Bakar on Working With Matthew Williams, his Love for Martine Rose and New Track, "Good News"
“Matthew set the tone with his designs and his brief – we were just an extension of that. Miles Davies in Japan swag.”
Bakar is back, and he’s the bearer of “Good News”.
For almost a decade, the North London musician has created a cult following of listeners from Camden to California, with infectious, introspective tracks that have soundtracked the lives of millions.
Whether you’ve heard his sonics via the world’s biggest video games or a viral TikTok video, Bakar has made a habit of creating music that articulates the thoughts and feelings of a misunderstood generation. This sense of seeking to find a connection while simultaneously feeling displaced and disconnected is the subject of “Good News”, produced by Zach Nahome and Michael Ozuwuru.
Leaning heavily on the nomadic theme he’s built up in previous hits such as “Hell N Back”, the Machine Operated and Bakar-directed visuals for “Good News” see Bakar on an isolated journey that expresses his sentiment of love and loneliness on the road – from Paris, London, Mexico, Montreal, Hawaii, and Miami.
Alongside his pioneering musical talent, Bakar is a bonafide fashion leader in the UK. From being cast in Louis Vuitton’s SS19 show by Virgil Abloh to launching his own collection with Stüssy and Bone Soda more last year, Bakar has carefully built up his credentials within the scene while building an enviable wardrobe of designer garments – which he flexes, subtly, in the “Good News” visuals.
“Good News” recently debuted at Givenchy’s Paris Fashion Week show for close friend Matthew M. Williams as part of the entire show soundtrack, which he curated in collaboration with the Givenchy Creative Director. The song perfectly complimented the show, with the seductive clothing resonating perfectly with Bakar’s broody sonics that filled the room at the brand’s Men’s Fall Winter 2023 RTW Show.
Before releasing the visuals, Hypebeast caught up with Bakar to discuss working with Matthew Williams on the GIvenchy soundtrack, his fashion influences, and what he’s got planned after delivering “Good News”.
Hypebeast: How did you first start working with Matthew Williams?
Bakar: This is actually the first time me and Matthew worked together. We’ve been friends a while now so working together just happened naturally, being around each other, and exchanging ideas and energy.
You’re well known as one of the best-dressed artists in the UK. What were your first inroads into fashion?
My mum always took care in dressing me even as an infant so it just carried through into my adult life.
You were recently also at Martine Rose’s show – do you think UK designers are leading the way at the moment?
I think UK designers have always led the way for a long time. Martine is in rare form right now (has been for a while). Some of the greatest have come from where we come from.
Talk to us about how you conceptualised the soundtrack for this event…
The vision for the Givenchy soundtrack came from above. Matthew set the tone with his designs and his brief – we were just an extension of that. Miles Davies in Japan swag. It was an honour to do, honestly.
Why was this the time to showcase your new track, “Good News“ – and are there more releases to come this year?
It was something Matthew encouraged me to do, he knew I was gonna release ‘Good News’ at some point cos I’d played it for him a while ago. At first I wasn’t sure, I wanted the show to be specifically tailored. Nothing we’d make before but Matthew loved it so much I couldn’t say no. The song deserved its moment.
