Mura Masa

Known by his stage name Mura Masa, Alex Crossan stands out as a Grammy-winning producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans pop, dance, and hip-hop. After issuing his first mixtape in 2014 he shifted from crafting remixes and instrumentals toward collaborations with numerous vocalists, among them A$AP Rocky on the 2016 viral hit “Love$ick” and Charli XCX, while also producing and co-writing material for Ariana Grande, Stormzy, Chic, and additional artists. His self-titled 2017 studio album showcased a broad stylistic palette, whereas the guitar-oriented 2020 follow-up R.Y.C. and the 2021 single “2gether” turned toward intimate, introspective themes. The more escapist third album Demon Time appeared in 2022.

Crossan originates from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, situated between England and France. A lifelong musician, he first explored beats and electronic production at age fifteen; two years later his track “Lotus Eater” gained support from several BBC Radio 1 DJs and thereby initiated his professional trajectory. The 2014 mixtape Soundtrack to a Death came out via the German independent label Jakarta Records, and in 2015 he secured a distribution agreement with Polydor that enabled the release of his debut EP Someday Somewhere on his own Anchor Point Records imprint. That EP included vocal contributions from U.K. singers Nao, Denai Moore, and Jay Prince. His single “Lovesick Fuck” reached the top of viral charts, and late in 2015 he issued “Love for That,” which featured Manchester singer Shura. A year afterward Crossan teamed with American rapper A$AP Rocky for a reworked rendition of the track, now titled “Love$ick.”

He opened 2017 with the collaborative single “1 Night” alongside Charli XCX, preceding his debut album. Mura Masa’s self-titled full-length appeared that summer on Interscope Records and, in addition to Rocky and XCX, incorporated appearances by multi-instrumentalist Damon Albarn, French singer/songwriter Christine & the Queens, and American rapper Desiigner. Returning in 2018, Mura Masa delivered the collaborative single “Move Me” with London rapper Octavian. His remix of HAIM’s “Walking Away” earned the award for Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019. The single “I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again,” featuring Clairo, surfaced in August of that year as the lead track from Mura Masa’s sophomore album R.Y.C. An abbreviation of Random Youth Collage, the second LP adopted a conceptual lens on youth and disillusionment before its January 2020 release. Later that year he appeared on hyperpop artist Alice Longyu Gao’s track “She Abunai,” then returned in 2021 with the solo single “2gether.” Early 2022 brought the collaboration “bbycakes” with Lil Uzi Vert, PinkPantheress, and Shygirl. The song featured on the album Demon Time, which also included guest appearances by Channel Tres, Pa Salieu, and Erika de Casier. Subsequent collaborations encompassed “Drugs,” featuring Daniela Lalita, and “My Baby Made Me Do It…,” with Wyllis and FREEWRL Music.