reinvention and Return
In 2023, Born 2 B began work on his first full-length solo album – a project that reaffirms his position as a key voice in UK Jazz-Rap while pushing his sound into new territory. The first taste of that body of work came with the single Born 2 B’s Riddim – a deep, groove-driven cut blending Jazz flourishes, hypnotic bass, and razor-sharp lyricism.
The track has been receiving radio airplay and blog coverage across the UK and internationally, praised for its fresh-yet-familiar sound that bridges the golden era’s warmth with a modern edge. It stands not only as a personal statement but as a declaration that Born 2 B’s voice – and vision – remains as relevant as ever.
On Stage and Around the World
Born 2 B has brought his magnetic stage presence to legendary UK venues like The Wag Club, The Starlight Club, and The Hacienda, as well as shows across Europe – including a celebrated set at Juliana’s in Istanbul. With the upcoming release of Blue Notes, Beats & Rhymes on Hustlerz, Inc. Recordings, he is now planning his first worldwide tour, reconnecting with the global Jazz-Rap community that he helped inspire.
The Unfinished Story
Born 2 B’s career is more than just a timeline of releases – it’s a testament to artistic integrity, cultural contribution, and an unwavering belief in the power of music to tell the truth. For fans of Us3, Ninja Tune, and the timeless marriage of Jazz and Hip-Hop, his work isn’t just history – it’s the missing chapter you didn’t know you needed.
