2LADE: a rapper who balances mysticism, contrast and sound revolution

Our Artist of the Month for November is 2LADE – which, by the way, is pronounced “Blade”, not “too late”, as I initially thought. 2LADE is a German rapper who grew up in Hamburg and now probably lives in the Cologne/Bonn region. Not much is known about him – and that’s exactly what makes him all the more exciting. For someone with about 150,000 monthly Spotify listeners, his aloofness is almost mystical.

Origin & meaning of the name

2LADE owes his name to the comic hero “Blade” – a symbol of strength, independence and darkness. Like his namesake, 2LADE stands for contrariness, individuality and a certain loneliness.
Initially, he used the look of the comic superhero to create a strong visual identity – the narrative of the “black superhero who saves the world”.
Since then, he has increasingly stopped using this persona. The reason? Perhaps because the character Blade has lost his magic in the mainstream of the Marvel franchise. Or maybe because 2LADE has long since been writing his own story. He does not give any interviews – his music speaks for itself.

From newcomer to celebrated artist

2LADE is known not only for his distinctive name and glasses, but also for his concise sound – sharp, dark and at the same time ironically broken. His career has gained real momentum since 2019.

The single “Allrounder” attracted the interest of greats like Xatar, who had him as a feature guest for his album Hrrr. His debut album Mann mit der Brille [Man with the Glasses] was released in 2022, followed by his second LP Go Time (2023). Both albums demonstrate that 2LADE is here to stay.

Style, sound & lyrics: balancing darkness and irony

Musically, 2LADE bridges the gap between drill, grime and modern trap. His beats are minimalist, deep, and clearly structured, with bass lines that go right through you. Despite this gloomy undertone, humorous or self-ironic elements always shine through his lyrics.

This mixture of darkness and lightness makes him unmistakable. His deep voice carries the sound, gives him weight – and creates a sound that you can recognise immediately.

2LADE has also evolved visually: formerly heavily influenced by “Blade” symbolism – masks, shadows, mysticism – he is now more open, direct and personal.

Discography & milestones

2LADE has built up an impressive discography in a short period of time. In addition to his two albums, numerous singles show his range – from club-friendly to introspective. Titles such as “Superman”, “Boxen Laut”, “Follow Me” (with Xatar) or “Blood Rave” stand out.

Each track represents a different facet of his sound – and his continuous evolution as an artist.

Copyright: Finn Buendert

Strengths & opportunities: a rapper with a profile

What makes 2LADE special is his recognisability.
His voice, his sound aesthetics and his style all set him apart from the mainstream. He stands for contrasts: between darkness and humour, between hardness and thoughtfulness.

By deciding to do away with his Blade-inspired image, he has opened the door to new creative developments. And with increasing streaming numbers and exciting features, 2LADE has the potential to further expand his fanbase.

In summary: why 2LADE is our Artist of the Month

2LADE is at the crossroads of mysticism and evolution – a rapper who reinvents himself without losing touch with his roots.
For those who work creatively, his path is inspiring: a clear identity, a bold transformation, an honest sound.

He demonstrates that visibility does not have to be loud – it has to be real.
And that there is always room in the music business for artists who are more than just a trend. 2LADE is our Artist of the Month because he proves that depth, attitude and sound can go hand in hand.

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See more of 2LADE on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Spotify.
Once a month, recordJet has an Artist of the Month. The recordJet crew chooses an artist that has especially impressed us. Take a look at our AotM playlist – it is a playlist of all of our AotMs from past years up to today.