Photo via Discogs.
Artist Roy Chukwuemeka Nnawuchi has created about seven aliases to upload and produce music under. Most famously known as Dean Blunt, his music career’s success can be hard to measure if you haven’t met all of him. What follows is a brief timeline that breaks down who exactly Blunt is and where he came from:
#1 Hype Williams:
After leaving his first band, Graffiti Island, Blunt formed the duo Hype Williams with artist Igna Copeland. Blunt and Copeland released little music on this platform in their early days, their most remarkable release being the album “One Nation.” Blunt and Copeland's very first success came a year later in 2012 with their album “Black is Beautiful,” which was posted under the name “Dean Blunt.” In 2017 the duo circled back and put out the album “Rainbow Edition,” still working on music together here and there.
#2 Dean Blunt:
Dean Blunt is one of his more well known aliases, and is who appeared second on Spotify only to Hype Williams. Blunt uses a variety of instruments in his music, from electric and acoustic guitars to synthesizers like the Roland SH-101 and Alpha Juno-1. His earlier work, like “The Narcissist II” (2012) and “The Redeemer” (2013), experimented with his genre blending style of music creation. He collaborates with different vocalists, like Joanne Roertson on “BLACK METAL” (2014), and Lady T on “Soul on Fire” (2018). In recent years, “BLACK METAL 2” (2021) and “ZUSHI” (2020) are two of his most listened to albums according to Spotify, alongside the compilation “Roaches 2012-2019.” The information Blunt chooses to release is intentionally pretty elusive, his music reflects a similar vibe. To some, his music may sound like a fragmented memory or a distant emotion with ghosty vocal sets layered on top of a muted electric guitar, all swallowed up by his variety of synthesizers. “100,” his 4th song off of “BLACK METAL” and by far his most listened to song on Spotify, encompasses all of these features.
#3 Babyfather:
Babyfather surfaced around 2015, the same year the album “Babyfather” was released on Blunts page. “Platinum Tears” and “"BBF" Hosted By DJ Escrow” hit charts in 2016, and shortly after came the album “419 (Remastered).” Songs like “Snakeman Freestyle,” “Penelope Freestyle,” and “Skywalker” all come from “419 (Remastered).” Babyfather’s music is a true reflection of Dean Blunt. You’re getting his trademarked mix of different audio and instrumental samples - whether it’s snips of crowd noises, phone calls or conversations cut too short or a consistent drum pad, bass line, or repetitive piano keys. He hands out a freestyle and some form of synthesized instrumentals. Everything Babyfather released after this was a single, like “1471” with Tirzah or “bluey vuitton” with evilgiane. Babyfather’s music is a true reflection of Dean Blunt. You’re getting his trademarked mix of different audio samples he uses in his songs (crowd noises, phone calls, conversation bits, etc.)
#4 Blue Iverson
“Hotep” is the only album posted under Blue Iverson as of now, however it’s the only album he needs. This stand alone album is a bit different from his other music, as it taps into his lighter side. Songs like “Coy Boy,” “Hush Money,” and “Jennah's Interlude” give the album its airy side. Hotep is an example of Blunt testing out the popularity of his music detached from his platform. He obviously proved himself right.
#5 Bo Khat Eternal Troof Family Band
A relatively new alias, Bo Khat Eternal Troof Family Band has two albums on Spotify. “Ireland” (2019) is a five-song reflection of Blunt's instrumental talents, featuring a plethora of different instrumentals, while “TUFIAKWA!” features a violin and strings heavy collection of music.
#6 The Crying Nudes
Coupled up with singer FINE, Blunt and FINE released their album “The Crying Nudes” in 2024, along with a handful of singles like “Jawbreaker,” “greaser,” and “patty hearst.” The vocals are carried by FINE and influenced by Blunt's far-away and airy themes. Every instrumental combination of guitar and steady drumming is true to Blunt's sound as well.
#7 Teens of Thailand & Graffiti Island
Again, the man is mysterious as hell. Graffiti Island was the first band he was ever involved in, and these songs can’t be streamed off of Spotify. Teens of Thailand is an alias of Blunts that is conspired about on Reddit to be an alias that gained less success, which is why it’s much harder to find. It only really exists on Reddit or Rate My Music.
Blunt wanted to test his skills and understand if his artistic visions are something people actually enjoy, not just music you listen to because (insert artist's name) released it. This method could have ended poorly, but is instead a way cooler testament to his talents. Arguably, all aliases are successful in their own way and for their own reasons.