INTERVIEW: 90BRO

Sunderland rapper 90BRO is set to launch his conceptual rap album ORB09, a cosmic odyssey that fuses spacey, ambient, and electronic tones with profound themes of reflection and inner child healing. The album’s title is more than a clever play on his name spelled backwards; it symbolizes Pluto – the ninth orb astrologically. “Pluto is associated with power, transformation, and rebirth,” he explains. “It seems fitting that this is the time to release this body of work, especially as 2025 is a 9 year in numerology.”

His journey into music began at age 11 and for the past decade he has been pushing the frontiers of the evolving North-East hip-hop scene. “Not only have I seen the change but I’m proud to say that I have been the change. I was blessed to be a part of the new North East movement, marrying unapologetic northern lyrics with sonically experimental music. We united many of the aspiring artists at the time.”

His new album ORB90 is a voyage into his subconscious. The album begins with S0N, narrated from his inner child’s perspective, and traverses various stages, struggles, and traumatic events, culminating in radical self-acceptance. “In this body of work, the universe is an allegory to my inner verse,” 90BRO muses. “The dark vastness of space is a scary concept. It’s very much how I felt as a child. Lost and alone. There’s a freedom in that also.”

Asking how this latest release differs from past work, he adds, “I’m probably rapping less words on this project than previous releases. That’s not to say it isn’t a hip-hop record. I made it a point in the making of this record to say as much as possible in as few words. My flow, tones and delivery change with the music. It’s a syncopated symphony. It’s my most concise release to date and I believe it will be palatable to not only hip-hop fans but fans of music and poetry in general.”

The dark vastness of space is a scary concept. It’s very much how I felt as a child. Lost and alone. There’s a freedom in that also.

Working with the futuristic sonics of producer San-T the album fuses ominous Kubrick and Lynchian synth sounds with stellar snaps that propel 90BRO’s impassioned and effortlessly delivered rhymes, mirroring his internal journey. Songs like Re:Fuse tackle bullying, starting with taunts he endured as a child. Mowgli delves into themes of betrayal, lust, and loneliness, while Gibbous uses lunar phases to parallel toxic relationships and the refugee experience, “both sides staring at the same moon seeking its guidance.”

Recording wasn’t without its challenges. “Multiple times I was breaking down when confronting very emotional topics,” he admits, referencing the track Launchpad. Yet this catharsis was essential. “This is a turning point for me musically, creatively, and spiritually. I’m at a point of acceptance and understanding within myself.”

As for live performances, 90BRO is planning something truly immersive for the album launch show. “We will project visuals that match the tone of what I’m speaking of while performing,” he reveals. “I won’t say too much – I need to leave something to the imagination. That is the space where the magic happens.”

90BRO hopes ORB09 offers healing to listeners embarking on their own journeys. “It won’t be a comfortable listen for some, particularly if they’ve been affected by similar issues,” he acknowledges. “We are all on a journey of self-discovery. I hope sharing the reflections I’ve made on mine can help empower you on yours.”

90BRO plays The Klurb, North Shields on Saturday 29th March with the album ORB09 following on Saturday 5^th April.