Bladee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bladee
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Bladee in 2016
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| Birth name | Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald |
| Born | 9 April 1994 Stockholm, Sweden |
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| Years active | 2013–present |
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Benjamin Thage Dag Reichwald (born April 9, 1994), who is known by his stage name Bladee, is a Swedish singer and rapper. He is a founding member of the music group Drain Gang, which he started in 2013 with his childhood friends Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor. Bladee began releasing his own music that same year and became more well-known after working with fellow Swedish rapper Yung Lean.
Bladee released his first mixtape, Gluee, in 2014, and his first album, Eversince, in 2016. In 2017, he became the art director for Yung Lean's clothing brand, Sadboys Gear. He also released a mixtape called Working on Dying with the production group of the same name. In 2018, he released two more projects, Red Light and Icedancer.
In 2020, Bladee released three projects: Exeter, 333, and Good Luck, which was a team-up with the producer Mechatok. His 2021 album, The Fool, was praised by music critics. That year, he also showed his paintings in his first solo art show, Real Sprin9, and created a clothing line with the brand GANT.
In 2022, he released Crest, an album with Ecco2K, and his sixth solo album, Spiderr. In 2024, he released two more albums: Psykos, with Yung Lean, and Cold Visions. He also appeared on a remix of Charli XCX's song "Rewind" and announced he was leaving his longtime record label, Year0001.
Early Life and Beginnings
Benjamin Reichwald was born on April 9, 1994, in Stockholm, Sweden. He grew up mostly in the Skanstull neighborhood. His mother was a teacher, and his father worked in restaurants. When he was a kid, Reichwald wanted to be a painter.
In 2004, he met Ecco2K at school. They started a punk band called Krossad, which is Swedish for "crushed." Later, he met the producer Whitearmor and the rapper Thaiboy Digital through friends. After finishing school, he worked at a daycare for about a year.
Music Career
2013–2016: Starting Drain Gang
Reichwald started making music as Bladee in 2013. He formed the music group Drain Gang with his friends Ecco2K, Thaiboy Digital, and Whitearmor. At first, they called themselves Gravity Boys. Bladee also became friends with Yung Lean, and their music groups started working together. He was featured on a song from Yung Lean's mixtape Unknown Death 2002, which helped him get noticed by Lean's fans.
In 2014, Bladee released his first mixtape, Gluee. It was called "a summertime anthem for a suburban generation." On May 25, 2016, he released his first album, Eversince, which was produced by Whitearmor.
2017–2018: More Mixtapes and Albums
In 2017, Bladee became the art director for Yung Lean's Sadboys Gear clothing line. He then worked with the production group Working on Dying on a mixtape with the same name. Later, he released his second album, Red Light, on May 11, 2018.
In July 2018, Bladee and Ecco2K walked in a fashion show in Paris for the brand Alyx. At the end of the year, on December 28, he released his third mixtape, Icedancer.
2019–2020: A Year of Three Albums
In April 2020, Bladee released EXETER, an album he recorded in Gotland, Sweden, with the producer Gud. A few months later, in July, he released his next album, 333.
To finish the year, he released his third project of 2020, Good Luck. This was an album made with the producer Mechatok. A deluxe version of the album came out later and included a remix of the song "Drama" featuring Charli XCX.
2021–2022: Art, Fashion, and New Music
In May 2021, Bladee released his fifth solo album, The Fool. It was very well-liked by critics and was named one of the best albums of the year by The Fader magazine. That summer, he had his first solo art show in London, called Real Sprin9, where he displayed his paintings. In September, he released a special Drain Gang clothing collection with the brand GANT.
On March 18, 2022, he released Crest, an album he made with Ecco2K. It was also praised by critics. Later that year, on September 30, Bladee released his sixth album, Spiderr.
2023–Present: Collaborations and New Directions
In 2023, Bladee worked with the famous producer Skrillex on two songs, "Real Spring" and "Ceremony." He also had an art show with the artist Varg2™ called ... for Life in New York City.
On March 13, 2024, Bladee and Yung Lean surprised fans by releasing Psykos, their first full album together. The album had a different sound, using more rock and post-punk styles. Just a month later, on April 23, 2024, Bladee released another surprise album, Cold Visions. Music critics liked it, with Pitchfork calling it his "most realized project to date."
In November 2024, Bladee and the other members of Drain Gang announced they were leaving their record label, Year0001. In an interview, Bladee said, "The only thing that's important is that I'm doing something that's true to me."
On April 30, 2025, Bladee released an EP called Ste The Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt. A week later, he announced the Martyr World Tour on Instagram.
Musical Style and Personal Life
Bladee has said that it's hard to describe his music with just one genre. Music writer Jack Angell called his sound "frostbitten futurism." Bladee and the other members of Drain Gang have said they make music based on their feelings and don't usually write lyrics before recording. Some of his influences include Chief Keef, Lil B, The Beach Boys, and Basshunter.
Bladee is a private person and doesn't like to talk about himself much in public. In interviews, he has mentioned that he was once struck by lightning during a trip to Thailand in 2019. He said the experience changed him.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Eversince (2016)
- Red Light (2018)
- Exeter (2020)
- 333 (2020)
- The Fool (2021)
- Spiderr (2022)
- Cold Visions (2024)
Collaborative Albums
- AvP (2016) (with Thaiboy Digital)
- D&G (2017) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)
- Trash Island (2019) (with Ecco2K and Thaiboy Digital)
- Good Luck (2020) (with Mechatok)
- Crest (2022) (with Ecco2K)
- Psykos (2024) (with Yung Lean)
Mixtapes
- Gluee (2014)
- Working on Dying (2017)
- Icedancer (2018)
Extended Plays (EPs)
- Rip Bladee (2016)
- Plastic Surgery (2017)
- Sunset in Silver City (2018)
- Exile (2018)
- Ste the Beautiful Martyr 1st Attempt (2025)
